The Top Things to See and Do in Anaheim, California

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Park

Disneyland and its sibling park, California Adventure, are pretty obvious choices – their princess castles and magical lands filled with fairytale characters are universally known. Not so well known is that discounted tickets are available for southern California residents; so if you live nearby, purchase a season pass to come whenever you want.

Resort, Hotel

If you don’t want to pay to enter the parks or wait in long lines, but still want to experience Mickey’s magic, head to Downtown Disney and eat in one of the themed restaurants. Don’t miss the dazzling Grand Californian Hotel and the restaurant inside, Napa Rose.

Shopping Mall

Anaheim is a shopper’s paradise, with plenty of malls to explore. But for mega discounts on luxury brands, including Bloomingdale’s, Steve Madden and Nordstrom, head to The Outlets at Orange. And should you need a pick-me-up, there are several casual restaurants serving hearty grub.

Stadium

The ‘other’ Los Angeles baseball team, the Angels, play at this 45,000-seater stadium. It’s conveniently located for SoCal residents, and runs behind-the-scenes tours should you want to explore beyond the bleachers. Come game time, simply grab a hot dog and popcorn and cheer on the team.

Stadium

In the shadow of Angels Stadium is this 1,700-seat indoor music venue built in 1998. It’s best-known for hosting quirky acts in its intimate setting, but big-name performers have also graced the stage, including Ray Charles, Stevie Nicks and Prince.

Restaurant, American, $

For an all-out musical extravaganza, you can’t go wrong with the House of Blues in Downtown Disney. The main hall is a temple to the genre, with several bars for drinks and snacks. And for a more intimate evening, check out the smaller venue known as The Parish. Pre-show food is a hit too, thanks to the restaurant serving Southern-inspired bites.

Sports Center

The Flight Simulation Center offers an experience difficult to replicate. Get behind the cockpit of an F-16 fighter jet and mimic takeoffs, landings, and in-air maneuvers. If you’re coming with kids, the minimum age to take control of the simulators is 11.

Church, Museum

A short drive from the city center is this landmark Spanish mission, best known for being home to migrating swallows. It was built in 1776 – in what is now the historic district – and is the best-maintained structure from that era. It’s also considered the birthplace of Orange County and welcomes more 300,000 visitors annually.