With Spring Training games canceled during the week of the conference, you can enjoy any of the following sites and activities during your free time. We strongly encourage you to visit the Mesa Historical Museum for their exhibit Play Ball!: The Arizona Spring Training Experience & Cactus League Hall of Fame. The museum is located at 2345 N. Horne, Mesa, AZ, 85203. (12 miles / 20 minutes)
Places to Go / Sites to See
Papago Park (Tempe) 5 miles / 12 minutes. This large park contains trails, lakes, and picnic grounds. The Phoenix Zoo, Desert Botanical Garden, and Arizona Heritage Center are located in or adjacent to the park.
Desert Botanical Garden (Tempe) 5 miles / 12 minutes
Arizona Heritage Center (Tempe) 5 miles / 12 minutes
Tempe Town Lake + boat rentals 3 miles / 8 minutes This two-mile long reservoir provides plenty of outdoor activities. Boat rentals are available. The lake’s shores are home to walkways and parks.
Phoenix Art Museum (downtown Phoenix) 10 miles / 18 minutes
Chase Field tours (downtown Phoenix) 8 miles / 16 minutes Home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, tours are provided three times daily.
Heard Museum (downtown Phoenix) 10 miles / 18 minutes This museum advances Native American culture and art.
Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) (north Phoenix) 24 miles / 30 minutes. Billed as Phoenix’s #1 attraction, this is the world’s only global instrument museum.
Taliesin West (north Scottsdale) 22 miles / 30 minutes. Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home and laboratory, designated as a National Landmark. Tours available.
Hiking
Double Butte Trail: Papago Park (easy) 5 miles / 12 minutes
Mormon Trail: South Mountain Park (moderate to easy) 7 miles / 14 minutes
For more hiking options, see Best Hikes in Phoenix and All Trails: Best Trails in Phoenix
Dining
For lunch or dinner, try some of the local cuisine in Tempe:
Culinary Dropout 149 S Farmer Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281
Cornish Pasty Co. 960 W University Dr #103, Tempe, AZ 85281
The Chuckbox 202 E University Dr, Tempe, AZ 85281
Four Peaks Brewing Company 1340 E 8th St #104, Tempe, AZ 85281
Ted’s Hot Dogs 1755 E Broadway Rd, Tempe, AZ 85282
College Ball Games
Arizona State University and Grand Canyon University do not have home games scheduled. However, you can enjoy either of the following games on Saturday, March 5. These games are free to the public,
Paradise Valley Community College at Mesa Community College, 12:00 pm, 1833 W Southern Ave, Mesa, AZ 85202
Gateway Community College at Scottsdale Community College, 12:00 pm, 9000 East Chaparral Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85256