Tempe, Arizona
Tempe is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, with a population of 169,712 according to 2006 Census Bureau estimates. Darrell Duppa is usually credited with suggesting the name, adopted in 1879, after comparing the Salt River valley near a 300-foot-tall butte, to the Vale of Tempe near Mount Olympus in Greece. Duppa also had the honor of giving name to Phoenix, 11 years earlier. Tempe is a major suburb of Phoenix and is located immediately southeast.
Tempe is the headquarters and executive office of US Airways (formerly America West Airlines) and the main campus of Arizona State University. It was the longtime host of the Fiesta Bowl, although the BCS game moved to University of Phoenix Stadium, located in Glendale, in 2007. On New Year's Eve, the city hosts the Insight Fiesta Bowl Block Party, one of the nation's largest New Year's Eve parties. The event typically has a national band heading a concert, along with several other local and national bands. It was also the site of one of the three Presidential debates in 2004 and Super Bowl XXX. Additionally, it is the spring training host city of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Within Tempe are the Tempe Buttes. The Salt River runs west through the northern part of Tempe; part of the river is dammed in two places to create Tempe Town Lake.
Tempe is generally flat, except for Hayden Butte (sometimes called A-Mountain for Arizona State University's "A" logo located on its south face), located next to Sun Devil Stadium, Twin Buttes and Bell Butte on the western edge of Tempe, and Papago Park northwest of Tempe, inside Phoenix. Elevation ranges from 1140 feet at Tempe Town Lake to 1495 feet atop Hayden Butte.
Downtown Tempe, with more than 175 restaurants, boutiques and nightclubs, provides a vibrant and active urban setting. The hottest spot in the Valley of the Sun, Mill Avenue in downtown Tempe has long been known as an entertainment destination for locals and tourists. Downtown Tempe offers shoppers a variety of national stores and restaurants, while also providing a unique mix of independent boutiques in a pedestrian friendly main-street setting. In addition to the stores and restaurants, downtown Tempe affords atmosphere and leisure. Across the street from ASU, one of the nation's largest research universities, the downtown is a mix of exciting and interesting people and activities.
Visit The Official Site for the City of Tempe
Mill Avenue
Downtown Tempe is eclectic, energetic and enthusiastic.
The urban pace shows in high heels walking on the brick sidewalks on balmy afternoons as executives head to lunch meetings - or happy hour. Downtown Tempe offers more than 175 restaurants, nightclubs and retail shops.
Downtown Tempe also provides more than 20,000 jobs to employees. America West Corporate Headquarters is in Tempe, as is the regional headquarters for Chase Manhattan Bank. A number of public relations firms, law firms, computer companies and architects also keep offices in the downtown.
Connected to Arizona State University on the south and to Tempe Town Lake to the north, downtown Tempe is uniquely positioned. It's not unusual to see the country's top scientists and researchers and students strolling down Mill Avenue or boating on Town Lake. The ASU IRA A. Fulton School of Engineering maintains its offices at the Brickyard on Mill Avenue.
Loft living in both apartments and condominiums, as well as traditional houses, are available in the downtown area.
Have dinner. Take in a Broadway show or chuckle at the Improv. Visit an art gallery or check out the Mars space flight facility. It's all in downtown Tempe.
Mill Avenue is the main drag of Tempe, AZ. Lots of restaurants, live entertainment, and shopping. Mainly caters to University crowd...but also attracts upscale shoppers from Scottsdale to the north and 'lowriders' from central Phoenix. Very colorful. Art Fairs are big. One of the biggest New Year's Eve bashes is in Tempe. They close Mill Avenue and have a street party with bands and fireworks.
Map of Mill Ave District in Tempe
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