13 Things To Do With Family In Anaheim, CA

Paddleboat at Echo Park Lake

 

Echo Park Lake is a peaceful urban break just a 10-minute drive from downtown Anaheim. It’s a great place for families to spend time together in nature. You can rent a paddleboat for four people and enjoy the view of palm trees and flowing lotus plants surrounding the clear lake water.

As groups paddle across the lake, taking turns setting the pace and directing, they get a full-body workout that is both relaxing and fun. After working up a hunger on the boat, bring a picnic lunch to eat at a table by the water. Don’t forget quarters for the bubble gum machine! Kids will also enjoy watching ducks, swans, and big Koi fish swim below the surface of the water.

If little ones need a nap after rowing, the lake loop walk has flat ground that strollers can use. An afternoon paddleboarding on Echo Park Lake is a great way to make memories that won’t break the bank without going on a big trip.

Tour Angel Stadium and Catch a Baseball Game

 

Take a tour behind the scenes of Angel Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Angels, and watch a Major League Baseball game for a memorable family trip. Tours start in the dugout, where fans can get a close look at the field. Next, they go up to the press box to learn about behind-the-scenes reporting.

You can also go to the Angels room and interact with exhibits that show famous players and events from the team’s history. Without a doubt, the main event is seeing the Angels play an exciting MLB game. All ages can’t help but get excited, whether they’re cheering for home runs or doing the crowd-favorite Light Wave.

Firework shows on Friday nights are extra special and something that families will always remember. It’s easy for people of all budgets to get Angels fever because tickets start as low as $15 each in the family area. It’s an all-star experience to see professional baseball players up close, go behind-the-scenes tours of areas that are usually off limits, and bond over rally caps and home runs.

See a Show at the Grove of Anaheim

 

The Grove of Anaheim is a small venue that puts on world-class shows with big-name stars and shows that are good for the whole family. The theater can hold only 1,700 people, so even the farthest seats feel close and personal for shows by Motley Crue, Seth Meyers, and Broadway musicals like Anastasia and Encanto.

The one-of-a-kind indoor-outdoor setting has terraces and patios with trees lined up so that you can see the artists against the plaza’s twinkle lights before the show. There are family-friendly restaurants nearby, like the House of Blues, where you can get boneless wings and mac ‘n cheese before the show.

Prices are often the same as nearby Los Angeles places, but there isn’t any traffic or parking trouble. At the Grove of Anaheim, families in Orange County can see A-list performers like the Illusionists and unique live shows by internet stars like Kidz Bop and Jojo Siwa. These shows will make memories that will last a lifetime.

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Tour Anaheim Packing House

 

Anaheim Packing House was once an old fruit packing house from 1920 that has been turned into a tasty place for families to get together today. There are about 30 artisanal restaurants on the two-story food hall. They include ramen bars, gelato shops, cocktail clubs, bakeries, cafes, and full-service restaurants.

While you wait, families will enjoy seeing homemade noodles being pulled, custom cakes being decorated, and fresh juice mixes being made. Kids will enjoy eating and be creative at the same time with interactive food stations like donut coloring stations and mix-and-match poke bowls.

At the same time, the weekly farmers market has fruits and vegetables straight from the fields that you can eat on a healthy picnic while listening to music and looking at crafts on the yard. From freshly roasted coffee and house-made sausages to just-picked berries and delicious empanadas, Graze offers flavors from around the world that will give everyone in the family a taste of adventure.

Walk Among Butterflies at Discovery Cube OC

 

Families with kids of all ages can enjoy the fun, hands-on science exhibits spread out over two floors and 120,000 square feet at Discovery Cube OC. The seasonal Butterflies Alive! display is one of the best parts. People can go into a closed-off rainforest environment where hundreds of exotic butterflies flutter around freely as you walk along the paths.

In the life cycle exhibit, you can see butterflies coming out of their chrysalises and learn about species like the vivid blue morphos and the giant swallowtails in their natural surroundings. Kids love it when these tiny birds land on their hands and shoulders and let them get a close look before taking off again.

Families can also experience real rocket launches at Mission Control, fly a virtual hang glider, and play with laser lightwave patterns in other displays. Discovery Cube OC is a great place for the whole family to have fun with science because it’s cheap to get in and the hands-on exhibits are always changing.

Stroll Downtown Disney District

 

The Downtown Disney District is right between Disneyland and California Adventure. It’s 30 acres of kid-friendly activities that are perfect for families. A lot of LEGO and Star Wars build-your-own toy stores line the busy promenades during the day. Sprinkle shops make custom candy bags and there are lots of Mickey souvenirs and photo ops with cartoon characters.

Before going to the VOID to play virtual reality games, grab some snacks to share, like gooey cinnamon rolls, big turkey legs, or giant churros. As the sun goes down, find a spot on the patio to watch the dancing ponds set to classic rock music. Every 30 minutes after dark, the area will be lit up by magical music and light shows. Families will love exploring Downtown Disney’s exciting sights and tastes late into the evening, when there are dozens of places to eat, ranging from pizzas made in the Naples style to Asian street food.

Hike In Nature At Oak Canyon And Bolsa Chica

There are beautiful green spaces with scenic hikes that the whole family can enjoy just minutes from Anaheim’s resort area. In the Anaheim Hills, Oak Canyon Nature Center has almost four miles of trails that are good for families. The paths go by a peaceful pond and a waterfall. The Visitor Center is built into the side of a hill and has a small museum. It also has nature events.

Along the shore, the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve looks out for a small area of important coastal wetlands. A mile of the Mesa Trail goes to a beautiful lookout point with a view of the marshes. A huge number of migratory bird species spend the winter in the marshes or stop by to rest on their long journeys. So bring your glasses to see more than just herons and egrets. The historic Bolsa Chica Gun Club site was very important during the Civil War. As you walk along the road, you can learn about history and enjoy the ocean breeze.

Visit Disneyland and California Adventure

When a family goes to Anaheim, they have to go to “The Happiest Place on Earth,” which is Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. Disneyland has been around since 1955 and has over 60 rides and attractions spread out over 8 different lands on 85 acres. Fantasyland has rides from stories like Dumbo, Peter Pan’s Flight, and It’s a Small World that are great for families with little kids. Teens, parents, and kids can enjoy the thrills of mountains like Space Mountain and the Matterhorn Bobsleds. Every part of the park has exciting things to do for people of all ages, from fighting pirates and ghosts to catching mine trains that have gotten away.

There is a Disney California Adventure right next door. It opened in 2001. Over 7 lands, the park honors the people and places that make up the Golden State. Many people like to visit Cars Land, which has a path full of life-size cars that make you feel small, and Pixar Pier’s Incredicoaster roller coaster.

At the same time, Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train and the Golden Zephyr spin ride in Paradise Gardens Park are great for kids. Of course, a trip to a Disney park wouldn’t be complete without a great parade, a show at night, and a chance for kids to meet their favorite characters. Disneyland is a fun place for the whole family to enjoy together.

Play Mini Golf at Camelot Golfland

Play mini golf at Camelot Golfland for an afternoon to take a break between theme parks. This Anaheim business opened in 1954 and is still a local favorite. It has two 18-hole mini golf courses. Parents can keep score while their kids have fun hitting the ball through small buildings and across babbling brooks. For a relaxing game, the beginning course has windmills and waterfalls that are fun to climb. The advanced course, on the other hand, has loops, bridges, and tunnels that are harder to get through.

There will be friendly competition between groups of all sizes as they try to finish each hole with the fewest strokes possible. You can refuel at one of Camelot Golfland’s casual eating restaurants when you get hungry. These restaurants have arcade games, pool tables, and other fun things to keep the fun going after mini golf. It’s a simple and cheap way to enjoy the outdoors with your family.

Ride Rollercoasters at Knott’s Berry Farm

Knott’s Berry Farm has some of the most exciting rides in Southern California. For teens and families with older children, going there is like a rite of passage. As California’s first theme park, Knott’s has been fun for families since Walter and Cordelia Knott started a simple berry stand in 1920. Over the years, it has grown to include shops, restaurants, and attractions based on the Old West.

Today, Knott’s is spread out over 160 acres and has world-class roller coasters, hands-on activities, live shows, and one-of-a-kind shops. The Silver Bullet, which has three flips, and the Xcelerator, which goes from 0 to 82 mph in less than 2 seconds, are both must-ride roller coasters. GhostRider and Pony Express also have thrilling drops, loops, and corkscrews that will thrill even the most experienced roller coaster fans.

If you want a break from the big rides, go to Camp Snoopy. There, little kids can ride rides with Peanuts figures on them. This historic theme park has lots of fun things for families to do together, like pan for gold and ride in a stagecoach.

See Exotic Animals at Santa Ana Zoo

If you want to see animals close to Disneyland, the Santa Ana Zoo is a great place to do it in a beautiful park setting. Family fun: the zoo is the oldest in Orange County and has over 300 animals from 60 types living in their natural environments.

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In the rainforest show, you can get close to Capuchin monkeys. From a petting corral, you can watch lazy sloths dangle above you and see graceful guanacos grazing. One of the most popular attractions has giant river otters that families can watch swim gracefully through the water while zookeepers talk about the animals.

On the other hand, the Zoofari Express train ride lets you see behind the scenes of animal enclosures that are usually off limits to the public, such as the ones with the cute but dangerous Sumatran tigers. The bright carousel is a must-see for little kids. It has trails that go through the trees and past ponds and waterfalls. Since admission is cheap, the Santa Ana Zoo is a great deal for families on a budget who want to do something fun outside together.

Rappel Down a Waterfall at Descanso Gardens

Descanso Gardens is a peaceful place to relax that is only a 15-minute drive from Disneyland. It has 150 acres of nature trails, scenic overlooks, and hands-on displays. On the Challenger Point rock climbing wall, which is next to a waterfall, families with older kids and teens can work out together.

After a short safety talk, participants are strapped in and given helmets before rappelling down a 36-foot rock wall next to a natural waterfall. It’s a one-of-a-kind chance to push each other and work out problems. The Enchanted Railroad small train ride, which goes through a fun tunnel and trestles, is great for younger children.

The Boddy House also has hands-on displays for scientists and botanists-to-be. If you need a break, you can have a picnic on the well-kept grounds or look at the unique sculptures at the Descanso Garden Art Show. Descanso Gardens has fun things for the whole family to do, from thrilling climbs with beautiful views to relaxing garden walks.

Conclusion

With its many outdoor sites, world-famous theme parks, and Major League Baseball teams, Anaheim has something for everyone in the family to remember. At Disney’s Cars Land, you can ride the Radiator Springs Racers together, and at Descanso Gardens, you can slide down a waterfall next to each other. Anaheim is a fun place that is easy to get around.