James W. Marshall Park

A small state museum about California Indian life, with hands-on things for kids, on the same block as Sutter's Fort. Do both in one morning.

A rebuilt 1840s adobe fort in Midtown where kids can poke through the old rooms at their own pace. It's a quick visit, which makes it a pretty good one with school-age kids.

A 1950s-style Midtown diner with glass cases full of cakes and pies made from scratch. Letting a kid pick one slice from that case is harder than it sounds.

Square-slice pizza with a T. rex mascot, which is all a dinosaur kid needs to hear. Lots of vegan options too.

East Sacramento's favorite park (everyone just says McKinley), with an adventure playground, a separate tot lot and a rose garden next door. Summer brings a wading pool.

Neighborhood park with a play structure.