You’re already visiting Phoenix, Arizona. You have seen the sights, ate at the restaurants, did all the “posh” things. Now you are thinking that you want to visit someplace close. Somewhere to explore. That hidden little “gem” where the “mom & pop” shops are. Well, let me help you with that!

How about downtown Tempe, Arizona? Not all of downtown of course, but the little strip where the shops reside. It is literally 5 miles (or 10 minutes driving) from the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Let me tell you how to find the little shops. You can thank me by sharing and commenting below if you visit.😊Get your shoes and come on!

First, you are going to decide how you want to travel. If you are driving, you will put into your GPS The Omni Hotel, 7 East University Drive, Tempe, AZ. 85281. If you are taking a Lyft or Waymo, give the same instructions. Now you won’t be going inside of the hotel (unless you want to), this is just your drop off point.

I know what you’re thinking. How do I know this is the right place? Well, directly across the street you will see a CVS drug store.

When you get out of your Lyft or Waymo, you will stay outside of the Omni and look down the street to your left. If you are driving an average car, you can park your car (for free) at the CVS pharmacy. Do not drive a fancy smancy car. If you do have an expensive car, make arrangements to park in the Omni parking garage. I don’t know if they will ask you for your reservations or not. It won’t hurt to try or at least ask about the closest parking garage.

Once the car is parked or you have gotten out of your ride, you will turn around facing the CVS. Once you are looking directly at CVS, you will turn to your right and begin walking down the street. This street is the famous Mill Avenue.Trust me, you won’t have anything to worry about. I walk ALL the time as a solo explorer. Mill avenue is the “hot spot” for ASU students. If you visit on a game Saturday, it will be crowded and you may not have any fun. If you visit during the week, you will probably enjoy it more because the little shops will be all yours!

Once you start walking down the street you are going to not only look in front of you, and to the right, but also across the street to your left. Why? There are shops on BOTH sides of the street and I don’t want you to miss anything 😂

You are going to see restaurants, bars, little shops, novelty stores like this……

Places for ice-cream, plants, souvenirs, and more! You won’t get over whelmed, but you will have a nice time, with nice weather, and take lots of great pictures. You might even see this place if you walk down far enough.Wake N Bake.

Now I’m not telling you to try a brownie just because it’s legal here in Arizona, but if you do, you only need to taste a tiny bit at at time. 😉Whatever you do….DO NOT eat all, half, or even a quarter unless you plan on being in your hotel room for the night and do not plan on leaving! Do NOT eat that and then say “nothing happened” because in an hour and a half, I will have to say “I told you not to do it”.😂

Let’s keep moving! So you passed the “brownie” store and you kept walking all the way down the street. You walked down one side of the street until the very end, and you crossed so that you can stroll up the other side on your way back to the car, or the Omni. Keep walking up Mill avenue and take a picture in the “Giant” chair!

Caution! It took me forever to get out of the chair because I was so far back! 😂I actually had to “scoot” up like a little kid!

You want to know about my day of walking downtown?

Don’t worry, I know my #MJLC-Tribe (“More Joy for Less Coin” tribe) likes when I add a video and pictures to my blog so here is my day downtown on the weekend after Friendsgiving. Press the YouTube link here and please don’t forget to subscribe to my channel.👇

https://youtube.com/shorts/CFsEkaU96xQ

Thank for watching the video! You did it! Let’s sum up your short exploration for the day.

You followed directions like a rock star. You made it to downtown Tempe, Arizona. You walked down Mill avenue. You walked in and visited the little shops. You kept your course and smiled along the way. You walked back up Mill avenue on the other side. You purchased a few little trinkets that didn’t mess up your budget, you may have gotten a snack or drink, and you made back to where you started. I’d say you had a pretty good day.👍

Let me know how YOUR day turned out for you. Was it crowded with ASU students, or was a calm? Did you have any “brownies”? Did you eat at any restaraunts or get coffee at Snakes and Lattes? Comment and let me know. We would LOVE to hear from you.

Thank you for joining me today, and until next time. Do More Of What Makes You Happy! ☮️

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