Inland Empire family guide

Things to Do in Riverside with Kids

Riverside wears its history on its sleeve, and families orbit the Fairmount Park lake and the storybook Mission Inn, especially during the dazzling Festival of Lights each winter. Castle Park keeps the little ones busy with kiddie rides and mini-golf, while the California Citrus State Historic Park is a gentle nod to the city's orange-grove roots.

Curated by Simir Shah

Reviewed & updated June 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.

📍 Where Riverside is

Riverside sits in Inland Empire, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Ontario Intl (~14 mi / 22 km). It's roughly 49 mi (79 km) from Downtown LA and 88 mi (141 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.

💡 Local tip: The Mission Inn's Festival of Lights (late November through early January) is free to stroll but parking downtown fills fast, so arrive before dusk or use a nearby garage.

Things to do in Riverside

Arts & Culture

Mission Inn Hotel & Spa

A historic landmark hotel with castle-like architecture, courtyards, and a famous holiday Festival of Lights families love to wander.

Free to stroll; tours ~$25

Theme Parks & Rides

Castle Park

Classic family amusement park with rides, four mini-golf courses, an arcade, and a summer water area.

~$30–40 ride wristband

Parks & Hiking

California Citrus State Historic Park

Living-history park among working orange groves with picnic lawns, trails, and a glimpse of SoCal's citrus heyday.

Free; parking ~$5

Theme Parks & Rides

Castle Park

Old-school family park with one of SoCal's best 18-hole mini-golf courses and a junior coaster. Rides skew young — a sweet spot for under-12s.

~$25–35 ride wristband

Parks & Hiking

California Citrus State Historic Park

Walk working orange groves from Riverside's citrus-boom heyday. Bring a hat and water — it bakes in summer.

Free; free ranger tours Fri–Sun

Arts & Culture

Mission Inn Hotel & Spa

Castle-like 1900s downtown landmark. During the free Festival of Lights, go on a weeknight and use a garage to dodge the crowds.

Free to stroll; paid tours

Museums & Learning

The Cheech (Riverside Art Museum)

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

~$18 adult; under 12 free

Museums & Learning

March Field Air Museum

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

~$15 adult, ~$6 kids

Parks & Hiking

Mount Rubidoux

Paved 3.2-mile loop to a summit cross with big views, doable with older kids. Park free at Ryan Bonaminio Park, not the residential streets.

Free

Parks & Hiking

Fairmount Park

Historic Olmsted-firm park with lakes, a splash pad, playgrounds and swan pedal boats.

Free; boat rentals extra

Arts & Culture

Fox Performing Arts Center

A beautifully restored 1929 downtown theater — the Mission Revival landmark where Gone with the Wind was famously first previewed — now hosting concerts, comedy and family shows. Check the calendar for kid-friendly performances and pair it with a stroll to the nearby Mission Inn.

Varies by show

Farmers markets in Riverside

Saturday · 8am–1pm

Downtown Riverside Certified Farmers Market

Riverside's flagship market on the Main St pedestrian mall, year-round rain or shine, with produce, hot food, and a stroll-friendly scene; EBT accepted (also Wednesdays).

See all SoCal farmers markets →