Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Westminster, CA

  • Published 2022/11/13

Westminster is located in the northwest end of Orange County, California.

Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, and Fountain Valley border the city.

It is well-known for its many Vietnamese refugees who immigrated during the 1970s and 1980s.

They were the ones who pioneered the construction of Southeast Asian establishments in the city, such as restaurants, businesses, and more.

These developments, over time, have also become popular tourist attractions.

Here are the best things to do in Westminster, California:

Learn about the Vietnamese Culture at the Museum of the Republic of Vietnam

Exterior of the Museum of the Republic of Vietnam

Steve Cukrov / Shutterstock.com

The Museum of the Republic of Vietnam on Bolsa Avenue is the only museum in the world that features the history of the Republic of Vietnam and its military.

It opened in 2016 and has since honored the country’s veterans and preserved its history and culture for future generations.

Here, you’ll see real dioramas and scale models of Vietnamese naval vessels.

Interior of the Museum of the Republic of Vietnam

Steve Cukrov / Shutterstock.com

You can also join film viewings, lectures, and other educational programs open to everyone.

The Museum of the Republic of Vietnam is also home to original artworks and photographs about the country and its people.

The Museum of the Republic of Vietnam is a non-profit organization; admission is free.

Exhibit in the Museum of the Republic of Vietnam

Steve Cukrov / Shutterstock.com

See Mouthwatering Donut Displays at Donut Life Museum

Donut Life Museum is a colorful and Instagrammable destination inside the Westminster Mall.

It offers seven unique rooms filled with realistic donut art installations.

It also has multi-sensory immersive rooms perfect for a great bonding experience for the whole family.

You and your kids will love the donut displays, which vary in size, color, design, and flavor.

Each room was designed uniquely to add more variety to your experience, so make sure to allot ample time here.

Donut Life Museum also hosts DIY classes on balloon making, donut decorating, and painting.

Scream at the Top of Your Lungs at Hauntington Beach Manor

Hauntington Beach Manor is a haunted house inside Westminster Mall.

It used to be located in an actual house before transferring into the mall in 2021.

Hauntington Beach Manor is one of the best-haunted houses in Orange County.

It combines theatrical ways of scaring and making you scream at the top of your lungs with exceptional effects and costumes.

Inside, you’ll see their containment chamber and an underground sewer with real water effects.

You might get wet, so bring a pair of changing clothes.

There are no extreme subjects or physical contact with the actors inside Hauntington Beach Manor, so your safety is guaranteed.

Pay Tribute to War Veterans at Vietnam War Memorial

Aerial view of the Vietnam War Memorial

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Vietnam War Memorial on All American Way is where you can find the 15-foot bronze statue of American and Vietnamese soldiers standing together on top of a black marble base.

Surrounding them are a fountain and Vietnamese and American flags.

This memorial park pays tribute to thousands of Vietnamese and American soldiers and veterans who fought during the Vietnam War.

Front view of the Vietnam War Memorial

Steve Cukrov / Shutterstock.com

Located at the center of the Vietnam War Memorial is a bronze urn that symbolizes “eternal flame,” surrounded by an iron fence and a moat.

The Vietnam War Memorial is also filled with rose bushes, benches, and trees.

There is also a playground for kids.

Watch Theatrical Performances at Westminster Community Playhouse

Westminster Community Playhouse is a non-profit community theater on Maple Street.

It was established in 1961 and has showcased hundreds of plays since then.

If you’re looking for a place to watch amazing and artistically executed performances, Westminster Community Playhouse is the best place.

It features one musical and murder mystery or a drama play and three to four comedies.

Westminster Community Playhouse also offers a Youth Theatre Arts Program for children interested in honing their talent in singing, dancing, acting, and more.

You may enroll your little ones in this program, where they’ll learn valuable theatre techniques, including voice production and choreography.

Escape Reality at Escape VR

Escape VR is a virtual reality escape room inside Westminster Mall.

It uses cutting-end technology to give you the best experience of both virtual reality and escape rooms.

Some of the most exciting games that Escape VR offers are ArenaVerse: VR Laser Tag, Goblin’s Quest: The Uprising, and Ward 9: The Experiment.

These rooms have mind-boggling games, quizzes, and adventures that will test your teamwork with your friends or family.

You’ll be in awe of the high-tech and realistic images of goblins and robots you’ll encounter in the games.

Escape VR can also be the next venue for your birthday celebration.

Discover Vietnamese Culture at Little Saigon

Asian garden mall at Little Saigon

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Little Saigon is situated between Garden Grove and Westminster cities.

A visit to this place will make you feel like you’ve traveled to another country.

It has various Vietnamese restaurants, shops, museums, and other establishments.

Shops at Little Saigon

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It’s also home to more than 189,000 Vietnamese Americans.

Little Saigon measures only over three square miles but perfectly represents Vietnam’s sights and atmosphere.

On your visit, try authentic Vietnamese food and drinks.

A restaurant at Little Saigon

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Buy Model Trains at Milepost 38 Toy Trains

Milepost 38 Toy Trains is a famous 3,000-square-foot model train store on Industry Way.

Jerry Keys opened it on November 10, 2001.

It’s a popular go-to place for model train enthusiasts, drawing tourists from around the globe.

It specializes in larger model train gauges and is also home to the region’s largest model train section dedicated to Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends from the Isle of Sodor.

At Milepost 38 Toy Trains, you can purchase a solo model train or a complete set.

Enjoy Drinks at the Posse Bar

The Posse Bar is a sports-themed bar on Springdale Street.

The cozy and relaxed atmosphere and live music (most nights) will welcome you as you enter the bar.

The Posse Bar was established in 2012 and has become the city’s favorite themed bar.

You’ll be overwhelmed by their 60 selection of whiskeys and bourbon and their craft beers and special drinks.

You can enjoy drinks here with your friends while watching football.

The Posse Bar also has outdoor seating areas if you want fresh air and take a break from the football watchers’ cheering.

Buy Authentic Asian Products at Asian Garden Mall

Exterior of the Asian Garden Mall

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Asian Garden Mall on Bolsa Avenue is the largest Vietnamese-owned mall in the country.

This two-story mall is where you can find an authentic and diverse selection of Vietnamese products that you can only buy if you go out of the country.

Explore Asian Garden Mall’s over 200 shops and immerse yourself in Vietnamese culture and way of living.

Browse clothes, shoes, bags, jewelry, traditional food, and more!

Asian Garden Mall is also known for its Vietnamese street-food-style snacks, which are a must-try.

Save the World from the Apocalypse at King’s Eye Escape

King’s Eye Escape on Westminster Boulevard offers the county’s most challenging post-apocalyptic escape room games.

Try their highly-rated game, The Harvest, where you and your team need to save the population from a deadly disease using wit and intelligence.

Or you can challenge yourself at The Xtraction, where you need to save a member of your Special Ops unit from an unknown abductor.

King’s Eye Escape’s games usually last up to 60 minutes and are recommended for two to eight members per group.

This fun destination also offers coaching on proper Axe Throwing inside its private lounge.

Try Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine at Thanh My Restaurant

Thanh My Restaurant on Bolsa Avenue is where you can taste only the best and most authentic Vietnamese cuisine in the city.

Nguyen family built it in 1979 when the city was still composed of farmlands, orange groves, and strawberry fields.

Thanh My Restaurant serves affordable yet authentic and delicious Vietnamese dishes.

Make sure not to miss out on their spring rolls and pho.

See Amazing Productions at Rose Center Theater

Exterior of Rose Center Theater

Steve Cukrov / Shutterstock.com

Rose Center Theater on All American Way opened in 2006 and has since been known as one of the county’s most popular performing arts centers.

It boasts a 40-foot-wide proscenium stage where you can watch amazing productions.

Aerial view of Rose Center Theater

Steve Cukrov / Shutterstock.com

This 424-seater theater hosts workshops, conferences, lectures, film premieres, and other events.

Rose Center Theater’s glass-enclosed lobby and spacious seating areas are perfect for various productions and shows.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Play Golf with Friends at Mile Square Regional Park

The grounds of Mile Square Regional Park

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Mile Square Regional Park is located on Euclid Street in Fountain Valley.

It is just a quick 15-minute drive from Westminster.

This urban park comprises 607 acres of land featuring three 18-hole golf courses, soccer fields, baseball fields, and an archery range.

It’s a great place to play sports with friends or sit down and appreciate the views.

You can also find two fishing lakes at Mile Square Regional Park.

A coffee shop with bar and picnic areas is also available.

Watch Migratory Birds at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Flock of birds over Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Jason Finn / Shutterstock.com

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve on Huntington Beach is a quick 19-minute drive away from Westminster.

This 1,300-acre natural reserve is ideal for migratory bird watching and wildlife photography.

You can also hike, run, and do other outdoor activities.

A pelican at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Nick Pecker / Shutterstock.com

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve also has three trails perfect for biking and sightseeing, which are wheelchair- and stroller-friendly.

Some animals you may see here are shovelnose guitarfish, halibut, and grey smooth-hound sharks.

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is also home to kingsnakes, gopher snakes, rattlesnakes, and other reptiles.

Birds at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Jermain P / Shutterstock.com

Final Thoughts

The city of Westminster features an incredible selection of places to explore.

From museums to malls, restaurants, and parks, you’ll never run out of fun things to do.

Its close relationship and history with Vietnam will make you feel as if you’ve traveled to a different country.

Are you ready for a new adventure?

Pack your bags and try all of these best things to do in Westminster, California!

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