With unique shops and restaurants, as well as historic and scenic spots, Echo Park is a great place to explore and discover what’s so special about living in Los Angeles. The neighborhood has many restaurants, art galleries, and other activities for adults. But what about families? There are plenty of fun things to do in Echo Park with kids that will keep you all entertained.
Fun Things to Do in Echo Park With Kids
From boat rides in the lake to a game at Dodger Stadium, this low-key, hipster neighborhood is sure to be a hit with the kids.
Echo Park Lake
Echo Park Lake is the perfect place to visit with kids. You can walk around the lake, feed the ducks, and enjoy the view. Nothing beats an iconic ride across the lake aboard the swan paddle boats. The lake near Los Angeles is home to a variety of turtles, fish, and other species, as well as lotus beds that blossom every summer. If you want to kick things up a notch make a reservation for a night ride. The Swans make the lake come alive with LED lights. After you take a whirl around the lake, grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants and cafes nearby.
Echo Park Farmers Market
Stop by the Echo Park Farmers Market, which takes place on Fridays from 3pm – 7:30pm. You can buy fresh produce, and unique items like locally made honey, jewelry, or artisanal soaps. Grab a bite to eat from one of the several food vendors serving up unique dishes like crepes, gourmet tamales, and sushi.
Dodger Stadium
Echo Park is also home to Dodger Stadium. Echo Park’s Dodgers games are perfect for taking your kids to their first baseball game!
Elysian Park Trail
It’s hard to believe you can get so close to nature right in the heart of the city, but this easy hiking trail is the perfect spot to explore with kids.
Chavez Ravine Arboretum
More than 100 different species of trees, including what are thought to be the oldest and biggest Cape Chestnut, Kauri, and Tipu trees in the United States, can be found at the Chavez Ravine Arboretum, which can be found in Elysian Park, north of Dodger Stadium, at 929 Academy Road in Los Angeles, California. The arboretum doesn’t charge for admission.
The Los Angeles Horticultural Society founded the Arboretum in 1893, and rare tree planting continued there into the 1920s. There are still several of the original trees. In 1967, the Arboretum was recognized as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument.
Vista Hermosa Natural Park – MRCA
The 10.5-acre Vista Hermosa Park, constructed by the MRCA and situated at the western entrance to Downtown Los Angeles, boldly brings the calm and diversity of nature back to the city’s center. Residents of this crowded area enjoy visiting Vista Hermosa Natural Park, which is run in partnership with the Los Angeles Unified School District and the City of LA.
The park has picnic areas, a playground with a natural theme, walking routes, streams, meadows, and oak savannahs. It is surrounded by native Mediterranean flora. The nearby Edward R. Roybal Learning Center and the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks share use of a soccer field that complies with FIFA standards. The perfect location for activities like environmental and natural history education is an outdoor amphitheater in a grotto.
Button Mash
Looking for a fun spot to cool down and grab a bite? With retro arcade games and a tasty taco menu Button Mash is the place to be.
Echo Park Skate Park
For newbie and teen skateboarders, the about 7,500-square-foot Echo Park Skate Park has five steps with rails, a bump to ledge, a tiny bowl, a curb ledge, and other attractions.
Echo Park Indoor Pool
Looking to go for a swim anytime of year? This large indoor pool is heated and open year-round with lanes for lap swimming.
Time Travel Mart
Go on a shopping excursion unlike any you’ve ever experienced before. Part book store, part gift shop, it’s almost impossible to fully explain what this store actually sells, but it’s so quirky and unique you really just have to see it for yourself. The best part is every purchase you make supports the awesome non-profit 826LA.
Looking for more unique Los Angeles neighborhoods to explore? Check out our City Guides.
