Top Attractions for…
Mesa fully embraces its desert roots while growing into a modern hub for adventurers, foodies, and families alike. You’ll have no shortage of options to entertain every type of visitor in your group. The fun-loving crew can go wild at places like Mesa Riverview while history buffs will be in their element exploring cultural sites like the Mesa Grande ruins. Bring the kiddos to delight in places like the i.d.e.a Museum or the Arizona Museum of Natural History. But don’t worry, adults – we’ve got you covered too with local breweries, downtown entertainment, and romantic desert scenery. Whether your squad craves adrenaline, education, or a healthy dose of R&R, this desert city has something for everyone.
Outdoor Adventurers
In true Arizona fashion, Mesa offers an abundance of opportunities to soak up that famous desert sunshine. Thrill-seekers will go crazy over attractions like Mesa Riverview, an epic adventure park featuring a surf wave, wakeboarding, and cable park. Or take your adrenaline to new heights by skydiving in this skydiving mecca – with ideal drop zone conditions year-round, Mesa is one of the top skydiving destinations in the country. If you prefer your high-altitude kicks a little closer to the ground, try hot air balloon rides for a serene panorama of Mesa’s spellbinding sunrises and sunsets. For something more down-to-earth, saddle up for horseback riding tours through the iconic Sonoran Desert scenery.
Cultural Connoisseurs
Those in search of a deeper sense of place immerse themselves in the area’s rich cultural tapestry. Explore the ancient ruins and preserved heritage at Mesa Grande, one of the few remaining pit houses and archaeological sites from the Hohokam tribe. The park’s museum offers insights into ancestral traditions and crafts like basket weaving. Continue your journey through Native history and artistry at the Arizona Museum of Natural History, displaying intricate pottery, weavings, and more from regional tribes across the Southwest. For a contemporary spin on local culture, don’t miss a performance at the Mesa Arts Center, a thriving community hub celebrating theater, art, music, and dance from diverse backgrounds.
Families and Little Adventurers
When traveling with kids in tow, Mesa pulls out all the stops for family fun. The whimsical i.d.e.a. Museum fosters early learning and creativity through interactive exhibits like an indoor play pavilion, mirror maze, and art studios. Let their inner scientist run wild at the Arizona Museum of Natural History, packed with dinosaur fossils and minerals to excavate. For a next-level playscape, head to Mesa Riverview’s beach club for a sandy oasis with waterslides, pools, and even a lazy river. After working up an appetite, refuel at one of Downtown Mesa’s family-friendly patio spots like CRAVE or BESTBITES, perfect for leisurely people-watching with the little ones.
Foodies and Night Owls
Keep your nights in Mesa going strong and satisfy your cravings at local hotspots. Downtown Mesa is bursting with a hip bar and restaurant scene, ideal for drinks with friends or a romantic night out. Kick things off at breweries like CIDER CORPS or craft cocktail bars likeWINEDERful. Then move on to lively patios and filling Southwestern fare at places like CUP and ReTRO. Or indulge in creative new American cuisine and handcrafted cocktails at FOOD OASISand FIVE LOAVES. After dark, slick lounges like HIP SPREADOUT light up, delivering thumping DJ beats and rooftop views of Mesa Riverview’s color kinetics displays until the wee hours.
Relax and Reset
Sometimes, you just need to unwind and press pause on the daily grind. Enter Mesa’s wellness and relaxation scene, providing the ultimate R&R escapes. Pamper yourself with a full day of serenity at Arizona Massage Studios, offering massage therapy services, infrared saunas, body scrubs, and more. After fully decompressing, maintain your zen at areas like Usery Mountain Recreation Area and Tonto National Forest for hiking and birdwatching against sweeping desert vistas. As evening falls, sip glasses of Arizona wine on patios overlooking pristine sunsets at laid-back spots like Carlson Creek Vineyard. For a nightcap, post up at buzzworthy BOOK BAR for craft cocktails and live music in an intimate lounge inspired by retro libraries.
Arts and Culture Vultures
Mesa’s creative spirit shines through its collection of museums, art installations, and performing arts venues. Kick off your cultural tour at Mesa Arts Center, a striking architectural centerpiece hosting concerts, plays, dance performances, and rotating art exhibits. Then explore the Arizona Museum of Natural History’s archaeological and anthropological treasures, from ancient Hohokam pottery to an impressive gallery of Southwest Native American arts and crafts. For an unconventional artistic experience, don’t miss theMesa Arts Center’s Curiosity Test Garden, an interactive indoor/outdoor exhibition encouraging visitors to engage with color, light, and sound through experiential art. When evening falls, take in a show at Mesa Amphitheatre or Nile Theater for nationally touring musicians and comedians.
How to Get Around Mesa
You could navigate Mesa’s scorching streets and hairpin turns yourself, but why sweat it when you can cruise stress-free? Kick back in a spacious charter bus or luxury shuttle while professionals take the wheel. Whether you’re coming in from Sky Harbor Airport or trekking around Mesa’s urban sprawl, your crew will travel like VIPs in a private motorcoach tailored for your group’s size. From compact minibuses to full-sized coaches, each bus comes stocked with premium amenities like reclining seats, flat-screen TVs, thumping stereos, and coolers for refreshments – everything you need to roll around this sizzling city in style. But first, here’s the lowdown on your transportation options in Mesa.
Public Transportation
Like many car-centric American suburbs, Mesa’s public transit system can feel a bit lacking for visitors accustomed to more robust rail networks. The Valley Metro bus and light rail systems will get you to some of the city’s top destinations, but be prepared for longer transit times and fewer route options than you may be used to. For specific routes, the municipal Valley Metro Rail runs through Downtown Mesa, while the Main Street and Superstition Freeways host bus rapid transit. However, most buses travel along more sporadic schedules with routes concentrated around employment and commercial hubs. If your group wants to hit off-the-beaten-path spots like Riverview or the desert trails, public transit alone won’t cut it.
Taxis and Rideshares
Need a lift? You’ll find all the usual taxi and rideshare services roaming Mesa’s streets. Services like Uber, Lyft, and zTrip are readily available to cart you around for quick solo trips or small group outings. Taxis from companies like AAA/Aeroportand Discount Cab similarly offer affordable flat rates for basic rides. Just keep in mind that if you’re traveling with a larger group, calling separate rideshares can quickly add up. You’ll have to play tour guide, splitting your group into separate cars or constantly rounding everyone up for your next destination. For bigger crews, rideshare prices are known to surge – not the best way to enjoy a budget-friendly getaway to Mesa.
Charter Buses
Forget being the stressed designated team wrangling your group into multiple vehicles. With a private charter bus from Party Bus Mesa, your entire crew stays together for a completely controlled travel experience. We’ll pair you with the perfect bus based on your headcount, whether that’s a compact minibus or a sprawling, decked-out motorcoach. Each bus comes stocked with premium amenities to make your Mesa tour a total vibe – from plush reclining seats and flat screen TVs to coolers, speakers, and wifi to stream your favorite playlists. But the best part? You’ll have a professional team handling all the tough stuff like navigating, parking, and traffic while you kick back from pickup to drop-off like a true VIP.
Ready to Get Started?
With so many gems tucked into Mesa’s neon-soaked urban sprawl, this guide merely scratches the surface of all the adventures waiting for you. Now that you’ve gotten a teaser on Mesa’s top attractions and transportation tips, it’s time to start mapping out your ideal Arizona getaway. Whether you envision an adrenaline-packed weekend wakeboarding and skydiving or a more laid-back eat-and-bar-hop through Downtown, Party Bus Mesa will get you and your crew there in style. We’ll customize the perfect charter bus to hit every stop on your itinerary, complete with dedicated team to whisk you around hands-free from the trendiest breweries to hidden backcountry trails. Call us today at 623-633-7401 and let’s make your Mesa escapades one for the books!