When I was a student who was still enjoying the summer break, I would be satisfied with just chilling at home while working on my hobbies. I was a definite homebody. But now as a parent, I understand how staying cooped up at home can be boring for young kids. I’ve also learned the value of being outdoors and how movement is important for people of all ages.
Of course, it’s just not realistic or cheap to take frequent family outings to the beach or trips to resorts. Luckily, there are options that are just as fun and guaranteed to be as memorable. We’ve listed a few attractions around the country where you can visit according to your family’s interests. The best thing is that you can also choose the perfect place for you depending on your budget!
(Note that the indicated amount on each header only takes into consideration the entrance fees of these attractions per head and excludes food, transportation, and accommodation costs.)
Swimming is a summer staple and Aqua Planet delivers on bringing families the ultimate swimming experience! The water theme park located within the Clark Freeport Zone boasts of a number of slides and attractions, ranging from the most thrilling to the most perfect for just chilling. For adventurous adults, there are extreme water rides such as the Sky Shuttle, where passengers on a floater are blasted up before sliding down. For the little ones, there’s also a Kiddie Zone which has a collection of different slides, sprinklers, and even a kid-sized wave pool.
Photos courtesy of Aqua Planet on Instagram
During peak seasons, such as this summer, entrance to Aqua Planet ranges from ₱1080 for kids to ₱1280 for adults during weekdays, and ₱1280 for kids and ₱1480 for adults during weekends and holidays.
For more information, visit their website.
Star City is known as one of the go-to theme parks for millennials like me, but this funstitution is still as relevant today for kids of all ages as it was in the 90s. Beloved rides and attractions, such as the Snow World and Surf Dance are still around but newer attractions have also been added to the mix. One of the highlights of the theme park has to be the Giant Star Wheel, a ferris wheel that stands 60 meters high and offers a majestic view of Manila Bay and the surrounding area.
What’s great with Star City is its presence of indoor and outdoor rides, so if the summer heat gets too unbearable, you can spend your time inside the air conditioned area.
Photos courtesy of Star City on Instagram
Tickets to the theme park, which are referred to as Star Pass, cost ₱779 per person. This already allows the user access to all attractions except Snow World. You can also already opt to buy the Star Pass + Snow World for just ₱989 per person.
Find out more through their website.
The Space and Time Cube Museum ticks all the boxes: it’s interactive, it’s Instagrammable, and it’s for everyone! This relatively new attraction, also located in Pasay, is the country’s first immersive digital art museum that runs on the theme of space travel and futuristic dimensions. Art lovers and tech enthusiasts alike are promised a full-on sensory experience, with the museum featuring a number of exhibits using holograms, lights, and mirrors. There’s also an optional attraction called the 9D Rail Cinema, which allows visitors to embark on an exhilarating ride through space.
Photos courtesy of Space and Time Cube + on Facebook
If you have kids or family members who love sci-fi or outer space, then the Space and Time Cube museum is worth a visit. Tickets cost ₱880 for adults and ₱680 for children 3 years old up to 10 years old. The Rail Cinema can be bought as an add on for ₱250.
Buy your tickets in advance via Klook or SM Tickets, or on the day at the museum itself.
I was pleasantly surprised when I learned that the Manila Ocean Park has a counterpart in Cebu and that it’s touted as the largest oceanarium in the country. A visit to Cebu Ocean Park guarantees families a deeper appreciation for different species, with exhibits such as the Seven Seas, Jungle Trek, and Lorries Loft. If you’re feeling brave, you can also try the activities that will allow you a close encounter with fishes, birds, and even a crocodile!
Photos courtesy of Cebu Ocean Park on Instagram
Tickets during weekdays can go as low as ₱650 and ₱800 during weekends and holidays. You can also opt to buy the packages which already include entrance fees plus access to some of the experiences, for a really worthwhile trip.
For more information, visit their website.
Dubbed as Mindanao’s favorite extreme playground, Dahilayan Adventure Park houses Asia’s longest dual zipline. Contrary to its name, the Dahilayan Adventure Park is not just for adventure seekers but also for nature lovers. Explore the different rides while being immersed with the sights and sounds of the park’s lush rainforest.
Apart from the zipline, there are also other rides which are better suited for younger kids, such as the Razorback, the country’s first alpine mountain coaster.
Photos courtesy of Dahilayan Adventure Park on Facebook
Entrance fee to the park is only ₱100. What’s great is that you can customize your experience and just book the rides that you want, with prices ranging from ₱250-₱700.
Find out more through their website.