The city of Long Beach borders Orange County and Los Angeles County and it is California’s seventh-largest city. Known for the Queen Mary and its busy shipping port, Long Beach is a great city to explore with lots of fun things to do. Here are the top attractions in the city of Long Beach.
The Aquarium of the Pacific
This aquarium is still often recognized as one of United States’ best aquariums. The Aquarium of the Pacific has more than 500 species of sea creatures with different exhibits showcasing everything from sharks to jellyfish. Lots of great programs are also on offer here during the day for both adults and children. To see everything this aquarium offers, give yourself up to three hours.
Shoreline Park
The Shoreline Park is a popular park known for its large lighthouse that sits on the hill just overlooking the water. There is multiple scootering, biking, and walking paths, so you can take them up to the lighthouse and around the park. On the south side of the park, there are fishing platforms while the north side has a small sandy beach. While there is not a lot to do here, it is always a good spot to relax and just watch the sunset.
Harbor Cruise
If you want to get out on the water, consider taking a Harbor Cruise. The cruise is relatively inexpensive, and it is a great way to tour Long Beach waterfront. You will enjoy the 45-minute ride as it will take you past the small oil drilling islands and the Queen Mary just off Long Beach coast. You will even get to see some seals as well while you are out on the water. If a harbor cruise is not your thing, there are a lot of boats here that do whale watching.
The Queen Mary
After exploring the downtown area, head over to the Queen Mary, the most famous landmark in Long Beach. With a storied history of more than 75 years, this place has a lot to offer. You can head onto the boat after grabbing a ticket and just explore to your heart’s content. There are also tours that spotlight the different parts of the boat like the haunted areas and the engine room. If you are looking for a unique place to stay in Long Beach, you can stay on the boat. For a whole family, the Queen Mary can be a little pricey but it is definitely a unique attraction to visit while in the city.
Visit One of the Beaches in Long Beach
For many people, a visit to Long Beach is not complete without a visit to the beach. The most popular beach in this city is the Long Beach City Beach, often referred to as Junipero Beach. It has a long stretch of sand that visitors can take advantage of. There is also a nice biking and walking path along the beach. Go up to bluff Park if you want to get a better view. It has a biking and walking path and it provides some great views of the water.