Top 10 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Sacramento, California

We want to bring you some of our favourites when it comes to what to visit in Sacramento, California. So let’s dive into it right away with first attraction adn that is Old Sacramento.

Old Sacramento

Covering eight blocks across Sacramento’s waterfront sits Oldtown Sacramento. The area has been designated as a National Historic Landmark and houses more than 50 historic buildings. There are many fun activities to do in Old Sacramento including righting in a horse-drawn carriage, riding a vintage locomotive, or taking a riverboat excursion. There are also more than 125 locally owned shops to explore among the 28 acres of Old Sacramento.

California State Railroad Museum

The California State Railroad Museum contains over 200,000 square feet of exhibit space and is listed as one of the world’s largest railway museums. The museum is located in Old Sacramento and houses many restored steam locomotives dating from 1862 to 1944. Visitors are able to explore most of the wagons both inside and out, and some even offer a dining experience to allow visitors to understand the comfort than many of the trains once offered. For visitors with children, the Kids’ Corner is the perfect area to find educational programs and for the children to spend time learning about locomotives. During the summer, the museum also offers train rides along the Sacramento River.

Crocker Museum of Art

Housing a very impressive collection of Gold-Rush era art, the Crocker Art Museum boasts a collection of California art as well as European paintings and drawings and American photography. The original collection was assembled in 1868 by Judge Crocker. The museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a California Historic Landmark. The art represented at the Crocker Museum of Art dates from 1860 to the present day. For visitors bringing children, the museum houses a Tot Land area, perfect for children to spend time engaging in many creative hands-on and playful activities.

Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park

Located near the center of Sacramento in Midtown, Sutter’s Fort Historic Park sits as a replica of the original Sutter’s Fort, constructed during the gold-rush period of California. The original outpost was established by Johann August Sutter in 1839, and the original house has been restored to its original style. Not, visitors can pay a small fee to tour the fort and display rooms that are set up to give them a taste of what life was like during the gold-rush period. There are park rangers stationed throughout the park to offer additional information about the various exhibits.

State Capitol

One of the most popular tourist attractions on this list is the State Capitol building. It was originally built in the 1860s, but it underwent significant restoration in the 1970s. The building is the center of state government and also currently acts as the California State Capitol Museum. Throughout the week, the building offers tours of its historic halls to the public. It offers historic attractions including portraits, various artworks, antiques, and a few preserved rooms such as the governor’s main office and the treasurer’s office dating back to 1906. Adjacent to the State Capitol, visitors can spend time exploring beautiful gardens comprising Capitol Park.

California Automobile Museum

Displaying a large collection of over 120 vintage automobiles dating back to 1885, the California Automobile Museum shows the development of American made automobiles over the last 130 years. The museum has the car exhibits set up in chronological order so that visitors can see how automobiles have evolved over the years. During the summer months, the museum also offers drive-in movie nights among other lively events. There are various special exhibits throughout the year, featuring different themes such as pickup tricks, road trips, camping, and California car cultures.

Fairytale Town

Arguably the top attraction for children on this list, the Fairytale Town is great for families with young children. Fairytale Town is a storybook-themed park that has over 20 play sets based on fairy tales such as Humpty Dumpty, Mother Goose, Cinderella, and Peter Rabbit. Also located at the park are live music performances, puppet shows, and much more. Children will love spending time around gentle animals such as the miniature Sicilian donkey and Maddie “the Cow that Jumped over the Moon.” Fairytale Town is the perfect destination for families visiting the Sacramento area.

Sacramento Zoo

Covering 14-acres, the Sacramento Zoo is the perfect destination for animal lovers. The zoo houses over 500 exotic animals including African lions, giraffes, aardvarks, jaguars, and over 200 reptiles. Some of the largest attractions at the zoo include red pandas, snow leopards, and primates including orangutans and chimpanzees. The Sacramento Zoo is also involved in various conservation projects, and it stands as a great way to support wildlife protection. Many of the animals located in the zoo are endangered species, and many of their conservation efforts revolve around conserving endangered species.

California State Indian Museum State Historic Park

Before any Europeans moved into the area, California was inhabited by Native Americans. The California State Indian Museum State Historic Park aims to give visitors a view of what the culture and lifestyle of the indigenous people was truly like. There are three distinct these that are illustrated by the museum including family, nature, and spirit. The exhibits feature items used in everyday life such as hunting and fishing tools, ceremonial objects, and a redwood canoe. Some of the items date back 2,400 years. There is also more educational content that helps give a deeper insight into the culture of the original inhabitants of the area.

McKinley Park

Sitting as one of Sacramento’s most popular and business parks, McKinley Park is located on the west edge of East Sacramento. The park houses many sports facilities including basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts alongside soccer and softball fields. For those looking to play more relaxing games, there are also horseshoe pits and a swimming/wading pool at the park to cool down on a hot summer day. Other amenities located at McKinley Park include a community center/library, and a beautiful nature landscape. Winding paths take visitors around ponds, palm trees, and through open space perfect for walkers and joggers.