Although Mesa is primarily urban, the Usery Mountain Recreation Area on the north side of town provides hiking, biking, equestrian and picnicking facilities. Roads also lead north to Saguaro Lake and Salt River recreation areas and boating, fishing and tubing.

Mesa's tribute to its own heritage includes the turn-of-the-century Sirrine House, with its period piece antique furnishings showcasing frontier life. Rockin' R Ranch, a Western theme town, stages gunfights, gold panning events and musical revues, along with serving cowboy vittles. Park of the Canals is one of only two places in Phoenix and Central Arizona where the Hohokam's centuries-old, prehistoric, hand-built canals are preserved.

In Mesa, life-size statues have graced downtown in recent years. With a capacity of 4,200 on beautiful, grassy terraces, the Mesa Amphitheatre offers various dance, concert and dramatic productions. Also located in Mesa, the Broadway Palms Dinner Theater offers excellent entertainment and dining.

In addition to well-regarded tennis and swimming facilities, a number of golf courses serve Mesa's residents and visitors. Las Sendas, backdropped by striking Red Mountain, is one of the more scenic. The Chicago Cubs come to town for MLB Spring Training at Hohokam Stadium.

In addition to major malls, Mesa's downtown shopping district draws a constant stream of antique collectors. Five museums dot the city. The Mesa Southwest Museum has one of the largest dinosaur exhibits west of the Mississippi, and explores the history of Mesa and the Southwest. The Mesa Historical Museum concentrates on Mesa's pioneer days. The Champlin Fighter Aircraft Museum holds the largest private collection of flyable vintage fighter aircraft. The Confederate Air Force Museum features the most authentically restored flying B-17 in the world today. The Arizona Museum for Youth is a child-oriented fine arts center.

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