Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park Step back in time to the early days of Sacramento at this live history museum based around the rebuilt fort that Swiss immigrant John Sutter built in 1839. Stories of people who lived in the 1840s are brought to life by costumed docents and interpreters. These people include fur trappers, merchants, troops, and Native Americans who helped make Sacramento an agricultural hub and settlement along the Sacramento River. Hands-on displays show how to be a blacksmith, make candles, and do other jobs that were necessary to survive in that time. Walk around the outside of the fort on the same road that early settlers used and talk to historical figures who are still preserving and teaching about the fort's history. Throughout the year, there are special events like haunted lantern tours on Halloween and a holiday party in December where kids can do hands-on activities like making corn husk dolls and playing games that were popular when the fort was at its peak. See also: 12 Things To Do With Family in San Jose, California California Automobile Museum Families love the creative, multimedia, and hands-on exhibits at this museum that teach and entertain while telling the exciting history of cars in California. Up close, you can see more than 150 beautifully restored classic cars and trucks, from a 1905 Locomobile Steam Car to famous cars like the Ford Model T that changed the course of history. You can walk under a huge 395,000-gallon water tank that was moved here from 1906, which is when cars first started showing up on city streets. Kids love the complicated LEGO creations that look like old California gas stations, drive-ins, and other buildings found along the road. You can get a feel for what early car engineers went through by getting in a shake machine that simulates an earthquake. Rare cars are shown at shows every few weekends, which will please all of your family's car lovers, young and old. Inside the Streetscape show, there is a detailed Art Deco garage from the 1920s that kids can explore. Sacramento History Museum This museum, which is in the old Eagle Theatre, tells the story of Sacramento from the time it was founded to the present day. History comes to life for both kids and adults through hands-on displays, rare objects, oral histories, and multimedia shows. See a real Pony Express mochilla saddle bag and lift a heavy rock of gold ore to get a sense of how hard it was to mine during the Gold Rush. Full-size train cars can be walked through in exhibits that focus on the time of the transcontinental railroad. Walk through a neighborhood that looks like it did in the 1940s, the inside of a commercial jet, and rooms that show how important businesses have been to Sacramento's growth over the years. Families can enjoy the displays by seeing, hearing, and doing things. Kids love playing with interactive multimedia displays that show how different streets looked over 150 years ago and now. This city museum is a place where families can get together for special events, like summer camps where kids can play with real things and holiday parties. Powerhouse Science Center This science center has two large floors with dozens of hands-on science exhibits. It is a great place for kids to learn STEM skills and have fun while doing it. Permanent exhibit halls have themes like "Kids Town," which shows different community helper roles for pretend work as doctors, builders, grocery store clerks, and more. Kids can use simple machines to come up with answers to everyday problems in the Invention Convention area. Tinkering Workshops have tools and loose parts that people can use to make new things. Planet Pulse is all about environmental science, and it has fun, engaging models that families can use to learn about things like solar energy, composting, and air quality. Some really cool demos are a Van de Graaff generator that makes huge sparks that look like lightning and laying under a big whisk to learn about chemical reactions. Themed events that happen often give people more reasons to come back and explore. Sacramento Zoo Zoofari The Sacramento Zoo's Zoofari Night tours give families who want to see animals up close and personal outside of regular zoo hours a rare chance to see animals like majestic lions, playful meerkats, and endangered lemurs at night. Animal lovers can get up-close looks at more than 200 animals that live at the zoo on these guided evening walking walks, which happen after dark when animals that come out at night to play. During in-depth talks by keeper guides, you can hear the roar of lions right next to their enclosures. Get sprayed by otters having fun behind low glass while guides talk about interesting facts about these cute animals. As you watch fuzzy bats flap their wings and eat fruit kabobs that hang from trees, you can't help but laugh. When you go to the zoo after hours, you can see animals doing things you don't normally see during the day. This will make unforgettable family experiences.

12 Things To Do With Family In Sacramento, CA

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Introduction

 

A few years ago, I packed up the car with my kids—and a sense of adventure—and drove to Sacramento, California with no strict plan. What I discovered was a delightful weekend filled with history, nature, fun and plenty of together‑time. From stepping into Gold Rush‑era streets to watching giraffes, riding historic trains, and exploring whimsical parks, Sacramento gave us so many memorable moments. Here are 12 family‑friendly activities in Sacramento we loved—each one tried, enjoyed, and recommended. Whether you’re visiting for a quick trip or planning a longer stay, there’s something here for every age and interest.

 

12 Things To Do With Family In Sacramento, CA (2026)

 

1. Visit the Sacramento Zoo

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One of our first stops was the Sacramento Zoo in Land Park. With over 140 species and a compact, approachable size, it makes for a full and fun half‑day out.
My kids were thrilled to see giraffes and snow leopards, and we appreciated that the zoo is small enough so we didn’t have to wait for them to get tired. If you go, plan to arrive early while the animals are active and the weather is cool.

 

See Also: 12 Best & Fun Things To Do In Seaside, OR (Are You A Fun Lover?)

 

2. Explore the whimsical Fairytale Town

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Right across from the zoo is Fairytale Town—a 3.5‑acre outdoor play‑park where nursery rhymes and story‑sets come to life.
We spent an afternoon climbing the “Old Woman in the Shoe”, sailing the “pirate ship”, and strolling through Mr. McGregor’s garden watching goats nibble. It’s a perfect spot for younger kids who want to run, climb and imagine.

 

3. Stroll through the historic Old Sacramento State Historic Park

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Old Sacramento is a charming riverside district with boardwalks, Gold‑Rush era buildings, horse‑drawn carriages, and plenty of shops and restaurants.
We took the family on a stroll through the old streets, hopped on a little vintage train, grabbed root‑beer floats, and just soaked up the historic atmosphere. It’s great for combining history plus fun.

 

4. Learn and play at the California State Railroad Museum

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Located in Old Sacramento, the Railroad Museum is a hit with kids and adults alike. You’ll find restored locomotives, interactive exhibits, and even a seasonal excursion train ride.
My kids loved pretending to be engineers and climbing into old train cars. If your family enjoys history plus hands‑on fun, this stop is a must.

 

5. Spend time at California State Capitol Park

 

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The grounds around the Capitol building make for a lovely and educational outing. With beautifully landscaped gardens, shade trees and wide open lawns—kids can play while parents relax.
We brought a picnic blanket, let the kids run around the rose garden, and then headed into the museum inside the building. It’s a comfortable mix of nature and history.

 

6. Ride or walk the trail along the American River Parkway

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For a bit of active outdoor fun, we biked and walked along the American River Parkway—perfect for all ages and great fresh‑air time.
We pick a shorter paved segment, let the kids ride bikes or scooters, stopped for snacks by the river, and enjoyed the greenery. Ideal for a morning or afternoon outing.

 

7. Visit the interactive Powerhouse Science Center

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When the weather called for something indoors, we headed to this hands‐on science museum. It features engaging exhibits like Kids Town, Invention Convention and more.
My older kids loved tinkering with machines and building simple contraptions, while the younger ones enjoyed role‑play zones. Great for a rainy day or when you need a break from outdoor options.

 

8. Enjoy a river cruise along the Sacramento River

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We capped one of our evenings with a relaxing boat ride along the Sacramento River—seeing the city lights and water from a new angle.
The kids were excited just to ride the boat, and the adults appreciated the calm and scenic view. A nice way to slow down after a busy day of exploring.

 

9. Go wild at the Funderland Amusement Park

 

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Compact but fun, Funderland is a family‑friendly amusement park with rides suitable for younger kids and older.
We spent an afternoon trying rides, playing midway games, and indulging in cotton candy. It’s smaller scale, which means less overwhelm, and more enjoyment for the whole crew.

 

10. Explore the natural refuge at Effie Yeaw Nature Center

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If you’d like a break from the city scenes, we took a short drive to the nature center nestled inside Ancil Hoffman Park, where nature trails, wildlife and fresh air awaited.
The kids looked for birds and squirrels, we walked along shaded trails and just enjoyed quiet moments together. A great contrast to the more bustling attractions.

 

11. Attend a fun ball‑game: Sacramento River Cats

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On a warm evening, we went to a River Cats baseball game at their riverside stadium. Families lounge on grassy banks, enjoy food trucks and let kids run around while watching baseball.
It became one of those “favorite memory” moments. Lawn seats + ballpark snacks + the sunset = family win.

 

12. Discover the charm of the Capitol Park rose garden & playgrounds

 

 

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Nestled beside the Capitol building, the park includes a beautiful rose garden, giant trees, and spots for kids to climb and families to unwind.
We found a quiet corner to relax for a while with coffee, let the younger ones play and just appreciated the peaceful setting in the city’s heart.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Sacramento turned out to be a much richer family destination than I initially expected. What I loved most was the variety: big‑city culture, outdoor nature, educational fun, pure play, and something for everyone in our family.

 

A few takeaways from our trip:

  • Mix it up: Plan for one outdoor nature stop (like the river or Effie Yeaw), one interactive museum (like the Railroad Museum or Science Center), and one pure fun stop (like Funderland or the ball game).
  • Timing matters: Getting to the zoo early made a big difference in animal activity and our energy.
  • Bring layers: Even though Sacramento is often sunny, evenings at the river or downtown can feel cooler.
  • Lunch / snack strategy: With kids in tow, having an easy café stop or picnic spot (Capitol Park or Land Park) is a lifesaver.
  • Parking & logistics: Old Sacramento has convenient parking; at Land Park with the zoo + Fairytale Town the parking is easy too.
  • Be flexible: Even if one plan falters (weather, fatigue), you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how many low‑stress options Sacramento offers.

If I were to pick one defining image from our trip, it would be this: my daughter perched on a plush “pirate ship” slide at Fairytale Town, my son by my side pointing at a vintage locomotive inside the Railroad Museum, and my partner and I exchanging a quietly content look because, yes—the weekend was going exactly how we hoped. That moment—pure family togetherness—makes all the planning worthwhile.

So if you’re considering Sacramento for a family visit, know this: there’s enough here to fill several days or just a fantastic weekend. The memories? They’ll stick long after you drive home. Enjoy your family adventure!

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