Best Things to do in Bacolod City photo by Brian Kairuz via Unsplash
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Top 15 Bacolod City Tourist Spots + Things to do

Explore these Amazing Bacolod Tourist Spots

Tourist Attractions and Best Things to Do in Bacolod City (and Nearby Cities)

Bacolod City, Philippines – This is the capital of Negros Occidental, and it is widely known as the City of Smiles because of the warm welcome you will receive when you get to this city. The city is known for its rich local history, vibrant food culture, and the best tourist attractions that you can visit. Some of the top things to do in Bacolod City are listed below.

Best Things to do in Bacolod City photo by Brian Kairuz via Unsplash
Best Things to Do in Bacolod City Photo by Brian Kairuz on Unsplash

Learn about the local history and culture from the Negros Museum

The Negros Museum
The Negros Museum

One of the top things to do in Bacolod City is to visit the Negros Museum; the museum is housed in a building built during the American Colonial era.

This is a place to go if you want to learn more about the history and how the people of Negroes Island lived their lives in the early days. You will learn about old families’ elegant lifestyles through the museum’s collection of old furniture and fixtures from various ancestral houses.

Visit the ruins in Talisay.

Water Fountain at The Ruins
Water Fountain at The Ruins

Although the Negros Occidental’s famous old structure is not as massive as the Taj Mahal, it serves the same purpose as it immortalizes the memory of a loved one. It was located on Batulau Street, and it was built in 1911 by Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson in memory of his wife, that died a tragic death.

He raised his 10 children till World War II, and the Americans demolished the mansion because they feared the Japanese would occupy it. You can see the frame of the house, which still stands today. Also Read: The Ruins in Talisay City

Go sightseeing at the Provincial Capitol Grounds

Provincial Capitol of Negros Occidental
Provincial Capitol of Negros Occidental

This is the official seat of the provincial government, and it served as the headquarters of the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. You will love the Romanesque architecture of the building. It also has a nice surrounding park and lagoon, including the Ang Paghimud-os statues, which Eduardo Castrillo made. You will also like the exciting sculptures found in the lagoon.

Visit San Sebastian Cathedral

Bacolod Cathedral
Bacolod Cathedral

This is also known as the Bacolod Cathedral, located along Rizal Street, across from the Bacolod City Public Plaza. Visiting here is one thing to do in Bacolod City as you can see the baroque architectural style, and it is among the century-old churches in Negros Occidental.

The church is also regarded as the most beautiful in the province as it is made up of coral stones and lime quarried from Guimaras Island and Palawan wood.

Explore the Silay City

The Balay Negrense Museum
The Balay Negrense Museum

You can visit Silay City, part of the Bacolod Metropolis area, famous for its museums and heritage sites. You will have so much to do here if you want to learn more about Bacolod’s history.

This area is dubbed the arts, eco-tourism, and culture seat in Western Visayas. This city is among the two Museum Cities, widely known as the National Historical Institute, with over 30 heritage houses and museums. You will go back in time when you walk along the street of Silay.

Go for fun at Campuestohan Highlands.

Campuestohan Highlands photo via FB Page
Campuestohan Highlands photo via FB Page

This is located in Talisay City after you visit the ruins. There are many adventure rides that you will get your blood pumping hard. This is one of the best things to do in Bacolod City, and the highlight of this tour is the zip line, a rope course, a cable hamster wheel, and a four-lane sky bicycle track.

This tourist attraction is family-friendly, and you and your kids will love it here as there are a mini-train, a grand carousel, and many open areas for playing.

Cross the longest bamboo bridge in the Visayas.

You can visit the Balaring Mangrove, home to more than 20,000 mangroves and birds and the longest bamboo bridge in the Visayas.

This 50-hectare eco-park is the bridge, which is believed to run close to a km long, with the mangroves covering you on both sides. You will see the full view of the park from a three-story bamboo tower which you will surely love.

Explore the Church of the Angry Christ in Victorias City

Inside the Church of the Angry Christ
Inside the Church of the Angry Christ

This is situated inside Victorias Milling Company, and the church is well known for its controversial wall-sized mural with vibrant colors and striking art strokes you will like.

The painted altar has combined the artistry of Spanish-American painter Alfonso Ossorio with Filipino artist Benjamin Valenciano. Also Read: The Church of Angry Christ in Victorias City

Go hiking at different waterfalls

Mambukal Lake by Choi2451 via Wikipedia CC
Mambukal Lake by Choi2451 via Wikipedia CC

If you want to relax and leave the city behind, the best place is the Mambukal Mountain Resort, the recreation haven. There are many fun things that you can try out in this resort-like swimming pools, picnic huts, butterfly gardens, zip lines, bat caves, and others.

The resort’s highlight is the seven-waterfall hike, and you can hike the seven different waterfalls, which will be fun for you.

Watch the Sunset at Capitol Park and Lagoon

Aerial view of the Capitol Park and Lagoon by Shawn7711 via Wikipedia CC
Aerial view of the Capitol Park and Lagoon by Shawn7711 via Wikipedia CC

This is the center of Bacolod City, and the complex homes Capitol Hall, the Negros Museum, the provincial library, and some government buildings with a manmade lagoon in the middle.

You can come here in the morning for people to watch as you will find the locals here, and this is the best place to relax or join recreational activities in the evening. You will also see the scenic sunset while you walk around here.

Explore the Lakawon Island

Lakawon Island Budget Travel Guide photo by Louie Martinez via Unsplash
Lakawon Island Budget Travel Guide photo by Louie Martinez via Unsplash

Lakawon Island is located on a 16-hectare banana-shaped island, and you will also love the white sand shores and the clear blue waters. If you want to escape the city’s hustle and bustle, this is the best place to unwind and enjoy the cool nature.

The resort has several amenities and activities you can try out, which you and your family will love.

Go souvenir shopping

Before leaving the city, you should visit the Pasalubong shop, where you can buy souvenir items and delicacies that are genuinely Negrense to take with you to your friends and loved ones.

Shop for local crafts in the Negros Showroom

Negros Showroom via FB Page
Negros Showroom via FB Page

If you are looking for local crafts to buy and take home, the Negroes Showroom is the right place to visit. The showroom was built by the Association of Negroes Producers, a group of local producers mainly from the cottage or home-based industries.

The local crafts are displayed, and you can pick the ones that catch your fancy. You can also buy clothing and accessories which are handmade from this store.

Try out local foods at Pala-Pala.

Pala-Pala Grilled Foods
Pala-Pala Grilled Foods

Pala-Pala was once a seafood market in downtown Bacolod and you can buy cheap and fresh seafood. You can then purchase seafood and then take them to the eateries to have them cooked the way you like it, and the restaurant will charge a small cooking fee based on the ingredients needed for the dish.

You can also visit the Pala-Pala without going to the seafood market, where you can choose the seafood that will be cooked for you.

Go dining at Manokan Country.

Authentic Bacolod Inasal
Authentic Bacolod Inasal

If you are in Bacolod City and did not try out the famous Chicken Inasal, you are missing; you should try fixing this in the Manokan Country. The food complex is in an entire street of hole-in-the-wall restaurants selling various grilled foods and the Bacolod Chicken Inasal.

Bacolod City has many attractions and favorite things you can do, and there are many local cuisines you can try out in this city.

Bacolod Travel and Tour Packages

Do you have other recommended fun and exciting things to do in Bacolod City? Please feel free to share by posting a comment below.

Find the Best Hotels in Bacolod City according to your budget via Agoda.

Want more updates about new package tours and tourist spots in Bacolod City? Follow #TeamOutofTown, on Facebook, TwitterInstagram, Bloglovin, and Pinterest for more travel ideas.

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Written by Melo Villareal

Melo Villareal is the Online Publisher of Outoftownblog.com. He is an Accountant by profession who left the corporate world at the age of 23 to explore his beautiful country and the rest of the world. Today, Melo works as a part-time Social Media Manager for local and international clients. His full-time work focuses on discovering interesting culture, explore different cuisines and take memorable photos from local and international destinations he's visiting.

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