An incredible “Play Ball! Sacramento in the National Pastime” exhibit is on display now at the Sacramento History Museum and is filled with historical baseball uniforms, bats, balls and gloves from different time periods and more! Photo courtesy of the Sacramento History Museum

 

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The Greater Sacramento region is rich with museums and popular destinations that offer plenty of must-see and must-do experiences to explore before summertime makes way for a busy fall season. The community is encouraged to show support for local museums by making plans to visit favorite locations (or discovering new ones.) 

The California Automobile Museum is revving up summertime evenings by participating in the monthly Third Thursday program happening throughout the Old Sacramento Waterfront. Guests will get an exclusive chance to explore the “Route 66: California Dreamin” exhibit by the light of the neon moon, celebrating the Mother Road through the lens of 100 years of history, plus admissions are half-off. In addition, there will be special activities for kids and adults 21 plus can tap into an exclusive drink selection for sale (with one free drink ticket per entry.) For more details, visit www.calautomuseum.org/thirdthursdays.

Make plans to experience “Reflecting on the Land,” a powerful new exhibit making its debut Aug. 21 at the California Museum. Highlighting the voices, knowledge and visions of California's Indigenous peoples, the exhibit will challenge visitors to reckon with the stories that have shaped our understanding of this land, and those that have been left out. From the landscapes of 250 years ago to hard-won victories like the restoration of the Klamath River, the exhibit traces the living legacy of more than 200 tribes across the state and looks ahead to radical, hopeful visions of what sovereignty and self-determination can look like on this land. Thought-provoking, timely and deeply rooted in community, this is an exhibit for anyone ready to engage with California's past, present and future on its own terms. “Reflecting on the Land” was developed by Exhibit Envoy in partnership with California Humanities, and tours through Exhibit Envoy thanks to generous funding from the 11th Hour Project, By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 and the Weingart Foundation. Additional details will be posted Aug. 6 at www.californiamuseum.org/exhibitions/temporary/

The California State Railroad Museum & Foundation is fun for all ages and is a great – and fully air-conditioned – place to see an impressive collection of rail equipment, historic locomotives, compelling exhibits, toy trains and more. Plus, a tried-and-true summertime favorite experience is a weekend excursion train ride pulled by an authentic, historic locomotive – either Granite Rock 10 steam locomotive or a historic diesel engine (motive power subject to change without notice.) The memorable experience offers guests the chance to enjoy train travel from an earlier era. For more details about the Museum Mixer, weekend excursion train rides and visiting the museum, visit www.californiarailroad.museum.

At the Crocker Art Museum the community is encouraged to experience the final Summer Family Friday of the season on Aug. 7 from 10:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. This fun-filled morning includes an art and performance extravaganza geared for kids ages 3-12, and the adults who tag along with them. Activities include hands-on art making, sensory activities and special shows from local musicians and a performing arts group. More details are available at www.crockerart.org/events/4722/summer-family-friday-4722. Plus, iconic rom coms will be screened in the Crocker's outdoor courtyard against the Teel Family Pavilion's iconic architecture on Aug. 20; closing the summer series are “Dirty Dancing” and “Clueless.” For more, visit www.crockerart.org/events/series/movies-off-the-wall.

Get ready to savor a lively night at Fairytale Town during a special, end-of-summer Tales and Ales Brewfest on Aug.  22. Local craft breweries from throughout Sacramento and Northern California will be in the park pouring unlimited tastes while live musicians perform on the Mother Goose Stage. Plus, children will enjoy complimentary root beer floats and hands-on activities in Mr. McGregor’s Garden. Local food trucks will be on-site with food and beverages available for sale and there will be a raffle with exciting prizes. Tales & Ales is an all-ages fundraiser with proceeds supporting Fairytale Town’s education programs and park improvements. For more information visit www.fairytaletown.org/calendar/tales-ales-brewfest-2/

The SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity offers an opportunity to experience favorite musical artists like never before. The UC Davis Multiverse Theater at MOSAC is thrilled to present a music laser series to the planetarium – including a Bad Bunny Laser Concert on August 7-8. The immersive music experience, paired with spectacular full-dome lasers, is the best way to listen to favorite artists outside of a live performance. With a robust library of classic rock, pop music and family-friendly favorites playing over our 25,000-watt Dolby 5.1 surround sound system, the laser shows provide a whole new music experience. Make plans to visit and explore the full schedule of events at www.visitmosac.org.

Always free and open weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Museum of Medical History is also open on Second Saturdays (for the same time hours), monthly through September. Guests will journey through time and learn about medical treatment during California's Gold Rush, the flu pandemic of 1918, Prohibition-era medicine, Polio and its groundbreaking vaccine, modern advances in cardiology, radiology, surgery and so much more. Reservations are not required, and physician docents will be onsite giving tours and interpretation of the hundreds of artifacts in the Museum's collection. For more information visit www.museumofmedicalhistory.org.

Baseball and summertime go hand-in-glove especially at the Sacramento History Museum. An incredible “Play Ball! Sacramento in the National Pastime” exhibit is on display now and filled with historical baseball uniforms, bats, balls and gloves from different time periods, along with programs, tickets, awards and trophies, an Edmonds field base, home plate and ticket box, along with scrapbooks, news articles, photos and more. “Play Ball!” tells the fascinating and fun story of Sacramento’s 175-year baseball history, stretching from the early days of the Gold Rush to the latest inning at Sutter Health Park just across the Sacramento River. For more details about the exhibit and Baseball Talk activation, visit https://sachistorymuseum.org/

For more information about upcoming activities offered by Sacramento area museums, like them on Facebook, follow on Instagram @SacMuseums or visit www.SacMuseums.org.