I recently visited Baguio City for a business trip. I brought my son with me because I felt very guilty for being away from home for five days and four nights. Travel experience and learning from a new place is something I believe that is also essential for his life journey and happy memory bank. It's just as important as learning within the four corners of his classroom.
Baguio City is most popular during their month-long Panagbenga Festival which happens every February. Apart from that, it's one of the favorite vacation spots during summer because of its cool breeze that you could feel even when you're under the sun in the afternoon. Who wouldn't want the cold weather on a happy sunny day during summer? At night, there's no need for an air-conditioned room, in fact, I'm sure you'll be requesting extra blankets!
I brought my son around the city, particularly the popular tourist spots there. Let me share with you the places we visited in Baguio City which may serve as your quick reference should you also go there with your family, colleagues or friends.
Session Road
It is the busiest street in Baguio City. There are many restaurants along the uphill street and shopping finds too. There's one particular restaurant that caught my interest, it's Oh My Gulay and I will write about it on a separate post.
Burnham Park
It is one of the most popular Baguio City landmarks. It's located in the middle of the city and is just a walk away from Session Road. It's accessible to public transportation and it's near hotels, SM City, market and restaurants. It's a place for relaxation, picnics and recreational activities such as boating, biking, skating and jogging.
Baguio City Central Market
Looking for cheaper priced pasalubong such as delicacies, vegetables, Baguio walis (broom) or Baguio garlic longganisa where you could haggle for discounts? This is the place to be. It's walking distance from Session Road and accessible also to public transportation. If bringing a car, parking could be challenging.
Botanical Garden
The garden has improved a lot from the last time I visited. It features different interesting garden themes. If you're looking for a peaceful, quiet and meditation type of walk, you'd be happy to visit this place. You could also take a picture with the Igorots, just make sure you give them generous tips.
Wright Park Riding Stables
Horseback riding is the activity which I let my son experience here for the first time. It costs P200/30 mins. If you're going to get a guide, which for me is important if it's your first time to ride a horse, you pay an additional P200/30 mins.
The Mansion House
You cannot really enter the mansion itself, so when you visit this historical place, you may just take some pictures. For those of you who may not know it, The Mansion House is the official summer residence of the President of the Philippines.
Mines View Park
If you want a view overlooking mountains through its quite small viewing deck, this is a perfect place. Shops are located within the area selling native products perfect for pasalubong. You may also look for Coco the cute St. Bernard dog and have pictures taken with it for P50.00/three shots.
Good Shepherd Convent
The convent is known for their quality products or delicacies such as ube jam, strawberry jam, peanut brittle, lengua de leche and angel cookies. Expect the shop to be always crowded especially in the afternoon. But not to worry, they have a systematic queuing for their buyers.
Camp John Hay
The camp used to be a venue for rest and recreation for US Armed Forces in the Philippines as well as US Department of Defense employees and dependents. Now it's one of tourists' favorite spots in Baguio to dine and shop.
Pink Sisters Convent
If you're looking for a solemn prayer time during your stay in Baguio, the convent chapel is a perfect place to be in. The Pink Sisters repetitively pray for various petitions from different people at a certain time of the day. Just write your petitions on a piece of paper provided in front with your full name and complete address, then drop in the wooden box.
Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral
You will find this grand church at the top of Session Road. You even have to take the 105 steep steps going there. Since we were there on a Sunday, we attended an English mass here at around 7:00 pm.
50s Diner
The small casual dining retro restaurant will never be customer-empty. They have big servings for an affordable price that's why people line up, just like how we did.
Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto
Make sure you ate a hefty breakfast when you're going here in the morning because you will be taking around 250 stair steps to get to the top.
BenCab Museum
If you're an artist or one who appreciates both classic and contemporary paintings and sculptures, this almost-out-of-town-four-level-museum should be on your list of places to visit. Located along Asin Road which is quite near Our Lade of Lourdes Grotto. Pay only P100.00 entrance fee to be fed with magnificence from Ben Cabrera's and other artists' masterpieces. Get a great view of the mountain at the garden level where you will also find Cafe Ysabel restaurant.
Bell Church
For us, the Chinese temple with its intricate architectural design, is a marvelous sight to see. There are Buddhism artifacts and a little history about China to be found in the Church.
La Trinidad Strawberry Farm
Make sure you visit this on your last day of the trip just before heading back home to ensure that you still have your strawberries as fresh as you picked or bought them. You may also try the strawberry taho sold in the area or buy native delicacies and products as pasalubong. Big strawberries are priced P100/kl while P50.00/kl for bite-sized berries.
My list of places to visit in Baguio City could be toured in two days. So on your next trip to Baguio City, make sure you visit most of the places listed on this post, if not all, to ensure a complete Baguio City experience!
~Have you been to Baguio too loves? Any other places you'd like to add on my list?~