The Most Delicious Museums in Sacramento

Old Sacramento Underground

★★★★☆ 3.7 (88)

"Been wanting to do this for a while. Made reservations online. $25. A person, this includes in and out privileges into the California museum for the day. Nice stop for aircon, bathroom and $1. Bottled water. From start to finish the tour was about an hour and 15 minutes. Being a CA native and long time Sac resident I had heard a lot of this information before. Although, I did still learn a lot. Lots of history. Our tour guide did a great job describing everything and answering questions. A worthy tour. Be sure to tip generously."

Roseville Telephone Museum

★★★★☆ 4.4 (9)

"You know when you're driving on the freeway and you see those little signs that say "blah, blah museum" or "historic site"? Like me, the answer is probably "yes" and like me, you probably rarely stop to check them out. For once, I stopped. I'm glad I did. What I couldn't have known from the little sign was that the telphone museum was "by appointment only". I thought "crap", what am I going to do now. I saw a doorbell and rang it. As it just so happens, one of the Surewest company volunteers was walking by. He asked if I wanted to take "a peak"...and an hour later we were out of there! The little museum is fascinating. If you are my age or older, you've watched the end of rotary, the beginning of dial tone, the birth and death of the fax machine, the end of the payphone, the beginning of fiber optics, and pretty soon the end of the landline. Here you go back further of course. The transition from the telegraph to the phone, the evolution of the operator to automatic switch board, how 411 worked, and just lots of cool things you don't think about. Our guide was enthusiastic and had a great sense of humor. He had worked at the company for something like 30 years, so he knew his stuff. Despite what I'm sure was a busy schedule, took time out of his day to help us. Thank you!That part of Roseville is actually pretty neat as well. The area still seems to have a connection to the trains and history. It is most definitely worth taking a quick stroll around.So, next time you are flying by on the freeway and see one of those little signs, take a look. You just might be surprised by what you find! P.S. I'd be super curious to know what teenagers thought of this museum. I'll bet even the exhibits closer to the present day might as well seem like it's from the 1700's to someone who has had cellphones all their lives!"

The Polar Express Train Ride

★★★☆☆ 2.7 (17)

"We read the book before going. I highly recommend that so you can recognize the references. There are some references from the movie that's not in the book so watch that too if you can. I did an add on with the lanyard thinking my son would love that. He didn't care for it. Get the book beforehand too, not only so you can read it beforehand but it's also cheaper elsewhere. We opted for first class tickets and did the 3:30 pm train ride. Once it was time to board, the gate opened and fake snow started pouring down. That was magical and was my favorite part. The cabin was spacious and comfy. For first class, they had a commemorative ceramic mug that they package up at the end of the ride in a Polar Express reusable bag. They put the paper hot chocolate cup in it which was such a good idea so the mug wouldn't get dirty. We also got snickerdoodle cookies.The train ride leaves Old Sacramento and goes to Land Park and then goes back the same way. Towards the middle of the ride, they will read the book so bring your book to follow along. They have loaner books if you need one. I had our book signed by a train conductor too. Along the way, it will reach the North Pole with Santa and the elves before heading back. On the way back, Santa will come and hands everyone the first gift of Christmas. The bell says "Polar Express" and looks just like the one in the book. Honestly, I wouldn't go without kids. It's overpriced for what it is but for the experience of Christmas magic with the kids, it's worth it to me. My son loved all the Polar Express references. His favorite part was receiving the bell from Santa."

Gold Rush Museum

★★★★☆ 4.2 (11)

"Rebecca showed us around, she was amazing. She had so much knowledge and great with keeping my daughters engaged. Mining with us to show us how to find the gold was super fun as well."

The California Museum

★★★★☆ 3.9 (105)

"Some of California's biggest stars and brightest minds came together tonightThis year I had a chance to see some "stars" at the red carpet during 15th California Hall of Fame induction ceremony hosted by the California Museum in Sacramento. As soon as I walked up towards the event I recognized a familiar face... our very own former Yelp CM, Alex L. I was thrilled to get an invite. The list of inductees included the original Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter, whom I was hoping to get a sneak peek at the actress. I was fortunate to view the class from a special public viewing area as they made their red carpet entry. Unfortunately, Lynda Carter was not able to attend. Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom inducted the 15th class of the California Hall of Fame. I saw fellow Yelper, Rich L. We, the general public, were not allowed inside the building or beyond the general red carpet viewing area. We weren't special enough LoL! Local news were lined up for photos and news coverage. The inductees of the California Hall of Fame 15th class are:* Actor and singer-songwriter Lynda Carter* Chef Roy Choi* Physicist Steven Chu* Ice skater Peggy Fleming* Sociologist Arlie Russell Hochschild* Choreographer Alonzo King* Teacher and former astronaut Barbara Morgan* Soccer player Megan Rapinoe* Singer Linda Ronstadt* Artist Ed Ruscha* Band Los Tigres del NorteI was happy to do a little catching up with Alex... Thank you so much!Review #0558 updated"

Griffith Quarry Museum

★★★★★ 4.5 (6)

"Looks like it would be a nice place for a picnic and a short hike. Nice open space. The quarry itself isn't much to see. 105 degrees Fahrenheit late June 2020."

Preston Castle

★★★★☆ 4.1 (130)

"This castle is absolutely beautiful from the outside, built in the late 1800's with bricks made by Folsom and San Quentin inmates. It is still in the long process of being restored, but hardly noticeable. Inside is a totally different story. I didn't come during a special event, just for the self-guided tour, where you can roam the castle at your own pace. I was attracted to the haunted stories behind this former rehabilitation institution for young male delinquents. But I learned a lot more about its interesting history when I visited, rather than the hauntings which resulted from the numerous deaths that occurred over decades at Preston School of Industry. For the self-guided tour, guests can explore freely, with several docents available throughout to answer questions or share noteworthy details about some of the rooms. Know that this is a restoration project in progress. Though most rooms can be viewed from the doorway (roped off), some are full of rubble and just have signs describing what the room was used for in the past. Others are in updated condition with props and furnishings, set up like something you would find at the Winchester Mystery House and you can actually walk inside the rooms and look at everything up close, like the Company B dorm room that housed 60-70 boys, the staff dining room, apartments, infirmary, day rooms, and patio (a giant courtyard similar to that of a prison). In the museum, we got to view original photos and artifacts, and discovered famous names associated with the reform school -- actors, musicians, athletes, and authors who were formerly wards at Preston (ie. Rory Calhoun and Merle Haggard). There was even a section dedicated to the various TV and film productions that depicted stories of or were filmed at this castle, including Ghost Adventures and The Unexplained Files (on Discovery). We had a great experience exploring the museum and castle this past weekend, and all of the docents we interacted with were friendly and knowledgeable. For less than $20 per person, the regular self-guided tour is definitely worth checking out. But they also hold various private events here (ie. weddings), as well as other cool events like the halloween haunt during October, and a beer and wine tasting event, even an upcoming Oddities and Curiosities Show this Saturday, which are all great opportunities to pay a visit if you're curious."

Old Sacramento Waterfront

★★★★☆ 3.8 (397)

"We visited on New Year's Day and the place was bustling. The low riders were taking over the streets and some of the parking. It was a lot of traffic and little street parking. We went to take pictures in front of the Christmas tree. This year they had 2025 on the tree. If you stand in-front of the tree on the other side of the street, where the cross walk is you can take a good picture with the tree in the background and not get run over by the cars or cause traffic to stop."

Artspace1616

★★★★★ 5 (4) • $$$

"After brunch, us volunteers paid a visit to artspace1616 which is right next door to Mama Kim's. The featured artist is Phil Amrhein, who's already sold a number of his paintings since his opening reception held back in November. Only two of his black acrylic paintings remain. Other notable artists are Bob Bajorin who's subject matter is young women and David Mayhew, whose abstract paintings is about his passion for architecture. The art works are affordable, the average price in the $450-800.00 range. Artspace1616 deals with all types of art, from abstract, acrylic, oil on panel, and black paint on canvas. After you've finished dining at Mama Kim's, come to Artspace and check them out."

Sacramento Regional Fire Museum

★★★★★ 4.8 (9)

"It's been a long time coming, but the Sacramento Regional Fire Museum is now open to the public. This medium sized museum is located in an office park near the main post office in West Sacramento. Parking is decent in the area including on the street.This museum houses the beginnings of a collection of historic fire equipment and items from the Sacramento region. The facility is already packed with several classic fire trucks and vintage equipment like hooks, ladders, and lots of hose. Nestled in between the equipment are some pictures and antiques from the area. The facility has full restrooms, several exhibit areas, and a modern office look and feel. There is room to roam for the kids and a few interactive exhibits. Make sure to check out the fire alarm room in the back. Also look for the UC Davis fire truck! As of this writing, hours are variable and posted online only. This makes for tough planning. There doesn't seem to be much room to grow, but this may be a temporary spot. They do a great job describing the items and giving a history of the region. Overall this is a great addition to the Sacramento museum scene. Kids and families will love this place, and other adults will too. There are some growing pains, but it is nice to support our fire fighting history."

Bernhard Museum Complex

★★★★★ 4.6 (23)

"Awesome tour with such wonderful knowledgeable guides! So much history here. Daisy and the wonderful lady who did our tour (forgot her name) were so wonderful in sharing all the special moments in the house and all the history. We really enjoyed our visit here and learning about the family and the home."

Placer Nature Center

★★★★★ 4.8 (4)

"I came here on 4/26/15 for my daughter's Nature Bowl Competition. What an amazing day! The volunteers that work here are soooooo good with kids! I feel like learning should be FUN! THEY'VE HIT THAT RIGHT ON!There is so much to explore asks so much more I would love to see!Thank you!"

Folsom History

★★★★★ 4.6 (9)

"100 years of Folsom High exhibit transported you to the nostalgia of High school days with pictures, sounds, yearbooks andd variety of memorabilia with quotes from former alumni.The permanent exhibit gives the history of Folsom. This was informative from the original indigenous people, gold rush Era, to Intel making its way to the area. Interactive experiences helped engage your experience for both young and mature visitors with photops to make it fun too!Staff was friendly, knowledgeable and shared fun facts. We enjoyed our visit and will be keeping our eye out for the other events and changing exhibits."

California Agriculture Museum & Event Center

★★★★★ 4.6 (33)

"Awesome collection of tractors and items that show the history of farming here in California. Very well preserved history of the various models and types of machinery used. Love the displays and information provided about the various tractors and where they came from etc. There are lots of options for discounts on admission like AAA and veterans and student. Come check em out."

Aerospace Museum of California

★★★★☆ 4.3 (154)

"Fun museum that is affiliated with the Smithsonian. They have a number of military airplanes and some that you can go in. They have a flight simulator for extra where they give flight training. My niece took a lesson and was a fun place to visit for everyone. Check in on Yelp for a discount on your ticket."

State Indian Museum

★★★★☆ 4.1 (50)

"It's a small museum but worth checking out. They're open now and admission is $5. They have a map of where tribes used to be located in the USA before...well let's be real here, European settlers took over their nation. They have a small store with books, Native American jewelry, and other tourists trinkets. The museum might be small but it packs a lot of history in that small space.Check it out if you're ever in that area. Parking shouldn't be an issue since there are street and metered parking all around that area."

The Square

★★★★☆ 4.4 (8)

"Pioneer Village is a volunteer-run place where you can find old train cars, an operating blacksmith shop and do some gold panning! Open Thursday through Sunday, it's a great spot to take tourists or just learn some history about the gold rush. For instance, I learned today courtesy of Jeff the volunteer, that most people who did strike it rich during the gold rush did so because of the gold miners themselves, not from finding gold. Miners needed food, supplies, housing, etc. Levi Strauss was one such individual who marketed his jeans to be "tough enough to stuff your pockets full of gold nuggets."There is a trough that is filled with sediment, rocks and GOLD! Someone is there to educate you on how to strike it rich. I did try my hand at gold panning and found a flake of gold. If you keep it, it costs $3 and comes in a vial. Tell you what, I can see why it was so alluring to try your hand at this stuff. It is kind of addictive. Like gambling, but it's just you, a pan and the river. The blacksmith shop was operating and sure enough, you could see some guys hammering away at a piece of metal - it looked like a railroad spike that glowed at one end. Coal kept the oven red hot and I was glad that I was gold panning instead of being in a blacksmith shed in this 90 degree heat!"

Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society

★★★★★ 4.6 (16)

"Went to the Museum of Medical History on Sat 2/6 FREE Sacramento Museum Day 2010. Fourth spot of the day.This place is only 1 floor and small. It's worth maybe 30min-1hr to see everything.My favorite thing was the Iron Lung, Live Leeches (from Leeches USA in NYC), and the demo Dr. Bob LaPerriere (museum curator) gave where he turned off the lights & shocks himself.Lots of strange & crazy medical equipments they used back in the old days. Books w/ pics were cool to look at, boring to read.Separate bathrooms available.Worth a visit at least once if in the area."

Placer County Museum

★★★★★ 4.8 (13)

"On Saturday morning we stopped by to visit this historic landmark which was originally a courthouse and jail. We decided on taking one of their guided tours with a museum staff member to learn a bit more of the history. The woman was very patient with taking the time to answer some of our curious questions and I learned a lot from the history of gold, American Indians etc. and even got a chance to see an original painting of Thomas Kinkade depicting the town! Such a fan of his and a very well done painting! Not to mention they had this funny photo props area with fake mustaches and wanted frames and I dawned one lol, ever hear of the bearded lady, if she can pull it off, then so can I!? One last tid bit, did you know the American Indian babies wore moss diapers and were carried on their mama's back in a cradle while she worked, quite the multitasker?! I would highly recommend stopping in and visiting this free museum here in Auburn, don't forget to put in a donation before you leave, your funds help to keep this museum alive and running! On Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. rain or shine they offer free guided tours of Old Town Auburn starting here, check it out! I know I will my next visit when it's a bit warmer!"

California Statewide Museum Collections Center

★★★★☆ 4.3 (3)

"I checked out the Ca Statewide Museum Collections Center for FREE Sacramento Museum Day 2/1/14.They don't let you bring any large bags, no food, no water, No cameras allowed in the Lobby & also on the Tour!All the stuff that no longer fit into the state parks regular locations, they go here & they clean it & whatever they do.Stuff I saw:sofas, chairs, Archive Room, Photography Room, etc."

Sacramento History Museum

★★★★☆ 4 (60)

"When we stepped out of the California State Railroad Museum on Saturday, we saw a sign for this museum and decided to check it out, since we had never been. There is still a lot of history we need to explore, but for the sake of time, we still saw a fair amount and enjoyed it! We went with my toddler's grandma on Free Musuem Day and I really appreciated all the activities they had for children. My toddler panned for gold outside, weighed fruit, did chalk and colored on one their coloring sheets!I would definitely recommend paying a visit to this museum to learn more about the history behind the city! The original building was built in the year 1854 and was the city's first municipal structure! Free Museum Day was the start of Sacramento Museum Week which is going on until February 9th with regular admission prices, $10 for adults, $5 for youth and kids 5 and under are free. Great prices if you ask me, I'll definitely plan a return visit to explore the history of our great city!"

Museum Lincoln Area Archive

★★★★★ 5 (2)

"Was going through Old Town Lincoln on 7/15/23 with my girls and stopped in at the museum. Friendly staff, a great AC, and we had a nice time walking around. My youngest LOVES museums. Thank you!"

Folsom Railroad Museum

★★★★☆ 4 (4)

"Next to the Chamber of Commerce. http://www.yelp.com/biz/folsom-chamber-of-commerce-and-visitors-center-folsomBummed it was closed on Friday.Open on the weekends only."

California State Capitol Museum

★★★★★ 4.5 (311)

"The state capital is a great place to go to see history in the making. You can go up to the third floor and watch the Assembly in action. Today it was closed, but it's usually open to the public. Just be sure to turn off your phones and be quite while you're up there. It's really a fun thing to see.Right now there is a lot of construction going on at the capital. One whole wing of the new building is gone. Thus where you used to see the county exhibits is now missing as that was in the wing they are revamping. Walking around the capital is tricky these days, due to the construction. You have to be willing to walk across the street in a few places to get around the construction. Even with the construction, you can still go inside and visit. Just take off your purse, wallet, keys ect and put it thorough the scanner and walk through the metal detector and you're in. They don't id you when you enter.The front steps are also open to the public and are the perfect spot for that iconic and instragramable picture. When we were there we saw a lot of people lining up for their picture to be taken."

California Automobile Museum

★★★★☆ 4.4 (233)

"We came downtown for the Memorial Day auto show and stopped in the museum afterwards. What a surprise! Such a great collection of cars from the very beginning to the recent history of electric cars.There was a lot to learn and hands on opportunities to see how things worked and the ability to get in some of the cars to take photos. I thought the entrance fee was really reasonable for such a nice collection. Definitely worth a visit, maybe spend an hour or so exploring the place."

Elk Grove Historical Society

★★★★★ 4.8 (4)

"Such a cool place! Beautiful Christmas decor & Christmas lights...the best in town (in my opinion)"

Sacramento Valley Live Steamers Railroad Musuem

★★★★★ 4.6 (7)

"My husband and I decided to take our daughter on this train and were pleasantly surprised! It cost just $2 for a 15 min ride(2 & under are free), with a scenic view of Hagan Community Park! We had a blast going through bridges, etc and the staff were very welcoming and helpful! What a great way to celebrate National Park and Recreation Month and National Anti-Boredom Month! Speaking of parks it's Cordova Recreation & Park District's 65 anniversary!I would DEFINITELY recommend paying a visit next time you're in Rancho! This non-profit railroad also hosts parties and events, check the schedule on their website! We're excited to attend their Pumpkin Patch Express and Santa Train! SYOY! :-)Song: Upbeat Fun Ukulele by REDproductions https://pixabay.com/music/-positive-hopeful-upbeat-fun-ukulele-hope-pleasure-music-16525/"

Maidu Museum & Historic Site

★★★★☆ 4.4 (21) • $

"Beautiful walking trail in the nature. Educational for adults and kids. They have museum but you'll need to make reservation ahead of time."