Channel your inner Maverick in a Flightdeck simulator

Flightdeck Air Combat Center can give anyone their own personal “Top Gun” experience, no experience required. Here, visitors can experience what it’s like to be a pilot using realistic flight simulators for various aircraft types. The simulators are modeled after actual planes, and visitors can choose from air-to-air combat missions, carrier-landing experiences or flying passengers in a jumbo jet. Flightdeck also has an experience called Rogue Racing, which uses state-of-the-art simulators to put you behind the wheel of a high-powered car.

Find it: Flightdeck Air Combat Center, 400 West Disney Way, Anaheim, CA 92802

Eat at the Anaheim Packing House

The Anaheim Packing House is the place to be when you want loads of history and character to go with your meal. The building was once a plant for orange processing but is now an exciting food hall with over two dozen vendors. Stop in for a bowl of Vietnamese-and-Creole fusion at 206 BCE Noodles, a fully customizable grilled cheese at Black Sheep Grilled Cheese Bar or a plate of chicken tikka masala poutine at The Kroft. You’ll also find venders pushing desserts that range from ice cream and ice pops to crepes and pie.

As night falls, the Packing House’s bars come to life. Try some craft beer at the Hammer Bar or a glass of wine out of a vintage railroad car at BXCR Wine Bar. For an intimate time, head behind the bookshelf to The Blind Rabbit, a speakeasy with a rotating menu of seasonally crafted cocktails.

Find it: Anaheim Packing House, 440 South Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92805; 714-533-7225

Take the whole family to Golden Road Brewery’s outdoor beer garden

Just across the street from Angel Stadium is Golden Road Brewery. The brand was originally founded in LA and now has breweries dotted around Southern California, including Anaheim, where an indoor brewpub and outdoor beer garden welcome everyone to enjoy a pint.  The brewery has more than 30 taps, some of which feature new beers that are crafted on-site. One of the best things about this brewery is that it’s family-friendly and the outdoor area is pet-friendly. Kids can play yard games while adults sample brews and everyone can come together for a tasty meal from the food menu. 

Find it: Golden Road Brewery, 2210 E. Orangewood Ave., Anaheim, CA 92806; 714-912-4015

Experience historic Angel Stadium

Since 1966, MLB’s Los Angeles Angels have been playing at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. Despite its age, this remains a nice park to watch games inside and is still more attractive than many others around the league. The fact that you get to watch modern legends like Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani take the field for the team is a nice perk, too. Families will also love that every Saturday night home game ends with post-game fireworks, whether the Angels win or lose. 

Find it: Angels Stadium, 2000 Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, CA 92806; 714-940-2000

Watch hockey at the Duck Pond

If you miss baseball season in Anaheim, watch the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks as they hit the ice at home. The rowdy games take place at the Honda Center, which becomes the “Duck Pond” on game nights. Before you head into the game be sure to practice your duck calls because the crowd will be making lots of quacking sounds throughout the game. If you’ve got a Mighty Ducks t-shirt laying around, wear it to the arena because the team was originally named after the iconic Disney hockey movie from the 1990s.

Find it: Honda Center, 2695 East Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA 92806; 714-704-2400

Go on rides and pet animals at Adventure City

Located between Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland, you’ll find Adventure City — a small, family-owned amusement park perfect for those with little kids. This top-rated Anaheim attraction offers a petting zoo with goats, chickens and rabbits, as well as a rock-climbing wall, a children’s theater, and an arcade. There are also rides and attractions that include a roller coaster and a train ride. It’s got free parking and tickets are less than $30 each, making it a pretty serious bargain for all it offers.

Find it: Adventure City, 1238 South Beach Blvd., Anaheim, CA 90680; 714-236-9300

Pick a beach and drive there

With over 40 miles of coastline across Orange County, there’s plenty of sand to stretch out on — including some good ones within driving distance of Anaheim. Huntington Beach is one of the closest, situated less than 20 miles from the city. Here, locals can be seen surfing and playing beach volleyball, while tourists often dot the shore and hang out on the pier. Another popular option close to Anaheim is Seal Beach, which is about 25 minutes up the road. Seal Beach is known for its wide open sands that beckon people to sunbathe, build sand castles or dine on a picnic lunch.

Hike through the Anaheim Hills

It shouldn’t surprise you to read that Anaheim has some good hiking within its city limits. Try out the Sycamore Park Trail Head, which connects you to a few trails that lead into the Anaheim Hills, including the gentle Weir Canyon Trail. In early spring, hikers here are surrounded by wildflower blooms which are the perfect backdrop for selfies that will make all of your friends jealous.

Find it: Sycamore Park Trail Head, 8268 East Monte Vista Road, Anaheim, CA 92808; 714-765-519

Practice your putting skills at Camelot Golfland

Home to maybe the second-most famous castle in Anaheim, Camelot Golfland is a classic spot that offers mini golf alongside laser tag, bumper boats, go-karts and an arcade. Camelot’s two 18-hole mini golf courses feature challenging obstacles, water features and interactive elements. The attraction also houses a water park during the summer months, making it a great destination for anyone looking to beat the SoCal heat.

Find it: Camelot Golfland, 3200 Carpenter Ave., Anaheim, CA 92806; 714-630-3340

Sample IPAs at Karl Strauss

Karl Strauss Brewing Company started in San Diego in the late 1980s, but the brewery’s Anaheim outpost has proven to be popular with locals and tourists, drawing consistently high ratings online. The brand says it makes more than 150 different beers every year, so you can bet there’s always something new to try. The brewery has a lot of IPAs on tap, but there are sours, red ales and seasonal options to enjoy, too, among others. The food menu is also expansive, ranging from seafood and steak to burgers and greens.

Find it: Karl Strauss Brewing Company, 2390 East Orangewood Ave., Suite #100, Anaheim, CA, 92806; 714-940-1772

Go fishing at Yorba Regional Park

If you’d rather take a hike around some beautiful bodies of water, head to Yorba Regional Park. Here, you can stroll the easy 1.4-mile loop through serene scenery, winding around lakes and near the Santa Ana River. If you’re looking for something more than a leisurely walk, Yorba’s lake loop trail connects to other multi-use trails that cover more than 100 miles. Fishing spots are all plentiful here as well, just be sure to release what you catch.

Find it: Yorba Regional Park, 7600 East La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA 92807; 714-973-6615

Get soaked at Great Wolf Lodge

One thing Disneyland Resort lacks is a true water park — and that’s where nearby Great Wolf Lodge swoops in. With over 105,000 square feet of water-based attractions, including a wave pool, slides and a lazy river, this indoor resort is perfect for families looking to stay immersed in a wet and wild adventure. Great Wolf Lodge also offers its own on-site restaurants and a range of other activities, such as a ropes course, mini-golf and an arcade, making it an ideal destination for a weekend getaway or longer family vacation.

Find it: Great Wolf Lodge, 12681 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove, CA 92840; 888-960-9653

Explore hands-on science at Discovery Cube

Located just 10 minutes from Disneyland’s gates, Discovery Cube Orange County is a science museum that encourages hands-on learning and exploration for visitors of all ages. The museum features interactive exhibits that cover a range of topics, including health, physics and the environment. It even has a theater located inside a helicopter that shows films of aerial footage taken over the area. The campus also hosts special events throughout the year, such as summer camps and science-themed sleepovers.

Find it: Discovery Cube Orange County, 2500 North Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92705; 

See what’s on view at the Bowers Museum

Santa Ana’s Bowers Museum is a beautifully curated campus of art and culture that features exhibits from around the world. The museum’s permanent collection includes over 100,000 objects, from ancient works to the contemporary. The museum also hosts special exhibitions throughout the year, showcasing art and artifacts from a variety of cultures and time periods. Ratings from visitors are stellar overall, with numerous people hailing it as a hidden gem of Orange County.

Find it: Bowers Museum, 2002 North Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92706; 714-567-3600

This story was edited by Hearst Newspapers Managing Editor Kristina Moy; you can contact her at [email protected].