For students looking for diversions from impending finals, there?s plenty of distractions in Sacramento’s local museums. A museum exists for every taste, from fine art to classic cars.

Sacramento?s museums are concentrated downtown, stretching from the Towe Auto Museum on the Sacramento River waterfront to the edge of downtown, with Sutter’s Fort and the California State Indian Museum.

The Towe Auto Museum, at 2200 Front St., houses restored classic vehicles, with sleek paint jobs and sparkling chrome; a must-see for admirers of beautiful cars. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission is $5 for adults, $2.50 for high school students, $1 for grade-schoolers, and $4.50 for those 65 and older.

The California Military Museum, 1119 Second St. in Old Sacramento, highlights the history and accomplishments of California’s volunteer military. Equipment, historical photos and documents are displayed. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., daily, except for Mondays, when it?s closed. Admission is $2.50 for adults, $1.50 seniors, $1 for children under 12.

The California State Railroad Museum, at Second and I Streets in Old Sacramento, displays elements of railroad history from massive engines to luxurious lounge cars. Visitors may climb inside these trains and even walk underneath a railway engine. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children 6 to 12, free for children 5 and under.

The Discovery Museum, 101 I Street, is dedicated to Sacramento’s rich Gold Rush history, as well as science and technology. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Admission: $3.50 for adults, $2 for children 6 to 17, free for children under 6.

There are two Wells Fargo History Museums in Sacramento, located at 400 Capitol Mall and 1000 Second St. in Old Sacramento. Both exhibit artifacts concerning Wells Fargo?s commercial role in the development of Sacramento?s history. The Capitol Mall location is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays; admission is free. The Old Sacramento museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Crocker Art Museum, 216 O St., is a restored Victorian mansion that is an art piece in itself. A collection of contemporary California art and Northern California paintings is exhibited in its galleries. Oriental art can also be found in this museum. Several galleries feature exhibits that change sporadically. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and until 9 p.m. Thursday. Admission for adults is 18-64, $5.50; seniors 65+ $4.50; ages 7-17, $3; ages 6 and under, free.

The California State Capitol Museum, 10th and L Streets, houses carefully restored museum rooms that show government offices as they looked in 1906. Guided tours, informative films and a variety of changing exhibits can help you to understand the past, present and future of California?s government. Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on January 1, Thanksgiving Day, and December 25. Admission is free. Tickets are obtained in room B-27 in the Capitol’s basement.

The Old Governor’s Mansion, 16th and H Streets, was the former home of 13 past governors and their families (the last residents being Ronald and Nancy Reagan). Guided tours of this mansion are daily; on the hour between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets are $3 for adults, $2 for children 6 to 12.

Sutter’s Fort is a state historic park at 2701 L Street. This park is Sacramento?s earliest settlement, founded by Swiss immigrant John Augustus Sutter in 1889.The fort is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with self-guided audio tours until 4:15 p.m. It features “docents” who assume period dress and character to teach visitors about life in Sutter’s time. Admission is $2 for those 13 and over and $1 for children 6 to 12.

The California State Indian Museum, 2618 K Street, chronicles Native American culture as an important element of California’s history, Exhibits highlight the plants and animals California Indians used for survival. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: $2 for adults, $1 for children 6 to 12.

The McClellan Aviation Museum is located at McClellan Air Force Base, through Gate 3 off Watt Avenue. About two dozen aircraft are on display. Among the aircraft is the first Soviet MIG-21 to be permanently displayed in the United States and an F-80B Shooting Star fighter plane. Air Force uniforms, cockpits, aircraft engines, flight simulators and cockpits also are featured. The museum is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday, except holidays.