Pamela Smith

Mesa Area Information

Just twenty miles east of Phoenix, lays the city of Mesa, Arizona. As the third largest city in Arizona, Mesa is the home of over 450,000 people making its population greater than that of some of our nation’s most populated cities, like Miami or St. Louis. Despite Mesa’s large population, the suburban city is known for its unique sense of residential community.

Explore more about Mesa here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesa,_Arizona and here http://mesaaz.gov/Home/

History

Mesa, Arizona was first discovered approximately 2,000 years ago by the Hohokam tribe, who were responsible for building the original base of the present day canal system. The Hohokam people had built hundreds of miles of canals by A.D. 1450, transforming the Sonoran Desert into an oasis, rather than a wasteland. Eventually, U.S. Army troops forced the Hohokam people out of present-day Mesa and by 1878 the First Mesa Company had arrived from Utah and Idaho and had settled in Mesa, restoring the Hohokam canals. Since then, Mesa has used the canals to help build a working community. For a long period of time, the canals made agricultural careers very popular, but in more recent years Mesa has become more suburban, known as the place many commuting Phoenix workers call home. In the early 1940s, Falcon Field and Williams Field, two military bases were opened, bringing many military families to Mesa, then with the invention of air conditioning, more tourists were motivated to come visit Mesa, becoming the source of the city’s massive population boom in recent history.

To learn more about Mesa’s history visit this website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesa,_Arizona#History

Mesa, AZ Attractions & Activities

Owned and operated by Phoenix-mesa Gateway Airport Authority, the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport makes flying easy for commercial passengers. With three expansive runways, a newly remodeled passenger terminal and convenient parking, Phoenix-Mesa is geared up to be a vital relief airport to the Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix.

Apart from that, it’s also being developed into an international aerospace center complete with aircraft maintenance and modification, testing and pilot training. Over 35 aviation companies operate out of the airport, perfect for excellent year found flying, thanks to great weather and access to international markets.

With its designation as foreign Trade Zone #221, and as a Military Re-Use Zone, it offers aviation companies that vital edge in the financial global market place. With the area’s skilled labor force, the Gateway Airport in the Phoenix/Mesa area is poised to be a significant player in the future of Phoenix and Mesa.

The New Desert Belle Saguaro Lake Sightseeing Cruises

The Desert Belle public cruises have been touring the Saguaro Lake just outside of Mesa for over forty years now, providing locals and visitors with relaxing and breathtaking, 90 minute narrated cruises. The Saguaro Lake lies amongst the Tonto National Forest, which possesses beautiful desert scenes and natural wildlife. Private cruises are also available for booking memorable weddings, anniversaries or birthday parties.

Explore more at: http://www.desertbelle.com/

Goldfield Ghost Town and Mine Tour
The Goldfield Ghost Town and Mine Tour is an exciting option for some family fun. About 20 minutes from Mesa, Goldfield Ghost Town was once one of the most popular sites for gold mining in the 1800s. Recently renovated in the 1980s, Goldfield is now set up just like how it was back in 1893, with saloons, blacksmiths, brothels and even gunfights!

To learn more about the Goldfield Ghost Town visit the official website: http://www.goldfieldghosttown.com/index.html

Golfland- Sun Splash Family Fun Park
This family fun center has activities for all ages. With over 200 video games, laser tag, homemade pizza, a water roller coaster and tubing, there is never a dull moment.

Check out more Golfland fun at their official website: http://www.golfland.com/

Rockin’ R Ranch
At Rockin’ R Ranch there is fun for everyone. With gunfights, gold panning, Western stores and true home cooked Dutch Oven Biscuits, you’ll feel like you time traveled back to the wild, Wild West. Enjoy a dinner of BBQ beef or chicken with all the trimmings then sit back, relax and enjoy the Rockin’ R Wrangler’s show on their world famous Western stage.

Please visit their website for more information: http://www.rockinr.net/

Stratum Laser Tag
Come visit one of the World’s Largest Technotainment Laser Tag Arenas! Stratum Laser Tag is an 18,000 square foot laser tag arena, with 15 different levels, 90 towers and a state of the art sound system. The facility was designed by Universal Studios workers and the 3-D art was painted by the country’s most prominent arena artist. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to visit Stratum Laser Tag.

Learn more about the arena at their official website: http://www.stratumhq.com/

Parks and Recreation

For a more complete list of Mesa activities, visit the official website: http://www.mesaaz.gov/parksrec/

Events Calendar

There are daily exhibits and activities taking place at the Arizona Museum for Youth and Mesa Arts Center.

Annual Golf Tournament

The Mesa Chamber of Commerce puts on an annual golf tournament which citizens and visitors are welcome to sign up for. The tournament is the chamber’s largest fundraiser.

Beat the Heat
Beat the Heat is held every August in Mesa and is a Jimmy Buffett themed event. Attendees can register to win door prizes, enjoy delicious food, fun games, table tops and the accompaniment of their community.

To learn more about Mesa’s events please visit the city’s official website: http://apps.mesaaz.gov/EventCalendar/RSS/