Fun things to do in Sacramento for Couples
As a nerdy kid who grew up in California, I first visited Sacramento as part of a live government class in the summer after 6th grade. Not to disparage my wonderful classmates from that experience, but I found Sacramento even more fun to visit with my wife for a long weekend.
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When to visit Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital of California and sits in the Central Valley. It can get quite hot (as in over 100°F) in the summer so we planned our trip for January when the temperatures in the Central Valley can be quite pleasant. As with much of California, you are more likely to see rain in January and February so if you come at this time of you you should have some indoor sites in mind.
Places to Visit in Sacramento
California State Capitol
Sacramento is home to a stately Capitol building. Standing five stories tall, this example of neoclassical architecture allows visitors to explore not just its façade, but also the inner workings of its government. Free tours of the Capitol draw in more than a million visitors a year.
California’s capital moved to Sacramento temporarily in 1852 and permanently in 1854. While the cities of Oakland, San Jose, Berkeley, and Monterey have all made bids since then to be the center of government for the 31st state, it has remained in Sacramento. Construction started on the Capitol Building in 1860 and finished fourteen years later.
The California State Capitol is a must-see for history buffs and anyone interested in government and politics. The building is a National Historic Landmark. Tours are free but are only available on weekdays from 10 am to 4 pm.
Crocker Art Museum
If you’re an art lover, you won’t want to miss the Crocker Art Museum, the oldest public art museum in the western United States (1885). The museum features everything from European masterpieces to contemporary California art. It is housed in the old Victorian-style mansion of E. B. Crocker, as well as a modern wing that opened in 2010 and greatly increased the area for displaying the collection.
In California history, we talk about the “Big Four” who funded the Central Pacific Railroad – Leland Stanford, Collis Potter Huntington, Mark Hopkins Jr., and Charles Crocker. The Central Pacific Railroad was the western part of the transcontinental railroad and made each of the men quite wealthy. E. B. Crocker was the older brother of Charles Crocker, a civil engineering graduate from Rensselaer Institute in Troy, NY (me too), a justice on the California Supreme Court, and the legal counsel for the Central Pacific Railroad.
He may not be counted as one of the Big Four, but Crocker did OK for himself. He made millions. After he suffered a stroke in 1869, he retired. He and his family traveled around Europe, where he collected art. He brought home literally box cars full of art that he collected and commissioned. This became the start of the extensive collection of the Crocker Art Museum. Only a small fraction of their collection is displayed at any specific time. The museum features classical art, especially art from the time of Crocker, as well as more modern art.
Entrance to the museum is $15 for adults. There is a senior discount… and they let you define what senior means. I highly recommend the free docent tours. I enjoyed the museum easily twice as much because of an hour-long tour with our amiable and knowledgeable guide.
The museum is open Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm and Thursday from 10 am to 9 pm.
Old Sacramento
Old Sacramento is a historic district located just west of the capital. It is home to a variety of historic buildings, museums, shops, restaurants, and the historic riverboat, the Delta King. The area was first settled in the 1840s and was the original commercial and governmental center of the city. Today, it is a popular tourist destination known for its preserved Gold Rush-era architecture and lively atmosphere. Visitors can take a stroll down the streets, visit the California State Railroad Museum, and shop at the many boutiques and specialty stores.
There are things that I love about Old Sacramento, like the California Railroad Museum (below), although, truth be told, our relationship is a bit complicated. I would like it more if it had a few more interesting art galleries and shops, and fewer tattoo parlors. There are some quirky stores like Cerealism, which serves cold cereal and has a line out the door. This would have appealed to my 6th-grade self.
Old Town Sacramento is home to several annual events, including the Gold Rush Days, which celebrate the city’s history with reenactments, and the Sacramento Music Festival, which features live music and food.
Sutter’s Fort
Sutter’s Fort is a California State Historic Park not far from downtown. It is primarily a reconstruction of the original fort, which was built in 1839 by John Sutter, a Swiss-born American pioneer. The fort was one of the first non-indigenous settlements in the Central Valley of California, and it played a significant role in the state’s early history. The California Gold Rush started when one of Sutter’s employees, John W. Marshall, was working to build a sawmill in the foothills of the Sierra.
John Sutter built the original fort as a base for his agricultural and trading operations in the region. It served as a hub for trade and commerce and a center for political and social activity. Many important figures of California’s early history, including James Marshall and John C. Fremont, passed through the fort.
The original fort was destroyed by fire in 1848, but was later reconstructed. Today, the reconstructed fort serves as a museum and interpretive center, offering visitors a glimpse into the lives of the people who lived and worked there in the early days of California. Visitors can explore the adobe buildings, including the blacksmith shop, the carpenter shop, the kitchen, and the one surviving original building.
The fort has several exhibits that highlight the history of the fort and its inhabitants, including the life of John Sutter, the California Gold Rush, the role of Native Americans in the early history of California, and the development of the agricultural industry in the region.
The park has recently updated its information about Sutter and his very questionable dealings with his Native American neighbors. Basically, Sutter was the neighbor from hell. He thought the local people were just a resource for him to use, and when a tribe would not work with and for him, he, on more than one occasion, started his own personal war with them. I am pretty sure that part was not in my 4th-grade history textbook.
Note to non-Californians: Those of us who grew up in California studied California History in 4th grade. At that age, we all made our model of a California Mission—or perhaps our father did. As a bonus, 4th graders and their parents can get free entrance into 19 different state parks with the California State Park Adventure Pass. It does not include Sutter’s Fort but allows free entrance to the California State Railroad Museum below.
Sutter’s Fort is open to visitors year-round. Visitors can take guided tours or explore on their own. Educational programs and special events are also held at the fort throughout the year.
California State Railroad Museum
For my money, the California State Railroad Museum is the best railroad museum in the United States… or at least the best that I have seen.
Sacramento has a long history with railroads. Not only was it the terminus of the Central Pacific Railroad, but the first railroad in the state, the Sacramento Valley Railroad, started here in 1852.
The California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento is a museum dedicated to preserving the history of the transcontinental railroad and its role in California. The museum boasts original locomotives, including the “Gov. Stanford,” which was named after Leland Stanford, one of the “Big Four” I mentioned above. The museum also has the first locomotive of the Southern Pacific Railroad, named after Collis Potter Huntington.
The collection includes various rail cars, including a Pullman car, a refrigerated car, a private rail car, and a dining car. The museum also displays custom china from various train lines and has a mail car that shows how mobile post offices worked in American history.
The museum offers an optional guided tour, a 22-minute film about the building of the transcontinental railroad, and various hands-on exhibits for kids.
The first time we visited the museum, we were with my kids. My son was 5 and in a Thomas the Tank Engine phase. He wore his engineer hat and brought his wooden train whistle. I have visited again with adults only and enjoyed it just as much.
The California State Railroad Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day). Admission for adults is $12, for youths is $6 (ages 6-17), and for children (ages five and under) is free.
California Museum
The California Museum focuses on the people who built and populate California. It makes a special effort to highlight different nationalities that might have been underrepresented in that aforementioned 4th-grade history textbook. The Unity Center at the California Museum celebrates the diversity of California’s people, customs, and cultures. It was created in 1999 in response to hate crimes, and its interactive multimedia exhibits showcase leaders in California’s civil rights history.
There is a permanent exhibit on California women called “Women Inspire” and exhibits on California Indians and the California Missions. I thought I knew about the history of discrimination faced by Asian Americans, including the Asian Exclusion laws. Still, I had not heard about terrible events like the Watsonville Riots, when gangs of white men attacked Filipino farmworkers for 5 days in 1930.
The museum is also the home of the official California Hall of Fame, which celebrates athletes, activists, actors, scientists, entrepreneurs, politicians, and other notable Californians.
Discovery Park
Discovery Park is a 302-acre urban oasis located at the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers, just north of downtown Sacramento. It also serves as the western gateway to the American River Parkway, a 32-mile greenbelt that stretches eastward to Folsom. The park offers a variety of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, cycling, and picnicking, making it a popular destination for both locals and visitors.
The park is a popular spot for community events on the weekend. So while we last went to the park for a quiet walk we ended up stumbling on a couple of festivals and eating at a food truck.
Sacramento River Cats
One disadvantage of visiting Sacramento in January is that you can’t attend a minor league baseball game with the Sacramento River Cats. The River Cats are based in West Sacramento. The team is affiliated with the San Francisco Giants and is a member of the Triple-A West league. The team plays its home games at Sutter Health Park. The season runs from April to September.
The River Cats were established in 2000 and began as the Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. The team changed its affiliation to the San Francisco Giants in 2015. The River Cats have been one of the most successful minor league teams in recent years.
Part of the fun of minor league baseball is that the players lack skill compared to their major league counterparts. The team makes up for this with fun promotions and special events, including fireworks nights, giveaways, and theme nights. Picture kids racing around the bases between innings and other simple entertainment.
Sutter Health Park includes a playground, a picnic area, and a variety of food and drink options. The stadium has a capacity of 14,014 seats, making it one of the largest minor league stadiums in the country. In 2025, the River Cats are sharing their stadium with the Oakland A’s as well, until the A’s complete their move to Las Vegas.
Restaurants and Adult Beverages in Sacramento
Scott’s Seafood
Scott’s Seafood on the River isn’t just a hotel restaurant—it’s a Sacramento staple with local credibility. Located just steps from the Sacramento River and connected to The Westin Sacramento Riverfront Hotel & Spa, this restaurant blends upscale dining with a laid-back California vibe. The riverside patio is the highlight, offering a front-row seat to tranquil water views that elevate everything from a casual lunch to a romantic dinner. During my stay at the Westin, my wife and I dined outside, savoring a warm evening and a delicious meal.
She ordered the spicy Cajun pasta, a generous bowl filled with blackened shrimp, sausage, and chicken, while I opted for the Marinated Skirt Steak dressed with a flavorful chimichurri ranch sauce. We started with a classic Caesar salad, with anchovies included, just as Caesar himself intended, and finished strong with the house Apple Cobbler.
Hours:
Monday – Friday
• Breakfast: 6:30 am – 11:00 am
• Lunch: 11:00 am – 3:30 pm
• Dinner: 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Saturday – Sunday
• Brunch: 6:30 am – 3:00 pm
• Dinner: 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Happy Hour: Monday – Friday, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
4800 Riverside Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95822
scottsseafoodontheriver.com
Old Sugar Mill
Just 15 minutes south of Sacramento, the Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg offers a unique wine-tasting experience within a historic 1930s beet sugar refinery. This charming venue houses 14 boutique wineries under one roof, each showcasing varietals from across Northern California. The industrial-chic architecture creates an inviting atmosphere for both casual visitors and wine enthusiasts. On Saturday and Sunday, there are food trucks in the back so you can extend your stay.
During our visit, we visited Bump City Wine Co., founded by Roger Smith, the keyboardist of Tower of Power. Their tasting room exudes a relaxed, music-infused vibe, perfectly complementing their smooth, award-winning wines. We sampled a selection of reds and whites, most of which were from Sonoma Valley. The tasting fee was $15 per person, which seems less than one would pay in Sonoma today.
Bump City Wine Co. is open Friday through Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM; no reservations are required. For more information, visit their website at bumpcitywineco.com.
We did not take any of the Bump City wine home because our wine fridge was full, but we would definitely return to Old Sugar Mill on future visits. You can’t try 14 different wineries on one visit.
Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Note: Individual winery hours may vary; it’s recommended to check with each winery for specific tasting room hours.
35265 Willow Ave, Clarksburg, CA 95612
Burgers and Brew – West Sacramento
Burgers and Brew is located in a historic building that used to be a firehouse in West Sacramento. The restaurant has preserved many of the original features of the firehouse, such as the old roll-up doors and an old fire engine. The building was built in the early 1900s, and it served as the firehouse for West Sacramento for many years. After the fire department moved out, the building was used for various purposes, including as a community center and a storage facility.
When Burgers and Brew opened in the building, the owners decided to preserve as much of the firehouse’s original character as possible while also updating it to meet the needs of a modern restaurant. The result is a unique and inviting space that combines the old and the new and creates a one-of-a-kind dining experience.
As the name suggests, this is a burger and brew kind of place. Order a burger, skip the fish sandwich, and if you do order a salad, get the dressing on the side.
Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 11 am – 10 pm
Sunday: 11 am – 9 pm
317 3rd St, West Sacramento, CA 95605
The Underground Tasting Room
Across the street from the California State Railroad Museum is a wine-tasting room called the Underground Tasting Room. If you are doing an adults-only trip, you might be able to skip the cereal as a dessert spot and taste some wines from Fenton Herriott Vineyards in nearby Placerville (formerly Hangtown). I won’t say it was my favorite of the many, many California vineyards, but you don’t know until you try it.
Hours:
Monday – Wednesday: closed
Thursday: 3-7 pm
Friday-Sunday 1-8 pm
Urban Roots Brewing and Smokehouse
The Urban Roots Brewing and Smokehouse is the kind of restaurant and brewery that left us asking why we don’t have something this great at home. Urban Roots has multiple indoor and outdoor spaces. When we were there, they were hosting a wedding reception in the back barrel room, and there was room for dozens of other groups inside and out, with another back patio completely empty.
I counted 21 house-made beers on tap and 2 ciders. The beer menu included several IPAs, a Pilsner, Lagers, a saison, and a few Stouts. Joan tried the BBA (Bourbon Barrell aged) What’s Up Danger, a Belgian strong dark ale, and the Mellowwood Doppelbock and enjoyed them both.
Then there is the food. Urban Roots is a smokehouse, and you can get BBQ meats a La Carte ($8-16) and side sides ($8) as well as sandwiches, burgers, and salads. Joan got the Pulled Pork Sandwich, which was piled high with onion rings and slaw, and I got a brat. We shared a serving of Burnt End Beans.
Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Thursday: 11 am to 9 pm
Friday – Saturday: 11 am to 10 pm
Sunday: 11 am to 9 pm
*Last call for food/beer is 30 minutes before closing time
1322 V St. Sacramento, CA 95818
Tree House Cafe
The Tree House Cafe in West Sacramento is a small coffee shop with an equally small food menu, but they make a good breakfast burrito. There are a few chairs inside and some outdoor seating.
Hours:
Mon: Closed
Tuesday: 6 am– 6 pm
Wednesday – Friday: 7 am – 4 pm
Saturday – Sunday: 8 am -4 pm
630 3rd Street, West Sacramento, CA 95605
Tower Cafe
If you lived in California between 1960 and 2006, you may remember Tower Records, which was based in Sacramento, and its iconic tower sign. That sign came from the Tower Theatre in Sacramento. Right next to the Tower Theatre is another Sacramento institution: the Tower Cafe. This large cafe with an even larger outdoor garden patio is popular for lunch and brunch. If you come for brunch on Sunday, plan on waiting for a bit.
We went for a Sunday brunch and enjoyed the colorful restaurant, the service, and the breakfast fare. We had French Toast and Blueberry Corn Pancakes. Yum!
Hours:
Monday & Tuesday: 8 am – 3 pm
Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday: 8 am – 9 pm
Friday & Saturday: 8 am – 10 pm
1518 Broadway Sacramento, CA 95818
Accommodations
The Westin Sacramento Riverfront Hotel & Spa
During our most recent trip, we stayed along the quiet banks of the Sacramento River. The Westin Sacramento Riverfront Hotel & Spa offers a tranquil retreat just minutes from downtown. This pet-friendly property combines modern elegance with natural charm, featuring spacious modern rooms. Guests can indulge in luxurious amenities like marble countertops, claw-foot tubs, and rain showers. For those seeking a picturesque experience, river-facing rooms with private balconies provide views of the water.
The hotel’s public spaces are equally inviting, boasting a bright and airy lobby with a live plant wall installation by a local artist, a curated retail nook showcasing regional artisan goods, and a wine-on-tap station featuring selections from nearby Clarksburg and Napa wineries. Guests can also enjoy the outdoor pool, whirlpool spa, and on-site Spa La Lé for relaxation. Dining is a highlight, with Scott’s Seafood on the River offering a menu of fresh seafood and other delights, served on a patio just feet from the river. For my comprehensive review of the hotel’s offerings, visit Hotel Scoop.
