Kids are the whole reason this wonderland of theme parks was created. They can enjoy the street life of Downtown Disney, play in the water at Knott’s Soak City; and try out the coasters at Knott’s Berry Farm or LEGOLAND.

Downtown Disney District
The Downtown Disney District is a replica of a street scene that’s located inside the main gates of Disneyland. This attractive thoroughfare is alive with things to do that will keep the kids happy and is also lined with shops and eateries and all sorts of street shows and entertainment. You can do some window-shopping as you stroll along, stop for a meal, or enjoy the music that you’ll hear everywhere. The main highlights of the district include a number of themed restaurants and entertainment venues. The ESPN Zone is a great spot for sports dining, entertainment and activities and it boasts an interactive game room and rock-climbing wall. Not to be missed is The World of Disney, which is undoubtedly the biggest Disney shopping opportunity to be found anywhere. For the movie fans, there’s also a 12-screen AMC multiplex theatre.

Knott's Soak City Water Park
Knott's Soak City Water Park is just next door to Knott’s Berry Farm on a 13-acre site that was developed in the 1950s. There are plenty of things to do here such as: tubes and body slides, speed slides, a lagoon with artificial waves, and a pool area for the youngest ones. The park is open from late May (Memorial Day) to early September (Labor Day).

LEGOLAND California
Located about one hour’s drive south of Anaheim, LEGOLAND features over 40 rides for the kids and dozens of shows and attractions that will keep them happy for hours. The LEGO TECHNIC Coaster provides plenty of thrills as it speeds through dips and razor-sharp curves.

Cultural activities in Anaheim range from historical museums dedicated to the development of the city to the Nixon Library and a wonderful collection of America cultural art at the Bowers Museum.

Anaheim Museum
The Anaheim Museum is housed in the Orange County Carnegie Library, just minutes from the Convention Center. In the museum, you’ll find presentations and displays on the city’s history with rotating exhibits featured in the north and south galleries. A special gallery dedicated to children helps make a visit here an interesting experience for the whole family.

Antique Historical District/Old Towne Orange
In July 1871, a wooden stake was driven into the ground, marking the centre of a new town to be built. The new town was first called Richland, then Orange and later referred to as Old Towne Orange, the ‘antique capital’ of California. Old Towne Orange is about 10 minutes by car from Disneyland and boasts close to 40 shops specialising in antiques and collectibles shops and also a number of quaint restaurants and tea rooms. A couple of landmarks are particularly notable: a Victorian fountain, dating from 1887 and a Norfolk star pine, which was planted in 1903.

Bowers Museum of Cultural Art
This museum is one of Anaheim’s main cultural attractions. It features permanent exhibits on beadwork from the Plains cultures, household items and saddles adorned with silver found on early California ranches, a representative collection of California impressionist paintings, and wood carvings from the Pacific Northwest. Special touring exhibits come to the museum on a regular basis. A new wing was recently opened, having an auditorium accommodating 300 spectators and also a gallery of Asian art. The youngsters will enjoy the Bowers Kidseum which features interactive exhibits targeting ages 6-12, art classes, arts-and-crafts workshops and storytelling sessions.

Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace
The Nixon Library was opened in July 1990 in nearby Yorba Linda, as a privately-funded, non-profit institution that is dedicated to the life and work of the 37th President of the US. Public forums are also hosted here, ranging from town meetings to conferences organised around national policy issues. Visitors will find recorded materials available that include the infamous Watergate tapes. On the grounds are the farmhouse where the former president was born and lived as a child and the final resting places of Nixon and his wife Pat. There are lovely gardens on the grounds, including 1,300 rose bushes grouped in a design similar to that used at the White House.

You can be sure that you’ll work up an appetite when you spend time at the area’s theme parks and you’ll certainly have a huge range of choices when deciding what and where to eat. Disneyland can cater to just about every type of food you may be looking for and outside the theme park there are now plenty of additional options. Anaheim’s tourist infrastructure has developed along with the influx of visitors, now providing a much wider range of dining options. This includes the major expansion within the Disney resort, which has added a number of theme restaurants along the Downtown Disney stretch; excellent dining options at the many resort hotels and other theme parks and in many other Orange County, greater Los Angeles and southern California locations.

If you’re looking for bargains on name-brand merchandise, there are more than 200 stores located in the Anaheim Indoor Marketplace, where you’ll find goods discounted at up to 70 per cent below retail price. There’s quite a variety on offer here, including athletic shoes, electronics, jewellery, luggage, gifts and souvenirs. On weekends, there’s even live entertainment featured at this shopping wonderland. Little Saigon features the Asian Garden and its 400 boutiques, specialty shops and restaurants as well as the largest jewellery centre in Orange County. A wide range of items crafted in 24k gold are available here, as are diamonds, jade and pearls.

Anaheim boasts excellent weather year-round and visitors will find themselves spending most of their time outdoors. This could be at the area’s theme parks, watching sporting events, golfing or even go-kart racing.

Anaheim Angels
Take in a major league baseball game, when the Anaheim Angels play at their home field of Edison International Field. The park is just a few minutes’ drive from the Anaheim Convention Center and is located at the junction of Katella avenue and State College boulevard.

Anaheim Dad Miller Golf Course
This course is popular with players of all ages and skill levels. It’s easily walked and is situated next to a lake and amid shade trees. The course features a practice centre with bunkers, a chipping green and also a driving range that’s well-lighted for night use. Reservations are necessary here and can be made up to a week in advance.

Dromo One
This is where to head if go-kart racing is on the agenda. A comprehensive briefing session is mandatory after which, racers don their safety equipment and prepare to compete in a field of nine drivers. Race results are posted after each race. You must be at least 5 feet tall to participate and 18 years old, or have the signature of a parent.

Wild Rivers Waterpark
You’ll find over 40 water rides and various attractions, including two huge wave pools at this water park. Tubes are provided for your convenience, as are lockers and parking. You can hire body boards for the Hurricane wave pool and food and beverages are also available.