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In Tagaytay, the cozy weather’s more of an invitation to go out and see the sights than to stay in.
Image: @mayceedee
While most of us go to Tagaytay to escape the humid weather down in the metro, we sometimes overlook the fact that the prized summer destination is so much more than just its cold climate. It has all kinds of tourist attractions, interesting sights, and things to do for all kinds of travelers; you just have to know where to look.
So if you’re dying for a quick vacation, then read on and let this list of Tagaytay’s top tourist attractions point you to the right direction!
If picnics are too old-fashioned, then let Tagaytay’s Picnic Grove bring you back to life’s simple pleasures.
Image: @nicedegracia
Tagaytay’s Picnic Grove just proves that a lazy, laidback picnic afternoon will never go out of style. For a meager entrance fee of PhP50, you can take your friends and family to a slow stroll around the Grove’s eco-adventure trail, or patch up a lovely picnic in one of their cottages sitting along the Taal ridge, presenting the spectacular Taal Lake in full display.
The 13.5-hectare grove also has its own ziplines, a hanging cable car, and horseback riding services, all of which you can avail for a small fee. There are also food stalls and pasalubong kiosks in the vicinity.
Ascend to the skies and take a photo of Tagaytay’s panoramic view inside one of the Sky Eye’s pods.
Image: Sky Ranch Facebook Page
If you’re down for a quick day trip to Tagaytay, then Sky Ranch should be your top destination. Take a ride on the tallest Ferris wheel in the Philippines dubbed the Sky Eye, which brings its patrons to a whopping 200 feet up in the air.
There are other attractions that reel in travelers to the famous amusement park: The Super Viking, Nessi Coaster, Express Train, as well as a carousel and a mini Viking ship, perfect for both kids and adults alike. Get your adrenaline pumping for just PhP100 a person, and let Tagaytay take you further up the sky!
Operating hours:Friday to Sunday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Stimulate your sense of play with years-worth of collected jigsaw puzzle inside the Puzzle Mansion.
Image: @renzogosiaoco
Opened in 2012, the Puzzle Mansion is perfect for those seeking to stimulate the mind through intricate jigsaw puzzles. Inside, you get to marvel at over 1,500 puzzles—a collection recognized by Guinness World Records as the biggest one yet.
Under the possession of puzzle collector Georgina Gil-Lacuna, the wide collection features jigsaw pieces made of plastic, wood, cardboard, and flat, spherical, 3D and even 4D jigsaw puzzles. You can also dine at their bed-and-breakfast as a weary traveler, or purchase your own jigsaw puzzle from the souvenir shop as a budding hobbyist.
Sit down on the lush green pastures and just take a breather up in the People’s Park in the Sky.
Image: @glaizeesii
People’s Park in the Sky, or simply referred to as People’s Park, is situated atop the highest point in Cavite at Mount Sungay. Up here, you can get a stunning view of the entire Tagaytay landscape, including Taal Lake and Taal Volcano, as well as a waft of that trademark Tagaytay weather.
After having been converted from an unfinished mansion commissioned by former First Lady Imelda Marcos in the 1980s, the Mansion at People’s Park now plays host to several souvenir shops, food joints, and an observation deck. Within the vicinity also stands the Shrine of Our Lady, Mother of Fair Love, as well as a Doppler Radar station of PAG-ASA.
Admission fee:PhP199 for adults, PhP149 for children (3 to 4 ft), free for children below 3ft
Operating hours:8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Enjoy the company of our furry companions from nature inside Paradizoo’s petting areas.
Image: @jerdelos.reyes
For the animal lovers out there who have stumbled upon the highlands, Paradizoo in Tagaytay is the ideal getaway for you. Inside the 10-hectare petting zoo and farm are many adorable animals not commonly found in other local zoos like miniature horses, camels, hares, and ostriches that visitors can interact with and even feed.
Paradizoo also has flower, fruit, and vegetable gardens where both kids and curious adults can learn about various agricultural practices. They also have bee and butterfly gardens, which not only provide a splendid view of the colorful butterflies, but also educate guests about the crucial role of bees in the ecosystem.
Tierra De Maria welcomes any and all pilgrims wishing to take some spiritual respite within its halls.
Image: Tierra de Maria Facebook Page
For devotees who travel to Tagaytay for spiritual enlightenment, Tierra de Maria should probably be part of your itinerary. Entering the sanctuary garden will take you to the towering 50-foot statue of the Virgin Mary, where you can offer your prayers and be blessed.
Within the vicinity, there is also a chapel, as well as numerous statues and paintings of religious icons. Pilgrims wanting to bring home religious memorabilia can do so from their souvenir shop as well. The best part is, admission to the garden is free.
A walk around Museo Orlina is a glimpse to the creative mind of sculptor Ramon Orlina’s artistic genius.
Image: @yuarlene
Also called The Glass Museum, Museo Orlina opened its doors last 2014 as the renowned glass sculptor Ramon Orlina’s residence above Taal Lake was converted into a three-story art museum.
Museo Orlina showcases not only the famed glass sculptures which glisten under natural light, but also Orlina’s other works in steel, bronze, and other media, carefully curated under different galleries.
If you want to discover more unique attractions like Museo Orlina, check out the Yoorekka magazine!
8. Mahogany Beef Market & Bulalohan
Price varies
Perfect for that cold Tagaytay weather is a piping-hot bowl of their famous bulalo!
Image: @manet1985
Of course, your trip to Tagaytay wouldn’t be complete without sampling the highlands’ famous bulalo (stew with beef shanks and marrow bones) from one of the best places to get it from: Mahogany Beef Market!
The entire complex is home to dozens of concessionaires and food stalls. And while there are other dishes and viands you can try, all of them offer Tagaytay’s trademark bulalo. What’s more, all the tables here have free bananas that you can just grab and munch on!
Whatever reason you may have for taking a hike to Tagaytay’s highlands, surely there’s a place that can make your trip memorable!
Which of these tourist attractions in Tagaytay are you definitely adding to your sightseeing list? Let us know in the comments section!
This article was originally published in Yoorekka on December 21, 2018.
About Viktor Austria
Viktor would love to receive an extra hour a day as a Christmas gift. That way, he won’t have to struggle over splitting his 24 hours among making brand copies and campaigns, writing children’s stories, going to the gym, commuting around Taguig, and feeding his two overweight cats. He hates the hustle culture, that’s why he’s thankful for friends who have time to spare on weekends, preferably over spicy ramen and cold bottles of beer.
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