Mesa

Long before single-family homes and golf courses appeared here, the Hohokam dug an ingenious canal system through the desert – and some modern irrigation canals still follow their routes today. A trip to Mesa takes you to Arizona's third-largest city, east of Phoenix, which offers desert landscapes, spring baseball, and a surprisingly lively cultural center.

From Pioneer Settlement to Big City in the Valley

Mesa was founded in 1878 by Mormon pioneers who settled the tableland – Spanish "mesa" – above the Salt River. The Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ, built in the 1920s, recalls those beginnings; its gardens are open to the public and festively lit during the holiday season. After World War II, the city grew rapidly thanks to air conditioning, air force bases, and an influx of retirees. Today Mesa is a sprawling city with an identity of its own that doesn't see itself as a mere suburb of Phoenix.

Things to See in Mesa

At the heart of town is the Mesa Arts Center, one of the largest arts complexes in the Southwest, with theaters, galleries, and studios. Right next door, the Arizona Museum of Natural History displays dinosaur skeletons and an exhibit on Hohokam culture. Aviation fans can visit the Commemorative Air Force Museum at Falcon Field, with restored World War II aircraft. In spring, much revolves around baseball: the Chicago Cubs train at Sloan Park, and the Athletics use Hohokam Stadium – Spring Training draws thousands of fans every year. Main Street in downtown Mesa is lined with sculptures and is a pleasant place for a stroll.

Eating in Mesa: Tex-Mex, Farm Restaurants, and Food Trucks

Mexican-influenced cuisine is part of everyday life – from carne asada tacos to chimichangas, which are said to have been invented in Arizona. On the edge of town toward Gilbert and Queen Creek, you'll find farms with farm stands and restaurants, such as olive oil mills and orchards where you can have breakfast. Downtown has attracted small breweries, cafés, and restaurants serving Southwestern cuisine. If you like, try prickly pear lemonade made from cactus fruit or dishes with Hatch chiles.

Snowbirds, Festivals, and Spring Training

In winter, the RV parks on the east side of the city fill up with "snowbirds," retirees from the northern U.S. and Canada who spend the cold season here – with shuffleboard, dance nights, and group excursions. During the holiday season, the temple gardens glow with lights, and downtown Mesa celebrates with markets. In spring, Spring Training tickets are much cheaper than during the regular season, and the players get remarkably close to the fans. Families visit the i.d.e.a. Museum downtown, a children's museum devoted to art and creativity.

Getting Around Mesa and the Best Time to Visit

The major Phoenix Sky Harbor airport is about 15 miles (25 km) to the west; on the southeast side of the city, the smaller Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport mainly serves low-cost carriers. The Valley Metro Rail light rail connects downtown Mesa with Tempe and Phoenix, but for excursions a rental car is nearly essential. The best time to visit is October through April, when temperatures are pleasant – in summer, they regularly top 104°F (40°C). Tonto National Forest and Usery Mountain Regional Park begin right on the doorstep, with hiking trails among saguaro cacti. On the Salt River, you can float downstream on inner tubes in summer, often accompanied by wild horses. The Apache Trail leads to the Saguaro Lake and Canyon Lake reservoirs and to the Superstition Mountains, home of the legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine.