Best Way To See Sacramento In Just 3 Days

Most Sacramento visitor attractions are in and around the downtown and Midtown areas, so you don't need to travel far or even have a car to get a finger on the pulse of the city. With proper planning, you can enjoy the best of Sacramento in just three days. - Janet Fullwood

Day 1 – Old Sacramento

Sacramento was founded in 1848 as a jumping-off place and commercial center, supplying prospectors seeking their fortunes in the goldfields of the Sierra Nevada. The architectural legacy of that Wild West period is preserved in Old Sacramento Historic State Park, where 50-odd buildings harken to the time when miners flooded the wharfs, Pony Express riders galloped through and the Transcontinental Railroad opened the West to the masses. Stop by the Visitor Center on 2nd Street and load up on literature, but whatever you do, don't miss the California State Railroad Museum, one of the premier institutions of its kind in the nation. The Delta King, a vintage paddle wheeler now serving as a hotel, offers off beat accommodation. Grab lunch at Joe's Crab Shack, a lively waterfront eatery, take a carriage ride or river cruise, and finish off the day with a romantic dinner at the Firehouse Restaurant.

Day 2 – The Downtown Grid

Start off your day at the see-and-be-seen Tower Cafe before moseying over to the Crocker Art Museum, founded in 1885 as the oldest public art museum in the West. A new, $100 million wing stands in stunning contrast to the 19th-century mansion that housed the original collections. Grab lunch at the museum's Crocker Cafe, and then explore the gardens and museum at the iconic California State Capitol. Save afternoon for Midtown, the city's hippest district, where you can cruise an eclectic mix of boutiques, art galleries, coffee shops and eateries. Opt for a casual dinner at Hot Italian or sample acclaimed farm-to-table cuisine at Grange, a contemporary restaurant in the city's hippest hostelry, the Citizen Hotel.

Day 3 – The Rivers

The Sacramento and American Rivers are where Sacramento residents go to play, and their biggest playground is the American River Parkway, a 32-mile greenbelt with a paved, multi-use trail stretching from Old Sacramento to Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. Rent a bike and ride to the rivers' confluence at Discovery Park, or walk across the iconic Tower Bridge and view the city skyline from across the water. The upscale Rio City Café, Crawdads on the River and Pearl on the River are among many waterfront eateries. In November, treat yourself to a self-guided tour of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, where thousands of salmon flop their way up a fish ladder. In summer, rent a kayak and enjoy a paddle on Lake Natoma, or head 48 miles upriver to Coloma and scare yourself silly on a guided whitewater rafting trip.