First stop was the Crocker Art Museum. While I wouldn’t consider myself an art aficionado, my kids adored the hands-on Andy Warhol exhibit on the top floor. Here we created numerous types of art, from Taylor Swift pop art to shadow puppets to stencils and more. Our kids loved it so much they didn’t want to leave. While this temporary exhibit isn’t online anymore, there’s still regular rotating hands-on exhibits that your family will enjoy.

Interest: 4.5Description: The first public art museum founded in the Western United States, the Crocker Art Museum was established in 1885 and is now one of the leading art museums in California. The Crocker serves as the primary regional resource for the study and appreciation of fine art. The Museum offers a diverse spectrum of special exhibitions and programs to complement its collections of Californian art, works on paper, European art, international ceramics, photography, Asian art, and African and Oceanic art. The Crocker Art Museum is the only museum in the Sacramento region accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, a recognition given to less than 800 of the nation's 17,500 museums. AAM accreditation certifies that a museum operates according to standards set forth by the museum profession, manages its collections responsibly and provides quality service to the public.

The Crocker Art Museum recently underwent a renovation, and the results are stunning. It feels like a "real" museum, the type you would expect to find in a big, thriving city like Sacramento, the capital of California. The permanent collection of paintings is housed in the old Crocker mansion, with beautiful details to be found in every room. The exhibitions as well as permanent collections of ceramics and Asian and African artworks are housed in the museum's new modern wing. The light, airy space perfectly suits the purpose. There is also an inviting courtyard and cafe downstairs as well as exhibition spaces upstairs. The museum is located right in downtown Sacramento. Entrance is $10 per adult. Family-friendly activities are held frequently. Parking is available behind and in front of the museum. The gift shop has a nice collection of gifts, puzzles, wall hangings, and children's items. By Jenna Francisco, AFAR Local Expert

Wealthy lawyer and judge Edwin B. Crocker and his wife Margaret began collecting their extensive collection of drawings and paintings during extended European vacations. When they returned home to Sacramento, they created a gallery that quickly became a hub of social activity in the town. They hosted such notable guests as President Ulysses S. Grant, Oscar Wilde, and Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii. When Edwin died in 1875, Margaret donated the collection to the City of Sacramento and the California Museum Association. The art museum became the first one west of the Mississippi. To house their growing collection, the museum began a massive expansion in 2002 with a large, modern addition that opened in 2010. Their collection spans California history, including many works by local artists. There are also many European originals, including around 1,500 old master drawings and many rare prints that the Crockers collected during their travels. Significant in the collection is one of California's most extensive collections of Renoir's works. There are also many Native American ceramics and all sorts of Asian, African, and Oceanic artwork on display. Why You Should Visit The main museum building is housed in the Crocker family mansion. In 1868, Crocker had a local architect redesign an existing home into the Italianate style. Architect Seth Babson also incorporated a gallery building into the structure, including a bowling alley and skating rink. The mansion is considered one of his masterpieces. The new building expanded the museum's ability to show its collection three-fold. The new expansion has space for an education center and more space to show traveling exhibitions. Approximately 15 percent of the collection is currently shown. Tips Check the museum's website for current traveling and temporary exhibitions. The biennial Crocker-Kingsley Exhibition is held with the cooperation of the Kingsley Art Club. Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10 am - 5 pm; Thursday: 10 am - 9 pm

The Crocker Art Museum is dedicated to promoting an awareness of and enthusiasm for human experience through art. As the leading arts institution in the Sacramento Valley, the Crocker serves as the primary regional resource for the study and appreciation of fine art, with an emphasis on the original Crocker family donation of California art and European drawings, contemporary northern California art, and international ceramics. The Museum also features collections of Asian, African, and Oceanic art. To fulfill its mission, the Crocker Art Museum collects, preserves, exhibits, and interprets outstanding works of art that are the product of human ingenuity and creativity. Through youth, family, and adult public programs, the museum provides aesthetic and educational experiences that foster self-awareness and personal inquiry as well as an understanding of and respect for community traditions and values. We measure our success by our ability to enrich the intellectual and cultural life of the communities we serve. We strive to create and sustain a culture of learning in which works of art are perceived both as objects of visual delight and as symbols of human thought. Text source Photo source

Founded in the 1870s, Crocker Art Museum is known as the first art museum in the West. The historical building with hand-carved doors, ornate walls and parquet floors, creates a gorgeous backdrop as impressive as the art. The art includes the Gold Rush, Victorian and European masters and contemporary works. The museum hosts art talks, classical concerts, jazz concerts, and tours. A gift shop is also available.