Burnham Park is located in the heart of Baguio City, between Harrison Road and Kisad road. It has an area of 32.84 hectares. It was named after Daniel Hudson Burnham, the master planner of Baguio City. He has a statue erected at the top of the Rose Garden, just after the main entrance to the park gate.
Burnham is part of everyone's childhood in Baguio and nearby towns. For tourists, this is a must-see attraction. Over the years, the park has evolved and is constantly evolving to better serve residents and tourists. It has been a witness to the various milestones of Baguio City.
The great thing about Burnham Park is that there are so many things you can do without paying a single cent. Some activities require you to pay, but not as expensive as other attractions in Baguio.
Free Things to do in Burnham Park
1. Stroll in Baguio City Orchidarium
The Orchidarium is located towards the end part of the adult biking area near Kisad road. Unlike other parts of the park, the Orchidarium is usually less crowded.
You will enjoy this area if you love flowers and greens. The Orchidarium contains hundreds of different kinds of plants. It is filled with landscapes and some water elements. There are also some benches for you to rest. It's a green sanctuary in the middle of a busy city.
You can buy some souvenirs like potted plants, pots, and tree seedlings here.
Cost: Free
2. Have a picnic at the tables around the skating rink
There are concrete tables for eating around the skating rink. You can also get a picnic blanket so you can have your picnic in other grassy parts of the park except for the fenced and prohibited areas.
Cost: Free
3. Watch the Dancing Fountains at the Rose Garden
There are three dancing fountains in the Rose Garden which operate on a scheduled interval. The biggest one is usually the star of the show.
Pro-tip: It is best to watch the fountains at night time because the lights make it more beautiful and dramatic.
Cost: Free
4. Play in the Children's Park
This area is great if you have kids. The play area contains swings, seesaws, slides, and jungle bars. At the entrance, you can see two elephant statues where you can have your photos taken. They say you are not from Baguio if you don't have a picture with the elephants.
There are shaded areas and benches where you can stay to watch your kids too.
Paid Things to do in Burnham Park
1. Ride a bike
There are two separate biking areas; one for adults and older kids and the other for younger kids. The bikes are decorated fancily in different designs and colors. There are also go-karts in the biking area for kids.
Cost: 2 wheel bike for younger kids: 40 pesos per hour
Side-car, Go-kart, and 2-wheel bike for adults: 50 pesos per hour
Chopper (Go-kart with passenger's seat): 75 pesos per hour
2. Ride a boat
You can go for swan boats with pedals or boats with paddles. You can ask a rower to paddle for you, or you can do it yourself.
Cost: 150 pesos per hour or 100 for 30 minutes
Pro-tip: You can rent the boat as long as you want if you don't need a rower for 250 pesos. If you go there during a weekday on lean seasons, they can even offer unlimited boat riding for 100 pesos.
3. Skate at the skating rink
Cost: Inline skates and scooter: 100 pesos for 30 minutes.
Roller skates: 50 pesos for 30 minutes
4. Ride a bump car
Cost: 50 pesos
5. Enjoy other activities at the skating rink
There are other kid-friendly rides and amenities inside the skating rink area including:
- Bungee Tramp- 50 pesos per head
- Animal Fantasy- 40 pesos per head
- Mini Viking- 40 pesos per head
- Funny flight- 40 pesos per head
- Dancing car- 40 pesos per head
- Carousel- 40 pesos per head
- Horror house- 40 pesos per head
- Doggy coaster- 50 pesos per head
- Train- 10 pesos per head
- Trampoline- 20 pesos per head
Stationary rides are also available. Tokens cost 10 pesos each.
Reminders:
The entrance to the park is free so it is everyone's responsibility to keep it clean and beautiful. Follow the rules; respect the park and everyone in it. Following the rules will ensure that more generations will enjoy the different things to do in Burnham Park.
About the author: This article (revised) was shared exclusively by our friend Donnabeth Tolano-Aniban with the Igorotage team. Donnabeth is a licensed Filipino nurse and a former teacher. She now works as an academic writer and also writes on Medium. Her work has been featured in Her View From Home and When In Manila. You can get her book "50 Ideas For A Great Life" on Shopee.
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