Crocker Art Museum, United States of America - Things to Do in Crocker Art Museum

Things to Do in Crocker Art Museum

Crocker Art Museum, United States of America - Complete Travel Guide

Sacramento, California's vibrant capital city, offers a perfect blend of California's rich history, thriving arts scene, and modern urban culture. Home to the renowned Crocker Art Museum, one of the oldest public art museums in the Western United States, Sacramento serves as a cultural hub where visitors can explore everything from Gold Rush-era architecture to contemporary galleries and farm-to-fork dining experiences. The city sits at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers, providing beautiful waterfront areas and outdoor recreation opportunities. Beyond its impressive museums and historic districts, Sacramento boasts a dynamic downtown area filled with craft breweries, innovative restaurants, and entertainment venues. The city's location in the heart of California's Central Valley makes it an ideal base for exploring Northern California, with easy access to wine country, Lake Tahoe, and San Francisco. Sacramento's tree-lined streets, diverse neighborhoods, and year-round mild climate create an inviting atmosphere for travelers seeking both cultural enrichment and urban exploration.

Top Things to Do in Crocker Art Museum

Explore the Historic Old Sacramento Waterfront

Step back in time in this 28-acre National Historic Landmark District featuring wooden sidewalks, historic buildings, and authentic Gold Rush-era architecture. The area houses museums, shops, restaurants, and offers scenic views of the Sacramento River with opportunities for riverboat cruises.

Booking Tip: Most attractions are free to explore, though individual museums charge $8-15 admission. Visit weekdays for smaller crowds, and consider the Old Sacramento Underground Tours ($15-20) which require advance booking online.

Tour the California State Capitol and Museum

Take a free guided tour of California's beautifully restored State Capitol building, featuring stunning architecture, historical exhibits, and the working chambers of state government. The surrounding Capitol Park offers 40 acres of gardens with plants from around the world.

Booking Tip: Free tours run hourly Monday-Friday and require advance online reservations. Weekend self-guided tours are available. Security screening is required, so arrive 15 minutes early and avoid bringing large bags.

Experience Sacramento's Farm-to-Fork Dining Scene

Sacramento pioneered the farm-to-fork movement with restaurants sourcing ingredients from local farms and producers. The city offers everything from upscale dining establishments to casual eateries, farmers markets, and food tours showcasing the region's agricultural bounty.

Booking Tip: Make dinner reservations well in advance for popular restaurants ($25-50 per person). Visit the Saturday farmers market under the freeway (free) or book guided food tours ($60-80) that include tastings at multiple venues.

Bike the American River Parkway

Enjoy 32 miles of paved trails along the American River, perfect for biking, walking, or jogging through natural areas and parks. The parkway connects downtown Sacramento to Folsom Lake and offers wildlife viewing, picnic areas, and river access points.

Booking Tip: Bike rentals available downtown for $25-40 per day. The trail is free to use and best enjoyed early morning or late afternoon. Bring water and sun protection, and check for seasonal closures during winter months.

Discover Midtown's Arts and Entertainment District

Explore Sacramento's creative heart in the Midtown district, featuring art galleries, vintage shops, craft breweries, and live music venues. The area showcases local artists, hosts regular art walks, and offers vibrant nightlife in a walkable urban setting.

Booking Tip: Most galleries are free to browse, with Second Saturday Art Walk being the best time to visit (6-9 PM monthly). Brewery tours cost $10-15, and concert tickets range $15-40 depending on the venue and artist.

Getting There

Sacramento is easily accessible by multiple transportation modes, with Sacramento International Airport (SMF) serving the region with direct flights from major US cities. The airport is located 10 miles northwest of downtown with taxi, rideshare, and public transit connections available. Amtrak provides excellent rail service with the Capitol Corridor connecting to the San Francisco Bay Area and the California Zephyr offering scenic routes to Chicago. Interstate 5 and Highway 50 provide direct highway access, making Sacramento easily reachable by car from San Francisco (90 minutes), Lake Tahoe (2 hours), and Los Angeles (6 hours).

Getting Around

Sacramento offers multiple transportation options for getting around the city and surrounding areas. The Regional Transit system operates light rail and bus services connecting downtown, the airport, and suburban areas, with day passes available for $7. The city center is very walkable, especially the downtown and Midtown areas where most attractions are concentrated. Rideshare services, taxis, and bike rentals are readily available, with an extensive network of bike lanes and the Sacramento bike share program offering convenient short-term rentals. For exploring wine country or Lake Tahoe, rental cars provide the most flexibility.

Where to Stay

Downtown Sacramento
Midtown District
Old Sacramento Waterfront
East Sacramento
Land Park Area
Arden-Arcade

Food & Dining

Sacramento's dining scene celebrates the farm-to-fork philosophy with restaurants emphasizing locally sourced, seasonal ingredients from the surrounding agricultural region. The city offers diverse culinary experiences from upscale establishments helmed by James Beard-nominated chefs to casual farm-to-table bistros, ethnic eateries reflecting the area's diverse population, and innovative food trucks. Downtown and Midtown feature the highest concentration of restaurants, while neighborhoods like East Sacramento and Land Park offer hidden gems. The city's craft brewery scene is thriving, with many establishments pairing locally brewed beers with farm-fresh cuisine, and the weekend farmers markets provide opportunities to sample local produce and artisanal products directly from regional growers and makers.

Top-Rated Restaurants in Sacramento

Highly-rated dining options based on Google reviews (4.5+ stars, 100+ reviews)

Tower Café

4.6 /5
(4284 reviews) 2

Bacon & Butter

4.6 /5
(3730 reviews) 2

Urban Plates

4.8 /5
(1711 reviews)

The Waterboy

4.7 /5
(824 reviews) 3
bar

The Kitchen Restaurant

4.7 /5
(777 reviews) 4

Hawks Public House

4.6 /5
(590 reviews) 3
bar

When to Visit

Sacramento enjoys a Mediterranean climate making it a year-round destination, though spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer the most pleasant weather with mild temperatures and minimal rainfall. Summer months (June-August) can be quite hot with temperatures often exceeding 90°F, but this is also when outdoor festivals and events are most frequent. Winter (December-February) brings cooler temperatures and occasional rain, but rarely drops below freezing, making it ideal for indoor cultural activities and museum visits. The shoulder seasons provide the best balance of comfortable weather, fewer crowds, and reasonable hotel rates, while summer offers the most activities and longest daylight hours despite the heat.

Insider Tips

Visit the Crocker Art Museum on the first Sunday of each month when Sacramento residents get free admission, making it busier but more vibrant with special programming
Park in Old Sacramento's paid lots rather than street parking to avoid time limits and enjoy easier access to waterfront attractions and dining
Take advantage of Sacramento's proximity to world-class wine regions by booking day trips to nearby Lodi or Clarksburg wine areas, which are less crowded and expensive than Napa Valley

Explore Activities in Crocker Art Museum