Best Things to Do in Anaheim That Aren't Disneyland

Anaheim is well-known for Disneyland, but trust us, there’s so much more to do here! There are many fun activities, tasty food spots, and exciting events you can check out without stepping foot in Disneyland. The best part? Many of these things are not expensive, so you can enjoy Anaheim on a budget!

Anaheim has it all if you like trying new things, exploring local spots, or just enjoying the sunshine. You can check out incredible breweries, visit a famous sports stadium, shop ‘til you drop, or even hike through beautiful trails.

Best Things to Do in Anaheim

Here’s what you can do.

Live Your Fighter Pilot Dream at Flightdeck Air Combat Center

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to fly a fighter jet? You can try it at Flightdeck Air Combat Center! You’ll get to sit in a real flight simulator and feel what flying high in the sky like a fighter pilot is like flying high in the sky. You’ll even get to take on air-to-air combat missions or land on an aircraft carrier, just like in the movies! It’s a fun and exciting way to try something new.

If flying isn’t your thing, don’t worry! Rogue Racing is where you race a fast, powerful car on a super-realistic simulator.

Location: 400 West Disney Way, Anaheim, CA 92802

Eat at the Anaheim Packing House

This remarkable building used to be where they packed oranges, but now it’s a food hall with many yummy choices! If you like trying new things, you can taste dishes like noodles with a mix of Vietnamese and Creole flavours. Or, maybe you’re craving a grilled cheese sandwich made just as you like it. You can even try exciting meals like chicken tikka masala poutine (French fries with gravy, cheese, and chicken).

You can visit one of the bars inside when the sun starts to go down. Enjoy a cold craft beer or sip on a glass of wine. For something special, check out The Blind Rabbit, a secret bar hidden behind a bookshelf! There, you can drink unique cocktails made just for the season.

Location: 440 South Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92805

Golden Road Brewery’s Outdoor Beer Garden

It’s right across the street from Angel Stadium, so it’s easy to find. This place has a big outdoor beer garden to enjoy a cold drink with friends or family. They have over 30 different types of beer, including some new ones made at the brewery.

What makes Golden Road Brewery extra unique is that it’s family-friendly!

Location: 2210 E. Orangewood Ave., Anaheim, CA 92806

Feel the Excitement at Angel Stadium

This stadium is full of history and fun, and it’s the perfect place to see excellent players like Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani in action. The special treat after every Saturday night home game makes Angel Stadium even more remarkable. After the game, they have a big fireworks show (It doesn’t matter if the Angels win or lose; there are always fireworks to light up the sky).

Angel Stadium is also a fantastic place to spend time with family or friends. You can enjoy the game together, cheer for the Angels, and have a good time. Plus, the tickets are cheaper than you think.

Location: 2000 E Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, CA 92806

Watch Hockey at the Duck Pond

If you’re not into baseball but like sports, you can watch a hockey game at the Honda Center called the Duck Pond. This is the home of the Anaheim Ducks hockey team, and the place gets super loud and exciting when the Ducks play at home. Before you head inside, you should practice your best duck call! The fans at the game love to quack along with the action.

And if you have an old Mighty Ducks t-shirt from the classic Disney movie, this is the perfect place to wear it. The whole atmosphere at the Honda Center is enjoyable, and it’s not too expensive.

Location: 2695 East Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA 92806

Adventure City

It’s a smaller park than Disneyland, but there’s still a lot to do, and it’s super fun! At Adventure City, kids can see and pet animals like goats, chickens, and rabbits at the petting zoo. There are also cool rides, like a fun roller coaster and a train ride around the park. Plus, there’s an arcade where you can play games and even a rock-climbing wall if you’re feeling adventurous.

The entrance fee is less than $30, much cheaper than the big theme parks.

Location: 1238 S Beach Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92804

Relax at Nearby Beaches: Huntington Beach

Even though Anaheim isn’t right on the coast, you’re still close to some fantastic beaches! Huntington Beach is 35 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. You can ride the waves, join a volleyball game, or simply relax on the sand and soak up the California sun. It’s a lively spot with a buzzing atmosphere where families, friends, and surfers gather to enjoy the day.

If you’re flying in, the closest airport to Huntington Beach is John Wayne Airport (SNA). It’s only about 10 miles to get straight to the beach after landing! Whether planning to spend the day surfing or enjoying the ocean breeze, the convenient airport access makes this beach a top choice for visitors.

Hike Through the Anaheim Hills

You can start your hike at Sycamore Park Trail Head, where many trails begin. One of the best and easiest trails for beginners is the Weir Canyon Trail. This trail isn’t too challenging, so anyone can do it, even if you’re new to hiking. Walking along this trail, you’ll see some wonderful views. It’s the perfect spot for a relaxing walk, and you can take many pictures to remember nature’s beauty.

Location (Sycamore Park Trail Head): 8268 East Monte Vista Road, Anaheim, CA 92808

Practice Your Putting Skills at Camelot Golfland

These courses have extraordinary obstacles, water features, and interactive parts that make the game fun. Whether you’re young or old, you’ll enjoy it! Additionally, Camelot Golfland isn’t just for golf. They also have bumper boats where you can splash around and laugh with friends and family. When the summer comes, Camelot Golfland turns up the fun with a water park! You can splash and cool off, perfect for those hot days.

Location: 3200 E Carpenter Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806

Try Local Beers at Karl Strauss Brewing Company

They make over 150 types yearly, like IPAs, sours, red ales, and even unique seasonal beers. Besides beer, the food at Karl Strauss is also excellent. You can get tasty seafood, juicy steaks, yummy burgers, and fresh salads. Whether you’re a beer lover or just someone looking for a great meal, this place has something for everyone.

Location: 2390 E Orangewood Ave #100, Anaheim, CA 92806

Go Fishing at Yorba Regional Park

This park is super pretty, with a quiet path around some lakes and the Santa Ana River. The loop is 1.4 miles long, excellent for a relaxed walk to enjoy nature and clear your mind. Yorba Regional Park is also a great place if you like fishing. There are many spots by the water where you can throw out your fishing line and enjoy the peace and quiet.

If you want to do more, there are over 100 miles of trails you can walk or bike on.

Location: 7600 East La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA 92807

Dive into Fun at Great Wolf Lodge

It’s a fantastic indoor water park with over 105,000 square feet of fun. Imagine splashing in wave pools, zooming down water slides, and floating along a lazy river! There are many other cool things to do, like playing mini-golf, trying out a ropes course, and having fun in the arcade.

Location: 12681 Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove, CA 92840

Conclusion

Anaheim isn’t just about Disneyland. There’s so much more to see and do! You can explore parks, eat delicious food, watch sports, or relax at the beach. Anaheim has something fun for everyone, whether with your family and friends or travelling alone. Take some time to try these exciting things and make special memories in this fantastic city.