Location: Sacramento
Top Things to do in Sacramento
Top 8 History Museums in Sacramento, California (CA)
California's capital city is often overlooked by tourists seeking out better known destinations in other corners of the state. Look again: Sacramento offers a range of exciting, educational and historic attractions sure to entertain all. Families will want to check out the cheetahs, jaguars and crocodiles at the Zoo while political buffs should head to the state Capitol, which features a park and museum on California history, or the Governor's Mansion. Anyone with an interest in trains will enjoy the Railroad Museum's massive collection of antique locomotives. Everyone will enjoy the restaurants and shops of historic Old Sacramento on the city's lovely waterfront.
Restaurants in Sacramento
1. Sacramento History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 158 reviews
Reviewed By AlisonW106
We planned to visit this museum in addition to the Railroad museum, but in the event the Railroad museum was closed, so we spent longer here, and took the old town/ underground tour. We learned such a lot about the development of the town in the second half of the 19th century and talked to knowledgeable employees who were ready to answer questions in a warm and friendly way. It wasn't that we had anticipated anything bad, or even mediocre, it just turned out to be really good.
2. California State Capitol Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,379 reviews
MESSAGE FOR TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF TOURS AT STATE CAPITOL In an effort to protect public health and the safety of our visitors, volunteers and staff as the state responds to the continued threat of COVID-19, California State Parks is temporarily suspending all guided tours at the California State Capitol Museum. The California State Capitol IS NOW CLOSED to the public. This 19th-century granite building, modeled after the U.S. Capitol, is home to the California Legislature and houses a public museum and a surrounding garden. We are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Reviewed By curiosityseeker19
To me this is our city's pride and joy. A most beautiful building that luckily was saved due to an increase in patriotism during the Bicentennial year. The building was seismic proof so many of it's roof top statues were removed. A display of the seismic proofing can be found in the basement along with a nice gift shop. Free tours are offered and well worth it. Their is a big statue in the rotunda and tours take you inside the assembly and senate chambers with it's Czech lead crystal chandeliers, and walk passed the governor's portraits. There are rooms of historic information, a film to watch and antiqued furnished rooms. Don't miss Arnold Schwarzengger's bronze bear in front of the governor's office and the hallway of county exhibits. Due to security there is only one entrance now. The capitol grounds with it's memorials, camilla garden, peace rose garden tree arboretum, and site of Res. Gerald Ford's almost assassination.
3. Governor's Mansion
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 111 reviews
Built in the late 19th century, this mansion was the official residence of the state's governor through the late 1960s.
4. California State Indian Museum
5. Wells Fargo Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 62 reviews
The first half century of Wells Fargo's history coincided with the most explosive growth in transportation and communication technology the world has ever known. Journeys that once took months could be completed in days and messages that took weeks could be sent in minutes. Wells Fargo employed every technological advance to bring new and better services to its banking and express customers. Explore this shrinking world with authentic artifacts, documents, photographs and interactive exhibits including a telegraph connected to other Wells Fargo museums around the country. The museum store features a variety of Wells Fargo branded gifts, collectibles and apparel. Guided tours are available with advanced reservations and admission is always free. A Wells Fargo ATM is conveniently located inside the museum.
Reviewed By Nostalgiyeah - Bellevue, United States
This is a small museum in Old Town area of Sacramento, located quite closed to the Railroad museum and the Old Sacramento waterfront. The history of Wells Fargo is closely linked with the Gold Rush in California in mid nineteenth century and this museum does a commendable job of concisely chronicling that. Believe me, the museum is very small indeed. If you are really curious about reading all the exhibits in detail, you might take 15 minutes inside but in most cases you'll be in and out in 5 minutes or so! They had a working telegraph which uses the Morse code and it is connected real time with some other Well Fargo museums scattered at multiple cities across US, that was a fun exhibit. The exhibits were mostly about the history of Wells Fargo and Pony Express, the first mail delivery systems connecting the West with cities east of the Mississippi. The entry is free.
6. Wells Fargo Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 27 reviews
Gold Rush history comes alive inside the magnificent five story atrium of Wells Fargo Center on Capitol Mall. Discover an authentic 1866 Abbot-Downing stagecoach, a working telegraph line, an impressive collection of gold specimens from the nearby foothills where gold was first discovered in California, interactive exhibits about the history of stagecoaches and the men who guarded the treasure they carried. Along with artifacts, documents, furnishings, images, a video presentation describing Wells Fargo's colorful frontier past and a priceless collection of postal covers, dating back to the beginning of the Gold Rush in 1849. The museum store features a variety of Wells Fargo branded gifts, collectibles and apparel and Admission is always free.
Reviewed By Italiana916 - Sacramento, United States
The lobby in the Wells Fargo building has a very impressive collection of items from the old days of the wild west. A very nice horse drawn carriage (minus the horses) old time guns, riffles, different items used for banking from back in the day, a enormous gold nugget, when I say nugget don't think small because it is HUGE.. This is a good place if you enjoy our history here in California. Also if you enjoy Italian cuisine visit the restaurant also located in the lobby area.
7. California Museum
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 85 reviews
Home of the official California Hall of Fame, the California Museum educates and enlightens visitors on California's rich history and unique influence on the world through innovation, the arts and culture. Through engaging exhibits and educational programs, the Museum inspires visitors to make their own mark on history. Long-term signature exhibitions include: • California Hall of Fame • California Indians: The First People • California Missions: A Journey Along the El Camino Real • California's Remarkable Women • Constitution Wall • Health Happens Here • Uprooted! Japanese Americans During WWII In addition, 6-8 temporary exhibitions exploring the state's history, arts and culture are also on display each year.
Reviewed By duaneh2017
The Health exhibit, the early California Indian tribes experience, the "RIGHTS" movement, the Newest American project and the beautiful people of the world photos, the wonderful Women's exhibits, the famous people exhibit who contributed to California's growth and diversity along with the amazing Encina Preparatory High School story and the new Unity Center "everyone has a voice"... An important place to visit. An educational visual odyssey.
8. ArtStreet
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
