On the El Dorado County Fairgrounds west of downtown (exit north on Placerville Dr from Hwy 50), is this complex of restored buildings, mining equipment and re-created businesses telling the story of old 'Hangtown.' There are displays on the pony express, wanted posters and wagons, a reconstructed old-time grocery and luxurious silk gowns.
El Dorado County Historical Museum
Top choice in Gold Country
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
6.19 MILES
This state park comprises a fascinating collection of buildings in a bucolic riverside setting at the site of James Marshall's riot-inducing discovery…
Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park
23.17 MILES
Two miles southwest of Volcano, this sacred area for the local Miwok comprises a museum in a traditional wooden roundhouse, a village site, a limestone…
17.25 MILES
This is a park of deep gorges cut by the rushing waters of the North and Middle Forks of the American River, which converge below a bridge on Hwy 49, 4…
24.81 MILES
You can't miss the ominous steel headframe of the mine from the road, rising to 125ft. Its pulleys lifted ore and miners from the bowels of the earth…
22.93 MILES
In its prime, Sutter Creek was Gold Country’s main supply center for all things forged. Three foundries operating in 1873 made pans and rock crushers, but…
17.64 MILES
The 1st floor of the domed 1898 Placer County Courthouse has Native American artifacts and displays of Auburn’s transportation heritage, including a…
Maidu Museum & Historical Site
22.27 MILES
This museum of tribal history is built on the edge of an ancient Maidu village, where families thrived for over 3000 years. Exhibits of beautiful…
22.88 MILES
This building goes back in time to when the general store was the center of the town’s social and economic life, represented by the chairs that circle the…
Nearby Gold Country attractions
1. Hangtown's Gold Bug Park & Mine
2.36 MILES
About 1 mile north of town via Bedford Ave, this historical park stands on the site of four mining claims that yielded gold from 1849 to 1888. You can…
4.16 MILES
Amid vineyards that were planted in the gold rush era, relegated to producing sacramental wine for the local church during Prohibition, and then restored…
5.93 MILES
A family of oenophile-geologists picked this spot for its volcanic soil, which grows very fine wine grapes. Free tastings, though sips from their limited…
4. Gold Discovery Museum & Visitor Center
5.99 MILES
Guided walking tours of the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park start here.
5. Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
6.19 MILES
This state park comprises a fascinating collection of buildings in a bucolic riverside setting at the site of James Marshall's riot-inducing discovery…
12.8 MILES
A true family affair going back 150 years, where nearly everyone pouring has the last name on the bottles.
12.85 MILES
The highly commercial Renwood Winery crafts outstanding Zinfandel, which you can taste in a flight of five wines, optionally paired with 'culinary small…