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Things to Do in Riverside (2026)
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is Riverside's crown jewel, a historic landmark with stunning architecture and lush gardens. Take a free self-guided tour of the public areaβ¦ ποΈ Start at the Mission Inn
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is Riverside's crown jewel, a historic landmark with stunning architecture and lush gardens. Take a free self-guided tour of the public areas, or book a guided tour for $15 to learn about its rich history. Don't miss the Festival of Lights in December, but even in 2026, the inn's year-round beauty is worth a visit.
π¨ Explore the Art Scene
The Riverside Art Museum, located at 3425 Mission Inn Avenue, features rotating exhibits of contemporary and regional art for a $10 admission fee. For a more intimate experience, visit the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art, which opened in 2022 and showcases vibrant works from the Chicano movement. Both are within walking distance of the Mission Inn.
πΏ Walk Through Fairmount Park
Fairmount Park, at 2601 Fairmount Boulevard, is a 250-acre green space with a lake, Japanese garden, and walking trails. It's free to enter and perfect for a picnic or a leisurely afternoon. The park's historic bandstand hosts free concerts in the summer, so check the city's events calendar for 2026 dates.
π Ride the Riverside Trolley
The Riverside Trolley, a free electric shuttle, runs through downtown and connects key attractions like the Mission Inn, the Fox Performing Arts Center, and the Riverside Convention Center. Operating from 7 AM to 10 PM daily, it's an easy way to hop between sights without a car. In 2026, the trolley will continue to be a convenient, zero-fare option.
π· Taste Local Wines
Riverside is part of the Temecula Valley wine region, but you don't need to drive far for a tasting. Visit the Riverside Wine Company at 3650 Merrill Avenue, where you can sample local vintages for $15 per flight. For a vineyard experience, head to Galleano Winery in nearby Mira Loma, just 15 minutes away, for a rustic tasting room and live music on weekends.
π Catch a Show at the Fox
The Fox Performing Arts Center, at 3801 Mission Inn Avenue, is a beautifully restored 1929 movie palace that now hosts concerts, Broadway tours, and comedy shows. Ticket prices vary, but many performances start at $30. Check their 2026 schedule in advance, as popular acts sell out quickly.
π΅ Hike at Mount Rubidoux
Mount Rubidoux, a 161-acre park just west of downtown, offers a 3.5-mile loop trail with panoramic views of the city and the San Bernardino Mountains. The trail is open from sunrise to sunset and is free to use. It's a local favorite for sunrise hikes, and you'll often see the iconic cross at the summit lit up at night.
π½οΈ Dine on Food Street
University Avenue, known locally as Food Street, is lined with diverse eateries from Thai to Mexican to vegan. Try the award-winning tacos at Tio's Tacos at 3948 Mission Inn Avenue, or grab a craft beer at the Riverside Food Lab, a food hall at 3397 Mission Inn Avenue. Most restaurants are open until 10 PM, and prices range from $10 to $25 per entree.
The guide mentioned the Cheech but didn't say how small it is compared to the main art museum. You can see everything in about 45 minutes, which is actually nice if you're trying to fit a lot into one day. I'd pair it with a walk through the Mission Inn gardens since they're literally across the street.
For the Food Street mention, there's a spot called Pokeworks at 3650 Merrill Avenue that does a solid build-your-own bowl for around $12. It's not the most exciting recommendation but sometimes you just want something light and fresh after a heavy taco lunch.
Solid write-up. One thing I'd add is the Riverside Farmers Market at the parking lot at 4th and Lemon. It runs Saturday mornings from 8 to noon, and the produce is way better than what you get at the grocery store. The tamale vendor near the entrance is worth the trip alone, and there's usually a guy playing live acoustic guitar.
The Mission Inn tour is worth the $15 if you're into history. I did it last year and the guide pointed out details you'd never notice on your own, like the hidden peacocks in the stained glass. Just book ahead on their website because the free slots fill up fast.
Honestly the guide nailed it but they missed the March Field Air Museum over by the airport. It's like 10 mins from downtown and has a massive collection of vintage planes you can actually walk through. I took my nephew there last summer and we spent like 3 hours climbing around old bombers and cockpits. Only $12 for adults and parking is free. The guide's tip about Mount Rubidoux is spot on but if u go at sunset bring a flashlight the trail gets dark fast on the way down
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Hidden gems in Riverside for a trip in 3 months?
mt rubidoux at sunrise is worth the early alarm, its a short hike off mission inn ave and you get the whole city below u. for food hit tio's tacos on market st, the carnitas are unreal & its cash only so bring some. also check if the mission inn festival of lights is running when ur there, starts late nov & its free to walk thru
The Riverside Art Museum on Mission Inn Ave is small but has a good permanent collection and it's rarely crowded on weekdays, plus the building itself is a Julia Morgan design which is a nice bonus. For something more offbeat, the Heritage House downtown does tours on weekends and it's basically a time capsule of Victorian Riverside. If you want a bite after, Mario's Place on Mission Inn Ave does solid Italian and the patio is quiet in the evenings.
If you're into old cemeteries, Evergreen Memorial Historic Cemetery on 14th St is quiet and full of Riverside history, lots of Victorian headstones and the founder of the navel orange industry is buried there. For food, skip the chains and hit El Trigo on Magnolia, it's a tiny Mexican spot with great chilaquiles and horchata, open early. Also the Citrus State Historic Park out on Van Buren is underrated, you can walk through the groves and it's basically empty on weekdays.