Tempe, the home of Arizona State University, is a laid-back college town near the Phoenix Metro. Some say the city is refreshingly offbeat, offering an array of activities from exploring the vibrant mural scene, to museums or catching a sporting event.

Downtown Tempe is a sight to see during the holidays as there is a Fantasy of Lights Street Parade that happens at the end of November and the Boat Parade on December 14 at Tempe Town Lake, a unique holiday event and celebrated tradition. Enjoy holiday shopping, festive eats and treats, a dazzling boat parade featuring boats of all shapes and sizes and a spectacular fireworks show.

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Families can also enjoy the World of Illumination, a drive-through light show at the Tempe Diablo Stadium. Bring your favorite winter snacks and enjoy the spectacular blend of music and lights. After enjoying the festive activities, there’s a wide range of food and drinks for travelers who want to try a microbrew. In fact, some of Arizona’s favorite local beers are made in Tempe.

And after a long day of sightseeing, visitors can relax and rejuvenate at one of Tempe’s day spas. Check out our Arizona spa guide to discover the best spas in Tempe. If you’re looking for the best deals on flights to Arizona, click here.

Astonished! Massage and Facial Spa

2520 East University Drive, Suite 102, Tempe, AZ 85288; (480) 605-9838

Astonished! Massage and Facial Spa offers a serene sanctuary for guests to feel relaxed or rejuvenated. Looking for a last-minute gift or want to treat yourself to one of the December specials the spa offers? These include $60 off gift card purchases and up to 50% off of massage, facial or enhancement services.

If you’re in the mood for a rejuvenating massage, try the Gua Sha—an ancient healing art using smooth tools to gently scrape the skin. This therapeutic session promotes blood flow, reduces muscle tension, and encourages lymphatic drainage. Spend 60 minutes indulging your senses in this massage that is ideal for relaxation and reduction of chronic aches and pains.

The spa also offers an array of facials including a 60 or 90-minute Pumpkin-Spice Facial, a 60-minute Hawaiian Hydration Facial, and men’s facials. You can even host a massage and/or facial party. The spa can host up to eight guests—perfect for a wedding party or a girls’ night out.

Man Spa Club

123 E Baseline Rd. d201, Tempe, AZ 85283; (480)-717-1782

Voted Arizona’s #1 Spa for men, Man Spa Club offers waxing, body facials, full-body detoxification, and FIR infrared light therapy sessions. They plan to open three  new locations in 2025 then expand out of state in 2026. The owner, April Singh, is an esthetician who creates 90 percent of the company’s products using all-natural, organic products with no chemicals or animal products.

Even though the spa caters to men, women are welcome and can join their spouses and partners for a service. Every room has a different theme and feel that is fun and artistic in a classy way. Clients can enjoy sipping on complimentary IPA, Hard Seltzers, Sparkling water, Cocoa, Hot Tea, or Coffee while listening to deep house music.

For men with sports injuries or those feeling the aches and pains of aging, Radial Shockwave Therapy is a non-invasive treatment aimed at reducing inflammation of the plantar fascia. The therapy delivers high-energy shockwaves to promote healing of the foot and is also good for Carpal Tunnel injuries. It also includes a 20-minute FIR Infrared session as well as 10-minutes of Vibration Therapy.

Men that have never had a facial before should try The Handsome Hunk Facial (75 minutes), which includes Microdermabrasion and High Frequency Lift to reveal fresher and younger-looking skin.

Narande Spa at Phoenix Marriott Resort Tempe at The Buttes

2000 W Westcourt Way, Tempe, Arizona 85282; (602) 431-2357

Narande Spa at Phoenix Marriott Resort Tempe at The Buttes is a full-service spa offering massages, eye treatments and facials. Narande, which is Japanese for “alongside flowing water,” offers a relaxing environment for hotel guests and visitors to decompress after exploring the city.

There are five treatment rooms, a couple’s room, a rain shower room for body treatments, and separate locker rooms for men and women that include a dry sauna, seating area and showers.

Guests can enjoy one of many services on offer including hot stone massages, reflexology, facials, men’s services, and manicure/pedicures. They even offer kids services so the entire family can enjoy a spa day together. Narande Spa is open every day from 9 to 5 p.m. Appointments are required.

ReVibeU Wellness Spa

725 South Rural Road Suite 220, Tempe, AZ 85658; (480) 442-4578

If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of preparing for the holidays and want to rejuvenate your body and mind, try a 60-minute Float (Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy) or VIBE (a fully-immersive sound and vibrational therapy) session at ReVibeU.

They also offer Mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (mHBOT), which floods your body with oxygen that penetrates deep into your cells bringing healing and rejuvenation, anti-aging at the cellular level.

If you’re looking for a monthly membership deal, they also offer four wellness plans: Basic ($45), Premium ($120), Unlimited ($179), and Ultimate ($777). The Basic Wellness Plan is shareable and allows members to enjoy one 60-minute Float or VIBE session a month as well as one free first-time guest pass.

The Unlimited membership offers as many float or VIBE sessions as you’d like and can be canceled at any time. The Premium plan offers two free first-time guest passes and the Ultimate plan offers all the benefits of the Unlimited plan as well as up to 15 HBOT sessions a month.

Sonoran Serenity Spa & Holistic Wellness Center

1628 E Southern Avenue, Suite 13, Tempe, AZ 85282; (480)-772-3297

Sonoran Serenity Spa & Holistic Wellness Center is a a privately owned local business that was founded in 2014 in one room in Downtown Tempe. The long-term goal was to establish a day spa and wellness center that was unique in its offerings and inclusive to all. Their primary focus is on personal care for each client.

In fact, a 1-hour treatment or service is 60 minutes instead of 50 minutes, and clients are encouraged to take their time after a session. December specials include Winter Wonderland Massage and Foot Scrub (save $15 off regular price), Peppermint Mocha Latte Combination Body Scrub and Facial (save $10) and a Merry and Bright Facial (save $10).

For clients looking for a monthly option, the spa offers month-to-month memberships starting at $90. They also offer 6-month and 12 month memberships. The Sonoran Serenity Month to Month Membership includes one credit towards any of these services: 60-minute Relaxation Massage, Sonoran Serenity Signature Facial, Reiki/Chakra Clearing and Balancing, Hypnotherapy, Yoga Nidra, Tarot with Reiki and Transformational Polarity.

[Photos courtesy of spas and resorts]

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Erin Dougherty earned her undergraduate degree in Creative Writing from Seattle University and a Master’s in English from Duquesne University. She has been Associate Editor at Launchpad magazine and a contributing editor to American Salon magazine.