Sacramento isn’t always the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of California. Despite being the capital of the Californian state, Sacramento is often overshadowed by the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles. With that being said, it definitely offers a different type of charm than its sister city of Los Angeles.

Sacramento sits at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River. You’ll find trees lined in every corner of the streets. With the presence of lush greenery contrasted against the city’s buildings, nature and the urban co-exist harmoniously in Sacramento. There are tons of things to do in Sacramento so don’t overlook this charming city. We’ve compiled a list of the best places to visit in the capital of California just for you!

1. Visit Sacramento’s Crocker Art Museum

Crocker Art Museum, otherwise known as The Crocker, was founded in Sacramento in 1885. The museum is Sacramento’s pride and joy as it is the first public art museum in the Western United States. It consists of two very differently designed buildings that are designed to complement one another. One of the buildings is an Italianate-style Crocker mansion from 1872. The other is a more contemporary building that was opened in 2014.

Sacramento’s Crocker Art Museum houses a collection of international ceramics and paintings from artists from all over the world. It also has temporary exhibits from well-known artists like Chinese contemporary artist and activist Ai Weiwei. However, don’t forget to check out local artists, such as Wayne Thiebaud, as well!

2. Relax with some beer at New Helvetia

When in Sacramento, you have to try its beer concoctions because the city is known for its thriving beer scene. One of the more popular breweries in Sacramento is New Helvetia. Many have raved about this brewery not just for its beers but also for the relaxed, laidback vibes it exudes. With its setup of picnic tables and beer patio, New Helvetia has a homey feel to it.

With so many options to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice! Not sure what to get? We recommend going for its coffee stout, Homeland Stout. It has a rich, smoky flavor and a hint of chocolate as well. In fact, New Helvetia’s Homeland Stout has won the hearts of many customers, as evident from the online reviews, it’s received. Grab some friends and spend a lovely afternoon at New Helvetia in Sacramento!

3. Learn about Californian history at California State Capitol

If you’re a political buff, you have to visit the State Capitol in Sacramento. As the capital of California, the legislation passed in Sacramento often has significant impacts and nationwide consequences. The State Capitol in Sacramento serves as both a museum and the working seat of the Californian government.

If you’d like to pay a visit, you can sign up for a tour. The public tours are conducted daily and on the hour from 9 am to 4 pm. Otherwise, you can simply take a stroll around the State Capitol on your own. It’s open from 8 am to 5 pm on weekdays and 9 am to 5 pm on weekends. With its beautiful interior, Sacramento’s State capitol is worth a visit!

4. Buy retro toys at The Art of Toys

The Art of Toys in Sacramento puts a unique spin on the typical toy stores because it also doubles as an art gallery. It sells a vast array of vintage and eclectic toys that are reasonably priced. The theme surrounding the toys that are being sold even changes every month. This way, you’ll always be in for a surprise! The artists whose pieces are showcased in the art gallery also work around the theme to produce something wonderful.

Art of Toys in Sacramento is open from Tuesday to Saturday. Its operating hours are from 11 am to 6 pm. Be charmed by the collection of artworks and toys at this toy store!

5. Unleash your inner child at Fairytale Town

Fairytale Town in Sacramento is a nonprofit park with many fun attractions catered to children. It has 26 play sets based on fairytale themes and nursery rhymes for children and parents to play with. In addition to its Storyboard Park which centres around these themes, Fairytale Town also has animals to provide learning opportunities for children. Some of these farm animals include goats and lambs. If you’d like to have a closer look at the animals, you can drop by during their feeding sessions! These are usually around 3.30 pm to 4 pm.

Fairytale Town is open weather permitting so do give them a call to check their opening hours if you’re planning on visiting! The admission fee is $5 for adults and children aged 2 to 12. Check out Fairytale Town’s event calendar online to see if there are any upcoming events that you can attend!

6. Feast on Sacramento’s best burgers at Broderick Roadhouse

Broderick Roadhouse is a burger joint that has its roots in a food truck. It started out as a food truck that sold hamburgers in 2012. Since then, a total of six outlets have been opened with two of them in Sacramento, California. Broderick Roadhouse has a menu filled with a range of specialty burgers that are affordably priced given the quality of ingredients. They start at $11 and you can add additional toppings to your burgers as well.

These burgers may be sinful but worth every bite. One such burger that you can try from Broderick Roadhouse is its award-winning Johnny Cash Burger. It’s an interesting mix of white cheddar and applewood-smoked bacon. Check out Broderick Roadhouse’s website for the opening hours of the outlets in Sacramento!

7. Get educated at California Museum in Sacramento

The California Museum in Sacramento is the official state history museum. This is definitely a must-visit for all the history buffs out there! Since the museum is one south block down from the State Capitol, you can head over here after your visit to the State Capitol. Through its exhibits, visitors can learn about California’s global influence through innovation, arts and culture.

Some of the permanent exhibits in California Museum is the California Hall of Fame and California’s Remarkable Women. The California Hall of Fame was built to honor those who embody California’s innovative spirit. California’s Remarkable Women is an intimate showcase that brings visitors into the lives of 200 inspirational women from the past and present. Some of these women are physicist and astronaut Sally Ride and Congresswoman Karen Bass.

Spend some time learning about the rich history of the sunny Californian state at California Museum in Sacramento!

8. Find vintage gems at WAL Public Market

WAL Public Market is a vintage market of sorts that is located in midtown Sacramento. It sells a diverse array of items ranging from quirky trinkets to rare collectibles. You can even find quality vinyl records and funky homeware for those who are looking to spice up their houses! There are also art galleries with exhibits and displays put up by artists that are regularly changing. This definitely keeps things fresh!

If you’re feeling peckish amidst all the shopping, you can grab a quick bite at one of the food stalls at WAL Public Market. With so many shopping and dining options, you’ll have plenty to do at this little village. WAL Public Market in Sacramento is open from Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 9 pm, and Sunday, 11 am to 9 pm.

9. Indulge in creamy goodness at Gunther’s Ice Cream

It’s not unusual to see a long queue being formed outside of Gunther’s Ice Cream in Sacramento. People are even willing to queue for their ice cream during the winter! This ice cream parlor was established in 1940 and still remains a local favorite to this day. Gunther’s Ice Cream offers 40 flavors of ice cream with seasonal flavors such as peach.

On top of its ice cream, it also sells yogurts, sherbets and fruit freezes. You should try out their fruit freezes because they are super refreshing and make for the perfect snack on a warm, summer afternoon! Gunther’s Ice Cream in Sacramento is open daily from 10 am to 10 pm. Drop by to quench your thirst with a fruit freeze or indulge in a cone of creamy ice cream!

10. Soak in the sights and sounds of Old Sacramento

Old Sacramento is a national historic landmark, making it one of the must-see places in Sacramento. It was once a business district from the Gold Rush. It consists of two 19th-century riverfront buildings that have been restored. Once a ghost town in Sacramento in the 1900s, Old Sacramento is now a flourishing district. You can find shopping and dining options as well as historical attractions. You can even choose from 5-star restaurants to inexpensive hotdogs by the boardwalk so take your pick!

Take a stroll down Old Sacramento today!

11. Go birdwatching at Cosumnes River Preserve

Cosumnes River Preserve is a nature preserve located in southern Sacramento. It’s a beautiful place to be for some peaceful time alone or with your loved ones. Moreover, there are plenty of things to do at this nature preserve. Some of the recreation activities you can do are paddling, hiking and birdwatching. The recent conservation efforts have also resulted in flourishing wildlife so birdwatching would definitely be ideal!

Another interesting feature of the Cosumnes River Preserve is its bat-friendly bridge that’s built over the river. However, if you’d like to see the bats, do note that it’s best to come during the summer. Visit this nature preserve and be surrounded by lush greenery and wildlife!

12. Chill out at Federalist Public House

If you’re looking for a cool place to hang out with your friends, Federalist Public House in Sacramento is the place for you. This shipping container restaurant is great for large gatherings because it has communal tables. What’s more, there is even a rooftop garden attached to the restaurant so you’ll be dining with a view.

The restaurant is best known for its signature wood-fired pizza so you should definitely try that if you’re there. Other than that, it also has a great selection of beers on the taps. Pizza and beer – what more can you ask for? Since Federalist Public house is also in an outdoor space, soak in the lively atmosphere of the bar and restaurant on a Friday night!

13. Dine and wine at The Rind

Looking for a fine dining experience in Sacramento? The Rind is just the place to go, especially for all the cheese-lovers out there. This cheese-focused eatery offers a vast range of cheeses that you can savor. They put an interesting and unique twist on traditional cheese dishes like macaroni and cheese as well as the class grilled cheese sandwich.

The Rind also uses products and ingredients that are organically and locally sourced. The meat they use is humanely raised as well. It also serves as a local cheese shop so you can bring home some of the delicious cheeses that you’ve had at the restaurant itself. Moreover, Happy Hour is daily from 3 pm to 6 pm! During these hours, you’ll get $2 off your wine by the glass and $1 off your draft beer.

14. Learn about railroad history at California State Railroad Museum

The California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento is a paradise for train enthusiasts. At this museum, you get to learn about how railroads were built. The interactive exhibits tell the story of more than 150 years worth of railroad history. However, it focuses on local Californian lines. In fact, it’s worth noting that Sacramento played a significant role in establishing the transcontinental railroad.

Guided tours are offered the California State Railroad Museum and they cover the Transcontinental Railroad building within 45 to 50 minutes. However, it’s perfectly fine if you’d like to explore the museum on your own because docents are stationed throughout the museum to answer any questions from visitors. The museum is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission fee costs $12 for adults and $6 for youths from the age of 6 to 17!

So, there you have it! From interesting museums to the best bars in town, you’ll never run out of things to do and places to go to in Sacramento. Let us know in the comments which of these places you’re looking forward to going to!