How to spend a day in walkable downtown Mesa
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Checking out this Valley staple for the first time. Photo: Gitanjali Poonia/Axios
Tacos, dinosaurs and a few scoops of ice cream are just a few ways to spend a day walking around downtown Mesa.
Dig in: Start with tacos — pastor and asada — and a medium horchata at Valley favorite Tacos Chiwas. (Total was $13.06.)
- Think full-flavored, street-style spicy tacos, loaded up with meat and garnished with either freshly diced onion or pickled onion and cilantro. You will want to order more.
- Zoom out: The family-owned restaurant serves Chihuahua-style food at three locations: central Phoenix, Mesa and Sky Harbor Airport, which opened earlier this summer.
Yes, but: If you're looking for gluten-free options — including desserts and beers — go to the locally owned Against the Grain across the street.
- They sell groceries, baked goods, ice creams, cheeseburgers and much more.
Zoom in: Another Valley staple, Novel Ice cream, is around the corner.
- Try the ice cream stuffed glazed donut for $7.50.
State of play: The Arizona Museum of Natural History (AZNHM), a walkable distance from Novel, is a great next place. (Tickets are $9–16.)
- And Idea Museum, which features interactive art for children, is down the block. (Tickets are $12.)
The bottom line: Come for the dinosaurs and tacos. Stay because there's probably room for one more scoop.