Best Day Trips From Mesa To Take This Summer
Located just a few miles east of the bustling desert city of Phoenix, Mesa, Arizona is an exciting place to live or vacation. The city is home to many historic and cultural landmarks, such as a ceremonial mound, the Arizona Museum of Natural History, and the Mesa Arts Center. Although visitors could spend days or weeks exploring the bustling and beautiful area of Mesa, there are many other cities, towns, shopping centers, and natural and historic attractions to check out within easy driving distance. From gorgeous cacti in Phoenix's Desert Botanical Gardens to Coolridge's Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, some incredible roadtrips are just a few short miles away.
Desert Botanical Garden
Located in nearby Phoenix, the Desert Botanical Garden is a 140-acre botanical garden filled with native vibrant desert plants and wildlife. There are several different trails to explore, and each offers a unique look into the Sonoral Desert as they wind through unique cactus forests.
Take in breathtaking mountain views while on the Sonoran Desert Nature Loop Trail, which offers telescopes along the way, offering trekkers a closer look. You can also view desert plants and animal species in their natural desert habitat. Make sure to stop off at the Center for Desert Living Trail, where visitors are treated to lush gardens of fragrant herbs and flowers.
The botanical garden offers several different ongoing classes and special events, including kids' storytimes, plant sales, and an annual Dia de Muertos celebration. Classes are also available through the onsite Desert Landscape School.
Goldfield Ghost Town
Situated about 30 miles from Mesa, the Goldfield Ghost Town is anything but dead. Featuring a main street lined with unique shops, eateries, and historic buildings, this town was a bustling Western frontier settlement featuring saloons, a boarding house, a brewery, markets, and a schoolhouse in the 1890s.
Today, day trippers can pan for gold, check out the Goldfield Historic Museum, which features local and Western movie artifacts, or take a ride on the Superstition Scenic Narrow Gauge Railroad. The narrated tour of Goldfield gives detailed information about the town's history and the surrounding Superstition Mountains.
Sign up for the Goldfield Ghost Town's Walking Ghost Tour, which takes place at night and teaches tourists about local legends, curses, and spirits. Off-road trail tours are also available for those seeking both rugged and smooth road scenic guided experiences.
Saguaro National Park
Approximately 100 miles from Mesa, Saguaro National Park is nestled deep within the Sonoran Desert. The park, which is open year-round, is divided into two districts. The Rincon Mountain District is to the east, while the Tuscon Mountain District is to the west.
The park's namesake Saguaro Cactus blooms with vibrant flowers in late April, and the fruit begins to ripen in June. From late February through March, park visitors can take in a variety of colorful blooming wildflowers.
There are several different desert trails to explore, depending on how much time visitors have allotted for their trip, as well as their hiking levels and experience. Alternatively, the park offers guided tours and outdoor activities such as cactus garden walks and historic petroglyph viewing.
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
Located 40 miles outside of Mesa in Coolidge, the scenic Casa Grande Ruins National Monument is a must-see day trip destination! The monument features a group of historic Hohokam structures that are sure to astound. The one-square-mile park aims to preserve the culture of the Ancestral Sonoran Desert People. Spend some time at the park's visitor center, which features a bookstore, comprehensive museum exhibits, and a movie theater. Take some time and embark on a self-guided tour around the monument; pack a picnic and enjoy lunch on a shaded table near the visitor's center. The park also offers an outdoor kitchen for use, which is ideal for large groups.
Tucson
Approximately an hour-and-a-half drive from Mesa, the vibrant desert city of Tucson is worthy of a day trip, although it may take morre time to experience all that it offers. With over 350 days of sunshine, Tucson beckons visitors to soak up the sun as well as all of its cultural, recreational and historic offerings. Start the trip with a visit to the Arizona History Museum, which is located in downtown Tucson. The museum is home to a variety of exhibits depicting the city's early homes and businesses, including the Romero Barbershop.
Check out the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a unique indoor and outdoor museum that showcases various native animal and plant species, as well as two miles of walking trails through desert habitats. The museum is also home to 16 individual desert botanical gardens, as well as admission to the Ironwood Art Gallery. The gallery features traveling exhibits with Sonoran Desert themes.
Lake Pleasant Regional Park
About an hour drive from Mesa, Lake Pleasant Regional Park offers visitors a variety of different outdoor experiences, most centered around expansive Lake Pleasant. If planning a visit on the 4th of July, be sure to stay for the park's fireworks show.
The park offers two boat launches for folks who want to bring their watercraft, such as a fishing or pontoon boat. Anglers will delight in more than 12 species of fish, including white and striped bass, black and white crappie, catfish, and tilapia.
For the hikers, they can look forward to access to almost 20 miles of trails, which are designate for pedestrian use only. The 1.5-mile Roadrunner Trail overlooks Lake Pleasant and links to the Discovery Center. Opportunities for swimming, stargazing and scuba diving are also available.
Apache Junction
Located 20 miles from Mesa, Apache Junction invites visitors to pan for gold, hike the Superstition Mountain range, and explore the nearby wilderness via a variety of hiking trails. Learn local lore or take a tour of the nearby lake on a steamboat.
Explore one of the town's several parks, trails and recreation centers, including Superstition Shadows Park or Veteran's Memorial Park. Silly Mountain Park offers hiking trails and a botanical walk.
Golfers will not want to miss the Mountain Brook Golf Course, which features a world-class 12-acre custom practice facility. The scenic desert golf course also offers a full-service clubhouse and restaurant.
Lost Dutchman State Park
About 40 miles from Mesa, Lost Dutchman State Park is a nature respite where trippers can search for gold or enjoy miles of hiking and biking trails through a gorgeous desert landscape; a perfect backdrop for photos! Explore the Sonoran Desert taking in scenic views of the Superstition Mountain range.
Mountain bikers will delight in the four miles of single-track lay at the base of the mountains, and there are picnic areas available when folks need to take a break and refuel. The park also offers a campground with 134 sites for those who may want to turn their day trip into a multi-day, overnight adventure!
Conclusion
When visiting Mesa this summer, visitors will have no shortage of interesting destinations, attractions, and historic sites to check out. Since Mesa and the surrounding areas have a desert climate, be sure to pack plenty of water, and do not forget to reapply sunscreen, particularly while hiking around and on outdoor excursions. Whether visitors are craving a relaxing nature respite or an action-packed desert getaway, it can all be found under the Arizona sun.
