Staff Picks

Play in fresh snow that’s blown in daily, explore the Snowmazing inflatable maze, and take a walk through our brilliantly illuminated Festival of Lights areas. Bigger kids will love flying down Snowflake Summit – a 150-foot long ice tubing slide complete with 8 lanes. But not to worry, even the littlest visitors will have tons of fun in their own toddler play area. The model train exhibit is sure to wow you as well as daily entertainment from the likes of the Paw Patrol! Purchase your tickets online now and make your stay even merrier.

November 7th, 9th, 12th, and 16th, all offer opportunities for visitors to make their way to the arena to watch teams from all over the country and Canada square off against the Ducks. Their opponents include the Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, and the Toronto Maple Leafs respectively, and each game will be a blast for you and the whole family to enjoy. Ticket prices can start as low as $15 a game and vary depending on seating choices, but you can be sure to enjoy the experience that this exciting game provides no matter where you watch.

Located in the 1908 Carnegie Library building, the Muzeo is a treasure trove, featuring artifacts that together weave a fascinating true story of the history of Anaheim and the area that surrounds it. Visitors can browse and peruse such treasures of the past as ancient fossils, vintage citrus-farming implements, winery items from the 19^th century, an array of miscellany from Anaheim’s founders, and assorted mementos from Disneyland and other momentous area sites. “Anaheim: A Walk Through Local History” is on permanent display, and upcoming exhibits include a holiday model train exhibit opening in November that features the history of trains in Southern California, and the ever-popular annual Muzeo TrashARTist Challenge. Additional programs offer lectures and in-person visits with authors, such as “Open Book with Selma Mann and Mary Alice Sutherland” on October 25. So, whether you’re a history buff, a vintage collector, or just curious, you’ll find the Muzeo is well worth a visit.

Address: 241 S. Anaheim Blvd

Located just 20 minutes by car from our hotel, this epic show invites you to take sides, back-stab, and sing along as 150 performers entertain you and your companions with thrilling theatricality on a simulated 18th-century Spanish vessel. You’ll also savor a mouth-watering four-course dinner, as delicious as any that ever graced the captain’s quarters. The battles are epic, the scheming by turns cunning and hilarious, and the ever-present menace of the Loch Ness Monster enough to unite even the most rebellious mates. Best of all, at the end of the night, you won’t have to resign yourself to a bunk in the belly of a sea-tossed ship. We’ll have your pillows fluffed and your cozy bed ready for you back at the Cortona Inn and Suites.

Address: 7600 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620

Joseph Prentice, who gave the city of Santa Ana the land that would become the zoo, was especially fond of monkeys. As part of the donation, he declared that the zoo must always have at least 50 monkeys. Thus, you’ll be treated to an extraordinary primate collection during your visit. You’ll also see giant anteaters, green iguanas, black-necked swans, Brazilian ocelots, and much more. This easy to navigate zoo is great for families with small children, who are inevitably enchanted by the many curious monkeys and other primates. Best of all, the zoo is open every day from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M., making it easy to fit a trip into your schedule.

Address: 1801 E Chestnut Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92701

If you want to get in on some of these awesome 80s jams, join the legendary DJ Uncle Larry every week in the Foundation Room for Throw Back Thursdays. You can also enjoy the mouthwatering, made-from-scratch Southern cuisine at the in-house restaurant and bar, which specializes in Voodoo Shrimp, the Juicy Lucy Burger, and the ever-popular Smokehouse Platter. So tuck those jeans into your socks, grab your brightest neon threads, and come on down to dance the night away with the catchiest tunes this side of a synthesizer. There’s never any cover, doors open at 6 P.M., and the party continues well into the evening.

Address: 400 Disney Way #337, Anaheim, CA 92802

The basic package will put your party and several others on a mid-size boat to scan the waves for humpback whales, gray whales, finback whales, giant blue whales, minke whales, dolphins, and more. You can also opt for the Captain’s Seating package, which will secure you one or more of the six spaces in the captain’s quarters during the cruise. This also means the captain will be your personal guide. Finally, you can opt to rent a private boat and captain of your own for a private tour that accommodates two to six guests. Each tour lasts two hours and sets sail three times daily, seven days a week, all year long.

Address: 309 Palm St. #A, Newport Beach, CA 92661

That’s not the only Anaheim attraction that pays tribute to the cultural diversity of our magical city. From Friday, May 18, through Sunday, May 20, the OC Greek Fest will take place in and around St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church, where thousands of revelers will enjoy the finest in Greek cuisine, music, art, dancing, and more. Are you a fan of Moussaka, Souvlaki, and Tiropita? Do you relish the chance to peruse handmade treasures, including clothing, jewelry, and paintings, crafted by artists and artisans from both sides of the Atlantic? Head on down for the festival, where entertainment abounds for adults and kids, who will enjoy their own dedicated “Kids Zone.” As they say in Greece, “Opa”!

Address: 405 N. Dale St., Anaheim, California 92801

To stretch your legs and soak up the spring sun, we recommend a trip to the Anaheim GardenWalk, a major outdoor center for dining, shopping, and entertainment, located less than a mile from our hotel. Score a few strikes amid the hip neon lights and plasma screens of Bowlmor Lanes, or sign up for an hour of mind-bending puzzles at Mission Escape Games. If you’re in the mood for some retail therapy, you can check out the all-natural beauty and cosmetics products at Lush, browse unique pop culture-inspired threads at Geeky Mamas, or indulge in some of the finer things in life at Madison & Co. Jewelers. Fire & Ice Grill, Johnny Rockets, McCormick & Schmick’s, and several other restaurants are ready to satisfy the heartiest appetites. And once the sun has set, you can get your groove on at Heat Ultra Lounge or Rumba Room Live. All this and much more awaits at the exciting, eclectic, and convenient Anaheim GardenWalk.

Address: 400 Disney Way, Anaheim, CA 92802

Starting at 5 pm, enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day Festival. This event is for all ages. Enjoy live music from The Joshua Tree, the number one U2 cover band. In addition, there will be performances from other bands as well.

In addition to live music, enjoy food trucks, green beer, bagpipe lessons, a clover scavenger hunt and more. This will surely be an event the whole family can enjoy. It’s definitely the luck of the Irish that such a fun holiday should fall on a Saturday this year, so get out there and enjoy yourself. For information and to RSVP for free click here.

12762 Main Street, Garden Grove, CA 92840

Sunset Gondola offers a variety of options for setting the mood. This is the perfect way to spend some romantic quality time with that special someone. Sunset Gondolas use imported Italian Gondolas to guide you through the scenic Huntington Harbor. They also provide blankets, wine glasses, and ice buckets. You're only responsible for bringing the food, your favorite wine, and your date! Show your date that you understand romance with a perfect evening out on the water. For pricing and information click here to learn more. 

The Anaheim Packing District offers an array of activities, food, and places to shop for unique items that weren’t on your holiday list. In addition to having loads of options for shopping, dining, and relaxing, you’ll get a taste of Anaheim history inside a restored 1920’s Mission Revival Style building, one of the few historical structures to survive in downtown. Aside from filling your belly with a diverse range of cuisine, the Anaheim Packing District offers live music every weekend and festive events throughout the week. And since you’re in sunny SoCal, check out the boardwalk, community gardens, and the olive grove too. For more information click here.  

440 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92805