Sacramento CaliforniaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Sacramento, California.
1. California State Railroad Museum
HISTORIC TRAINS AND TRANSPORT
The California State Railroad Museum is a premier speciality museum showcasing well-preserved railroad artifacts and model railways, including dining and sleeper car exhibits. Visitors can experience the history and nostalgia of train travel through interactive displays and restored locomotives. The museum is consistently rated as one of the best railroad museums in North America.
2. Old Sacramento Waterfront
GOLD RUSH ERA DISTRICT
Old Sacramento Waterfront is a 28-acre National Historic Landmark featuring Gold Rush-era buildings, wooden sidewalks, and cobblestone streets. This vibrant district houses over 125 locally owned shops, restaurants, hotels, and museums within beautifully restored historic structures. Visitors can enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, riverboat excursions, or vintage locomotive experiences while exploring this preserved commercial district from the 1850s.
3. California State Capitol Museum
SEAT OF STATE GOVERNMENT
The California State Capitol Museum offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the history of California and witness the state's legislative process in action. Located in the heart of Sacramento, the museum features beautifully restored historic rooms where lawmakers conduct business. Visitors can also stroll through the adjacent Capitol Park, which houses various memorials and a world-renowned Rose Garden.
4. Crocker Art Museum
PREMIER ART COLLECTION
The Crocker Art Museum houses an extensive collection of California art dating from the Gold Rush era to the present day. The museum's collection includes European paintings and sculptures, Asian ceramics, and international ceramics displayed in a beautifully designed space. As one of Sacramento's cultural treasures, the Crocker offers visitors a chance to explore diverse artistic traditions and California's rich creative heritage.
5. Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park
VICTORIAN ARCHITECTURAL MASTERPIECE
The Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park preserves the restored Victorian mansion of California governor and railroad tycoon Leland Stanford. The opulent 19,000-square-foot mansion features ornate woodwork, period furnishings, and beautiful gardens that transport visitors to the 1800s. Guided tours provide insights into California's political history and the lavish lifestyle of one of its most influential figures.
6. California Automobile Museum
HISTORIC VEHICLE COLLECTION
The California Automobile Museum showcases the evolution of the automobile with a collection spanning from early horseless carriages to modern vehicles. Visitors can explore over 150 classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles representing various eras of automotive design and innovation. The museum offers a nostalgic journey through America's love affair with automobiles, including rare and historically significant vehicles.
7. Capitol Park
URBAN OASIS AND MEMORIALS
Capitol Park surrounds the California State Capitol building, offering 40 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds with trees from around the world. The park features numerous memorials, monuments, and the renowned World Peace Rose Garden with over 650 roses. Visitors can enjoy peaceful walking paths, picnic areas, and a living outdoor museum of diverse plant life in this urban sanctuary.
8. American River Bicycle Trail
SCENIC RIVERSIDE RECREATION
The American River Bicycle Trail (also known as the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail) is a 32-mile paved path stretching from Discovery Park in Sacramento to Folsom Lake. This popular recreation corridor offers spectacular river views, wildlife spotting opportunities, and access to numerous parks and swimming areas. Cyclists, joggers, and walkers enjoy this scenic pathway that showcases the natural beauty of the Sacramento region.
9. Sacramento Zoo
WILDLIFE AND CONSERVATION
The Sacramento Zoo is home to over 500 animals representing more than 120 species from around the world. Visitors can observe rare and endangered animals including big cats, primates, reptiles, and birds in naturalistic habitats spread across 14 acres. The zoo offers educational programs, feeding demonstrations, and conservation initiatives that highlight the importance of protecting wildlife and their ecosystems.
10. Fairytale Town
STORYBOOK CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND
Fairytale Town is a whimsical children's park featuring over 25 playsets based on favorite fairytales and nursery rhymes. The 3.5-acre park includes slides, climbing structures, a petting zoo with farm animals, and gardens designed to spark imagination and creativity. Families can enjoy puppet shows, theatrical performances, and seasonal events in this enchanting setting that has delighted Sacramento children since 1959.
11. Sutter's Fort State Historic Park
CALIFORNIA PIONEER HISTORY
Sutter's Fort State Historic Park preserves the 1840s agricultural and trade colony established by Swiss immigrant John Sutter. The restored fort offers living history demonstrations, period-furnished rooms, and exhibits chronicling California's early settlement and the Gold Rush era. Visitors can experience daily life in pre-Gold Rush California through interactive displays and historical reenactments at this pivotal site in Western expansion.
12. Golden 1 Center
SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT HUB
Golden 1 Center is a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue in downtown Sacramento that serves as home to the NBA's Sacramento Kings. The environmentally sustainable arena features cutting-edge technology, farm-to-fork concessions showcasing local cuisine, and an impressive public art collection. Beyond basketball games, the venue hosts major concerts, family shows, and community events in its modern, solar-powered facility.
13. Downtown Commons (DOCO)
URBAN SHOPPING AND DINING
Downtown Commons (DOCO) is a vibrant mixed-use development adjacent to the Golden 1 Center offering premier shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences. The outdoor plaza features restaurants ranging from casual eateries to upscale dining establishments, specialty retailers, and a luxury hotel. DOCO serves as Sacramento's urban gathering place with year-round events, outdoor concerts, and a lively atmosphere in the heart of downtown.
14. Sacramento History Museum
GOLD RUSH TO PRESENT
The Sacramento History Museum chronicles the city's evolution from Gold Rush boomtown to modern capital through engaging exhibits and artifacts. Located in Old Sacramento, the museum occupies a reconstruction of the 1854 City Hall and Waterworks building with period-appropriate architecture. Visitors can participate in gold panning demonstrations, underground tours of Old Sacramento, and educational programs highlighting the diverse communities that shaped the region.
15. The Bank
HISTORIC FOOD HALL EXPERIENCE
The Bank is a unique food hall and social gathering space housed in a beautifully restored 1912 D.O. Mills Bank building in downtown Sacramento. This multi-level venue features multiple food vendors, craft cocktail bars, and an extensive self-pour beer wall offering local and regional brews. Visitors can enjoy the historic architecture, including original marble columns and a basement vault, while sampling diverse culinary offerings in this repurposed landmark.