Last updated: 2025-05-06
Best Indoor Activities in Newport Beach
Newport Beach offers a treasure trove of indoor activities that capture the essence of Orange County’s vibrant culture. From museum explorations to unique shopping experiences, visitors and locals can discover engaging indoor destinations that showcase the region’s creativity and charm.
Whether seeking artistic inspiration at Sherman Library & Gardens or exploring unique retail environments like SOCO and The OC Mix, indoor attractions provide perfect escapes from coastal weather while delivering memorable Orange County experiences.
Discover Newport Beach’s coolest indoor adventures now!
Featured Indoor Activities in Newport Beach
- South Coast Plaza (Costa Mesa)
- Segerstrom Center for the Arts (Costa Mesa)
- Pretend City Children's Museum (Irvine)
- Sherman Library & Gardens (Corona del Mar)
- Lyon Air Museum (Santa Ana)
- SOCO and The OC Mix (Costa Mesa)
- The LAB Anti-Mall (Costa Mesa)
- Fashion Island Personal Shopping
- Irvine Museum (Irvine)
- Muckenthaler Cultural Center (Fullerton)
Fashion Island Personal Shopping
What to Expect
Al fresco luxury shopping environment with personalized styling services
Description
Fashion Island offers a premium personal shopping experience in an open-air Newport Beach setting. Shoppers can access curated styling services across multiple high-end retail stores, with personalized assistance tailored to individual fashion preferences and wardrobe needs.
More Info: Fashion Island Personal Shopping ↗
Irvine Museum (Irvine)
What to Expect
Comprehensive collection of California Impressionist paintings
Description
The Irvine Museum specializes in California Impressionist art, showcasing a remarkable collection of late 19th and early 20th-century paintings that capture the state's luminous landscapes and natural beauty. Visitors can explore carefully curated exhibits highlighting California's artistic heritage through a diverse range of regional artworks.
More Info: Irvine Museum ↗
Lyon Air Museum (Santa Ana)
What to Expect
Comprehensive World War II aviation and military vehicle collection
Description
Lyon Air Museum showcases an extraordinary collection of authentic World War II aircraft, military vehicles, and historical memorabilia. Visitors explore meticulously preserved planes and ground vehicles that highlight the Greatest Generation's aviation achievements. The museum offers comprehensive exhibits featuring rare historical artifacts and immersive educational displays about mid-20th century military history.
More Info: Lyon Air Museum ↗
Muckenthaler Cultural Center (Fullerton)
What to Expect
Historic mansion transformed into multidisciplinary arts venue
Description
Indoor cultural center offering diverse artistic experiences through live performances, music concerts, art exhibitions, and special events. Features a historic mansion gallery with rotating exhibits, including jazz festivals, theatrical productions, and cultural celebrations like the Día de los Muertos Festival.
More Info: Muckenthaler Cultural Center ↗
Pretend City Children's Museum (Irvine)
What to Expect
Full-scale child-sized city with interactive professional role-play environments
Description
Pretend City Children's Museum transforms learning into an immersive play experience, offering a child-sized interactive city where kids explore real-world roles through hands-on exhibits. Children engage with miniature professional environments, developing critical skills while enjoying imaginative play across multiple themed zones.
More Info: Pretend City Children's Museum ↗
Segerstrom Center for the Arts (Costa Mesa)
What to Expect
Multi-venue performing arts complex with resident companies
Description
Comprehensive performing arts center featuring world-class Broadway shows, dance performances, concerts, and family-friendly theater productions. Multi-venue complex hosting diverse performing arts experiences from Broadway musicals to symphonic concerts, dance performances, and community events.
More Info: Segerstrom Center for the Arts ↗
Sherman Library & Gardens (Corona del Mar)
What to Expect
Comprehensive botanical research library and garden education center
Description
Sherman Library & Gardens is a botanical research center and educational destination featuring diverse indoor and outdoor learning experiences. Offers botanical classes, art exhibits, historical library collections, and specialized workshops ranging from gardening to creative arts. Provides engaging programs for children, adults, and families interested in horticulture, local history, and creative learning.
More Info: Sherman Library & Gardens ↗
SOCO and The OC Mix (Costa Mesa)
What to Expect
Premium design marketplace with diverse luxury home and lifestyle brands
Description
SOCO and The OC Mix is a curated design destination featuring premium home furnishings, lifestyle stores, and luxury design studios. The complex showcases high-end retailers specializing in furniture, tiles, kitchens, and home decor from global and local brands.
More Info: SOCO and The OC Mix ↗
South Coast Plaza (Costa Mesa)
What to Expect
Largest luxury shopping complex in California
Description
South Coast Plaza is a premier shopping destination featuring over 250 luxury and designer stores across multiple buildings. While primarily a shopping center, it offers limited indoor entertainment options through its extensive retail and dining experiences, including high-end restaurants and boutique shopping environments.
More Info: South Coast Plaza ↗
The LAB Anti-Mall (Costa Mesa)
What to Expect
Non-traditional urban marketplace with independent retailers and creative spaces
Description
The LAB Anti-Mall is a unique shopping and cultural complex in Costa Mesa featuring independent retailers, art spaces, and creative venues. This alternative marketplace offers an eclectic mix of local businesses, art installations, and unconventional retail experiences that challenge traditional mall concepts.
More Info: The LAB Anti-Mall ↗
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