Students in Mesa attend schools in the Mesa Public School District. This district is known for its visionary leadership, educators, curriculum development and community support. Money magazine hailed this district as one of the best educational values nationwide, based on academic excellence and the affordable housing available in the area. Those seeking higher education have plenty of options, as there are several colleges and universities in Mesa. The Arizona School of Health Sciences, Arizona State University East and Mesa Community College are a few of the schools located right in town. Just six miles away in Tempe is the main campus of Arizona State University, the nation’s sixth largest single campus university. Other campuses that are also just a short drive away are Midwestern University, Thunderbird, Glendale Community College and Arizona State University West.

The Mesa Parks and Recreation Department oversees some 52 parks with plans for many more. Most offer features such as picnic areas, basketball and tennis courts, sports fields, playgrounds, trails and other facilities. There are 13 public pools located throughout the city. With excellent sports facilities, Mesa also hosts the Chicago Cubs each spring during their spring training.

The new Mesa Arts Center is a 200,000-square-foot performing and visual arts facility that includes four theaters, five contemporary art galleries and 14 visual and performing arts studios, as well as an area for outdoor performances and gatherings.

Celebrations such as the Constitution Celebration in September, the Canal Festival and Family Health Fair in October and the Family Thanksgiving Turkey Trot in November are all planned to promote bringing the family together and promote the excellent quality of life that Mesa has to offer.

Not only is Mesa a great place to live and play, it’s also a great place to shop! Numerous malls, special boutiques, antique shops and other types of shopping are all found throughout Mesa. Fiesta Mall, located in the heart of the city, is one of three shopping malls in the area and features more than 145 shops and restaurants.

The recorded history of Mesa dates back to the 1800s and there are several important historical buildings still in existence. The Sirrine House, built in 1895, is an attractive brick structure restored by the Mesa Historical Society. The former Lehi School, built in 1913, is the oldest standing school building in Mesa today and now is home to the Mesa Historical Museum. Some other historic buildings in Mesa’s Town Center are the Ellis-Johnson home, the Alhambra Hotel and the Southside Hospital (now the Tri City Community Center).

The Vance Auditorium was built in 1904. At the time it was the largest auditorium in the Southwest, praised as having the best dance floor in the region. Broadway productions traveling from New York performed at the Vance Auditorium, drawing residents of Phoenix, who came via train. Later, the Mormon Church purchased the auditorium. The name was changed to Mezona in 1926. Dances at the Mezona were the main entertainment on Friday nights until 1972 when the building was demolished and replaced by the Mezona Inn.