On our last full day at Yosemite last week, we decided to venture out and do some sightseeing. We…read moretook a bus ride to Yosemite Village and loved checking out the Yosemite Museum. It's free and just a quick adventure. I loved seeing all of the Native American artifacts from headdresses to bows and arrows to woven bowls to even dancing capes. They also had a section where you could also touch items and there was even an employee demonstrating how to extract seeds from pinecones that my daughter got to participate in. They also have a trail out back that takes you to an area where there are teepees. Staff were friendly and we also checked out their gift shop where my friend bought us matching bracelets. The gift shop also sold arrowheads, handmade earrings, and soaps. We will definitely be back next time we are in Yosemite! Check them out!

I was happy to see a museum in the middle of the Yosemite Park. It is a very small museum, but it's…read morenice to go in and look at all the artifacts and pictures. Everything had great descriptions nearby. There was a woman at the front door who let us taste some berries and she also a lot of information about where they come from and what they do with the branches. We also bought a couple of jewelry pieces from her. She was very pleasant and she also welcomed us back and told us about the ceremonies that take place in August. She encouraged us to visit the Indian village behind the museum. There was also another man that was in the museum and talking to the patrons. He was sharing about his native culture and answering questions. Everything was lovely inside. If you come to Yosemite, make sure to stop on by the museum.

The Ansel Adams Gallery is a gem for anyone interested in the legendary photographer's work. The…read morespace offers a carefully curated collection of books, prints, and keepsakes that celebrate his vision and Yosemite's breathtaking beauty. I joined a photo walk with Lucas from the gallery. Since I was the only participant that afternoon, he went above and beyond -- taking me to several iconic Yosemite locations where Ansel Adams created some of his famous images. He even gave me a glimpse of the photographer's home attached to the gallery. Lucas was incredibly generous with his time and knowledge, and it made for an unforgettable experience. Shoutout also to Ian from the gallery, who was prompt, friendly, and professional in his email communication before my visit. If you're seeking inspiration from both Yosemite's natural beauty and the legacy of a master photographer, this gallery is a required stop. I will definitely be returning.

The Ansel Adams Gallery is located in Yosemite Village. There's several parking lots, a welcome…read morecenter and a post office you'll pass on the way. All is on a walking path and overall an easy walk there. There are a variety of photographs on postcards of Ansel Adam'a photography in addition to books. There are other gifts such as jewelry, pottery items, etc. that are available for purchase along with disposable cameras. It's worth the visit!

If it is your first time visiting Yosemite, I definitely recommend making a stop here. There is so…read moremuch staff throughout the center to help you find what you want to do while exploring this part of the park. Plus, they are experts in what is the most popular thing to do during your visit. I highly recommend stopping at all the exhibits throughout the center, the Ansel Adams gallery, and the museums about the history of the park. Plus, there are two gift shops to buy all your souvenirs. There is a theater that will go through the history of the park, which was pretty cool and informative. Once you are done exploring the exhibits, make sure to follow the trails to the nearest trail to capture some cool photos in nature and even walk over to Yosemite Falls. All in all, definitely a must-see and can be spent in one day to hit all the landmarks in this area. You will be entertained and amazed by the beauty of Yosemite National Park. Happy trailing and sight-seeing! Embrace the nature!

Small visitor center with passport stamps and a few souvenirs. It's a great place to gather…read moreinformation and grab a map of the park. The rangers were helpful and offered great suggestions for easy day hikes, especially since some routes are seasonal.

The Mariposa Museum and History Center is a gem of a place--and a great way to stave off the…read morepost-meal slumber after lunch at 1850! There is SO much information available, and it's stunningly coordinated and handpainted; an art installation on it's own. We learned so much about the local history and area, and it was neat to see it presented in a way that really brought the history to life. The staff were all very warm and welcoming. I would DEFINITELY come back because there's just no way to read everything in an hour. I highly recommend.

The Mariposa Museum & History Center was founded in 1957 and filled with exhibits featuring Native…read moreAmericans, Spanish settlements, the Gold Rush, Yosemite, and Mariposa history. I admired the cool artifacts outside. Inside were stories and more artifacts from the old days. Great place to learn about Mariposa's past.

Visited 7/9/26. It's a cool museum with tons of history and relics in a beautiful setting. I…read morelearned so much! The guide manning the museum was very knowledgeable and eager to share interesting facts and stories. Definitely recommend!

Cute little museum located on a scenic riverside patch of grass. I'm not sure I'd go super far out…read moreof my way to come here, but was a nice little stop.

Nice place to walk around and learn more about the area. It's free and the staff is very friendly…read more There is also a nice large park adjacent to the property for kids with swings and play structures. You can look across the street and see Mono Lake too. There are two electric car charging stations there as well. We charged our Tesla there. Slow but better than nothing.

Interesting little museum! Worth the stop especially if you've visited Bodie state park. There are…read morephotos and artifacts from its once bustling days. Ken, the museum volunteer, is awesome. He played a little sample of a very old record on the historic Edison record player! He's so cool, you too visit him.. and the museum!

If you're interested in the history of mineral's & mining then this is the place!…read more Boasting California's official mineral collection containing over 13,000 objects from California and around the world. While taking a tour you will find many gems, mineral specimens, crystalline gold, mining artifacts and a mine tunnel you may walk through. This collection has been in Mariposa since 1983. Prior to that, San Francisco was its home for over 100 years. We spent most of the morning & afternoon exploring this spectacular place. Very informative about each specimen and the history surrounding it. The two rangers hosting this site are full of information and colorful stories. A must see! My only caveat is they don't allow anyone to take photographs inside for security reasons. I sure would have loved a close up picture or two... No worries, I still had fun. https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=588

Thought it was a ghost town at first because the lot was empty but a couple of cars pulled in so we…read moredecided to check it out! The kids loved it and were so excited that they incorporated Minecraft into it. They got their first junior ranger badges ever!

Bridgeport has a really interesting history and as you spend time here you get the sense that this…read moretown hasn't really grown much or changed all THAT much in its history. A lot of the land was bought up by other counties or is BLM/NF land and or rangeland. What is there, the people here want to conserve and talk about. This museum had more than I thought it would and if you like history, especially CA history than it's worth a stop in this sleepy little town. The curators are super kind and lovely to talk with. We played tennis at the park, and walked around town too. A fun and laid back stop on our vacation. I recommend!

Small museum (3 rooms), charming and quaint history of the region 1800-1900s + Native American…read moreartifacts.

We stopped here to take a look at the historical houses and stayed to talk to the two talented…read moreblacksmiths who were volunteering their that week. We learned a lot about how they bend metal into useful tools and works of art. There's a beautiful covered bridge and you can book a horse trail ride too. Unfortunately the houses were closed when we were there so we couldn't go inside.

An outdoor collection of historic buildings. Painstakingly moved, restored from their original…read morelocations by Glen Gordo, Ed Whittemore (his assistant) and a crew of workmen. We spent the better part of our afternoon leisurely strolling along whilst admiring the craftsmanship and history embedded in each structure. Even though it was not possible to go inside any of the cabins or structures, there was still plenty to view and appreciate. You can expect to see the following: Wawona covered bridge, various large metal equipment items used in this time period, covered carriage house, horse barns, horse corrals, Chris Jorgensen Studio, George Anderson Cabin, Tom Hodgdon Cabin, Yosemite transportation Company office (Wells Fargo), Bridget Degnan's Bakery, Acting Superintendent's Office, Powder House (Jail), Blacksmith Shop, Cavalry Office and Ranger patrol cabin. You can find some of these sites listed on The National Register of Historic Places. http://www.undiscovered-yosemite.com/yosemite-pioneer-history.html

Fresno Flats, Oakhurst: 2025 Dec 20 (5 of 5) Community…read moreHoliday Fair & Market In the little town of Oakhurst, where people are few but hearts are big, I noticed the folks here try and support each other in the little things they do. Today, a community holiday fair was held at Fresno Flats. I joined the lucky folks and did a walk-about. Holiday music fills the air on this gorgeous morning, while animals made their debut. I made friends with a couple of goats - actually, it was mama and her kid. As her kid nuzzled up to visitors and chewed on some treats, mama stood guard. I even managed to pet the kid and persuade it to eat out of my hand. Present were two food trucks. Chef Yuji and his lovely wife, Veronique are known to everyone in this little town. Their food truck emblazoned with Matsumoto Samurai's Kitchen parked in its usual spot, offering several Japanese delights to choose from. Their sushi is always fresh and delicious. The chefs take pride in what they serve. Of course, I couldn't walk away without getting my favourite. Poki Bowl: fresh tuna and salmon over sushi rice and two sides. I stopped by a stall manned by Stacy (she gave me permission to take her photo and post it on social media). Stacy said she makes all the natural products herself: soaps, candles, lip gloss, etc. The items looked clean and well packaged. I think they're perfect as stocking stuffers, or just a sweet gift to someone special. It looks like everyone there was having a lovely time: children dressed up and playing in the park, while adults chatted under the tent. There were folks in period costumes handing out candy canes, even Santa was on hand to 'ho-ho-ho' his way. Overall, this is a lovely place to spend a few hours.

Fresno Flats is a must‑see stop in Oakhurst for anyone wanting to understand the roots of the…read morecommunity. Donations are welcomed and help the dedicated docents continue sharing their knowledge and personal stories. We found it fascinating to learn how a logging community grew, lived, and thrived here for generations -- and how Native Americans and Chinese residents played essential roles in shaping the area's development.