Mesa
Mesa is a thriving metropolis in the heart of the Southwest that continues to entice with lifestyle and leisure pursuits in high demand by visitors. Embraced by the Sonoran Desert – a playground for sought-after outdoor recreation – here you can find world-class golf, diverse dining, engaging entertainment, cultural connections, ample shopping, and a charming downtown. Mesa started out as a small farming community but fast forward 120 years and you’ll see Mesa has grown at break-neck speed and is now the third largest city in the state of Arizona (boasting a population greater than such well-known cities as Atlanta, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Miami).
Downtown Mesa is aligned with boutiques, antique shops, museums, cafes, coffee shops and yoga studios. This vibrant epi-center is also the home of Mesa Arts Center, reflecting the unique character of Arizona’s desert and canyon landscapes. And, Mesa is a recreation paradise boasting a close proximity to Tonto National Forest. Here, visitors can access three lakes and two rivers that allow for every water sport imaginable paired with endless hiking trails. In all, it’s a modern-day desert urban retreat where landscapes are legendary, tradition and heritage still shine, and small town charm reigns supreme.
Entertainment & Nightlife
• Mesa Arts Center, largest arts and entertainment complex in the Southwest
• Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar at Mesa Riverview – featuring an 85-foot guitar shaped bar and live music
• Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre
Museums & Cultural Experiences
• Pedestrian-friendly Art & Cultural District in Downtown Mesa
• Award-winning museums including Arizona Museum of Natural History and Arizona Museum for Youth
• Mesa Contemporary Arts – Visual Arts Complex at Mesa Arts Center
• Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing Aircraft Museum
Sports & Recreation
• Usery Mountain Regional Park – featuring numerous trails for hiking and the Nature Center
• Lost Dutchman State Park – hiking through the legendary Superstition Mountain range
• Apache Trail – scenic tours, Goldfield Ghost Town, mountain biking, horseback rides, and more
• Salt River – kayaking, rafting and tubing
• Canyon Lake – boating, water skiing, Dolly Steamboat cruise
• Saguaro Lake – beach access, boating, water skiing, Desert Belle nature cruise
• More than 40 golf courses located within 30 minutes of Mesa
Shopping
• Mesa Market Place Swap Meet – Open Fridays and weekends with 1,600 booths covering 55 acres filled with a variety of gifts and products.
• Dana Park Village Square, pedestrian-friendly shopping center aligned with boutiques, upscale shopping and patio cafes.
• Downtown Mesa – made up of charming districts featuring boutiques, sidewalk cafes, salons and antique shops. Permanent sculptures adorn sidewalks.
• Mesa Riverview – entertainment district with Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Cinemark Theatres and Toby Keith’s I Love this Bar and Grill.
• Superstition Springs Center – indoor shopping center including Macy’s, Dillards, JC Penneys, and 150 specialty shops, cinemas, eateries, desert botanical garden, Plaza Amphitheater.
Family Offerings
• Amazing Jake’s Food and Fun
• Golfland/SunSplash
• Jump and Shout at Mesa Riverview
• Goldfield Ghost Town / Apache Trail Attractions
• Phoenix Zoo
• Superstition Farm Dairy Tours
Golf in Mesa
• Las Sendas Golf Club, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., the course has matured into one of the most beautiful courses in Mesa and ranks as the 12th most challenging, and one of the top 50 courses in the nation according to two ZAGAT Surveys.
• Superstition Springs Golf Club, one of Arizona’s most challenging golf layouts. This premier course measures over 7,000 yards from the back tee and is a PGA Tour qualifying site rated among the Southwest’s finest golf experiences.
• Superstition Mountain Golf Club, former home to several LGPA events, this club is home to two Jack Nicklaus-designed courses with immaculate fairways and world-renowned greens.
• Dobson Ranch Golf Course, Golf Digest magazine ranked Dobson Ranch Golf Course as one of the best municipal golf courses in all 50 states and selected them as the number one municipal course in Arizona.
For More Information: Log onto www.VisitMesa.com