What historical things are there to see near Mesa Arizona?|185723

I_m going to a place called Sun Lakes Arizona for a week in November. I googled it and it_s near Mesa Arizona. I would like to know what historical monuments or wonders of the world are in that Area. I plan to drive 3 hours (I think?) to the Grand Canyon. Is there anything else I should definately see? Thanks!

Sun Lakes is on the southern edge of the larger Phoenix metro area. It is closer to the towns of Chandler, Gilbert and Tempe then Mesa (although Mesa is not that far away either).

Before listing some of the historical and natural attractions in the Phoenix area, I should note that from Sun Lakes, it will actually be about a 4.5 to 5 hour drive to the Grand Canyon (because you are starting from the opposite side of Phoenix). And that is assuming you don_t leave around rush hour.

As the poster above mentions, there is a large historic Mormon temple in Mesa (Mesa was largely founded by Mormons) which is worth checking out. Mesa also has an old historic downtown area with turn of the century buildings.

In downtown Phoenix, the famous Heard Museum is considered one of the nation_s best museums for Native American arts and history. The Phoenix Museum of History is nearby and not too far away (near the Zoo in Papago Park) is the Arizona Historical Society Museum.

Being in Sun Lakes, you will be fairly close to the large prehistoric Hohokam ruins at Casa Grande National Monument (near the town of Casa Grande) which is pretty impressive.

A little to the east of Phoenix are the beautiful Superstition Mountains that are said to be the location of Lost Dutchman Goldmine. There is a interesting (if winding) called the Apache Trail (AZ88) that runs between the mountains and the lakes of the Salt River. Near the start of the road (at Apache Junction) is the Goldfield _Ghost Town_ which is really more of a tourist attraction than a real historic site, but it can be kinda fun.

On your way from Phoenix up the Grand Canyon, you could stop at Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon (famous for its red rocks and expensive resorts). There is also the interesting prehistoric ruins just off the highway at Montezuma Castle National Monument. And if you are into historic sites, you might like Jerome - a historic turn of the century mining town with lots of historic buildings - which is perched on the side of Mingus Mountain a little off the main route to the canyon.

To be honest, while Phoenix has lots of resorts, malls, golf courses and movie theaters (like you would find in any big city), it really does not have that many special attractions (historic or otherwise) that are unique to Phoenix and most of the older historic sections have long since been bulldozed and built over. Most of the more interesting historic and natural attractions are a ways outside the city.

There is a beautiful temple in Mesa Arizona, there is also a desert national park and some spectacular desert scenery.