7 Things To Do in Mesa, Arizona

The love for Arizona started for me with the epic Grand Canyon and Horseshoe Band, and continues to grow as I discover the hidden gems this incredible state has to offer! On my recent trip I visited Mesa, and absolutely fell in love with it! I spent a busy weekend exploring what this area has to offer and present to you my top 7 things to see and do in Mesa, AZ.

1. Stay at the Cozy Peach at Schnepf Farms

If you are a sucker for glamping experiences and vintage trailers - you can't miss! The glamground is located right on a 300-acre organic peach farm. You can choose from Airstreams, Spartan Manor and Spartan Mansion, Silver Streak, a vintage Pullman Train and more. The plush trailers are decked out in mid-century décor matching the trailers original year of creation. They are equipped with air conditioning, plumbing and heat, and there are also individual barbecues, patio tables and chairs.

At the farm, visitors can pick their own fresh organic produce to take home and get a taste of hearty farmhouse kitchen cooking at the Farm Fresh Café and Bakery!

Address: 22601 E Cloud Rd, Queen Creek
Tel: (480) 987-3000

If you are not a glamper than I highly recommend to stay at Doubletree Hilton Phoenix – Mesa. Relax in the luxury of the spacious guest rooms and suites, enjoy heated pool, 24-hour fitness center, and even an adjacent nine-hole executive golf course!

Address: 1011 W Holmes Ave Mesa, AZ 85210

Tel: (480) 833-5555

2. Go kayaking

Imagine kayaking while surrounded by beautiful mountain landscapes! Sounds dreamy? Then don't miss the Fox Tail Kayaking tour with Saguaro Lake Ranch! You don't have to be a pro kayaker to handle this route, but I found it to be an exciting activity as you kayak on your own without a guide. The 2 hours on the river flew by while we were taking in the nature's beauty from a whole new angle!

Address: 13020 N Bush Hwy, Mesa, AZ 85215

Tel: (480) 984-2194

3. Take a hike

When in Arizona hiking through cacti trails is a must! Head to the Usery Mountain Regional Park that is located just up the road from Saguaro Lake Ranch, it's a great stop after your kayaking adventure.

Enjoy the unique desert flora and fauna that includes views of Saguaro, Cholla, and Palo Verde. There are many popular trails to choose from and they have enough elevation to offer spectacular vistas of surrounding plains. Here are a few trails you might like:

Moderate:

Amigos Wash 1.2 miles

Cat Peaks 1.1 miles

Noso 1.0 mile

Easy:

Merkle 0.9 ( ADA Compliant, and the wide path makes for the perfect accessible and stroller-friendly trail.)

Chain Fruit 1.6 miles

Channel 1.2 miles

Blevins 3.0 miles

For the full list of hikes, check out this map.

Address: Usery Mountain Regional Park Nature Center 3939 N. Usery Pass Rd. Mesa, Arizona 85207

Tel: (480) 984-0032

Another great hiking spot is Lost Dutchman State Park that is named after after the fabled lost gold mine. It's located in the Sonoran Desert, at the base of the Superstition Mountains, only 40 miles east of Phoenix. Here are a few hikes to consider:

Hard:

Flatiron via Siphon Draw Trail 5.5 miles

Easy:

Native Plant Trail 0.2 miles

Dicover trail 1.0 mile

Jabob’s Crosscut 2.4 miles

Lost Dutchman Campgroud Loop 2.1 miles

There is also a four mile mountain bike loop trail which is a great way to enjoy the park's beauty while experiencing the famed Superstition Mountains!

4. Check out art walk & murals

On Downtown Mesa’s many side streets, visitors can explore a modern twist of Mesa’s history with nearly a dozen unique murals painted by up-and-coming local artists. Be sure to look for nearly 40 public art sculptures along Main Street, all part of the city’s permanent art collection.

5. Go on a Brewery tour

While exploring downtown Mesa, enjoy a variety of microbreweries and cideries up and down Main Street. Enjoy a flight at Cider Corps, a veteran-owned cidery & taproom. Afterwards, check out 12 West Brewery for unique cocktails and craft beers. Make room for other bubbly stops along Main Street including Desert Eagle Brewery, Oro Brewery and Chupacabra Taproom.

6. Visit Goldfield Ghost Town

Travel in time to the Wild West era when you visit the Goldfield Ghost Town, tour the Mammoth Gold Mine, check out the Goldfield Museum and you might even witness an old western gun fight while exploring the Main Street with all its many shops, saloons and historic buildings. There are plenty of activities to experience here: pan for gold, take a ride on Arizona’s only narrow gauge train, take an underground mine tour and even go zip lining!

Address: 4650 N. Mammoth Mine Road, Goldfield, Arizona 85219

Tel: 480-983-0333

7. Tortilla Flat Saloon

Continue your old west journey and visit Tortilla Flat. It's an authentic remnant of an old west town, nestled amid the Tonto National Forest, Superstition Mountain Range. This historic stop has a charming ambiance with real saddles as bar stools and the unique wallpaper of dollar bills from visitors worldwide. While there you can try Killer Chili, Big Burgers, Prickly Pear Ice Cream and so much more!

Address: 1 Main Street, Tortilla Flat, AZ 85290

Tel: (480) 772-2123

Have a blast on your trip to Mesa, AZ!