Give your group more of Arizona without changing home base. When meeting in Tempe, the city’s central location puts some of the state’s most iconic landscapes and experiences within reach, making it easy to take the itinerary beyond the meeting room.
Start locally with brewery tours and e-bike rides through Tempe, or take the group farther with local tour operators offering hotel pickup for day trips to Sedona, the Grand Canyon and other Arizona destinations. For a closer look at the Sonoran Desert, guided excursions invite groups to experience the region’s trails, lakes, rivers and rugged landscapes firsthand.
Whether it’s a few hours exploring Tempe or a full day discovering more of Arizona, Tempe gives planners a well-connected starting point for experiences that extend beyond the agenda.
Arizona Brew Hopping
Get a taste of Tempe’s local craft beer scene with a guided brewery experience designed for groups. Arizona Brew Hopping takes guests on a curated four-hour tour of local breweries, complete with craft beer tastings, shareable appetizers and behind-the-scenes access to the brewing process. It’s an easy way to experience the city’s brewery culture while giving attendees time to connect beyond the meeting room.
Four Peaks Brewing Company Brewery Tours
Step inside one of Tempe’s most iconic breweries. Four Peaks Brewing Company’s original 8th Street location is housed in a century-old former creamery and ice factory, where historic character meets one of Arizona’s best-known craft beer brands. Guided brewery tours take groups behind the scenes to learn about the building’s history, brewing process and the beers that helped put Four Peaks on the map.
Tempe E-Bike Tours
See Tempe from a different point of view. Guided and self-guided e-bike tours connect some of the city’s signature destinations, including Tempe Town Lake, Papago Park, Downtown Tempe and Arizona State University’s Tempe campus. Options range from individual rentals to private “meet & ride” experiences for small groups, giving attendees a seamless way to see the city without stretching the schedule.
Tempe Boat Cruisin’
Experience Tempe Town Lake from the water with Tempe Boat Cruisin’, a pedal-powered group experience on the water. Part party bike and part pedal boat, each cruise accommodates up to 26 guests and is professionally captained and crewed. Music, lake views and an easygoing atmosphere make it a memorable option for groups looking to experience one of Tempe’s signature destinations together.
Tours Beyond Tempe
360 Adventures
Take the meeting agenda into the Sonoran Desert with a guided outdoor experience just beyond the city. 360 Adventures offers hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and canyoneering excursions designed to showcase Arizona’s rugged desert landscape. Experiences range from half-day outings to multiday adventures, giving planners flexibility to build an outdoor component into the itinerary.
Across Arizona Tours
Explore more of Arizona without the logistics of planning every stop. Across Arizona Tours offers one- and two-day guided excursions to the Grand Canyon, Sedona, the Navajo Nation and other notable destinations throughout the state. Pickup is available at many area hotels, with options for private groups, custom itineraries and bilingual guides.
Arizona Outdoor Fun
Trade city streets for desert trails with an off-road adventure through the Sonoran Desert. Arizona Outdoor Fun offers guided and self-guided ATV and UTV experiences that take guests into Arizona’s rugged backcountry for an up-close look at the landscape. It’s an adventurous option for groups looking to add something active and distinctly Arizona to their itinerary.
Desert Belle Cruises
Discover the Sonoran Desert from an unexpected vantage point: the water. Desert Belle Cruises takes guests across Saguaro Lake, where towering canyon walls, desert landscapes and native wildlife create the backdrop for a relaxing group excursion. Cruises feature live narration about Arizona’s natural history or live music, with private cruise options available for groups.
Desert Dog Offroad Adventures
Get groups off the pavement and into the desert with an experience built around Arizona’s rugged terrain. Desert Dog Offroad Adventures offers guided UTV sand buggy adventures, Jeep tours and Ford Bronco tours through the Phoenix and Scottsdale area. Multiple daily departure times make it easier for planners to work an off-road excursion into the schedule.
DETOURS American West
Turn Tempe into a starting point for exploring some of the Southwest’s most memorable destinations. DETOURS American West offers guided small-group day trips and multiday tours departing from Tempe, Phoenix and Scottsdale. Expert guides bring context to the region’s landscapes, history and culture, creating an experience that goes beyond simply seeing the sights.
Fort McDowell Adventures
Give attendees a taste of the West at Fort McDowell Adventures, located on the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. Groups can experience the Sonoran Desert through horseback rides, cattle drives and ATV excursions, then gather for a barbecue dinner beneath the desert sky. The variety of activities makes it especially well-suited for planners looking to build a larger group experience around one destination.
Grand Canyon Railway
Make the journey to the Grand Canyon part of the experience. Departing from Williams, Arizona, the Grand Canyon Railway carries passengers to Grand Canyon National Park aboard vintage rail cars, with expansive views, musicians and Old West entertainment along the way. It offers groups a memorable alternative to driving directly to one of Arizona’s most iconic destinations.
KOLI Equestrian Center
Take in Arizona’s desert landscape on horseback at KOLI Equestrian Center, located on the Gila River Indian Community. Miles of Sonoran Desert scenery set the stage for guided trail rides, hay wagon rides and cattle drives. Trail excursions are designed as walking rides, creating an approachable experience for groups with varying levels of riding ability.
Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Company
Rainbow Ryders takes guests above the Valley of the Sun for sweeping views of the desert landscape from a hot air balloon. Sunrise flights are offered year-round, weather permitting, with seasonal sunset flights providing another memorable option for groups looking for a signature Arizona experience.
Salt RiverTubing
Throughout the summer months, cool off with a distinct Arizona summer experience on the Lower Salt River. Salt River Tubing provides tube rentals and transportation for floats through a desert landscape framed by canyon walls, with the possibility of spotting the area’s wild horses along the riverbanks. Half and full-length floats are available, along with group reservations and private shuttle options.
Verde Canyon Railroad
Take in Arizona’s high desert from aboard the Verde Canyon Railroad. The journey follows a century-old rail route along the Verde River and through landscapes largely inaccessible by car, with panoramic views from climate-controlled cars and open-air viewing platforms. Onboard narration, refreshments and plenty of photo opportunities make the experience an easy addition to a day trip from Tempe.
Ready to plan your next group outing in Arizona? Connect with the Tempe Tourism team for help building an agenda that makes the most of your time in Tempe and beyond.
