Mesa Family Attractions: 8 Fun Places to Play and Explore

Mesa, which is located east of Phoenix, hosts more than 1 million visitors a year. The city’s 330-plus days of sunshine and exciting activities help keep everyone active and entertained throughout the year. From parks and sports to museums and culture, visitors have no trouble finding things to do. So get ready to have fun, and check out these Mesa family attractions and kid-worthy sites.

Mesa Family Attractions Visitors Enjoy While Visiting Arizona

Usery Mountain Regional Park

Families who enjoy desert landscapes can’t miss Usery Mountain Regional Park. This outdoor oasis offers more than 3,600 acres of recreational activities. Visitors enjoy riding bikes, horseback riding, picnicking and even nighttime stargazing.

One of the park’s biggest draws are the trails. Most are share-use trails, and they range from .03-miles to 7.5 miles, so everyone finds a suitable option. After hiking, stop by the archery range. Usery Mountain Regional Park operates the only five-star range in Arizona and has field and hunter options.

Those who want a gym experience should visit the outdoor fitness center near Merkle trail. In addition, the park hosts guided tours, tortoise talks, nature walks and interactive events.

Riverview Park and Baseball

Baseball is big in Arizona. Over the years, Riverwalk Park has transformed into an outdoor facility for fun, sports and entertainment. For example, Rio Salado Pathway runs along Salt River Bank and caters to walkers, runners and bicyclers. The pathway also connects to shopping and sports.

Other things to do at Riverview Park include watching Chicago Cubs spring training at Sloan Park, fishing, and playing outside. The park also has a large playground with climbing structures and shaded picnic areas. Kids love the splash pad.

For more baseball games in Mesa, watch the Oakland As spring training at Hohokam Stadium. Known as Arizona’s Cactus League Spring Training, the area hosts more than 200 major league games in 30 days.

Golfland Sunsplash

Mesa’s climate can be pretty hot, so cool off at Golfland Sunsplash. This park ranks among the top Mesa family attractions as it has a water park, castle, an arcade, bumper cars, laser tag and mini-golf – all in one place. It’s two parks in one.

In Golfland, select from 200-plus games, go karts, bumper boats, mini-golf and water slides. Sunsplash offers more water park attractions such as slides, a lazy river and multiple pools. The park has thrill rides for adults and smaller pools for younger children.

Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum

Among the top Mesa family attractions is Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum. As the only combat aviation museum in the area, this hot spot caters to all ages and aviation fans.

The museum features real aircraft used all over the world. Many artifacts have been salvaged from wartime and other relevant time periods in history, dating from pre-WWI. The inside hanger has aircraft visitors explore. Other exhibits include noteworthy pilots, bomber jackets, memorials to Arizona heroes, and diversity in aviation.

After browsing exhibits, book a flight. Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum offers living history flights in real bombers.

Arizona Museum of Natural History

Have children who love dinosaurs? Come to Arizona Museum of Natural History. The museum showcases different cultures and time periods. Guests see more than 60,000 objects, 10,000-plus photographs, and interactive exhibits in archaeology and paleontology.

Enter the Cenozoic lobby to see animals 3 million years old. Then browse Arizona throughout the years. For example, stroll Dinosaur Hall and Mountain. Then dig for fossils, learn about ancient civilizations, explore Mexico and Southern American cultures, and admire local art. In addition, families enjoy an interactive kids corner and museum store.

i.d.e.a. Museum

Families with children birth to 12 years old should check out i.d.e.a. Museum. The attraction aims to provide hands-on experiences that promote learning and fun. Plus, parents and guardians may participate, too.

Exhibits change on a regular basis. Past exhibits have showcased the art of storytelling, puppets, local artists, healthy living, monsters and robots. Children ages 4 and younger have a blast at ArtVille. This ‘town’ encourages little ones to play in the cafe, garden patio, performing arts center, vet clinic and design center. Meanwhile HUB helps all ages learn through interactive stations.

Detours Arizona

Want to see Mesa’s scenic landscape? Take a guided tour with Detours Arizona, which departs from nearby Phoenix. Plus, it’s only a 30 minute drive from Mesa.

Day tours help visitors easily see the Grand Canyon, historic towns, Native American ruins, geological structures and the Wild West. Families also schedule private tours that explore art, culture and natural attractions.

Organ Stop Pizza

After a day full of adventure, it’s time to eat pizza! This local gem ranks among the best Mesa family attractions because it combines two favorites: music and food.

Organ Stop Pizza serves affordable pizza, pasta entrees, salads, sandwiches and appetizers perfect for sharing. While dining, hear tunes from the famous pipe organ that sits center-stage. Organ Stop Pizza features a Wurlitzer theater organ that has delighted customers since 1975.

Check out more ways to visit Arizona, and learn more reasons why Mesa is a popular destination.