Arizona is considered one of my favourite states. I’m an enormous fan of the nice and cozy climate, the pure great thing about the desert, and I all the time fall a little bit extra in love with Arizona throughout each journey that I take. To date, I’ve seen the majesty of the Grand Canyon, toured round Tempe, and seen a few of Phoenix’s finest sights, however I had by no means explored the town of Mesa and truthfully, I didn’t actually know something about Mesa till very lately. Nonetheless, as quickly as I heard that Wheel the World is now providing wheelchair accessible self-guided journeys in Mesa, I used to be intrigued.
I’ve traveled with Wheel the World in varied locations over the previous couple years (in Chile, Barcelona, and Atlanta to call just a few) and partnered with them in several methods, so I do know that they take accessibility significantly. Not like earlier journeys that I’ve carried out with them although, the place they organized a tour information and driver for us, Wheel the World is now providing self-guided excursions in Mesa, Arizona.
What does that imply precisely? Properly, it mainly implies that the superb staff at Wheel the World arranges your accessible resort, wheelchair accessible rental van, they usually suggest accessible sights and eating places so that you can go to (they usually’ve personally scouted every location for accessibility!), however you’re free to discover as you please and also you don’t have an official information with you all through the journey. Wheel the World takes care of the entire logistics, so as to simply benefit from the journey and never have to fret about accessibility preparations.
Normally after I plan journeys, I’m so stressed about discovering an accessible resort that’ll work for my wants, reserving a rental van, or one of many different stressors that include touring as a wheelchair consumer, that I’m type of exhausted by the point I really get to the vacation spot. So I used to be immensely joyful that Wheel the World took care of the entire logistics earlier than I arrived in Mesa. As soon as I reached Mesa, I used to be capable of begin having fun with the town instantly.
Over the course of 4 days, I loved wheelchair accessible Mesa Arizona sights, soaked up the solar, ate scrumptious meals, and had a totally stress-free journey. It was one of the stress-free journeys I’ve had in a very long time because of Wheel the World and I’d like to share a few of my favourite issues that I did in Mesa with you. On this weblog publish, I’ll cowl accessible sights and issues to do, the place to remain in Mesa, after which I’ll let how one can e book this very same journey on the very finish of this weblog, so keep tuned for that!
Wheelchair Accessible Mesa Arizona Sights & Issues to Do
Mesa is the third-largest metropolis in Arizona and it’s situated simply quarter-hour from the Phoenix airport, so there’s actually loads to do! It doesn’t matter what type of attraction you’re within the temper to go to, Mesa is certain to have it. Listed below are a few of my prime suggestions for wheelchair-friendly issues to do in Mesa (and you’ll relaxation assured that every attraction talked about beneath has been personally scouted by each Wheel the World and I for accessibility) –
Experience the Dolly Steamboat
One of many first issues that I used to be capable of do within the Mesa space was journey the Dolly Steamboat. This steamboat has been cruising since 1925, however regardless of being practically 100 years previous, it’s wheelchair accessible. I spent an hour and a half cruising on the Dolly and it was a particular expertise.
The Dolly Steamboat cruises on Canyon Lake within the coronary heart of the Superstition Mountains. It’s in Tortilla Flat, Arizona, which is a few 30-40 minute drive outdoors of downtown Mesa. In the course of the drive from Mesa to the Dolly Steamboat, I noticed so many stunning sights and we pulled over for picture ops a number of occasions, so I’d counsel planning for the drive to take an hour and a half from Mesa so you may get some good pictures alongside the way in which.
There was a ramp for me to get onboard the steamboat and the complete decrease stage of the boat was wheelchair accessible. Sadly, an elevator wasn’t out there to entry the higher stage, however there have been accessible indoor and outside viewing areas from the decrease stage, so I had terrific views for the complete cruise.
Contained in the Dolly Steamboat, there have been snacks and drinks on the market all through the cruise. It was additionally air conditioned, so that you’ll be capable to get pleasure from this expertise even within the blazing sizzling summers in Arizona.
In the course of the scenic cruise, we had spectacular views of the encircling Superstition Mountains, however we additionally noticed quite a lot of wildlife. The captain came to visit the speaker system and informed us the place the animals have been situated each time he noticed one, which was useful. We noticed bald eagles, desert bighorn sheep, and extra wildlife.
The Dolly Steamboat presents scenic nature cruises, which is what I did, however additionally they have twilight dinner cruises and astronomy dinner cruises. Charges begin at about $30 per grownup for the scenic cruise and tickets will be bought on-line prematurely of your go to.
Discover Goldfield Ghost City
While you consider Arizona, there’s a very good likelihood that you just consider the Wild West. If that’s the case and also you want to step, or roll, again in time to the Wild West, I’ve excellent news for you. You are able to do simply that at Goldfield Ghost City.
Goldfield Ghost City is situated simply down the street from the Dolly Steamboat, so this might be an incredible attraction to go to both earlier than or after your cruise. I visited proper after the cruise and ended up spending about three or 4 hours exploring Goldfield Ghost City as a result of there’s a lot to see.
Again within the Nineties, Goldfield was a vibrant and profitable mining neighborhood with a boarding home, three saloons, a brewery, a common retailer, a faculty, and extra. Finally although, the gold grew to become harder to accumulate within the mines and the neighborhood died. Nonetheless, whenever you go to Goldfield at this time, you may see precisely what made it such an incredible place and also you’ll really feel such as you’ve gone again in time.
There are numerous wheelchair accessible sights to expertise at Goldfield Ghost City. Alongside Principal Avenue, there are outlets and eateries as nicely. I actually loved looking the memento shops and attempting some prickly pear fudge, which was scrumptious! Whereas in Arizona, it’s best to undoubtedly strive the entire prickly pear meals.
Excursions of the mine can be found, however the mine isn’t accessible. I did try a pair museums at Goldfield although, together with the Goldfield Historic Museum and the Superstition Reptile Exhibit. Within the Historic Museum, I discovered all in regards to the historical past of the realm and within the Reptile Exhibit, I noticed many snakes that have been native to Arizona, however some that have been from different locations world wide as nicely.
Among the finest issues to get pleasure from at Goldfield is the practice. The practice is wheelchair accessible and a journey on it lasts for about 20 minutes. It circles Goldfield and because of the narration all through the journey, I discovered loads about Goldfield throughout the journey. As America’s solely slim gauge practice, this needs to be a must-do for everybody that’s visiting.
Accessibility at Goldfield Ghost City was good for essentially the most half, however some areas are fairly steep. Principal Avenue isn’t paved and the additional you roll alongside it, the steeper it will get. I didn’t actually have any points in my powered wheelchair, however for those who use a guide wheelchair, it could be a bit tougher, however not not possible by any means.
Goldfield Ghost City is open day by day of the week with most retailers and sights open from 10am-5pm. The saloon is open till 9pm although and for those who go to on Saturday or Sunday, you may witness a “gunfight” on Principal Avenue. Study extra about every thing that Goldfield presents right here.
Go to the Superstition Mountain Museum
One other attraction that’s actually price visiting, and never removed from Goldfield Ghost City and the Dolly Steamboat, is the Superstition Mountain Museum. It is a great place to study in regards to the historical past of the realm and its folks by means of an indoor museum and varied outside displays as nicely.
I began my go to on the Superstition Mountain Museum by testing the indoor museum. It was fully wheelchair accessible and I seemed round for about 30-45 minutes. The museum is all on the bottom ground, and a present store is accessible. The reward store sells all types of souvenirs, native Native American arts & crafts, jewellery, and extra.
After having fun with the indoor house and studying loads, I ventured outdoors. The outside areas at Superstition Mountain Museum are fascinating and you’ll simply spend a pair hours (not less than!) exploring outdoors. The paths and trails should not paved, however they’re largely fabricated from hard-packed grime, so I had no points getting round in my powered wheelchair. The one space that I selected to not go to was the Apache Village as a result of the path that went to it appeared too tough.
Among the displays that you just’ll wander upon as you’re outdoors embody a stamp ore mill, which was a chunk of mining gear, an exhibit dedicated to Western films and TV reveals, and even a big scale mannequin practice exhibit. I actually liked watching the mannequin trains, as the eye to element was extremely spectacular. The practice format is 2,300 sq. toes and there are greater than 1,500 toes of observe, so you may think about how grand the exhibit is!
After visiting Elvis Presley’s Graceland just a few years in the past and turning into a fan of him, I used to be additionally excited to study that the Superstition Mountain Museum had an “Elvis chapel”. The chapel was a prop in Elvis’ 1969 Western film “Charro!”, which is the one film that he didn’t sing in. A ramp was out there on the chapel entrance, so I used to be capable of go inside. It was cool to see this piece of Elvis’ historical past up shut and private.
Superstition Mountain Museum is pet-friendly, so be happy to deliver your canine in order for you, and admission is simply $7 per grownup. There are quite a few particular occasions all year long right here as nicely, so you’ll want to try the occasion calendar on-line earlier than you go to.
Study on the Arizona Museum of Pure Historical past
Positioned in downtown Mesa, the Arizona Museum of Pure Historical past is a family-friendly attraction and a must-visit whereas within the metropolis. It has all kinds of displays for youngsters of all ages, however truthfully, you may get pleasure from it regardless of how previous you’re.
The museum covers the historical past of the complete pure world, however what I actually loved was its deal with historical past inside Arizona. There are everlasting displays about southwest cultures, Mesoamerica and South America, and far more. Whereas the museum is geared towards children and teenagers, I discovered a lot throughout my go to at this museum, which lasted about two hours.
All through the museum, you’ll go from the origin of Earth to modern-day and there’s a fairly huge deal with dinosaurs particularly. If in case you have kids, they’ll in all probability be amazed by the large dinosaur skeletons all through the museum. You’ll see the primary one as quickly as you enter the museum, they usually solely get larger and higher from there. As a child, I used to be enthralled by dinosaurs and after seeing all of them on this museum, I felt like a child once more with pleasure.
From the second I entered the Arizona Museum of Pure Historical past, it was fully wheelchair accessible. Complimentary guide wheelchairs can be found to make use of throughout your go to on a first-come, first-served foundation and two household/companion care restrooms are situated on the bottom ground. There are elevators to entry each stage of the museum.
The Arizona Museum of Pure Historical past is closed on Mondays, however open each different day of the week. Admission prices $13 per grownup and $7 for youngsters 3-12 years previous. You should purchase tickets on-line prematurely of your go to right here.
Play at Fats Cats Leisure
There isn’t a higher place to finish a day in Mesa than Fats Cats Leisure. Right here, you will have quite a lot of methods to be entertained and most actions are wheelchair accessible. Whether or not you need to see a film, go bowling, or one thing else, you’re positive to have a enjoyable time.
My go to to Fats Cats Leisure began by taking part in some video games within the expansive arcade. That they had lots of my favorites, however luck clearly wasn’t on my facet as a result of I didn’t win very many tickets. I nonetheless had a number of enjoyable although.
Subsequent, my mother and I made a decision to strive our palms at bowling. Fats Cats Leisure even had a ramp for me to make use of, so I used to be capable of push the bowling ball down the ramp. It labored splendidly and after just a few makes an attempt, I discovered the right place for the ramp and gained by just a few factors!
Fats Cats Leisure additionally has film theaters exhibiting the latest hits, glow-in-the-dark mini golf (and from what I may inform, it seemed wheelchair accessible!), and meals and drinks can be found for buy. As you may in all probability inform, that is the last word leisure venue in Mesa!
Eat scrumptious meals at Mesa eating places
Earlier than my journey to Mesa, Wheel the World really useful a number of wheelchair accessible eating places within the space. It was reassuring to know that they personally scouted the eating places for accessibility. I couldn’t go to each restaurant that they really useful throughout my journey, however I did go to just a few of them and these have been three of my favorites:
Los Dos Molinos – My favourite type of meals is Mexican meals and fortunate for me, Arizona has so many superb Mexican eating places! Wheel the World really useful Los Dos Molinos and I completely liked it. The restaurant presents a ton of choices on their menu, however I opted for the Shrimp Veracruz entree, which was six massive shrimp in hatch purple chile with cheese. It was tremendous spicy, however in the absolute best means! Los Dos Molinos had reside music on the evening that I visited as nicely, which was a pleasant addition to the meal.
12 West Brewing – One other advice that Wheel the World informed me about was 12 West Brewing, so I made a decision to eat right here on my final evening in Mesa. My journey blogger good friend, Colleen of Journey Mamas & Grownup Getaways, and her husband Phil met up with us for dinner right here and all of us actually loved it. 12 West Brewing presents 12 craft beer faucets and a full bar, however they’ve glorious meals as nicely. I had the fish tacos they usually have been scrumptious! This restaurant is situated within the coronary heart of downtown Mesa and has a enjoyable vibe, so I’d extremely counsel checking it out.
Intentional Meals – After studying that their daughter had extreme meals allergy symptoms, mother and father Ned and Lisa determined to do one thing about it they usually opened a restaurant named Intentional Meals. At Intentional Meals, each merchandise on the menu is freed from the highest eight meals allergens (peanuts, milk, eggs, tree nuts, shellfish, seafood, soy, and wheat). And the meals is definitely scrumptious! I actually loved my turmeric rooster tacos with candy potato fries, however quite a lot of bowls, sandwiches, and extra have been on the menu as nicely. Whether or not you will have a meals allergy or not, Intentional Meals is a implausible place to eat in Mesa, Arizona!
The place to Keep: Sheraton Mesa Lodge at Wrigleyville West
After filling out my accessibility profile on Wheel the World’s web site and letting them know all of my wants, they decided that the very best resort for me in Mesa was the Sheraton Mesa Lodge at Wrigleyville West. I stayed at this resort at some stage in my journey in Mesa and it was excellent for my accessibility wants. I used to be so grateful to Wheel the World for arranging such an incredible resort!
In my wheelchair accessible room, there have been two queen beds. Wheel the World informed me the entire measurements all through the room earlier than I arrived and I assumed the beds could be a bit too excessive for me, so the staff at Wheel the World had one of many beds lowered prematurely of my arrival. How superior is that?! It was an ideal top for me and the room was spacious sufficient for me to maneuver round in my powered wheelchair.
Within the lavatory, there was a pull-under sink, seize bars, and a roll-in bathe. The roll-in bathe had easy entry and couldn’t have been higher for my wants.
The Sheraton Mesa Lodge at Wrigleyville West additionally had an outside pool with an entry raise, and the resort was in an incredible location. It was only a brief drive from the entire wheelchair accessible sights in Mesa, so we actually loved our keep. And we’d actually keep at this resort once more sooner or later.
You possibly can seek for wheelchair accessible lodges in Mesa and different locations world wide right here.
My 4 days in Mesa, Arizona have been spectacular and I can not suggest it sufficient. From experiencing the Wild West to driving a steamboat, consuming scrumptious meals, and extra, the town surpassed all of my expectations and I can’t wait to go to Mesa once more!
If you’re all for visiting Mesa and need to do the very same tour that I did, try Wheel the World’s website by clicking right here.
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