Baguio City has always served as the go-to vacation spot for most of us to cool down and escape the tropical heat, earning it the title as the Summer Capital of the Philippines. Temperatures in the beloved destination can go as low as 15°C during the cool season. It’s also home to a wonderful mix of historical sites and spacious parks worth checking out. For those of you who still haven’t been, it can be intimidating to figure out a plan for your stay. Here are five must-see areas to help jumpstart your itinerary. 

Burnham Park

Established nearly a century ago, Burnham Park is the result of six months of meticulous planning by American architect Daniel Burnham. Spanning over 32.84 hectares (328,400 sq. meters), here you’ll find several activities for the whole family to enjoy. One of its biggest draws is Burnham Lagoon, an artificial lake where you can rent out mini boats to admire the fishes and trees surrounding the area. Another way of enjoying the sights is to rent out bikes and cycle rickshaws. If you’re a fan of playing football or throwing Frisbees around, there’s a large field by the Melvin Jones Grandstand where locals often enjoy having a friendly match. Finally, there’s the rollerskating rink where you can skate to your heart’s content or enjoy some of the fair rides located inside the rink.  

Session Road

On certain occasions, Session Road serves as a haven for local artisans and cosplayers. You can also find some artists giving life to the street by using chalk to create various artworks. Aside from the thriving local community, Session Road is also filled with restaurants that cater to any palate. Enjoy pizza fresh from the oven by visiting Pizza Volante. If you’re hankering for a sweet treat, Vizco’s strawberry shortcake is to die for. To satisfy late night cravings, we recommend hitting up the 456 Restaurant for Chinese cuisine offered at a good price. For the devout, the Baguio Cathedral located nearby is a wonderful place to reflect or say a prayer while marveling over its magnificent architecture.

Camp John Hay

Originally used as a US military base, Camp John Hay has since been turned into a paradise for nature lovers. Its biggest draw is its seemingly untouched pine trees that stretch out to the stars. Most people also flock to Camp John Hay to enjoy having a picnic, go on eco trail hikes, or explore the area on horseback. One fun little area most might look over is The Lost Cemetery, a humorous little art installation where, based on the entrance message, the world’s negativism is buried for all time. You’ll find gravestones meant to symbolize most negative thoughts that plague our minds with comedic epitaphs. If you find yourself wanting to stay longer, consider booking a night over at The Manor for a cozy cabin experience akin to Twin Peaks’ Great Northern Hotel.

Baguio City Market

There’s no better way to understand the local culture than to try out the food being offered in the area. Stopping by the Baguio City Market offers visitors a chance to satiate their taste for fresh strawberries, sweet assortments of various jams and preserves, and several snacks to bring home as pasalubong or treats for yourself. Caffeine lovers can also find their coffee fix and support local brewers by buying the authentic ground coffee being offered in some of the market stalls.

Baguio Botanical Garden

As the saying goes, it’s always best to find time to stop and smell the flowers. Baguio Botanical Garden is home to tons of different plants and flora. Another draw is its several friendship parks with neighboring countries like China, Thailand, and Korea. If you’re feeling brave enough, you can also tread through the narrow paths laid out in the Japanese Tunnels. These were dug out by invading Japanese forces during World War II to store military supplies. Take note that the best time to visit the Botanical Garden is when most flowers start to bloom from February to April.