CtrCity Anaheim ranks first in the list of best things to do in Anaheim. CtrCity, or Central City, is Anaheim's historic downtown core. It is now a hip and trendy district near Disneyland. The charm is concentrated on either side of the Center Street Promenade, with boutique shops, local eateries, and luxurious lofts. With palm trees lining much of the way, these historic few blocks are ideal for an afternoon stroll.

Central City's restaurants make it an excellent dining destination as well. Restaurants like the Hummus Bean provide casual fare and comfortable seating, while Pour Vida provides even more flavor to enjoy in the evening. Jewelry, fashion labels, and chic home décor are some of the local treasures to look for when shopping. Central City is also rich in cultural attractions. The Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center, housed within a historic Carnegie Library, is located in the heart of this vibrant district, and Anaheim Ice, located on the west end, hosts dozens of hockey and ice-skating events throughout the week.

Google Rating: 4.8/5.0

Addess: 201 S Anaheim Blvd #1003, Anaheim, CA 92805

Contact: N/a

Website: ctrcityanaheim.com

This popular regional park is located less than nine miles northwest of Anaheim. The park, which encompasses over 100 acres next to the Coyote Hills, is a beautiful place to get away and enjoy the Southern California countryside. This lovely setting provides a scenic backdrop for all of the park's amenities.

The park is mostly open grassland shaded by large trees. This area is traversed by numerous paved and dirt trails, many of which lead to the park's three-acre stocked fishing lake. This path is also lined with benches and picnic tables, making it an ideal location for an outdoor meal.

Other park attractions include playground equipment and an amphitheater. The park also has basketball and tennis courts, volleyball nets, and ball fields. Abundant waterfowl like ducks and geese live at the park, and guests are asked not to feed these aquatic park residents.

Google Rating: 4.7/5.0
Address: 8800 Rosecrans Ave, Buena Park, CA 90621
Contact: +1 714-973-3170
Website: ocparks.com/clarkpark

Disneyland Resort ranks 3rd on the list of best things to do in Anaheim. Anaheim's main attraction is also the "Happiest Place on Earth." Disneyland Park and the adjacent Disney California Adventure Park combine to form the Disneyland Resort of Anaheim, a truly magical place for both children and adults to explore. The sheer number of themed lands within the park necessitates the use of a map. Tomorrowland is always a favorite among the many places to visit. It has classic rides like Space Mountain as well as kid-friendly rides like the Astro Orbiter. Other areas to explore include Fantasyland, Adventureland, and Star Wars: Galaxy Edge, where you can pilot the Millennium Falcon and create your own lightsaber.

No trip to Disneyland is complete without a stop on Main Street, USA, and a photo with the "Mickey Floral" parterre. Disneyland After Dark is an additional and separately ticketed experience that includes a sky-lighting firework display. Disneyland Resort provides a complete experience. Aside from the rides and themed attractions, guests are likely to run into famous characters on the street. Character encounters scheduled include superhero encounters, Disney princess performances, and meet-and-greets with Pixar pals.

Google Rating: 4.7/5.0
Address: 1313 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, California
Contact: +1 714-781-4636
Website: disneyland.disney.go.com

Yorba Park has been developed to provide an abundance of family and group picnicking facilities. More than 400 picnic tables are situated in the park, many with permanent shade structures. A series of four lakes with connecting streams offer a pleasing aquatic environment and provide opportunities for fishing and model boat sailing. Bicycle trails meander through the park, and connect to the nationally recognized Santa Ana River Trail, leading some 20 miles to the Pacific Ocean. Playgrounds and restrooms can be found throughout the park. The park also offers seven group shelters (available by reservation), volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, two ball diamonds, a physical fitness course, and some 200 barbecues.

In the quiet morning, walkers stroll to the sound of ducks calling, and joggers pick up the pace along the scenic trails by the afternoon. Come weekends in Yorba, the picnic tables are well utilized by family birthday celebrations, and no matter the time of day, the playground space is always a popular spot to burn off some energy.

Google Rating: 4.7/5.0

Address: 211 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Contact: +1 714-973-6615

Website: ocparks.com/clarkpark

Anaheim Packing District ranks 5th on the list of best things to do in Anaheim. The Anaheim Packing District, located a few blocks south of CtrCity and downtown Anaheim, provides a contemporary cultural experience within historic architecture. The district now includes three national historical landmarks, including a former Packard car dealership and a marmalade factory. And these historic locations now provide culinary creations as well as open spaces for the public to enjoy.

The restored Anaheim Packing House Food Hall is the Anaheim Packing District's main attraction. What was once a citrus packing warehouse in downtown Anaheim is now one of the country's most modern food halls, complete with high ceilings and plenty of natural light. The stylish Packing House Food Hall is lined with numerous food stalls and specialty purveyors. Cajun, vegan comfort food, and Japanese-style crepes are among the international options. Many of the restaurants have limited seating, but there is plenty of open space and public tables to find a seat throughout the food hall. The food hall's atrium-like appearance adds a freshness to every meal. Farmers Park, located in the Packing District, is a beautifully landscaped green space and garden with a scenic boardwalk. When the weather is nice, this is a great place to eat outside.

Google Rating: 4.6/5.0
Address: 440 South Anaheim Boulevard, Anaheim, California
Contact: +1 714-533-7225
Website: anaheimpackingdistrict.com

Pearson Park ranks 6th on the list of best things to do in Anaheim. It is a beautiful city park located one block north of CtrCity and Downtown Anaheim. It encompasses a historic 19-acre park that was established in 1927 as "City Park." In 1960, the park was renamed after former Mayor Charles. It is still a popular natural space in the heart of the city today.

The Pearson Park Amphitheater is probably what brings the most people to the park. This Spanish-style outdoor venue space has hosted concerts for nearly as long as the park has been open, providing many SoCal residents with long-lasting summer memories. Over 2,000 people can be accommodated on the lawn in front of the amphitheater.

Pearson Park also has a playground, a swimming pool, and plenty of picnic benches and shelters. The park also has lighted facilities for sports such as football/soccer and a softball diamond. In the summer, there is also a swimming pool with lifeguards.

Google Rating: 4.5/5.0

Address: 8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, California

Contact: 714-765-5191

Website: anaheim.net/1432/Pearson-Park-Amphitheatre

Anaheim GardenWalk ranks 7th on the list of best things to do in Anaheim. The Anaheim GardenWalk is a pedestrian-friendly entertainment district located near the Disneyland Resort's gates. It spans 430,000 square acres in the Anaheim resort district, and its outdoor plaza is lined with shopping and dining. The House of Blues, Anaheim is a GardenWalk institution with its own restaurant and a rotating lineup of nationally touring live music acts. Other well-known restaurants, such as P.F. Changs and The Cheesecake Factory, are nearby, as are regional favorites such as Johnny Rockets and Grasslands Meat Market.

Bowling lanes, virtual reality arcades, and Latin music nightclubs are among the other fun places to visit and things to do on the GardenWalk. The facility's "Art on the Walk" program is appreciated throughout the GardenWalk, with a variety of colorful murals on the walls. Many of Anaheim's best hotels are also nearby, with places like the JW Marriott providing the most convenient access to all of the cultural action.

Google Rating: 4.3/5.0

Address: 400 Disney Way, Anaheim, California

Contact: +1 562-695-1513

Website: anaheimgardenwalk.com

Knott's Berry Farm in Anaheim is defined by roller coasters, waterslides, and a local backstory. This amusement park, in conjunction with Knott's Soak City water park, has grown into one of the best theme parks in California, allowing for multiple days of family fun. Thrill rides at Knott's Berry Farm include Montezooma's Revenge and La Revolución, as well as HangTime, California's first and only dive coaster with a 96-degree drop. The Pony Express offers accelerating thrills without inversions or large drops, making it ideal for first-time roller-coaster riders. Calico Mine Ride and Surfside Gliders are two other family rides.

Other attractions at Knott's Berry Farm include musical shows, ghost towns, and unique dining experiences, as well as Knott's Summer Night celebrations with live music and food trucks. Knott's Soak City Water Park is the coolest place to be at Knott's Berry Farm between May and September. Soak City, Orange County's largest water park, features over 20 different waterslides as well as a massive wave pool, lazy river, and interactive kids' area. Soak City offers private cabana rentals for those who want to spend the day relaxing in their own personal space.

Google Rating: 4.3/5.0
Address: 8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, California
Contact: +1 562-695-1513
Website: anaheimgardenwalk.com