What to do in Riverside, CA

Activities, attractions and tours

A cityscape with a prominent church, palm trees, and a clear sky.
A cross on a hill overlooking a valley with a lake and distant mountains.
A dirt road winding through a grassy field with mountains in the background.
A cityscape with a prominent tower featuring a colorful dome, surrounded by palm trees and urban buildings.
A desert landscape with cacti and mountains in the background.

Riverside Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Riverside has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Riverside is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Riverside to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Riverside Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Riverside.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Riverside attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

Things to do

Aerial tram traveling high above the cliffs of Chino Canyon in California

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

CA $44
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Palm Springs Windmill Tours

Palm Springs Windmill Tours

CA $83
per traveller
100% of travellers recommend
Palm Springs Windmill Tours
Rancho Cucamonga: Escape Room Adventure Game

Rancho Cucamonga: Escape Room Adventure Game

CA $60
per adult
Rancho Cucamonga: Escape Room Adventure Game
Paramotor Tandem Flight Adventure in Winchester

Paramotor Tandem Flight Adventure in Winchester

CA $1,037
per adult
Paramotor Tandem Flight Adventure in Winchester
See all activities in Riverside
  • find price illustration

    Explore activities

    Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer.
  • calendar shield illustration

    Book with ease

    Skip the line- book tickets online in minutes to top attractions with free cancellation on many activities.
  • trophy illustration

    Treat yourself

    Members save % or more when you book activities.

Most fun & popular experiences in Riverside

Tours & day trips

See all 11 activities
Mandir & Buddhist Temple Tour with Indian Lunch & Chinese Tea

Mandir & Buddhist Temple Tour with Indian Lunch & Chinese Tea

Activity duration is 6 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $213 per adult
Mandir & Buddhist Temple Tour with Indian Lunch & Chinese TeaOpens in new tab

Adventure & outdoor

See all 5 activities
Mandir & Buddhist Temple Tour with Indian Lunch & Chinese Tea

Mandir & Buddhist Temple Tour with Indian Lunch & Chinese Tea

Activity duration is 6 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $213 per adult
Mandir & Buddhist Temple Tour with Indian Lunch & Chinese TeaOpens in new tab

Attractions

See all 4 activities
Two Flight Indoor Skydiving Experience

Two Flight Indoor Skydiving Experience

Activity duration is 1 hour
4.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $177 per traveller
Two Flight Indoor Skydiving ExperienceOpens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 3 activities
Private Temecula Wine Tour from Canyon Lake

Private Temecula Wine Tour from Canyon Lake

Activity duration is 6 hours and 30 minutes
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $274 per adult*
Private Temecula Wine Tour from Canyon LakeOpens in new tab

What to do in Riverside

Stay near popular Riverside attractions

A modern plaza with a distinctive blue sculpture, palm trees, and a bicycle rental station.

Riverside Convention Center

8.0/10 (311 reviews)
Learn about the events happening at Riverside Convention Center during your trip to Riverside. Wander the area's riverfront or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.
See properties

Where to stay in Riverside

Find the best Riverside areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Riverside
Learn more about Riverside
A cityscape with a prominent church, palm trees, and a clear sky.

Downtown Riverside

Travelers to Downtown Riverside praise its stunning river views. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to make a stop by Fox Performing Arts Center and Fox Entertainment Plaza.
An aerial view of a campus with multiple buildings, green spaces, and a large parking area.

University

While visiting University, you might make a stop by sights like University of California Riverside Botanic Gardens and SRC Arena.
A historic building with a dome and arched windows, surrounded by palm trees and a busy street with light trails.

Arlington

Arlington might not have many top sights, but Galleria at Tyler and Castle Park Amusement Park are two attractions nearby that you can check out.
A cityscape with palm trees, historic buildings, and modern skyscrapers.

Magnolia Center

When in Magnolia Center, you can plan a visit to Fox Performing Arts Center and Galleria at Tyler, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.
A sign for Cacitrus State Park, surrounded by palm trees and a dirt path.

Canyon Crest

While Canyon Crest might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Fox Performing Arts Center and University of California Riverside Botanic Gardens.

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Riverside

A building with a neon sign that reads "I ♥ THIS" and a sign above the entrance that says "TOBY KIRK'S".

Ontario

Rolling hills, a distant town, and power lines.

Banning

A cityscape with a mountainous backdrop.

Chino

A person in a white dress sitting in a field of wildflowers with hills in the background.

Corona

A rocky landscape with a stone tower, a flag, and a bridge.

Colton

A cityscape with a prominent building with vertical lines, surrounded by a mix of commercial and residential buildings, with a mountain range in the background.

Redlands

A cityscape with a prominent building complex featuring a red-roofed structure and a white building, surrounded by residential areas and a backdrop of mountains.

Yorba Linda

A residential area with houses, roads, and a lake surrounded by mountains.

Moreno Valley

Frequently asked questions

Is Riverside worth visiting?
Riverside has a unique mix of local charm, culture and attractions. Whether you're into outdoor activities, history or local culinary flavours, there's plenty you'll find here.
How do I spend a day in Riverside?
Start your day with a visit to Castle Park Amusement Park and The Cove Waterpark. Then, tour different areas of Riverside for local dining and a little retail therapy.
What is the top tourist attraction in Riverside?
Castle Park Amusement Park is one of the top tourist attractions in Riverside and deserves a spot on every must-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Riverside?
Three days in Riverside is more than enough to enjoy the city's key attractions. Many guests stay for two days on average. The Cove Waterpark, Riverside Metropolitan Museum and Mount Rubidoux Park are highly rated sights. Want to experience more? Hang around a bit longer to check off nearby hotspots such as Ontario.
Is Riverside a walkable city?
With popular neighbourhoods and major attractions within walking distance of the city centre, Riverside is a good destination to discover on foot. Have fun wandering between Riverside Metropolitan Museum and Mount Rubidoux Park. Then take a stroll around Downtown Riverside, located 0.64 kilometres from the centre, and Eastside, which is about 2 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Riverside with kids?
Whether you're travelling with tiny adventurers or hard-to-please teens, an itinerary filled with cool activities is the key to a stress-free getaway. Check out our recommendations for what to do in Riverside with kids.

What to do in Riverside for adults?
There are plenty of things to do in Riverside, with activities for adults of all ages. Cap off your day with a visit to CBU Events Centre or California Museum of Photography.
Are there free things to do in Riverside?
In Riverside, Mount Rubidoux Park is an unmissable spot for anyone wishing to see the city without opening their wallet. Also, wander around the other neighbourhoods and green spaces, and ask for ideas from a local tour guide. It's a top way to learn about the best free things to do in Riverside.

Explore a world of travel with Expedia