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Mesa was founded in 1878 when a group of Mormon pioneers led by George W. Sir Udall established a farming settlement along the banks of the Salt River. The city was named for the tabletop mesas that rise dramatically above the valley floor, a geological feature that has defined the region’s landscape for millions of years. What began as an agricultural community built on irrigation canals has grown into Arizona’s third-largest city, home to more than 500,000 residents.
The early 20th century brought the Arizona Museum of Natural History to downtown Mesa, documenting the rich paleontological and cultural history of the Sonoran Desert region. Mesa’s growth accelerated after World War II, as returning veterans and newcomers discovered the appeal of year-round sunshine and affordable desert living. The establishment of Arizona State University’s Polytech campus in the 1960s cemented Mesa’s role as an educational and cultural hub in the Phoenix metropolitan area.
The Arizona Museum of Natural History is one of Mesa’s crown jewels, featuring dinosaur fossils, Native American artifacts, and interactive exhibits that bring the desert’s ancient past to life. Downtown Mesa’s Mesa Arts Center hosts world-class performances and visual art exhibitions throughout the year, drawing visitors from across the Southwest. The center’s distinctive adobe architecture and lush gardens make it a destination worth exploring even when no performance is scheduled.
Usery Mountain Regional Park offers a striking introduction to the Sonoran Desert, with its famous Wind Dunes — massive sand formations that seem impossibly placed against the rocky mountain backdrop. The park’s more than 3,200 acres provide miles of hiking trails, camping facilities, and panoramic views of the Phoenix metropolitan area. At dawn and dusk, the dunes cast dramatic shadows that photographers find irresistible.
Mesa’s desert trails attract hikers, mountain bikers, and trail runners seeking to explore the rugged beauty of the Sonoran landscape. The Usery Mountain trail system includes routes for all skill levels, from gentle walks among saguaro cacti to challenging climbs offering sweeping vistas of the valley below. Winter months (November through March) provide the most comfortable conditions, with daytime temperatures in the 60s and 70s.
Salt River Tubing is a beloved warm-weather tradition, with visitors floating down the river on inner tubes during the hot summer months. The river’s emerald-green waters carve through a dramatic canyon setting, providing a refreshing contrast to the surrounding desert. Golfers will find dozens of premier golf courses in Mesa, taking advantage of the year-round playing conditions and stunning desert scenery.
The Mesa Grande Cultural Park preserves the site of a major Hohokam village, offering insight into the ancient civilization that once thrived in this region. The park features reconstructed structures and interpretive displays that explain how the Hohokam farmed, built, and lived in the desert over 1,000 years ago. Walking through the site, visitors can see the remnants of ball courts and platform mounds that speak to a sophisticated society.
The Arizona Museum of Natural History houses one of the finest collections of dinosaur fossils in the Southwest, including a magnificent Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton and interactive paleontology exhibits where kids can dig for replica fossils. The museum’s Dinosaur Hall is particularly popular with families, bringing ancient creatures to life through realistic models and engaging multimedia displays.
The best time to visit Mesa is between October and April, when daytime temperatures range from the comfortable 60s to the low 80s. This period coincides with the city’s peak event calendar, including art festivals, food fairs, and outdoor concerts in the downtown district. Winter visitors will find blooming desert wildflowers, crisp mornings, and perfect conditions for hiking and golf.
Summer in Mesa is intensely hot, with temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F from June through September. While the heat limits daytime outdoor activities, summer visitors can take advantage of discounted hotel rates and explore air-conditioned attractions like museums and shopping centers. Evening activities come alive after sunset, when desert temperatures finally begin to drop and outdoor dining becomes pleasant again.
Here are some of our favorite things to do in Mesa. Choose your favorite!
The Commemorative Air Force Airbase Arizona , also known as the Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum, was established in 1978 at Falcon Field in Mesa, becoming the 10th unit of the national Commemorative Air Force organization. The museum traces i…