Taking a trip through Sacramento's iconic capitol dome is free. Awe-inspiring architecture and a complete history of California's governors through portraits appeals to U.S. history buffs, children and families. Bring a camera for pictures in front of the dome. Just outside the capitol building, Capitol Park boasts a large collection of native and imported trees. With large oaks and conifers, it's also a shaded respite if you visit Sacramento in the summer heat.
Every Saturday, at locations around the capital city, the Certified Farmers' Markets have turned into social gathering places for locals; tourists visiting the city are welcome to partake in the market free of charge. The market brings the agrarian urban communities together to show their interdependence. You don't have to buy a thing to observe, take photographs and enjoy gathering to support California's farmers and their families.
To freely peruse Sacramento's art scene, visit the Sacramento Convention Center Sculpture Garden at 13th and K streets downtown. Local sculptors and artists display work indoors and outdoors in front of county and city buildings. If you take a flight into the Sacramento International Airport, check out the art exhibit in the halls.
Touring any city is free, but visiting Old Sacramento free of charge feels more like walking through a museum. In the mid-1850s, Sacramento's waterfront location was prime for commercial success, but was prone to severe flooding. As you tour the waterfront and the rest of Old Sacramento, read about the history, including how the city suffered repeated fires and floods. If you're willing to spend a bit of cash, consider taking a private or group tour to round out your historical lesson.
