Baguio City has always been a desirable tourist destination ever since I can remember. It’s probably the most frequently visited and explored tourist destinations in the northern part of the Philippines. You will never get tired of its endearing people, the cool weather and really just the entire feel of it. Over the last years, tourism in Baguio has been growing even more. This is because of the multitudes of historical, cultural and fascinating tourist attractions found in the city. To begin with, the place has an awesome climate that you will definitely love. In fact, the tingling weather is perfectly suitable for everyone especially for those who want to relax.
If you are planning to visit Baguio City soon, we’ve come up with a checklist of famous tourist attractions you may have heard of or you might want to visit too.
Burnham Park
Burnham Park lies in the heart of Baguio City in the Cordillera. Its central location makes it the most valuable piece in the city. The park still retains much of what Daniel Burnham’s original design and layout a century ago. The place was originally built as a retreat for the US military and remains today as a beloved landmark providing a peaceful environment with wide open green spaces. This place is now more of an amusement park with boating, skating, bicycles and gaming areas, plus a few eateries to go along with. It still remains as a vibrant center of activity for everyone to enjoy.
Burnham Park still remains to this day, one of the Philippines most well know and beloved parks.
Mines View Park
The park is located on the outskirts of Baguio City. Just by standing at the small observation deck in Mines View Park, the tourist can have a spectacular view of the abandoned gold and copper mines operated by Benguet Corporation, and a glimpse of the Amburayan Valley. You can reach the observation deck by following a stone-constructed stairway. There are a lot of souvenir stalls, extending to the sides of Gibraltar Road and many are located closer to the ridge itself.
Nowadays, the main attractions in Mines View Park would be the number of commercial activities such as the souvenir and silverworks stores located at the park. The one especially worth visiting is Rimando’s, that offers the best-carved artifacts, on the Gibraltar side. The tourists can also have a chance to get dressed in full Cordillera attire.
Botanical Garden
As one of the green parks in the City of Pines, Baguio Botanical Garden is also one of the primary spots that provide peace and quiet to the city. It is located along Leonard Wood right after Teachers Camp and right before Wright Park. The place has been known for its different statues and huts of Cordillera where you can have a picture with real live Igorots.
To get around, you have to pass the stone steps and paths. Tourist and locals will definitely enjoy the pocket garden including the Art Gallery, greenhouses and flower nurseries, little tree seedlings and a row of souvenir stalls which sells unique handicrafts of Cordillera.
John Hay
Your visit to Baguio City is never complete without a stop at the famous Camp John Hay. This place has everything everyone loves about the city.
Camp John Hay, however, still fosters that urban living atmosphere. While much has changed around the area over the past years, it still paints a picture of how many of us imagine its relaxed, down-to-earth vibe. The area was named after President Theodore Roosevelt’s Secretary of State John Milton Hay. During World War II, the camp was bombed by attacking Japanese forces and fell back in the hands of the Americans in 1945. Half a century later, it was turned over to the Philippine government, which then transformed the site into a tourist attraction now known as Camp John Hay.
And yet Camp John Hay’s charm remains the same with its pine tree-lined roads, beautiful landscaping, quaint cottages, and wide open spaces. The place remains a “must visit” place for tourists.
Wright Park
Wright Park is the ideal location for children and adults who love to ride a horse. In fact, Wright Park is often mistakenly called “Ride Park.” There are some horses available that may be rented and taken out along South Drive, Mines View Park. After your horseback riding activity, you can walk around and explore the natural and cultural beauty of the place. When you walk beside the pool, you will see tall pine trees and decorative street lights on both sides of the access road.
Wright Park is usually crowded with locals and international visitors during sunny weekends and holidays. When you reach the end of the park, native handicrafts are also sold by some Igorot vendors.
The Mansion
The Mansion House is located in the eastern part of Baguio City along Leonard Wood Road and right across from Wright Park.
Any time of the year is an excellent opportunity to visit this Baguio attraction, and during bright days, the Mansion is a perfect spot to visit. When the President of the Philippines is not in residence, tourists are allowed to enter a little beyond the gates. Visitors should also explore Wright Park which is just right across The Mansion, and which is another great tourist spot to visit. The beautiful main gate of the Mansion is said to be a replica of that at Buckingham Palace in London, England. Vehicles entering the compound pass through a grand circular driveway and usually opens only when the Mansion is used for an official activity. With its beautiful gardens and a well-maintained lawn, it is a favorite place for picture taking.
Tam-Awan Village
Tam-Awan Village, also known as the Garden of the Sky, is good for those who want to experience educational travel with a bit of adventure on the side. The model village is where you get to have a glimpse of traditional lives of the Cordilleran people.
At to the entrance, you have the option to choose from the two stepped paths. The first path going to the “Spirit House”, “Wishing Pond”, “Kinakin” and “Gazebo 1”, or the second path, which will take you to the “Bugnay Gallery”, “Village Gallery”, “Craft Shop” and “Sketching” area. The restrooms are also located in the place.
Aside from the cultural experience, the place also exhibits a wide variety of flora and fauna. If you are one who’s into plant and flower photography, you might like it here while enjoying the cultural experience.
BenCab Museum
BenCab is one of Baguio’s frequently visited tourist spots. It is located at KM. 6 Asin Road, Tuba, Benguet. It is home to the art collections of the renowned Philippine National Artist Benedicto Cabrera, popularly known as BenCab. You can also see paintings, collections of indigenous Cordillera art and the works of Filipino masters and contemporary artists.
The different areas at the museum are the BenCab Gallery, Cordillera Gallery, Sepia Gallery, Erotica Gallery, Philippine Contemporary Art Gallery 1 and 2, Print Gallery, Maestro Gallery, Larawan Hall and Patio Salvador. When you need a place to relax, you can stop by at the coffee shop called Cafe Sabel and enjoy the museum’s garden with a view of a duck pond, an organic farm with local and imported fowl, plus a mini-forest with an eco-trail. You can also find souvenir items, art books, paper products, wood carvings, and textiles that are for sale at the Museum Shop.
Conclusion
Overall, Baguio City has become the top choice for most people because the city possesses the most friendly and well-rounded tourist guides in town, the festivities and above anything else, the breathtaking tourist attractions that you will never forget for the rest of your fun-filled lifetime.
So have you been to any of these places?