Some of my fondest childhood memories are from the family vacations I took to the Wisconsin Dells and Miami with my parents and two older sisters.
But finding a way to relax and de-stress with my 20-year-old son, Adam Forman, who has autism, has often been challenging, especially with a hospitality industry that often uses a hands-off or cookie-cutter approach to engaging with special needs guests.
Our quest to make life-long family memories recently led us to five inspiring days in Mesa, Arizona, the first Autism-Certified City in the U.S. This is where families from a myriad of backgrounds can enjoy the sights, sounds, and flavors of this extremely inclusive destination.
So why should other families head to Mesa for spring vacation and beyond? “It’s a fun place, where they made us feel very comfortable,” my son, Adam, shared. “Our weather was perfect – no snow and no rain. It was a memorable holiday!”
Among the highlights for us were the big mountains, the cactuses, and the many attractions. They included our tour of the Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch and Stables in the Tonto National Forest, the train ride at the Goldfield Ghost Town in Apache Junction, and a production of Narnia The Musical at the Mesa Arts Center.
As a long-time budding paleontologist, the fascinating tour of the Arizona Museum of Natural History was also a favorite part of our trip for Adam.
Heading from the airport to rent a car, resting our heads at our Mesa hotel was top of mind. “I’m not going to lie; I miss it,” Adam said of our comfortable and well-appointed room (one of 180) at the Sheraton Mesa Hotel at Wrigleyville West. “When I first got there, I was feeling a little homesick, but soon after, I felt very much at home,” he said.
Phil Quinn, the hotel’s area group sales manager, said with hotel and Visit Mesa training, his dedicated staff always aim to “ask appropriate questions, recognize guest cues, and not make assumptions that could negatively color the trip. We love hearing from guests from all backgrounds who were extremely comfortable and treated with kindness.”
One clear perk of staying at the Sheraton Mesa, or the nearby Courtyard Mesa at Wrigleyville West, is that guests are just a short stroll from Sloan Park, the ballfield that is the spring training home of the Chicago Cubs as part of the Cactus League. The 2026 games are from February 20 to March 24, and mark the 13th spring training season at Sloan Park.
Justin Piper, General Manager of Spring Training Operations for Sloan Park, encourages Mesa visitors to come to the ballpark for the upcoming season to enjoy the games, the atmosphere, and the hospitality.
“Our goal is to be as inclusive and accommodating as possible to all of our guests,” Piper said. “We know that Visit Mesa and the city of Mesa led the way to become the first known autism certified city in the U.S.”
He added that what has changed the most over the years is “a greater awareness of the needs of people with autism and being ready to accommodate them whenever requests are made.”
Mesa’s inclusion effort started with Visit Mesa President and CEO Marc Garcia, who experienced a difficult family vacation with his own son, who is on the autism spectrum. The family’s experience prompted him to help the city become one of the most accessible destinations in the nation for individuals with autism and other special needs.
“Our goal at Visit Mesa is to empower travelers of all abilities to confidently plan their trips to our destination,” said Alison Brooks of Visit Mesa.
During the past six years, through Visit Mesa, more than 50 local businesses and some 10,500 members of the community have completed autism-specific training, demonstrating the strong commitment to inclusion as a core value. But this goes beyond autism and has resulted in Mesa becoming a sought-after destination for those with a myriad of special needs and differing abilities.
In addition to the extensive training, visitors to Mesa are greatly aided by a free, extensive Visitor’s Guide (filled with family fun, outdoor activities, sports, upcoming events, hospitality venues), food inclusion initiatives, sensory kits,calming areas, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, and much more.
When my son and I reflect on our Mesa adventure, we know that the scrumptious plate-sized pancakes, drives into the desert, and experiencing other local destinations will remain an extremely fond family vacation memory.
As Adam eagerly shared, “I would gladly go back to Mesa for another visit.”
If You Go:
Visit Mesa Website: https://www.visitmesa.com/
Visit Mesa's Accessibility Page: https://www.visitmesa.com/travel-accessibility/
Email: info@visitmesa.com
Sie Story on Travel Tips
5 Top Vacation Tips
1. Use Your Itinerary as a Template. There may be a restaurant or tourist stop that needs tweaking once you arrive at your destination, even if you keep in mind what your family loves when choosing your attractions. Don’t be too regimented.
2. Pick an Airline, Hotel, and Car Rental that can accommodate the needs of you and your family, especially those with special needs. My Enterprise Car Rental selection needed tweaking, but it was easy to make changes on site.
3. Don’t Overpack. You and your children will need to carry your luggage during the trip. So, bring what you need, but don’t bring everything. Also, leave room for souvenirs.
4. Contact TSA Cares (1-855-787-2227) to help you through the security screening process. You will be met and helped to navigate putting everything on the conveyor, while assisting you with your special needs child or adult. Keep all IDs available so you are not fumbling while checking your luggage or trying to find your gate.
5. Be Prepared. After you arrive, go to a grocery or convenience store and purchase those beverages and snacks that you and your children can’t live without, and it will stave off some problems later on.