Manila

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Exploring things to do in Manila will be a good start if you will come with kids for holiday to museums and parks. We are always searching for a specific itinerary that fits our preferences. Besides, bringing kids during a journey will add another task to fulfill a convenient travel plan.

Once you have well-planned things to do with kids in Manila, renting a car will be the best yet most convenient option. Explore this vibrant city, visiting parks, museums, and delightful restaurants at your own pace.

Top Things to Do in Manila

Explore historical touristy to unlock the Philippines’ culture and tradition while visiting. Find out the best things to do in Manila with kids, seniors, or just going solo.

1. Manila Ocean Park

Enjoy number of attractions such as a musical fountain and live shows in Manila. It has become a leading attraction for visitors of all ages to enjoy an oceanarium filled with fish, sharks, penguins, and many more. 

• Location: Quirino Grandstand, 666 Behind, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila
• Opening hours: Daily from 10 AM–6 PM

2. Kiddie Wheely Park, BGC, Taguig

Keep moving by using a bike in Bonifacio Global City’s Kiddie Wheely Park. Take your bikes and prepare them with the kids to circle the manicured lawn in this area. It is the best way to keep your kid moving even during their travel experience.

• Location: 31st Street, Taguig, 1634 Metro Manila, Philippines
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 9 AM–6 PM

3. San Agustin Church

San Agustin is built out of locally quarried adobe stone and lime mortar. It is the oldest stone church in the country, reproduced in 1587 after being wrecked by a fire twice. Designed in the Neoclassical-Baroque style, this church has been relatively unchanged since its construction.

• Location: General Luna St, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila, Filipina
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 8 AM–5 PM

4. Casa Manila Museum

Situated within the walled city of Intramuros, this regal building boasts Spanish colonial architecture. It is a living museum showing a glimpse of affluent Filipino families during the Spanish colonial period.

• Location: Plaza sans luis complex, General Luna St, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Monday from 9 AM–6 PM (closed on Monday)

5. National Museum of Fine Arts

Be immersed in various artworks and exhibitions to encounter history as educational fun. It serves great works of famous Filipino artists, pre-colonial artifacts, and preserved animals in a place.

• Location: Padre Burgos Ave, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9 AM–6 PM (closed on Monday)

6. Ayala Museum

Ayala Museum is a breathing space amidst the hustle and bustle of Metropolitan Manila. It is located at the heart of the Makati Central Business District as one of the leading private museums in the Philippines. It features changing exhibits that situate Philippine art globally and hosts overseas collections at six-storey edifice permanent houses.

• Location: Greenbelt Park, Makati Avenue, corner Dela Rosa Street, Ayala Center, Makati, Metro Manila
• Opening hours: Sunday from 10 AM–6 PM

7. Manila Zoo

It is home to 90 animal species such as a Bengal tiger, Malayan civet, monitor lizard, and hippopotamus. Greet Vishwama'ali, a female Asian Elephant gifted by Sri Lanka government in 1977, and Kois the White Tiger a male white Siberian Tiger donated by Zoocobia in 2021.

• Location: M. Adriatico St, Malate, Manila, 1004 Metro Manila
• Opening hours: Monday from 11 AM–8 PM, Tuesday–Sunday from 9 AM–8 PM, Holidays 9 AM–8 PM

8. Marikina Shoe Museum

Located in the hills east of Metro Manila, this museum showcases some of the Philippines' best contemporary artists. Contributed by former first lady of the Philippines Imelda Marcos, you will see different kinds of shoes she owned for different occasions.

• Location: 315, 1800 J. P. Rizal St, Marikina, 1800 Metro Manila
• Opening hours: Weekdays from 7.30 AM–4.30 PM

9. Intramuros Gate

Offers a nice blend of the modern world and the long history of the Philippines, it is often packed and hectic around the landmark. However, this cultural heritage property is a must-see. Get help from a local guide and make it an educational walk tour to dive deeper into the history.

• Location: 1002 General Luna St, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila
• Opening hours: Daily from 9 AM–6 PM

10. Art in Island

Create Instagram-worthy photos from 3D-paintings in this museum! Be entertained by the installations, lighting displays, and animated projection using your panoramic or wide-angle camera.

• Location: 175 15th Ave, Cubao, Quezon City, 1109 Metro Manila
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday from 11 AM–7.30 PM, Weekends from 11 AM–8.30 PM

11. Enchanted Kingdom

Enchanted Kingdom offers thrilling rides and kind-of Disneyland attractions. It is the first and only world-class theme park in the country that is worth visiting by your companion.

• Location: RSBS Boulevard, San Lorenzo Rd, South, Santa Rosa, 4026 Laguna, Filipina
• Opening hours: Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM–8 PM

12. Avilon Zoo

Pay a visit to one of the largest zoological institutions in the Philippines within a 7,5 hectare facility. It offers guided tours and educational field trips to learn about wildlife, their status in the wild, and its conservation efforts. Guests are encouraged to experience feeding animals and interact with the zoo's talented and friendly creatures. 

• Location: 9003 GP Sitio Gulod San Isidro, 1860, Rodriguez, Rizal, Filipina
• Opening hours: Daily from 8 AM–5 PM

13. Manila Cathedral

The cathedral became the final resting place for former prelates who have served the Archdiocese of Manila. It was also used as a venue for the requiem mass for former President of the Philippines Corazon Aquino.

• Location: Cabildo, 132 Beaterio St, Intramuros, Manila
• Opening hours: Daily from 7 AM–5 PM 

14. Fort Santiago

As one of the oldest fortifications in Manila, Fort Santiago was once a palisaded structure of logs and earth built by Rajah Soliman on the native settlement called Maynila. The building has a solid stone structure that applies to the Italian-Spanish architectural style.

• Location: Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila
• Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday, Friday from 8 AM–8 PM, Thursday & Weekends from 9 AM–8 PM

15. Arroceros Forest Park

Arroceros Urban Forest Park is the newly redeveloped 2.71 hectares of “green space” that mixes urban elements with nature. Often referred to as the "Last Lung of Manila, it is home to numerous native trees and provides a peaceful haven for locals and tourists.

• Location: 659 A Antonio Villegas St, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila
• Opening hours: Daily from 8 AM–5 PM

Best Restaurants in Manila

Complete your journey to taste the best Filipino cuisine locals and tourists love. Find out these restaurant recommendations to fill up your belly during your visit.

1. Provenciano

Provenciano serves heirloom Filipino recipes in a retro-converted house with specialty cuisines such as kadyos, baboy, and langka. Savour sampling the bibingka (coconut-rice cake with salted egg) and puto bumbong (glutinous purple rice cake).  

• Location: 110 Maginhawa, Diliman, Lungsod Quezon, 1101 Kalakhang Maynila
• Opening hours: Daily from 10.30 AM–10 PM

2. Kodawari

The owner of this restaurant is Jake Aycardo, the Masterchef Asia alumnus who previously owned food concepts in food halls that catered to office workers. Aycardo started experimenting with new ventures that served gyu-don, which he used to sell at a food park.

The design studio recreated the Japanese theme and gave Kodawari a distinct hip, quirky look comprising elements of Japanese pop culture.

• Location: Salcedo Village, 121 L.P. Leviste Street, Makati, 1227 Metro Manila
• Opening hours: Daily from 11 AM–11 PM

3. Barbara’s Heritage Restaurant

It has two main banquet halls which are the Main Dining Hall, which was built elegantly using adobe blocks, with a white lime finish, and the Sala Filipina made up of wood structure. They cook delicious Filipino and Spanish recipes and other European-inspired dishes.

• Location: Plaza San Luis Complex, General Luna St, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila
• Opening hours: Daily from 9 AM–9 PM

4. Butterboy

Butterboy is an online specialty bakery-turned-weekend cafe in Quezon City. You can preorder Butterboy for delivery Tuesday through Sunday (there’s no dine-in service on weekdays), walk-in from 8 a.m. to noon on weekends, and reserve for events on the website. 

• Location: SM Mall of Asia, Level 2 South Entertainment Mall, across Decathlon and beside Kurimu
• Opening hours: Saturdays from 8 AM–5 PM, Sundays from 8 AM–12 PM

5. Rodic’s Diner

Filipino breakfasts like tapsilog consist of cured beef (tapa), fried garlic rice (sinangag), and fried egg (itlog) that is served savory and hearty. Rodic’s Diner makes a modification of tapa to be shredded like corned beef to be easily chewed by the kids and seniors.

• Location: 14 Masaya Avenue Corner Maginhawa Avenue, Old Capitol Site, Quezon City, 1101 Metro Manila
• Opening hours: Daily from 6 AM–9 PM

Best Hotels Reccomendations in Manila

There are various hotels in Manila whether you are staying for work or leisure. Researching Manila hotels and other types of accommodations before your visit is essential. Check out these popular recommendations for a convenient stay during your travel.

1. Shangri-La at the Fort

As a popular option both for business and leisure, Shangri-La at the Fort is popular because of its mere number of excellent amenities. Luxuriate in the outdoor pool if you need downtime to relax under the sun and for food connoisseurs that will surely satisfy your gastronomic cravings. 

• Location: 30th Street corner 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines, 1634.
• Room rate: Starts from S$ 462,70 per night.

2. Oakwood Makati Avenue

Adjoining a modern living experience with elegance, each room can accommodate a range of needs: solo travel, an intimate escape, or a family getaway. Luxuriate in a panoramic view of the city skyline rimmed by impressive floor-to-ceiling windows.

• Location: Kalayaan Avenue, corner Makati Ave, Makati, 1210 Metro Manila.
• Room rate: Starts from S$ 244,77 per night.

3. City Of Dreams - Nüwa Manila

Nüwa Manila at City of Dreams is one of the Philippines' newest and most sought-after luxury hotels, just a few minutes away from the international and domestic airports. It is near the scenic Manila Bay and home to thousands of glorious sunsets.

• Location: Asean Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard Entertainment City, Aseana City, Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines, 1701.
• Room rate: Starts from S$ 536,13 per night.

4. Hotel H20

Located next-door proximity to Manila Ocean Park, Hotel H20 is on the edge of Manila Bay. Its namesake element, water, evolves a connection of each part of this hotel. The kids will enjoy the signature aquarium wall adorning the inner guest rooms.

• Location: Luneta (Behind the Quirino Grandstand), Manila Bay, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines, 1000.
• Room rate: Starts from S$ 188,43 per night.

5. Holiday Inn Express MANILA NEWPORT CITY

Conveniently located across the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), this hotel is a pioneer of Integrated Resort in Metro Manila, Philippines. It has a direct bridge way to Terminal 3 for your hassle-free stay. Recharge in a comfy bed with a choice of soft and firm pillows. Have your Express Start Breakfast or Grab & Go from a multi-functional Great Room.

• Location: 1 Jasmine Drive, Newport City, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines, 1309
• Room rate: Starts from S$ 132,12 per night.

Tips When Visiting Manila

If you are seeking modern conveniences, the best place to stay would be in the central business districts or CBDs such as Makati, Bonifacio Global City, and Ortigas Center. Renting a private condominium or house within Manila will work best if you are looking for privacy. Put in your itinerary that some places might be closed on Mondays in Manila.

Manila is an immaculate hub for Philippine culture, history, shopping, and nightlife. The best transportation option for a hassle-free journey is to take online taxis. Mingle in culture by taking a motorized tricycle, the local form of the auto-rickshaw similar to Thailand’s tuk-tuk.