Valley of the Sun

 Sites to See in Mesa, Tempe

Arizona Mills. Junction of U.S. 60 and I-10 in Mesa. The racetrack design of the mall-cum-entertainment center lets you start and end at the same point, shopping to your heart's content as you round the bend for the finish line. (480) 491-9700

Arizona State University. Apache Boulevard, Tempe. A walking tour of this attractive campus centers on Old Main, a three-story red brick building dating to 1898. (602) 542-4581. 

Arizona Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 525 East Main Street, Mesa. This impressive building is a testament to the Mesa's Mormon background. Take time to stroll the grounds and stop at the visitors center. (480) 964-7164.

Champlin Fighter Aircraft Museum. 21170 Fighter Aces Drive, Mesa. Vintage fighter aircraft in flying condition make this one of the best such museums in the country. The American Fighter Aces Association has its headquarters in the building. (480) 830-4540.

Mill Avenue. Between Rio Salado and University, Tempe. Tempe grew up around this historic street, now a main thoroughfare with many interesting shops and restaurants. It's the site of many local street festivals. Arizona State University and Tempe Town Lake are close by. (480) 894-8158.

Tempe Historical Museum. 809 E. Southern Avenue. Filled with artifacts, photos and hands-on exhibits, the museum traces Tempe's past back to its beginning as a flour milling town. (480) 350-5100.

Tempe Town Lake. Rio Salado Parkway. Rent kyaks, paddleboats or canoes, or take a pontoon boat ride around the two-mile lake formed by blocking the Salt River with an inflatable rubber dam. (480) 894-8158.