(FOX40.COM) — Sacramento explorers put on their curiosity hats Sunday afternoon for the end of Free Museum Weekend.
The annual event aims to ease access to the world of art, history and science — letting community members visit 20 participating local museums free of charge.
FOX40 took on the adventure and checked out some of those spots, starting at the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity.
From following California’s waterways, to human health or even outer space, this site had something for everyone to explore their curiosity.
Anna, one of the children who visited the museum Sunday, said it best.
“Science is pretty cool,” the young adventurer told FOX40. “I think that some kids should have a little science in their life and adults too.”
Ford Lawson, the museum’s assistant manager of program delivery, weighed in on why his team participated.
“It’s a chance for folks to come check out some of the great museums in Sacramento,” Lawson said. “We’re one of those museums and we want to be part of that community and show that we’re supporting this awesome opportunity to get more people into spaces maybe they haven’t visited before.”
Lawson shared something he believes makes the museum special.
“We’re hands on science, which is huge,” Lawson said. “A lot of times, science can be kind of hard to get into and to interact with. Maybe you don’t have access to it. At our museum, we put it right there in front of you.”
While FOX40 got an exclusive look at young scientists launching an expedition into things like California’s waters over at the museum, the learning did not just happen in one place. A total of 20 sites all across Sacramento participated by waiving their costs for pre-registered community members. The Crocker Art Museum, the Aerospace Museum of California, Sutter’s Fort and many more also joined.
Hosts told FOX40 that it’s a chance to show off California’s rich gold rush history — one of ambition and hard-work.
Sunday was also a solid chance to call out, “All aboard!”
That’s because, in Old Sacramento, the California State Railroad Museum also welcomed registered history and train buffs free of charge.
Patrice Holcomb and her family spent their Sunday checking out the trains.
“To learn about our history and the contributions that all of the different cultures around us contributed to the society that we have here today … it was really nice also learning about all of the contributions from the immigrants that helped build our country and where we are today,” Holcomb said.
Lawson emphasized how these events help to make sure people of all backgrounds and ages have a chance to explore. He said it may not happen all at once, but Free Museum Weekend is a stepping stone into a world of discovery.
“We like to think that we’re helping give folks puzzle pieces, right? Everyone walks in with a different understanding or experience with different scientific stuff,” Lawson said. “We might not be able to explain everything, but we can give someone a little, piece of understanding.”
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News.