The Mission Inn Museum in Riverside, California, is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and sharing the rich history of the historic Mission Inn Hotel and its surrounding area. Located within the hotel itself, the museum offers a variety of exhibits that highlight the hotel's unique architecture, its notable guests, and its role in local culture and history. Visitors can explore artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia that tell the story of the hotel’s development and its connection to arts, social movements, and notable events. The museum provides guided tours of the Mission Inn, which are highly recommended for their insightful and engaging storytelling. Tour guides are knowledgeable, friendly, and often add humor to their presentations. Visitors can enjoy interpretive tours, public programming, and family activities, making it a great destination for all ages. The location is conveniently near public parking and offers amenities such as gift shops and bathrooms. In addition to the historic exhibits, the museum hosts special themed tours, including haunted tours that take visitors around Riverside’s neighborhood. These ghost tours include stories about local legends, true crime cases, and pop culture links, with stops at notable sites like old police stations, libraries, and the Mission Inn itself. Participants often get to try ghost-hunting equipment, and some tours end with a visit to the hotel’s catacombs or a vent connected to its underground tunnels. Overall, the Mission Inn Museum offers a unique blend of history, architecture, and spooky storytelling, providing a fun and educational experience that highlights the true spirit of Riverside’s past.
