If there’s one thing to know about California, it’s this: Don’t sleep on Sacramento! The state capital is often overlooked thanks to the Golden State’s many other massive cities, but there’s actually a ton of incredible things to do. With half a million people — almost the size of Boston, Massachusetts — and a bustling downtown, an incredible arts scene, and gorgeous nature, it’s hard not to have a great time while in town. Not sure where to start? Don’t sweat: We’ve got you covered. Here’s a short list of some of the best sights to see and things to do while in Sacramento.

Sights & Sips Cruise in Sacramento 

Regardless of the occasion, the Sacramento Sights and Sips Cruise is sure to create some unforgettable memories of a great day spent on the water. You and your guests will experience a mellow cocktail cruise on the Sacramento River while you sip and sail the day away with friends and family of all ages. Plus, you’ll get to soak in all of those gorgeous Sacramento skyline views. There’s also live entertainment — a local DJ on board will be spinning the hottest jams of the summer — and, of course, there’s a particularly well-stocked full bar available to purchase cocktails while you’re on board.

Historic Sacramento River Cruise 

If you came to Sacramento hoping to see some incredible sights and learn about the history of the storied city, you’re in luck — big time. And, while everyone loves a fun, interactive history lesson, wouldn’t it be just a little more enjoyable if you learned from, say, the comfort of a yacht? If that’s what you’re after, you have to take the Sacramento Historic River Cruise. You and your guests will sail past Old Sacramento’s famous historical sites, including the Delta King, the I Street Bridge, the Tower Bridge, and the Air Force Docks. As you sail on the river, you’ll hear all sorts of fascinating stories: From the life of John Sutter (the founder of Sacramento) to the wild days of the Gold Rush, California’s capital city is filled with lively history. And, you’ll have the best possible view of the beautiful sights Sacramento has to offer on this cruise.

Sacramento Street Murals

In case you weren’t aware, Sacramento is home to an astounding amount of street murals, most of which are located in Midtown, Downtown, and Old North Sacramento. Thanks to Wide Open Walls, a group whose mission is to promote and celebrate public art in the city, the group has created more than 80 permanent works during their festivals as gifts to the region as well as 250 temporary works that have been presented at various art and culture events since 2016. Check out this comprehensive list and plot your course while you’re in town.

Old Sacramento

You’ll take a step back in time when you visit Old Sacramento, the historic riverfront district complete with buildings from the Gold Rush, streets paved with cobblestone, and horse-drawn carriages. The National Historic Landmark also has plenty of fun things to see and do, including Wild West museums, riverboat rides, historic railroad excursions, and more.

The California State Capitol

As the seat of political power in the state of California, you shouldn’t leave town without checking out The California State Capitol building — along with the park and museum! You’ll discover the architecture, history, and development of the Capitol from its initial construction a whopping 150 years ago to today.

Golden 1 Center

While it is the home of the Sacramento Kings, you’ll definitely want to check out the Golden 1 Center whether or not you’re a basketball fan — after all, the Kings are the oldest team in the NBA, and the city’s only major league sports team. Plus, a basketball game means fun for the whole family, even if you’re not a superfan. We can practically smell the popcorn and hot dogs now! However, if sports really aren’t your thing, you can always plan your trip around a concert, comedy show, or one of the many live events the Golden 1 Center hosts throughout the year.

Sacramento Zoo

Okay, street art and museums might not be the biggest selling point if you’re visiting the city with kids. If you’re looking for a slam dunk with the little ones, you can’t go wrong with the Sacramento Zoo — and parents will have a blast, too! The zoo and educational institution welcome around 70,000 school children a year from a wide swath of the state, and you can also check out a few of the programs the zoo offers, including wildlife stage shows, keeper chats, zoo previews, animal encounters, and much more. And, c’mon — who doesn’t love animals?