Last Updated on March 5, 2020
We love Disneyland and we aren’t afraid to admit it. If you take a look around this blog, you’ll notice that we have been three times in the last four years, most recently when we visited Disneyland with 18 people! When the not-so-nice weather starts to hit Vancouver, Anaheim is a short airplane ride away and we soon find ourselves with sunny weather and many options to relax.
Anaheim’s claim to fame is Disneyland, but there are still a lot of activities to take in after you’re done running around with Mickey Mouse and his friends.
Here are 8 Fun Things to Do in Anaheim (After You’ve Done Disneyland)
If you happen to find yourself in Anaheim and have a few days to spare, we’ve partnered with Visit Anaheim to share some other great activities to keep you busy and smiling around Anaheim.
Go to an Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim baseball game
It’s one of our goals to visit every MLB ball park in North America. We have started officially checking off the list, though our last trip to LA included a trip to the famed Dodger Stadium.
Our next trip to the area will definitely have to include an Angels ball game. We love being able to indulge in delicious stadium food and a good ball game as baseball was a huge part of my life growing up. The feeling of watching a ball game live is indescribable for me.
If you want to check out an Angels ball game, make sure you take a look at their schedule: http://m.angels.mlb.com/schedule/
Go to an Anaheim Ducks hockey game
Darcy is the huge hockey fan, so visiting every arena he possibly can as we travel is high up on his list, too. The atmosphere at a hockey game is like none other and it is always fun to witness the fast-paced game live. Each stadium is unique in its own way and the fans that fill each seat bring endless levels of enthusiasm and passion. We love to witness how different each stadium really is.
If you want to check out an Anaheim Ducks hockey game, make sure you take a look at their schedule: https://www.nhl.com/ducks/schedule
Get your Top Gun on at Flightdeck
Flightdeck is a fully realistic flight simulator where you get to experience and feel exactly what it’s like to be in a fight with F-16 Falcon fighter jets. After your briefing, you’ll find yourself in a realistic cockpit, feeling like you’re flying high while you battle your friends you came with.
You’re also all on coms, so you’re able to talk as much smack to each other as you like as you shoot each other from the sky.
Find out more details at http://flightdeck1.com/
Join the circus at Swing It Trapeze
We’ve tried Trapeze indoors in the Vancouver area and absolutely fell in love. Having the opportunity to Trapeze outside would be mind-blowing fun. You’ll get to take circus and acrobatic classes from professionals who love teaching you to swing from trapeze bars.
It really is a thrill when you jump off the platform and swing through the air. After one lesson, you’ll be hooked!
Find out more about the classes they offer at http://www.swingittrapeze.net
Explore the beaches
Orange County’s 42 miles of alluring coastline features lively beach towns, family fun, vibrant boardwalks and cool breezes in the warm California sun. We loved driving the Orange County coastline and exploring the different beach cities, each offering its own unique brand of the Southern California experience.
Our favourite beach stops have included: Laguna Beach, San Clemente, and Huntington Beach. On our first trip to LA years ago, we took a beach tour that picked us up from our hotel near Disneyland and stopped at each of the different beaches along the coastline. On our last trip, with little kids in tow, we had rented a vehicle and were able to explore all the beaches at our leisure over a couple days instead of trying to cram it all into the one action-packed day. One of the best gems we found was San Clemente, thanks to Madison needing a potty break!
Attend Dinner and a Jousting Tournament
On our first visit to the Anaheim area, we checked out the Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament. It is a fun family dinner theater featuring staged medieval-style games, sword-fighting, and jousting. Cheer your knight on to see if he becomes the Champion at the end of the two hour show.
Find out more about buying tickets at http://www.medievaltimes.com
If pirates are more your style, another great option for family entertainment would be the Pirates Dinner Adventure, set aboard an 18th century Spanish galleon adrift in a 250,000 gallon lagoon. Guests will witness an array of special effects, aerial artistry, swashbuckling swordplay and dynamic duels, all while devouring a four-course feast.
Find out more about making a reservation at http://piratesdinneradventureca.com
Visit the Anaheim Packing House
A former Sunkist® citrus packing facility was restored and opened in 2014 as the Anaheim Packing House. You’ll find a hip food hall with a communal dining area, where you are surrounded by more than 20 artisanal eateries that have innovative takes on your favourite comfort food and international classics.
History and great food all in one place — what more could you ask for?
Find out what events are happening at http://anaheimpackingdistrict.com/calendar/events
Best of Los Angeles Tour from Anaheim
Though technically outside of “Anaheim”, if you’re around town and have the time, we suggest that you take the opportunity to venture to some Hollywood attractions like the Walk of Fame and the Chinese Theatre, venturing along Sunset Strip, and anywhere else that tickles your fancy when you think “Hollywood”.
We found that it was really only something you needed to see once in your life, and taking a day tour, or venturing on your own by car would both be great options. You will find no shortage of companies wanting to take you to see the sights, with round-trip transportation right from the doorstep of your Anaheim hotel.
What are some of your favourite activities to do in Anaheim? What would you love to do from the list above?