Mesa

If variety is the spice of life, then Mesa delivers in spades. Head outdoors to enjoy more than 3,000 acres of multiuse trails at Usery Mountain Regional Park, which also accommodates camping. Hikers can also escape to myriad trails winding through Tonto National Forest. There's also kayaking, tubing and fishing along the Salt River, a true Arizona experience. Keep an eye out for wild horses that congregate along the riverbank. 

 In downtown Mesa, stop and smell the cider at Cider Corps, where as many as 15 different hard ciders pay tribute to military veterans with names like Mango Foxtrot and Semper Vera, or grab an expertly crafted sandwich at the iconic Worth Takeaway. In spring, take in a Chicago Cubs or Oakland A’s Cactus League Spring Training game at Sloan Park or Hohokam Stadium. 

Arts also keep Mesa visitors entertained year-round. Mesa Art Center’s four theaters, five art galleries and 14 art studios present experiences such as musicals, festivals and concerts. Less than a half-mile away, explore Arizona’s cultural and geographical heritage at Arizona Museum of Natural History. It’s home to a large dinosaur exhibit as well as collections of Native American artifacts. 

Mesa also shows off its rich agricultural history at spots such as Jalapeño Bucks, where century-old citrus grove shades diners as they enjoy the famous tender brisket.