Family Fun and Frolicking in Sacramento

Sacramento's Arden area can be likened to the physical center of the city, and it's definitely a family-oriented region. With a large mall, other specialty shopping stores, 2 movie theaters, harness racing and other events, the California State Fair, an Ice Cream-ery, and food network star's fusion restaurant, it's a fun area to explore if you're open to new things or just the right mix of the old. There are plenty of hotels to choose from as well, so go ahead and get yourselves tuckered out.

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Arden Fair Mall
You should have seen this mall in the 70s- small, dark, and sporting psychedelic carpet. Then something happened in the 90s (Did I miss the 80s?) to bring new life to this shabby neighborhood mall. Now a bright, cheery, large two-level mall, Arden Fair draws crowds from all over. With a spacious food court offering plenty of options, a... More >
You should have seen this mall in the 70s- small, dark, and sporting psychedelic carpet. Then something happened in the 90s (Did I miss the 80s?) to bring new life to this shabby neighborhood mall. Now a bright, cheery, large two-level mall, Arden Fair draws crowds from all over. With a spacious food court offering plenty of options, ample parking (except for Christmastime - Take a cab or the shuttle from Cal Expo), Macys, Nordstrom, JC Pennys, Urban Outfitters and plenty of other well-known retailers, there's not much to complain about now.
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Century Stadium 14
Century Theatres at Arden Way and Alta Arden may be rather dated now, but the huge domes are still a spectacle and theyre still one of the quickest to draw the newest movie releases. Pick a show, grab some popcorn, take a seat and then look up before the movie starts; Its kind of a cool sight. The kids should love it, anyway. Since the theatres are round, leaving can get you turned around, however. So if you're lost upon exiting the building, you won't be lost for long. Either way you turn, you'll end up right back where you started (hopefully at your car).
Definitely go for the annual California State Fair, which is perfect for kids and families.
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Cal Expo
Cal Expo is Sacramentos fair grounds, smack dab in the middle of the city. Definitely go for the annual California State Fair, which is perfect for kids and families. If you like horses, racing, bets or all of the above, try the harness racing. If you're here on a weekend, check out the special events like Home & Garden shows, Ski Swap... More >
Cal Expo is Sacramentos fair grounds, smack dab in the middle of the city. Definitely go for the annual California State Fair, which is perfect for kids and families. If you like horses, racing, bets or all of the above, try the harness racing. If you're here on a weekend, check out the special events like Home & Garden shows, Ski Swap, car and RV shows, Harvest Festival, etc. Oh, and I can't forget Raging Waters: Wet and wild fun for kids of any age and young-at-heart adults.
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Leatherby's Family Creamery
Ice cream. Need I say more? Grilled cheese and fries. Milkshake madness. Hot fudge. Oh my! Yes, they have low fat, low calorie, low sugar options but if you're hankering for some real old-fashioned ice cream - you know, the kind you used to eat and not regret as a kid - this is the place. You must have worked off a lot of calories doin... More >
Ice cream. Need I say more? Grilled cheese and fries. Milkshake madness. Hot fudge. Oh my! Yes, they have low fat, low calorie, low sugar options but if you're hankering for some real old-fashioned ice cream - you know, the kind you used to eat and not regret as a kid - this is the place. You must have worked off a lot of calories doing all that shopping, right? Do it for the kids at least. They have fundraiser programs for schools, you know. You won't regret it.
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Tex Wasabi's Rock-N-Roll Sushi-BBQ
This is Guy Fieri's restaurant (from the Food Network). If you like trying new things, a fusion of sushi and BBQ is a pretty unique slant, I'd say. And there's quite a mix of food options here, from burgers and french fries to baked beans and desserts to things curiously named 'Wonton Wonderland' and 'Garden of Good and Evil'. I'm told... More >
This is Guy Fieri's restaurant (from the Food Network). If you like trying new things, a fusion of sushi and BBQ is a pretty unique slant, I'd say. And there's quite a mix of food options here, from burgers and french fries to baked beans and desserts to things curiously named 'Wonton Wonderland' and 'Garden of Good and Evil'. I'm told the happy hour gets pretty lively... Maybe due to the over-sized beers.
Now a bright, cheery, large two-level mall, Arden Fair draws crowds from all over.
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About the Author

Melanie Noel Light
Melanie Noel Light
Freelance writer, life and laughter lover, seeks grand experiences anywhere, anytime... And loves to write about them: www.SeeingSacramento.com
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