Staying in Metro Manila can get tiring sometimes. From the traffic to being surrounded by buildings, there are many reasons why people might want a change of scenery. That’s why many families decide to go on an out of town trip whenever they can.
Of course, going out of town is easy if you know where to go. Otherwise, you’re faced with another problem: figuring out where your temporary escape will be. Considering that Metro Manila’s surrounded by several places, it could be hard to find a place to go. Well, one solution to that is to look north!
The Northern region of Luzon is peppered with several different places worth visiting. From beaches and mountains to historical towns, there are lots of interesting places to go if you’re looking to get out of Manila. What’s more, these are places that a whole family can enjoy! With that in mind, we’ll give you a handful of suggestions that you can take into consideration when you’re planning your next weekend getaway or vacation. That way, you’ll only have to worry about how you’re going to get there!
Looking North
Before we get started on the suggestions, we want to clarify something first. While we are giving you a list of locations to consider, we want you to know that this isn’t going to be comprehensive. Instead, this list will contain a handful of places that are rather popular spots in North Luzon that many families frequent.
It’s true that it won’t be much, but it’s something to get started with. Either way, we can promise you that these will all be places that are worth visiting and enjoyable for you and your family. That much we can guarantee! With all that in mind, here are some places your family can visit in the Northern region of Luzon.
Subic Bay
Subic was once known to be the home of a US military base, mainly housing soldiers and their eventual families. Even with the base gone, Subic is still known as a residential area. However, it’s also become a place that many people choose to visit for many reasons.
This little hamlet has all sorts of places worth visiting. From outlet stores and restaurants to zoos and aquariums, Subic’s a perfect place to take your family out on a vacation. What’s more, it’s easy to get there and to find a place to stay, considering that Subic welcomes visitors to enjoy the local sights. So, this should definitely be a consideration if you’re looking for an escape in North Luzon.
Hundred Islands National Park (Alaminos, Pangasinan)
The Philippines is known to be made up of 7,107 islands. Among those islands, you can find a hundred of them in Pangasinan! More specifically, in Pangasinan, you can find 124 of them–123 during low tide– in the Hundred Islands National Park!
The Hundred Islands happens to be one of the popular locations in the Philippines. Found scattered all over the Lingayen Gulf, this national park is home to limestone islands–some with beaches–and a beautiful body of water teeming with marine life. If you’re looking for some adventure and don’t mind getting wet, this is definitely a place you should take your family. Exploring this national park will be a great way to spend the weekend.
Baguio City
When you think of Northern Luzon, sometimes one of the things that come to mind would be Baguio. Considering that it’s known as the summer capital of the Philippines, it would make sense. This is because a lot of people visit Baguio due to its cool weather all year round. However, Baguio is more than just a cool place to stay.
The city of Baguio is also home to parks such as Mines View Park and Burnham Park, which are perfect places to take a stroll with your family. There are also several wonderful places to eat and get good bites, like the ube jam you can get at Good Shepherd. It’s another great place to take your family, especially if you want a place that’s got cool weather, trees, and several walkable areas with pretty sights.
Sagada
Sagada is another town up north that you could consider visiting if you want some cold weather and beautiful outdoor sights. This municipality is situated in the middle of the mountains of the Cordillera region. What’s more, Sagada’s left its surroundings virtually untouched. So, you take in all the nature that it has to offer.
You can do a whole host of outdoor activities, ranging from spelunking in the Sumaguing Caves to trekking to the Pongas Falls. If your family loves these types of activities, then you’re sure to enjoy staying in Sagada! If this isn’t really something your family is interested in, but you still want to be surrounded by nature, Sagada’s also great for that too.
Vigan (Ilocos)
If you love history, then Vigan is the perfect place for you to go! Located in Ilocos, this city is home to incredibly well-preserved houses and streets from when we were still a colony of Spain. Going here will literally feel like a trip back in time to the Spanish colonial period.
From Calle Crisologo to Plaza Salcedo, you’ll get to have a closer look at what things used to look like when we were still a Spanish colony. Aside from that, you’ll also be able to enjoy some great food local to Ilocos. So, if you want to let your kids see bits and pieces of our history and also get out and try different kinds of food, a trip to Vigan is definitely a must!
North Luzon has so many different places worth visiting. These are just some of them. So, if you’re looking for a place to get started as you continue to explore the North of Luzon, then consider some of the locations we’ve suggested. They’re places several people have enjoyed, so you’re sure to have a great time here too! Once you’ve gotten through this list, then you can start exploring and finding out more places too! It’s definitely a good way to get started and an even better way to spend time with your family.
