Inland Empire family guide
Things to Do in Redlands with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Redlands on the map
📍 Where Redlands is
Redlands sits in Inland Empire, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Ontario Intl (~24 mi / 39 km). It's roughly 61 mi (98 km) from Downtown LA and 93 mi (149 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 Redlands
Kimberly Crest House & Gardens
A French chateau-style 1897 mansion with terraced Italian gardens — a pretty, low-key outing for older kids.
~$15 tour; gardens free
San Bernardino County Museum
Regional museum with dinosaurs, a huge bird-egg collection, fossils, and hands-on natural-history exhibits.
~$10 adult, kids less
A.K. Smiley Library & Lincoln Shrine
A storybook 1898 Moorish-style library beside Smiley Park, with the only Lincoln/Civil War museum west of the Mississippi next door — free.
FreeFarmers markets in Redlands
Redlands Market Night
Beloved downtown evening street fair with farmers, artisans, food trucks, and live music — a lively family night out.
Redlands Downtown Morning Market
A seasonal morning market by Ed Hales Park with fresh produce and a relaxed, walkable downtown vibe.
Festivals & annual events in Redlands
What Redlands is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Redlands Festival of Arts
A two-day outdoor juried art show in Smiley Park, run alongside the Redlands Art Association's Art-in-the-Park, in its 14th year. Includes a student art exhibit, live music, food vendors and hands-on art for children.
2026 ran May 23-24; 2027 dates not yet posted
Redlands Fourth of July Celebration and Parade
An all-day civic Independence Day celebration beginning at Sylvan Park with a flag-raising, community booths, food, games and live music, plus a mid-morning parade. A separate ticketed fireworks show follows that evening.
2026 has passed; no 2027 schedule published
Local restaurants in Redlands
Molcas
Longtime downtown Redlands Mexican favorite, sit-down and family-friendly.
Caprice Cafe
Cozy downtown cafe with a patio, welcoming for family brunches and lunches.
A La Minute
Liquid-nitrogen ice cream made to order — a fun show for kids.
Eureka Burger
Local-founded craft burger spot downtown, casual and family-friendly.
State Street Cafe
Downtown breakfast-and-lunch diner with hearty classic plates.
Stell Coffee & Tea
Charming downtown coffee-and-pastry spot, an easy stop with kids.
The Tartan of Redlands
Family-run Redlands institution since 1964, famous for the Tartan Burger plus steaks and ribs.
Cheesewalla
Gourmet grilled-cheese shop in Redlands' Orange Street Alley reimagining comfort foods kids and adults both love.
Lappert's Super Premium Ice Cream
Downtown Redlands scoop shop voted best ice cream in the IE with hand-crafted super-premium flavors.
Antonious Pizza Cafe
A downtown-Redlands neighborhood pizzeria turning out hand-tossed pies and big calzones — casual, affordable, and a reliable after-soccer-practice dinner.
The Gourmet Pizza Shoppe
A relaxed downtown spot known for creative specialty pizzas and a shady patio right on State Street — a Redlands family favorite for sharing a few pies.
Local shops in Redlands
Jack's Toy Shop
Independent shop full of wooden, vintage, and educational toys families love browsing together.
Board Game Paradise
Cozy downtown shop with 500+ board games and puzzles plus a play space for family game days.
Village Candy Kitchen
Old-fashioned candy kitchen making hand-dipped chocolates alongside a bakery and deli.
Fleur de Lis
Downtown women's clothing and gift boutique open since 2011 with Redlands-themed apparel and kitchen finds.
The Blues Estate
4,400 sq ft of vintage Levi's, true-vintage clothing, antiques, posters, and collectibles on State Street.
The Lovely Lotus
Small family-owned shop of crystals, herbs, incense, specialty candles, and handmade jewelry downtown.
Seasonal & outdoors near Redlands
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Redlands.
Redlands 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
Redlands family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Redlands with kids?
Family favorites in and around Redlands include Kimberly Crest House & Gardens, San Bernardino County Museum and A.K. Smiley Library & Lincoln Shrine. Our guide lists 3 spots, sorted by distance from you with hours, prices and tips.
Are there free things to do in Redlands?
Yes — free family spots near Redlands include A.K. Smiley Library & Lincoln Shrine. Use the "free only" filter in the finder above to see them all.
Where can families eat in Redlands?
Local, family-friendly spots in Redlands include Molcas, Caprice Cafe, A La Minute and Eureka Burger, and more — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Redlands guide cover?
Our Redlands family guide includes 3 things to do, 11 local eats, 6 local shops and 2 farmers markets — 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 Redlands
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Redlands on one map — then book on your favorite site.