Even though Sacramento is the capital of California, it’s often overlooked for cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco. Don’t make this mistake!

Sacramento is a city that is chock full of arts, history, culture, and food. And in this post, we’re going to explore it with you. You’re going to learn some of our favorite things to do in Sacramento, including a few must-see spots. 

Ready to dig into it?

Let’s go!

Old Sacremento State Historic Park

It’s not often you can check out a state park that looks like it’s right out of an old Western movie set. But with Old Sacremento Historic State Park you can explore this area that has been painstakingly restored from its days as a fort. 

You’ll find some historic homes here, and it’s the site of a variety of events year round, including tree lightings, live mariachi music, and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Leland Stanford Mansion

Leland Stanford was the founder of Stanford University and lived in a truly incredible 19,000 square foot Victorian era mansion in Sacremento. After years of renovation, the Leland Stanford Mansion is now restored and open as a park for visitors to tour. 

Learn a bit about Stanford, who was also Governor of California and see the impressive painting and art collection on the grounds.

California State Capitol Museum

Looking for another cool building to tour? Then don’t miss out on the California State Capitol Museum. Wander the building, learn about the history of California’s seat of government, and check out a few of the rotating exhibits.

And, while you’re there, visit Capitol Park. It makes for a perfect stop in the middle of a busy day of touring to take in some of the beautiful flowers, plants, and trees.

California State Railroad Museum

You don’t have to be a railway enthusiast to think this is a really cool and informative museum. The railway was instrumental in the development of California, and the California State Railroad Museum pays tribute to that. 

This is an excellent museum for kids. There are interactive exhibits, including trains that you can ride on and get a feel of what it was like to ride the locomotives of the past. 

California State Fair

Each year, states across the country host fairs to bring their communities together. Sacremento is the home of the California State Fair, and it’s something that’s highlighted on the calendar by both residents and visitors alike. 

The fair has something for everyone, hosting amusement park-style rides and games. Plus there are huge farming expos, lots of food to try, and live music events. If you’re in Sacremento in July, stop in!

You’ll Never Run out of Fun

When it comes to all the figuring out what to do in Sacremento on your vacation, the options are endless. Hopefully, this list will give you the perfect place to start. From there, get out and explore everything California’s capital city has to offer!