Mill Avenue District
April 29, 2019
The Mill Avenue District, located in Tempe, is overflowing with restaurants, bars, and shopping. At first glance, it may seem similar to nearby Old Town in Scottsdale, but this place has a more dynamic and youthful vibe. Close to Arizona State University and its students, Mill Avenue District benefits from their spirited nature and energetic lifestyle.
The Heart of Tempe
Mill Avenue District in Tempe runs north-south for about four blocks and is filled with public art. One public installation is the “She Tempe” public art project, where eight local female artists have created artworks that are installed on the news racks along the avenue. Take a guided art tour, or just grab a map from the news rack and hit the streets. The weekly 6th Street Market offers local artists, live music and food year-round.
Wander the avenue, browsing through boutiques, small shops, and larger name brand stores lining both sides of the avenue. Temp your sweet tooth with candy from The Candy Addict, which offers retro and historic sweets, international brands, gourmet chocolate bars and delicious truffles. Dining options run the gamut from casual sports bars to upscale dining establishments perfect for date night.
Of course, the nightlife can be wild! Choose from college hangouts, neighborhood bars, sports bars, piano bars, breweries, and dance clubs. Attend a Broadway performance at the ASU Gammage or the Tempe Theater for the Arts. Try a performance at the Indie Stray Cat Theater or check out a comedy club.
Walk a little farther north to Tempe Town Lake with over five miles of shoreline, where you can walk, run, bike, roller blade, and rent a boat or kayak. The Tempe Center for the Arts is there, too, a free art gallery featuring Tempe’s talented local artists. The Phoenix Zoo is nearby, with animal exhibits and events throughout the year. Adjacent to the zoo is Papago Park, home to the Desert Botanical Garden.
Party on Mill Avenue District in Tempe
As one of its adjacent suburbs, Tempe is only ten minutes from downtown Phoenix. Head on over for a dose of lively shopping and people-watching and end with a bit of dynamic nightlife. There is something happening year-round at Mill Avenue District in Tempe. And Mill Avenue is the perfect place to enjoy the 4th of July Fireworks Festival, Oktoberfest, the Tempe Festival of the Arts, and the Insight Fiesta Bowl New Year’s Block Party—the street party to end all street parties!