Location: Sacramento
Top Things to do in Sacramento
- 1. California State Railroad Museum
- 2. Crocker Art Museum
- 3. Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
- 4. California State Capitol Museum
- 5. Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park
- 6. Capitol Park
- 7. William Land Park
- 8. American River Bicycle Trail
- 9. California Automobile Museum
- 10. American River Parkway
What to do and see in Sacramento, United States: The Best Places and Tips
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. California State Railroad Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
North America's largest railroad museum draws more than 500,000 train enthusiasts annually.
Reviewed By Peter9383 - Placerville, California
Visited with three generations of family and there is something for everyone. The layout makes it easy to immerse yourself in the displays and if a great way to learn more about how important the railroads helped shape this country.
2. Crocker Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 944 reviews
The Crocker Art Museum was one of the first art museums in the U.S. and is now one of the leading art institutions in California. Established in 1885, the Museum features one of the country’s finest collections of Californian art, exceptional holdings of master drawings, a comprehensive collection of international ceramics, as well as European, Asian, African, and Oceanic art. The Crocker is CLOSED every Monday.
Reviewed By Ellen B
Great museum! very educational staff. Awesome evenings.You can get an evening classes and tours. Great parking.
3. Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 235 reviews
Reviewed By Sightsee_Eat - Worthington, Ohio
We admired the beauty of this impressive building built 1887-89, of course notable for being a bricks and mortar image of the namesake of Sacramento. After visiting San Antonio, I was prompted to start reading James Michener's book Texas, which depicts the part religion played in the Mexico territory that became the western US. Catholicism was the mandated religion, and brave Methodist preachers' brought evangelicalism.
4. California State Capitol Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
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 janel m - Madison, Wisconsin
On our recent visit to Sacramento, we were rather impressed by the California State Capitol building and grounds. We didn't opt for the guided tour; instead we followed the map and guide we got at the information desk. We thoroughly enjoyed peering into the rooms in the "museum" in the basement that re-created the offices circa the 1800s and early 1900s. We were fortunate to be able to catch the transportation-themed temporary exhibit -- though we aren't Californians, we enjoyed tracing the history of the automobile and highways in California. Unfortunately, we visited on a Saturday and the legislature was not in session and not all areas in the building were accessible. Nevertheless, the capitol building is worth the stop. Remember to catch all the portraits of all the governors throughout the building. The state capitol has no admission fee, but be prepared to enter through metal detectors.
5. Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 199 reviews
Reviewed By TravelingDad84 - Roseville, California
Stumbled on this by chance today. New to the area and we were exploring downtown Christmas Eve. Took the hour tour. Well worth it and free! Learned so much. The tour guide, forgot his name, was fantastic. If you’re in he area give it a go. The kids loved it too.
6. Capitol Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 440 reviews
This popular park, surrounding the California State Capitol, has trees from around the world and memorials to significant state events.
Reviewed By NancyTColorado - Dolores, Colorado
A beautiful park in the middle of downtown, nice for a respite from the traffic. All of the trees are labeled and there are a lot from not only California but all over the world
7. William Land Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 144 reviews
Reviewed By raygay - Sacramento, CA
Sacramento has many neighborhoods, but Land Park is by far the most beautiful, storied and famous. Its streets are tree-lined with homes built in the 1930s and 1940s, with no two houses alike, and it is indeed a park. Famous folks have lived here too, from Thomas Kinkade who was born in Sacramento and lived in Land Park as a child, who came to adopt his idyllic cottage view of homes from simply living in Land Park, to the founder of Tower Records, Russell Solomon, to Anthony Kennedy, who was raised in Land Park and who lived in Land Park until he was appointed to the Supreme Court, to the writer Joan Didion, to artists Wayne Thiebaud, and Gregory Condos, and many more….
But the greatest aspect about Land Park is that there is an actual 160.5 acre park in the middle of it! The actual park itself is named after a real person, William Land, who was a pioneer and who built the Western Hotel in downtown Sacramento in 1875. William Land donated $250,000 for a public park, and from that bequest our beautiful 166.5 acre park was born!
William Land Park was established in the 1920's, and it's gorgeous 9-hole golf course was was built in 1924.
Land Park is 166.5 acres, and contains not only the golf course, but the popular Sacramento Zoo, Fairytale Town and Funderland for children, several baseball diamonds, 3.4 miles of jogging trails (which we use all the time), 2 softball fields, 3 baseball fields and 3 soccer fields. There is also a basketball court. There are many picnic areas with tables and barbecues. And there are three beautiful large ponds with fountains, and these ponds are stocked with fish--but look out for the geese! There is also an amphitheater where summer stage productions are very popular, and a botanical garden to roam through.
This is the best place in Sacramento to relax, take a walk, job, picnic, or do whatever you want to enjoy Sacramento's beautiful weather. Sacramento is known as the City of Trees and Land Park certainly supports this with all its beautiful trees.
William Land Park (or just "Land Park" as the locals call it) is located just east of HIighway 5 south of Sacramento. You can take the Sutterville Road exit from Highway 5. Or you can approach it from the north by taking Land Park Drive to 13th Avenue. From the east you can approach it from Highway 99 by taking Sutterville Road exit. The park sits between Freeport Bouelvard to the east, Sutterville Road to the south, 11th and 13th Avenues to the north, and basically Richardson Boulevard to the west.
So, take a frisbee, a cold drink, and enjoy Sacramento's crown jewel.
And don't forget to grab some sandwiches at LaBou delicatessen just south of the park, or better yet, check out Sacramento's best and probably oldest and coolest retro ice cream parlor in Land Park, Vic's Ice Cream Parlor. We locals love it, and feel like we've stepped back into the 40s or 50s when we go. It's a real neighborhood ice cream parlor that's famous!
8. American River Bicycle Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 564 reviews
Part of the American Discovery Trail, this path is exclusively for non-motorized use, and it extends throughout the city.
Reviewed By E814DWheatherb
I usually take this trip starting in Folsom, the east end of the trail. This way I can turn around when the Homeless element begins to show up closer to Sac city. I heard a rumor of a rider who was accosted and had bike stolen by bandits. Go with a friend or two and stick to the eastern stretches...absolutely wonderful! There are restrooms along the way. We often stop in for Veggie Burgers in Fair Oaks, and sometimes view the Fish hatchery @ Nimbus dam.
9. California Automobile Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 274 reviews
The mission of the California Automobile Museum is to educate and entertain while preserving and promoting the automobile and its influence on our lives. The Museum is open daily from 10am - 6pm (last admission 5pm) and every 3rd Thursday until 9pm.
Reviewed By Jim K
The museum formally known as Towe Ford Museum is a wonderful way to spend the day. There is a nice variety of vintage cars. There is no air conditioning or heating in this warehouse style structure, so dress accordingly. This offers great photo opportunities and the docents are very informative.
10. American River Parkway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 138 reviews
A picturesque 23-mile stretch of land along the American River that offers visitors wonderful scenic beauty.
Reviewed By Jim S - Missoula, Montana
This paved parkway is for walkers, joggers, hikers, and cyclists. It runs from downtown Sacramento to Folsom. There are bathrooms, benches, water fountains and signs along the trail. The trail can be accessed many places with free parking at a lot of entrances. The park is patrolled by park rangers. A crown jewel of Sacramento, it runs along the American River.
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