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 56 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, William Land Park, Marie's Donuts, Journey to the Dumpling, Kin Thai Street Eatery, Oz Korean BBQ, Pho Saigon, Pho Bac Hoa Viet, Giò Chả Đức Hương (Duc Huong Sandwiches), Fixins Soul Kitchen, Bear West BBQ & Soul Food, OneSpeed, Masullo, Freeport Bakery, Gunther's Quality Ice Cream, Vic's Ice Cream, Willie's Burgers, Tower Cafe, Pachamama Coffee, New Helvetia Brewing Co., Urban Roots Brewing & Smokehouse, Oak Park Brewing Co., Two Rivers Cider Co., Federalist Public House, SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity (MOSAC), The Sofia, Home of B Street Theatre, Sutter Health Park, Latino Center of Art and Culture, Funderland Amusement Park, Sutter's Landing Regional Park, River Walk Park, Sampino's Towne Foods, Tres Hermanas, Selland's Market-Café, OBO' Italian Table & Bar, Hana Tsubaki, Buckhorn BBQ + Grill, Hidden Dumpling House, Quán Nem Ninh Hòa, Pho Xe Lua, Bốn Mùa and Pho City.
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
A teal-and-white walk-up window in Land Park frying the same simple dough since the 1950s. Get the apple fritter or a maple bar early — they sell out, there's no seating, and the line is part of the ritual.
Hours: Sun 5am–1pm · Mon closed · Tue closed · Wed 5am–1pm · Thu 5am–1pm · Fri 5am–1pm · Sat 5am–1pm
Midtown's unofficial dumpling headquarters, where nearly every table has bamboo steamers stacked high. The xiao long bao (soup dumplings) are the reason to come — pierce, sip, devour.
Hours: Sun 11am–3pm, 4pm–8:30pm · Mon 11am–3pm, 4pm–8pm · Tue 11am–3pm, 4pm–8pm · Wed 11am–3pm, 4pm–8pm · Thu 11am–3pm, 4pm–8pm · Fri 11am–3pm, 4pm–8:30pm · Sat 11am–3pm, 4pm–8:30pm
Sacramento's first and only Michelin-recognized Thai spot, tucked into Midtown. Bold, bright street-food flavors — the boat noodles and khao soi are standouts, and the room stays buzzy.
Hours: Sun 12pm–9pm · Mon 11am–3pm, 4:30pm–9pm · Tue 11am–3pm, 4:30pm–9pm · Wed 11am–3pm, 4:30pm–9pm · Thu 11am–3pm, 4:30pm–9pm · Fri 11am–3pm, 4:30pm–9pm · Sat 11am–9pm
The region's most popular all-you-can-eat tabletop Korean BBQ — marinated galbi, pork belly, and endless banchan. It's a short drive east of the core (Bradshaw), but it's the KBBQ locals actually name.
Hours: Sun 11am–10pm · Mon 11am–10pm · Tue 11am–10pm · Wed 11am–10pm · Thu 11am–10pm · Fri 11am–11pm · Sat 11am–11pm
A no-frills Stockton Blvd strip-mall staple in the heart of Little Saigon, doing steaming bowls of beef pho and solid banh mi. Come hungry — the portions are enormous and the broth is the real draw.
Hours: Sun 9am–10pm · Mon 9am–10pm · Tue 9am–10pm · Wed 9am–10pm · Thu 9am–10pm · Fri 9am–10pm · Sat 9am–10pm
A perennial 'Best Vietnamese' winner on Stockton Blvd, family-run since 1990. Bright, spacious, and dependable for pho, spring rolls, grilled plates, and chow fun — a Little Saigon anchor.
Hours: Sun 10am–10pm · Mon 10am–10pm · Tue 10am–10pm · Wed 10am–10pm · Thu 10am–10pm · Fri 10am–11pm · Sat 10am–11pm
Widely considered Sacramento's best banh mi — crackly baguettes baked in-house, stuffed with grilled pork or a genuinely great vegan version. Around six bucks and worth the Stockton Blvd trip.
Hours: Sun 8am–5pm · Mon 8am–5pm · Tue 8am–5pm · Wed 8am–5pm · Thu 8am–5pm · Fri 8am–5pm · Sat 8am–5pm
Kevin Johnson's polished Oak Park soul-food room, all leather booths and gospel-brunch energy. Fried chicken, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and mac and cheese people swear is the best they've had.
Hours: Sun 9am–9pm · Mon 11am–9pm · Tue 11am–9pm · Wed 11am–9pm · Thu 11am–9pm · Fri 11am–9pm · Sat 9am–9pm
A hidden gem slinging St. Louis-style BBQ and soul sides — hot links, tri-tip, greens, and a banana pudding worth saving room for. It's a short drive east of the core but the ratings earn it.
Hours: Sun 11am–7pm · Mon closed · Tue closed · Wed 11am–8pm · Thu 11am–8pm · Fri 11am–8pm · Sat 11am–8pm
East Sac's beloved neighborhood pizzeria, wood-firing creative, seasonal pies from local produce. The New Jersey Tomato Pie and house sausage are the ones regulars order on repeat.
Hours: Sun 3pm–9pm · Mon closed · Tue 4pm–9pm · Wed 4pm–9pm · Thu 4pm–9pm · Fri 4pm–9pm · Sat 3pm–9pm
A certified-serious Neapolitan pizzeria in Land Park — imported flour, wood-fired blistered crust, minimalist toppings. Small, warm, family-run, and many locals' pick for the city's best pie.
Hours: Sun 5pm–9pm · Mon closed · Tue 5pm–9pm · Wed 5pm–9pm · Thu 5pm–9pm · Fri 5pm–9pm · Sat 5pm–9pm
A Land Park institution beloved for celebration cakes, flaky almond croissants, and old-school European pastry. Family-run for decades — the kind of neighborhood bakery every city wishes it had.
Hours: Sun 8am–3pm · Mon closed · Tue 8am–3pm · Wed 8am–3pm · Thu 8am–3pm · Fri 8am–3pm · Sat 8am–3pm
A neon-lit Curtis Park landmark churning its own ice cream since 1940. The Fruit Freezes taste like liquid California sunshine, and the monthly specialty flavors keep locals coming back for generations.
Hours: Sun 11am–9pm · Mon 11am–9pm · Tue 11am–9pm · Wed 11am–9pm · Thu 11am–9pm · Fri 11am–9pm · Sat 11am–9pm
The other side of Sacramento's great ice-cream rivalry — a nostalgic Land Park parlor scooping since 1947. Order at the counter, grab a booth, and settle the Vic's-vs-Gunther's debate for yourself.
Hours: Sun 11am–8pm · Mon closed · Tue 11am–8pm · Wed 11am–8pm · Thu 11am–8pm · Fri 11am–9pm · Sat 11am–9pm
A quirky Midtown original built on the chili cheeseburger, plus fries, shakes, and late-night grease done right. Unpretentious, cash-friendly comfort — the burger locals send visitors to.
Hours: Sun 11am–10pm · Mon 11am–10pm · Tue 11am–10pm · Wed 11am–10pm · Thu 11am–10pm · Fri 11am–11pm · Sat 11am–11pm
A Sacramento brunch institution beside the original Tower Records site, with a lush palm-shaded patio and a globe-trotting menu. The famous French toast and weekend-morning people-watching are the point.
Hours: Sun 8am–8pm · Mon 8am–3pm · Tue 8am–3pm · Wed 8am–8pm · Thu 8am–8pm · Fri 8am–9pm · Sat 8am–9pm
A farmer-owned cooperative roasting single-origins from the growers who own the company — a genuinely different model, and they run free weekly tasting classes at the Midtown shop. There's a sibling cafe on J St in East Sac too.
Hours: Sun 7am–4pm · Mon 7am–4pm · Tue 7am–4pm · Wed 7am–4pm · Thu 7am–4pm · Fri 7am–4pm · Sat 7am–5pm
Sacramento's co-op brewery on the corner of 18th & Broadway, brewing on a 10-barrel steam-fired system with local ingredients. Neighborhood-y, run-club-and-trivia vibe rather than a scene — go for the community, stay for solid, honest beer.
Hours: Sun 12pm–9pm · Mon closed · Tue closed · Wed 12pm–9pm · Thu 12pm–9pm · Fri 12pm–10pm · Sat 12pm–10pm
Beer and barbecue under one roof in a big Southside Park warehouse — the brisket and the hazies are both legit, and the covered patio is one of the better group hangs in the core. Walk-in only, and it packs out on weekends.
Hours: Sun 11am–9pm · Mon 11am–9pm · Tue 11am–9pm · Wed 11am–9pm · Thu 11am–9pm · Fri 11am–10pm · Sat 11am–10pm
A historic Oak Park brewpub given new life under a local Black-owned ownership group. Full food menu with the beer, a welcoming room, and a genuine neighborhood-comeback story worth supporting.
Hours: Sun 10am–8pm · Mon 12pm–8pm · Tue 12pm–8pm · Wed 12pm–8pm · Thu 12pm–8pm · Fri 12pm–9pm · Sat 10am–9pm
One of California's original craft cideries, pouring bone-dry to fruit-forward ciders from a low-key taproom just off 24th in the Land Park/Curtis Park pocket. A refreshing change of pace when you're beer'd out.
Hours: Sun 12pm–6pm · Mon closed · Tue closed · Wed 3pm–9pm · Thu 3pm–9pm · Fri 3pm–10pm · Sat 12pm–10pm
A shipping-container beer garden built around a sprawling covered patio, bocce court, and communal tables — the taps lean hard on Sac locals and the wood-fired pizza is genuinely good. One of the best casual group hangs in the core.
Hours: Sun 12pm–10pm · Mon 4pm–10pm · Tue 4pm–10pm · Wed 4pm–10pm · Thu 4pm–10pm · Fri 4pm–10pm · Sat 12pm–10pm
Sacramento's hands-on science center on the Old Sac riverfront, packed with interactive STEM exhibits and a planetarium. Heads up: closed Tuesdays during the school year and hours trimmed to 4pm on weekdays.
Hours: Sun 10am–5pm · Mon 10am–4pm · Tue closed · Wed 10am–4pm · Thu 10am–4pm · Fri 10am–4pm · Sat 10am–5pm
B Street's modern Midtown theater complex staging professional plays and family shows year-round. Booking required; listed hours are the box office, not showtimes.
Hours: Sun 12pm–7pm · Mon closed · Tue 12pm–7pm · Wed 10am–7pm · Thu 10am–7pm · Fri 10am–7pm · Sat 10am–7pm
West Sac's riverfront ballpark, home of the Sacramento River Cats and, through 2027, MLB's Athletics. Game days only; check the schedule and grab tickets in advance.
Hours: Sun closed · Mon closed · Tue closed · Wed closed · Thu closed · Fri closed · Sat closed
Formerly La Raza Galeria Posada, this Land Park-area cultural hub showcases Chicano and Latino art, Dia de los Muertos programming and community events. Small, free-to-browse gallery; closed Sunday and Monday.
Hours: Sun closed · Mon closed · Tue 11am–6pm · Wed 11am–6pm · Thu 11am–6pm · Fri 11am–6pm · Sat 11am–6pm
A beloved kiddie amusement park inside William Land Park with ten pint-sized rides for ages 2-12, celebrating its 80th season in 2026. Seasonal: open roughly February through late November, closed Monday-Tuesday.
Hours: Sun 10am–6pm · Mon closed · Tue closed · Wed 11am–5pm · Thu 11am–5pm · Fri 11am–5pm · Sat 10am–6pm
A sprawling riverfront regional park on the American River with one of the city's biggest off-leash dog areas, a skate park and a trailhead onto the American River Parkway. Open dawn to dusk.
Hours: Sun 6am–10pm · Mon 6am–10pm · Tue 6am–10pm · Wed 6am–10pm · Thu 6am–10pm · Fri 6am–10pm · Sat 6am–10pm
West Sac's Bridge District riverfront park with a levee-top promenade and the best free view of the Sacramento skyline from across the water. Walk over the Tower Bridge from Old Sac and you're there.
Hours: Sun 12am–12pm · Mon 12am–12pm · Tue 12am–12pm · Wed 12am–12pm · Thu 12am–12pm · Fri 12am–12pm · Sat 12am–12pm
A 65-years-deep family Italian deli in Boulevard Park slinging the meatball sub locals swear by, plus a Friday-Saturday dinner service with live jazz. Old-school, cash-value, no pretense.
Hours: Sun closed · Mon closed · Tue 11am–3pm · Wed 11am–3pm · Thu 11am–3pm · Fri 11am–3pm, 5pm–9pm · Sat 11am–3pm, 5pm–9pm
Three-sisters-from-Chihuahua Mexican on K Street, a Midtown staple since 1996 for lively patio dining, strong margaritas and northern-Mexican classics. Weekend mornings bring huevos and chilaquiles.
Hours: Sun 9am–8pm · Mon closed · Tue 11am–9pm · Wed 11am–9pm · Thu 11am–9pm · Fri 11am–9pm · Sat 9am–9pm
East Sacramento's H Street anchor from the Selland family: a counter-order market-café with wood-fired pizzas, seasonal salads and a genuinely good wine list. A weeknight staple, not a special-occasion splurge.
Hours: Sun 11am–8pm · Mon 11am–8pm · Tue 11am–8pm · Wed 11am–8pm · Thu 11am–9pm · Fri 11am–9pm · Sat 11am–9pm
The Selland family's East Sac Italian on Folsom Blvd near Sutter: wood-oven pizzas, handmade pasta and a full bar in a bright, all-day room. Casual and dependable, good for groups.
Hours: Sun 11am–8pm · Mon 11am–8pm · Tue 11am–8pm · Wed 11am–8pm · Thu 11am–9pm · Fri 11am–9pm · Sat 11am–9pm
A tiny, family-run East Sac institution on J Street since 1978, doing home-style Japanese cooking rather than a sushi assembly line. Very limited hours (closed Sun-Mon), so plan ahead.
Hours: Sun closed · Mon closed · Tue 4:30pm–8pm · Wed 4:30pm–8pm · Thu 4:30pm–8pm · Fri 4:30pm–8:30pm · Sat 4:30pm–8:30pm
The Land Park outpost of the Winters original, on Freeport Blvd: oak-grilled tri-tip, ribs and big salads. Solid family BBQ, not craft-pit brisket, and a good pre-Land Park-park stop.
Hours: Sun 11am–9pm · Mon 11am–9pm · Tue 11am–9pm · Wed 11am–9pm · Thu 11am–9pm · Fri 11am–9pm · Sat 11am–9pm
The newest (opened 2026) Land Park branch of this local dumpling favorite, on Freeport Blvd: handmade dumplings, wok stir-fries and boba, with a dog-friendly patio. Fills fast at lunch.
Hours: Sun 11am–9pm · Mon 11am–9pm · Tue 11am–9pm · Wed 11am–9pm · Thu 11am–9pm · Fri 11am–9pm · Sat 11am–9pm
The Stockton Blvd Little Saigon spot everyone calls 'that spring roll place' — nem nuong (grilled pork rolls) and hard-to-find dishes like bun cha ca and com hen. Casual, cheap, cash-friendly.
Hours: Sun 9am–8pm · Mon 9am–8pm · Tue 9am–8pm · Wed 9am–8pm · Thu 9am–8pm · Fri 9am–8pm · Sat 9am–8pm
A 17-year Stockton Blvd pho house (the 'train' pho) in Little Saigon: family-recipe broth and generous bowls. Straightforward, consistent, and open all day.
Hours: Sun 9am–9pm · Mon 9am–9pm · Tue 9am–9pm · Wed 9am–9pm · Thu 9am–9pm · Fri 9am–9pm · Sat 9am–9pm
A Little Saigon all-rounder in the 6835 Stockton Blvd plaza: broken-rice com tam, hu tieu noodle soups and grilled pork that goes well beyond the usual pho. Closed Tuesdays.
Hours: Sun 10am–8pm · Mon 10am–8pm · Tue closed · Wed 10am–8pm · Thu 10am–8pm · Fri 10am–8pm · Sat 10am–8pm
A dependable Stockton Blvd pho-and-more house in Little Saigon: pho alongside spicy bun bo hue and rice plates, in a roomy space. Fast and closed Tuesdays.
Hours: Sun 9am–8pm · Mon 9am–8pm · Tue closed · Wed 9am–8pm · Thu 9am–8pm · Fri 9am–8pm · Sat 9am–8pm