Tempe is an energetic East Valley city known as home to Arizona State University’s main campus, a growing tech industry, and a vibrant arts culture. Settled in the early 1870s as Hayden’s Ferry, the city later adopted the name Tempe, inspired by Greece’s Vale of Tempe. Arizona State University shapes much of the city’s identity, bringing research, athletics, and performing arts to Tempe. Mill Avenue serves as Tempe’s lively downtown district with historic storefronts, eateries, breweries, and nightlife. Tempe Town Lake, a two-mile lake on the Salt River, offers kayaking, paddleboarding, and waterfront paths, and hosts major outdoor festivals. Cultural landmarks like ASU Gammage, one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s last public commissions, and nearby Papago Park add depth to the city’s appeal. Valley Metro Rail and the Tempe Streetcar connect downtown with Phoenix and Mesa, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is about 10 minutes away.