Tagaytay is one of the best places to go to if you are looking for a quick and relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of Metro Manila.
Tagaytay City is the destination to go to if you want a quick respite from the congestion, pollution, and fast-paced life of Metro Manila. Tagaytay is only about two hours away from the National Capital Region, but the contrast in ambiance and scenery between the two is very striking. Tagaytay is best known for its cool and chilly breeze, the picturesque Taal Lake and Taal Volcano, exciting eco-tourism activities, beautiful churches, and must-visit restaurants, just to name a few.
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| Mt. Batulao |
Unique Things to Do in Tagaytay with Family
With its proximity to Metro Manila, Tagaytay remains a favorite weekend destination, especially for families wanting to escape the busy corners of Metro Manila. Tagaytay is not too far away, so a weekend drive is not too tiring. Commuting is also a good option because, again, you won’t have to go on a long land trip. Buses are comfortable, even if you bring your family with you.
For those who love beef, meat is very affordable in Tagaytay’s Mahogany Market. For the last several years, Tagaytay has been our go-to place for unplanned family weekends.
How to go to Tagaytay
One of the factors that makes Tagaytay a favorite among visitors is its accessibility. Getting to Tagaytay is easy because it’s just a straight drive through the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).
Here are two options that you can take:
SLEX via Sta. Rosa Exit
Drive all the way to Tagaytay Public Market, then turn right going to Tagaytay City proper and Nasugbu/Balayan/Lemery Batangas, or left going to People's Park in the Sky.
SLEX via Eton Exit
Turn right to Greenfield Parkway, then on to United Boulevard, turn right to Laguna Boulevard, then left to Sta. Rosa - Tagaytay Road to reach Tagaytay.
Mommy Khris' family owns a charming little house in Tagaytay, so accommodation is never a problem for us. Nonetheless, we would still like to try one of the boutique hotels in the city when our budget permits.
Our 2025 Tagaytay Weekend Family Getaway
I couldn’t exactly remember the last time we’ve been
to Tagaytay. Well, in 2023, when we went to Paradizoo, we had a brief stopover
at Leslie’s, but that was just it. We never had the chance to explore Tagaytay
as a family. I think Miguel was only one year old during the last time we
stayed in Tagaytay.
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| Quiet morning walks in Tagaytay |
Anyway, the opportunity to travel to Tagaytay as a family finally came a few
months ago when we were thinking of a place to celebrate our wedding
anniversary. Tagaytay finally came to mind because we wanted to save up on
travel expenses for our upcoming Boracay trip.
Tagaytay still remains vibrant and still fairly relaxed. I would say that it’s
still a family-friendly destination. The weather was not as cool as I
expected, but the temperatures eventually went down.
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| Inside Nurture Wellness Village |
We wanted a relaxing weekend, so our days were slow. What we love about
Tagaytay is that it has many options in terms of food and activities.
Here are the things that we did during our Tagaytay weekend getaway:
Lunch at Farmer’s Table
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| Family lunch at Farmer's Table |
We’ve been hearing a lot of good reviews about Farmer’s Table, Nurture
Wellness Village’s in-house restaurant. In particular, we liked the reviews
about the fresh food and the peaceful ambiance of the place. Indeed, it did
not disappoint.
Breakfast at Balay Dako
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| We finally experienced having breakfast at Balay Dako |
We’ve always been curious about Balay Dako, and this was the perfect
opportunity to try their food. They have a good selection of breakfast food
that caters to all palates – Filipino breakfast food like garlic fried rice,
danggit, corned beef, bacon, etc.; fresh fruit and salad; rice cakes; rice
porridge; taho and ginataan, palitaw, cuchinta; balut and penoy; and coffee
and juices, just to name some.
I won’t say that everything was delicious; there were some items that I liked,
while there were some that I found ordinary. However, overall, what we were
really after was the experience, and I would say that Mommy Khris and I had a
great breakfast date at Balay Dako, especially because we were celebrating our
11th wedding anniversary.
A visit to Little Souls Sisters Chapel
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| Visiting Little Souls Sisters |
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| Praying inside the chapel |
This place is really peaceful, and I consider this one of the best places to
escape the chaos of the world outside. This is not our first time because whenever we are in Tagaytay, we make sure to visit Little Souls Sisters Chapel.
Lunch at Cucina Bernardo
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| Lunch at Cucina Bernardo with the family |
We wanted to take the kids to a zoo, and we planned to go to Angelfields
Nature Sanctuary. However, in order to avail of the “free” animal-feeding
activities, you have to dine at Cucina Bernardo, subject to a minimum order of
P500 per head. So that’s what we did. The food was nice, but I was still too
full when we had lunch, so I just had bulalo soup.
Animal Feeding at Angelfields Nature Sanctuary
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| Rafa feeding a tortoise |
We wanted to give the kids a new experience, that’s why we took them to
Angelfields Nature Sanctuary. You can buy food for the animals (duck food,
leaves for the tortoises, rabbit food) at around P10 per cup or “order”.
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| Duck pond in Angelfields Nature Sanctuary |
The kids enjoyed feeding the ducks and the tortoises and running around in the
vast fields of Angelfields Nature Sanctuary. We wanted to stay longer, but we
were set to return to Quezon City that afternoon, so we left after 2 hours.
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| Miguel and Rafa |
My Recommended Things to Do in Tagaytay with Kids
Tagaytay is a small community, and I think that's what makes it a good holiday spot. You do not have to go far to visit the most interesting places and restaurants in the city. Nonetheless, there are a good number of activities that you can do when in Tagaytay.
Here are some of the things that you can do in Tagaytay with your kids and family:
l. Visit Chapel on the Hill
Location: Don Bosco Batulao, Brgy. Cahil, Calaca, Batangas |
| Chapel on the Hill |
One of the most popular churches in Tagaytay is Chapel on the Hill. Perched on a ridge, it provides a picturesque view of the nearby Mt. Batulao and farmlands. Because of the breathtaking scenery around it, Chapel on the Hill is a popular wedding destination, most especially for intimate weddings.
2. Caleruega Church
Location: Caleruega, Batulao, Nasugbu, Batangas
Another popular church that you can also visit when you are in Tagaytay is Caleruega Church, located in nearby Nasugbu, Batangas. Looking at the façade of Caleruega Church, one would immediately get the impression that it is a fortress made of terracotta bricks.
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| Caleruega Church |
It is picturesque, making it also a popular wedding destination. There is an admission fee of Php70 per head but it's just a minimal cost to shell out because you already explored the large and beautiful property where Caleruega Church stands.
3. Have coffee and desserts at Bag of Beans
Location: Twin Lakes, Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway, Tagaytay City
A visit to Tagaytay is not complete when you have not been to Bag of Beans, a restaurant is known for its delicious food and freshly-baked pastries.
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| Bag of Beans |
We have been here on many occasions, and we consider it our favorite place to have light snacks and coffee when in Tagaytay.
Also read: Bag of Beans: a must-visit when in Tagaytay
If you are visiting Tagaytay with your family, especially if you have small kids, then do visit Sky Ranch. This theme park will surely delight both adults and children with its fun rides such as a carousel, bumper cars, kiddie train, roller coaster, and Ferris wheel, just to name a few.
One name that I kept hearing about in Tagaytay is Sonya's Garden. I finally understood what the buzz is all about when we finally had the chance to visit Sonya's Garden. It's a beautiful property, teeming with flowering plants and trees.
Because of its charm, Sonya's Garden grew in popularity as a favorite wedding venue. But aside from this, it also has a bed and breakfast, a spa, a restaurant, a toiletry shop, a bakeshop, and even handmade furniture.
Also read: 6 reasons to add Sonya's Garden to your Tagaytay itinerary
Location: along Tagaytay-Calamba Road
4. Have a day of fun at Sky Ranch Tagaytay
If you are visiting Tagaytay with your family, especially if you have small kids, then do visit Sky Ranch. This theme park will surely delight both adults and children with its fun rides such as a carousel, bumper cars, kiddie train, roller coaster, and Ferris wheel, just to name a few.
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| Sky Ranch |
One of Sky Ranch's most popular rides is the Sky Eye, a giant Ferris wheel that provides a stunning view of the Tagaytay cityscape.
5. Taal Lake and Taal Volcano
Tagaytay is probably best equated with images of Taal Lake and Binintiang Malaki (what people commonly know as Taal Volcano, but it is not). Taal Lake looks incredible, especially when it is a little foggy. It provides an amazing view that one can never get tired of.
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| Taal Lake |
For the more adventurous, you may arrange for a boat tour of Taal Lake and a hike in Taal Volcano. There are many local boat tour operators in the city that may arrange your preferred adventure package.
6. Little Souls Sisters Convent
The Little Soul Sisters Convent is popular among families for hearing Sunday Mass. We have been here on several occasions because it is just near our house in Tagaytay.
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| Little Souls Sisters Convent Church |
Just across the Little Soul Sisters Convent is a small store-café that sells one of the best coconut cream pies.
7. Relax at Nurture Wellness Village
Location: Pulong Sagingan, Barangay Maitim II, Tagaytay, Cavite
If you are looking for a staycation experience in Tagaytay that provides a calming atmosphere amid an abundance of greenery, then head over to Nurture Wellness Village.
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| Inside Nurture Wellness Village |
This popular hotel offers spa and pampering services, wedding and events packages, Filipino-themed accommodations, organic farm tours, and even a glamping experience. CHECK RATES HERE
8. Visit Sonya's Garden
Location: Barangay Buck Estate, Alfonso, CaviteOne name that I kept hearing about in Tagaytay is Sonya's Garden. I finally understood what the buzz is all about when we finally had the chance to visit Sonya's Garden. It's a beautiful property, teeming with flowering plants and trees.
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| Sonya's Garden |
Because of its charm, Sonya's Garden grew in popularity as a favorite wedding venue. But aside from this, it also has a bed and breakfast, a spa, a restaurant, a toiletry shop, a bakeshop, and even handmade furniture.
Also read: 6 reasons to add Sonya's Garden to your Tagaytay itinerary
9. Have bulalo soup
When you are in Tagaytay and Batangas, you should never miss having bulalo soup. It's beef bone with marrow and tender meat boiled for hours in a flavorful broth. Vegetables like string beans, potatoes, corn on a cob, and cabbage are added ,making bulalo a hearty and delicious soup.
The cold weather in Tagaytay is perfect for enjoying bowls of steaming hot bulalo soup. You can have it in any other restaurant, but for more affordable finds, try Mer-Ben Tapsilogan.
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| Bulalo soup |
The cold weather in Tagaytay is perfect for enjoying bowls of steaming hot bulalo soup. You can have it in any other restaurant, but for more affordable finds, try Mer-Ben Tapsilogan.
10. Eat in a buffet restaurant
One of the best things to try in a place that you are visiting, especially if it is new to you, is to experience eating in a buffet restaurant. Chances are, the restaurant that would serve mostly local food, so you would be able to taste flavors that are unique or particular to that locality.
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| Buffet spread |
In Tagaytay, one of our favorite buffet restaurants is RSM Lutong Bahay that serves mostly Filipino food.
11. Buy fruits
Tagaytay is home to many farms, so expect an abundant supply of fruits and even vegetables that can be bought even on the roadside. Fruits, particularly pineapples, avocado, jackfruit, and bananas, are aplenty in Tagaytay.
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| Various fruits |
You may opt to visit Mahogany Market if you want to check out a bigger selection of local produce or go to small fruit stalls located along the highway.
12. Buy buko pie
Possibly one of the best pasalubong from Tagaytay is buko (coconut) pie. If you have just recently visited Tagaytay, you would probably have heard your friends and colleagues asking you if you brought buko pie with you.
You can buy buko pie anytime from some of the most popular shops in Tagaytay, like Colette's Buko Pie, Cecilia's Buko Pie, The Original Buko Pie, and Amira's Buko Tart.
13. Try tawilis
Tawilis (Sardinella Tawilis) is a small freshwater fish found only in the Philippines. This fish may be small, but it definitely packs a lot of flavor.
It is usually breaded and deep-fried and then served hot and crispy with a spicy vinegar dip. It is usually eaten during breakfast, but of course, it can be had any time as long as it is available.
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| Tawilis |
It is usually breaded and deep-fried and then served hot and crispy with a spicy vinegar dip. It is usually eaten during breakfast, but of course, it can be had any time as long as it is available.
14. Shop for cheap clothes in an ukay-ukay
Another popular activity in Tagaytay is to shop for second-hand items in a ukay-ukay shop. There are small ukay-ukay shops that are scattered in Tagaytay, but the one place that you should perhaps visit is the Ukay-Ukay Hub along Aguinaldo Highway with its seemingly endless rows of jackets, shirts, pants, and other items.
15. Visit People's Park in the Sky
Location: Tagaytay-Calamba Road
People's Park in the Sky, or simply People's Park, is where most families and groups of friends head over to when visiting Tagaytay. People here can have a picnic, play games, or just have a fun time in the company of each other.
People's Park was originally intended to be a mansion for then US President Ronald Reagan, who was supposed to visit the Philippines but eventually canceled his trip. The unfinished mansion was subsequently converted to a park.
16. Visit Our Lady of Manaoag at Tierra de Maria
Our Lady of Manaoag at Tierra de Maria is a chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The most distinguishing feature of the church is the 50-foot image of the Virgin Mary, which is located above the entrance.
There is a chapel inside where Healing Masses are held, as well as different images of the Blessed Virgin. This church is dubbed a haven of meditation and enrichment.
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| Our Lady of Manaoag at Tierra de Maria (photo courtesy of Tierra de Maria Facebook page) |
There is a chapel inside where Healing Masses are held, as well as different images of the Blessed Virgin. This church is dubbed a haven of meditation and enrichment.
Where to stay in Tagaytay
Since Tagaytay is a popular tourist destination, there are many hotels that you can choose from if you decide to spend a night or two here. Some of the hotels that you may consider are the following:
1. Joaquin's Bed and Breakfast (CHECK RATES HERE)
2. Twin Lakes Hotel (CHECK RATES HERE)
3. The Junction Tagaytay (CHECK RATES HERE)
4. Cabins by Eco Hotel Tagaytay (CHECK RATES HERE)
5. Villa Ibarra Tagaytay (CHECK RATES HERE)
Epilogue
Tagaytay is a beautiful destination and is perfect for satisfying those spur-of-the-moment travel cravings. It's easy to get around, the food and the sights are amazing, and the chilly weather is always worth the travel.
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It seems like a great place to get away and eat some very interesting and tasty food. This is such great information for people in your neck of the woods.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a fabulous city to explore. I always love checking out the shops and food places.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a beautiful place to visit. The meals look yum too
ReplyDeleteWow! Tagaytay sounds like such a wonderful place to visit.
ReplyDeleteThe buffet restaurant seems like a must try, I had been there once but I wasn't able to try it unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteTagaytays sounds like a perfect place to relax and have good food! Love this place!
ReplyDeleteWhenever we travel to Tagaytay, we make sure we eat bulalo. I don't know if they have any secret ingredient but the Bulalo in tagaytay tastes different from the ones we can get here in the metro.
ReplyDeleteThat bulalo soup is making me drool. I hope we get to visit and explore Tagaytay someday. -LYNNDEE
ReplyDeleteBeautiful place to spend the time with family. That bulalo soup looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteSo many great ideas for places to see! The scenery is amazing and it sounds like there is plenty to do.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this po , ang dami tlgang place sa tagaytay na mapapasyalan , and tlga nman gaganda ng mga view 😍❤️
ReplyDeleteTunay po yn! Perfect place to go with! A getaway to Stay away from the metro
ReplyDeleteI love your list. These are nice places to visit and activities to try. The foods are a must try as well.
ReplyDeleteTHIS IS SUCH A NICE AND PERFECT PLACE FOR VACATION .. ALL FOODS ARE GOOD TO EAT ..AND ALSO ILOVE YOUR LIST ❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteThank you po! Yes po, the best talaga ang Tagaytay pag mga biglaang byahe or kung gusto nyo ng malapit lang na destination, together with your family.
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