Fun days out in Manila

This list is by no means exhausted! It's a good start though!

Ocean Park

Ocean Park is located near the port area / American Embassy / Manila Hotel behind the Quirino Grandstand Luneta. It is a fun half day out. Lots of fish, some Palawan Crocodiles, a walk through shark aquarium and at the end of it enjoy a fish spa, where fish will clean your feet!  There is a restaurant on the way out, which has fairly average food, but good if you are hungry. Find out more from their website at manilaoceanpark.com

Manila Zoo

Manila Zoo offers a fun day out! Whilst certainly not in the same league as many western zoos or Singapore Zoo, for example, it still offers a very enjoyable day out. There are a wide variety of animals and you can get up close and handle some of the animals in the Childrens section. This helps to make the zoo a really special experience. Find out more at manilazoo.org

Star City

Star city is an amusment park conveniently located near the CCP complex (Cultural Center of the Philippines). It offers all the usual rides like roller coasters, house of horrors, Dino Island, Snow World and a Wild River ride. All the usual fun at a very affordable price. This venue also puts on shows. Write-ups can be found here and here. A fun family day out at an affordable price.

Enchanted Kingdom

Enchanted Kingdom offers a Grand Carousel, a swing-ride, Rio Grande - a wet and wild adventure, a 4-D Theater, Brooklyn's motion simulator theater, a triple loop roller coaster, an 11 storey-high space shuttle, a Kart Trak, Jungle Log Jam, Swan Lake, Dodgems, Roller Skater, Bump n' Splash, Wheel of Fate, A Dinosaur area and much much more! Enchanted Kingdom is a little bit out of town in Laguna, but they offer a very convenient pick-up / drop-off service from near the main mall, Glorietta,  in Makati. You can just turn up, but it may be advisable to get a ticket in advance - outlets are listed on their website. Highly recommended and at an affordable price! Visit their website at enchantedkingdom.com.ph

Ocean Adventure

Located in Subic Bay, some 2-3 hours outof Manila, Ocean Adventure gives you the opportunity to see and swim with Dolphins. In fact you have the option of swimming encounters, scuba diving encounters or beach encounters with the dolphins! They also have Sea Lions and Aquariums. If diving is your thing then you can do shipwreck and Marine Life dives. Find out more at oceanadventure.com.ph

Catch a show or play

You will be impressed with the Marcos-era building and the performances put on at the CCP complex (Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex). It makes for an excellent evening if you catch a show whilst in Manila. The official website is at culturalcenter.gov.ph. The Aliw Theater, Star City, is located near to the CCP complex and also has some excellent shows. In Makati there are often plays in Greenbelt 1 Theater. You can find out what is on and buy tickets  from the central area of Greenbelt 1. These shows are often very entertaining, although not as grand as those at the CCP complex.

Go on a Jeepney Tour

Explore Manila in a Jeepney. Jeepney tours offers a number of tours and can pick you up from your hotel. Visit Jeepney Tours website for more information.

Dine on a cruise in Manila Bay

For just 495 peso, including dinner, you can take a cruise into Manila Bay on M/V Spirit of Manila. The food isn't great so you may want to eat elsewhere and only pay 295 peso for the cruise instead. It's great to see the city from Manila Bay, especially at night! You may want to book to get a good upper deck table, but bookings are not necessary (call Prestige Cruises at +63 2 8328967). Simply turn up at Harbour Square to get a ticket. This is located close to the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex and adjacent to the ferry terminal for Corregidor. You'll see a Jollibee Restaurant, Starbucks and other restaurants. Just make your way to the seafront and you'll see the kiosk. A good blog can be found at Our Awsome Planet