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Mesa day trips - where to go in 3 months?
honestly if you want something totally different from the desert stuff, head north to sedona. it's about 2 hours from mesa but the red rocks are a completely different world. the airport loop trail is an easy one with killer views and you don't need a permit like some of the busy ones. grab a slice at pizzeria bocce after, their margherita is solid and the patio overlooks the rocks
for a real small town vibe, jerome is on the way back from sedona and it's this old mining town clinging to a hill. the haunted hamburger joint is touristy but the patty melt is actually good and the views from their deck are insane. just be ready for winding roads, my buddy got car sick the first time we went
You can head southeast to the Gila River and the town of Globe. The drive is about 90 minutes and takes you through some classic Sonoran desert scenery. From there, the lower Salt River Canyon is about 30 minutes further and has a scenic drive and pull-offs that feel like a mini Grand Canyon without the crowds. Stop at the Guayo's on the Trail in Globe for a green chile burrito, it's been there forever and the salsa bar is legit.
If you're based in Mesa, the drive up to Payson is about 90 minutes and gives you a different feel than the desert floor. The Mogollon Rim has some solid hikes like Horton Creek or the Highline Trail, and it'll be 15-20 degrees cooler than Mesa that time of year. For a small town stop, grab lunch at the Beeline Cafe in Payson, their green chili cheeseburger is a local staple.