North Tempe - Tempe, AZ Area Guide

In 1865, Fort McDowell was established in what is now downtown Tempe. To supply the fort with food, farms sprung up around it and grew into a small town. As early 1885, this area focused on education with its Territorial Normal School, now known as Arizona State University. Between the school and the railroad, Tempe became an economic powerhouse, and its borders continued to expand northward until they crossed the river and created the neighborhood of North Tempe.

This neighborhood houses the Arizona Historical Society Museum, which provides educational opportunities for both children and adults. Exhibits follow the history of the state from its earliest Native American inhabitants to the present day. Attend lectures on how technology—such as irrigation—shapes life in the desert, or come for dinner and a movie night—complete with costume contest. From serious to silly, the museum has something for everyone. Adult admission costs $5. The Tempe Center for the Arts hosts an annual Tempe Festival of the Arts to showcase artistic talent in the area and throughout the world.

This area's restaurants line North Scottsdale Road and tend toward casual international cuisine. A wider variety of dining establishments stand clustered around the university and in the Mill Avenue District. Oliveo's Pizza stays open until the early morning hours, catering to the city's large population of night owls. Sit outside with a fiery Sriracha pizza, or take home a calzone and an order of Greek fries topped with feta. A crowd arrives after the clubs and bars close, so don't be surprised if you need to wait a bit for your late-night snack.

Savor Lebanon's unique blend of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors at Mijana. This restaurant strives to make each guest's experience as authentic as possible, right down to the music. Start with baba ghanoush and fresh pita, but save room for the flavorful kofta kebabs made from minced lamb, beef and a secret blend of spices. Stick around after your meal for live music, drinks, and dancing.

You don't need to be a vegetarian to fall in love with Green. Their meat-free take on American classics such as burgers and fries draws health-conscious visitors from throughout the city. Regulars order the Big WAC for its freshly made veggie patties and tangy dressing. Try it with a side of thyme fries or tahini coleslaw.

Spice up your night with traditional Indian dishes from Udupi Cafe. Dip crisp samosas in homemade sauces that range from mild to "get the fire extinguisher." Order the South Indian Thali, and then cool off with a tall glass of mango lassi. Bring friends, as most entrees are large enough to share.

Culinary Dropout serves upscale pub fare in such a relaxed, fun setting that you'll stay long after you finish eating. Regulars favor a savory treat known simply as the pub burger, washed down with one of the Dropout's specialty cocktails. After dinner, make your way to the ping pong tables, talk around the fire pit, or step out onto the dance floor.

Tempe's nights never lack excitement, and you find people out at all hours dropping in and out of the bars and clubs. Local musicians perform every night of the week at Rogue, and weekends get loud and rowdy. Get dressed up for drinks at Wxyz and dance under the stars at Rooftop Lounge.

While most people do own cars, you can get by without one. Finding free parking proves difficult, as most of the public spots are metered or inside garages. Walking remains common in downtown Tempe but is less popular in North Tempe. You can easily hail a taxi or request an Uber car, and the city provides comprehensive public transportation services.

Valley Metro oversees a train, a bus line and a streetcar. The METRO Rail follows a route through central Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe, while the streetcar sticks to a limited downtown route. The bus route provides the most thorough coverage of the entire Phoenix metropolitan area.

Tempe has one of the highest percentages of residents who ride their bikes to work of any city in the United States. The League of American Bicyclists designated the city a Silver Level Bicycle-Friendly Community because of the bike lanes and multi-use paths maintained throughout the city. The city strongly encourages its citizens to leave their cars at home and celebrates Bike Month every April.

Book your flights out of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. At just under 7 miles away, it's the most convenient choice for air travel.

If you want parks, this neighborhood has them in spades. Although numerous, the city maintains each park with a great deal of care and effort. Residents visit Papago Park most often, as it provides the best selection of activities and amenities for children of all ages. Take advantage of an outdoor gym, mountain biking trails and sports facilities. Inside the park, drop by the Desert Botanical Garden to learn about Arizona's native plants.

The Garden hosts many annual events, including Dogs' Day In The Garden, the Corks & Cactus wine tasting and a spring concert series. Papago Park also contains a fully fenced dog park where your canine companions can play and socialize freely. Admission to the botanical garden costs $22, but entering the surrounding park remains free.

Work on your tan on the grass, not sand, at Tempe Beach Park. Located on the shore of Tempe Town Lake, this park provides a venue for 75 of the city's outdoor festivals. Celebrate Independence Day with food and fireworks, or attend the beer tasting at the Way Out West Oktoberfest. The city keeps this park busy all year long, and you can enjoy most events for free.

This neighborhood's cost of living is six percent greater than the city average. Expect to pay around $870 a month for a one-bedroom apartment.

Luckily, using public transportation won't break the bank. Ride either the bus or train for $2, but you pay a little more for express routes. Filling up your gas tank is similarly painless, with gas prices hovering around 15 percent less than the national average. When visiting a local bar, a pint will cost around $6.

This neighborhood contains only one grocery store, Food City, but Safeway and Trader Joe's await in downtown Tempe. Tempe sponsors the largest and most user-friendly farmers market in the entire Phoenix metropolitan area. Located downtown, the Tempe Farmers Market not only opens seven days a week and offers extended hours, but it is also held indoors away from the summer heat. Pick up locally grown produce, desert honey, fresh baked dog treats and much more.

Head south across the Salt River to shop at the Tempe Marketplace. This outdoor mall houses department stores, popular apparel chains and big-box stores. A nearby assortment of specialty shops and boutiques provides a welcome respite from the corporate shopping experience.

Do more than just shop at Changing Hands Bookstore. Trade in unwanted books, attend poetry readings and even meet some big-name stars. Aspiring writers can sign up for workshops and talk with their favorite authors. Whether or not you leave with a new book, you can appreciate just stopping by.

Before your next big night out, find an outfit that will knock 'em dead at Divaz Boutique. The staff dedicate themselves to making your visit as comfortable as possible. Nibble on a cupcake while they fill your fitting room with clothes and shoes in your size and help you choose coordinating jewelry. Don't worry, this attentive service is part of the package.