Top 10 Things to Do in Anaheim

Top 10 Things to Do in Anaheim

Making plans to recharge professionally at AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo in Anaheim next year? Why not also make plans to soak up the Southern California sun and the diverse culinary and cultural offerings Orange County has to offer?

Here are 10 not-to-be-missed outings beyond the conference.

1. Don’t Miss the Happiest Place on Earth

No trip to Anaheim would be complete without a Disney experience, whether you meet up with family or explore with friends. Visit Disneyland Park for classic Disney experiences such as the Haunted Mansion, as well as newer adventures including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Explore the park map to plan your visit.

2. Take a Brewery Tour

Have a penchant for hops? Anaheim celebrates a long history of craft brewed beers and has become a hub for breweries to explore. Use this Anaheim Brewery Map to enjoy a wide range of flavors and beer gardens to plan time for sampling with friends.

3. Sample Some Wine

If wine is your preference, take a trip on the OC Wine Trolley. This 90-minute ride offers unique stops at eight or more restaurants through Old Town Orange to sample food while tasting wine on the trolley.

4. Make Time for the GardenWalk

Just across the street from the Convention Center is the Anaheim GardenWalk, an outdoor promenade with food and drink (check out the Fire + Ice Interactive Bar and Grill), art, and even live Latin music at Rumba Room Live.

5. Explore OC Beaches

Orange Country has six beaches to help you play and unwind, including San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Seal Beach, and Huntington Beach (a.k.a Surf City USA^®) where you can nab your own surf lesson or watch locals from the pier. Brave a trip out to sea through a whale watching tour or deep-sea fishing adventure from Newport Beach.

6. Perfect Your Putt

Looking to soak up some sun but want to stay inland? Try the Anaheim Hills Golf Course, just a short drive from the Convention Center. Dad Miller Golf Course is also located in Anaheim and boasts a walkable and fun, yet challenging course.

7. Cocktail SoCal Style

When your conference day is ending, Orange County nightlife is just ramping up, with a wide range of rooftop bars to enjoy the skyline and coastline. Savor a Laguna beach sunset with fruit-flavored mojito in hand at La Casa del Camino or view the Disneyland fireworks from the roof of The FIFTH with a crafted cocktail and Drunken Donuts.

8. Expand Your Culinary Vocabulary

A wide range of cultural influences are on the menu when you visit Anaheim, whether you are looking for fine dining, fish tacos on the go at Urbana in the Anaheim Packing District (visit on Taco Tuesday for a Tequila/Taco pairing), or flavors from abroad in Little Arabia or Little Saigon.

9. Grow Your SoCal Cultural IQ

Orange County boasts a vibrant arts and culture scene, including a history of Anaheim at Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center, a nod to military history at the USS Midway Museum (just a short drive South to San Diego), or a short jaunt North to take in the Walk of Fame and other La-La land cultural offering in Los Angeles.

10. Get Your Shop On!

The largest shopping center on the West Coast and home to luxury designer fashions from Hermès, Dior, Saint Laurent, Fendi and Prada can be found at South Coast Plaza Mall in Costa Mesa, just outside of Anaheim. Or enjoy the quaintly curated shops at Center Street Promenade, the historical center of commerce for Anaheim, with seasonal artists and a farmer’s market.

Looking for a place to stay while you’re in Anaheim? Book your hotel through AORN to get the best location and rates in the city.

And don’t miss your chance to win your stay from AORN. Register for the conference during the month of October and you'll be entered into a drawing for a five-night hotel stay. Five winners will be selected in early November.