Attractions Nearby Mesa, Day Trips and Excursions

(Mesa, Arizona - AZ, USA)

Being located so close to the heart of Arizona means that the city of Mesa is extremely well-placed for day trips. Many quality attractions surround the city in all directions, with some of the closest including nearby Chandler, Gilbert, Phoenix and Scottsdale, all of which lend themselves to excursions and getaways.

Both the state's largest city and the capital of Arizona, Phoenix most certainly deserves a visit, particularly since it is so close to Mesa - a mere 20 miles / 32 km to the west, via the Red Mountain Freeway (AZ-202).

There are so many enticing attractions in Phoenix that families can easily spend an entire weekend visiting the city's zoo and riding the rollercoasters at the Castles-N-Coasters theme park. The Arizona Science Center, the Pioneer Living History Village, the Arizona State University Art Museum and the Phoenix Art Museum are all further highlights within this metropolis.

General Information

At just 20 minutes from Mesa and to the northeast, the city of Scottsdale makes for another popular day trip destination, with its famous Taliesin West building (built by Frank Lloyd Wright) being quite the draw card. Further attractions in Scottsdale include historical landmarks within its Old Town neighborhood, the Heard Museum North and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, as well as St. Mary's Basilica.

Those planning an excursion to Tempe will find that this small city is less than 7 miles / 12 km to the west of Mesa, being reached along East University Drive. Tempe belongs to the Phoenix Metropolitan Area and is home to numerous attractions that are part of the Arizona State University, such as the ASU Gammage Auditorium, the ASU Mars Space Flight Facility and the ASU R. S. Dietz Museum of Geology.

Held twice a year, the Tempe Festival of the Arts takes place each December and March. This festival was first held in the late 1960s and now attracts close to 250,000 attendees for its spring celebrations, followed by similar numbers in the fall.

Other attractions close to Mesa and suitable for day trips include Deer Valley Village, North Mountain Village and Paradise Valley Village, all of which reside to the northwest. At approximately 160 miles / 257 km to the north, the city of Flagstaff is more suitable for a longer excursion, rather than a day trip as such, as is the city of Tucson to the south, some 115 miles / 185 km away.