Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU
7 East University Drive
Tempe, Arizona 85281

Historic & Cultural Tempe Walking Loop
Mill Avenue Bridge

Historic & Cultural Tempe Walking Loop – 30 Minutes (Approx. 2 miles)

  • Start: Omni Tempe at ASU
    Exit the hotel onto University Drive toward downtown Tempe.

  • Palm Walk (ASU Campus) – 3 min walk
    Stroll along the iconic palm-lined pedestrian mall. The original Mexican fan palms date back to the early 20th century and are a defining historic feature of the campus.

  • Old Main (ASU) – 2 min walk
    The oldest building on ASU’s campus, built in Victorian style and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

  • Industrial Arts Building (ASU) – 2 min walk
    Built in 1914, this neoclassical building is part of ASU’s historic architecture and reflects early campus growth.

  • ASU Art Museum – 3 min walk
    Located on the west side of campus, this museum features contemporary art and craft exhibits, as well as historic works reflecting the Southwest and local heritage.

  • ASU Gammage Theater – 3 min walk
    A Frank Lloyd Wright-designed theater completed in 1964, the building is an architectural landmark and hosts world-class performances.

  • Old St. Mary’s Church – 4 min walk
    A Romanesque Revival church built in 1903 and the oldest standing church in the Phoenix metro area.

  • Mill Avenue District & Mill Avenue Bridge – 5 min walk
    Walk south to Mill Avenue, cross the historic Mill Avenue Bridge (1931), and explore the downtown district with historic facades and plaques.

  • Hayden Flour Mill – 3 min walk
    View this historic industrial site, which played a key role in Tempe’s early agricultural economy.

  • Hackett House / Elias-Rodriguez House / Birchett House Cluster – 5 min walk
    Stroll along nearby streets to see preserved late 19th-century homes, reflecting early Tempe residential life.

  • Tempe History Museum (Optional Detour) – 6 min walk (from Hackett House)
    Add this museum if you want a deeper dive into local history. Exhibits cover Tempe’s founding, agriculture, and city development.

  • Return to Omni Tempe at ASU – 5–6 min walk
    Loop back via University Drive or Mill Avenue, passing shops and restaurants for a modern contrast to the historic sites.

    • Tips for a 30-Minute Walk

    • Wear comfortable shoes; the route is mostly flat and pedestrian friendly.
    • Consider stopping at cafés along Mill Avenue to rest or enjoy a snack.
    • Bring a camera: Palm Walk, Old Main, and the historic homes are very photogenic.
    • The optional Tempe History Museum stop adds 5–10 minutes if you want more context on the city’s history.