Mesa, AZ is part of the Valley of the Sun metro area. As such, there’s plenty of attractions and opportunities for exploration that can easily help you fill up two days, if not more. This fast-growing city has its own performing arts center, a number of small museums, and lots of golf courses.
For a typical vacation, you would most likely fly into a city, pick up a rental car, and then check in to your hotel. However, consider an RV rental instead. A recreational vehicle offers a unique mode of travel because you have your accommodations with you at all times. You also have the ability to eat all your meals inside your RV, which is important if you want to save money, and you can come and go as you please with your RV.
Search RV rentals in the Mesa area.
Preparing for Your Mesa RV Trip
RVshare has well over a thousand recreational vehicles available for rent all throughout the Mesa area. Travel trailers, which you tow behind your own vehicle, come in all shapes and sizes and can sleep anywhere from four to eight people. The Class A, B, and C vehicles are the motorized ones that don’t need towing. Select from a cozy Holiday Rambler Armada van that sleeps two or a Fleetwood Class A that can fit your entire family.
If you don’t know much about RVing, these resources can help you get started:
• Find Out How to Get Your RV Delivered to You
• Learn How to Pick the Right Size of RV
• Don’t Make These Mistakes When Renting an RV
As is also the case with the availability of RVs for rent, Mesa and surrounding communities have no shortage of great campgrounds. You’ll find RV parks in Phoenix, Tempe, and other nearby cities. Some campgrounds in Mesa to consider include Green Acres RV Park, with Good Sam discounts; Mesa Gardens RV Park, with full hookups, Wi-Fi, and laundry; and Twin Palms RV Park.
Find other campground options in our comprehensive list of top-rated campgrounds in Mesa.
Day 1: Golfing and the Great Outdoors
Morning: Tee Time
Because the area has 300+ days of sunshine year-round, it’s a haven for golfers. Hit the links this morning at one of the golf courses in Mesa. Check out Las Sendas Golf Club, Augusta Ranch Golf Club, or Desert Sands Golf Course. Given the popularity of golf in the area, it’s smart to try and book your tee time at your preferred course in advance.
Lunch: Clubhouse Dining
After finishing up your round, stay and have lunch at the clubhouse at the course you played at. Las Sendas has The Patio and Grille offering casual dining with a menu that features wings, nachos, and deviled eggs as appetizers and chicken, turkey, pulled pork, and meatloaf sandwiches for your main course. If you played on a particularly hot day, cool off inside the clubhouse with a refreshing soft drink or margarita.
Afternoon: Water Fun at Saguaro Lake
Come fish for trophy bass, walleye, bluegill, and carp at Saguaro Lake, formed by the damming of the Salt River. Reserve in advance to take a boat trip tour on the Desert Belle.
Setting Up Camp
In the late afternoon, head to your Mesa RV campground. The host at the park’s office will check you in and tell you where to go to get to your campsite. If you’ve never driven, much less parked an RV before, you might feel some anxiety. The good news is that you can ask the RV’s owner for help with delivery and parking at the time you make your RVshare reservation.
Dinner: Affordable Pizzas at Organ Stop
The menu at Organ Stop Pizza features build-your-own pies with a bunch of toppings you can choose from. The restaurant also has specialty pizzas like Hawaiian, spicy Italian, and vegetarian, in addition to pastas, sandwiches, and a salad bar. What’s unique about Organ Stop is that it has the world’s largest theater pipe organ, with performances held nightly by a rotating schedule of organists.
Day 2: Escape the Heat
Morning: Learn City History
The Mesa Historical Museum has exhibits that tell the story of the city’s history. Past exhibitions included diversity in, and the women of, Mesa; gizmos and gadgets; and old artifacts and photos from the early days of television, film, and theater.
Lunch: Baja Joe’s Cantina
Stop by Baja Joe’s for authentic Mexican food with a heavy seafood influence. Items include special plates, shrimp dishes, whole fish entrees, and fish filet entrees. Baja Joe’s also has standard Mexican fare like tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and fajitas. Wash everything down with a sweet horchata or a bottled Mexican soda.
Afternoon: Natural History
The Arizona Museum of Natural History in Mesa is the only one of its kind in the Valley. Learn about the science of paleontology and anthropology, view the specimens at the Dinosaur Hall, and try and unearth some fossils at the Paleo Dig Pit. The museum also has extensive collections relating to art, ethnology, geology, and archaeology.
Evening: Showtime at the Mesa Arts Center
Spend this evening catching a show at the Mesa Arts Center. The venue has a performance schedule that includes Broadway shows, classical music, dance, jazz, and a summer concert series. Also on-site is the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum featuring contemporary artworks from emerging and international artists.
Day 3 and Beyond in Mesa
Because of Mesa’s proximity to other cities in the Valley, like Scottsdale, Tempe, and Phoenix, you can easily extend your trip to a third day. Spend more time in Mesa, or head to one or more of the neighboring communities for additional attractions.
• With a seasonal schedule and closed during the hot summers, the Mesa Grande Cultural Park preserves the ruins of a Hohokam settlement dating back to 1100-1400 AD.
• The city’s outdoor concert venue, the Mesa Amphitheatre features various acts from a variety of musical genres.
Seasonal Activities
Held in the spring, the Mesa Music Festival is a free three-day event showcasing both established and emerging artists. Discover new music, or listen to old favorites at this event. Held the second Friday of each month year-round, 2nd Friday Night Out takes place in downtown Mesa and has live music, food vendors, art on display, and more.
Indoor Activities
Drive to Phoenix for more indoor activities and attractions. You could spend the whole day at the Heard Museum with its emphasis on Native American art. You could spend long parts of another day at the Phoenix Art Museum; collections span European art, fashion and design, photography, and Western American art.
Mesa is more than just a suburb; with its museums, performing arts venues, and annual festivals, the city stands on its own as a destination. Reserve your RV rental today for your upcoming Mesa itinerary.
