Posted By Visit Mesa Team
April 11, 2023
10 Free Things to Do in Mesa Right Now!
Who said you had to spend money to have a good time?
Mesa has many attractions that don't require a pretty penny. Discover hidden gems, embark on one of our GeoTours, explore the beautiful desert and more! Here are our top 10 favorite things to do in Mesa for free.
Stop and Smell the Roses
Visitors can take a free self-guided tour of the Rose Garden at Mesa Community College. This rose garden is the Desert Southwest’s largest and hosts nearly 9000 rose bushes!
Go Treasure Hunting
Explore Mesa along one of our GeoTours! Use coordinates and clues to find the cache while discovering the charm of City Limitless! Our Fresh Foodie Trail GeoTour takes participants to unique, original food spots in the city. For families of individuals with Autism, take a look at our Autism Travel GeoTour! Great fun for all ages.
Take a scenic drive
Visitors will want to set time aside to take a drive on the Apache Trail—you won’t want to miss out on the stunning canyons, geologic formations, desert flora and lake views that are visible on this drive. Tip: Go in March to see the beautiful wildflowers that have bloomed!
Get Artsy
The Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum at Mesa Arts Center holds five galleries that are always changing to showcase the art of emerging and internationally recognized contemporary artists. Admission is always free and the exhibits are always visually stunning!
Get Active with Friends & Family
Before you hit up Mesa Riverview to dine and shop, you can tire out the little ones by taking them over to Mesa Riverview Park to play. There is a 50-foot tall climbing tower, 60-foot long caterpillar mesh rope climbing structure and two playgrounds to keep the kids busy! Parents can sit in the shaded picnic areas or hang out by the Urban Fishing Lake!
BYO (Board, kayak, canoe) to the Salt River
If you already own a paddleboard, kayak or canoe then head on out to the Salt River! It’s a convenient day trip for Mesa visitors and a great way to spend a refreshing spring day. You’ll have to dish out some money if you don’t have your own equipment, or if you would like to fish, as a fishing permit is required.
Book your Fridays
If you’re itching for some Friday plans, we’ve got you covered! The 2nd Friday of every month is “Friday Night Out” where downtown galleries and businesses join together to create an exciting, fun-filled (and themed) Friday evening!
Spot the sculptures downtown
If you haven’t been downtown yet (or even if you have) the best way to get around is by following the sculptures! After you see them all you’ll have to let us know you’re favorite—we love the Humpty Dumpty, he’s just a classic. Oh! And when you’re done spotting all the sculptures you can admire all of the murals that adorn the walls of downtown businesses.
Take a tour of an international award winning facility
Mesa Arts Center is the largest and most comprehensive performing, visual and educational arts center in Arizona and offers free public tours of its international award winning facility. Tours are an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes and includes all theaters and art studios on the first level, the shadow walk and the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum. Tip: Wear comfy walking shoes!
Browse the swap meet
Enjoy free admission, free parking and free live entertainment as you browse the Mesa Market Place Swap Meet! There is more than a mile of small businesses offering a variety of products to browse or purchase. The Mesa Market Place is open year round for your enjoyment.
Make sure to share the fun and tag your photos with #VisitMesa and #MesaCityLimitless!