Inland Empire family guide
Things to Do in Norco with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Norco on the map
📍 Where Norco is
Norco sits in Inland Empire, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Ontario Intl (~9 mi / 15 km). It's roughly 41 mi (66 km) from Downtown LA and 87 mi (140 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.
🏡 New to Norco? Start hereRec classes, library cards, school lookup, alerts and getting around.OpenClose
- Rec classes: Norco Community Services runs youth basketball, tee ball, dance, taekwondo and Tiny Tot Olympics; browse and register on the Activity Registration page.
- Library card: Norco Library on Hamner Avenue is a Riverside County Library System branch; cards are free to California residents with ID and proof of address.
- Find your school: Norco is in Corona-Norco Unified; enter your address on CNUSD's School Locator/Boundaries page to see assigned schools.
- Community events: The city's events page covers Norco Horseweek, Kids Fun Day at Ingalls Event Center and summer concerts and movies.
- News & alerts: Subscribe to The Norco Newsroom for city news, events and community alerts by email or text.
- County alerts: Register your cell phone with Alert RivCo for wildfire, flood and other emergency warnings; landlines are registered automatically.
- Evacuation zones: Riverside County uses Genasys Protect zones for evacuations; search your address to learn yours.
- Getting around: Riders 18 and under ride RTA free through June 30, 2027. RTA Route 3 links Eastvale, Norco and the Corona Transit Center.
- Local insider: About 6,000 Norco homes sit in the Equestrian Historic District, with half-acre lots, animal-keeping zones and citywide horse trails.
Things to do in Norco
Parks & Hiking
Neal Snipes Park
This park has a playground, a fitness track and a reservable picnic shelter, plus restrooms and a parking lot. It is a good weekday stop for younger kids.
FreeParmenter Park
This park has a playground, a ball field and lawn space, plus restrooms and a parking lot. It is open late, until 11pm.
FreePikes Peak Park
This is one of Norco's best-equipped parks, with a playground, a basketball court, a fitness track, horseshoe pits and a reservable picnic shelter. Restrooms and a parking lot are on site.
FreeRidge Ranch Park
This is a classic Horsetown USA park, with a riding arena and a hitching post next to the playground and lawn. Kids are likely to see horses ridden in on the city's trail network. It has no restrooms, so plan ahead.
FreeSilverLakes Sports Park
This 130-acre complex along the Santa Ana River has 24 soccer fields and hosts big youth tournaments most weekends. It also stages concerts, festivals and family events in its BackYard venue. Families usually come here for a game or a scheduled event rather than as a drop-in park.
Varies by eventSundance Park
This neighborhood park has a playground, a basketball court and a reservable picnic shelter, plus restrooms.
FreeAnimals & Nature
Kids Rodeo Fun Day at Ingalls
This hands-on Western day is for ages 7 and under who weigh less than 65 pounds, with sheep riding, roping dummies, beginner poles and barrels, crafts and a rodeo bullfighter to meet. No experience is needed and gear is provided. Online registration is required, and a parent must stay on site.
$50 per child (includes lunch)Norco Astronomy Night
The city and the Riverside Astronomical Society set up telescopes at the Ingalls Event Center so families can look at the night sky. Enter through Gate G, and note that it may be cancelled if the weather is bad.
Free admission and parkingNorco Fair
This end-of-summer fair has run for more than 60 years at the Ingalls Event Center, with ranch rodeo and bull riding, a junior livestock show, a pet parade, a Labor Day parade, carnival rides and a Family Fun Day. Outside food and pets aren't allowed, and buying admission doesn't guarantee a rodeo seat.
check siteNorco Horseweek
Ten days of Western events at the Ingalls Event Center make this Norco's signature celebration, now in its 54th year, with ranch rodeo and extreme bull riding. As the organizers put it, no horse is required. Check the full schedule for the kid-friendly daytime events.
check siteGeorge Ingalls Event Center
The city-run 80-acre center (covered arenas, a barn, a hall and a lawn) is the heart of Horsetown USA and hosts horse shows, gymkhanas, rodeos and family days. Each event sets its own admission and hours, so check the calendar before driving out and bring cash for parking at big events.
Varies by event; check the calendar (not a drop-in park)S&D Horseback Riding (wagon and trail rides)
A guided horse-drawn wagon ride of about 45 minutes tours Norco's riverbed trails and neighborhoods — the easiest way for toddlers and grandparents to experience Horsetown USA. Trail rides need riders age 7 or older; the campfire and s'mores add-on runs Friday–Sunday only.
Wagon ride $45/person (ages 2+); 1-hr trail ride $75 weekdays / $85 weekends (ages 7+)Museums & Learning
Norco Library
Norco's branch of the Riverside County Library System is in a suite on Hamner Avenue. It runs Little Sprout's Storytime on Tuesdays at 10:15am and a Drop-In Storytime on Thursdays at 5pm, plus family craft programs. A county library card also gets you the RivCoParks Library Pass, which gives free entry to county parks.
FreeNorco Heritage Room (Historical Collection)
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.
Free admission and parkingArts & Culture
Norco Christmas Festival & Parade of Lights
Norco's holiday day packs in Breakfast with Santa (60-minute time slots with crafts and a printed photo), a festival, a gingerbread build and an evening Parade of Lights. Breakfast tickets are sold online only and can sell out. Parents who join kids on activities also need a wristband. The city's event page has the location and parade route.
Festival and parade free; Breakfast with Santa $8; activity wristbands $10Norco Fourth of July Country Jamboree
Norco celebrates Independence Day Horsetown-style, with live music, food vendors, a classic car show and carnival games such as a dunk tank and a high striker. Any adult who joins a child on an activity needs a wristband.
Free entry and parking; activity wristbands $10 online / $15 at the gateMore for families in Norco
From our researched guides: the Norco spots for bowling alleys. Hours and prices change, so check the venue's site before you go.
Bowling
All SoCal bowling alleys →Lucky Strike Norco
A 40-lane alley at 1800 Hamner Ave with cosmic bowling, an arcade, billiards and private rooms. Advertises kids' birthday parties and a kids summer pass.
Per-game pricing; see site. Family Unlimited promo listed for weekends 11am-3pm
Venue website ↗Farmers markets in Norco
Norco Farmers & Artisans Market (EAT! Center)
Rural-themed Thursday-evening market at the EAT! Cultural Center with farmers, artisans, and a 'Horsetown USA' vibe.
Festivals & annual events in Norco
What Norco is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Norco Breakfast with Santa, Christmas Festival & Horsetown Parade of Lights
Horsetown USA's all-day holiday festival at Ingalls Event Center has food and craft vendors, entertainment, and (with the $10 wristband) train and pony rides, a petting zoo, games and crafts, capped by the 5pm Parade of Lights down Sixth Street. Breakfast with Santa ($5, four 60-minute slots from 7:30am) is online-only and can sell out. Tip: everyone who joins an activity, including parents, needs a wristband, so buy them online before the gate lines.
Free entry & parking; $10 activity wristband; $5 Breakfast with Santa
Norco Horseweek
A ten-day western celebration built around a ranch rodeo, bull riding, a Saturday morning parade and community nights. No horse required to take part in most events.
The 54th annual ran Apr 17-26, 2026; 2027 dates not yet published
Local restaurants in Norco
Black Horse Tavern & Grill
Family-owned tavern at 1825 Hamner Ave, open since 2008, known for marinated hanger steak, gourmet burgers and sandwiches, with a kids menu (ages 12 and under) and Sunday service from 9am.
Doña Luisa's Mexican Grill
Family-owned Mexican grill at 3250 Hamner Ave Suite 202 with family-recipe chile relleno, chilaquiles, flautas and burritos. Weekend breakfast starts at 8am and weekday lunch specials run 11am–3pm.
Crazy Brothers Sushi
Family-owned sushi restaurant at 3699 Hamner Ave, open Tue–Sun, closed Mondays, with online ordering for pickup.
Koya Sushi
Japanese restaurant at 140 Hidden Valley Pkwy Suite D with sushi and sashimi platters, rolls, chicken yakisoba and katsu bento boxes, with online ordering.
Seasonal & outdoors near Norco
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Norco.
Norco is part of the Inland Empire family guide — see the region's best things to do, local eats and events.
More Inland Empire family guides
Norco family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Norco with kids?
Family favorites in and around Norco include Kids Rodeo Fun Day at Ingalls, Norco Astronomy Night, Norco Fair and Norco Horseweek, and more. Our guide lists 16 spots, each with a price note and practical tips where we have them.
Are there free things to do in Norco?
Yes — free family spots near Norco include Norco Astronomy Night, Norco Christmas Festival & Parade of Lights, Norco Fourth of July Country Jamboree and Norco Library. Our free things to do page lists more across Southern California.
What can kids do in Norco on a rainy day?
Indoor options in and around Norco include Norco Library and Norco Heritage Room (Historical Collection). Each listing in our guide is marked indoor or outdoor, so you can filter for the weather.
How can families spend a day in Norco?
One easy plan: start outside at Kids Rodeo Fun Day at Ingalls while kids have the most energy, break for lunch at Black Horse Tavern & Grill, then head indoors to Norco Library for the afternoon. Our guide has prices and tips for each stop, plus 14 more ideas to swap in.
Where can families eat in Norco?
Local, family-friendly spots in Norco include Black Horse Tavern & Grill, Doña Luisa's Mexican Grill, Crazy Brothers Sushi and Koya Sushi — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Norco guide cover?
Our Norco family guide includes 16 things to do, 4 local eats and 1 farmers market — with independent, non-chain eats and shops.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Norco
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Norco on one map — then book on your favorite site.