Anaheim GardenWalk
Anaheim GardenWalk is an outdoor entertainment and shopping district in Anaheim, California, located a block east of the Disneyland Resort in the Anaheim Resort District. The center debuted on June 14, 2008, during the Great Recession, and had a 55% occupancy rate in 2011. Prior to 2014, the majority of its fashion retailers, including Tommy Bahama, Ann Taylor LOFT, and Hollister Co., had shuttered. The UltraLuxe Cinemas, which closed on August 17, 2015, was its most recent victim. However, the center has been performing well recently, but its concentration is now primarily on entertainment rather than retail. House of Blues Anaheim, Bowlmor, 24 Hour Fitness, Heat Ultra Lounge, and a variety of restaurants and businesses are all located in the center.
Maybe you need a break at the end of the day after 10 hours of meetings at the Anaheim Convention Center. Maybe you’re looking for somewhere to take the kids after a day of princesses and parades at Disneyland Resort. Anaheim GardenWalk, a modern outdoor shopping and dining complex, is a popular destination, especially after dark, when outdoor fire pits and entertainment venues come alive.
The open-air, multistory mall is a 5- to 10-minute walk from the convention center, Disneyland Resort, and numerous large hotels (if you’re driving, indoor parking is plentiful and free for the first hour). Stores and cafes offer a wonderful mix of quality franchises and local finds, and there are lots of ways to unwind, including movie theaters, live music venues, and even a bowling alley. As you walk about, you’ll notice that art is everywhere—in the form of installations, murals, and shop displays. All of this is part of GardenWalk’s Art on the Walk initiative, which also includes a quarterly event where local artists can sell their work. Check the events calendar to see when the next one is.
Hungry? A simple glance through the Anaheim GardenWalk directory offers a diverse range of options. If you’re a conventioneer looking to unwind, head to Fire + Ice Grill + Bar’s expansive outdoor patio and fire pits. Order Manhattans and ask for the daily seafood specials at McCormick & Schmick’s Grille for a clubby vibe. If you want to keep the younger audience happy and nourished, consider the hand-tossed and hearth-baked pies at California Pizza Kitchen or The Cheesecake Factory (it’s quite popular, so arrive early to avoid the greatest crowds, which usually occur between 6 and 8 p.m.).
If your kids still have energy after a day of theme park excitement, head to Billy Beez, which has an indoor play area with slides, trampolines, and plenty of room to run around. (There’s also an on-site childcare service, so parents can lunch while their children play under adult supervision.) Bowlmor Lanes keeps the party going with glow-in-the-dark lanes, plus you can enjoy VIP-style food and drink service while reclining on your lane’s comfortable banquettes. Pool tables, a video game arcade, and a sports bar are also available at Bowlmor.
You may browse for eco-friendly cosmetics, body products, and soaps at Klarif or get your leather on at Los Angeles Harley-Davidson of Anaheim, which is open until 9 p.m. If you have tweens, they’ll probably recommend Soccer Wearhouse or O’Neill. Looking for some bling to bring home? Madison and Company Fine Jewelers is worth a look.
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