As the third largest city in the state of Arizona, Mesa is an excellent tourist destination in its own right. The city is a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind attractions, including museums, parks, and a wide variety of independently owned businesses and eateries. There is never a dull moment in Mesa. So come along as we explore the best things to do in Mesa, Arizona.
Explore the Vast Usery Mountain Regional Park
Usery Mountain Regional Park is the city’s most well-known outdoor recreation area. With its 3,648 acres of pristine wilderness, Usery Mountain Regional Park has been a popular destination for Californians and visitors since its inception in 1967. Weekends in Usery Mountain Regional Park are popular for hiking, off-road mountain biking, picnicking and camping among Mesa, Phoenix, and Tucson residents. Suppose you’re interested in outdoor activities; it’s best to begin your exploration of Mesa with a trip to Usery Mountain Regional Park. There are more than 30 routes of varying difficulty that you and your family or friends can hike in this outdoor paradise.
The park also provides a nice and secure camping area where you can spend the night.
Try Prickly Pear Ice Cream At Topo
When you’re done with your meal at Joyride Taco House, head across the street to the building and treat yourself to a scoop of their creative soft-serve ice cream. The building is crowned by a seven-foot-tall Styrofoam and steel gopher, which is appropriately named Topo, after the Spanish word for gopher. Though Topo is known all over Masa, it has a limited menu and is only accessible via takeout; there is no inside seating available. However, they have dishes and desserts like pork or chicken burritos, street corn, and vanilla or prickly pear soft-serve ice cream all on the menu. Though some have likened the taste of prickly pears to that of strawberries, you should definitely experience it for yourself.
See Vintage Warplanes at the Commemorative Air Force Museum
The Commemorative Air Force Museum is one of the best places to visit in Mesa. Everyone should visit it, whether they are aviation enthusiasts or average tourists, as well as families and groups. In this massive museum, you will see planes and other military artefacts from the Second World War. It also showcases numerous aircraft from different countries. As you admire the immaculate condition of the World War II planes on display, you will gain access to a wealth of interesting data regarding the development and evolution of these aircraft. Don’t forget to bring the kids; seeing the massive jets they’ve only seen on TV in person will be an incredible experience for them.
Play in the Cool At FatCats Mesa
FatCats Mesa is another excellent venue for enjoying various indoor activities in cool comfort. It’s an enormous indoor entertainment complex with dining options, bowling, Glow-in-the-Dark Golf, arcade games, and not one but eight movie theatres. The theatre chairs are ergonomically constructed for optimal comfort, and the best part is that you may order a meal and have it brought to you at your seat without leaving your theatre row. You choose your seat when you purchase a movie ticket, and when you order food, the seat you choose is taken into account.
If you’re looking for something to do before or after the movie, they’ve got 20 lanes of bowling and a wide selection of arcade games. So even if the temperature is skyrocketing outdoors, you can have a blast indoors with the whole family.
Check Out Local Artworks at Mesa Arts Center
This massive arts complex in the heart of downtown Mesa is another must-see for visitors. With its expansive 210,000 square feet, the Mesa Arts Center is the premier venue for the visual and performing arts in the Southwest.
Furthermore, the Mesa Arts Center is a popular destination because it is one of the largest arts centres in Arizona.
It’s worth your time to take a stroll through its spacious halls and see the works of art in the five galleries, which were created by artists from around the world. When you are done enjoying the sights in the museum, be sure to head over to the Mesa Arts Center’s Farnsworth Studio. Mesa Arts Center is home to theatres where you may see concerts, plays, and Broadway productions. The theatre is best for you if you enjoy live performances in a venue with small audience size.
You can also see concerts at the Ikeda Theatre, which has a much greater capacity of 1,600 people.
Take A Ride on the Historic Dolly Steamboat at Canyon Lake Marina
Even though it is the smallest of the Salt River’s lakes, Canyon Lake is one of the region’s most picturesque and productive fishing spots.
The Dolly Steamboat offers a 90-minute trip around the lake, and its plush seats and huge windows make it a great place to relax and take in the scenery.
With 28 miles of coastline, passengers have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the scenery as they watch for birds, Big Horn sheep, animals, and flowers along the way. In addition to the on-board conveniences like cash-only food and beverage sales and easy access to the outdoors for better photography.
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Take a Breather at the Rose Garden
A visit to the Rose Garden at Mesa Community College is in order if you’re seeking the most peaceful location in Mesa. The city has a rose garden, as well as a botanical lab and a space for research.
The garden is one of the most photogenic places in Mesa, with more than 9,000 roses representing 300 different types. These rare roses are a popular tourist and local attraction. And yet, they are also there to aid with rest and relaxation. Furthermore, the city boasts the Southwest’s largest rose garden.
This beautiful garden was built in 1997 thanks to a partnership between Mesa Community College and the East Valley Mesa Rose Society. The Rose Garden is at its most beautiful in the spring and fall. When the roses are in full bloom, it makes for an absolutely stunning background for your Instagram images.
Sample Restaurants Offering Authentic Mexican Cuisine
One of the best ways to truly enjoy the city of Mesa is to sample its local cuisine. Restaurants serving excellent Mexican fare may be found in abundance in Mesa and the nearby cities. Macayo’s Mexican Food is one of the places known to use locally farmed farm products and ingredients in their specialities. You should definitely check out Los Sombreros, which continues to thrive after 25 years, thanks to its exquisite dining experience.
It would be best if you also visited Someburros, which has been in operation for over 30 years and has 13 locations across the state.
If you’re in the mood for tacos, you should also check out Joyride Taco House, which is located in neighbouring Gilbert, Arizona and has a wide variety of options.
Imagine Prehistoric Times at the Arizona Museum of Natural History
The Arizona Museum of Natural History in central Mesa is a fantastic destination for dinosaur-obsessed people of all ages and also makes for a good family adventure. The museum is filled with animatronics and realistic duplicates of dinosaurs. The museum also has other engaging and interesting activities for all age groups. After you’ve had your fill of dinosaurs, you may go gold-panning, explore a reconstructed Sonoran Desert town like the ones inhabited by Arizona’s indigenous peoples, or delve into the state’s rich history stretching back to the conquest. Once you’re done getting a feel of what all the adventures in the museum have to offer, be sure to visit the waterfall for a spectacle. First, get an excellent vantage point in front of the waterfall by standing on the ground, on the steps, or on an overlook on a higher floor. Keep your eyes on the fall, and there should be a flash flood. This spectacle takes place every half hour.
Admire the public art in Downtown Mesa.
The city of Mesa has invested much in revamping its downtown, and the results are visible for blocks in all directions, beginning outside the Arizona Museum of Natural History. There are paintings and fanciful sculptures all throughout the place that would look great on Instagram.
If you want to have a cool time, begin your journey in the morning or in the evening when the temperature drops. There are more eateries and coffee businesses opening up on Main Street every day, making it easier to plan your entire afternoon chasing art. Also, concerts are hosted during the weekends, and they feature a lineup of famous artists. The best part of it all is the availability of almost 5,000 easily accessible parking spots, all of which are free of charge.
Drive the Apache Trail through the Superstition Mountains.
Mesa is practically inseparable from its recognizable landscape and harsh panoramas, which have served as the backdrop to countless films and inspired countless myths and folktales. The Apache Trail, which begins just outside of Mesa and passes through the Superstition Mountains, was once frequented by Native Americans and is the ideal site to experience this breathtaking landscape.
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