One of the best things about a weekend getaway or family vacation is that it doesn’t have to take you thousands of miles away from home, but a great time can still be had if you choose the right holiday destination in the United States.
Sacramento is a hot holiday destination with great kid-friendly attractions like Funderland Amusement Park and Fairytale Town.
photo source: Picryl.com
Here are some of the best things to do in Sacramento with kids.
What is Sacramento Best Known For?
Sacramento is best known for being one of the most popular family holiday destinations on this side of the United States, with hundreds of local visitors from other US states who come to see what all the fuss is about.
One of the best things about vacationing in Sacramento is that it’s not as expensive as some of the other holiday spots in the US.
Sacramento is great for nightlife but also has plenty of great attractions for busy families during the day. There are museums like the Crocker Art Museum and kid-friendly attractions like the Funderland Amusement Park for the young.
Oh, and Sacramento also has some of the greatest restaurants anywhere in California. Some top restaurants around here include the Tower Cafe, the Firehouse, and Mikuni Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar.
Sacramento also ranks as one of the top cities in the state for its public transport system. You can hitch an affordable ride everywhere you don’t want to walk on holiday.
Everyone can find something they’ll love to see in Sacramento.
Is Sacramento Good for Families?
Sacramento can be one of the best places for families to hang out, especially if you include teens, toddlers, or smaller children.
The majority of Sacramento is safe, and there aren’t nearly as many crime reports here as in some busier cities in the US.
Restaurants are family-friendly, including menu items and desserts that kids and fussy adults will still love.
Most of the attractions in the Sacramento area are places where you can take kids, except for some adult-only places not listed in this post.
Almost every family can find something they want to do around Sacramento.
Unique Things to Do in Sacramento with Toddlers
Funderland Amusement Park
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Funderland Amusement Park is located at 1350 17th Avenue, and it usually opens at 11:00 in the morning, with entry straight through the gate. Some of the best thrilling yet safe attractions can be found at Funderland, and the place has a five-star reputation for being one of the best places you can hang out. Visits are affordable, and all rides are supervised.
Fairytale Town
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
Fairytale Town is one of the best visual, interactive attractions in Sacramento that can also be called great for toddlers and kids. It’s a play park with a specific theme, and every ride here is based on a popular kids’ fairytale or story. Adults best go along for this as visits with small kids are best accompanied.
Midway Antique Mall
Parents who want a quiet, relaxed day out with their kids should pay a visit to Midway Antique Mall. It’s one of the best places to see some of the local wares for sale, and parents might want to pack a spending budget for when they see something they’d like to take home. There are more than enough restaurants, too, if kids would like to stop and get a bite while parents check out the rest of the antiques.
Underground Books
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Underground Books is one of the premier bookstores in Sacramento, and if you and the kids want to support a brick-and-mortar bookstore that still has plenty of events and things to see, plan a day visit here.
Historic Guild Theater Oak Park
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The Historic Guild Theater is more than just a popular attraction, it’s a local Sacramento hang-out spot where you can almost always find something interesting. Visit the Oak Park location for fun with the kids, and remember to take pictures of everything incredible you see here to preserve the great memories!
What is There to Do in Sacramento This Weekend for Kids?
Crocker Art Museum
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
The Crocker Art Museum is one of the best local attractions for fans of art and sculpture, and guided tours can be just as much fun for kids as they can be informative for adults. See some of the best art in Sacramento at the Crocker Art Museum for a weekend trip. On some weekends, you can get in for a reduced fee — and sometimes, you even see special events or exhibitions.
California Automobile Museum
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
The California Automobile Museum is where you and the kids should go if they are fans of the Fast & The Furious — and then want to know more about where the history of cool cars like those might have begun. The Museum is an especially great weekend stop thanks to reduced entrance fees on some days and special events on others.
Sacramento Zoo
Sacramento Zoo is one of the best locations for a vacation visit if you and the kids want to learn more about nature. This is one of the most prolific zoos in the United States, with guided tours by experts that let kids see the animals as they have never seen them before. A gift shop and several on-site restaurants cater to kids and adults. Admission is affordable, and there’s a whole lot of great things to see at Sacramento Zoo.
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Kids Festivals in Sacramento During Some Weekends
Farm to Fork
Farm-to-Fork is one of the most famous food festivals in Sacramento. Thanks to its social media coverage, it has become so internationally known that it now draws visitors from all over the world. If you and the kids appreciate fine food and want to experience the best ingredients, restaurants, and foodies, add the Farm-to-Fork Festival to your list of things to do.
Cirque Du Soleil
While it’s not an attraction that can be considered permanent, the Cirque du Soleil makes a regular turn in the city of Sacramento — and at least a few times per year, visitors can catch a performance if they manage to time their visit to the city just right. It’s incredible, acrobatic — and in person, it’s way more amazing than you’ll ever see on a screen!
Sacramento4Kids.com
If you want a full schedule for attractions, festivals, and other events that could be fun for you and the kids while you’re in Sacramento, then follow Sacramento4Kids.com for an updated list of the year’s festivals in the area. All festivals listed here are appropriate for kids and ranked by age.
What is There to Do Indoors in Sacramento with Kids?
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
Suppose you and the kids would rather spend a day indoors on your Sacramento getaway. In that case, one of the most incredible sights you can visit is the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, located at 1017 11th Street in Sacramento. Regular events like mass happen here, but visitors are welcome if they would like to see more of the church for its awesome beauty.
Escape Sacramento
There’s almost nothing better to do when you and the family want to stay indoors than an escape-the-room adventure — and Escape Sacramento is one of the top-rated attractions for adventurous visitors who come to Sacramento. Open from 10:00 in the morning, this great challenge is located in the Midtown area.
Esquire IMAX Sacramento
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Great movies aren’t just something you can stream from the internet, but also still something that you and the family can witness on a real screen in person. Esquire IMAX in Sacramento is one of the top places in the city to do just that — and if you can decide on what movie to watch, you’ll have one of the best times on the entire vacation right here.
Free Kid Activities in Sacramento, CA
Sutter’s Fort
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Sutter’s Fort is one of many historical forts still standing all across the United States, and it’s one of the most incredible sights from Sacramento that has even been used as a famous filming location multiple times. Entrance to see Sutter’s Fort is free, and the memory of the view will last you all a lifetime.
California State Railroad Museum
photo source: Flckr.com via Joe Ross
The California State Railroad Museum is located in Sacramento, and here you will see some of the most important transportation history exhibits in the United States. If your kids are fans of history or just want to see cool trains in person, then this is the place to book your next vacation stop. Entrance is free on some days and affordable on most others.
McKinley Park
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
If you don’t have a massive budget to go out and have fun for an entire day somewhere, you can still go to the park and have a traditional picnic or have a great day looking at the local sights and meeting some people. McKinley Park is one of the most frequented parks in Sacramento, and it’s a great place to see the view.
