Mesa sits just east of Phoenix in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, and while it may not have Phoenix's name recognition, it has carved out its own identity as a genuinely pleasant base for exploring central Arizona. With a population of over half a million, it is the third-largest city in the state.
The downtown area has undergone a quiet revival, with a walkable arts district, independent restaurants, and a surprisingly good farmers market. Mesa Arts Center is the largest arts complex in Arizona, hosting everything from touring Broadway shows to local gallery exhibitions.
What really makes Mesa worth your time, though, is its proximity to some of Arizona's best outdoor experiences. Usery Mountain Regional Park and the Superstition Mountains are right on the doorstep, offering desert hiking through saguaro-studded landscapes. The Mesa Gateway area also puts you within easy reach of the Tonto National Forest.
For families, the Arizona Museum of Natural History on Main Street is a solid half-day outing, with a dinosaur hall and exhibits on the region's deep geological and cultural history. Baseball fans should check the schedule at Sloan Park, where the Chicago Cubs hold spring training each February and March. History runs deeper than most expect: the Mesa Grande Cultural Park preserves one of the largest Hohokam platform mounds in the Valley, from a civilisation that flourished here a thousand years before Phoenix was founded.