Hornblower’s top picks for summer fun
This summer, warm weather and hot attractions make Sacramento the perfect place for family fun. Planning a visit to California’s capital city is simple – start with Hornblower’s list of 10 great tours, activities, museums and more.
1. The Golden State’s greatest legends, history, culture and characters are honored at The California Museum, a one-of-a-kind experience that features interactive displays and exciting educational exhibits.
2. Nothing says summer like baseball, and the Sacramento River Cats – the Oakland A’s triple-A affiliate – offer affordable fun for the whole family.
3. Themed bike tours provide a great option for active visitors. Check out city tours, Delta day trips and historic jaunts by Fast Eddie Bike Tours.
4. Step back into 19th-century California at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park, the oldest restored fort in the U.S. Exhibits spotlight the belongings of early California settlers and gold rush artifacts, while special demonstrations showcase how life was back then.
5. Meet Mary’s little lamb and the three little pigs. Enter King Arthur’s Castle. Ride on one of the horses pulling Cinderella’s pumpkin coach. Nursery rhymes come to life at Fairytale Town, a 2.5-acre park and outdoor children’s museum.
6. Settle in for 2.5 relaxing hours on the water, with Hornblower’s Sights & Sips Evening Cruise. See where the Sacramento and American Rivers meet, sip complimentary champagne and snap pictures of wildlife and natural scenery.
7. When it comes to fun, the sky’s the limit at the Discovery Museum Science & Space Center. From rocks and fossils to wildlife displays to a public planetarium, science has never been so spectacular.
8. Each weekend between April and September, guests can hop aboard a real steam locomotive at the California State Railroad Museum. Also on site are model trains, rail memorabilia and more than 20 restored locomotives and cars.
9. If it’s too hot for outdoor play, cool off with a stop at the Esquire IMAX Theatre in downtown Sacramento. Movies range from educational documentaries to Hollywood blockbusters.
10. Explore the American River, Stanislaus River or other local waterways by kayak or river raft with W.E.T River Trips, Tributary Whitewater Tours or O.A.R.S. Inc.
Check the view from our cruise stream now. Watch Videos »
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