If you’re entertaining out-of-towners this holiday weekend or seeking fun with your family and besties, the Downtown Waterfront has what you’re looking for. Weather Forecast: Mild temps and mostly sunny skies all weekend! Get outside and see the beauty of Downtown, the harbor, and the ocean from many vantage points. You’ll discover new places to eat, drink, and shop along the way! It’s easy to make memories when you’re out and about at Downtown’s beautiful waterfront.
AQUALINK & AQUABUS WATER TAXIS
AquaLink Water Taxi
“Water Taxi” is such a cool name, who could resist cruising in one? You have two water taxi options in the Downtown Waterfront; the AquaLink, which takes you on a scenic 40-minute trip from Downtown to Alamitos Bay ($5 one-way), and the AquaBus, a 20-minute jaunt ($1 one-way) that highlights Rainbow Harbor’s hot spots. Both water taxis make stops at the Queen Mary! For complete Memorial Day Weekend schedules, parking info, and payment methods, click here.
Photo courtesy of Glass Bottom Boat Tours
Sea View Cruises calls these their “ECO-TOURS” for good reasons! You’ll see all kinds of marine life, get a taste of the open sea when you traverse the gap in the breakwall, and, with help from the knowledgeable guides, you’ll get a real feel for the complex ecosystems that animate the harbor. You’ll also get a close-up look at the Queen Mary’s starboard side! This will be a memorable excursion for the whole family. Click here to book your ECO-TOUR!
Photo courtesy of The Aquarium of The Pacific
The award-winning, world-renowned Aquarium of the Pacific offers plenty of outdoor fun in addition to its fantastic indoor labyrinths of sea creatures! In the 5,400-square foot Lorikeet Forest, you’ll walk down a path where colorful and lively lorikeets fill the trees. Buy a cup of their favorite nectar, and as you walk through the forest they’ll land on you to get a sip! With over 100 exhibits and 19 distinct habitats, the Aquarium is a must-visit for the entire family. Click here to get tickets, book an Aquarium-connected boat cruise, and a feel for everything this very special place has to offer.
Photo courtesy of The Pike Outlets
No matter how old you are, that first up-and-over on a ferris wheel is always a thrill! Add a one-of-a-kind sunset view to the mix and you’ll be having a fine time indeed. The 90-foot tall ferris wheel at the Pike Outlets sits on hallowed ground; It’s where the Pike Amusement Park used to be, of course. You’ll get a nostalgic feeling on the ride, but you’ll also dig the awesome computerized light show on the sides of the wheel, and the new-school jams they’re playing as you revolve. You can ride Saturday and Sunday from noon to 9 PM, Monday from 3 to 9 PM.
Photo courtesy of Wheel Fun Rentals
For an old-fashioned, peaceful experience that includes a mild ocean breeze, rent a Swan Boat at Rainbow Lagoon! They’re powered by you and anyone else who wants to help out. Drift along Shoreline Drive in the calm lagoon waters, then pedal ’round the bend where it’s a bit more secluded. The swans look AMAZING when they light up at dusk! Due to capacity limitations, reservations are required. The swans are available from 10 AM to 10 PM every day. To make your reservation, click here.
Austin Metoyer, President and CEO of The Downtown Long Beach Alliance
Have fun this weekend multitasking on the Downtown Fitness Loop! You’ll be exercising, getting a complete overview of the Downtown Waterfront, and humble-bragging to your friends on social media. The Loop is a 4.8-mile walking/running path bordered by Alamitos Ave., East Shoreline Dr., Aquarium Rd., West Shoreline Dr. and Ocean Blvd. It’s a distance-marked path that connects fitness equipment stations, helping fitness buffs establish a routine. Throughout the Loop there are active exercise stations such as pull-up and dip bars, and passive stations for balancing and stretching. Push yourself a little bit — but make sure you’re savoring every great view you encounter!
Photo courtesy of Long Beach Watersports
Frolic with the whales and dolphins this weekend on a jet ski! Long Beach Watersports has a fleet of brand-new SeaDoo jet skis waiting for you at their dock next to Hotel Maya at 700 Queensway Drive. Cruise solo or with one passenger in the HUGE ride zone – over 6 miles long! You can rent your jet ski for one hour, two hours, or the entire day. Click here for rules, parking details, and to reserve your jet skis.
Photo courtesy of Wheel Fun Rentals
Wheel Fun Rentals in Shoreline Village has been putting DTLB visitors on wheels for 25 years! You and your family can roam the Shoreline Village Boardwalk and the 4.5-mile Shoreline Bike Path on a fleet of bikes, eBikes, and cruisers, or you can all ride together in a surrey! Bike locks, maps, and helmets are offered FREE with rentals. Wheel Fun Rentals will also validate parking in the Shoreline Village lot. Click here for more, including photos of all vehicles for rent and info about the exciting night rides!