Why You Should Make Tempe Your Next LGBTQ+ Southwest Destination

If you’re looking for an LGBTQ+-friendly stop on a road trip through the Sonoran Desert, or a destination worth flying into on its own, Tempe, Arizona, offers a welcoming entry point to the Southwest. Located in the heart of Greater Phoenix and just minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Tempe pairs easy access with a longstanding commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion and a thriving local community.

Afterall, there’s something about the desert that has a hold on LGBTQ+ people. From Navajo painter R.C. Gorman to Zuni weaver and cultural ambassador We’wha, many notable LGBTQ+ people from the American Southwest have drawn inspiration and clarity from the beautiful landscape. That’s why Southwestern road trips can be a common staple of LGBTQ+ travel plans, lest we forget the premise of author Imogen Binnie’s seminal novel Nevada. With LGBTQ+ road trips in mind, we strongly suggest you consider Tempe as your first stop.

Courtesy of Tempe Tourism

In addition to the stunning natural landscape, Tempe cultivates an environment that has long-uplifted LGBTQ+ residents and travelers, as the city became one of the first to elect an openly gay mayor in 1991, and unanimously voted to pass a city-wide ordinance prohibiting discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in 2014. Tempe has earned a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index for more than a decade, reflecting the city's LGBTQ+-inclusive laws, policies and services.

But beyond its affirming past and present, Tempe’s LGBTQ+ life goes so much further than yearly Pride celebrations. From LGBTQ-owned businesses like Brick Road Coffee to drag bingo at Drink Me! Tea Room, Tempe has a wide variety of options to plan your stay around. Because it’s located close to the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, it also makes it a highly accessible destination if you’re not traveling by car.

If you need further convincing on why you should visit Tempe, or just want to learn more about what the city has to offer LGBTQ+ visitors, read below.

Where to stay

Having the right lodging is a crucial part of any vacation. If you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community, it makes sense to pour extra care into finding a serene and welcoming place to lay your head or enjoy amenities. Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at the Buttes is part of a widely-known LGBTQ-friendly hotel chain with an added bonus: an outdoor pool carved into the Arizona desert landscape. If you’re looking for accommodations with a view, the AC Hotel Phoenix Tempe/Downtown overlooks Tempe Town Lake, a stunning reservoir. If you care to sip a cocktail while gazing out at the cityscapes, the Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU has a rooftop bar that serves signature cocktails with a clear view of the Tempe and Greater Phoenix skyline. Sometimes, finding the right hotel for your stay just means being close to the action. Tempe Mission Palms Hotel sits in the heart of Downtown Tempe, just steps from Mill Avenue and within walking distance of local dining, nightlife, shops, and other experiences, making it an easy home base for exploring Tempe and Greater Phoenix.

Where to get outside and into nature

If the outdoors is more your speed, and you prefer to spend your vacation enjoying the natural beauty of the Southwest, great news. You don’t even need to leave the Tempe city limits. Aside from being within driving distance to a plethora of natural wonders, Tempe is also home to the aptly named Tempe Town Lake, a manmade reservoir where you can enjoy the Arizona Dragon Boat Festival in the spring, get your sea legs at Boat Rentals of America, or rent kayaks and paddleboards from Northshore Watersport Rentals.

Tempe Tourism

For those who want to venture a little further to see everything Arizona’s natural landscape has to offer, Papago Park, South Mountain Park and Preserve, and Piestewa Peak all have a variety of hiking trails located close to Tempe and the Greater Phoenix area. The saguaro cactus is the signature natural wonder of the Sonoran Desert, and you’ll see plenty on your treks around the desert. For a quick hike without leaving Downtown Tempe, Hayden Butte, better known locally as "A" Mountain, offers a short climb with sweeping views of Tempe and Greater Phoenix.

Where to grab a bite to eat and something to drink

Start the day by supporting an LGBTQ-owned business and grab a cup of coffee and a pastry from Brick Road Coffee House, “your LGBTQ+ barista’s favorite coffee spot” and specialty coffee shop. Window Coffee Bar has a location in Downtown Tempe if you need another LGBTQ-owned option with adventurous flavors to get your coffee fix. If you prefer caffeine twice in one day, and want to spice up your afternoon tea, head straight to Drag Bingo at Drink Me! Tea Room.

Courtesy of Tempe Tourism

Feeling hungry after a busy day exploring Tempe? The city’s new additions to its wide (and delicious) array of dining options include 212° Shabu Shabu, a modern and unique take on Japanese hot pot, Bad Jimmy, a new brick-and-mortar chock full of smashburgers paired with classic cocktails, Blanco Cocina + Cantina, a modern Mexican bar and restaurant, and Blue Sushi Sake Grill at NOVUS Place.

Where to go out at night

Going out on the town doesn’t have to be limited to cocktail lounges or bars. Tempe has a thriving arts and culture scene that provides plenty of options for enjoyable evening excursions. Check out performing arts center ASU Gammage for a variety of theatre, shows, and symphony performances. The Tempe Center for the Arts offers a wide array of shows, performances, and other live musical extravaganzas to enjoy for the theatre-phenatics in your group. If you’re more interested in visual arts, the ASU Art Museum has a rotating collection of sculptures, architecture, and paintings to take in. Not to mention, Tempe is covered with murals you can enjoy throughout your time in the city.

Courtesy of Tempe Tourism

If you do want to enjoy some cocktails on the town, Downtown Tempe and Mill Avenue are walkable areas of the city with a plethora of bars, restaurants, and live music. Want to listen to live music and dance the night away? Look no further than popular options with a rotating cast of DJs including Marquee Theatre and Sunbar, or late night venues like Three Thirty Three, Filthy Animal, Devil’s Hideaway, and C.A.S.A. Prefer a more lowkey vibe? Drop Dead Gorgeous and Idle Hands offer a moody setting with intimate cocktails.

Travelers looking specifically for LGBTQ+ bars can take advantage of Tempe’s central location in Greater Phoenix. You could visit Boycott, the state’s only brick-and-mortar lesbian bar, and one of the 36 historic lesbian bars left in the United States. You could also pop into Nu Bar Saloon, the oldest continuously-operated gay bar in Arizona, located right across the Salt River from your stay in Tempe.

When to visit

You can appreciate the natural beauty of Tempe year-round. That said, there are some especially unique times of year catered to LGBTQ+ visitors. While June is dedicated to traditional LGBTQ+ Pride programming, there are several iconic celebrations throughout the year that capture the essence of the community in Tempe. The Tempe Pride Party takes place at the beginning of June in the heart of Downtown Tempe, and where you can enjoy drag performances, LGBTQ+ market, food and drinks, and even a silent disco. If you’re a fan of performing arts, Dancing for one•n•ten is a ballroom competition that takes place at the Tempe Center for the Arts in September.

Courtesy of Tempe Tourism

If you want to plan day trips outside of Tempe throughout your stay, there are several local events just within reach of the city throughout the year. In February, the Annual Arizona Gay Rodeo takes place, celebrating diversity and LGBTQ+ Pride in classic rodeo events, which you can plan as a fun day trip during your stay in Tempe. March marks the beginning of the Rainbows Festival, dubbed Arizona’s Greatest Street Fair. For the gay sports fans out there, April features the Cactus Cities Softball League Saguaro Cup, a battle between the slow pitch teams of the Greater Phoenix area. And October isn’t just for Halloween; Tempe also celebrates the Latino Pride Festival, the largest gathering of LGBTQ+ Latinos in Arizona. The Miss & Mister Phoenix Pride Pageant showcases some of the Greater Phoenix area’s brightest local LGBTQ+ performing arts talent. If you want a Pride event with a nature component, Pride at the Garden is the Desert Botanical Garden’s yearly Pride event in June. Of course, there is also Phoenix Pride, which you can visit easily from the comfort of your stay in Tempe. If you need more ideas for the best time of year to plan your stay, check out the Tempe Tourism blog for a list of LGBTQ+ events happening year-round.

Ultimately, the spirit of Tempe is rooted in inclusion. From LGBTQ+owned businesses and a longstanding record of inclusive policies to outdoor experiences, dining, culture and nightlife, Tempe offers LGBTQ+ travelers a welcoming place to experience the Sonoran Desert and the heart of Greater Phoenix. Book your stay now.