Let’s be honest. One of the biggest draws in Anaheim, California, is the house of the mouse, Disneyland. But that’s not the only thing to do. If you’re booking a hotel in Anaheim, we’ve got some exciting news for you! The Orange County area is home to a number of exciting activities and attractions, from professional sports and fun food spots to hands-on experiences and hiking trails. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Anaheim!
Grab some grub at Anaheim Packing District
Enjoy soul food from Georgia’s Restaurant, just one of the vendors at the two-story food hall of Anaheim Packing District.
Hungry? Bring your appetite to Anaheim Packing District. More than 30 artisan food and beverage merchants are housed here. From Indian cuisine and gourmet grilled cheese to Japanese crepes and fish and chips, there’s something here to suit just about every preference.
Root, root, root for the home team—the Anaheim Ducks or Los Angeles Angels, that is
Take me out to the ballgame—peanuts and Cracker Jack are optional. Photo Credit: www.unsplash.com
Depending on the time of year you visit, one of the best things to do in Anaheim besides Disneyland is catch either a professional hockey match or a major league baseball game. The city’s beloved hockey team, the Anaheim Ducks, has thrilled fans since its creation in 1993, based on the movie The Mighty Ducks. Locals and visitors show up in droves at the Honda Center to support the team, decked out in orange, black and gold.
If baseball is more your game, then definitely make time to check out the Los Angeles Angels, an American League MLB team that takes the field in Anaheim in their signature red and white home uniforms. “Win one for the cowboy,” an oft-repeated phrase around Angel Stadium, is a tribute to the late Gene Autry. Best known as the singing cowboy in movies of the 1930s–1950s, Autry founded the team in 1961.
Soar above the city at the Flightdeck Flight Simulation Center
Own the cockpit like a piloting pro at Anaheim’s Flight simulator.
If you feel the need for speed, try a flying simulation at the Flightdeck Flight Simulation Center. Simulators, classroom training and in-flight instruction are available to place visitors in the hot seat, where they can “fly” a fighter jet or Boeing 737. Experience the thrills without the high stakes, or kick back and observe on large-screen TVs in the Officers Club.
Explore Orange County’s heritage at Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center
Stroll through the history of Anaheim and the greater Orange County community at the Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center. View artifacts and memorabilia ranging from fossils to 19th-century wine-making tools in the historic Carnegie Library, built in 1908. Special exhibitions, including holiday displays, also rotate throughout the year.
Let your curiosity roam at Discovery Cube Orange County
Evoke wonder from children of all ages with the interactive exhibits of Discovery Cube Orange County.
Get your hands on more than 100 interactive science exhibits at Discovery Cube Orange County. Life-sized dinosaurs, an exhibit on the science behind hockey and a rocket lab are all on-site, ready to ignite the curiosity of adults and kids alike. You’ll quickly discover why this is one of the best things to do in Anaheim besides Disneyland!
Do some window shopping at South Coast Plaza
Another one of the top things to do in Anaheim besides Disneyland is go glam at South Coast Plaza. Because this is no ordinary mall—big-name designers and critically acclaimed restaurants populate this top destination—you might want to look, but not touch. But my oh my, is it fun to look here—find high-end evening gowns, artisan fine furniture, Harry Winston jewels and Christian Louboutin heels with signature red soles. It’s a little taste of Rodeo Drive without having to drive into Los Angeles!
Catch a show at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Witness some of the finest stage performances in Southern California at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. The facility hosts the likes of John Legend, Diana Krall, the So You Think You Can Dance tour and touring Broadway shows such as Waitress and Dear Evan Hansen. The Pacific Symphony is also based here and performs frequently with a dazzling list of guests.
Stretch your legs at Oak Canyon Nature Center
Take a hike among the four miles of Oak Canyon Nature Center’s Anaheim Hills campus.
Finally, one of the top things to do in Anaheim besides Disneyland is to simply get outside into the Anaheim hills. Oak Canyon Nature Center features miles of hiking trails through oak woodland and coastal sage scrub, where you can observe native wildlife. Don’t miss the John J. Collier Interpretive center, which houses live animal and natural history exhibits.