Mesa is a city in the Maricopa County in the US state of Arizona. The city
is located around 20 miles east of Phoenix. It is the central city of the
East Valley section of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area and is flanked by
Tempe on the west, Apache Junction on the east, Gilbert and Chandler on the
south, and the salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community in the north.
After Phoenix and Tucson, Mesa is the third-largest city in Arizona. The
city is rich with a lot of natural and historic attractions.
Things to do in Mesa, Arizona
Usery Mountain Regional Park
Usery Mountain Regional Park offers more than 29 miles of trails for
hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Park trails range in
difficulty from easy to difficult. If a traveller is looking for an easy
hike, the Merkle Trail is apt for him/her. For those seeking a difficult
hike, the 7.1-mile Pass Mountain Trail is the one to choose. Another
popular trail is the Wind Cave Trail, reaching high onto the mountain side
and allowing hikers onto the adjacent Tonto National Forest. The trails in
the park are popular as they have enough altitude to offer imposing vistas
of surrounding plains.
Arizona Museum of Natural History
Arizona Museum of Natural History is one of the premier museums in entire
Arizona. “Dinosaur Mountain” is the largest dinosaur exhibit in the west of
the Mississippi River. There is a constantly flowing 50-foot-high indoor
waterfall and the startling roar of life-size dinosaurs, comprising a
saber-tooth cat and a Columbian Mammoth. Also included in the collection is
Arizona Highways permanent photography gallery, a re-creation of the Lost
Dutchman’s Gold Mine, and a potpourri of other changing exhibits. Admission
in the museum is free.
Mesa Amphitheatre
Mesa Amphitheatre is popular for its great location and beautiful lawn. The
Amphitheatre is located just 15 minutes of drive from Phoenix. Mesa
Amphitheatre is also famous for daylong festivals and community events and
is owned by the City of Mesa Parks, Recreation and Commercial Facilities
Department.
Best Time to Visit Mesa, Arizona
Weather-wise, the best time to take Mesa flights is from November through
April. During this period, the sky remains clear and the city experiences a
subtropical desert climate making. The summers here are extremely hot and
the winters are mild to warm.
Airports in Mesa
Flights to Mesa are operated by Falcon Field. The airport is located about
10 kilometers northeast of Mesa. It is a city owned airport categorized as
a reliever airport.