About Arizona

Arizona is best known for the Grand Canyon. Arizona State University is in the city of Tempe, which is part of the larger Phoenix Metropolitan Area. The area is also known as The Valley of the Sun. It is conveniently located within 10 minutes from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Sky Harbor is a major hub of American Airlines and Southwest Airlines and is easily reached from every region of North America. British Airways offers daily non-stop service to Phoenix from London’s Heathrow. Phoenix is an hour away by flight from LAX making for easy connections from Asia and Latin America. While you are here, we hope you have some time to explore all “the valley” has to offer.

Climate

While many areas of North America, Europe, and Asia are quite cold in March, average temperatures in Tempe, Arizona range from 74-76 °F (23-24 °C) during the day and around 53 °F (12 °C) at night. Arizona State University is in the Sonoran desert. Temperatures are warm and the air is dry. Many first time visitors are surprised with how quickly they become dehydrated, even when the weather is relatively cool or when they aren’t doing strenuous exercise or spending much time outside. Be sure to drink plenty of water and to wear sunscreen. 

Here is the annual temperature in Arizona from U.S Climate Data.

Dining

The traditional cuisine in Phoenix is heavily influenced by Sonoran (a region of Mexico) and Native American food. Common foods include green chile pork, tacos, and fry bread. You can also find lots of teas and cocktails infused with the fruit of the prickly pear cactus. In addition to regional cuisine, the Phoenix area has grown into a major food city. There are plenty of high-quality restaurants for every taste and price point.

Spring Training

In February and March, over a dozen Major League Baseball teams come to Arizona for Cactus League Spring Training. There are games all over the valley and tickets are reasonably-priced. Schedules will be available in early 2019. For more information, go to: http://www.cactusleague.com/ 

Hiking

March is the perfect time for hiking in the valley. There are trails for all skill levels without ever having to leave the city. Overlooking ASU’s campus is ‘A’ Mountain (at Hayden Butte). ‘A’ Mountain trail is a short hike with great views of the campus and the surrounding area. For those looking for a bit more, there are plenty of trails at Papago Park, Phoenix Mountain Preserve, Camelback Mountain, and South Mountain (the largest municipal park in the United States). If you are planning to hike, it is important that you bring plenty of water and some snacks.

Day Trips to the Grand Canyon from Tempe

The Grand Canyon is Arizona’s most famous landmark. However, if you plan to visit the Grand Canyon, take note that it is a 3.5-hour scenic drive from Arizona State University. There are a variety of day tours that will take visitors from the Phoenix area to the Grand Canyon and back through the Red Rocks of Sedona. These tours leave from Tempe or Scottsdale in the early morning and return in the late evening. We recommend Arizona Scenic Tours (http://www.arizonascenictours.com) or 360 Adventures (https://www.360-adventures.com). If you plan on visiting these areas, please note that temperatures are significantly cooler in northern Arizona than they are in the Tempe/Phoenix area.

Important Dates

All deadlines are 23:59 GMT-11

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