Merced, CA, founded on April 1st, 1889, has developed into a lovely city with a competent council-manager government.
The Merced River inspired the naming of the city. “Merced” signifies “mercy,” This is a sign of good things for the town.
Since Merced must be passed through to enter Yosemite National Park, the city is often known as the gate of Yosemite.
In addition to having a lot of beaches, Merced, CA, has a regional airport, a working railroad, and a reasonably priced airline.
Are you looking for the best things to do in Merced, CA? This article has lots of helpful information.
Things to Do in Merced, CA
1. Merced County Fair
Fairs are always entertaining, and Merced hosts its county fair to earn money for the local area and other communities.
Especially during a county fair, Merced, CA, has many activities for you to try out. The Merced County Fair features numerous forms of entertainment, including music and racing activities.
There are many fun events scheduled for visitors at the county fair. The county fair features numerous exhibits that visitors can observe and enjoy.
The County Fair also holds an auction for the exhibits that are on show, and many guests take part in bidding for the best collection of goods.
The exhibitions cover broad subjects, including agriculture, gardening, photography, and mechanical science.
The County Fair is fun to spend the day and shop for beautiful items with friends and family every June. If you’re in Merced by June, you should go.
Location: 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Merced, CA.
2. Merced Dog Park
We can all agree that a dog is a man’s best friend, and what better place than a park to spend time with your pet?
Merced Dog Park is ideal for dog owners who can’t be away from their animals for an extended period or don’t have a caretaker for them.
It’s a delight to find a location where you can bring your dog and enjoy some time with them since most tourist sites and attractions have a “no pet” restriction.
The park’s eight acres of ground are spacious enough for playing fetch with your dog.
Additionally, there are water fountains for dogs (low water fountains) and their owners (regular water fountains).
If guests feel tired after playing catch with their pets, the park includes many seating spots for them to use. It’s a fantastic location to visit!
Location: R St & W Yosemite Ave, Merced, CA 95348.
3. Merced Antique Mall
What could be disliked about exquisite antiques and unique items? A popular destination for tourists, locals, and visitors alike is the Merced Antique Mall.
The antique mall is a location where antiques and collectibles can be found. These items take up around 7,500 square feet of the structure.
Additionally, the building contains a basement filled with antiques that transport you back in time. The fact that the antiques are periodically changed keeps things interesting.
There are up to thirty antique dealers in the antique mall, so you won’t have to worry about obtaining service.
This antique mall is highly suggested for anyone who believes they have seen everything because they will learn about many restricted collections of different goods.
The antique mall will indeed feature something that interests you and your child, whether it be toys, pottery, books, or rare cards.
Location: 320 W Main St, Merced, CA 95340, United States
4. Merced Flea Farmers Market
Nearly everything can be found at a flea market, so if you’re looking for a good deal, the Merced Flea Farmers Market is the place for you.
After renting out the land area for a farmer’s fair, Merced County established the Merced Flea Farmers Market in the 1980s.
The market, which is being operated today, has raising money to support particular county-wide initiatives as one of its goals.
The Farmer’s Market sees roughly 4,000 visitors daily, keeping its 200 vendors busy.
There is always something for customers to do or buy, and it’s uncommon to see a vendor at the farmer’s market doing slow business.
The market features a variety of fresh farm produce, among many other items, making it the ideal location for people looking for the most important things to do in Merced, CA. Visit occasionally!
Location: 900 G St, Merced, CA 95341, United States
5. The Castle Air Museum
Downtown Merced can be reached from the Castle Air Museum in roughly thirteen minutes. It was started back in 1981.
Many aircraft from the Second World War are on display at the Castle Air Museum. In 1981, the B-17 Flying Fortress airplane served as its first exhibit.
The Castle Air Museum needs to be on your list of must-see attractions in Merced because it’s close by and one of the best things to do in Merced.
The museum is an excellent destination with your family and friends since you can learn a lot about military aircraft and how they have benefited society in numerous ways.
With a total of 49 aircraft, the Castle Air Museum possesses possibly the rarest collection of military aircraft anywhere in the world.
You should take your kids here so they can take fantastic shots to brag about to their friends. Try to visit the location at least once.
Location: 5050 Santa Fe Dr, Atwater, CA 95301, United States
6. Henderson Park
In addition to the many entertaining activities available in Merced, CA, Henderson Park is a great place to spend a healthy day out with loved ones.
Henderson Park is a short distance from Merced and is situated in a region surrounded by giant trees that provide shade for the park.
The park is a great spot to enjoy the outdoors because you can unwind there. In addition to kayaking and canoeing, the park offers several other activities to its visitors.
The park, which is the best park in the county, is situated in Snelling, California. The park is a fantastic location for stunning photos as well.
The park is an excellent location for a romantic picnic with friends because it has lovely, thick grass that allows for a nice breeze. Come and enjoy it for yourself!
Location: 2641 Merced Falls Rd, Snelling, CA 95369, United States
7. Elmer Murchie Park
The Elmer Murchie Park should come to mind when considering lush green grass, stunning vistas, and a charming setting.
The three-acre Elmer Murchie Park, situated at Jacob’s Drive, has a great selection of attractions.
The park is a terrific spot to take your dog for a walk and engage in fun activities. Playing catch with your dog in the garden is something you could do all day long.
A day out with your family and friends is perfect for spending here. The park features bike pathways for youngsters to ride along with benches.
If they like, adults can also use the paths to ride their bikes. A BBQ grill is also available for use by anyone in the park.
Elmer Murchie park is a lovely spot to visit because it has a lot of amenities like playgrounds, water fountains, and a children’s soccer field.
Location: Jacobs Dr, Merced, CA 95348, United States
8. Fahrens Park
Another great place to spend the day with family is this Fahrens park. The location is perfect for a picnic.
For those looking for entertainment in Merced, CA, plenty of other events and snacks are available at the park.
During the workweek, there are a lot of visitors to the Park on Buena Vista Drive. It’s open from 10 am until 3 pm.
Fahren’s Park offers open-access bike lanes for everyone and a great BBQ area. The park’s playgrounds are open to children.
There is a disc golf course at The Fahren Park as well. It’s a great spot to play the game with your friends or kids while putting your accuracy to the test.
There are undoubtedly enjoyable activities in Fahrens Park. They also have bathrooms, unlike some others. There is a reason to go.
Location: 945 Buena Vista Dr, Merced, CA 95348, United States
9. The Rahilly Park
Rahilly Park is a neighborhood park with 2.9 acres of space for visitors to enjoy alone or with friends and family.
The park has a playground, a covered picnic area, and a cycling lane for those who bring their bikes.
The park near Parsons Avenue has a beautiful view, a relaxed atmosphere, and a variety of fun things to do.
There is a BBQ grill in the park where delicious grilled food may be prepared, and there is an indoor picnic area where it can be consumed.
There is a horseshoe pit and a soccer field for those who want to get in some friendly competition. There are enjoyable games in the park.
Rahilly Park has what you’re looking for, whether searching for a quiet area to spend the day or a terrific place for unique games. Come by sometime!
Location: 3400 Parsons Ave, Merced, CA 95340, United States
10. The Merced National Wildlife Refuge
Incorporated in 1951, the Merced National Wildlife Refuge covers a land area of around 10,000 acres.
The wildlife refuge’s terrain includes riparian zones, vernal pools, grasslands, and wetlands. The animal sanctuary is lovely.
The area is constructed in such a way that its vernal pools draw melted snow from the surroundings during the winter.
Many wintering species, including geese, waterfowl, and shorebirds, have nesting grounds, thanks to the Merced National Wildlife Refuge.
The wildlife sanctuary has some acreage for farming, pasture grazing, and caring for its resident animals and species.
This location is ideal for a tour and some fantastic photos and is an excellent destination for families. You can visit with friends as well and have a great time.
Location: 7430 W Sandy Mush Rd, Merced, CA 95341
11. Merced County Courthouse Museum
The history of folks who originally resided in the city of Merced’s Great Central Valley is lovingly recounted in this courtroom museum.
The Merced County Courthouse Museum is open every day except Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Mondays and Tuesdays are their off days.
The three-story museum served as the city’s courthouse for about a century. It has been in use ever since it was founded in 1875.
Between W. 21st and N, streets are where you may find it. Albert A. Bennett used an Italian structural design when he created the location.
The structure, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is among the earliest forms in Californian history.
The courthouse museum is a must-see because of its fascinating tales of Merced County’s past and lovely gallery setting.
Location: W 21st & N Street, Merced, CA 95340
12. Lake Yosemite
If you enjoy being around water, Merced, CA, is the perfect destination for you! The ideal illustration of a fantastic body of water is Lake Yosemite.
In the Sierra foothills outside of Merced is where you’d find Lake Yosemite. The lake was constructed in 1888 with irrigation in mind.
An artificially made freshwater lake, Lake Yosemite, provides water to the city’s neighboring fields.
Both adults and kids can use the lake, and there are lots of enjoyable activities there, like boating, water skiing, sailing, and kayaking.
At the locations designated for swimming, you can also go swimming. You can have a picnic in the shade near the coastlines, and there is a location to have barbecues.
Yosemite Lake is open to everyone. Kids will love it because there is a playground there. Parents and newly-dating couples are welcome to visit and have a blast.
Location: Merced County, California
13. The Playhouse
When the Playhouse is still open, Merced, CA, never runs out of things to do. It’s a beautiful spot to explore and spend the day.
The playhouse was incorporated in 1994 and is a live-action theater. It is regarded as one of Merced’s top theater groups.
You can watch dances, kid’s plays, comedies, and even masterworks at the playhouse, and they’re all live performances.
A trip here with family or close friends is ideal. It’s a location designed to ensure everyone can have fun there.
The theater Merced is a well-known location for monumental performances and yearly festivities. You can choose to take your kids to a few shows.
The fact that the performers are skilled at what they do is the purest form of goodness. To see the shows with your friends and family!
Location: 452 W Main St, Merced, CA 95340, Phone: 209-725-8587
14. Vista Ranch And Cellars
The Vista Ranch and Cellars is a decent ranch with a picnic area, a vineyard, and many other exciting things.
George Fancher’s Bear Creek Ranch is where the Vista Ranch is situated. About twenty acres of land make up the ranch.
The ranch also contains a sizable amount of farmland, and it produces a staggering amount of food. They have everything, including sweet corn and vegetables like broccoli.
At their farm market, this location regularly sells farm-fresh produce. It’s a great place to visit, and you can eat well for a reasonable price.
The ranch also has a small vineyard where wine is produced. Visitors can sample the delectable wine which is offered.
So pay a visit if an affordable farm-fresh fruit, a beautiful tasting room, an impressive wine collection, and a vineyard spark your interest.
Location: 7326 CA-140, Merced, CA 95340, Phone: 209-722-8200
15. The Applegate Park Zoo
It was founded in 1962 and has a variety of animal habitats for the creatures that live there. Visitors can safely see these environments.
The Applegate Park Zoo is a zoological animal hub that houses species from various wildlife refuge facilities.
The park also highlights several picnic places visitors can use with their families and friends. Kids can play on the playground there as well.
The Merced Zoological Society, which runs the park’s gift shop and hosts events there, offers a wide variety of high-quality products.
The park is ideal for a family outing because it has a welcoming atmosphere and a never-ending supply of fun activities.
You can gain more than just beautiful vistas from a trip to the Applegate Park Zoo. There is also a great place to eat and a playground. Visit occasionally!
Location: 1045 W 25th St, Merced, CA 95340,
16. Merced Fruit Barn
As it is a welcoming setting for everyone, The Merced Fruit Barn is the ideal spot to go when looking for things to do in Merced, CA.
Farm-fresh fruits, vegetables, cereals, and even honey are available in the fruit barn. The fruit barn has a lot of things to view and buy.
The fruit plantation may be found on east highway 140, heading toward Yosemite. The fruit farm also sells sweet and nutritious treats like candied and dried fruits.
The sweet goodies continue after that. Additionally, you’ll find gift baskets, homemade jams, marmalade, dried nuts, and preservatives.
Once you’ve acquired all the beautiful items you desire, you can test out some of them on the grass, which features picnic tables.
The Merced fruit barn is a fantastic way to spend the day with your buddies as far as tourist activities go!
Location: 4526 E, CA-140, Merced, CA 95340, Phone: 209-385-2222
17. The Branding Iron Restaurant
This American eatery bears the name of the celebration of California and its illustrious ranching heritage.
The Branding Iron Restaurant serves excellent fare like prime-cut steak, shrimp, and other delectable meals.
This place is the ideal vacation spot for people who enjoy tasty steaks and seafood. You’ll be having dinner at a lovely location.
Since it opened more than 70 years ago, the Branding Iron restaurant has been a favorite among Merced residents.
Kara and Greg Parle own the establishment, and thanks to their exceptional maintenance work, the Branding Iron Restaurant has earned a stellar reputation in the community.
The Branding Iron is the ideal place to go when you want delicious food, a luxurious setting, and a world-class steak!
Location: 640 16th Street, Merced, CA 95340
18. The Rockin Jump
If you are seeking the top things to do in Merced, CA, here is another family-friendly location to check out. For a tour, the Rockin’ jump is ideal.
Visitors to the trampoline park Rockin’ Jump are in for a lot of fun. Everyone can play games and engage in sports at the park.
The Rockin’ Jump offers a variety of entertaining activities, such as trampoline dodgeball, wall climbing, slam dunk, and open jump arenas.
Kids can use the stunt bag area as well. So they can fulfill their desire to fly like the well-known superhero Superman and even perform acrobatic maneuvers in the air.
The arena is ideal for those who don’t want to break up while visiting because it offers a variety of options. A number of these things can also be done with friends.
The X-beam is another elimination game where players can throw their rivals off their respective beams. It’s a place you should go.
Location: 1230 W Main St, Merced, CA 95340
19. Jantz Cafe And Bakery
Without a fantastic restaurant, no holiday is complete, and practically everyone enjoys pastries. Jantz Café and Bakery is on the list for this reason.
Great bread, confections, and sweets are available every day of the week at the gorgeous Jantz Café and Bakery.
Additionally, you can get a quick lunch or light breakfast there whenever you need to. It’s not just a bakery, either.
The Café is well known for its uniquely crafted, cream-topped strawberry pie and triple-scoop brownie, both of which keep visitors coming back for more.
They offer oatmeal, omelets, biscuits and gravy, burritos, and sandwiches for breakfast, which isn’t all that bad either.
It would be a mistake not to stop by the Jantz Café and Bakery and sample their homemade special strawberry pie and triple chunk brownies.
Location: 3361 G St, Merced, CA 95340, Phone: 209-726
20. The Toni’s Courtyard Cafe
A restaurant with great taste in Mediterranean cuisine is called Toni’s Courtyard Café. The Courtyard Café is the ideal place to go for a delicious supper.
The café provides American and Italian cuisine modeled after a Tuscan eatery. You can see the café’s exquisite decor.
Along with traditional breakfasts such as omelets, bread, toasted pumpkin, and oatmeal, Toni’s Courtyard Café also serves Mediterranean food.
The Café boasts several exceptional characteristics, but its beautiful outdoor terrace is the best for photos.
Location: 516 W 18th Street, Merced, CA 95340, Phone: 209-384-2580
21. The Merced Multicultural Arts Center
When you observe and learn about diverse cultural heritages, it’s pretty simple to fall in love with them. One such location is the Merced Multicultural Arts Center.
Maintaining the county of Merced’s cultural history and legacy falls on the multicultural arts center.
It accomplishes this by inspiring and fueling Merced’s passion for the arts. At 645 West Main Street, there is a multicultural arts center.
The multicultural arts center is a 28,000-square-foot hub for the arts that includes a music hall and a gallery.
You can view a temporary exhibition of lovely arts and crafts made by a local artisan at the multicultural arts center.
You and your friends can discover a lot about Merced at the multicultural arts center. Additionally, it’s a fantastic location for unique photos. It’s just a short trip away.
Location: 645 W Main St, Merced, CA 95340, Phone: 209-388-1090
22. Laura’s Fountain
It is said that casting a penny into a fountain will grant your request. The majority of the desires are thought to be for real love.
Here is a famous Merced fountain noted for its coin tosses, a yearning to find true love, and a terrible backstory.
Following his wife Laura’s death, Mr. Charles Huffman erected Laura’s fountain in her honor. Since then, the rush has been a popular tourist destination.
In 1935, the fountain was moved from the Hotel El Capitol to Applegate Park. In 1888, the fountain was constructed.
It’s lovely to visit Laura’s fountain with your loved ones and take in its stunning design. At the fountain, you can also make a wish for good luck.
The fountain is an excellent location with a lovely love story and a tragic beginning. A trip to the fountain will undoubtedly be enjoyable.
Location: M St, Merced, CA 95340, United States
23. Jazz And Blues Pub
This fantastic location is a Locals of Merced built in the eighteenth century, and it has been helpful ever since.
From 1885 to 1888, the structure was a saloon and a furniture shop.
Rudy’s Jazz and Blues Bar also rented it.
The party has been a live music venue since 2007.
Currently, it has a bar with a bar of cocktails and other essentials.
The Partisan hosts’ parties, themed evenings, karaoke nights, and other events. Overall, it’s a place to have fun and a good time.
If you’re seeking exciting things to do in Merced, CA, this location is ideal, and you’ll have a great time there.
At the Partisan, all it takes to lift a gloomy mood is some delectable cocktails, singing, and a fun party. Visit Merced if you’re in the area or nearby!
Location: 432 W Main St, Merced, CA 95340, United States
Conclusion
There are lots of fun activities for all ages in Merced, so you’d have a great time whether you’re just taking a travel tour or moving into the City.
Use this article as a guide for you to catch up with the best and most enjoyable things to do in this great city.