Modesto

The McHenry Mansion is a historic house museum that was once residence to prominent resident, Robert McHenry. Built-in 1883 in the Victorian-Italianate style, the museum is located in downtown Modesto and offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of Robert McHenry and his family during the early 1900s. After falling into disrepair, the McHenry Mansion was restored to its former glory and opened to the public in 1983 as a historical landmark and house museum with guided tours available. Docent-led tours begin at the Visitors Center with a short DVD presentation showcasing a brief history of the house and the family. Visitors then take a short walk to the main house where the guided tour begins.

Corner of 15th & I Streets., Modesto, CA, Phone: 209-549-0428

The Gallo Center for the Arts is a performing arts center that hosts a variety of artistic performances throughout the year. The center features two modern theaters - the 1,200-seat Rogers Theater and the smaller 400-seat Foster Family Theater, and is home to a variety of resident companies, including Central West Ballet, the Modesto Symphony Orchestra, and the Townsend Opera Players, along with the Modesto Community Concerts Association.

1000 I St, Modesto, CA 95354

Activities and Attractions for Couples:

Situated in the heart of Modesto's revitalized downtown space, The State Theatre is a classic theater that shows old, foreign and independent films and hosts concerts and various events throughout the year. Opened in 1934 and dedicated to the citizens of Modesto, the State Theatre was founded to provide the community with a variety of entertainment in the form of live theater, film, and cultural events. Designed by noted architect S. Charles Lee, the 560-seat auditorium still boasts a beautiful Art Deco-era splendor with towering sconces, hand-painted murals, and gold-leafed embellishments dating back to 1934 when the theater opened. Today, the theater also features state-of-the-art technologies such as digital projection, theatrical lighting, a new PA sound system, however, still maintains a classic and elegant feel that harkens back to a bygone era.

1307 J St, Modesto, CA 95354, Phone: 209-527-4697

The McHenry Museum is a regional history museum that tells the story of the history and heritage of Modesto and the surrounding region. Set in a grand former library building dating back to 1912 just a block away from the McHenry Mansion, the McHenry Museum was established in 1972 and has been collecting and preserving that reflect the early life and culture of Modesto and Stanislaus County from its pioneer days through the mid-20th century ever since. The museum features hands-on exhibits and displays that highlight the historical significance of the Modesto area, including permanent exhibits such as a recreated blacksmith shop, a dentist's office, a general store, and hallmark items like original fire-fighting equipment, gold mining paraphernalia, and a collection of cattle brands from Stanislaus County.

1402 I St, Modesto, CA 95354, Phone: 209-577-5366

If you are traveling with kids:

Visit the Great Valley Museum, dedicated to the appreciation and preservation of the natural heritage and environment of the area and inspiring the community to take a greater interest in science. Located on the first floor of the Science Community Center on the west campus of Modesto Junior College, the GVM features a variety of science and biology-based exhibits, such as the natural history and various habitats of the Central Valley of California, a Discovery Room where visitors can explore the realm of science through hands-on activities, and live animal displays and shows. The Great Valley Museum is also home to a planetarium with a top-of-the-line star projector and projection system that provide spectacular displays of the night sky and full-dome planetarium films.

2201 Blue Gum Ave, Modesto, CA 95358, Phone: 209-575-6196

The Modesto Arch is a centennial slogan arch at the intersection of 9th and I Streets that was initially built to welcome automobile drivers to Modesto. Built-in 1912 by the Modesto Businessmen’s Association, the arch bears the slogan and city motto, “Water, Wealth, Contentment, Health,” which is brightly illuminated by nearly 700 incandescent light bulbs. The arch was originally held up by two flagpoles on each of its columns, but they were removed due to rot and replaced with two Mediterranean cypress trees that now stand behind the columns and create an illusion of the original flagpoles' height and location.

Escape Modesto offers a few hours of exhilarating fun for everyone. Escape rooms are fun adventure games whereby players solve a series of riddles by using clues and hints to complete all the objectives in a set time limit. The aim of the game is to unveil the secret plot which is hidden within the rooms. It usually takes about an hour to get out of the escape room, and up to 10 participants are allowed per room. Escape Modesto caters for all types of events and functions, from corporate gatherings and team-building to birthday parties and celebrations.

912 11th St, Modesto, CA 95354, Phone: 209-324-5190