The third-largest city in Arizona sits in the Sonoran Desert, with the world's largest Polynesian cultural center and yearly Renaissance Festival among its landmarks.
Mesa, Arizona's third-largest city with over 500,000 residents, sits at the gateway to the Sonoran Desert and Tonto National Forest. You can climb the Wind Cave Trail, watch the Chicago Cubs during Spring Training at Sloan Park, or join an 80-minute cruise on Saguaro Lake. In downtown Mesa, you'll find the Mesa Arts Center with live performances and art exhibitions, while local farms welcome visitors to pick fresh produce and learn about desert agriculture.
Exploring Downtown Mesa
Wide, shaded walkways line downtown Mesa's streets, making it comfortable to walk even during hot summer days. At Mesa Arts Center, you can watch artists work in 14 studios, attend performances in four theaters, and browse five art galleries. The 1924 Nile Theater operates as a vegan café during daylight hours before transforming into a music venue at night. You'll find local restaurants and craft breweries throughout the area, creating an active dining scene.
Getting Active Outdoors
Usery Mountain Regional Park has 29 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking. The Wind Cave Trail takes you on a 1.5-mile journey to a natural cave formation in the mountain. At Saguaro Lake in Tonto National Forest, you can kayak, paddleboard, or take an 80-minute cruise on a double-decker boat. Want to cool off? Float down Salt River for up to four hours and look for wild horses that gather along its banks.
Baseball and Sports
During Spring Training season, two Major League teams make Mesa their temporary home. The Chicago Cubs play at Sloan Park, while the Oakland Athletics compete at Hohokam Stadium. The city has over 2,280 acres of parkland, including Red Mountain Park's 1,146 acres with a lake, playgrounds, and sports courts. Mesa Country Club leads the city's 40 golf courses as one of the oldest courses in the region.
Museums and History
At the Arizona Museum of Natural History, you can learn about the state's geological past and see dinosaur exhibits. The Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum displays military aircraft from World War I onward, and you can book flights in historic B-17 and B-25 bombers. Children can explore hands-on art and science exhibits at the i.d.e.a. Museum. The Mesa Grande Ruins and Park of the Canals preserve ancient Native American settlements, with visible remnants of prehistoric irrigation systems.
Local Food and Farming
The Fresh Foodie Trail connects you to working farms and food producers across Mesa. Stop at local farms to pick your own produce, visit citrus groves to learn about fruit cultivation, and tour olive mills to see how olives become oil. Many farms demonstrate desert farming techniques and welcome visitors year-round for hands-on experiences in agriculture.
