Mesa Overview
Mesa, Arizona is neighbors to the Tonto National Forest and visitors to this desert oasis take advantage of being incredibly close to one of the nation’s largest playgrounds. Tonto is the fifth largest forest in the United States and one of the most-visited forests in the country. There are three lakes and two rivers in Mesa that allow for desert boating, paddle boarding, kayaking and water skiing.
Art is big here: The Mesa Arts Center is the largest arts and entertainment park in the Southwest, with four theaters, galleries, exhibition rooms, and classrooms that encourage creativity. Wander downtown’s streets to see more than 200 public art sculptures as well as a number of local restaurants and shops. Bikers rumble through downtown the first Friday night of every month for Motorcycles on Main, and pedestrians browse the shops the next week during the monthly Second Fridays event. Don’t miss downtown’s museums: the kid-friendly Arizona Museum of Natural History and i.d.e.a. Museum, and the Mesa Historical Museum.