Still waiting to catch up...
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6/10/2011
Tempe really is the hub of Arizona's Phoenix metro-area. Downtown Tempe Mill Avenue, blocks from Arizona State University, features a multitude of eateries and bars (not surprisingly) and lets not forget Tempe Town Lake which is a nice reprieve from desert landscaping. Mill Ave. also boasts the Annual Iron Man competition, Tempe Arts Festival, and many holiday parades.
On the flip side, parking is a beast with metered one hour parking spots and plenty of meter-maids to hand out tickets to the rogue parker but underground parking is available. Restaurants are run-of-the-mill, service can be mediocre and bars are always crowded. Summer is brutally hot and can start as early as May and continue well into October. Monsoon season is unpleasant with highs at 110+ and high humidity.
The recent opening of Tempe Market Place, about 2 miles east of Mill Ave., features many shops, a variety of family and high-end restaurants, a movie theatre, outdoor entertainment, and plenty of free parking. Difficult to enjoy during the summer if you don't like heat but nonetheless a highly active place to wonder around despite the weather.
Venus Fair | Tempe, AZ