Quick Summary: Riverside is part of the Inland Empire area. The City has a large collection of fun tourist attractions, shopping malls, and entertainment venues to explore on your weekend getaway. The Pacific Ocean and Southern California's famous beaches are approximately 50 miles away from Riverside.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Learn about the citrus industry in California Citrus State Historic Park ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Learn about the citrus industry in California Citrus State Historic Park | Things to Do in Riverside, California
© Courtesy of denira - Fotolia.com

2. See the artifacts in the Mission Inn Museum ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Accommodations
See the artifacts in the Mission Inn Museum | Things to Do in Riverside, California
© Mission Inn Museum

3. Admire the flowers at the University of California Riverside Botanic Gardens

Category: Activities
Admire the flowers at the University of California Riverside Botanic Gardens | Things to Do in Riverside, California
© University of California Riverside Botanic Gardens

4. Learn about local history at the Riverside Metropolitan Museum

Category: Activities
Learn about local history at the Riverside Metropolitan Museum | Things to Do in Riverside, California
© Riverside Metropolitan Museum

5. Visit an array of exhibits at the California Museum of Photography

Category: Museums & Culture
Visit an array of exhibits at the California Museum of Photography | Things to Do in Riverside, California
© Courtesy of Roman Sigaev - Fotolia.com

6. Hike along the trails in the Whitewater Preserve

Category: Activities
Hike along the trails in the Whitewater Preserve | Things to Do in Riverside, California
© Whitewater Preserve

7. Take the kids to Castle Park amusement park

Category: Activities
Take the kids to Castle Park amusement park | Things to Do in Riverside, California
© Castle Park

8. Admire the art at the Riverside Art Museum

Category: Activities
Admire the art at the Riverside Art Museum | Things to Do in Riverside, California
© Riverside Art Museum

9. View Victorian-style architecture at the Heritage House

View Victorian-style architecture at the Heritage House | Things to Do in Riverside, California
© Heritage House

10. Stroll through the botanical gardens at the Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center

Category: Activities
Stroll through the botanical gardens at the Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center | Things to Do in Riverside, California
© Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center

11. Take the kids to see historic aircraft at the March Field Air Museum

Category: Attractions
Take the kids to see historic aircraft at the March Field Air Museum | Things to Do in Riverside, California
© March Field Air Museum

12. See a show at the Fox Performing Arts Center

Category: Attractions
See a show at the Fox Performing Arts Center | Things to Do in Riverside, California
© Fox Performing Arts Center

13. Spend an afternoon at the Van Buren Drive-In Theatre

Category: Entertainment
Spend an afternoon at the Van Buren Drive-In Theatre | Things to Do in Riverside, California
© Van Buren Drive-In Theatre

14. Have a picnic at Fairmount Park

Category: Activities
Have a picnic at Fairmount Park | Things to Do in Riverside, California
© Fairmount Park

15. Ride the miniature track at Riverside Live Steamers

Category: Activities
Ride the miniature track at Riverside Live Steamers | Things to Do in Riverside, California
© Riverside Live Steamers

16. Watch a performance at Ballet Folklorico de Riverside

Category: Entertainment
Watch a performance at Ballet Folklorico de Riverside | Things to Do in Riverside, California
© Ballet Folklorico de Riverside

17. Watch a performance at California Riverside Ballet

Category: Entertainment
Watch a performance at California Riverside Ballet | Things to Do in Riverside, California
© California Riverside Ballet

18. Buy fresh-baked bread at the Riverside Certified Farmers Market

Category: Shopping
Buy fresh-baked bread at the Riverside Certified Farmers Market | Things to Do in Riverside, California
© Courtesy of annalovisa - Fotolia.com

19. Admire a 10-foot-wide mosaic art at the Grier Pavilion

Category: Museums & Culture
Admire a 10-foot-wide mosaic art at the Grier Pavilion | Things to Do in Riverside, California
© CityofRiverside/Facebook

20. See the specimens at the Entomology Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
See the specimens at the Entomology Museum | Things to Do in Riverside, California
© Entomology Museum

21. View the Mine Okubo Collection at the Center for Social Justice & Civil Liberties

Category: Attractions
View the Mine Okubo Collection at the Center for Social Justice & Civil Liberties | Things to Do in Riverside, California
© Center for Social Justice & Civil Liberties

22. Have fun at The Cove Waterpark

Category: Kids & Family
Have fun at The Cove Waterpark | Things to Do in Riverside, California
© The Cove Waterpark

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