There are lots of great things to do during the weekend. One good way to spend the weekend is to plan a family vacation. This will not only strengthen your family bond, but it will also reward you with priceless benefits from spending time with your loved ones.
The good news is family fun places are not limited to Metro Manila, only; there are other unexplored places, like North Luzon. Try Bulacan and Subic, for instance. Enjoy activities for the family in these places with sample itineraries you can try. Take a look:
Subic
A former US Navy facility turned into a livable and exciting community, Subic is excellent for your weekend trip. Nature parks, beautiful beaches, fantastic mountain views, and mouth-watering delicacies can keep you coming back for more.
| Time | Activity |
| 6:00 AM | Travel from home |
| 8:00 AM | Breakfast at Xtremely Xpresso Cafe |
| 10:00 AM | Visit the Floating Playground |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch at Texas Joe’s House of Ribs |
| 2:00 PM | Visit Zoobic Safari |
| 4:00 PM | Visit Camayan Beach Resort |
| 7:00 PM | Dinner at The Reef Restaurant |
| 8:00 AM | Return home |
6:00 AM - Start your travel from Manila.
8:00 AM - Have a hearty breakfast at Xtremely Xpresso Cafe.
Xtremely Xpresso Cafe
Location: Dewey Avenue, Subic Bay Freeport Zone
Operating Hours: 6:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Xtremely Xpresso Cafe is a European-style restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant has beautiful European decor, a menu that both kids and their parents will enjoy, and excellent service from the staff.
Their Bacon Cheeseburger and Big Ben Pizza are absolute must-tries. Their Bacon Cheeseburger is known for its yummy burger patty with juicy bacon and creamy cheese. The Big Ben Pizza, on the other hand, is topped with flavorful toppings on a moist and delicious crust.
10:00 AM - Have a splash at The Inflatable Island.
The Inflatable Island
Address: Subic Bay Waters, Zambales
Operating Hours: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
The first fun-filled stopover in your family vacation is The Inflatable Island, Asia’s biggest inflatable playground. Fun inflatable challenges await both you and your kids here, namely the sunflower inflatables at the Sunflower Lounge and the big unicorn inflatables at Unicornzilla.
Online booking and walk-in rates vary for this vacation destination. If you book online, you can save up to 10% off on your play pass. The price starts from Php499.00-999.00. These are half-day passes, as well; so you can choose to stay here longer. For day trips, two to three hours of fun would suffice.
DIY travel tips:
- No outside food and drinks are allowed in the playground; you can buy food at the food carts or eat out.
- There is no age limit, but children who are 3 to 4-feet tall each require one adult companion.
12:00 PM - Have a sumptuous lunch at Texas Joe’s House of Ribs.
Texas Joe’s House of Ribs
Location: Corner of Waterfront Road and Mckinley St., Subic Bay Freeport Zone
Operating Hours: 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Texas Joe’s House of Ribs is a BBQ restaurant known for its out-of-this-world barbecue meals—which comes as no surprise since the restaurant smokes their food with real hickory wood.
They don’t boil their food or expose their meats to liquid smoke. Hickory Smoked Spare Ribs for adults and the Kids’ Cheese Quesadilla meal are their best dishes. Their Hickory Smoked Spare Ribs are made only with delicious and flavorful USA Swift Premium Pork ribs. Lastly, the Kids’ Cheese Quesadilla meal consists of creamy quesadilla, one fountain drink, fries, and cookies that the little ones can appreciate.
2:00 PM - Visit the Zoobic Safari.
Zoobic Safari
Address: Forrest Adventure, Subic Bay Freeport Zone
Operating Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Zoobic Safari will always be among the best family vacation destinations in the country. In fact, Zoobic Safari is the only tiger safari in the Philippines that will let you study and meet other wonderful animals up close.
The animal zoo attractions include the animal drives in Savannah and the crocodile sight-seeing in Croco Loco. You can reserve your tickets online. Rates for adults cost Php695.00, while children taller than 3 feet are charged Php595.00 per head. Kids below 3 feet are free of charge.
There are also rates with dinner included. The rate for adults is Php895.00, while the price for kids is Php795.00. Depending on the exhibits you booked, you can stay for approximately one to two hours.
DIY travel tips:
- Ask about the Zoobic Night Safari. The tour includes activities for the family, like the Greyhound Walk and the Enchanting Forest.
- Watch the different talents of the animals in the animal parades and shows. Shows are scheduled at 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:00 PM.
4:00 PM - Stroll around Camayan Beach Resort.
Camayan Beach Resort
Address: West Ilanin Forest Area, Subic Bay
Operating Hours: 24 Hours (excluding some resort activities)
Travel Distance (straight from Manila): 2 hours
Family vacation for fun should also have a relaxing stopover. Make your last stop at Camayan Beach Resort, an all-inclusive family resort that offers beach and forest activities to every member of the family.
You can swim and dive for the coral reefs and shipwrecks in Subic Bay, or bike through the rainforest. Rooms and suites consist of the Superior Room, Deluxe Room, Captain’s Suite, and Sunset Suite. Room rates start at Php2,000.00.
DIY travel tips:
- Each room has different relaxing views; so be sure to inquire.
- You can visit Ocean Adventure nearby, another popular vacation spot in the area.
7:00 PM - Enjoy a special dinner at The Reef Restaurant.
The Reef Restaurant
Location: West Ilanin Forest Area, Subic Bay
Operating Hours: 24 hours
While staying at the Camayan Beach Resort, you can arrange for room service from The Reef Restaurant or go there yourself. Their best dishes include Sinigang na Hipon and Crispy Pata, which are favorite Filipino dishes. Plates of pasta and burgers are also available for your kids to try.
Bulacan
Just a few hops from Manila, Bulacan boasts of historical wonders, landmarks, and nature parks. Great for a fun family weekend, there is a lot to be explored in this beautiful province.
| Time | Activity |
| 7:00 AM | Travel from home |
| 9:00 AM | Breakfast at Simula: All day breakfast x Comfort food |
| 11:00 AM | Visit Barasoain Museum |
| 1:00 PM | Lunch at Bistro Maloleño |
| 2:00 PM | Visit Baguio of Bulacan - Hilltop |
| 4:00 PM | Visit Amana Waterpark |
| 6:00 PM | Dinner at Teodorico’s Buffet Restaurant & Events Place |
| 8:00 AM | Travel home |
7:00 AM - Start your trip to Bulacan.
9:00 AM - Have a yummy start at Simula: All day breakfast x Comfort food.
Simula: All day breakfast
Location: Paseo de Congreso, Malolos
Operating Hours: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Simula is a good way to start your Bulacan tour. It is a small, family-owned restaurant that serves high-quality local Filipino meals that will surely be a good introduction to your child’s food tastes.
Try their Pesto Pasta and Simula’s Beef Tapa, touted as the most delicious meals this restaurant has to offer. Their Pesto Pasta is made more sumptuous with juicy diced chicken. On the other hand, Simula’s Beef Tapa is made with Simula’s own tapa marinade with a choice of garlic, sweet, or spicy flavor.
11:00 AM - Stroll around the historical Barasoain Museum.
Barasoain Museum
Address: Malolos, Bulacan
Operating Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Historical museums will always mean fun for the family, and a good way to learn the rich history of our country. The Barasoain Museum is also known as the Museo ng Republika ng 1899.
This museum presents the First Philippine Republic and the Filipinos’ fight for freedom against the colonizers. The museum’s galleries are interactive and digital and include stereographs of the war against the United States. Admission is free. Enjoy the exhibits in one to two hours.
DIY travel tips:
- Arrange for a visit before going to the museum. Make sure to ask about the museum’s policies and guidelines for visitors, especially for young kids.
- Visit the nearby Barasoain Church, another well-known historical landmark.
1:00 PM - Enjoy authentic Bulacan food in Bistro Maloleño.
Bistro Maloleño
Location: Capitol View Park, Malolos
Operating Hours: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Make your historical tour complete by dining at heritage restaurants like Bistro Maloleño—home to authentic Bulacan heritage cuisines. These dishes are said to be the favorite food of our national heroes themselves.
The very place serves as a museum for Bulacan cuisine. You should try Pochero ni Plaridel and Seafoods Fiesta. The dish Pochero ni Plaridel has the usual pochero vegetables with garbanzos and thick slices of chorizo. The Seafoods Fiesta is indeed a fiesta because it includes hefty servings of mussels, squid, oysters, tempura, crab, prawns, and lobster.
2:00 PM - Chill out with the family at the Baguio of Bulacan.
Baguio of Bulacan - Hilltop
Address: Norzagaray, Bulacan
Operating Hours: No operating hours; it’s an open park
The best family vacations include simple yet relaxing places to visit such as the Hilltop or Baguio of Bulacan. This tourist attraction offers a breathtaking view of the Sierra Madre, Angat Dam, and Ipo Dam.
You can also trail down the BitBit bridge to explore the river and enjoy a picnic with your kids. The place is open to the public; admission is free. You can buy fresh food around the area, like coconut juice sold by vendors. Stay at the Hilltop for an hour or two.
DIY travel tips:
- Make sure to contact the Bulacan government for more details about the Hilltop, since it is an open park.
- Visit the nearby Angat Rainforest Ecological Park as another vacation idea.
4:00 PM - Take a splash at the Amana Waterpark.
Amana Waterpark
Address: Santa Maria, Plaridel
Operating Hours: 24 Hours
Amana Waterpark aims to provide the best vacation for families. Their Jurassic Pool and Batman Pool feature exciting movie themes.
You can also spend time relaxing at the spa or take one-way or two-way zip line adventures with the kids. You can also enjoy the virtual reality rides that are guaranteed to thrill and excite everyone in the family. Room rates start at Php2,500.00.
DIY travel tips:
- Download the rooms and cottages map to make the most out of your stay.
- Explore the theme cottages that are inspired by other local tourist destinations, like Baler, Calatagan, and Tagaytay.
6:00 PM - Enjoy good food at Teodorico’s Buffet Restaurant & Events Place.
Teodorico’s Buffet Restaurant & Events Place
Location: Maharlika Highway, Plaridel
Operating Hours: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Who doesn’t love buffets? If buffet is your family’s thing, reserve a slot at Teodorico’s Buffet Restaurant and Events Place for dinner or next day’s lunch.
This place has a wide range of main course meals and desserts. The cost per head is only Php199.00. Try their yummy bestsellers such as the crunchy fried chicken, and dim sum choices such as siomai and siopao.
There are other family vacation destinations in Northern Luzon. Plan your next DIY travel in Pampanga and Zambales. Whatever your next destination may be, do not forget the essential ingredient to a family weekend getaway: having fun and making lots of happy memories together.