Mesa: Explore the Sunny Southwest

The Superstition Mountains west of Mesa

ORIENTATION

Mesa rests on a plateau in the Salt River Valley, surrounded by the Sonoran Desert and the Superstition Mountains to the west. As a suburb of Phoenix, which is 15 mi (24 km) east of Mesa, this city makes a great base to explore central Arizona, whether it be the desert, the mountains or the river. Since Arizona shares its border with New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California, as well as with Mexico, Mesa makes a great location for those wanting to travel farther south. For people touring through Arizona, this city is 6 mi (10 km) from Tempe, 10 mi (16 km) from Scottsdale, 117 mi (188 km) from Tucson and 248 mi (400 km) from the Grand Canyon.

HISTORY

The area surrounding Mesa is rich in heritage, dating back roughly 2,000 years to the Hohokam Tribe, a group of American Indians whose name means Departed Ones. The Hohokam resided in the Salt River Valley and are credited with the construction of 125 mi (200 km) of canal systems used to obtain water for sustenance. These systems are still used. While the Hohokam's legacy is known, the reason for why they left is not. More than a thousand years after the disappearance of the Hohokam, the Salt River Valley became home to another tribe, the Apache Indians. While the Apaches managed to drive out the Spanish during the 1700s, they were forced to leave by the U.S. Army in the 1800s.

Colonization of this area picked up soon after the Apaches left, and by the end of the 19th century Mesa was home to many Mormon settlers, who were avoiding persecution in Utah. These Mormons lived as a commune, sharing all supplies and food. Soon after settling, they constructed a building that served as a school, church and meeting area, as well as an adobe fort that they named Fort Utah. Disagreements with Pima Indians in the area caused most of the Mormons to move closer to Mexico. Their colony, known as Lehi, is now part of Mesa. The First Mesa Company arrived in Mesa shortly after and consisted of 85 people from Utah and Idaho. They were invited by Jones to live in Lehi, known to many of that day as Utahville. The company chose, instead, to move to the plateau south of the commune. It was these settlers who gave Mesa life, cleaning out the canals built by the Hohokam and getting water to flow through them again.

The Sirrine House, one of Mesa's Historical Landmarks Photo courtesy Mesa CVB

With the invention of air conditioning in the 1940s, Mesa become a popular tourist destination. More people moved to the area during the 1940s with the construction of the Falcon Field Airport and the Williams Air Force Base. Until the 1960s, citrus and cotton farming made up economic base, technological companies made up a large industrial base in Mesa. In 2005 the city had more than 100 industrial and technological firms operating from it. The city has worked hard to make Mesa a tourist destination by preserving many of the historical buildings. Add to that the many theaters, auditoriums and sport centers waiting for visitors traveling from around the world, and it's easy to understand why people want to come to Mesa.

Mesa has mild winters and warm summers, making it a year-round travel destination. The average temperature in the winter (Dec-Feb) fluctuates between a high of 68°F (20°C) and a low of 37°F (3°C). In the summer, Mesa's highs of 10°F (38°C) and a lows of 75°F (24°C) can be expected. Summer temperatures peak between June and August. Mesa has an average of 320 sunny days each year, a welcome statistic for travelers seeking to escape colder climates.

TRANSPORTATION

Since it is so close to Phoenix, Mesa has all the travel advantages of a major city. The Sun Harbor International Airport is only 12 mi (20 km) away. There is a regional airport, Williams Gateway Airport, located 13 mi (20 km) from downtown Mesa. Williams Gateway acts as a relief airport for the Sun Harbor, as well as a landing area for corporate jets, cargo planes, military aircraft and general aviation planes. Airplane manufacturing, maintenance and pilot training are conducted at this airport.

Once in Mesa, there are numerous ways to get around. This city is bicycle friendly, and has many pathways as well as bike lanes on some roads. There are also lots of walking opportunities in parks, trails and hiking areas. Mesa has a wide selection of taxis, shuttles and limos for hire. Its transit system, the Valley Metro, runs buses 16 hours a day, six days a week. There are no buses on Sundays and on holidays. For those wanting more independence, there are numerous car rental companies available.

	A Dinosaur Skeleton at the Mesa Southwest Museum Photo courtesy Mesa CVB

Historic Sites

Mesa's rich heritage is celebrated through its many museums and historical sites. One such place is the Southwest Museum. The museum is home to many collections, including a prehistoric exhibit containing dinosaur skeletons, fossils and other items. Other displays inside include a geographical collection, an art collection and a natural history collection. The Southwest Museum also has an outdoor exhibit the—Sirrine House—which is located down the street from the other collections. The Sirrine House is a popular museum and historical site for those who love Victorian-era homes. Built in 1896, the house is preserved to reflect how life was lived at the end of the 19th century. Its furnishings and decorations were carefully selected by museum staff, to take people back 100 years as they step through its doors.

Other museums in Mesa including the Arizona Museum for Youth, the Buckhorn Wildlife Museum, the Commemorative Air Force Museum and the Mesa Historical Museum. But there is much more to this city than historical facilities.

Mesa is home to one of the world's largest organs—the Mighty Wurlitzer—which can be found at Organ Stop Pizza. Another popular spot is the Arizona Temple Visitors Center, which draws people from all over during the Christmas season, when it is decorated with lights, and during the Easter season, when it hosts a Passion play.

The Dolly Steamboat on Canyon Lake Photo courtesy Mesa CVB

Cultural Activities

Mesa has several theaters, orchestras and art galleries that bring to life the cultured side of the city. Attracting youth to the arts is important to the city and is achieved through programs and performances by companies like Ballet Etudes, the Mesa Youth Symphony and the East Valley Children's Theatre. Professional performances by the Mesa Symphony Orchestra, the Encore Theatre, the Southwest Shakespeare Company, the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre and many others grace the stage for visitors and residents of Mesa to enjoy. Sports fans get an early taste of professional baseball during the Cactus League games which runs through May before Major League Baseball commences. This league prepares MLB teams, like the Chicago Cubs who play at Mesa's Hohokam Stadium, prior to the start of the regular season.

	Two Cowboys at Goldfield Ghost Town Photo Courtesy Mesa CVB

Mesa is surrounded by mountains, lakes, trails and many historic land marks. The Apache Trail is a popular tourist destination, with many scenic and historical stops along the way. The trail goes through the the Superstition Mountains, where the historic ghost town of Goldfield can be found. Throughout this region there are many tour companies offering horseback riding trips and guided tours of the Apache Trail and area. After seeing the historic and scenic areas, visitors can relax with a game of golf. Mesa is home to nearly a dozen golf courses, each varying in skill and cost.

Shopping

With ample antique shops, several malls and markets , visitors can find the perfect token of their trip to Mesa. It addition to two large malls—the Fiesta Mall and Superstition Springs Center—Mesa boasts two large shopping areas, the Santa Fe Shopping Center and the Village Square at Dana Park. There are at least a dozen antique shops, each carrying different types of collectibles from furniture to military artifacts to kitchen collectibles, and plenty of gift shops and specialty shops found throughout the city, to satisfy every shopper's desire.

Cuisine

After a day of sightseeing and traveling, a meal is a must. Mesa has more than 120 restaurants, from fast food to sit-down restaurants. People can dine at one of the many Italian, Mexican and other international cuisines found all around the city. There is a selection of take-out and delivery establishments as well for those wanting a quieter evening at the hotel or at home.