Echo Park Lake

After a massive makeover several years back, the Eastside’s historic Echo Park Lake finally became a family-friendly destination worthy of its bold backdrop: the Downtown skyline amid the lotus flower blooms and fountains. The lake has been around since 1860—it was once used as a drinking water reservoir, and later as a recreational park with canoes and fishing. Today, you can pedal your way through the lake in a swan boat (which is an especially romantic date option at night), stroll around the path that hugs its borders or cozy up with a book and picnic blanket. Either way, make sure to stop at the revived boathouse, which lately seems to be a revolving door for casual dining concepts—right now it’s a pizza place—and the Lady of the Lake statue.