Here Are 5 Kid-Friendly Local Destinations to Visit During Long Weekends
From national holidays to regional festivals, long weekends are the perfect time to book exciting kid-friendly adventures for the family
Spending quality time with our family can help build strong relationships. Family vacations not only create lifelong memories, but it’s also a good break from our usual everyday routine, opening our minds to new cultures, foods, and experiences. With a renewed sense of adventure, we fully appreciate life with those we love the most.
Long weekends mean spending quality time with the family in a holiday-filled country. From relaxation to exciting activities for toddlers and teens, look no further than the Philippines for the family trip of a lifetime.
Here are five kid-friendly local destinations every family has to visit:
- The Magnificent City of Tagaytay
Photo Courtesy of Chan Lee
The cool climate, breathtaking views, and family-friendly attractions make it worth the one to two-hour drive to Tagaytay from Metro Manila. Summer or not, there’s always a reason to visit this beautiful city, whether for a quick weekend getaway or a relaxing staycation.
One of the must-see tourist spots is the kid-friendly Tagaytay Picnic Grove Complex. Perfect for our families, we can set up a blanket, enjoy the warm breeze, and take photos of the breathtaking view of Taal Lake. Kids can even try horseback riding, zipline, and cable car rides. To truly capture the beautiful sights, the People’s Park in the Sky offers a unique experience for nature lovers. Float among the clouds and take in the incredible scenery of the Tagaytay Highlands.
- Baguio, “The City of Pines”
Photo Courtesy of Jem Sahagun
Escape the heat and take a trip to Baguio, a beautiful town nestled in the mountains of the Philippines. Some may think it is overrated, but it’s one of the most iconic kid-friendly places the family can visit and remember for life.
The City of Pines has kid and toddler-friendly activities, such as boat rowing in the Burnham Lagoon at Burnham Park, the heart of Baguio; strawberry-picking at the Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad; exploring Camp John Hay, from relaxing strolls to adrenaline-inducing ziplines; and taking a ride and playing carnival games at Sky Ranch Baguio.
With flights now available between Baguio and Cebu, it’s a great jumping off point for a Visayas adventure or, alternately, an accessible Luzon destination for tourists coming from the Visayas.
- The Hidden Treasures of Clark, Pampanga
Photo Courtesy of Sandbox at Alviera
Known as the Culinary Capital of the Philippines, Pampanga offers rich and various flavors with abundant ingredients. Kapampangan cuisine has Spanish influences with friars and sailors teaching Spanish cuisine to locals during colonial times. The students soon became masters of the crafts and were able to create innovations in the recipes handed down infusing the dishes with distinct local flavors and ingredients.
Aside from being sweet spot in discovering Philippines cuisines, kids will enjoy visiting the Sandbox at Alviera. This outdoor attraction provides several activities for all ages, like giant swings, ziplines, and archeries.
The youngest may want to head straight to Aqua Planet, the enormous waterpark in the Sandbox. There are toddler-friendly areas and slides to cool off from the heat. If the kids want to meet farm animals, they can bottle-feed some goats and pigs and enjoy a go-kart-like gravity car ride at the Zoocobia Fun Zoo.
- Boracay’s White Beach
Less than an hour away from Manila by airplane, Boracay Island, located in the Visayan region of the Philippines, is an award-winning travel destination known for its powdery white sand and pristine beaches.
More than a paradise of relaxation, it has many thrilling activities and experiences, from visiting hidden coves and caves to marveling at impressive rock formations or simply admiring colorful marine life. White Beach, the island’s most famous beach, will have the entire family swimming into the sea.
Kids will love jumping into the gentle waves, and to be genuinely part of that world, they could have mermaid lessons taught by certified mermaid instructors under The Philippine Mermaid Swimming Academy. Island hopping and watersports are among the favorite bonding activities of families and friends who frequent the island destination.
- Chocolate Hills in Bohol
Kids love chocolate, so hearing Chocolate Hills may excite them. During summer, when these hills dry up, they turn chocolatey brown, a unique landscape that continues to draw the attention of many. This beautiful destination has been recently named the very first UNESCO Geopark in the Philippines.
Families who love to hike and get outdoors, Bohol is one of the perfect places. Get the perfect view from the top of the two observation decks: the Chocolate Hills Complex, where visitors climb more than 200 steps to a viewing deck for those panoramic views of the cones, and the Sagbayan Peak, which provides a 360-degree view of the hills and the sea, a butterfly dome, restaurant, café, and, souvenir shop.
To encounter something that resembles a stuffed toy, head over to the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary in the town of Corella and meet the smallest primate in the world—the Philippine Tarsier. These cute, furry creatures measure the size of an adult human thumb and are active at night.
With a multitude of diverse experiences that make any family trip enjoyable, we’ll truly #LoveThePhilippines—a place for the young ones and the young at heart.
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