Discover 8 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Modesto (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: John Thurman Field, McHenry Mansion, and Gallo Center for the Arts. Also, be sure to include Modesto Arch in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Modesto (California).
Table of Contents
John Thurman Field
Stadium in Modesto, California. John Thurman Field is a stadium in Modesto, California. It is primarily used for baseball, and is the home field of the Modesto Nuts minor league baseball team of the Low-A West. It was built in 1955 and holds 4,000 people. It was later named for California State Assemblyman John E. Thurman, from Modesto.[1]
Address: 601 Neece Dr, 95351-3772 Modesto
McHenry Mansion
Museum in Modesto, California. The McHenry Mansion is a Victorian-Italianate historic house museum situated in the historic downtown of Modesto, California. It was originally built in 1883 as a residence for Robert McHenry, a prominent local resident.[2]
Address: 15th & I Streets, 95354 Modesto
Gallo Center for the Arts
Performing arts center in Modesto, California. The Gallo Center for the Arts is a performing arts center in Modesto, California.
The building was formally opened on September 27, 2007 and features two theaters: the Mary Stuart Rogers Theater and the Foster Family Theater. The Gallo Center hosts six resident companies: Central West Ballet, the Modesto Community Concerts Association, the Modesto Symphony Orchestra, Modesto Performing Arts, Opera Modesto, and YES Company. The Center has been toured and visited by many stars and notable figures since its opening day, with Patti LuPone becoming the first star to perform in the Mary Stuart Rogers Theater. Touring Broadway shows have also performed at the Center, from Evita and Cats to newer shows such as Shrek: The Musical.[3]
Address: 1000 I St, 95354-2381 Modesto
Modesto Arch
The Modesto Arch is a centennial slogan arch, built in 1912, to welcome automobile drivers to Modesto, California where it currently stands at the intersection of 9th and I Streets. The arch bears the city's motto, "Water, Wealth, Contentment, Health", illuminated by 696 incandescent lightbulbs.
The original first-place slogan was "Nobody's Got Modesto's Goat", which was later rejected, and the second-place slogan was used instead. The arch once bore two flagpoles on each of its columns until they were removed due to rot. Presently, two Mediterranean cypress trees stand behind the columns, which contribute to the illusion of the original flagpoles' height and location. In 1934, the arch was moved a little bit to the southwest to make way for the expansion of 9th Street.
In February 2012, a project was planned to restore the arch to its original appearance with the change of lightbulbs, repainting of the original color, patching minor cracks on the columns, and the replacement of the flagpoles. These plans have since taken place.[4]
Central California Art Association & The Mistlin Gallery
Art gallery, Shopping, Museum
Address: 1015 J St, 95354-0803 Modesto
Modesto Junior College
Universities and schools
Address: 435 College Ave, Modesto
El Viejo Post Office
El Viejo Post Office is a historic post office in downtown Modesto. Built in 1933, the post office houses murals depicting pastoral scenes. The building's roof is made entirely of terra cotta tiles. The building remained a U.S. Post Office until 2011 when it was closed and the Federal Government auctioned off the building. It was purchased by an investment group and remodeled, however the original murals that were intact at the end of the Postal service era remain intact. Some of the original murals were removed and lost after a remodeling of the post office in 1960, however two were found recently. The Federal government took the lost murals into custody prior to them being re-hung in their original place. The building currently houses a law office, although the murals and some of the original brass post office boxes remain on display.[5]
Hawke Castle
Home. The Hawke Castle is a historic residence in Modesto, California built in the Norman style in 1929. The home was occupied by Mr. Edward Hawke, who was manager of the Modesto J. C. Penney store at the time. After his death, Mrs. Hawke sold it to engineer Al Goldschmidt and his wife schoolteacher Dorothea Goldschmidt. Next came Dr. Burnett Tonge and wife, Bertha. The house is now property of the Thayer Family Trust. The residence has six bedrooms and four bathrooms, fully designed living area in basement and attic.[6]