There is much about Mesa Arizona that should warrant attention when you are trying to find a destination for your next group trip. Not only is it the third largest city in the state with access to some of the most breathtaking natural beauty in the nation and weather that boasts more than 320 days of sunshine per year, it also offers a top-notch cultural experience. Exciting new arts and culture events are happening in Mesa with a focus on the continued success of the new Mesa Arts Center.

The center has kicked off its second fabulous season after a smashing first year of more than 400 performances. International touring artists, current popular music acts, regional companies and Broadway shows are all scheduled at the magnificent arts and entertainment complex. The seven-acre downtown landmark includes four theaters, five exhibition galleries and 14 visual and performing arts studios.

With its expanding and thriving downtown areas and natural resources that never cease to amaze, Mesa is a great place for your group to visit and re-visit!

Top Attractions:

The Mesa Southwest Museum of cultural and natural history is dedicated to the preservation of the area's paleontological and archaeological past, having both permanent and changing exhibitions on Arizona and the Southwest. From dinosaurs to conquistadors, and from the Old West to the space age, this 80,000-square-foot facility offers a dynamic educational experience. The museum also offers many hands-on exhibits for all ages.

The Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force Museum is dedicated to preserving aviation history and wartime memorabilia for future generations. The volunteer members of the museum maintain and operate aircraft from World War II to Vietnam. The Arizona Wing is entrusted with the restoration, care and display of "Sentimental Journey," which is considered to be the most authentically restored flying B-17 in the world today. The museum offers rides to the general public aboard the B-17.

The Apache Trail is one of the most popular day trips from the Phoenix-Mesa metro area. With the Superstition Mountains looming on the horizon, the Trail contains unmatched beauty with crystal-clear lakes and magnificent rocky structures and cliffs. Follow the footsteps that Indians and prospectors took more than 100 years ago and discover the beauty that Arizona has to offer.

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Top Events:

The Chicago Cubs Spring Training takes place at HoHoKam Park, the second largest spring training stadium in the Cubs' Cactus League with a seating capacity of 12,632. Pre-season competition allows groups to see major league players in an up-close, minor league setting. The team also makes use of a state-of-the-art practice facility at Fitch Park. Spring training begins in February and competition runs through the entire month of March.

Sculptures in the Streets is an annual exhibit of bronze sculptures which grace the sidewalks of Main Street in downtown Mesa. This event is a great way to enjoy downtown Mesa while viewing one-of-a-kind art. The sculptures include pieces on temporary display, along with those from Mesa's permanent collection. Smaller pieces are placed inside Main Street galleries. The event runs from November to April and admission is free.

The largest annual Easter Pageant, Jesus the Christ, is put on each year and performed on the lawn of the Meza Arizona Temple Visitor's Center. It is performed every night two weeks prior to Easter except for Sunday and Monday. The production boasts a cast of more that 450 volunteer actors and admission is free.

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Arts and Culture:

The Mesa Historical Museum looks to preserve the city's heritage and instill awareness of the area's origins in both its visitors and inhabitants. The Museum details Mesa's rich Native American history as well as its Spanish influences and immigration history. A new exhibit, "Searching for Mesa: Finding Ourselves in History," will open in fall 2007 and will document the area's history in even greater detail.

The Superstition Mountain Museum on the Apache Trail is a must-see for anyone who likes to have their imagination engaged while learning about history. Inspired by the legend of the richest gold mine in the world owned and kept secret by "The Dutchman," Jacob Waltz, this museum documents the fascinating history of the Superstition Mountains and the many kinds of people who came there in search of dreams or inspiration. From Spanish explorers and Native Americans to gold miners and American troops, this museum gives an exciting history of Mesa's wilderness.

There are many places to enjoy art in Mesa including Mesa Art League, Segura Fine Art Gallery and Imbeau Gallery. There are also many places for the performing arts in the area including the Mesa Arts Center, the Mesa Symphony Orchestra and the Southwestern Shakespeare Company.

Sense of Adventure:

The Goldfield Ghost Town is a great way to scratch an itch for adventure. Goldfield was a bustling and thriving city near the end of the 19th century when people were striking gold in the nearby Superstition Mountains. When the mines stopped producing, however, the town was abandoned and now it is a living testament to a failed way of life. Tours are available through both the town and the mines.

The Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving allows you to fulfill a life-long desire for speed, offering racing classes spanning from a couple of hours to a couple of days. Take some laps around the Phoenix International Raceway or take a three-day course on Grand Prix Road-Racing. The school offers many different classes to accommodate group needs.

Take a day trip to the Grand Canyon or Sedona and experience natural beauty like nowhere else in the nation. There are many tours and day trips available to the Grand Canyon, and the city of Sedona is a must for anyone who wants to see the best the great outdoors has to offer.

Tee Time:

Mesa offers many world-class golf courses with views of the magnificent natural beauty of Arizona's rugged mountains and blue western skies. Some of the more notable golf courses in the Mesa area include Las Sendas Golf Club, which is ranked the number-one public golf course in Arizona, and "One of the top 10 you can play in the nation" by Golf Magazine; the Longbow Golf Club, which is built in the shadow of beautiful Red Mountain; and Superstition Springs Golf Club, which is rated among "America's Best Golf Courses" and "Top Courses for Women."

All together there are more than 40 golf courses in the area.

Culinary Scene:

There is a wide variety of dining options in the Mesa area, including those offered at Euro Cafe, Oasion Noodle Bar & Southeast Asian Cuisine and D'Vine Wine Bar & Bistro. But the fare that sets Mesa apart from the rest of the country is its Mexican and Southwest food.

If you want a dining experience that is unique to many other major cities, make sure you stop by the Blue Adobe Santa Fe Grille, Bill Johnson's Big Apple Restaurant, or the award-winning Tia Rosas.

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Group Hotel Rooms:

The area has more than 60 hotels, motels and resorts, ranging from economy pricing to full-service, first-class properties. Hotels with large convention centers and meeting areas include the Phoenix Hilton, Hampton Inn and the Windemere Hotel & Conference Center.

Click here to find the best group hotel rates in Mesa. - http://grouptravel.hotelplanner.com/

Fast Facts:

Driving Distances:
Tucson, AZ: 120 miles
San Diego, CA: 250 miles
Las Vegas, NV: 290 miles
Los Angeles, CA: 390 miles
Albuquerque, NM: 460 miles
Salt Lake City, UT: 650 miles

Here to There:

The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is just 20 minutes west of the Mesa area and houses 23 airlines which provide nonstop service from Phoenix to 89 cities in the United States and 17 cities in Canada, Mexico and Europe.