On the eastern edge of the Valley of the Sun - the greater Phoenix metropolitan area - is Mesa, which is Spanish for "Table Top." Mesa was first inhabited by Native Americans; the Mormons who later founded this community discovered their irrigation ditches. To the east are the famed Superstition Mountains and the legendary Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine.
Things to do in Mesa
Arizona Museum for Youth
The Arizona Museum for Youth is a nationally recognized fine arts museum for children. The Museum features three different exhibitions each year in a hands-on environment. Exhibitions in the Main Gallery are recommended for children 5-12 years of age. Call 480-644-2467 for more information.
Chaplin Fighter Aircraft Museum
Three large hangars house 33 flyable fighter aircraft from WWI, WWII, and the Korean and Vietnam wars. An art gallery, automatic weapons collection and thousands of items of aircraft memorabilia also are featured. Call 480-830-4540 for more information.
Mesa Southwest Museum
The museum explores the history of the Southwest, featuring permanent and changing exhibits from dinosaurs to conquistadors, from the old west to the space age. Call 480-644-2230 for more information.