22 Things To Do In Redding California

In northern California’s Shasta Cascade region, the mid-1800s city of Redding is the largest city north of Sacramento and the cultural and economic hub of the area. Redding was once the northernmost non-native settlement in the state and its popularity exploded during the California Gold Rush.

Despite its rich history, the popularity of Redding as a travel destination has dropped off in recent years due to being in a more remote part of California. This is a real shame, as both the city and its surrounding area are filled with beautiful scenery, historic locations, exciting attractions and entertainment. Check out these things do in Redding and judge for yourself if it’s worth stopping by.

Redding, California

22 Things To Do In Redding California

1- Uncover The Wonders Of Turtle Bay Exploration Park

On the Sacramento River’s south bank, the Turtle Bay Exploration Park features a museum, botanical garden and forest camp.

The park has exhibits dedicated to the area’s local history, stunning displays of the region’s plant life, trails through beautiful parklands and a collection of animals like hawks and bobcats.

Turtle Bay Exploration Park is the perfect place to appreciate everything that makes the city of Redding great.

Turtle Bay Exploration Park is at 844 Sundial Bridge Drive, Redding, 96003.

2- Have A Fun Day Out At The WaterWorks Park

WaterWorks Park is a fantastic seasonal aquatic amusement park that opens in the city each summer.

Its collection of pools and slides are great for visitors of all ages to relax, have fun and cool off in the brilliant sunshine.

A range of rides that includes avalanche, cyclone and the dragon are sure to keep those looking for a real thrill entertained as well.

WaterWorks Park is at 151 North Boulder Drive, Redding, 96003.

3- Test Your Nerve At The Dreams Of Darkness Haunted House

The Dreams Of Darkness Haunted House is a seasonal attraction that is one of the longest-running haunted houses in the United States.

The only haunted house in Redding is THE place for those looking to test their nerves or enjoy a good scare.

Visitors travel through faithful recreations of the wild west mines and ghost towns to swamps and bayous of the deep south, and even into a haunted big top, each of which has a scary twist.

Dreams Of Darkness Haunted House is at 10925 Old Oregon Trail, Redding, 96003.

4- Embrace Nature At The Mc Connell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

The Mc Connell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is a fabulous destination for those interested in the more natural side of the region.

You can walk through a collection of beautiful shrubs and plants throughout the gardens, each with an educational sign to teach you a little more about what you are seeing.

Meanwhile, the butterfly garden is a lovely place to sit or stroll while watching them fly around you.

1125 Arboretum Drive, Redding, 96003.

5- Learn About The Universe At The Schreder Planetarium

The Schreder Planetarium is a 10 m (32ft) domed theatre with 65 seats and several hands-on exhibits.

As the only planetarium in northern California, it is the ideal place to gaze at the stars, learn a little more about our solar system and get a better idea of just how vast our universe truly is.

1644 Magnolia Avenue, Redding, 96001.

For more California ideas, see:

6- See The City’s Historic Side At The Eaton House Museum

The Eaton House Museum is a historic building erected in the 1800s and boasting stunning Victorian architecture.

The former home of Superior Court Judge Richard Behrens Eaton is a trust the judge established to share the history of the building and his family with residents and travellers to the city.

Visitors to the museum can see collections of Victorian furniture and housewares, as well as war artefacts, antique books, and pieces dedicated to his family’s history.

Eaton House is one of the best places in Redding to learn about the history of law, order, and the city itself.

Eaton House Museum is at 1520 West Street, Redding, 96001.

7- Walk Across The Sundial Bridge

The Sundial Bridge is an iconic landmark bridge that runs from the Turtle Bay Exploration Park, across the Sacramento River, to a part of Redding known as The Bluffs.

Designed in the shape of a sundial and featuring a glass walkway that is lit up after dark, it is a fabulous place to enjoy a walk and take in the stunning panoramic vistas of the river, day or night.

The Sundial Bridge is on the Sacramento River Trail, Redding, 96001.

8- Catch A Performance At The Cascade Theatre

The Cascade Theatre is a historic performance venue that first opened in 1935.

It hosts events like musicals, dramas, concerts, and performances by amateur and up and coming actors and musicians.

With its stunning, iconic décor, it is the perfect place to come and enjoy some sophisticated live entertainment in absolutely stunning surroundings.

The Cascade Theatre is at 1731 Market Street, Redding, 96001.

9- Watch A Show At The Redding Civic Auditorium

The Redding Civic Auditorium is a 2,000+ seater indoor arena that hosts many of the city’s largest events.

From concerts by internationally renowned artists and performances by stand-up comedians to conventions and children’s events, the Redding Civic Auditorium offers options for people of all ages.

Check the programme to see what’s on during your visit and you may end up having the best night of your entire stay right here.

Redding Civic Auditorium is at 700 Auditorium Drive, Redding, 96001.

10- Pay A Visit To The Redding City Hall and Sculpture Park

The Redding City Hall is a beautiful building that will please architecture fans.

Meanwhile, as the main seat of government in the city, it is also an excellent stop for anyone interested in American or Californian politics.

The City Hall is surrounded by the Sculpture Park, which has numerous art installations and fountains.

It’s a fabulous place to take a walk and enjoy the man-made beauty of the city.

Redding City Hall is at 777 Cypress Avenue, Redding, 96001.

11- Have Some Carefree Fun At The Oasis Fun Center

The Oasis Fun Center is an activity park with indoor and outdoor sections, designed to entertain visitors of all ages.

With activities including an arcade, axe throwing, bumper boats, children’s rides, crazy golf, go-karts, illuminated mini-golf, laser mazes, laser tag, and 3D ride simulators, as well as a great range of dining options, the Oasis Fun Center is the perfect destination for a fun-filled trip for the whole family.

Oasis Fun Center is at 3330 Cascade Boulevard #2212, Shasta Lake, 96019.

12- Put Your Wits To The Test In An Escape Room

Escape rooms are rapidly establishing themselves as one of the more popular recreational activities in the United States.

It’s a great option for having fun, testing your wits, building team chemistry and are perfect for people seeking mental and physical stimulation.

With Redding having two great escape rooms, which combine to offer five rooms covering themes like Christmas, hospitals, outlaws, pirates, and military operations, there are plenty of options for people of all tastes to enjoy an escape room in the city.

Boxed Escape Rooms: 3290 Bechelli Lane, Redding, 96002.
Extreme Escape Redding: 1440 Butte Street, Redding, 96001.

13- Place A Bet At The Win-River Resort & Casino

The Win-River Resort & Casino is a Native American casino that is one of the only establishments in northern California.

With a fully operational casino filled with traditional games and facilities like a golf course, pool, live entertainment venues, drinking and dining establishments, and a hotel, it’s the perfect opportunity to experience a type of entertainment that is quickly growing in the state.

Win-River Resort & Casino is at 2100 Redding Rancheria Road, Redding, 96001.

14- Experience High-Speed Entertainment At The Redding Dragstrip

The Redding Dragstrip is a drag racing track located on the grounds of Redding Airport.

Events are regularly held for spectators to come and enjoy, while there are even opportunities to hit the track yourself and test your vehicle and skills against the other competitors.

With an excellent selection of reasonably priced food and drink vendors, the Redding Dragstrip is the perfect chance for racing fans to enjoy some high-octane entertainment in the city.

Redding Dragstrip is at 6750 Old Oregon Trail, Redding, 96003.

15- Sample Local Vintages At Matson Vineyards

Matson Vineyards is a beautiful winery located on the eastern outskirts of Redding.

With California known to produce many of North America’s best wines, this is the perfect opportunity to sample some fabulous vintages fresh from the vine.

Explore the vineyard, enjoy a picnic in its scenic surroundings, attend a tasting party or event, or stop by and enjoy a bite to eat while sipping on a fabulous glass of locally produced wine.

Matson Vineyards is at 10584 Arapaho Drive, Redding, 96003.

16- Spend Some Time Outdoors In Enterprise Park

Enterprise Park is a large urban park in southeast Redding that is a perfect place to take a quick break from the urban press of the city for a while, without having to travel too far.

The wide-open green spaces are ideal for those hoping to enjoy a stroll in the fresh air.

A list of activities like disc golf, an outdoor roller hockey rink, a splash park and water fountain, and a children’s play area provides options for visitors seeking a little more entertainment and excitement.

Enterprise Park is at 4000 Victor Avenue, Redding, 96002.

17- Walk Along The Sacramento River National Recreation Trail

The Sacramento River National Recreation Trail is a circular route consisting of the 5.5 miles (8.85 km) Sacramento River Trail and 12.3 miles (19.8 km) Sacramento Rail Trail.

The trail weaves past beautiful hills and landscapes, across bridges and dams, and past plentiful wildlife while circling part of the Sacramento River.

The trail is the perfect place to enjoy the great outdoors and appreciate one of the city’s most stunning natural features.

18- Go Shopping In Mt. Shasta Mall

The Mt. Shasta Mall is one of only four malls in California north of Sacramento, making it the place to indulge in a little retail therapy during your time in the region.

With a collection of 69 stores, as well as scenic landscaping, vibrant amenities, and a wealth of drinking, dining, and outdoor recreation opportunities, there isn’t a better place in Redding to combine shopping and entertainment.

Mt. Shasta Mall is at 900 Dana Drive, Redding, 96003.

19- Go Hiking In Shasta – Trinity National Forest

Immediately to the north of Redding, you will find the Shasta – Trinity National Forest, a pair of protected forests covering more than 2 million acres.

It has trails weaving through forests, mountains and wilderness areas, lakes, rivers, streams filled with recreational activities and various designated campgrounds and climbing routes.

Shasta – Trinity National Forest is the perfect place to experience the more natural side of the region surrounding the city.

Shasta – Trinity National Forest is in Big Bar, California, 96010

20- Visit Lassen Volcanic National Park

A short drive east of Redding lies the 11th oldest national park in the United States, Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Home to the largest lava dome volcano in the world and cinder cone, composite, and shield volcanoes, it contains every type of volcano known to man.

With many of the volcanoes still active, visitors can see a collection of hydrothermal features, such as boiling pools, bubbling mud pots, and fumaroles.

Nature lovers will enjoy spotting the black bears, marten, mule deer, and more than 220 species of birds that inhabit the park.

21- Explore Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

The Whiskeytown Lake is a stunning centrepiece of the vast Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.

With 42,000 acres (17000ha) of waterfalls, mountains and trails for running, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding, there’s plenty to explore in this stunning area.

The area is the traditional home of the Wintu people whose lives changed dramatically during the gold rush of the 1840s and early 1850s when prospectors flocked to the region.

Whiskeytown was named after the miners, who were heavy whiskey drinkers; during the town’s heydey, several saloons served a population of around 1,000.

Whiskeytown is at 14412 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Whiskeytown, CA 96095.

22- Discover Lake Shasta Caverns

Lake Shasta Caverns is a network of caves near the McCloud arm of Shasta Lake.

Explore Lake Shasta on a catamaran while learning about the caverns’ geography, formation, and natural features.

Thes caverns are filled with 38 types of speleothem (cave formations) and Jurassic fossils.

Lake Shasta Caverns National Natural Landmark is 17 miles north of Redding at 20359 Shasta Caverns Rd, Lakehead, CA 96051-9677.