Inland Empire family guide
Things to Do in Riverside with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Riverside on the map
📍 Where Riverside is
Riverside sits in Inland Empire, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Ontario Intl (~14 mi / 22 km). It's roughly 50 mi (80 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.
Things to do in Riverside
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
Castle Park
Classic family amusement park with rides, four mini-golf courses, an arcade, and a summer water area.
~$30–40 ride wristband
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
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
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
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
Fairmount Park
Historic Olmsted-firm park with lakes, a splash pad, playgrounds and swan pedal boats.
Free; boat rentals extra
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 showFree days in Riverside
Free or free-on-certain-days admission. Rules change and some are residents-only — confirm with the venue before you go.
California Citrus State Historic Park
Visitor center & grounds free; open Fri–Sun
A 248-acre open-air museum on California's citrus history, with a free visitor-center museum, walkable groves and weekend tastings; entry is free though parking has a small fee.
Farmers markets in Riverside
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).
Festivals & annual events in Riverside
What Riverside is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Mission Inn Festival of Lights
Downtown Riverside's holiday lighting of the Mission Inn, in its 34th year — a switch-on ceremony with fireworks, then nightly displays through New Year's Eve with vendors, entertainment and a temporary ice rink.
Free to walk the display; ice skating ~$20
Inland Empire Pride Festival
A free all-ages Pride festival at White Park with vendors, music, and community groups.
Free
Riverside Dickens Festival
A Victorian-era street festival across downtown Riverside, now in its 33rd year — costumed performers, a Friday school day and lantern walk, a pub night and two days of open festival.
See site for admission
Riverside Tamale Festival
A Latino food and heritage festival at White Park in downtown Riverside from the Spanish Town Heritage Foundation — tamale vendors, artisans and live music.
The 13th annual ran Apr 18, 2026; the 2027 date has not been announced
Local restaurants in Riverside
Lake Alice Trading Co.
Downtown saloon-style BBQ joint with a casual, kid-welcoming atmosphere.
Tio's Tacos
Beloved taco shop set in an incredible folk-art sculpture garden kids can wander.
Simple Simon's
Downtown bakery-cafe famous for fresh bread and hearty sandwiches.
Las Campanas
Mexican restaurant at the historic Mission Inn with a lovely family-friendly patio.
Heroes Restaurant & Brewery
Downtown brewpub with a big menu and casual booths that suit families.
Back to the Grind
Funky downtown coffeehouse with desserts and a laid-back all-ages vibe.
Mario's Place
Upscale downtown Italian; more date night but welcomes well-behaved kids.
Riverside Food Lab
Downtown food hall with many local vendors — easy when everyone wants something different.
Zacatecas Cafe
Second-generation family Mexican cafe open since 1963, serving Josephine Medina's original recipes for breakfast and lunch.
Saku Ramen
Downtown Riverside ramen shop simmering its broth 12–18 hours and open 24/7 for casual family slurping.
Local shops in Riverside
Downtowne Bookstore
Woman-owned indie bookstore since 1979 near the Mission Inn, with new, used, and rare books.
Cellar Door Books
Independent bookstore hosting kids' storytimes, book clubs, and a friendly bookstore dog.
Sphinx Comics, Cards & Collectibles
Locally owned shop with comics, action figures, toys, games, and trading-card supplies.
Lucky Penny General Store
Women-owned neighborhood shop of thoughtfully curated gifts, cards, and treasures near the Mission Inn.
Mission Galleria
Multi-story antique and vintage emporium across from the Mission Inn where you can wander for hours.
Seasonal & outdoors near Riverside
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Riverside.
Riverside 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
Riverside family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Riverside with kids?
Family favorites in and around Riverside include Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, Castle Park, California Citrus State Historic Park and The Cheech (Riverside Art Museum), and more. Our guide lists 8 spots, sorted by distance from you with hours, prices and tips.
Are there free things to do in Riverside?
Yes — free family spots near Riverside include California Citrus State Historic Park, Mount Rubidoux and Fairmount Park. Use the "free only" filter in the finder above to see them all.
Where can families eat in Riverside?
Local, family-friendly spots in Riverside include Lake Alice Trading Co., Tio's Tacos, Simple Simon's and Las Campanas, and more — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Riverside guide cover?
Our Riverside family guide includes 8 things to do, 10 local eats, 5 local shops and 1 farmers market — 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 Riverside
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Riverside on one map — then book on your favorite site.