Visiting Old Sacramento with Kids
Stepping onto the raised wooden boardwalks of the Old Sacramento Waterfront feels like dropping your family straight onto a 19th-century Gold Rush film set. Cobblestone intersections, horse-drawn carriages, and the distant rumble of train whistles give this 28-acre National Historic Landmark an undeniable storybook charm. (You may have noticed we have a soft spot for Gold Rush-era activities.)
Old Town Sacramento is also a quirky collision of genuine California history and vintage tourist cheese. A smooth, memorable visit with children requires knowing where the true educational gems hide, which tourist traps to skip, and how to navigate a riverfront district built long before strollers and mega-wagons became a thing.
Top Family Activities and Attractions
1. California State Railroad Museum
If you only pay admission for a single attraction, make it the California State Railroad Museum. Widely recognized as one of North America’s finest rail museums, it houses towering steam locomotives, vintage Pullman sleeping cars you can walk through, and the beloved Small Wonders toy train exhibit upstairs (complete with interactive model layouts and hands-on wooden play tables). From April through September, the museum also operates 45-minute weekend excursion train rides pulled along the riverbank on the historic Sacramento Southern Railroad.
2. Sacramento History Museum & Underground Tours
Housed inside a replica of the 1854 City Hall, the Sacramento History Museum provides interactive exhibitions in which kids can pan for gold flakes, watch vintage letterpress printers in action, and learn how early settlers jacked up the entire city street level by several feet to escape devastating river floods. For families with children 7 and older, the museum’s guided Underground Tour leads you beneath the modern boardwalks into the brick-walled foundations and sidewalks left buried in the 1860s.
3. The Waterfront Ferris Wheel & Promenade
Located down at Waterfront Park, the 65-foot Waterfront Wheel gives families sweeping, elevated views of the Sacramento River, the golden Tower Bridge, and the historic wooden rooflines of the historic district. After a ride, take a leisurely stroll down the pedestrian promenade to watch passing riverboats and view the historic Delta King, an authentic 1927 paddlewheel riverboat permanently moored along the bank. (Want to make it a weekend? You can actually book stays on the riverboat.)
Must-Visit Shops: Retro Sweets and Novelties
Old Sacramento’s retail scene leans heavily into nostalgia, and kids will spot the candy storefronts from a block away.
Candy Heaven: A colorful retro staple packed with giant barrels of saltwater taffy in dozens of varieties, vintage sweets from every decade, and handmade fudge. Setting a firm “one small bag” rule before stepping through the door keeps sugar spikes and tantrums in check.
G. Willikers Toy Emporium: A classic independent toy shop packed floor-to-ceiling with wooden puzzles, science kits, wind-up novelties, and classic analog games that offer a refreshing break from screens.
Evangeline’s & The Costume Mansion: Part quirky novelty gift shop, part giant labyrinth of masks, eccentric costumes, and funny gag gifts. Younger toddlers may find a few of the horror masks upstairs a little intense, but elementary kids and tweens love the chaotic, playful energy.
Tourist Traps to Avoid (and What to Do Instead)
Because Old Sacramento caters heavily to weekend day-trippers, a few stops can quickly drain your wallet with little educational or experiential payoff.
Skip the Generic Souvenir Outposts: Several storefronts sell cheap, mass-produced plastic trinkets that break before you even get back to the car. Instead, shop the California State Railroad Museum Gift Shop, which stocks durable die-cast locomotives, wooden whistle toys, conductor hats, and fantastic regional history books for children. (Get our guide to souvenirs minus the meltdowns here.)
Skip the Pricey Waterfront Chain Restaurants: Waterfront chain establishments often feature long weekend waits, loud dining rooms, and high checks for food not worth the price tag. Instead, grab takeout slices from local pizzerias or deli sandwiches from nearby cafes and stage a casual picnic along the shaded grassy banks of the riverfront promenade.
Rethink the Short Carriage Loops: While horse-drawn carriage rides look charming, the short routes frequently share tight cobblestone streets with modern delivery trucks and foot traffic. A riverfront stroll or a scheduled excursion train ticket offers far more immersion and better historical context for your family's dollar. (Find a carriage ride we prefer here.)
Pro Tips for Visiting Parents
Rethink the Stroller: The authentic wooden boardwalks and cobblestone crossings are notoriously bumpy. Compact umbrella strollers with tiny plastic wheels will vibrate your wrists and rattle a resting baby. Bring an all-terrain stroller with large rubber tires or opt for an ergonomic baby carrier instead.
Beat the Sacramento Valley Heat: Summer temperatures in the Sacramento Valley regularly push past 95°F, and the brick alleys and wooden planks absorb that heat. Plan to arrive right at the 10 a.m. museum openings, head indoors into air-conditioned exhibits during peak afternoon sun, and save outdoor rides and treats for late afternoon.
Scout Out Bathrooms in Advance: Public restrooms along the outdoor boardwalks can be tricky to locate or busy. The cleanest, most spacious family-friendly restrooms with baby-changing facilities are inside the California State Railroad Museum lobby and the Sacramento History Museum visitor center.
Book Train Tickets Online: Excursion train rides along the levee are immensely popular during the spring and fall seasons. Secure your departure time through the Railroad Museum’s website a few days ahead to ensure your kids don't miss out at the boarding platform.
Parking and Arrival: How to Beat Old Sacramento Gridlock
Circling for street parking in Old Sacramento with restless kids in the back seat is a quick way to derail the morning. Street meters are strictly enforced, limited to brief parking windows, and nearly impossible to snag on sunny weekends.
Old Sacramento Garage (2nd & I Streets): Your best primary option. It sits immediately adjacent to the train museum at the north end of the district, letting you step straight onto the boardwalks without crossing busy arterials. Check the City of Sacramento Parking Services page before heading out to verify current hourly rates and event validation options.
Tower Bridge Garage (Front & Capitol Mall): A great backup at the south end, especially convenient if you plan to walk across the iconic golden Tower Bridge or grab a casual meal along Capitol Mall.
Train and Light Rail Alternative: If you want to skip driving and downtown traffic altogether, the Sacramento Valley Station is located just east of the district. A pedestrian tunnel connects the station directly to Old Sacramento, turning the transit ride into an adventure before your day even starts.
With a little advance planning around parking and pacing, Old Sacramento bridges the gap between California Gold Rush history and classic waterfront fun—keeping your children entertained while keeping your day low-stress.
