In recent conversations with our guests, we have been pleasantly surprised by the number of visitors from Australia or New Zealand, literally the furthest countries from our city of Anaheim, CA. While our guests primarily stay with us to enjoy the major attractions across the street, many also arrive with plans to explore California in general, with one family even sharing that they would be road-tripping up the West Coast all the way to Vancouver, Canada. Personally, we've found Anaheim to be a strategic transit point for great excursions, thus naturally, we've blogged on many topics and locations not always directly related to Anaheim – from neighboring cities like San Diego to national parks such as Joshua Tree, and even road trips to the Northwest. But meeting actual guests embarking on their own adventures through Anaheim helps reaffirm our sense that it is helpful to expand beyond the "things to do in Anaheim" column every so often.
On that note (pun intended), we would like to transition by saying that the genre of performing arts is truly a gift, especially in an age when so many of us are glued to the screen. While there are certainly a array of impressive options to experience the performing arts in Southern California, we would like to spotlight three noteworthy venues outside of Anaheim, due to the quality and accessibility of their locations, as well as their family friendly offerings:
Around a 40-75 minute drive from the Alamo Inn and Suites depending on traffic, the Walt Disney Concert Hall is the furthest on this list, but a true immersive delight for the entire family. Designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, this state-of-the-art facility is a sight to behold inside and out, and the concert hall is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, deemed one of the best orchestras in the United States. Still, with all the prestige in the world, the Walt Disney Concert Hall stays warm and inviting to our littles. This venue consistently puts on Symphonies for Youth events, inviting children and families for art activities before a 45-minute concert tailored for children ages 5-11. Even if you aren't able to find a show you like, it is a worthy stop if you have space for our Los Angeles photo tour.
Situated in Orange County, the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, is just a 20-40 minute drive from the Alamo Inn and Suites (depending on traffic), and home to the highly acclaimed Pacific Symphony. In addition to orchestral performances, the Segerstrom Center for the Arts showcases a larger spectrum of events which include dance, and Broadway shows. While many performances may not be suitable for younger audiences, shows such as "The Nutcracker for Kids" and "Peter and the Wolf" are part of their Family Musical Mornings series, designed for ages 5 and up. Before or after the show, it's simply a 12-minute walk to South Coast Plaza for great food and shopping.
Finally, even closer is the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, about a 20 minute drive from the Alamo Inn and Suites. This smaller venue isn't in the same category as the Walt Disney Concert Hall or the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in terms of architecture or acclaim, but we find it to be a great option for those preferring something more lowkey. The La Mirada Theatre puts on widely enjoyed plays and musicals, garnishing great feedback from the local community. As with the others, the La Mirada Theatre offers performances for younger audiences between ages 5-11 such as "Swan Lake, Jr.", part of their Programs for Young Audiences Series.