What You Can Do in Anaheim That’s NOT Disneyland

Thinking about planning a Disneyland trip but not sure there’s enough to do in the parks to make it more than just a long-weekend trip?

Unlike Disney World, Disneyland is located in the heart of a much larger city – Anaheim! And, there are plenty of other things to do in the area that are just a short walk or car ride away. So, we’re breaking down all of the things that you didn’t know you can add to your Disneyland trip outside of the parks!

Anaheim Garden Walk

First up is Anaheim Garden Walk, which is located about a 10-minute walk away from Disneyland Resort. It is filled with dining, shopping, and family-friendly activities that can give you a little reprive from the parks without having to go too far.

House of Blues

You might remember that the House of Blues closed in Downtown Disney back in 2016 to move to a new location. And, that new location is Anaheim Garden Walk!

So, you can enjoy dishes like their popular Voodoo Shrimp while taking in their daily live entertainment. Or, you can catch a concert here on the weekends.

Huckleberry’s

If you’re looking for a breakfast or brunch option that you won’t be able to find anywhere outside of California (for now, at least), Anaheim Garden Walk is also home to Huckleberry’s.

The menu features “southern cookin’ with a California twist” and highlights here include the Huckleberry Lemonade (if you’re looking for something sweet) and the New Orleans Skillet. Plus, you can even start your meal off with something sweet — just order up the Mardi Gras Beignets as an appetizer!

Mission Escape Games

Disneyland is made for families, but instead of hopping on another ride or bonding over how many miles you’ve logged in a day between park hopping, you can work together as a team to solve puzzles over at Mission Escape Games.

This location offers four different themed games and you’ll only have 60 minutes to escape. Pricing varies based on how many people you’re escaping with and what day you choose to play, so be sure to check the website for pricing before you book your reservation.

Downtown Anaheim

Another area to add to your visit is Downtown Anaheim! It is located about a 10-minute drive from Disneyland Resort, but, once you’re there, it’s easy to get around for free using Anaheim’s FRAN (Free Rides Around the Neighborhood) service.

Farmers Market

If you want to experience a taste of the local culture, you can visit the Farmers Market, which takes place daily from 11AM to 3PM. Here you’ll find vendors selling everything from local honey and fresh produce to handmade jewelry and trinkets that make a great souvenir to take home.

Plus, the street that the Farmers Market is located on also has some unique stores, restaurants, and bakeries to explore.

Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center

Just around the corner from the Farmers Market is the Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center, which features a year-round display plus some special holiday events.

Throughout the year, the main gallery includes two rotating exhibitions and one dedicated to the history of the city of Anaheim. The area is a lot different nowadays than it was before Disneyland was built, so you can learn more about its rich history and even see some Disneyland memorabilia like the original ABCDE ride tickets and more!

The price of admission is $10 for those ages 16+, $7 for those 4-15, and free for children 3 and under.

And, during the holiday season, Muzeo Express takes over one of the exhibits featuring a full holiday model train display. The exhibit is put together by local volunteers and families can come to view the expansive train displays (including some Disney ones!) during the day or visit for Polar Express Pajama Parties where kids watch The Polar Express, meet a conductor, make a craft, enjoy hot chocolate and treats, and more.

General admission to Muzeo Express is $8 per adult, $5 per child and the Polar Express Pajama Party is $10 per adult and $15 per child.

Anaheim Packing House

While not located directly in Downtown Anaheim, the Anaheim Packing House is just a short FRAN ride away! The transportation service functions a lot like Uber, where you just need an app and the golf cart-style vehicle will pick you up from any location in the area and take you to the next one for free. So, you can make a full day out of your visit to Downtown Anaheim by hopping onboard.

The Anaheim Packing House was originally an orange processing plant but it has since been rebuilt into a hip food hall with a variety of small eateries (and even a hidden bar!). This can be a great place to head for lunch or dinner if you have picky eaters in your group because everyone can order up something from a location that they’d like, and then you can all come together to eat.

And, that hidden bar we mentioned? It’s called The Blind Rabbit and is themed as a prohibition-era speakeasy. It’s pretty popular though, so you’ll need to make a reservation in advance and honor the 90-minute time limit when inside.

Unsung Brewing Company

Located just across the street from the Anaheim Packing House in the MAKE Building is Unsung Brewing Company. And, if you’re a fan of Marvel comics then this is an attraction in itself!

The brewery is themed after comic books and you can find LOTS of Marvel memorabilia here. Plus, the beers are also named after recognizable superheroes or ones that the brewery creates on their own. And, if you’ve ever had a beer in Disneyland, you might recognize this brand as it is served at Sonoma Terrace, Club 33, and select hotels at Disneyland!

So, there are a lot of ways to turn your Disneyland trip into a full-on vacation to Anaheim! And, if you’re ready to start planning, you can also check out our video below to see what you can fill your park days with too.

And, stay tuned to AllEars for more of the latest Disney vacation tips, tricks, and updates!

Check out Ten Tips for Planning Your First Disneyland Trip like a Pro!

Disclosure: We were invited by Visit Anaheim to tour the city and its offerings. This did not affect our reporting of the event — our opinions are our own

Will you be exploring the City of Anaheim on your next Disneyland trip? Let us know in the comments!

Post a Comment