Posted By Visit Mesa Team
December 28, 2018
19 Reasons to Visit Mesa in 2019
It's a brand new year, so it's time to set up some new resolutions!
Salt River Pima-MaricopaIn Mesa City Limitless© we are celebrating new culinary delights, new up-and-coming music scenes, new motivation for outdoor adventure, and more. To round up these new activities and classic experiences, we present our list of must-see & must-do activities and destinations for the new year ahead! Start planning your next vacation with us today, and consider this your 2019 bucket list when you visit Mesa...
1. Hiking Wonderland
If you love to hike, you may already have Arizona on your radar, but did you know Mesa boasts some of the best trails and desert views within driving distance of our Downtown? Both Usery Mountain Regional Park and Lost Dutchman State Park, as well as the Superstition Wilderness, are home to dozens of paths and trails for hikers of all ages and skill levels. This year, take in the majesty of our beautiful Sonoran Desert the best way we know how; by trail! Click HERE for more info about hiking in Mesa.
2. Home of Arizona Goat Yoga - World Record Breakers!
You’ve GOAT to see it to believe it! Arizona Goat Yoga gives yogis the chance to relieve the daily stresses of life by combining yoga with goats roaming on a farm. During the guided yoga class, these gentle and loving animals wander the fields and even jump into the action. This February, AZ Goat Yoga will be trying for yet another World Record: the WORLD'S LARGEST GOAT YOGA CLASS at the Mesa Amphitheatre! If you haven’t yet tried this unique and fun activity, be sure to add it to your list!
3. Culinary Delights
Mesa is garnering lots of national attention as a culinary gateway to the Greater Phoenix area. With a plethora of eateries and foodie experiences, City Limitless© offers food-lovers more than enough options to fill their stomachs! Check out Worth Takeaway in Downtown Mesa, Postino East Wine Cafe in Downtown Gilbert, or What's Crackin' Cafe in Mesa in the new year.
4. Desert Dweller's Ultimate Playground
Whether is it by Segway, ATV, horseback, or jeep, there are so many unique ways to take in our special desert scenery in Mesa! Green Zebra Tomcar Adventures and Stellar Adventures take you up rocky hillsides in guided off-roading tours, Saguaro Lake Ranch offers adventurous horseback trail rides, and Fort McDowell Adventures will take visitors on an exciting desert tour via Segway... the list goes on. Mesa is the ultimate playground for all kinds of adventure enthusiasts!
5. Spring Training Mecca
Every March, fans far and wide catch baseball fever as two Major League Baseball teams settle in at Mesa stadiums for a month-long season of spring training. Cheer on the World Champion Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park or Oakland Athletics at Hohokam Stadium. Spring training in Mesa is a home run!
6. Affordable Family Vacation Destination
Traveling with toddlers, tots and teens? Whether creating a work of art, panning for gold, or exploring our incredible desert terrain, Mesa offers an enriching experience for every family member seeking discovery during their travels. Last year, Mesa was named as one of the 10 Insanely Affordable Spring Destinations by Smarter Travel!
7. Arizona's Fresh Foodie Trail® in Mesa!
In Mesa, our bountiful harvest is one that we proudly share with our visitors all year long. Here, fresh experiences and a treasured heritage of family farms and long-standing festivals make for lasting memories. Locals and visitors alike can enjoy every stop the Fresh Foodie Trail® has to offer, such as Queen Creek Olive Mill, Jalapeno Bucks, Superstition Dairy Farm, True Garden and more!
8. Biking Heaven
Both amateur and avid bikers alike will find their fix in Mesa! There are more than 90 miles of bike routes and 600 total miles of bike lanes and pathways to discover. We can't forget about the close access to great desert mountain biking trails around the city either, so be sure to try exploring via bicycle while you're here. For more information about our 'Cycle City', check out our blog HERE.
9. Sky-High Adventures
Rise above and take in the most unique, breathtaking views of our City Limitless® when you take a hot air balloon ride with Hot Air Expeditions or Rainbow Ryders this year! It's a sky-high adventure you won't want to miss during your next trip to Mesa.
10. Water Oasis... Who Knew?
Arizona may be known for its desert landscapes but there is no shortage of waterways to explore when visiting Mesa. Here, three lakes and two rivers allow for desert boating, fishing, rafting, paddle boarding, kayaking, water skiing, wake boarding and jet skiing – and tubing, Arizona’s floating picnic. Enjoy year-round access to our refreshing desert oases! Click HERE for more info on water recreation in Mesa.
11. Bustling Downtown
Downtown Mesa is an epicenter for the creative class. The Main Street sidewalks and alley-way patios and parking lots set the stage for sought-after events including the Southwest Makers Fest, artist collaborations and seasonal arts festivals. This area has one-of-a-kind offerings that can only be found in Downtown Mesa! Both upscale and urban, today, Downtown Mesa is a thriving hub of business, government, culture, arts, recreation and entertainment with the popular restaurants and retail shops providing an appealing charm and character exclusive to Mesa.
12. Growing Arts Scene
The streets of Downtown Mesa have no shortage of beautiful, inspiring artwork for visitors to enjoy. From life-size sculptures to radiant murals, our public art is a sight to see! Dive into the public art walk Downtown and see for yourself. In addition, the Mesa Arts Center in Downtown Mesa is home to the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum. With new installations every season, art lovers can rejoice in the diversity of featured artists and that admission is FREE!
13. In-cider Scoop & Brewtastic Adventures
Arizona’s craft beer scene keeps on brewing. Cider Corps, Arizona's first cidery, has found a home in Downtown Mesa. In addition, Mesa offers a popular collection of micro-breweries with an array of drafts that are unique and refreshing. With breweries in every pocket of the city, such as Oro Brewing Company, Desert Eagle, Beer Research Institute and more, picking a favorite will prove challenging!
14. Golfer's Paradise
Mesa is home to renowned golf courses featuring breathtaking views of sweeping vistas set against the natural beauty of rugged mountains and blue Western skies. Tee up at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, Longbow Golf Club, Augusta Ranch Golf Club, Las Sendas Golf Club, or Arizona Golf Resort.
15. Pet-Friendly Spots
'Have dog, will travel' is the trend these days, and when you visit Mesa, you don't have to leave your furry friend behind! Many Mesa hotel properties allow you to check-in with your four-legged companions. Guests will find no trouble bringing their pups out to eat, as a number of dining patios around City Limitless© are also pet-friendly. Alongside the abundance of outdoor activities for visitors and their pals, Mesa is the perfect destination when traveling with your pets! Click HERE for more information.
16. Native History
Did you know that Arizona is home to 22 Native American tribes? In Mesa, our Native neighbors include the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Gila River Indian Community, and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community! Each tribe has a unique cultural heritage and storied traditions that offer a rich and diverse experience to our traveling guests. Throughout the state you will find major events, exhibitions and festivals celebrating Native American traditions including art, dance, cuisine and more.
17. Flourishing Festivals
Throughout the year, visitors can enjoy a number of fantastic festivals and seasonal events. From the Arizona Renaissance Festival in the spring, to local harvest festivals in the fall, and even winter festivities like Merry Main Street in Downtown Mesa. The fun, flourishing festivals never end in City Limitless©!
18. Music Scene in the Making
For years, the Mesa Music Festival has been bringing up-and-coming musicians together and putting Mesa on the national music scene. Main Street comes alive every November as this premier emerging artist festival hosts more than 200 artists for a weekend of music and to celebrate the arts culture of Downtown Mesa. The musical magic doesn’t end there, as visitors can also enjoy live music at several Mesa venues throughout the year.
19. Comfort When You Stay...
Whenever you visit, enjoy a relaxing and comfortable stay at these Mesa hotel properties while you explore all that our region has to offer: Delta by Marriott Phoenix Mesa, Sheraton Mesa Hotel at Wrigleyville West, Residence Inn Phoenix Mesa, Best Western Plus Mesa, Holiday Inn & Suites Phoenix-Mesa/Chandler, DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix Mesa, Country Inn & Suites, Courtyard Phoenix Mesa, Cal-Am Resorts or Westgate Painted Mountain Golf Resort.
