Sacramento is California’s capital at the meeting point of the Sacramento and American Rivers—easy to walk, packed with Gold Rush history, and surprisingly great for kids. Summers are hot and dry, so plan shade, water, and indoor stops mid‑day.
Below are the 10 best family things to do in Sacramento, curated from official sources and recent visitor feedback. For each stop you’ll get: why it works for different ages, how long to budget, cost notes, smart timing tips, and a short “what people say” pull‑quote.
1) Old Sacramento State Historic Park & Waterfront
Why it’s great for families
Old Sacramento (locals say “Old Sac”) is a preserved Gold Rush district with wooden boardwalks, museums, river views, and enough small surprises to keep kids moving between stops. It’s a National Historic Landmark area with 53 historic commercial structures on 28 acres, including the B.F. Hastings Building, the Eagle Theatre (a reconstruction of California’s first theater), and the Central Pacific Passenger Station.
Kid‑friendly highlights (simple version): cobblestone streets; horses and carriages; boats and trains to look at; taffy and ice‑cream shops; safe places to sit and watch the river.
Deeper value (for the grown‑ups): this is ground zero for the commercial side of the Gold Rush and the western terminus of the first Transcontinental Railroad; the urban fabric you’re walking is a living exhibit in 19th‑century logistics, finance, and redevelopment history.
Plan it
- Time: 2–4 hours if you include a museum (see #2 & #10), or make it a full day with the Underground Tours from the Sacramento History Museum. Tours run most days and sell out in peak seasons.
- Extras kids love: horse‑drawn carriage rides (usually staged on 2nd St. between J & K).
- Budget: strolling is free; tours and museums are ticketed (book ahead in summer/holidays).
What other people say
“From riverboats to railroad excursions to horsedrawn carriages… history on the move.”
Pro tip
Walk the riverfront toward the Tower Bridge near Capitol Mall for photos at sunset, then loop back through the boardwalks for dinner.
2) California State Railroad Museum + Sacramento Southern Excursion Trains
Why it’s great for families
This is often the single best hour you’ll spend in Sacramento with kids. The museum fills a 100,000‑sq‑ft space with more than 20 restored locomotives and cars, plus an enormous Toy Train gallery with ~1,000 vintage toy trains and interactive displays. In season, you can ride the Sacramento Southern Railroad along the river.
For kids (ELI10): you can walk through real trains, pretend to be an engineer, and watch model trains zoom around a huge track.
For parents/profs: the museum is unusually strong on the political economy of rail—labor, capital, land, and the technology that created the American West—without losing the fun.
Plan it
- Time: 1.5–3 hours museum; 40–50 minutes for excursion trains (seasonal: weekends spring–mid‑October, with added summer Fridays). Book ahead.
- Seasonal magic: THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride sells out quickly for the holidays.
What other people say
“Absorbing and fun… exhibits geared toward both adults and children.”
Accessibility note
Historic rail cars have narrow doors and stepwells; most galleries are accessible; ask the ticket desk for assistance.
Family-friendly bike rentals by the riverfront
3) Sacramento Zoo (William Land Park)
Why it’s great for families
A manageable, shady zoo with 300+ animals across 90+ species—big enough to be interesting, small enough for little legs. There’s a hand‑carved Conservation Carousel and tactile conservation exhibits kids can touch.
What’s new
In October 2025, the zoo celebrated its first‑ever okapi birth—a conservation milestone for this endangered species (mom and calf may be off‑exhibit while bonding).
Plan it
- Time: 2–3 hours.
- Budget: general admission varies by day; check the zoo’s “Today at the Zoo” page for hours and tickets.
- Combine with: #4 Fairytale Town (across the park), picnic lawns, and Land Park’s duck ponds.
What other people say
“Very nice small zoo with a good variety of animals.”
Tip for heat
Arrive at opening to see animals most active, take a carousel break midday, and finish in the shaded primate/reptile zones.
4) Fairytale Town (next to the Zoo)
Why it’s great for families
A beloved, storybook‑themed nonprofit park with 26 playsets, friendly farm animals, two performing stages, and gardens—a safe place for younger kids to imagine, climb, and run. Open since 1959.
Age fit
Best for ages ~2–10; older siblings can still have fun helping little ones across slides and the “Crooked Mile.”
Plan it
- Time: 2–3 hours (many families pair it with a short zoo visit and lunch).
- Budget: modest admission; watch for seasonal events (Halloween/holiday nights).
- Logistics: right inside William Land Park; easy stroller access.
What other people say
“Great spot to take small kids! Many storybook‑theme slides.”
5) Crocker Art Museum
Why it’s great for families
The Crocker is one of the oldest art museums in the U.S. West and today blends a gracious 19th‑century gallery with a modern education center that includes Tot Land and hands‑on studios. In 1885 Margaret Crocker donated the gallery and collection to the City, forming the first public art museum west of the Mississippi.
For kids (ELI10): scavenger hunts, making art in studios, and museum programs specifically for families.
For parents/profs: excellent California art from the Gold Rush onward, European master drawings, and globally significant ceramics; the 2010 Teel Family Pavilion tripled space and grounded a strong education mission.
Plan it
- Time: 1.5–3 hours.
- Programs: check Kids + Family offerings (story time for ages 3–5; Kids & Co. Gallery Adventures).
What other people say
“The kids (as well as the parents) loved it!”
6) Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park
Why it’s great for families
A reconstructed 1840s trading fort where California’s fever‑pitch Gold Rush story starts to make sense. Kids see rooms set up for daily life—blacksmith, bakery, and more—and can connect dots from the Donner Party to the discovery at Sutter’s Mill.
Teach the whole story
California State Parks and educators now interpret the site with more context, including that Indigenous Nisenan homelands surround the fort and that coerced Native and Hawaiian labor helped build and sustain it. That nuance matters; it’s a good place to talk plainly with older kids.
Plan it
- Time: 60–120 minutes self‑guided.
- Programs: living‑history days and school programs; Friends of Sutter’s Fort has visit details.
What other people say
“A wonderful and very interesting history ‘museum’ about the settlement of Sacramento.”
7) California State Capitol Museum & 40‑Acre Capitol Park
Why it’s great for families
You’re visiting a working Capitol. On weekdays, you can sometimes sit in public galleries when the Legislature is in session. Outside is Capitol Park, an arboretum‑like, 40‑acre spread with memorials, shady paths, and the sweet World Peace Rose Garden—perfect for a picnic and a civics chat. Tours are free.
For kids: it’s where laws are made; the garden has flowers from all over the world.
For parents/profs: pair a tour with discussion of federalism, budgets, and how a state capital shapes regional economies.
Plan it
- Time: 60–120 minutes for tour + lawns.
- Tours: public tours run hourly; Capitol Park tours are offered seasonally.
What other people say
“A 40‑acre forest of trees from all around the world.”
8) McKinley Park & Rose Garden (East Sacramento)
Why it’s great for families
Classic neighborhood park energy: a large, imaginative playground, walking paths around the pond, courts and fields, and a rose garden with roughly 1,000–1,200 bushes (peak bloom late spring). It’s where locals actually go on weekends.
Plan it
- Time: 60–120 minutes.
- Best months for roses: May–June; still pleasant into early fall.
- Logistics: plenty of street parking; bring snacks and scooters.
What other people say
“The playground is a lot better and safer now for your little ones.”
Film nerd note
Scenes from Lady Bird were shot at McKinley’s rose garden—fun trivia for teens.
9) DOCO (Downtown Commons) & the Golden 1 Center Plaza
Why it’s great for families
A lively, modern plaza with kid‑friendly eats, occasional outdoor events, and room to roam. Anchoring it is the Golden 1 Center—home of the NBA Kings—recognized for LEED Platinum sustainability and fan‑forward tech. Even when there’s no game, the plaza feels festive and safe.
Plan it
- Time: 60–120 minutes to graze, people‑watch, and let kids burn energy.
- Budget: you can do this free unless you add treats.
- Combine with: a short walk to Old Sac (10–15 minutes) for a history + modern contrast.
Useful context for adults
DOCO is a 1.5‑million‑sq‑ft mixed‑use development stitched into the heart of downtown—interesting urban redevelopment to discuss with older kids.
10) California Automobile Museum (near Old Sac)
Why it’s great for families
A spacious warehouse gallery of 130+ vehicles that rotates special exhibits—great for car‑curious kids and nostalgic adults. On select days the museum even offers short rides in a museum car (included with admission; check dates).
For kids (ELI10): sit in some cars, spot the oldest engine, find your favorite color.
For parents/profs: a clear walk through the social history of mobility—design, safety, energy, and how cities changed around cars.
Plan it
- Time: 60–120 minutes.
- Hours: typically 10am–5pm (last entry 4pm), Wed–Mon. Closed Tues. Always confirm.
What other people say
“Great place to visit with a teenager interested in cars!”
Make it a 2‑Day Family Plan (Sample)
Day 1 (History + Trains + River)
Morning: California State Railroad Museum (#2).
Lunch: Old Sac riverfront.
Afternoon: Underground Tour or carriage ride (#1).
Evening: Walk to Tower Bridge for golden‑hour photos; dinner back in Old Sac.
Day 2 (Animals + Art + Park)
Morning: Sacramento Zoo (#3).
Late morning: Fairytale Town (#4).
Afternoon: Crocker Art Museum (#5).
Late afternoon: McKinley Park roses and playground (#8).
Dinner: DOCO (#9).
Practical Notes (Read this before you go)
- Heat: July–September afternoons can hit triple digits. Do outdoor stops early; save Crocker and Capitol Museum for midday air‑conditioning windows.
- Tickets & timing: Railroad excursion trains (Mar–Oct) and Polar Express (Nov–Dec) sell out; reserve early.
- Costs: Most parks/boardwalks are free. Museums and tours are ticketed; check current prices on official sites.
- Walking vs. driving: Old Sac, DOCO, Capitol, and Crocker are all walkable within downtown. Zoo/Fairytale Town and McKinley Park are short drives from downtown.
- Accessibility: Old Sac’s wooden boardwalks have ramps; some historic rooms and railcars have narrow entries/steps—staff can advise workarounds.
- Teaching moments without being preachy: Sutter’s Fort (#6) now includes Indigenous perspectives and forced‑labor context—use that to model honest history with kids.
Quick Reference (How long, ages, cost level)
- Old Sacramento — 2–4 hrs; all ages; $–$$ (free to stroll; tours extra).
- Railroad Museum + Trains — 2–4 hrs; 3+; $$ (train rides extra; holiday rides $$$).
- Zoo — 2–3 hrs; all ages; $$ (dynamic pricing).
- Fairytale Town — 2–3 hrs; 2–10; $.
- Crocker Art Museum — 1.5–3 hrs; 5+; $–$$ (programs vary).
- Sutter’s Fort — 1–2 hrs; 7+ best; $.
- Capitol + Park — 1–2 hrs; 7+; Free tours.
- McKinley Park — 1–2 hrs; all ages; Free.
- DOCO — 1–2 hrs; all ages; Free (food extra).
- Auto Museum — 1–2 hrs; 6+; $.
“What other people say” (representative snippets)
- Railroad Museum: “Absorbing and fun… geared toward both adults and children.”
- Zoo: “Very nice small zoo with a good variety of animals.”
- Fairytale Town: “Great spot to take small kids!”
- Crocker Art Museum: “The kids… and the parents… loved it!”
- McKinley Park: “The playground is… safer now for your little ones.”
- Auto Museum: “Great place to visit with a teenager interested in cars!”
Why this list (and what didn’t make it)
This top‑10 favors hands‑on, age‑versatile stops that combine learning with movement. Beautiful sites like the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament or Leland Stanford Mansion are excellent but tend to land better with teens and adults than with younger kids on a short trip. If your crew skews older, add one of those.
Bottom line
If you’re building a family plan that works for both a curious 10‑year‑old and a detail‑oriented adult, Sacramento delivers: trains you can touch, animals you can actually see, art that invites kids in, and history told more honestly each year. Book the train ride in advance, start early in summer, and mix indoor and outdoor stops to keep everyone happy—and learning.
