Location: Sacramento
Top Things to do in Sacramento
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The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do 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. California State Railroad Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,760 reviews
Come along for the ride. Stand in the shadow of a 150-year-old, 40-ton monument to innovation, engineering and history. Take a ride along the rails that played a key role in the development of the Golden State. See the history of the California railways come to life in engaging exhibits. A visit to the California State Railroad Museum is a not-to-be-missed experience for persons of all ages.
Reviewed By KLE2013 - Centreville, United States
The Railroad Museum in Old Town Sacramento offers an outstanding experience with a film, guided tours and fascinating restored train cars and locomotive engines. There are docents in most of the exhibited cars that happily share the history of the car- the dining car and the mail car were particularly interesting. The history of the Transcontinental Railroad and its construction is vividly recalled in a series of displays. Exhibits provide information to engage both children and adults. We visited with friends and their children aged 5 and 12 and both children found areas of interest from the model trains to the hands on electronics experiments. Admission for adults is $12 and your ticket allows multiple reentry for that same day. The museum is open from 10-5 daily and you could easily spend several hours exploring the three story museum.
2. California State Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Founded in 1850 to provide research materials for government officials, this library is today available for public use and houses a collection of unique documents on the state's history.
3. California Automobile Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 325 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 Evita_1957 - Sacramento, United States
This museum is unique, you can see vintage cars in great shape and most people tend to go back and think of their youth or childhood. It is located in a place with lots of parking and close to the Sacramento Rive
4. Crocker Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,133 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 TeamExplorers - Sacramento, United States
A long-term resident of Chicago I regularly enjoyed visiting the Art Institute of Chicago. Now a resident of Sacramento and a member of the Crocker Art Museum I enjoy this museum equally. In terms of size there is, of course no direct comparison but The Crocker is a true gem judging on its own merits. The beautiful modern structure, filled with a wide variety of treasures--permanent and visiting--is well worth frequent visits. The integral Crocker Family home is an outstanding historical treasure and gives an in-depth and interesting view of life in mid-1800's. The Crocker's involvement in the Sacramento community is of particular note as it gives rise to all sorts of events drawing in folks from all walks of life in our city. The Crocker Café in the lobby is perfect place to share lunch or a light dinner with friends and family. We visit the Crocker frequently and always come away refreshed. The Crocker is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) which is itself a basis for our recommendation you visit The Crocker.
5. William Land Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 189 reviews
Reviewed By jimkT3841HO - Sacramento, United States
William Land Park is a Sacramento gem. We have been sheltering-in March 13th. We had to get out and WLP was a wonderful refuge. The flowers were in bloom, people were walking and practicing social distancing, kids were running and playing. About half adults were wearing masks??? There are picnic tables across the way but there was signage "Do Not Use" Dam this pandemic! I just live this park.
6. American River Parkway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 154 reviews
A picturesque 23-mile stretch of land along the American River that offers visitors wonderful scenic beauty.
Reviewed By 607petet - Sacramento, United States
If you live here, it is hard not to at least cross the American River as part of an everyday commute and/or errand. But if you're lucky enough to be on a bike, the American River Bike trail runs 32 miles across the County, offering some of the most scenic and relaxing commuting anyone could want. The many developed parks mean you're never far from public facilities. The Parkway is Sacamento's Central Park. and enjoyed everyday by hikers, joggers, walkers, runners, cyclists, birders, rafters, kayakers, fishers, and everyone else, including wildlife too numerous to mention.
7. McKinley Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 157 reviews
Reviewed By F1432VAnikkim - Sacramento, United States
McKinley Park, is set in a premiere neighborhood in the heart of Sacramento! Best choice for a local picnic or event involving a fairly large crowd-approximately 1000+ or perfect for a romantic couples lunch date by the pond with the ducks and geese. Many engaged couples locate their wedding ceremony at the rose garden. And for the sports minded-tennis, basketball and soccer all blend together during the week. And another well known fact: Best local place for a short jog with your dog or while pushing your infant secured in their specialized jogging carriage! And last but not least the Clunie library and even room. Book your local event here-they will be well attended!
8. Old City Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 66 reviews
Reviewed By crawdadnelson - Soquel, United States
A great place to include in a walk through downtown or to walk. Long narrow lanes between monuments dating to the early days of Sacramento. You start out not looking at the names and dates but you can't help noticing and then you start dreaming of the stories buried all around and how they blend together in unseen ways that leave marks on us now. A good place to read poems aloud.
9. The B Street Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 75 reviews
This professional theater company focuses on the staging of new plays.
Reviewed By Paradise817053
First, the "new" B Street Theatre is located in The Sofia Tsakapoulos Center for the Arts. For many years, our favorite venues were (1 ) The Harris Center in Folsom, (2) The Crest Theatre on K St., (3) Sacramento Community Center Theatre, and (4) Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. [It's not an accident that I left off the Golden 1 Center]. Upon the opening of The Sofia...this incredible venue immediately jumped to #1 and has remained so. The Sofia is simply the best entertainment venue the area has to offer: the best seating, the best acoustics, one of a kind performances...and, an unsurpassed value. Our seasonal subscription includes 7 plays + 5 concerts of our choosing. The plays have all been wonderful and the concerts: Wishbone Ash, Ray Charles Project, Albert Cummings, Rick Estrin and the Nightcats, Al Jardine....incredible. Plus, the artists come out into the lobby and mingle freely with the guests. If you are not a member: SUBSCRIBE! Here's a great reason: top class entertainment and the per person subscriber cost (12 events) is $140.00!!! No, that's not a mistake. $11.66 per person...per event!!! Unbeatable.
10. American River Bicycle Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 619 reviews
Part of the American Discovery Trail, this path is exclusively for non-motorized use, and it extends throughout the city.
Reviewed By M8826GWpeters
This city was built at the confluence of two rivers because; well, it is the confluence of two rivers. For a hundred years we then ignored that locale, except for the landed elite few who built private homes overlooking one or the other river. Then, sometime late last century, civic leaders and benefactors rediscovered the gem of our nearly 30 miles of uninterrupted river shore. The Jedediah Smith bike trail is a paved two lane route exclusively for bicycles running from the Old Port Sacramento waterfront to the shores of Folsom lake, with nary a highway crossing, stoplight or intersection with automobile traffic. It is mostly shaded by native oaks and cottonwoods, with continuous views to the American River and periodic ‘off ramps’ to neighborhoods such as Campus Commons, Carmichael, Rancho Cordova, Fair Oaks and Folsom. It’s not uncommon to see beaver, herons, duck, geese and even deer along this route. There are ample opportunities for picnics, fishing, rafting and swimming. It’s a great day out for cyclists, or families, or couples - anyone looking for the great outdoors right in their back yard.
