Echo Park Swan Boats

In our never ending search to find fun things to do with the kids that doesn't make them roll their eyes, we headed over to Echo Park Lake. We hadn't been in nearly a decade, and not since the kids were all under the age of five. We heard that the old school paddle boats had been updated with fancy new light up swans, so set out to give them a whirl. Because who doesn't love a light up swan???

I figured I must have some photo evidence of our previous visit amongst the ten thousand photos on my phone, and wow, did I hit the mother load of parenting memories! This photo from 2015 pretty much sums up the total chaos that parenting can sometimes be.

Here the unthinkable has happened. Tessa's emotional support blanket has flown into the water, and the meltdown of all meltdowns is in full swing. Tessa screaming at the top of her lungs, Luke plugging his ears to drown out the noise, and Jenna attempting to rescue her prized possession from disappearing into the abyss...ahhh what a relaxing day on the water.

We are missing a couple of the original players, but Tessa and I thought it would be fun to recreate the photo. Check out our masterpiece below.

Okay, so now for our review! The Echo Park Swan Boats offer a whimsical, budget-friendly water adventure right in the heart of Los Angeles. It is perfect for families looking for city charm, mild exercise, and memorable moments—especially when the sun goes down and the swans start glowing. We had a blast, and it is a seriously gorgeous view of the city at night. While lines can get long on weekends and parking can be tricky, reserving ahead and arriving early makes the process smoother. Overall, the swan boats at Echo Park are a great blend of relaxation and adventure—perfect for families and date nights. Highly recommended for anyone looking to add a little sparkle to their day or evening plans.

Where to Park / Getting There

Address: 751 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90026 (this is the boathouse location).
There is a paid public parking lot with limited spaces at 1149 Echo Park Ave.
Street parking along Laguna Avenue is suggested as another option.

How to Rent / Reservation Details

Reservations required. Walk-ups are generally not accepted
You make reservations online via the Wheel Fun Rentals booking site (see link below).
All boaters are given instructions, required to wear life vests.
Duration: Rentals are typically for 1 hour.

Cost / Pricing