What are the things to do in Bacolod? First time visitors would often ask. However, most visitors go to Bacolod City only during MassKara Festival because that is what the city is famous for especially for first-time visitors. Most people do not know what to do, where to go and what to eat when they visit Bacolod for the first time.
There is more to Bacolod than MassKara Festival and unfortunately a lot of visitors would often miss a lot of things to do in Bacolod. Heck, even locals often miss these attractions. I will try to list down as many attractions, activities and food in Bacolod for visitors and locals to experience and enjoy, aside from MassKara Festival. You’ll agree with me that #101 is by far the best and it’s totally free! Here are a list of things to do in Bacolod which you can enjoy anytime of the year.
Places to Visit and Things to Do in Bacolod
- Learn about the history of Negros Island, the history of sugar, see Mara Montelibano’s collection of 3,000 folk art and toys from around the world, and buy souvenirs at the Negros Museum.
- See a collection of religious artifacts and the first international folk textile gallery in the Philippines donated by Mara Montelibano to the Museo Negrense de La Salle.
- Learn about the typical lifestyle of the Negrenses at the Dizon Ramos Museum and the family’s collection of ceramics, glass and religious artifacts
- See the collection of religious artifacts at the Museo Diocesano de Bacolod
- Take photos, hear a love story, enjoy the sunset or just simply admire The Ruins of Don Mariano Lacson mansion. This is between the boundaries of Talisay and Bacolod but more accessible in Bacolod.
- See the ancestral house of Mariano Ramos and other rich families along the Millionaire’s Row
- Visit the ancestral house or Balay Daku of Generoso Villanueva, famously known as the Boat House.
- Visit Tomas Casiano’s collection of over 2,000 pieces of Depression Glasses, the first and the biggest collection in Asia
- Visit J&L Marañon Art House for its vast collection of bizarre artworks
- See a performance of the Animo Puppet Theater
- See the works of Negrense artists at the Orange Gallery
- Enjoy Italian food and see the works of Negrense artists at Italia Restaurant
- See the Luzuriaga Family Cemetery, the world’s one and only Cemetery in the middle of a road intersection
- Shop for local crafts at the Bacolod Central Market and learn more about the local culture through their food.
- Walk along Bacolod Shopping Center, Bacolod City’s Chinatown and eat in one of the Chinese restaurants
- Buy export quality products made by Negrenses at the Negros Showroom
- Buy local products for pasalubong at the Bacolod City Showroom
- Shop at Victorias Foods Pasalubong Outlet for Victorias Sardines and other Negrense favorites
- Buy quality but affordable flowers at the Bacolod Public Plaza, witness a debate among ordinary people, and see endemic species of trees.
- Buy export quality Masskara Masks and other artworks at Vito Designs Gallery
- Swim in one of the pools of Sta. Fe Resort, Bacolod City’s oldest inland resort
- Enjoy the sea breeze, the view and the pool at Palma’s Del Mar Resort
- Spend a relaxing afternoon at the tree-covered Forest Park Resort
- Enjoy the sea breeze at Punta Taytay Mangrove
- See the Negros Island endemic species of animals at the NFEFI Biodiversity and Conservation Center
- Take a stroll at the Capitol Lagoon and Park and admire the iconic Provincial Capitol building, carabao sculptures, and the Paghimud-os
- Enjoy the sunset and the sea breeze at the Bacolod reclamation area
- Have a picnic at Bantug Ranch and Lake Place
- Have a family outing at the La Salle Granada Ecopark
- Enjoy the cooler climate at Campuestohan Highlands, take photos of the huge statues, and have an adrenaline rush at the zipline. This is in Talisay City but more accessible in Bacolod.
- Unwind at Melba’s Farm, swim at night in its infinity pool while watching the glow of lights of Bacolod. This is between the boundaries of Talisay and Bacolod but more accessible in Bacolod.
- Go around the different towns and cities of Negros Occidental in one day through their pavilions at the Pana-ad Park and Stadium
- Spend an early morning or late afternoon at the Bacolod Government Center and join the people who jog, stroll, or just take a selfie.
- Enjoy the night life at the Art District, Club Sibeeria, and Goldenfields
- Enjoy the slide and pool at the Caribbean Water Park
- Relax and rejuvenate in one of the members of the Spa Association of Negros (SPAN)
- Learn more about organic farming at May’s Organic Garden
- Learn more about the award-winning ram pump technology of AID Foundation
- Learn more about vermicomposting at Henares Farm (Hacienda Buro-Buro)
- Shop for fresh farm produce and artisan food at the Negros Weekend Farmers Market
- Enjoy healthy, organic food at ONOPRA Organic Restaurant
- Buy natural honey and see real honeybee colonies at Archie’s Apiary
- Visit the San Sebastian Cathedral, one of Negros Occidental’s remaining colonial churches
- Visit the Barangay Sang Virgen Chapel and see the shell mosaic mural
- Climb the John Paul II Tower and see a panoramic view of Bacolod City
- Visit the crown-shaped Our Lady of Peace Chapel or Huaming Church
- Go biking to Brgy. Alangilan where you traverse challenging terrain and enjoy the cooler climate
- Take ATV rides at Pahanocoy Eco Adventure Park
- Shop for pots and other earthenware at Brgy. Pahanocoy
- Play or watch a Polo match at the La Provincial Polo Club, the first outside of Metro Manila
- Play golf at the Negros Occidental Gold and Country Club and Bacolod City Golf Club
- Buy premium breed of Fighting Cocks
Where and What to Eat and Drink in Bacolod
- Original Bacolod Chicken Inasal of Manokan Country
- Piaya in different flavors and sizes from Sugarlandia, Bailon’s, Virgie’s, Bong-Bong’s and Merzci
- Biscocho and hopia at Margie’s
- Piping hot bowl of Batchoy with bone marrow at Super Batchoy
- Piping Hot, sticky bowl of pata at Saning’s
- Piping hot bowl of cansi with bone marrow at Sharyn’s Cansi
- Exotic Soup No. 5 at Virgelio’s
- Shawarma at Shawarma ni Kulas
- Oysters at Punta Taytay
- Freshly brewed coffee from native coffee shops at the Central Market
- Buy fresh seafood at Pala-Pala Market and have it cooked in one of the restaurants
- Pork barbecue at Malaspina
- Pork Barbecue at Tikboy’s
- SIlay delicacies sold in baskets by women vendors
- Filipino delicacies at Quan’s Restaurant
- Bacolod Lechon along Araneta Avenue
- Baby Back Ribs at Lord Byron’s
- Sweet, creamy goodness of Napoleones from Roli’s, Virgie’s, and Pendy’s
- Filipino food and the heavenly sweetness of Pendy’s half moon
- Mango cheesecake at Tiffany’s Confections
- Tarts of Virgie’s Homemade Products
- Cakes at Calea’s
- Steak and cakes at Felicia’s
- Cupcakes at Flibby’s Sweets and Treats
- Cupcakes at Little Miss Cupcake Café
- Cupcakes, Backrids and Chicken Cordon Bleu at Bacolod Cupcake Café
- Cupcakes at Lil’s Cupcake Cafe
- Coffee, tea and sandwiches at Kuppa
- Baby Back Ribs, Sate Babe, Mongolian Bar, Fruit Punch and other all-time favorites at Bob’s Restaurant
- Bog’s Brew Beer
- Federico’s Island Wine
- Don Papa Rum
- Affordable Vietnamese food at Saigon Café
- Sisig at Kubo sa Lawn
- Homestyle Spanish inspired dishes at Wamba’s Bistro
- Steak and Baby Back Ribs at Pepe’s
- Baby Back Ribs at Cookies ‘N Crumbs
- Tapas and other Spanish food at Txacho
- Chinese food at L’ Sea
- Chinese food at Mai Pao
- Asian Food at Mushu
- Organic food at Fresh Start Organic Restaurant
- Japanese food at Inaka Japanese Restaurant and L’Kaisei
- Laswa, Bas-oy, Batchoy and other Ilonggo and Filipino food at 21 Restaurant
- Filipino food at Aboy’s Restaurant
- Italian food at Trattoria Uma
- Seafood at Imay’s Restaurant
- Artisan food at the Museum Café
and the Best Thing to Enjoy in Bacolod for FREE is…
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101. The smile of the people 😀
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I know I missed a lot especially the eating part. If you have other suggestions, feel free to comment below. Please ask your friends to make suggestions by sharing this list. Let’s help promote Bacolod City!