Where: 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA
With a bevy of kid-friendly entertainment—from a funky trolley to outdoor concerts—there’s something happening literally every day at The Grove. Here are some expert tips to make sure you enjoy all that this sprawling outdoor mall has to offer.
1. Check the Kids Club calendar
The Kids Club is a free program that provides an assortment of enriching, entertaining and educational activities for kids and their parents. Every Thursday from 11am to 1pm, you can join other families on the large lawn behind the fountain for concerts, plays or crafts. Check the calendar to see what’s happening each week.
2. Visit the dancing fountain and ride the trolley
Anyone can ride the free Grove Trolley that runs along First Street between The Grove and the Farmer’s Market. The historic double-decker trolley was built on an undercarriage from a 1950s Boston street car and is a great way to navigate the mall without walking. The trolley also circles around the dancing fountain, which is located in the center of The Grove. The fountain’s “dances” to a variety of rock songs and classics with special medleys during the holidays. (The show starts at the top of every hour.)
3. Go shopping!
The Grove is, of course, a shopping mall, and the selection of kids’ gear doesn’t disappoint. You’ll find everything from Crew Cuts and Forever 21 to Gap, Pottery Barn Kids and Janie & Jack. (There are also department stores like Nordstrom and Barneys New York.) American Girl Place is also a must-visit for all doll-lovers; girls can pose for pictures with their dolls in the photo studio, have lunch or afternoon tea in the cafe, or treat their doll to a new ‘do in the shop’s hair salon. The store also hosts special events, so check their calendar for details.
4. Catch a movie (with the kids)
Pacific Theatres runs a cool weekly series called Monday Morning Mommy Movies—but don’t let the name fool you, this show is open to dads and other caregivers, too. On most Mondays at 11am, adults can bring their babies along to see a newly-released film. The lights aren’t completely dimmed and the sound isn’t as loud to make things gentler on sensitive ears. The best part: no worries if your little one cries! That’s completely acceptable with this crowd. Click here to take a look at upcoming schedule.
5. Get the app
Download The Grove’s app on your smartphone and take advantage of the new Caruso Rewards loyalty program for all sorts of deals. Earn rewards redeemable for gift cards, special events, or reservations, or even receive complimentary parking (a rarity in LA!) for spending a certain amount of money at the mall.
Photo credits top to bottom: iStock/Deklofenak, iStock/sframephoto, iStock/monkeybusinessimages
