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Tourism

ATTRACTIONS

Merced County Courthouse Museum
The Courthouse Museum houses 8,500 square feet of exhibits, both permanent and rotating, which depict the history of Merced County as well as the settlers of the Great Central Valley. The museum is located in the county’s three-story courthouse built in 1875, which is one of the oldest historical buildings in California and was designed by State Capital Architect, Albert A. Bennett. The architectural style of the building is Italianate and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum is staffed by volunteers who devote their time to preserving and passing on the history of this great land to generations to come. The Merced County Courthouse Museum and historical archive is located at 21st and N Streets, Merced. Admission to the museum is free of charge to the public Wednesday through Sunday, 1:00-4:00 p.m.; closed Mondays and Tuesdays and major holidays. Contact museum staff from Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., at (209) 723-2401 or e-mail us at info@mercedmuseum.org.

Castle Air Museum
The Castle Air Museum opened to the public in 1981. The museum began with one aircraft, the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. Today, the museum has grown to encompass 49 aircraft on display ranging from pre-WWII to today’s high-performance jet aircraft. Castle Air Museum is known worldwide for its collection of superb military aircraft, many of which only a few examples remain anywhere. The mission of the museum is to “preserve military aviation heritage for future generations.” Open daily (except New Year’s, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas) April 1-September 30, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; October 1-March 31, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Adults $8.00; seniors and youths $6.00; kids 5 years old and under are free. The Castle Air Museum is located at 5050 Santa Fe Drive, Atwater. For more information call (209) 723-2178 or visit castleairmuseum.org.

Applegate Park & Zoo
Go wild in Merced’s first city park. See native wild animals at the Applegate Zoo or head to Kiddyland Amusement Park and ride the train around the park’s 23 acres (weekends, June through September). In addition, the park features picnic areas and a rose garden. The zoo is open daily, March-April, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free. 26th & R Streets, Merced. For more information call (209) 385-6840.

Laura’s Fountain
Laura’s Fountain was built in 1888 by Charles Huffman, who named this fountain in memory of his beloved wife Laura. Originally established in front of the El Captain Hotel, it was moved to its current home in Applegate Park in 1935.

Multicultural Arts Center
Located in downtown Merced, the Multicultural Arts Center opened its doors in the fall of 1996. The City of Merced’s Redevelopment Agency and the Merced County Arts Council joined forces in renovating the building, which now houses a theatre, the lobby gallery, and the Arbor Gallery on the first floor, and extra gallery space and six visual and performing arts studios located on the second and third floors. A variety of classes, programs, and performances can be found within the center as well. Open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. For performance, event, and exhibit schedules please call (209) 388-1090 or visit www.artsMerced.org.

Merced County Fair
The Merced County Fair serves the local community plus area residents with a fair each July featuring great entertainment, music headliners, rodeo, auto and motorcycle racing, tractor pull, midway fun, rides, and thrills for all ages! Our fair presents an array of exhibits which include agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, art, photography, crafts, hobbies, home arts (like baking and sewing), mechanical science, large and small animal showing, judging, and auctions. 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Merced. For more information call (209)-722-1506 or visit www.mercedcountyfair.com.

Springtime Reunion Car Show
Drawing in more than 550 classic hot rods and motorcycles, the show is held Mother’s Day weekend each year at Castle Air Museum located at 5050 Santa Fe Drive, Atwater, underneath historic planes. Call the Chamber at (209) 384-7092 for information.

Merco Cycling Classic
Launching the California Professional Tour in late February/early March, this event attracts both men and women from all over the world. The race brings in more than 1,000 professional riders to the streets of Merced. Additional favorites at the event include kid’s racing and bicycle safety. For more info visit the Web at www.mercocyclingclassic.com.

Farmers Markets
Farmers Markets featuring local fresh produce are held Thursday mornings at the Promenade and Saturday mornings at N and 19th Street all year round.

Merced Fruit Barn
Merced Fruit Barn is located just outside of Merced traveling east on Highway 140, toward the Gold Rush era town of Mariposa, and the always-beautiful Yosemite National Park. Merced Fruit Barn offers a unique shopping experience with many great gift ideas.

While shopping, they can prepare a fresh, made-to-order deli sandwich to-go or to enjoy in their dining room or outdoors in one of the picnic areas. They also have a variety of animals to visit in their barnyard areas and, of course, fresh cherries, strawberries, peaches, plums, nectarines, oranges, melons, grapes, and many other of the finest in-season fruits, vegetables, and nuts that California has to offer. 4526 E. Highway 140, Merced. For more information call (209) 385-2222.