Things To Do in Sacramento

In town, you'll want to stroll around Old Sacramento, 4 square blocks at the foot of the downtown area that have become a major tourist attraction. These blocks contain more than 100 restored buildings (California's largest restoration project), including restaurants and shops. Although the area has cobblestone streets, wooden sidewalks, and authentic Gold Rush-era architecture, the high concentration of T-shirt shops and other gimmicky stores has turned it into a sort of historical amusement park. Nonetheless, there are interesting things to see, such as where the Pony Express ended and the transcontinental railroad -- and the Republican Party -- began. The California State Railroad Museum is loved by railroad buffs, and the Sacramento Jazz Festival, mostly Dixieland, draws more than 100 bands from around the world for 4 days of madness over Memorial Day weekend. While you're meandering, stop at the Discovery Museum: Science and Space Center, 3615 Auburn Blvd. (tel. 916/575-3941; www.thediscovery.org), which houses exhibits of California's history, highlighting the valley's agricultural Gold Rush and the real one in 1849. It's open Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm (daily July-Aug). Entry is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors over 60 and kids ages 13 to 17, $3 for kids 4 to 12, and free for kids 3 and under ($1 more on all weekends and holidays).

Where the Wild Things Are -- The best place to take little kids to let them tear around on a sunny afternoon is Fairytale Town, at William Land Park, Land Park Drive and Sutterville Road (tel. 916/808-5233; www.fairytaletown.org). Although the slides and other climbing toys are pretty basic and show their age, kids seem to think it's the best place in the world. Across the street, at the Sacramento Zoo (tel. 916/808-5888; www.saczoo.com), buy some cotton candy and see the animals. Adjacent to Fairytale Town, there's also the small but pleasant Funderland amusement park (tel. 916/456-0115; www.funderlandpark.com), with kid-size rides, open all week in summer months and on spring and fall weekends, weather permitting.