Part of Isola, the Capital's live guide to eat, drink & do — open-now status, menus and one-tap directions.
Bringing the whole crew to the Capital? These Sacramento spots — restaurants, parks, arcades and attractions — are easygoing and kid-welcoming. See hours and who's open now.
We track 16 spots here, averaging 4.5★. Every listing shows the day's hours, a sample menu with prices, and one-tap call, directions and ordering — plus live "open now" status on the main guide.
On this page: Midtown Biergarten, The Morning Fork, Fox & Goose Public House, Old Sacramento Waterfront, California State Railroad Museum, Sacramento History Museum & Underground Tours, California State Capitol Museum, Sutter's Fort State Historic Park, Sacramento Zoo, Fairytale Town, California Automobile Museum, Golden 1 Center & Downtown Commons, Discovery Park, American River Bike Trail (Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail), American River Raft Rentals and William Land Park.
Formerly Der Biergarten — an open-air German-style beer garden at 24th & K with communal tables, big steins, and pretzels; still one of the most fun warm-weather group hangouts in Midtown.
Hours: Sun 11am–9:45pm · Mon 11am–9:45pm · Tue 11am–9:45pm · Wed 11am–9:45pm · Thu 11am–9:45pm · Fri 11am–11:45pm · Sat 11am–11:45pm
A retro, family-owned diner in the Lavender District that's become Midtown's default breakfast answer — expect a wait on weekends, no reservations, cash tips appreciated, worth it for the biscuits.
Hours: Sun 8am–3pm · Mon 8am–2pm · Tue 8am–2pm · Wed 8am–2pm · Thu 8am–2pm · Fri 8am–2pm · Sat 8am–3pm
A Sacramento brunch institution since the '70s in a beautiful old brick building near the rail yards — traditional British breakfasts, long waits on weekends, and decades of loyal regulars.
Hours: Sun 7am–8pm · Mon 7am–10pm · Tue 7am–9pm · Wed 7am–9pm · Thu 7am–9pm · Fri 7am–11pm · Sat 7am–11pm
28 acres of Gold Rush-era boardwalks, museums, and shops right on the Sacramento River — free to explore any time, though the museums, tours, and restaurants inside keep their own hours.
Hours: Sun 12am–12pm · Mon 12am–12pm · Tue 12am–12pm · Wed 12am–12pm · Thu 12am–12pm · Fri 12am–12pm · Sat 12am–12pm
The largest railroad museum in North America — restored steam locomotives fill a cavernous Old Sac hall. The vintage excursion train along the river only runs April-September on select days, so it's an add-on, not a given.
Hours: Sun 10am–5pm · Mon 10am–5pm · Tue 10am–5pm · Wed 10am–5pm · Thu 10am–5pm · Fri 10am–5pm · Sat 10am–5pm
Sacramento's civic story from Gold Rush to statehood, plus the city's only underground tour through the hollow sidewalks built when downtown raised itself out of flood mud. The Underground Tour runs a limited seasonal window (June 2026) — reserve ahead, only 20 people per tour.
Hours: Sun 10am–5pm · Mon 10am–5pm · Tue 10am–5pm · Wed 10am–5pm · Thu 10am–5pm · Fri 10am–5pm · Sat 10am–5pm
Free docent-led tours of the working 1874 statehouse — restored legislative chambers, the historic governor's office suite, and rotating exhibits under the gold dome. The building closes weekends, unlike the surrounding park.
Hours: Sun closed · Mon 9am–5pm · Tue 9am–5pm · Wed 9am–5pm · Thu 9am–5pm · Fri 9am–5pm · Sat closed
The reconstructed 1839 adobe outpost that was Sacramento's original settlement — self-guided walk through the blacksmith shop, bakery, and trading post. Living-history days with costumed docents pop up on select weekends only.
Hours: Sun 10am–5pm · Mon 10am–5pm · Tue 10am–5pm · Wed 10am–5pm · Thu 10am–5pm · Fri 10am–5pm · Sat 10am–5pm
A compact 14-acre zoo in Land Park with giraffes, red pandas, and a walk-through aviary — easily done in half a day. Uses dynamic 'plan-ahead' pricing that changes daily, so buy online for your exact date rather than at the gate.
Hours: Sun 9am–4pm · Mon 9am–4pm · Tue 9am–4pm · Wed 9am–4pm · Thu 9am–4pm · Fri 9am–4pm · Sat 9am–4pm
Storybook-themed play park next to the zoo — general admission is cheap, pony rides and slides are separate tickets. Off-season (Nov-Feb) it drops to Thursday-Sunday only, and it closes outright in real rain, so check social media on gray days.
Hours: Sun 9am–4pm · Mon 9am–4pm · Tue 9am–4pm · Wed 9am–4pm · Thu 9am–4pm · Fri 9am–4pm · Sat 9am–4pm
150-plus vintage and classic cars under one roof near the river, from Model Ts to muscle cars. Closed Tuesdays; the free private lot is a welcome break from downtown meters.
Hours: Sun 10am–5pm · Mon 10am–5pm · Tue closed · Wed 10am–5pm · Thu 10am–5pm · Fri 10am–5pm · Sat 10am–5pm
Home of the Sacramento Kings and the anchor of DOCO — the plaza around it is open to walk through any day, with restaurants, a movie theater, and public art even when nothing's on the schedule. Arena behind-the-scenes tours run select days only; confirm before you go.
Hours: Sun 12am–12pm · Mon 12am–12pm · Tue 12am–12pm · Wed 12am–12pm · Thu 12am–12pm · Fri 12am–12pm · Sat 12am–12pm
275 acres at the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers — the county's best boat launch, swimming beaches, and the northern trailhead for both riverside trail systems. Parking is metered even on weekends.
Hours: Sun 6am–8pm · Mon 6am–8pm · Tue 6am–8pm · Wed 6am–8pm · Thu 6am–8pm · Fri 6am–8pm · Sat 6am–8pm
32 miles of paved trail from the river confluence at Discovery Park to Folsom Lake — one of the longest purpose-built bike paths in the country. No rental kiosk at the trailhead itself; rent downtown at City Bicycle Works and pedal out.
Hours: Sun 12am–12pm · Mon 12am–12pm · Tue 12am–12pm · Wed 12am–12pm · Thu 12am–12pm · Fri 12am–12pm · Sat 12am–12pm
The main outfitter for kayak, tube, raft, and paddleboard trips on the Lower American River — about 15 miles east of downtown off Sunrise Blvd, so budget drive time. Best late spring through early fall; call ahead since hours and river conditions shift by season.
Hours: Sun 9am–5pm · Mon 9am–5pm · Tue 9am–5pm · Wed 9am–5pm · Thu 9am–5pm · Fri 9am–5pm · Sat 9am–5pm
200-acre city park anchoring the Land Park neighborhood — playgrounds, a 9-hole public golf course, an amphitheater, shady picnic groves, and Fairytale Town, Funderland, and the zoo all inside its borders.
Hours: Sun 6:30am–8pm · Mon 6:30am–8pm · Tue 6:30am–8pm · Wed 6:30am–8pm · Thu 6:30am–8pm · Fri 6:30am–8pm · Sat 6:30am–8pm