What To See and Do In Pampanga

Discover what to see and do in Pampanga, from hiking Mount Arayat to exploring historical sites, enjoying thrilling amusement parks, and experiencing the rich culture and history of this old province.

Pampanga is more than just its rich history as the first Spanish province on Luzon Island and one of the first eight provinces to rebel against Spanish oppression.  It is now a first-class, highly-urbanized city known for its sumptuous dishes and vibrant Christmas scene.  And with its proximity to Manila, the country’s capital, and collaborative efforts of government and private sectors, Pampanga’s tourism has flourished in recent years.

Tourists of all ages and interests will definitely enjoy the many tourists spots in the province including:

1 | Hike Mount Arayat National Park

View from a trail in Mount Arayat National Park

As one of the oldest national parks in the Philippines, Mount Arayat National Park is far more developed than others with its picnic huts, concrete trails, and man-made pools fed with spring water.  The national park is home to many endemic flora and fauna, some endangered.  The peak of Mount Arayat is a dream for many mountaineers as it is classified as a difficult climb but the reward is the scenic views of Pampanga River and the mountains of Zambales, Bataan, and Sierra Madre.

2 | Visit Candaba Bird Sanctuary

With its diverse avian population especially during migratory season, Candaba Bird Sanctuary is a haven for birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts, and wildlife photographers.  Best time to visit is from October to March as thousands of migratory birds from China, Japan, Russia, and Siberia flock the area seeking sustenance and refuge during the cold winter months.  Common migratory bird species found in the sanctuary include grey heron and black-winged stilt.  If you’re lucky, you may come across rare species such as Chinese pond heron, great cormorant, and black-faced spoonbill.

3 | Cool off at the waterfalls in Porac

Did you know that the town of Porac alone has three waterfalls?  One is Miyamit Falls, known for its clean and potable water.  The others are Darabulbul Falls (also known as Dara Falls), Sapang Angka Falls, and Hidden Falls, a secluded beauty offering a peaceful ambiance for anyone who wants to relax and commune with nature.  The jump-off point to Mt. Pinatubo Twin Falls is also in Porac.

4 | Enjoy the thrilling rides at Sky Ranch

Enjoy a few hours of fun and thrill with a variety of rides in Sky Ranch.  Located in San Fernando, this amusement park boasts of both family-friendly fun and heart-pounding rides such as the thrilling coasters and Pampanga eye, a 65-meter tall ferris wheel.

Sky Ranch also has branches in Tagaytay and Baguio.

5 | Conquer the challenges in Sandbox

Sandbox is a great destination for thrill-seekers and physically-fit adventurers.  The park boasts a giant swing, roller coaster zipline, rope obstacle courses, and wall climbing as well as water obstacle courses, ATV ride, go kart, outdoor archery, and many others.  Whether you are with family or friends, you surely will have lots of fun in Sandbox.

6 | Slide into fun at Aqua Planet

Ready for another kind of adventure?  Slide into fun at Aqua Planet, the largest water park in the Philippines.  It features different water slides – Aqua Loop, Hurricane, Octopus Racers, Sky Shuttle, Tornado, Spiral Slides, and Superbowl – each different from the other in terms of size, height, and level of extremeness.  If you simply want to relax and float along the lazy river, your option is the Wave Pool or Wave River.  There are also shops, food outlets, and other forms of entertainment for that totally fun and memorable visit.

7 | Immerse yourself in history at Museo Ning Angeles and Nayong Pilipino

Housed in a restored Spanish-era building, Museo ning Angeles is a treasure trove of items significant to the history of the Kapampangan people.  It showcases rare photographs of the city from earlier times, memorabilia, and works of locals in the world of arts and fashion including the masterpieces of Patis Tesoro who is known as the Grand Dame of Philippine Fashion.  There is also a section in the museum called Culinarium, dedicated to Kapampangan cuisine.

Nayong Pilipino, on the other hand, is located in Clark Freeport Zone, having been relocated from its original location in Pasay.  This expansive theme park now covers an area of 3.5 hectares that is being used to feature a variety of exhibits highlighting the heritage, culture, and history of the Philippines.  It has a Money Museum which features the past and present Philippine currency and a Textile Museum for local textiles as well as replicas of popular national landmarks and villages of ethnic groups.

8 | Appreciate the architecture of historical houses and churches

Holy Rosary Parish Church, Pampanga

As the first Spanish province on Luzon Island, many structures were erected all over Pampanga during the Spanish era and even during the Japanese and American period.  Thanks to preservation and restoration efforts, many of these structures are still standing today, and most are being used as museums and tourist attractions.  In Angeles, you can visit Bale Matua, Camalig Restaurant, and Dycaico Ancestral House while in San Fernando, you’ll find Henson-Hizon Heritage House, Hizon-Singian House, and Lazatin House.  Additionally, the Gasioco Ancestral Manor House, also known as Salaria, is found in Santa Rita, Pampanga.

For Catholic devotees, the Holy Rosary Parish Church in Angeles City makes for a great stopover.  It is recognized by the National Commission for Culture and Arts as a national historical site and considered an important cultural property by the National Museum of the Philippines.  Constructed from 1877 to 1896, the church building is of Gothic Revival Renaissance style.

9 | Try your luck at Casino Filipino Angeles

Whether you’re a seasoned gambler or simply looking to enjoy the food and entertainment, there’s definitely something for you to enjoy at the casino.  Of course, you can try your luck at the slot machines and bingo or apply your game strategies in classic casino games like poker and blackjack.

10 | See the Air Force City Park

As the name suggests, Air Force City Park showcases aviation equipment and decommissioned military aircraft such as helicopters, transport planes, and fighter jets once used by the armed forces of the United States and the Philippines back in the day.  Among the displays is the Thunderbird, the first aircraft of the country.  Aside from learning more about the country’s military aviation history, Air Force City Park is also a good place to have a picnic and photoshoot.

In addition to the spots mentioned above, you may also want to see Dinosaurs Island and Clark Museum and 4D Theater and do try wakeboarding at Pradera Verde or Decawake Park Clark in Pampanga.

READ MORE: Pampanga Visitors Guide