Entertainment

Here’s how to snag free tickets to Sacramento museums this weekend before they’re sold out

If your weekend plans still aren’t set, maybe a free trip to a museum is just the thing.

Museums and cultural institutions across the country are participating in Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day on Saturday, Sept. 17. The Sacramento museums include the California Museum, California State Railroad Museum, Sacramento History Museum and the California Automobile Museum.

Those who don’t mind the the drive can also snag free tickets for the Aerospace Museum of California in McClellan, Folsom History Museum in Folsom, San Joaquin County History Museum in Lodi and the Haggin Museum in Stockton.

Where can I get free tickets?

Free, general admission tickets are available on the Museum Day homepage of the Smithsonian Magazine website. Filter the participating museums by location and availability.

“You are only allowed to download one ticket to one museum on Museum Day,” Smithsonian Magazine wrote on its website. “Once you click ‘generate ticket,’ you won’t be able to change your museum selection.”

Two people can get into the museum of their choice with one Museum Day ticket.

Free, general admission Museum Day tickets to the California Museum are sold out. General admission tickets range from $0 to $10.

Participating Sacramento museums

Before you decide which museum to spend the day exploring Saturday, here’s what you need to know about each museum participating in Museum Day across Sacramento:

CALIFORNIA STATE RAILROAD MUSEUM

The California State Railroad Museum at 111 I St., Sacramento is home to more than 200,000 square-feet of exhibits and restored railroad cars and locomotives used throughout the West Coast.

Free tickets

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily

SACRAMENTO HISTORY MUSEUM

The Sacramento History Museum at 101 I St., Sacramento take visitors through a “reproduction of the 1854 City Hall and Waterworks building.”

Free tickets

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily

CALIFORNIA AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM

The California Automobile Museum at 2200 Front St., Sacramento offers an automotive experience for its visitors, with more than 100 vehicles on display.

Free tickets

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday and Wednesday through Sunday

AEROSPACE MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA

The Aerospace Museum of California at 3200 Freedom Park Drive, McClellan Park spotlights over 40 aircraft including hands-on exhibits and an aerospace section.

Free tickets

Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday through Sunday

FOLSOM HISTORY MUSEUM

The Folsom History Museum at 823 Sutter St. #2440, Folsom offers an overview of Folsom’s “innovative” history including an overview of the Gold Rush, railroads and agriculture.

Free tickets

Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday through Monday

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM

The San Joaquin County Historical Museum at 11793 Micke Grove Road, Lodi tells the history of San Joaquin County, from its earliest settlers to the development of its modern agriculture.

Free tickets

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday through Sunday

HAGGIN MUSEUM

The Haggin Museum at 1201 N Pershing Ave., Stockton is a fine art museum that spotlights both Stockton and California history through art pieces and history exhibits.

Free tickets

Hours: 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Get one year of unlimited digital access for $159.99
#ReadLocal

Only 44¢ per day

SUBSCRIBE NOW