Before Anything Else
Things To Do
Taal Lake
Take the opportunity to trek and hike Taal Volcano, the smallest active volcano in the world. There are several day tours you can choose from. Taal Volcano and Lake are the pride and joy of Tagaytay City. With 33 eruptions, it’s the second most active volcano in the Philippines. It’s signature is a huge cratered mouth and hilly sides that spill out into the Lake. But look a little bit closer and you’ll see that within the cratered mouth is a whole other Lake. And within that Lake, is another island.
Sky Ranch
Who doesn’t love a good ol’ fashioned amusement park? Visit Sky Ranch and feel like a kid again! They have plenty of (well-maintained) rides for you to get your adrenaline pumping. The Sky Eye Ferris Wheel takes you on a sightseeing tour 63 meters above the ground; the Sky Cruiser is a pedal bike high off the ground where riders pedal on an aerial track to get views of Taal Lake and Volcano; the zipline catapults you down a 300 meter long line high above the ground; and that’s just the beginning. There are tons of rides for kids like little pedal boats in pools and a grand carousel that will make their eyes light up with excitement.
Our Lady of Manaoag
If you haven’t already figured it out, the Philippines is a very religious country and therefore, has gone to great lengths to design, construct, and erect some of the most magnificent religious shrines in Asia. You don’t have to be religious to find the Our Lady of Manaoag fascinating. This 50ft statue of Mary, the Mother of God, is a spot where Filipinos worship and take photos. There is a small church temple next to the statue with a flea market collection of a Jesus statue on the cross, photos of the prophet, and twinkling Christmas lights strung about.
Breakfast at Antonio's
Go for the food, stay for the views. Breakfast at Antonio’s is a two-in-one must visit destination in Tagaytay City. While they do offer incredible breakfast options such as homemade pork sausage and honey infused Golden Waffles, we can’t recommend the sandwiches enough. Using quality deli meat and gourmet cheeses, you can order creations such as the grilled smoked ham with gruyere and cheddar cheese. Yum! All the while, you’re seated next to a large window overlooking the Taal Volcano and Lake which ties the entire experience together.
Tagaytay Picnic Grove
Carry on from the Our Lady of Manaoag to the Picnic Grove nearby. The grove is a picturesque and idyllic space for families and couples to come for a picnic (duh), to fly a kite, or get some exercise. From the top of the sprawling grassy hill, it looks like if you were to roll down you’d fly off into the water and land amongst the islands in the distance. The views are incomprehensibly beautiful. There are tons of activities here such as horseback riding, ziplining, swimming, shopping, and cable car riding. You could easily spend the entire day here. There are also restaurants around to keep you sustained.
Mahogany Beef Market & Bulalohan
If you crave for hot Bulalo, you shouldn’t miss visiting the famous Mahogany Market. Bulalo is a special dish made of fresh beef directly from daily production in the market. The mahogany market has plenty of carinderia and food stalls. Bulalo is so fresh that there is a meat section in front of the food stalls. When visiting Tagaytay, don’t miss the hearty and warm Bulalo (a kind of beef shank soup), which is a perfect staple.