Inland Empire family guide
Things to Do in Banning with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Banning on the map
📍 Where Banning is
Banning sits in Inland Empire, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Palm Springs Intl (~20 mi / 33 km). It's roughly 79 mi (127 km) from Downtown LA and 85 mi (137 km) from San Diego — SoCal traffic can make a drive take far longer than the distance suggests, so plan around it.
Visiting? See SoCal at a glance, getting around and which airport.
Things to do in Banning
Gilman Historic Ranch & Wagon Museum
Riverside County's ranch museum holds the largest public collection of wagons, buggies and stagecoaches in the Inland Empire, plus the José Pope Adobe, a blacksmith shop, a 100-year-old fig tree and shaded picnic tables. Gold panning is offered at special events, and the under-2-mile trail has little shade, so start before noon in summer.
$6 adults, $3 children under 12
Repplier Park
Banning's main city park has a children's playground, a covered picnic area, tennis courts, a baseball diamond and the Playhouse Bowl amphitheatre, with the community center and gym on site. The city says the pool is closed for the season, so treat this as a playground and picnic stop until summer 2027.
Free (park); the Aquatic Center is closed for the seasonLions Park
A city park at 955 S Hargrave St with a children's playground, a snack bar and three baseball diamonds. It's busiest on weekends during youth baseball, so go on a weekday morning for the playground.
FreeBanning Library District
The library at 21 W Nicolet St runs a Children's Book Club with crafts and games, and kids can use TumbleBooks read-along stories. Call the children's desk at (951) 849-3192 ext 2 to confirm program dates.
FreeFestivals & annual events in Banning
What Banning is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Banning Stagecoach Days
Banning's western heritage celebration, run by the Stagecoach Days Association since 1957 — a rodeo plus a community parade, vendors and food.
Local restaurants in Banning
The Farm 2 Fork Cafe & Bakery
A newly opened farm-to-table cafe and bakery at 42 W Ramsey St in downtown Banning, with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients from founder and head chef Stephanie Robinson. The site also lists catering and event-space rental; confirm hours before going.
Johnny Russo's Italian Restaurant
Owner-operated Sicilian-style Italian restaurant at 1335 W Ramsey St serving homemade pasta, lasagna, pizza, salads and sandwiches, with online ordering, takeout, reservations, private parties and catering.
Farm's House Restaurant
Restaurant in Banning's landmark Red Barn at 6261 Joshua Palmer Way serving breakfast (pancakes, omelets, skillets, steak and eggs), American classics, burgers and Mexican dishes, opening 7–8am daily, with online orders, parties and catering.
Los Dos Gallos Bar & Grill
Mexican bar and grill in Banning's Red Barn at 6261 Joshua Palmer Way, next to Farm's House, serving ceviche, fish tacos, fajitas and menudo, with online ordering, catering and private parties. Open daily from 2pm.
Seasonal & outdoors near Banning
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Banning.
More Inland Empire family guides
Banning family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Banning with kids?
Family favorites in and around Banning include Gilman Historic Ranch & Wagon Museum, Repplier Park, Lions Park and Banning Library District. Our guide lists 4 spots, sorted by distance from you with hours, prices and tips.
Are there free things to do in Banning?
Yes — free family spots near Banning include Repplier Park, Lions Park and Banning Library District. Use the "free only" filter in the finder above to see them all.
Where can families eat in Banning?
Local, family-friendly spots in Banning include The Farm 2 Fork Cafe & Bakery, Johnny Russo's Italian Restaurant, Farm's House Restaurant and Los Dos Gallos Bar & Grill — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Banning guide cover?
Our Banning family guide includes 4 things to do and 4 local eats — all hand-curated, locally owned, and sorted by distance from you.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Banning
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Banning on one map — then book on your favorite site.