RV Rental Tempe, AZ

Explore Tempe, Arizona in an RVshare RV Rental

During the 15th century, the area that would become Tempe was inhabited by the Hohokam Native Americans, who built canals to support their agriculture. Throughout the mid-19th century, towns began to develop along the Salt River in the area. The community of Tempe was founded in the late 1800s and officially incorporated on October 15, 1892. In 1879, a pioneer named Darrell Duppa suggested that the town be named Tempe after the Vale of Tempe in Greece. In 1885, Tempe was chosen to be the site of the Territorial Normal School, which is today known as Arizona State University. The city saw a major boom after the Maricopa and Phoenix Railroad was built in 1887, providing a strong link between Tempe and much of the country.

These days, Tempe is a bustling suburb of Phoenix with a population of approximately 180,000 people. If you're visiting the city, a great place to start is the vibrant downtown area, known for its brick sidewalks and its many bars, restaurants, breweries, and entertainment venues. If you enjoy learning new things, you'll want to check out some of the city's many interesting museums. A few great examples are the Arizona State University Art Museum, the Tempe History Museum, and the Legoland Discovery Center.

Tempe features several wonderful places to catch a live performance, with a couple of excellent options being the Tempe Center for the Arts and the ASU Gammage Auditorium. If you want to do some shopping during your visit, you could browse the shops found at Arizona Mills or head to the bustling Tempe Marketplace.

The sun is frequently shining in the Tempe area, and if you want to get out and enjoy the weather, there are many great options. There's the 125-acre Kiwanis Park, which features a lake with a boat dock and several sports fields and courts. You could also enjoy a peaceful picnic at Daley Park or spend a fun day biking, fishing, or paddle-boating at the beautiful Tempe Beach Park.

Events Near Tempe, Arizona

• Annual BICA Fall Festival - All are invited to come on out to the Believe I Can Academy in mid-November for the Annual BICA Fall Festival. The fun, family-friendly event offers free admission, free arts and crafts, and much more.

• Tempe Water Lantern Festival - Water lanterns are a unique and beautiful sight, and the annual Tempe Water Lantern Festival offers a great opportunity to see them take off. The fantastic festival happens in mid-November at Kiwanis Lake.

• Arizona Fried Chicken and Wings Festival - If you like delicious chicken, you won't want to miss the annual Arizona Fried Chicken and Wings Festival. The festival, which takes place in late October at The Pressroom, features the top local fried chicken businesses and several varieties of tasty chicken.