What to do and see in Sacramento, California (CA): The Best Specialty Museums

August 16, 2021 Roger Rusk

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

125 I St, Sacramento, CA 95814-2204 +1 916-323-9280 [email protected] http://www.californiarailroad.museum
Excellent
80%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,760 reviews

California State Railroad Museum

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 Automobile Museum

2200 Front St, Sacramento, CA 95818-1107 +1 916-442-6802 [email protected] http://www.calautomuseum.org
Excellent
61%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 325 reviews

California Automobile Museum

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

3. Old Sacramento

1002 2nd St, Sacramento, CA 95814-3202 +1 916-445-7387 http://oldsacramento.com/
Excellent
41%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 3,110 reviews

Old Sacramento

This historic area of restored buildings, museums and novelty shops brings life to the Sacramento waterfront.

Reviewed By mfossler67 - Boulder, United States

I moved to Arizona from the Sacramento area in 2005. Some of my fondest memories were spent here in Old Sacramento from jazz festivals, walking the kids in strollers (was a bit of a challenge at times with the cobblestone streets and wooden sidewalks), and walking around hitting some of the great bars and restaurants. Weekends are always crazy, but on this particular day, my eldest son (now 25 who was born in Sac), and I took our time wandering through the different stores. We stopped at the historical building as the railroad museum was too pricey for us to just quickly go through. We hit our old favorites like the toy and kite store, the salt water taffy shop, the olive oil sore, and my all time favorite, Enchantment, where I picked up some cards for my daughter and some incense. It was nice walking around on this Sunday morning. Come early to find parking, as this is always a challenge.

4. Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum

1200 Front St, Sacramento, CA 95814-3247 http://www.scoe.net/oldsacschoolhouse/
Excellent
38%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
1%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 97 reviews

Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum

Reviewed By JBC4356 - Gatlinburg, United States

It's set up just like students will be coming in at any time! Staffed by volunteers who help make history come alive.

5. Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical History Museum

5380 Elvas Ave, Sacramento, CA 95819-2300 +1 916-452-2671 http://www.ssvms.org/museum.aspx
Excellent
0%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
100%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

3.0 based on 1 reviews

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