Like many travel writers, I am often so driven to explore far-flung destinations that I forget to travel close to home. My family has been on a mission to remedy that! This year, we have prioritized taking day and weekend trips to many of the unique family-friendly travel destinations in our home state of California. When the chance arose for a quick overnight trip to Sacramento in partnership with Holiday Inn, I naturally jumped at the chance. Sacramento, and in particular the Old Sacramento historic district near downtown, is filled with kid-friendly things to do. I knew it would be the perfect getaway for the kids and me on a weekend where my husband happened to be away on a guys’ trip.
Things to Do in Old Sacramento
Old Sacramento is the site of one of the earliest commercial areas of the city, which took off during the California Gold Rush. The area fell into disrepair over the years but was revitalized in the 1960s to preserve the historic buildings that now make it such a tourist destination.
Walking the Old Sacramento historic district is an activity unto itself. The old west style façades on the shops and wooden planked sidewalks make you feel like you are stepping back in time. There are horse and buggy rides, shooting arcades, shops, and restaurants. And of course – trains.
California State Railroad Museum
The biggest draw for families to Old Sacramento is undoubtedly trained. Old Sacramento is home to the California State Railroad Museum which houses a magnificent collection. Every type of train, from ornate Victorian-era locomotives to mockups of modern bullet trains, call the museum home.
The kids and I wended our way through the larger-than-life exhibits for several hours. Visitors can climb aboard quite a few of the train cars and locomotives themselves, making for an interactive experience. My eight year old had the chance to drive a train on the museum’s simulator. My four-year-old son especially loved the miniature train exhibits on the third floor, complete with Thomas the Tank Engine wooden railway layouts.
Given the breadth of the collection and size of the museum, admission is very reasonably priced at just $12 for adults and $6 for kids ages 6-17. Kids 5 and under are free. Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours to do the museum justice.
Riding the Rails on the Sacramento Southern Railroad
Just a block away from the museum is the California Pacific Railroad Freight Depot where the Sacramento Southern Railroad offers real train rides along tracks paralleling the Sacramento River Fox Train.
We visited in late October when the train runs as the “Spookomotive,” donned in festive Halloween decor. In winter, it transforms into the Polar Express. The all-volunteer Sacramento Southern Railroad offers regular excursion rides much of the rest of the year on weekends from April to September. The trains are either pulled by a steam engine or a vintage locomotive from the museum’s collection.
Where to Stay in Old Sacramento
Our home away from home on this visit was the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena, which I selected because of its proximity to the attractions. When I am in an urban area, I like being able to walk everywhere we go. I find I can really get the feel of a city much more on foot, not to mention being a healthy way to walk off those vacation calories!
I did not fully understand, however, just how conveniently the Holiday Inn‘s downtown Sacramento hotel was located until I arrived. The side entrance of the hotel opened directly onto a plaza that led to a pedestrian tunnel under the highway. A 2-3 minute walk through the tunnel (with my 4-year-old walking by himself sans stroller) deposited us directly into the heart of Old Sacramento. The location was truly ideal. It enabled us easily to hop back to the hotel whenever we needed a rest.
We stayed in a two-double room which had more than enough space for a family to spread out, as well as comfy sheets and pillows. Rooms with a single king plus sofa bed are also available. Service at the hotel was friendly and prompt. The valet parking attendants were particularly kind to (and probably quite amused by) my talkative 8 years old. Insider tip: we selected a room rate that included parking, which offered valet service at a rate that was less than even the usual $18 self-parking fee.
The hotel offered the Holiday Inn value proposition for families – kids stay and eat free! Because I had to get a little work done during our visit, I personally also appreciated the free high-speed WiFi that all Holiday Inn locations offer. There was a pool too, but we were so busy playing tourist that we didn’t have time for a dip.
