Rainy-Day & Indoor Activities in the Inland Empire

Ontario · Indoor Play

Huge indoor outlet mall anchored by Dave & Buster's arcade, an AMC 30 movie theater, and the Improv Comedy Club & Dinner Theatre — a reliable rainy-day plan with dining and entertainment under one roof.

Free entry; attractions extra

Beaumont · Museums & Learning

About 15 minutes east off the I-10, the giant roadside Dinny and Mr. Rex are a guaranteed kid hit and an Inland Empire icon. Snap photos of the big dinosaurs free from the parking lot, or pay to go inside with the smaller animatronic dinos and a dino-dig area. A great quick stop on the way to or from Palm Springs.

Temecula · Shopping & Treats

An enclosed regional mall with roughly 170 stores, a food court and an IMAX cinema under one roof — the obvious indoor fallback in the valley.

San Bernardino · Museums & Learning

On the site of the world's first McDonald's (1940) — a quirky free memorabilia museum and fun Route 66 photo stop.

Riverside · Museums & Learning

100+ aircraft, mostly on an outdoor flight line — the closest big attraction for Moreno Valley families. The tarmac bakes by midday.

Perris · Museums & Learning

California's largest railway museum (formerly Orange Empire) — admission and parking are free, and weekends you can ride real trolleys all day.

Riverside · Museums & Learning

The country's premier Chicano art museum — kids love the giant lenticular 'Lock & Key' piece. First Sundays (Oct–May) are free with a reservation.

Riverside · Museums & Learning

100+ aircraft, mostly on an outdoor flight line — the closest big attraction for Moreno Valley families. The tarmac bakes by midday.

Colton · Museums & Learning

The city library at 656 N 9th St offers weekly preschool story-time craft programs and after-school homework help. Call ahead for the story-time day and current hours.

Eastvale · Museums & Learning

Eastvale's Riverside County branch sits on the Eleanor Roosevelt High School campus, so plan around its afternoon-heavy hours. It runs free kids' story times and is a reliable cool, quiet escape on triple-digit afternoons. Saturday mornings are the easiest window for a relaxed visit with little ones.

Norco · Museums & Learning

A small room inside the Norco Community Center (2870 Clark Ave) with archived photos, documents and relics from Norco history, staffed by the Historic Preservation Commission. A quick 20–30 minute stop, only open Thursdays, so pair it with a park visit.

Moreno Valley · Museums & Learning

The main branch on Alessandro Blvd is a reliable free rainy-day or beat-the-heat option with a children's section and regular story times. Library cards are free for any Riverside or San Bernardino County resident, so visitors staying nearby can borrow too. Check the online events calendar since family programming changes week to week.

Fontana · Museums & Learning

A large, modern county library with a kids' area and free tech access — a cool, free indoor refuge with regular children's programs.

Rialto · Museums & Learning

This San Bernardino County branch on W 1st St is an easy free rainy-day or beat-the-heat option right downtown near City Park. Kids can grab books and cool off in the air conditioning, and county libraries run free children's story times and craft programs. Closed Sundays, so plan a Saturday visit if the weekend is your only window.

Ontario · Indoor Play

Huge indoor outlet mall anchored by Dave & Buster's arcade, an AMC 30 movie theater, and the Improv Comedy Club & Dinner Theatre — a reliable rainy-day plan with dining and entertainment under one roof.

Free entry; attractions extra

San Bernardino · Museums & Learning

On the site of the world's first McDonald's (1940) — a quirky free memorabilia museum and fun Route 66 photo stop.

Chino · Museums & Learning

Across Chino Airport from Planes of Fame, Yanks holds one of the most complete collections of American aircraft anywhere, kept in gleaming condition inside huge climate-controlled hangars. It's more hushed and polished than its neighbor — a good rainy-day pick. Serious plane families can do both museums in one day since they're a two-minute drive apart.

Chino · Museums & Learning

Nearly 100 aircraft, many still airworthy — weekends you can climb inside the B-17. Pair it with Yanks Air Museum next door for an aviation day.

Redlands · Museums & Learning

A storybook 1898 Moorish-style library beside Smiley Park, with the only Lincoln/Civil War museum west of the Mississippi next door — free.

Highland · Animals & Nature

A San Bernardino County library branch at 7863 Central Ave that keeps resident animals, including a sulcata tortoise, a red-tailed boa, geckos, guinea pigs and birds, with animal-themed programs and storytimes. Call 909-798-8490 to confirm animal viewing times before a special trip.

Redlands · Museums & Learning

Regional museum with dinosaur fossils, an extensive bird-egg collection, and hands-on natural-history exhibits spanning anthropology, biology, paleontology, and geology. It's part of a small county-run museum system that also includes the Victor Valley Museum in Apple Valley.

Perris · Museums & Learning

Freshly renovated in late 2024, this downtown branch of the Riverside County library is a cool, free indoor option with kids' programs and story times. A reliable midday escape from the heat when outdoor parks get too hot. Parking is easy in the downtown civic area right nearby.

Perris · Museums & Learning

California's largest railway museum (formerly Orange Empire) — admission and parking are free, and weekends you can ride real trolleys all day.

Upland · Museums & Learning

A small local history museum in Upland's Old Town at 217 E. A St, run by Chaffey Communities Cultural Center, with rotating exhibits — check the current one before you go. A good 45-minute stop combined with lunch downtown.

Chino · Museums & Learning

A hands-on, kid-scaled museum in downtown Chino with a pretend grocery store, farm, fire truck and other role-play stations built for toddlers through early elementary. It's compact — an easy hour or two rather than a full day. Check their calendar for the free First Friday evening events most months.

Upland · Museums & Learning

The library at 450 N. Euclid Ave has children's and teen programming, including a Camp Book Club for ages 9–12 on the first Friday of each month at 3:30pm. It's air-conditioned and free, a good midday break; call (909) 931-4200 for the current storytime schedule.

Menifee · Museums & Learning

Part of the Riverside County Library System, this branch is a cool, free indoor escape when the valley heat climbs. Check the calendar before you go, since story times and kids' programs run throughout the week. Sign up for a card on the spot for books to take home.

Yucaipa · Museums & Learning

Run by the Yucaipa Valley Historical Society at 35308 Panorama Dr. Treat it as a monthly outing rather than a drop-in: call (909) 790-4685 to confirm the program or book a visit.

Beaumont · Museums & Learning

The charming downtown library on E 8th Street is a reliable rainy-day or beat-the-heat stop with a dedicated kids' area and regular story times. It's an independent district library, so check their online calendar for children's programs before you head over. Easy free parking and a quick walk to old-town Beaumont.

Beaumont · Museums & Learning

Tucked in Cherry Valley, this small decorative-arts museum is surrounded by lovely landscaped gardens kids can wander while you take in the collection. The grounds are the real draw for families — great for a slow stroll and photos. It's only open Thursday through Saturday, so plan around that, and the last tour starts at 4:15.