Our weekend in Baguio City was well-spent, awesome and fun. A friend of mine is right when he said that Baguio has a unique charm that draws the attraction of tourists (both local and foreign) and keeps them coming back to the place from time to time. It could be the chilly weather, the pine trees, the people, the laid back atmosphere or the combination of these entities that makes Baguio a favorite vacation spot.
Here, I share a list of 10 things to do in Baguio City (for that one memorable trip, especially for first-timers) in no particular order:
1. Street Walking. Baguio is the place to be when you want to have a good walk, to do some sort of a reflection or just to flex those tired muscles. Street walking is made fun and worthwhile by the sights of the clean and green parks, the busy establishments, the vehicles that come and go, and the non-polluting noise of people on the streets who are either running errands or earning a living.
2. Boating at Burnham Park. I've experienced this only twice, and each time I was gasping with delight. It must be the presence of two or more friends in a small boat, or the lovely scene that a series of small boats floating on a man-made lake make, that gives the high in this one hell of a boat ride.
At Burnham Park, a boat ride costs P60 per hour. Presently, there are seven different operators renting boats (that's according to our rower).
TIP: Rent a boat an hour before closing time (around 7:00 p.m. ) so you get to extend boating time for several minutes for free. Not a bad deal, right?
3. Ukay-Ukay Shopping. No one leaves Baguio without an ukay-ukay item in their bag or luggage. Or so I believe. Nothing beats ukay-ukay shopping in Baguio, particularly at night. Normally, they have this what you call 'ukay-ukay night market' where you can buy an assortment of interesting items, from pre-owned clothes and bags to brand-new shoes, jackets, stuffed toys and home decors.
4. Dining Out. Whenever we go on a trip, we always find time to sample the food of the place we are in. Baguio is fortunate to get the best of both worlds. Its dining scene represents a mixture of local and international cuisines that cater to well, everyone. From street food to gourmet and exotic dishes, Baguio always has something fresh to offer.
For casual dining, there are just so many restaurants to choose from along Session Road. My favorites include Don Henrico's (serves affordable yet delicious pizza, pasta and more), Pizza Volante (serves excellent gourmet pizza and pasta 24/7) Mandarin Restaurant (serves good Chinese food, the best in Baguio!) and Cathy's Fast Food (serves savory, home-cooked meals at tourist-friendly prices)
I would have loved Sizzling Plate Restaurant (known for its sizzling steaks) if not for the poor service. They made us wait for so long (almost like eternity) for our food. We've experienced this twice at two different branches so it really means they have a problem with their service. But still, you decide.
For fine dining, try Mario's Restaurant. They serve lunch buffet during Sundays that costs around P500++ per head. Not bad if you'll get to feast on several Spanish and Filipino specialties in a cozy ambiance.
5. Malling at SM Baguio. This is currently the mall of choice among tourists. Why? It's simply because true to SM's slogan (We've got it all for you!), it's a one-stop shop strategically located in the heart of Baguio. There, you can shop, eat and relax to your heart's content. Also, it's elevated position gives a good view of the city and the neighboring towns. The mall has no air-conditioned units installed because there's just no need for it there. Remember, Baguio has always had a centralized air-conditioning system since time immemorial.
6. People Watching. The different parks situated in almost every part of the city are not only welcoming but they also have a character of their own. Usually, these places are full of people from different walks of life. Do some people watching while sitting in one of the benches at your park of choice or from the comforts of a coffee shop or your hotel and you'll surely have a great time. The laid back atmosphere in Baguio is just so inviting to have some rest or simply do things that are less productive. After all, you go to Baguio for a vacation and not for work.
7. Visiting Churches. I only know of a few, but if you're in Baguio, try to visit the churches. Our Lady of Atonement (a.k.a. Baguio Cathedral) is one of the popular churches in Baguio. Hundreds of people usually flock to this place to pray and hear mass. Of course, taking photos with the church as background is always a part of the visit, especially for the first-timers.
8. Exploring the City Public Market. It may be dirty and dusty on most days, but the Baguio City Public Market is home to a wide variety of goods and services that you won't find in other markets. Aside from the usual market stuff, it is where you can buy fresh vegetables, fresh fruits (popular are the strawberries for reasons you and I are well-aware of), fresh flowers, native clothing and clothing materials, native accessories, wood products, souvenir items, Baguio delicacies and a lot more.
9. Visiting the Tourist Spots. I can name a lot based on the places I have visited. The fun begins when you go from one tourist spot to another and try the many activities offered therein. You might wanna go horse-back riding at Wright Park, enjoy the overlooking view of the city at Mines View Park, watch a silent drill at the Philippine Military Academy, ride a boat at Burnham Park, take a peek of the summer residence of the Philippine President at the Mansion House, pose for a picture clad in Igorot costume in front of Botanical Garden, or simply hang out at SM Baguio (now a tourist spot, too!).
10. Buying Souvenir Items. Usually, each tourist spot has an area dedicated to stalls selling souvenir items. It's always worthwhile to go from one store to another. Have fun choosing items for pasalubong, trying on knitted clothing (especially for girls) and haggling with vendors over prices.
TIP: If possible, buy wholesale to save on money.
I never leave Baguio without buying something for my family in Manila. It's long been a tradition for Filipinos to bring pasalubong for their loved ones from their travels. I think it's a good practice because you do not only get to take home something valuable, but you also get to take home something from a place you've been to that will store memories of your past experiences. In the case of Baguio, it's also your way of helping the local economy by patronizing its products.
These are just some of the things you can do in Baguio City. The fact is, the possibilities are endless. To make the best of your trip, make a list of your itineraries wisely.
Do you have something to add to my list? If yes, share it with my readers using the comment section. :)
1. Street Walking. Baguio is the place to be when you want to have a good walk, to do some sort of a reflection or just to flex those tired muscles. Street walking is made fun and worthwhile by the sights of the clean and green parks, the busy establishments, the vehicles that come and go, and the non-polluting noise of people on the streets who are either running errands or earning a living.
2. Boating at Burnham Park. I've experienced this only twice, and each time I was gasping with delight. It must be the presence of two or more friends in a small boat, or the lovely scene that a series of small boats floating on a man-made lake make, that gives the high in this one hell of a boat ride.
At Burnham Park, a boat ride costs P60 per hour. Presently, there are seven different operators renting boats (that's according to our rower).
TIP: Rent a boat an hour before closing time (around 7:00 p.m. ) so you get to extend boating time for several minutes for free. Not a bad deal, right?
3. Ukay-Ukay Shopping. No one leaves Baguio without an ukay-ukay item in their bag or luggage. Or so I believe. Nothing beats ukay-ukay shopping in Baguio, particularly at night. Normally, they have this what you call 'ukay-ukay night market' where you can buy an assortment of interesting items, from pre-owned clothes and bags to brand-new shoes, jackets, stuffed toys and home decors.
4. Dining Out. Whenever we go on a trip, we always find time to sample the food of the place we are in. Baguio is fortunate to get the best of both worlds. Its dining scene represents a mixture of local and international cuisines that cater to well, everyone. From street food to gourmet and exotic dishes, Baguio always has something fresh to offer.
For casual dining, there are just so many restaurants to choose from along Session Road. My favorites include Don Henrico's (serves affordable yet delicious pizza, pasta and more), Pizza Volante (serves excellent gourmet pizza and pasta 24/7) Mandarin Restaurant (serves good Chinese food, the best in Baguio!) and Cathy's Fast Food (serves savory, home-cooked meals at tourist-friendly prices)
I would have loved Sizzling Plate Restaurant (known for its sizzling steaks) if not for the poor service. They made us wait for so long (almost like eternity) for our food. We've experienced this twice at two different branches so it really means they have a problem with their service. But still, you decide.
For fine dining, try Mario's Restaurant. They serve lunch buffet during Sundays that costs around P500++ per head. Not bad if you'll get to feast on several Spanish and Filipino specialties in a cozy ambiance.
5. Malling at SM Baguio. This is currently the mall of choice among tourists. Why? It's simply because true to SM's slogan (We've got it all for you!), it's a one-stop shop strategically located in the heart of Baguio. There, you can shop, eat and relax to your heart's content. Also, it's elevated position gives a good view of the city and the neighboring towns. The mall has no air-conditioned units installed because there's just no need for it there. Remember, Baguio has always had a centralized air-conditioning system since time immemorial.
6. People Watching. The different parks situated in almost every part of the city are not only welcoming but they also have a character of their own. Usually, these places are full of people from different walks of life. Do some people watching while sitting in one of the benches at your park of choice or from the comforts of a coffee shop or your hotel and you'll surely have a great time. The laid back atmosphere in Baguio is just so inviting to have some rest or simply do things that are less productive. After all, you go to Baguio for a vacation and not for work.
7. Visiting Churches. I only know of a few, but if you're in Baguio, try to visit the churches. Our Lady of Atonement (a.k.a. Baguio Cathedral) is one of the popular churches in Baguio. Hundreds of people usually flock to this place to pray and hear mass. Of course, taking photos with the church as background is always a part of the visit, especially for the first-timers.
8. Exploring the City Public Market. It may be dirty and dusty on most days, but the Baguio City Public Market is home to a wide variety of goods and services that you won't find in other markets. Aside from the usual market stuff, it is where you can buy fresh vegetables, fresh fruits (popular are the strawberries for reasons you and I are well-aware of), fresh flowers, native clothing and clothing materials, native accessories, wood products, souvenir items, Baguio delicacies and a lot more.
9. Visiting the Tourist Spots. I can name a lot based on the places I have visited. The fun begins when you go from one tourist spot to another and try the many activities offered therein. You might wanna go horse-back riding at Wright Park, enjoy the overlooking view of the city at Mines View Park, watch a silent drill at the Philippine Military Academy, ride a boat at Burnham Park, take a peek of the summer residence of the Philippine President at the Mansion House, pose for a picture clad in Igorot costume in front of Botanical Garden, or simply hang out at SM Baguio (now a tourist spot, too!).
10. Buying Souvenir Items. Usually, each tourist spot has an area dedicated to stalls selling souvenir items. It's always worthwhile to go from one store to another. Have fun choosing items for pasalubong, trying on knitted clothing (especially for girls) and haggling with vendors over prices.
TIP: If possible, buy wholesale to save on money.
I never leave Baguio without buying something for my family in Manila. It's long been a tradition for Filipinos to bring pasalubong for their loved ones from their travels. I think it's a good practice because you do not only get to take home something valuable, but you also get to take home something from a place you've been to that will store memories of your past experiences. In the case of Baguio, it's also your way of helping the local economy by patronizing its products.
These are just some of the things you can do in Baguio City. The fact is, the possibilities are endless. To make the best of your trip, make a list of your itineraries wisely.
Do you have something to add to my list? If yes, share it with my readers using the comment section. :)
Get the latest updates on the Life of a Breadwinner by subscribing to my RSS feeds. This entry was posted
on 30 November 2008
at Sunday, November 30, 2008
and is filed under
Baguio City,
Parks,
Pasalubong,
SM City Baguio,
Tourist Spots,
Travels
.
