Tagaytay Tourist Attractions

A popular summer destination, Tagaytay is a gorgeous resort town frequented by weekenders for its cool climate and spectacular vistas.

The town boasts stunning landscapes, and a few days here are sure to keep your Instagram feed busy.

Picnic Grove – keeping you busy the whole day

Picnic Grove in Barangay Sungay is usually the first stop for most visitors. We've been coming here for years and it really has one of the best views of the lake. It is recommended to come early for a clear and unobstructed view though. We made the mistake of leaving Manila too late and because of the horrendous traffic, arrived to the park about half an hour before sundown. Ergo, no postcard perfects views of Taal crater.

Ideal for family and friends on a picnic, there are tables and sheds around that you could rent for PHP100 to PHP500. It is okay to bring your own food and drinks, just make sure to dispose your trash properly.

After you've taken in the view, you can go horseback riding for about PHP150 to PHP200 an hour. We also had a spellbinding view from above while Ziplining. It was a weekday so we paid only PHP200. We heard they charge PHP300 for the weekend crowd.

Lastly, we got to try their fish spa facility for only PHP199. Definitely worth the 20-minute tickles and restrained giggles. The park is open from 9am to 6pm and charges an admission fee of PHP50 and a parking fee of PHP35.

People's Park in the Sky

Situated in one of the highest points in Tagaytay, People's Park In The Sky (Aguinaldo Highway) also offers a good vantage view to observe the lush surroundings and the lake. Historically, this place was built during the Marcos regime when Imelda ordered the construction of a mansion. It was never finished and was later turned into an urban park. Admittedly, the park looks rundown and is in dire need of maintenance but nevertheless, the view is simply incredible and should not be missed. Open from 9am to 7pm, admission price is only PHP30. It's a bit of a hike going up there but you can ride a Jeepney for PHP10 per person.

Puzzle Mansion

If your camera roll consists mostly of landscape photos at this point, it's time to do something different. Head over to the Puzzle Mansion (Cuadra Street, Brgy Asisan) and prepare to be blown away by Georgina Gil-Lacuna's jigsaw puzzle collection.

It is both astonishing and inspiring to see such dedication and passion! In fact, she holds a Guinness World record for completing a whopping 1,028 puzzles. There are a variety of puzzles displayed including some 3-D and 4-D ones and is helpfully tagged with information such as the number of pieces or completion time. All in all, a very engrossing showcase. Open from 8am to 7am. There is an admission fee of PHP100.

Museo Orlina

Another museum but of a different kind this time, Museo Orlina (Hollywood St., Hollywood Subd. Tolentino East) displays art pieces by the country's renowned glass sculptor, Ramon Orlina.

The first time we saw the sculptures, we were simply in awe. The beauty of the pieces is such that it will have you waxing lyrical, no kidding. Besides the stunning glass sculptures, there were also art installations by guest artists. The BenCab (national artist) painted Volkswagen Beetle at the ground floor is another display that art buff would surely be fawning over. The staff were all polite and understandably strict while the guide was happy to narrate the story behind each art pieces. The museum is open from 10am to 6pm with an admission fee of PHP100.

Our Lady of Manaoag Church

Lastly, what's a visit to a Philippine town without going to a place of worship? Our Lady of Manaoag at Tierra de Maria (Calamba Road) offers some peace and serenity where you can say a little prayer or meditate. Be warned though that it can get really crowded on weekends. This shrine features a 50-metre replica of Pangasinan's Our Lady of Manaoag which is great for some photo opportunity. Open from 8am to 6pm, admission is free but donations are welcome.