What to Do in Mesa AZ

The suburban city of Mesa is located in the Phoenix East Valley in Maricopa County, Arizona. Mesa is part of the thriving East Valley tech corridor, home to industry leaders like Intel (2 campuses), GoDaddy, Infusionsoft, Clearlink, TEKsystems, Microchip Technologies, Vixxo, and many others. The region’s advanced business services sector, especially financial services, has grown extensively over the past 10 years, with companies like PayPal, GM Financial, and Toyota Financial Services generating thousands of jobs in the area.

Located in South Mesa is the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, the largest relief airport in the Phoenix area. The expansion of the airport is bringing hundreds of new jobs to the area and fueling not only Mesa’s economy but the entire state. Mesa is also home to the Polytechnic campus of Arizona State University, a nexus for studies in interdisciplinary sciences, engineering, management, technology, and education. 

Downtown Mesa is the cityĘĽs central business district and original square-mile townsite where you’ll discover exciting cultural attractions, international restaurants, casual eateries, locally-owned stores, sports bars, breweries, wineries, and popular nightlife venues. A vibrant cultural hub, Downtown Mesa is home to the Mesa Amphitheater, Mesa Arts Center, Mesa Convention Center, Nile Theater, Metropolitan Youth Symphony, Arizona museum of Natural History, Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, and the I.D.E.A. Museum. 

The city has a lot to offer when it comes to local arts. Attend a local Broadway production or take an art class at Mesa Arts Center. Enjoy the Symphony of the Southwest, a local orchestra that performs throughout the year. Have a laugh at National Comedy Theatre Phoenix or participate in an improv workshop. Visit rotating exhibits at Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum. Head to the Mesa Amphitheater to catch live music concerts. Or, explore art in Downtown Mesa by going on a walking sculpture tour to see 36 unique pieces of art. 

Museums

Mesa has several museums, many of which are located within close proximity to one another. Visit the Arizona Museum of Natural History and learn about the natural and cultural history of the Southwest, and explore exhibits like Dinosaur Hall, Cultures of the Ancient Americas, and Arizona Through Time. Check out the prehistoric structures of the Hohokam civilization at Mesa Grande Cultural Park. Or, walk through preserved ruins and canals of the Hohokam at Park of the Canals.  Get up close to warplanes at Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum. Learn more about Mesa’s regional history at Mesa Historical Museum, or spend the day at i.d.e.a. Museum for young ones where they can explore the Tech Table, ArtVille, Black Light Room, Zen Den, and more.

Shopping

If you’re in need of some retail therapy, Mesa has several great shopping destinations you'll want to check out. Mesa Riverview is the city's largest retail center and features over 30 brand-name retailers like Bed Bath & Beyond, Marshall's, and Sports Authority, just to name a few. Superstition Springs Center has over 150 stores and eateries, an outdoor amphitheater that hosts a free concert series throughout the year, a double-decker carousel, and an indoor children's play area. Village Square at Dana Park is an upscale shopping center featuring high-end retailers, several eateries with outdoor dining, picturesque fountains, and driveways lined with Palm Trees. And for something a little different, Mesa Marketplace Swap Meet offers a vast assortment of reasonably priced goods you simply can't find anywhere else.

Restaurants

When it comes to dining out, Mesa serves as a culinary gateway to the Phoenix metro area, with the region's neighboring farms providing seasonal goods for the city's many restaurants. From farm-to-fork, comfort foods, and tapas to craft breweries, wine bars, and gastropubs, Mesa has it all. Below is Central AZ Restaurant Critic - Dominic Armato’s picks for best restaurants in Mesa 2021: 

Hiking, Biking & Horseback Riding Trails

One of the best ways to explore Mesa is by hiking, biking, and horseback riding its amazing trails. Mesa is literally surrounded by trails, offering varying levels of difficulty and distances to choose from. 

Below are some of the most popular trails to explore:

  • Usery Mountain Regional Park: More than 29 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Park trails range in length from 0.2 miles to over 7 miles, and range in difficulty from easy to difficult. Trails here are popular because they offer enough elevation to experience spectacular vistas of the Valley. Entry fee. Detailed trail maps are available at the on-site Nature Center.
  • Lost Dutchman State Park: Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest. Take a stroll along the Native Plant Trail or hike the challenging Siphon Draw Trail to the top of the Flatiron. Entry fee. Day use and overnight camping are available.
  • San Tan Mountain Regional Park: More than eight miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Park trails range in length from 1.1 miles to over 5 miles, and range in difficulty from easy to strenuous. The trails within the San Tan Mountain Regional Park offer a unique perspective of the lower Sonoran Desert with wildlife, plant life, and scenic mountain views.
  • Tonto National Forest: Nearest areas for hiking include the Four Peaks and Superstition Wilderness areas. Please contact one of the district ranger offices for forest information or to buy passes or maps.

Mesa has more than 40 miles of bike lanes paired with close access to a plethora of desert biking trails. Road biking enthusiasts soar down the popular Usery Pass Road toward Usery Mountain Regional Park with rows of saguaro cacti and desert brush at your side. Mesa's series of cyclist events and festivals, including El Tour de Mesa, provides the opportunity for residents and visitors to help celebrate the sport throughout the year. Usery Mountain Regional Park offers more than 29 miles of trails for mountain biking.  San Tan Mountain Regional Park offers more than eight miles of trails for mountain biking, offering a unique perspective of the lower Sonoran Desert with wildlife, plant life, and scenic mountain views. 

Water Sports

There are three lakes and two rivers within 30 minutes of Mesa where you can enjoy desert boating, fishing, rafting, kayaking, water skiing, wakeboarding, and jet skiing. Or, partake in a leisurely float along the cool waters of the Salt River in an innertube.

  • Apache Lake - 17 miles long with secluded coves.  Camping, boat rental, and storage are available. Day use areas on-site. Fees apply. Fish species: Black Crappie, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye.  
  • Canyon Lake - 28 miles of shoreline, 950 surface acres of water, and secluded coves. RV and tent camping, boat rental, and storage available. Day use areas and ramada rental on-site. Fees apply. Depth: 141 feet. Fish species: Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Walleye, Yellow Bass. 
  • Roosevelt Lake - 112 miles of shoreline and 22,000 acres of surface water. RV park, camping, boat rental, and storage available. Fees apply. Depth: 300 feet (when full). Fish species: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Catfish, Bluegill, Crappie. Roosevelt Marina, 602-977-7170.
  • Saguaro Lake - 10 miles long and 22 miles of shoreline. Day use areas and Butcher Jones Beach. Boat rental and storage available. Fees apply. Depth: 100+ feet. Fish species: Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Rainbow Trout, Crappie.  
  • Salt River - The closest river to Mesa, most leisure recreation takes place in the lower and upper portions where outfitters operate guided water tours via kayak, raft, and inner tube. The river winds through the Tonto National Forest. Fishing permit required. Day use areas throughout.

Golf Clubs

Mesa is considered one of the premier golf destinations in the Southwest, home to some of Arizona's most renowned golf offerings designed by the best including Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Jack Nicklaus, and Pete Dye. You'll discover a variety of options from challenging desert golf to traditional links play. And with near-perfect weather, it’s possible to play golf year-round. Red Mountain Ranch Country Club is rated as the best course in Mesa. Public & private golf clubs in Mesa include:  

Major League Spring Training Baseball 

If you happen to be a die-hard baseball fan, you're in luck. Mesa hosts two Major League Baseball (MLB) teams for spring training as part of the Cactus League. With over 200 MLB games played in 30 days, fans from all over the country come to see their favorite teams play, and tickets often sell out weeks in advance. Watch the Chicago Cubs (MLB) train at Sloan Park. Or head to Hohokam Stadium and enjoy America’s favorite pastime watching the Oakland Athletics (MLB). Other Phoenix suburbs like Scottsdale, Glendale, Tempe, Goodyear, Surprise, and Peoria also host teams for MLB Spring Training.

Top-rated REALTOR®in Mesa - CATHY CARTER

Whether you are interested in Mesa homes for sale it's time to list your current property, Cathy provides the kind of knowledge, skills, dedication, and personalized service you need and deserve. Known for her warm and friendly personality, Cathy's personal approach to the real estate process allows her to connect with her clients and uncover the right homes for them.

There are a lot of moving parts to real estate and Cathy understands that buying or selling a home can be stressful at times. S he is always available to her clients whenever they have questions or concerns and promptly returns all phone calls, texts, and emails. Cathy will protect your best interests, advocate for you, negotiate on your behalf, and take care of the details to ensure the best results possible.

If you would like to know more about real estate in Mesa, please give Cathy Carter a call today at (480) 459‑8488 or get in touch by email. 

RE/MAX Cathy Carter Real Estate & Luxury Homes
Professional REALTOR®
ABR, CRS, CDPE
RE/MAX Alliance Group 
725 W. Elliot Rd., Suite 111 
Gilbert, AZ. 85233
Email or Call: 480‑459‑8488
Toll-Free: 800-519-5578



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