Mesa is the third-largest city in Arizona, and while it might not be as popular or well-known as Phoenix or Tuscon, it is jam-packed with incredibly picturesque hidden gems! There is an endless amount of surprises in this vibrant community. Even if you live in Arizona, you might be surprised by these fantastic photography spots you can discover via a scenic back road, hidden alleyway, new restaurant or quick detour. So jump in your car, and head out on this wonderful road trip to find the best Instagram-worthy spots in Mesa, Arizona!
1. The Superstition Mountains
The Apache Trail in the Superstition Mountains just outside Mesa is one of the most majestic deserts in the world. The volcanic Superstition cliffs rise 2,000 feet above the ground like a ghost crawling out of the earth. At dusk or dawn, the sunlight shining across the valley is breathtaking and casts a golden glow over everything it touches.
2. Orange Patch
The Orange Patch is a great spot to take a beautiful picture as well as gulp down a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice! The Orange Patch is a family-run Citrus farm where you can come and pick your own oranges as well as marvel at the bright-coloured fruits hanging off their trees!
3. Usery Mountain Regional Park
Usery Mountain Regional Park is THE place to go if you’re looking to spot saguaros. There are over 29 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding in this area and most of them are relatively easy and short hikes bring you to incredible vistas. A favourite of locals and visitors alike is the Wind Cave Trail, which looks out onto the adjacent Tonto National Forest.
4. Mesa Community College Rose Garden
Take some time to stop and smell the roses…no, literally stop and smell the roses. The Mesa Community College Rose Garden is one of the most colourful places to visit in Mesa. Over 400 volunteers tend to over 9,000 rose bushes all year round to ensure that no matter the time of year, there is always something extraordinary to see here.
5. Starlite Motel
Along the famed Route 60, there is plenty to see, but while passing through Mesa, stop outside the famous Starlite Motel. What makes this such a popular spot is their ‘Diving Lady’ sign on East Main Street. Neon signs were once all the rage in America but have become somewhat of a relic today. This classic sign was preserved by the Mesa Preservation Foundation at $120,000 and can now be seen by passers-by for years to come!
6. Goldfield Ghost Town
Goldfield Ghost Town offers a wealth of interesting and beautiful photo opportunities with its preserved historic buildings, old-fashioned saloons, and vintage western decorations. The surrounding desert landscape with its rugged mountains, cacti, and scenic vistas adds to the town’s charm and makes for an excellent backdrop for photographs. Visitors can capture the essence of the Wild West by taking pictures with the costumed performers, the old steam engine, and the antique mining equipment. The ghost town also offers a range of activities and events throughout the year, including gunfight reenactments and live music performances, which provide additional photographic opportunities.
7. Paddle along the Saguaro Lake
Believe it or not, some genuinely breathtaking lakes are found in Arizona, and one of my favourites is the scenic Saguaro Lake in Mesa. This lake was formed by the Stewart Mountain Dam and stands in one of the most majestic desert landscapes. You can rent a kayak or paddleboard at the Saguaro Lake Marina to explore the area and get fantastic pictures of this incredible slice of nature.
8. Park of the Canals
Park of the Canals is an ancient Indian canal system used to grow corn, beans and squash in approximately 300 B.C. The Park of the Canals preserves about 4,500 feet of ancient canals. Along these canals, you can admire the amazing technology employed by these ancient cultures and look at some of the most gorgeous desert flora in all of Mesa.
9. Downtown Mesa Street Art
Along West Main Street, from South Country Club Drive to Centre Street, you can wander along looking at a series of some of Arizona’s most colourful and creative street art! A new mural by a local artist is always being painted, and the sculpture walk is one of the best in town. No matter how often you visit there is always something new to see!
10. Jarrod’s Coffee Tea and Gallery
After all this driving, it’s time to sit back and relax! And there is no better place than Jarrod’s Coffee Tea and Gallery (and not just because it has the most amazing rhyming names!) Jarrods is located right off the main street in Mesa, and just upon stepping in the door, you are overwhelmed by not only the sumptuous smells of roasting coffee but by an onslaught of incredible artworks spirling around you! All the art covering the walls is from local artists, and it is one of the coolest (basically free) community art galleries you can visit in Mesa.
Throughout the year, Jarrod’s hosts live performances from poetry nights to live music, improv shows and more. Stopping in here to participate in one of their lively events is a fantastic way to get insight into a slice of the community life and have a wonderful end to your day in Mesa!
The best way to explore Mesa and its wondrous attractions is by vehicle! To find out more about riding with USA Auto in Mesa, Arizona, check out their website!
2 COMMENTS
Lara S.
6 years agoI’ve been reading your blog all morning, and it’s great. You have wonderful ideas and share great insights. One comment on your post about the Mesa Arizona Temple (#7), though. You wrote the name of the church wrong. The name is actual “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.” It would mean a lot, to a lot of people, if you could edit that, please.
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6 years agoThanks so much for pointing that out Lara! I’ve gone ahead and made that change 🙂 thanks for letting me know!