Adore Baguio even more with these fun activities!
Image: Yoorekka
The New Year brings a fresh start to everyone. It also allows us to try new things and travel to new places. And although Baguio City, as the country’s Summer Capital, is already a favorite destination of most Filipinos, it continues to surprise visitors with the many fun things to do in Baguio.
This year, discover new activities to do in Baguio and attractions to enjoy and rediscover classic haunts that may bring back memories of the old Baguio that everyone knows and loves.
1. Enjoy the outdoors—with a twist.
What can be more satisfying than breaking a sweat while enjoying the scent of pine trees and the cold breeze?
Image: The Manor at Camp John Hay Facebook page
Baguio weather during the first months of the year (January to February) offers a lot of sunshine and not much rain, making it perfect for outdoor fun things to do in Baguio with the family or loved ones or even on your own. But rather than the usual activities to do in Baguio, such as horseback riding at Wright Park or boating and biking at Burnham Park, why not try something new?
If health and wellness are part of your New Year’s resolution list, the best things to do in Baguio City consider the early morning Zumba and aerobic classes in Burnham Park. Instructors have their spots, which are usually found around the lake grounds. Each instructor has a portable sound system for his or her choice of music. Also, each can take on as many students as possible in his or her respective area. After each session, students only need to shell out as low as 50 pesos.
If high-impact exercise is not your thing, why not try walking off the excess weight you accumulated over the holidays? Aside from Burnham Park, Camp John Hay also offers fun things to do in Baguio, a space for brisk walking, jogging, or running. If you are up for a challenge, there are activities to do in Baguio; you can take the eco-trail, which is a much more scenic route.
2. ‘Tis season for strawberries, so enjoy it while it lasts.
Freshly-picked strawberry (L)
Images: Lovely Pactores
The quintessential Baguio fruit, the strawberry, starts its season in November and usually lasts until March or April. If you are in town during the first quarter of the year, there’s a fun thing to do in Baguio; it is the best time to enjoy picking out the famed fruit.
Nothing beats strawberry picking at the Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad, Benguet for the freshest encounter. However, if you plan to have activities to do in Baguio, this popular tourist spot can get quite busy during this season, so it would be good to plan your trip early in the day to avoid crowds and traffic. The best thing to do in Baguio City is to take home fresh strawberries that you pick or, better yet, eat them after a good washing.
Other strawberry goodies, such as strawberry ice cream and taho, are available at the Strawberry Farm. Aside from the farm, you can also buy these goodies at the Baguio City Public Market. For pasalubong, jars of strawberry jam or preserve will do the trick.
3. Be like a foodie and eat your way around town.
Glorious food at the Café By The Runs, one of the many old-time favorite restaurants in Baguio City
Images: Café By The Ruins Facebook page
It is no secret that Filipinos love to eat. Baguio will not disappoint in this area, with its wide range of cuisines available. With its traditional favorites, and a new breed of restaurants, sprouting up, the city is fast becoming a foodie haven of sorts.
One of the best things to do in Baguio City is to check out the laid-back ambiance of the Solibao Restaurant or the fresh food of Hardin Resto/Cafe, a rooftop garden restaurant. Among the restaurants making a mark, especially among the city’s young professionals, are the ones at The Camp along Leonard Wood Road. Visiting these unique places can be part of your list of activities to do in Baguio, together with old favorites like Café By The Ruins, Mario’s, and Solibao might complete your Baguio culinary journey.
Even if you are on a budget, you can still have fun things to do in Baguio with its culinary offerings. Try eating like a local and eat in places where most locals would go. With the food stalls back in business at the night market along Harrison Road, you can be satisfied without breaking the bank.
4. Go vintage shopping—you will be surprised by what you can find.
Baguio City is known for ukay-ukay shopping and features a one-of-a-kind night market experience.
Image: Yoorekka
If you are a diligent shopper, the best thing to do in Baguio City is to find unique items that you cannot find in a department store. If retail therapy is your favorite pastime, Baguio has something to thrill the shopper in you. One cannot go home without doing some “ukay-ukay” (thrift store) shopping or what locals call “wagwag.” At the Night Market, the fun things to do in Baguio happen every night from 9:00 PM to 4:00 AM along Harrison Road; one can find vintage clothes, shoes, and accessories. Make sure to arm yourself with a flashlight, as it might be hard to see clearly under the street lights.
5. Stop and smell the flowers at the Panagbenga Flower Festival.
Even the drum and lyre players are all decked in colorful costumes during the Panagbenga.
Image: Writer
One of the fun things to do in Baguio is when the Panagbenga Flower Festival starts. Initially, the festival was conceptualized as a celebration of Baguio’s resilience after the 1990 earthquake, as Panagbenga means “season of blossoming” in the Kankana-ey dialect. The Panagbenga Flower Festival has evolved into a month-long celebration that starts in February and lasts until the first week of March.
Which of these activities to do in Baguio will you try or have you tried? Let us know about your experience!
Stay safe as you travel! Make sure to follow social distancing protocols and observe health precautions wherever you go. Have a great trip!
Visit Yoorekka Magazine for more activities and things to do in Baguio and Northern Luzon this year!
This article was initially published in Yoorekka on January 12, 2018.
Check out this video:
