7 Weekend Getaways from Mesa

#weekenddestinationsfromMesa #weekendgetawaysfromMesa

Mesa is the third largest city in Arizona and is located in the wider Phoenix metropolitan area. A core region for the Mormon religion, it is an interesting place to learn more about the religion and its spread across Arizona.
There are also plenty of interesting museums and art spaces across the city. It is a great place for tourists who want to be close to Phoenix but wish to stay in a quieter area.

Phoenix

Mesa is located just outside the capital city of Arizona, Phoenix. It is the largest metropolitan area in the American Southwest and as such, is a great example of Southwestern culture.

Located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, Phoenix is packed with diverse restaurants, shops and beautiful gardens with unique flora and fauna. There are world-class museums scattered around the city, including the Arizona Science Centre and the Heard Museum, which displays interesting artifacts from Native American culture.

Scottsdale

Located just north of Mesa and Phoenix, Scottsdale is Arizona’s premier shopping destination, with a huge variety of high-end shops, boutiques, and outlets. The Fashion Square Mall is the main destination in town; it is one of the largest malls in the US.

The Downtown area of Scottsdale is filled with trendy bars and unique restaurants. The Canals are also a cool area of the city, with a very relaxed vibe.

Grand Canyon

One of the most famous attractions in the country, the Grand Canyon brings tears to even the strongest of souls thanks to its immense natural beauty.
Formed thousands of years ago from a collision with a meteorite, this huge hole in the ground has a unique system of caves and caverns waiting to be explored. It is also a hiker’s paradise, with many trails circling the area.
In the canyon, itself you can take a river ride through the middle, as well as indulge in some canyoning, abseiling or other outdoor activities. The area is well served by tourist infrastructure, including restaurants and visitor centers.

Sedona

Sedona is a very unique region within the United States. It is home to a Native American reserve and plenty of scenes of natural beauty. The Red Rocks of Sedona attract tourists from across the world who are keen to see the unique rock formations in the heart of the desert.

There are many Sinaguan Native American ruins lining the roadsides here
that give an interesting insight into the ancient cultures that formed in North America long before the Europeans arrived.

Tombstone

Tombstone is a notorious Wild West village located in the American Southwest. Transport yourself back in time to the cowboy era with a visit to this quirky town. Complete with saloons, cowboy actors and old courthouse, Tombstone is a great experience for fans of Western movies or anyone interested in that part of American history.

There are even shoot-em-up performances held within the town. Nearby attractions include the Tombstone graveyard, where you can check out the graves of real cowboys and wild west residents, and learn more about their stories and the history of the town.

Apache Trail

The Apache Trail is located on the way to Tucson and is a fantastic insight into Wild West culture, as well as the unique Native American heritage of the American Southwest. Goldfield is a ghost town located along the way that used to be a center of cowboy culture. This is a great chance to experience more of the Wild West, without the fanfare and tourism draws of some of the renewed sites. All of the buildings are authentic and have been left as they were.
You can also visit Superstition Mountain to learn more about the Native American Apache people of the area, as well as explore the surrounding wilderness and unique geography of the region.


Mexicali

Located just across the border in Mexico, Mexicali is an interesting fusion of Mexican and American cultures, thanks to its neighboring city in the US, Calexico.
It is a very popular destination for day-trippers who are looking to take in a little bit of Mexican culture. The city is one of the wealthiest in Mexico and has a great array of activities.
From museums celebrating the Chinese communities in Mexico to hiking and fishing alongside the river, there is something to please everyone in Mexicali. It is also, of course, a fantastic place to sample Mexican cuisine.
The increasing tourism industry in the city means many of the best Mexican restaurants have been able to thrive.