What to do and see in Mesa, Arizona (AZ): The Best Budget-friendly Things to do

January 27, 2022 Phylicia Berquist

Mesa is a thriving metropolis in the southwest, with lifestyle and leisure pursuits in high demand by visitors. Surrounded by the Sonoran Desert, Mesa is a playground for outdoor recreation, with convenient access to three lakes, two rivers and endless hiking trails. The city’s downtown is a vibrant epicenter with boutiques, antique shops, museums, studios and cafes – all anchored by Mesa Arts Center. Mesa is home to a stunning collection of golf courses, superb dining and upscale shopping.
Restaurants in Mesa

1. Escape Adventure

7125 E Southern Ave Ste. 101, Mesa, AZ 85209-2652 +1 480-494-5399 [email protected] http://www.escapeadventureaz.com
Excellent
95%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 39 reviews

Escape Adventure

Imagine immersing yourself into a real life video game. Escape Adventure is a reality based escape game for individuals, families, friends and colleagues. The premise of the adventure is that a team is locked in a themed room with only 60 minutes to escape. Teams must work together in search of hidden objects, clues, codes, riddles and puzzles to solve an assortment of challenges to escape.

2. Saguaro Lake Ranch Kayaking & Tubing

Excellent
94%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 606 reviews

Saguaro Lake Ranch Kayaking & Tubing

There is no better way to enjoy the cool water, escape the summer heat, and marvel at the beautiful wilderness that is the Tonto National Forest than to go kayaking on the water! As you paddle below thousand-foot cliffs keep your eyes open for the native wildlife. These sit-on-top kayaks are very stable and easy to maneuver; after a fifteen-minute orientation, even beginners are ready to go! SLR’s tubing experience on the Lower Salt River provides a fun, refreshing, and scenic float that families and outdoors-lovers can enjoy; it is the perfect vantage point to take in the beauty of the Sonoran Desert.

3. Arizona Cactus League

120 N Center St, Mesa, AZ 85201-6627 +1 800-283-6372 http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/afl/index.jsp
Excellent
72%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 53 reviews

Arizona Cactus League

Ten Major League Baseball teams hold their spring training in Arizona.

Reviewed By vpvalencia - Santa Clarita, United States

The Cactus League is the West Coast Spring Training Camp for MLB. Within in 30 minutes you have access to approximately 15 teams. The ballparks are family friendly and gives you a chance to buy great seats at affordable prices. Ballpark food and team gear is sold onsite. What you should know. 1. It's hot, wear sunscreen and a hat 2. You will unlikely see all the stars as teams have split teams and players tend to play only a few innings. 3. Plan on walking ... I've been told that if you visit the stadium facilities on practice days you will see inner team play and have access to watching your team working out or batting practice for free. We missed this part.

4. Arizona Museum of Natural History

53 N Macdonald, Mesa, AZ 85201-7325 +1 480-644-2230 [email protected] http://azmnh.org
Excellent
67%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 356 reviews

Arizona Museum of Natural History

The Arizona Museum of Natural History is the premier natural history museum in Arizona. It is dedicated to inspire wonder, respect, and understanding for the natural and cultural history of the Southwest. Explore Arizona and the Southwest from the creation of the earth 4.5 Billion years ago to the present. See the origins of life on earth, meteorites and minerals. In Dinosaur Hall, discover some of the biggest dinosaurs that ever lived, and on Dinosaur Mountain see how some appeared and sounded in a natural context. In a Walk through Time, explore ancient Arizona's Paleozoic Seas, Triassic Petrified Forest, monsters of the Cretaceous Seas, and the first animals to fly. "Rulers of the Prehistoric Skies", our newest exhibit, presents the amazing diversity of Pterosaurs, the flying reptiles of the Mesozoic. Neither dinosaurs nor birds, Pterosaurs ruled the skies from about 225 to 65 million years ago.

Reviewed By mostlywheels - Paris, France

We did not have very high expectations when we saw how inexpensive the entry fee was... but WOW! This place has so many dinosaurs. It was very easy to navigate with a whee chair and even spaces we thought would not be accessible were made large enough to accommodate a standard chair. Plenty of hands on activities to keep everyone busy, including panning for gold! The exhibit on mining was very well done and gave people a real sense of how dark and scary it was. I highly recommend this if you have kids. Or if you are an adult who loves dinosaurs, old west history, minerals and rocks, and to have fun. We were so excited to arrive when an archaeologist was present with a series of skulls and was answering questions about the evolution of humans.

5. Mesa Convention Center

263 N Center St, Mesa, AZ 85201-6628 +1 480-644-2178 http://mesaconventioncenter.com/
Excellent
57%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 23 reviews

Mesa Convention Center

6. Jester'Z Improv Comedy

1061 N Dobson Rd Ste 114, Mesa, AZ 85201-7577 +1 480-423-0120 [email protected] http://www.jesterzimprov.com/tickets
Excellent
73%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 26 reviews

Jester'Z Improv Comedy

Phoenix Comedy, Comedy Classes, Corporate Entertainment | Jester'Z Improv Comedy is the best comedy show in Phoenix. Providing entertainment since 2001!

Reviewed By SLWS1 - Cypress, United States

Great show! Cool venue! Four performers and one MC do improvisational skits, games, contests, etc. Before and during the show the audience is asked for suggestions that get built into the show. The show is 2 hours long with an intermission after the first hour. I went with my college-age daughter and we both had a ball! There were all-ages from senior citizens to babies in the audience and everyone seemed to have a great time. $15 per person (not sure if there’s a different price for seniors or children). Great price for the entertainment value. We loved it and will definitely return. If you like the tv show Who’s Line is it Anyway, you’ll like a performance at Jester’z. Recommended!

7. Commemorative Air Force Museum

2017 N Greenfield Rd, Mesa, AZ 85215-2401 +1 480-924-1940 [email protected] http://www.azcaf.org/
Excellent
77%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 556 reviews

Commemorative Air Force Museum

The Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum is one of Phoenix’s top-rated attractions. You can learn how airplanes were used throughout the history of combat and feel the radial engines on our Warbirds rumble as they come to life. Our museum is home to authentic war artifacts and hundreds of exhibits that chronicle the stories of people who rose to meet extraordinary challenges. Climb aboard one of the rarest B-17 Bombers in the world, “Sentimental Journey,” or better yet, book a once-in-a-lifetime ride on any of our seven flying WWII airplanes. Our friendly, knowledgeable docents will bring to life the tales of combat heroes like the Tuskegee Airmen and Women Air Service Pilots who overcame tremendous obstacles to serve our country. Watch aircraft mechanics at work and then stop by our PX Museum Gift Store for unique gifts and war memorabilia. As an educational non-profit 501(c)3, we are a great place for children to learn about the history that has shaped the United States.

Reviewed By 929erick - Papillion, United States

I happened across this great air museum while I was in Mesa. What a treat. I was greeted inside the hanger by a very friendly and well informed volunteer. He was willing to take his time to explain the origin and purpose of the museum and that was very helpful. The cool thing about this museum is that there are several WWII planes that are still in working condition. I was about to talk to a pilot that had flown the morning of my visit. The maintenance hanger is open to the public and it was special to see so many dedicated volunteers working to preserve these great planes. Well worth the visit.

8. Rose Garden at Mesa Community College

1833 W Southern Ave, Mesa, AZ 85202-4822 +1 480-461-7022 [email protected] http://www.rosegardenatmcc.org
Excellent
74%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 78 reviews

Rose Garden at Mesa Community College

Designed by landscape architect LeRoy Brady, the Desert Southwest's largest rose garden, where nearly 8000 rose bushes bloom in the desert. Take time to smell the roses by taking a stroll through The Garden and view its tremendous number of vibrant colors, flower forms and growth habits. The terrace areas of the East and West gardens can be reserved for intimate settings such as weddings, music ensembles, theatrical readings, and art displays. Tours are also available.

Reviewed By Florida-Traveler-888 - Wilton Manors, United States

The 9,000 rose plants in full bloom was not what I expected to find in Arizona. As a rose lover this was a terrific surprise and in early April it was in its' full glory. Easy parking at least for now when the community college appeared to be closed

9. Mesa Arts Center

1 E Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201-7403 +1 480-644-6500 [email protected] http://www.mesaartscenter.com
Excellent
76%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 528 reviews

Mesa Arts Center

The Mesa Arts Center mission is to inspire people through engaging arts experiences that are diverse, accessible, and relevant. Owned and operated by the City of Mesa, Arizona’s largest arts center is recognized as an international award-winning venue. The unique and architecturally stunning facility is home to four theaters, five art galleries, and 14 art studios and an artist cooperative gallery.

Reviewed By spencerstopa - Mesa, United States

We have been there three times, twice in the main concert hall and once in a smaller hall ideally suited for chamber music or for a small group of musicians. The last time we were there we saw the group "Kansas." The center is architecturally beautiful, the acoustics are great, the seats are comfortable, and the prices are reasonable, considering the quality of the performers - eg .Itzak Perlman will be here in February, 2020 and we will go to see him. Even though Mesa lives in the shadow of Phoenix, our performing arts center is every bit as good as theirs.

10. Desert Belle Cruises

Excellent
72%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 638 reviews

Desert Belle Cruises

Originally launched in 1964, the Desert Belle has been cruising the waters of Saguaro Lake for over fifty years. Relax in air-conditioned comfort on one of her 90 minute narrated cruises and see exotic Arizona wildlife, towering canyon walls and dramatic desert vistas. This is the perfect spot for both Arizona residents and out-of-town guests. Private charters are also available for an unforgettable wedding, birthday, anniversary or office party. Whatever you choose, The Desert Belle is a unique way to enjoy all the beauty that Arizona has to offer.

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