Mesa

Mesa was founded in January 1878 by Mormon (Latter-day Saint or LDS) pioneers and its population is still roughly one-tenth Mormon. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints operates one of its oldest temples in Mesa (the Mesa Arizona Temple), and the city is a hub for Latter-day Saints residing in the Phoenix Metro area. Mesa is one of the United States' fastest-growing cities, and ranks as the 38th-largest. The city has a larger population than better-known United States cities such as Cincinnati, Cleveland, Miami, Minneapolis, New Orleans, Saint Louis and Saint Paul.
Although it has a large population, Mesa is a "bedroom community." Neighborhoods across the city are diverse — some areas have experienced urban blight, while others contain elaborate custom homes.

• Mesa Convention & Visitors Bureau Visitors Center

  phone: +1 480 827-4700
  address: 120 N Center St
  Stop by the Mesa Visitors Center and pick up a Mesa Visitors Guide, which can also be viewed online. The Visitors Center has many publications about Mesa and other destinations around Arizona, including the metro Phoenix area. You'll also find knowledgeable staff and local coupons.

By car

If you happen to be coming from an "easterly" direction (a.k.a. New Mexico), that means you'll probably be taking US-60 (the Superstition Freeway) right through the 17 exits that comprise Mesa, as part of the Greater Phoenix metropolitan area.

By plane

• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is to the west of Mesa and is the major air hub for all of Arizona and the southwestern United States. Flights arrive and depart to domestic and international destinations. If you're prone to airsickness, try to get flights into this airport that arrive either before noon or after sundown, particularly during late spring and early summer. The high elevation, hot sun, and spring winds combine to produce thermals that can make afternoon arrivals an extremely bumpy proposition.

• Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport

  phone: +1 480 988-7600
  This airport offers flights to more than 35 destinations in the United States, by Allegiant Air and a couple of cities in Canada by WestJet. This is a small airport that is being redeveloped into a major regional airport.

• Falcon Field

  address: due east of Phoenix off the Red Mountain Freeway in Maricopa County, just northeast of Mesa, AZ, who owns and operates the airport
  Falcon Field is home to the CAE Oxford Aviation Academy, the world's largest flight school, and Boeing operates an AH-64 Apache helicopter factory adjacent to the airport.

By rail

The Valley Metro Light Rail runs through through downtown Mesa (4 new downtown light rail stations opened in Mesa in August 2015) , connecting to Tempe and Downtown Phoenix. From Sky Harbor Airport, take the free shuttle to the light rail station.

By bus

• Greyhound

  phone: +1 480 834-3360
  address: 1423 N Country Club Dr #7

Mesa is laid out on a straightforward north-south, east-west grid pattern as regards its major streets. Center Street and Main Street are perpendicular to each other and, as suits their names, intersect in the city center in a manner that provides an excellent reference point and makes city navigation relatively easy.

• Mesa Historical Museum

  phone: +1 480 835-7358
  address: 51 E Main St
  This rapidly growing museum, split between two buildings, features displays of the different phases of Mesa's history. The downtown location holds "Play Ball: the Cactus League Experience," an excellent exhibit on the history of spring training baseball in Arizona.

• Lehi Campus

  address: 2345 N Horne St
  An annex for special exhibits.

Mesa Arts Center

phone: +1 480 644-6500

address: 1 E Main St

This uniquely designed building in downtown Mesa features theatres, art galleries, and contemporary public art spaces. It is the largest arts center in Arizona.

Mesa Mormon Temple

address: 101 S LeSueur

This unique building, just east of downtown is the third largest Mormon temple outside of Salt Lake City. A must see at night.

i.d.e.a. Museum

phone: +1 480 644-2468

address: 35 N Robson St

Nationally renowned fine arts museum for children aged 1-12.

Arizona Museum of Natural History

phone: +1 480 644-2230

address: 53 N MacDonald St

This rapidly expanding museum features an interesting array of cultural and natural history artifacts from the American Southwest.

Commemorative Air Force Museum

phone: +1 480 924-1940

address: 2017 N Greenfield Rd

Dedicated to the preservation in flying condition of the great war planes that dominated the skies of World War II. The Confederate Air Force Museum at Falcon Field is home to the authentically restored World War II B-17 bomber, "Sentimental Journey." Out of the 12,731 B-17s built during WWII, there are about 13 left flyable and approximately eight flying in the United States. In addition to "Sentimental Journey" the CAF Museum also maintains a B-25 Mitchell bomber, SNJ, C-45, and a Grumman Guardian.

Mesa Grande Cultural Park

phone: +1 480 644-3428

address: W 10th St

The site preserves a group of Hohokam structures dated from 1100-1400 CE. Ruins include a great mound, building remains, and several ball courts.

Mesa Community College Arboretum

address: 1833 West Southern Ave

140-acre arboretum at Mesa Community College which is accredited by the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program with 100 species of trees and more than 80 species of cacti and succulents. Admission is free and the arboretum is open to the general public. It is on the campus at Southern and Dobson with hours of operation from 6AM to 10PM.

• Amazing Jake's Food & Fun

• Golfland Sunsplash

• Cactus League Spring Training

  address: 1235 N Center St
  A treat for baseball fans happens every spring with the Cactus League Spring Training games happening all over Phoenix and Tucson.

• Fighter Combat International

  address: 5865 S Sossaman Rd
  Fly an actual dogfight mission in the cockpit of a jet. Starting at $750.

• Stratum Laser Tag

  address: 1455 S Stapley Dr
  This unassuming building just off the freeway houses a huge multilevel labyrinth that is one of the biggest laser tag arenas in the world.

• 2nd Friday Night Out

  address: Downtown Mesa- Between Center and Country Club on Main
  Monthly event on 2nd Friday of every month from 6 to 10PM with live music, over 60 art and craft booths, food for sale and other types of events and entertainment. Free admission

Outdoor Activities

• Desert Belle Paddleboat Cruises

  address: 14011 N Bush Hwy
  90-minute cruises aboard the desert belle paddleboat on Saguaro Lake which is known for towering canyon walls, wildlife, and desert/mountain vistas.

• Park of the Canals

  phone: +1 480 644-4271
  address: 1710 N Horne
  This 31-acre park includes evidence of ancient Hohokam Indian canals dating back to 700B.C. and a beautiful desert botanical garden featuring a wide variety of cacti.

• Rose Garden at Mesa Community College

  phone: +1 480 461-7022
  address: 1833 W Southern Ave
  Largest rose garden in the Desert Southwest includes 4,600 bushes and more than 450 varieties. Open year-round with peak bloom in April.

• Saguaro Lake Ranch Trail Rides

  address: 13020 Bush Hwy
  Offering guides trail rides surrounding Saguaro lake. Desert scenery and mountain vistas. Sunset rides offered.

• Salt River Tubing and Recreation

  address: 1320 N Bush Hwy
  Float down the Salt River East of Mesa on a inflatable inner tube. Enjoy the desert views and wildlife along the way. This activity is known as a very popular party spot.

• Tonto National Forest, Mesa District

  address: 5140 E Ingram St
  Stop into this Park Ranger office and pick up a map before heading out on the hiking trails. The Tonto National Forest is the fifth largest in the United States. Desert to Mountain terrain.

Annual Events

• Arizona Fall League

  address: 1235 N Center St
  The Arizona Fall league is known to feature the up and coming baseball stars of tomorrow. Mesa Hohokam park is home to the Mesa Solar Sox whose players include those from teams such as the SF Giants, Cubs, and Reds.

• Chicago Cubs Spring Training

  address: 1235 N Center St
  Spend an afternoon watching the MLB Chicago Cubs take on any number of teams during spring training at Hohokam Park. Spring training runs from late February to late March annually.

• Jesus the ChristBilled as "Mesa Arizona's Easter Pageant," this free "community Easter celebration" is apparently, according to its promoters, the "Largest Annual Outdoor Easter Pageant in the World." You might want to get your seats or spots on the lawn well in advance of its April showtimes.

• Mesa Music Festival

  address: Main Street (downtown Mesa)
  3-day music festival and block party with over 100 bands, art vendors, bike shows and other events in downtown Mesa with free admission.

• Downtown Mesa Brewfest

  address: Downtown Mesa at South Macdonald and Main Street
  Free festival in downtown Mesa near Mesa light rail station with live music, games, contests and vendors offering beer and food for purchase. Early March.

• Bass Pro Shops

  address: 1133 N Dobson Rd
  170,125 sq feet of outdoor equipment.

• Bookmans Entertainment Exchange

  phone: +1 480-835-0505
  address: 1056 S Country Club Dr
  This Tucson-based used bookstore chain also carries used CDs, DVDs, video games, etc. There is an electric vehicle charging station and free Wi-Fi, and pets are welcome in the store.

• Dana Park

  address: 1700 S. Val Vista Dr
  Upscale, boutique style shopping with sparkling fountains and merchants offering jewelry, home accessories, fashion clothing, gourmet foods, and unique dining.

• Mesa Riverview

  address: 1061 N. Dobson Rd
  A brand new outdoor shopping center. Stores include Bass Pro Shops, Cinemark Theatre, Home Depot, Bed Bath and Beyond, Petco, Walmart, Marshalls, Office Max, Sports Authority, and Jo-Ann Fabrics.

• Fiesta Mall

• Superstition Springs Mall

• Asylum Records

  phone: +1 480 964-6301
  address: 108 W. Main St
  Record store in downtown Mesa selling new and used records, CDs, DVDs and music memorabilia.

• Baby Kay's Cajun Kitchen

  phone: +1 480 800-4811
  address: 2051 S Dobson Rd
  Camelback area local Cajun cuisine restaurant featuring po boys and, in season, crawfish boils on Wednesday nights.

• Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill

  phone: +1 480 633-8226
  address: 1744 S Val Vista Dr
  Homemade tortillas, huge burritos, addicting taco salads with spicy avocado ranch dressing. Ahh the sweet pork.

• Matta's

  phone: +1 480 655-8646 (Grill), +1 480 964-7881 (Grill and Cantina)
  address: Grill: 1105 N Higley Rd; Grill and Cantina: 1033 N. Dobson Rd
  The Mexican restaurant on the east side of town since 1953, hosted by the Matta family. The original location on Main street closed in 2008, but in 2002 the family opened a fast/casual-style location called Mattas Mexican Grill, and in 2010 opened Mattas Grill and Cantina, which is closer in style and menu to the original. Nice atmosphere with strolling mariachis in the evening.

• Pete's Fish and Chips

  phone: +1 480 964-7242
  address: 22 S. Mesa Dr
  Eight other locations in the Phoenix Valley. Forget the tartar sauce "Pete's special sauce" is to die for. Family owned and operated since 1947. Only cash is accepted.
• Ned's or Steve's Krazy Sub, Best subs in Mesa. Can't beat the lunch special. Try the Poorboy.

• Ned's: 1927 N Gilbert Rd, +1 480 464-0033.,1356 S. Gilbert Rd. Suite B-1, +1 480 898-8894.
• Steves: 1211 N Country Club Dr Mesa, +1 480 835-0330,
• *or 6853 E Main Street (Power and Main next to Greenbacks), +1 480 924-SUBS.

Rosa's Mexican Grill

phone: +1 480 964-5451

address: 328 E University Dr

The original Rosa's. Everything on the menu is excellent, a family favorite. Best shrimp tacos anywhere.

Waldo's BBQ

phone: +1 480 807-6475

address: 4500 E. Main St

Located in the eastern portion of town, Waldo's serves up everything you could ask from a BBQ place, all with a great atmosphere.

Organ Stop Pizza

phone: +1 480 813-5700

address: 1149 East Southern Ave

Organ Stop Pizza is an informal restaurant with a twist: It is home to the world's largest Wurlitzer pipe organ. Each night guests are treated to music from "The Mighty Wurlitzer", played by one of the staff organists who have all received "Organist of the Year" awards by the American Theatre Organ Society. Good pizza, salad, drinks, and a variety of other choices are available at great prices.

Rockin' R Ranch

phone: +1 480 832-6793

address: 6136 E. Baseline

Old West Cowboy Dinner Show with Old Fashioned BBQ included in the price

Republica Empanada

phone: +1 480 969-1343

address: 204 E. 1st Ave

Latin American comfort food restaurant located in a midcentury building in downtown Mesa with the largest selection of empanadas in Arizona priced at less than $3 each and Lunch specials for $6.95 or $7.50 M-Sa 11AM-3PM.

Vito's Italian Pizza & Ristorante

phone: +1 480-832-3311

address: 1947 N Lindsay Rd

Italian restaurant, includes a bar, and offers catering and banquet services.

• RT O'Sullivan's Bar and Grill

  phone: +1 480 844-1290
  address: 1010 W Southern Ave
  This is a great place to watch the game but get there early because it fills up.

• Desert Eagle Brewery

  phone: +1 480 656-2662
  address: 150 West Main St
  Micro-brewery serving craft beers in downtown Mesa with happy hour from 3PM to 6PM.

• Arizona Golf Resort

  phone: +1 480 832-3202
  address: 425 South Power Rd
  30 minutes from Phoenix, it feature a championship golf course, meeting facilities, onsite dining as well as many other amenities.

• Mesa Hilton

  address: 1011 West Holmes Ave

• Quality Inn & Suites

  phone: +1 480 964-2897
  address: 1410 S. Country Club Dr

• Sleep Inn

  phone: +1 480 807-7760
  address: 6347 E. Southern Ave

• Westgate Painted Mountain Country Club

  address: 6302 E. McKellips Rd
  A golf resort near Phoenix, offering family lodging and accommodations with panoramic views & featuring an 18-hole, par 70 championship golf course.

• Courtyard Phoenix Mesa

  phone: +1 480 461-3000
  address: 1221 South Westwood Ave

Camping

• Usery Mountain Regional Park

  phone: +1 480 984-0032
  address: 3939 N Usery Pass Rd
  Water and electric hookups at all sites, with toilets and hot showers available; maximum RV length 50'. Reservations can be made online ($8 reservation fee).

Mesa has a fairly high crime rate compared to some other American cities, but most of it is property crime of more concern to residents than to visitors.

Newspapers

• The Arizona Republic

  phone: +1 602 444-8000
  address: 200 E Van Buren St
  The city’s main newspaper that is read throughout the city and state.

• The New Times

  phone: +1 602 271-0040
  address: 1201 E Jefferson
  A great source of independent news and information about events, music, food, etc. The closest thing Phoenix has to New York's Village Voice (and the two have recently come under common ownership).

• East Valley Tribune

  phone: +1 480 TRIBUNE
  address: 1620 W. Fountainhead Parkway, Ste. 219 Tempe, AZ 85282
  Freely distributed "voice of the East Valley". Their yearly Best of East Valley readers contests are very helpful for finding great food, drinks, entertainment and shopping; their editors fill the East Valley Guide with their own recommendations, which also includes a calendar of local events

• La Voz

  phone: +1 602 444-8000
  address: 200 E Van Buren St
  A popular Spanish language newspaper published by The Arizona Republic.

• Asian American Times

  address: 668 N 44th St, Ste 343
  Excellent Chinese-American newspaper with articles printed in English and Chinese.

• "Old Town" Scottsdale in the northeast Phoenix metropolitan area is the single most tourist friendly area in the valley.
• Downtown Tempe has a lively night life, being a college town
• There are many museums and other cultural venues in Phoenix