Experience · Mesa

Indoor Play and Southern Comfort in Mesa

Start your day letting the kids burn off energy among the climbing structures and arenas at Kids Empire Mesa. Afterward, head west for a relaxed family lunch of crisp, spicy fried chicken and classic sides at Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken.

A 3-hour Mesa afternoon plan for families — Kids Empire Mesa, Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken, Andy's Frozen Custard.

Duration
3 hrs
Cost
$20–$40
Stops
3 stops
Area
The Groves + 1 more
Walking
Light walking · Total 7.2-mile driving route
Best time
12:00 – 5:00 PM
Ideal for
Families
Customize
Indoor Play and Southern Comfort in Mesa

The plan

The plan

  1. 1Kids Empire Mesa(2 hrs)→
  2. 2Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken(1 hr)→
  3. 3Andy's Frozen Custard(30 min)

Why this plan works

The stops span roughly 7.2 miles across Mesa, so plan on driving — the order below keeps that driving in one direction. Kids Empire Mesa is the main event and takes the biggest block of time; the other stops are built around it. It finishes at Andy's Frozen Custard — a short, low-effort stop you can skip if you're ready to call it. Best suited to families who want a planned Mesa outing without improvising between stops.

The story

Overview

Start your day letting the kids burn off energy among the climbing structures and arenas at Kids Empire Mesa. Afterward, head west for a relaxed family lunch of crisp, spicy fried chicken and classic sides at Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken.

The itinerary

3 stops, one great day

  1. Kids Empire Mesa1
    2 hrs
    Kids Empire Mesa

    Family · The Groves

    What to do — Let the kids burn off some energy climbing, sliding, and playing in this fantastic indoor playground. There's plenty to keep them entertained!

    4 mi · 12 min drive

    Then A short drive will take you to your lunch spot.

  2. Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken2
    1 hr
    Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken

    Food & Drink · Downtown Mesa

    Long-running chain serving spicy fried chicken & comfort sides in a low-key setting.

    What to do — Enjoy some delicious and famous fried chicken with classic comfort sides. It's a crowd-pleaser for everyone.

    3.2 mi · 10 min drive

  3. Andy's Frozen Custard3
    Optional 30 min
    Andy's Frozen Custard

    Food & Drink

    Frozen custard sundaes, concretes & more, plus a choice of toppings (with a drive-thru window).

    What to do — Cap off the outing with a fresh-frozen custard concrete blended with fruit or candy toppings, or grab a rich hot fudge sundae at the drive-thru window.

The route

On the map

Open route in Google Maps

Common questions

Planning this outing

Is this a good Mesa itinerary for families?
Yes. It's built for families and runs about 3 hrs across 3 stops, starting at Kids Empire Mesa.
How long does this outing take?
Plan on 3 hrs door to door, including time between stops.
How much does this Mesa itinerary cost?
Roughly $20–$40 per person, before parking and tips. Free and low-cost stops are marked on each card.
Is this itinerary walkable?
Not entirely. The stops cover about 7.2 miles, so you'll drive or rideshare between at least one pair.
Do I need reservations?
No. Every stop on this plan takes walk-ins, though weekends move faster if you arrive early.

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