Best 5 Things To Do Before School Starts in Sacramento
The Railroad Museum
125 I St.
Sacramento, CA. 95814
(916) 445-6645
www.csrmf.org
Price: $9 adults/$4 youths ages 6 to 17/free children ages 5 and younger
For the family that enjoys the rich history of California, a trip to the California State Railroad Museum is just the ticket. Explore restored locomotives, railroad cars and exhibits that illustrate how the railroads helped shape the history of the country. Opened in 1976, the museum is a tourist favorite with more than 500,000 visitors annually. Summer excursion train rides along the river are available on Saturdays and Sundays until Sept. 30.
Fairytale Town
3901 Land Park Drive
Sacramento, California
(916) 264-7462
www.fairytaletown.org
Click here for tickets and pricing
Animals enhance many a fairy tale here, including Eeyore the miniature Sicilian donkey portraying the Winnie the Pooh story. Hopping around Mr. McGregor's garden are Peter, Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail. Host a birthday party for your youngster, with themes such as King Arthur's Castle, Sherwood Forest, Mr. McGregor's Garden and Pooh Corner. Remember, adults must be accompanied by children in Fairytale Town. If you would like to become further involved in Fairytale Town, participate in its learning gardens, become a volunteer, or sponsor an event, a bench or an animal.
Related:Best Playgrounds In Sacramento
Funderland Amusement Park
1350 17th Ave.
Sacramento, California
(916)456-0131
www.funderlandpark.com
Click here for pricing
Funderland Amusement Park offers rides galore to amuse your children. Let them loose to board the Flying Dragon roller coaster, pilot the Red Baron or cruise on the Log Run. Enjoy the classic carousel, riding the Backroads Buggies, the Crazy Cups or Oscar the Fisher. For that special photo, Funderland offers Red Baron Plane's Duesy, modeled after a Dusenberg, and Happy the Squirrel at the train depot as special spots for photos.
The Sacramento Zoo
Land Park Drive and 16th Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95822
(916) 808-5885
www.saczoo.org
Price: $7.25 to $11.25/free parking
The Sacramento Zoo offers a variety of species to entertain the family. The mammal zoo residents carry such odd names as the black and white ruffed lemur, the coquerel's sifaka, a golden-bellied mangabey and a yellow-backed duiker. The bird species have wild names like the laughing kookaburra, the Lady Ross turaco, the Himalayan monal and a roadrunner. The reptile features endangered species such as the Bengal monitor, the Gila monster, the African pancake tortoise, and the West African dwarf crocodile. In the amphibians area, you do not want to miss the axolotl or the beautiful blue dart frog.
Sacramento Children's Museum
2701 Prospect Park
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
(916) 638-7225
www.sacramentochildrensmuseum.org
Price: $7/$6 seniors and military
Sacramento Children's Museum features a number of interactive exhibits perfect for the whole family. In "Waterways" the children may build their own boat and create whirlpools. "Airways and Raceways" introduces velocity, gravity, acceleration, friction and motion, as well as the basic principals introduced by Sir Isaac Newton and Galileo. The "Baby Bloomers" exhibit is specifically designed for babies and toddlers, teaching through dress up, peek-a-boo and other means of safe exploration. Other exhibits include Leo's Market, My Neighborhood, Studio of the Arts, Gear Up! and Solar Car Racers.
Related: Family Fun Guide to University of California Davis Attractions
Deb Ling is a freelance writer covering all things Sacramento. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
