9 Things to Do in Sacramento Before You Die
 

(according to Citysearch)

1. California State Fair
Friday, 8/20 at California Exposition & State Fair
Eat deep-fried Twinkies and absorb the view from the Ferris wheel at one of the most popular fairs in the country.

2.
Arco Arena
1 Sports Pkwy, Sacramento, CA
Throw on your Chris Webber jersey, paint your face purple and "feel the roar" of the crowd as you cheer the Kings.

3. Biba
2801 Capitol Ave, Sacramento, CA
Taste some of the best northern Italian cooking in the country at celebrity chef Biba Caggiano's award-winning restaurant.

4. Esquire Grill
1215 K St, Sacramento, CA
Sip a glass of wine while rubbing elbows with politicians like Gov. Schwarzenegger, known to frequent this classy eatery.

5. The Delta King
1000 Front St, Sacramento, CA
Climb aboard this historic riverboat and try not to look suspicious during the interactive murder-mystery show.

6. Pancake Circus
2101 Broadway, Sacramento, CA
You're not a local until you've joined the down, the out and just plain broke for cheap hotcakes at this longtime greasy spoon.

7. Townhouse
1517 21st St, Sacramento, CA
Throw back cocktails and belt out "It's Raining Men" with the drag queens at this legendary karaoke hot spot.

8.
Sheraton
1230 J Street, sacramento, CA
Sip a cool martini while curled up on an overstuffed couch overlooking J Street, a prime spot for people-watching.

9.
Zelda's Original Gourmet Pizza
1415 21ST St, Sacramento, CA
Dig into some of the best flaky, deep-dish pizza in town at this Sacramento institution.

(according to Citysearch)

So what does it say about Sacramento that they could only find 9 things to do before you die, versus 10 in SF and Silicon Valley? :D

Having stayed at the Sheraton a couple of times, I find it hard to put it on my top <any number> list of must do's. On the other hand, I think they really missed a couple of interesting places - the state Railroad Museum is really interesting and fun, and hanging out in Old Town on a Friday or Saturday night is definitely enjoyable.

That's a sad list ... it appears to be mostly about eating mediocre food. Odd they wouldn't mention the American River, which you can kayak on, ride bikes along and fish in and the Capitol building is beautiful inside.

Then there's my favorite thing to do in Sacramento ... hit that great shoe store in the mall off Watt near the Country Club area.

fully agree JerryFF, I posted these lists in hopes that FT'ers would either give a thumbs up to items on the list or post their own favorites. Thanks for posting yours. ^ ^

Get on the American River, either on the 27 mile bike trail from downtown to Folsom Lake or raft down the lower American on a hot day.
Go to the Crocker Art museum, the oldest art museum west of the Mississippi.
Check out Sutter’s Fort, a re-creation on the site of Johann Sutter’s 1839 settlement.
Go to Tower Theater and check out the latest foreign movie after eating outside at the eclectic Tower Café, site of the original Tower Records store.
And yes, the State Fair is annual treat for us Sacramentans, if only for the 100 or so gold medal award winning wines available to taste selected from over 2900 entries in this year's competition.

... and DO visit the State Railroad Museum! Top-notch, gets Japanese and European visitors that come especially to check it out. AVOID the nearby Original Fulton's / West End Bar and Grill or whatever they call themselves these days, unless you are willing to deal with mediocre food for the iDine miles. ^ (There! That makes TEN! :D) )

American River... ^

AH-nold - I'll leave that up to you...

What a pitiable list. Except for the State Fair, which gets ^ , all the others are :td: :td:

Other ^ : State Railroad Museum, Sutter's Fort, tour the State Capitol building (some nice architecture), the American River definitely.

IMO, best place to eat in Sacramento area - but a bit out of town.
 

If you want to eat well, and you happen to be out Intel way (Folsom, CA, just off the Highway 50 corridor,) you must eat at the excellent, and appropriately pricey (for the area,)

Baccaras Restaurant & Wine Bar
2304 E. Bidwell Street
Folsom CA 95630
Tel. +1.916.983.4883

www.baccaras.com

[email protected]

MSN Maps & Directions location

And, did I mention they offer 5 iDine miles per dollar, all the time every day? (Changed from 10 miles 01 Sept 2004.)

Nope, I'm not shilling here, but I like them - and Ali Mackani, owner / sommelier, will do you proud whether you request a bottle or a flight of wine with your meal. I really believe this is among the best there is in Sacramento - and should be easier to access, as they plan to move to 14th and K in Sacramento in 2006. Maybe THAT'S why Ali's company has also out a free WiFi hotspot in Sacramento's Capitol corridor, and wants to expand it to all downtown? :cool: