There are a variety of fun things to do in Riverside. For the children, the Riverside Art Museum and its dinosaur exhibit are great places to explore. The Riverside Whitewater Preserve is a great place to float down the creek or hike up a 500-foot hill. Visitors are encouraged to bring sunscreen and water. Families will also enjoy the Riverside Museum of Art.
Heritage House
The Heritage House in Riverside, California, is an elegant 19th-century home that is now a museum. Originally built in 1892 by Catharine Bettner, the house was considered one of the most elegant homes in the city during its heyday. It is now run by the Riverside Municipal Museum. Bettner was a civil engineer and lawyer who moved to southern California to seek healthier climate conditions.
The Heritage House is a historic home that was restored to reflect the taste and style of wealthy Riverside in the turn of the century. Its exterior features Queen Anne, Moorish, Chinese and Georgian designs. The museum is supported by volunteers with the Riverside Museum Associates, which raised the funds to build and restore the home.
The Heritage House is free to visit, although a suggested donation of $5 is appreciated. Parking is available in the lot behind the building. It is also close to Magnolia Avenue. There is a wheelchair lift to help visitors access the home. There are no elevators, however, and the Heritage House is not accessible on all floors.
The home is beautifully preserved and furnished with authentic period furniture. It is also staffed by knowledgeable docents who will discuss the home’s history and traditions. Visitors are welcome to touch and feel the home. There are no tour guides or cordoned-off rooms. You are encouraged to walk through the home and learn as much as you can about the era. The Heritage House in Riverside, California
Center For Social Justice & Civil Liberties
The Center for Social Justice & Civil Liberties in Riverside is a museum, archive, and educational center focused on social issues and civil rights in the Inland Empire. This museum will give you a glimpse into the Inland Empire’s past and present. The Center is operated by the Riverside Community College District.
The Center was originally a single-story bank building that has since been renovated and converted into an exhibition and research space. The building is named for Japanese-American artist Mine Okubo, a Riverside resident who was interned during World War II. Today, the Center is dedicated to preserving Riverside’s multicultural history.
Located in downtown Riverside, California, the Center for Social Justice & Civil Liberties is a museum, archive, and educational center dedicated to social justice and civil rights. The museum highlights historical events, courageous individuals, and the ongoing struggle for equality. Visitors can tour the museum on their own or with the help of a knowledgeable staff.
Visitors can tour the Mine Okubo Collection, which includes over 8,000 pieces of art, personal papers, and memorabilia. The Museum is located in a historic building that was built in the 1920s and boasts a Spanish Baroque facade. The museum’s Plaza Level previously featured the permanent exhibition Riverside Stories, which featured the seven stories of people and families that have fought for social justice in Riverside during the 20th century.
Castle Park
Located in Riverside, California, Castle Park is a popular family amusement park. With 35 different rides and four 18-hole Miniature Golf courses, this park has something for everyone. You can even be the pilot! While at Castle Park, you can enjoy the park’s arcade with new state-of-the-art video games.
The park is open Monday through Sunday. The rides range from small family rides to large roller coasters and more. The park is also home to two family roller coasters and the only flying skooter in Southern California. You can also enjoy a scenic tour of the park grounds by taking the Castle Park Railroad. The train is powered by a scale model of a coal-burning locomotive.
Another family attraction at Castle Park is the water park. With five water slides, interactive aqua domes, and cylinder spray fountains, this park has something for everyone. The water park also has lounge chairs, semi-private cabanas, and food service. The entire family can enjoy a day at Castle Park.
Riverside, California has many things to offer RV travelers. The city is beautiful, and the amusement park is 25 acres of fun. Riverside is also home to the Riverside Museum of Art, which is a National Register of Historic Places. The museum’s main areas of interest include nature, history, and anthropology. The museum also owns the ancient Harada House, which was the site of a court case regarding immigration rights.
Whitewater Preserve
The Whitewater Preserve is a Wildlands Conservancy nature preserve in Riverside, California, featuring a desert canyon and the perennial Whitewater River. The preserve lies within the San Bernardino Mountains, which are part of Sand to Snow National Monument. Visitors can hike along the canyon and explore the flora and fauna of this unique location.
The river starts high in the mountains and flows down to Palm Springs and sometimes into the Salton Sea. Although the river itself isn’t as mighty as the Mississippi, the area around it can be treacherous during flooding. PCT thru-hikers will often make a short detour to the Whitewater Preserve visitor’s center. The area is also a source of inspiration for the Sand to Snow National Monument.
The Whitewater Preserve is 2,851 acres and includes a year-round Whitewater River. The preserve is home to migrating birds and endangered species. It also supports deer and bighorn sheep. The preserve also acts as an important wildlife corridor between the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains.
Visitors to the Whitewater Preserve can hike along the canyon views loop trail to see the Whitewater River and a canyon. The canyon view loop trail intersects with the Pacific Crest Trail, where it climbs a ridge that provides spectacular views of the canyon. This trail returns to the start, but it is also possible to hike the Pacific Crest Trail further south or north. From there, hikers can reach Red Dome and the San Gorgonio Overlook. The Mission Creek Trail then leads to the Stone House campground.
Gothic Hills Cemetery
If you love Halloween and spooky Halloween decorations, you may be interested in the Gothic Hills Cemetery in Riverside, California. The cemetery is a haunted house with a large yard display and a mini maze in the back. It is run by a charitable non-profit that collects donations for the community. This haunted attraction is open every night from 6pm to 10pm from October 15 through October 31. However, this year the cemetery will not be offering a walkthrough, so be sure to arrive early or make other arrangements.
The haunted house is a must-see attraction for Halloween. This haunted house is close enough to be easily accessible and is well worth the visit. Visitors are encouraged to dress up in costumes and enjoy the show. It features actors and actresses dressed in authentic costume and providing a haunted experience.
Van Buren Drive-In Theater
The Van Buren Drive-In Theater is a historic outdoor movie theater that still screens movies on the big outdoor screen. This unique venue hosts Swap Meet markets and a historic drive-in theater. In addition to screening films, it hosts other events and activities. It is a must-see for any Riverside visitor.
The Van Buren Drive-In Theater was established in 1964. The theater opened as a single-screen operation and later expanded to four screens. In 2007, the theater remodeled and lowered the number of screens to three. With an overall seating capacity of 1,500 cars, the theater is a popular destination for moviegoers. Visitors are encouraged to stop and try the famous CARNE ASADA tacos, and lines for these tacos are often long.
In addition to showing movies, the Van Buren Drive-In hosts drag shows, film festivals, and concerts. The venue is also known for hosting outdoor concerts throughout the year. Some of the top acts have performed here, including Bon Jovi, Blake Shelton, and Gwen Stefani. The Van Buren Drive-In is located at 3035 Van Buren Blvd.