10 Under-the-Radar Spots to Visit In and Around Baguio City

(SPOT.ph) It's the dry season, a.k.a summertime in the Philippines, and we know you're out looking for ways to keep cool. A no-fail plan to beat the summer heat is to head to good ol' Baguio City. The Summer Capital of the Philippines is a favorite stop for anyone looking to escape the literal hell the Metro becomes during the hot months, so to make your future stays in Baguio fresh and fun, we say skip the usual tourist destinations and head over to these more under-the-radar spots. We rounded up 10 of Baguio's best-kept secrets to liven up your itineraries.

Also read:
10 Romantic Places to Visit in Baguio City
10 Scenic Places in Baguio for the Best Sunrise and Sunset Views
It's Back: Baguio's Free Tourist Buses Are on the Road Again

Here are 10 of Baguio's best-kept secrets you should visit on your next trip up North:

Cantina

This spot and its sister restaurant, The Barn, have arguably the best mountainside views in the city, but there's more to this little spot than what meets the eye. If you look closely enough, Cantina is a pop-culture paradise. With lots of action figures, replicas, and Lego sets strewn about, your meals are bound to be more entertaining than usual. The tables have Lego dioramas of many TV shows and movies, the ceilings are lined with scale models of characters, weapons, and other icons, and there are also lots of small Easter egg details from your favorite fandoms scattered around. This restaurant up in the mountains houses a vast collection of pop-culture memorabilia that'll blow the minds of any nerd, geek, or fandom enthusiast. But that's not to say that's the best part, this place also serves bangin' eats! Try their Deconstructed Ramen as the fog rolls in, or maybe have a drink or two accompanied by pizza and other finger food. Trust us, a trip to Ambuklao Road is worth it for this hidden gem.

Cantina is at Km. 4 Ambuklao Road, Baguio City. It is open on Mondays to Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit Cantina's Instagram account. 

Joseph's at the Laperal White House

What was once dubbed as Baguio's most haunted house is now an upscale restaurant. Joseph's at the Laperal White House serves contemporary European cuisine and is operated by the same folks responsible for Tagaytay restaurant Concha's Garden Cafe and Comida Y Vino. The restaurant is strictly by reservation, but you can easily arrange that online. More than the novelty of dining at one of the country's most haunted spots, you also get treated to a multi-course fine dining experience in one of Baguio's Heritage Houses. 

Joseph's at the Laperal White House is at 14 Leonard Wood Road, Barangay Cabinet Hill - Teachers Camp, Baguio City. It is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays to Mondays. For more information, visit Joseph's Facebook page.

Skyworld Commercial Center

Looking for a winter coat, a leather jacket, or other fashion finds? If you're in the mood to go hunting and thrifting, Skyworld along Session Road is a must-stop. This seemingly small bungalow-type building is actually a three-story maze filled with thrift shops and ukay-ukay that'll make any shopaholic go crazy. Pro tip: make sure to keep an eye out for branded overruns or surplus items. You never know, you might just find a vintage LV or Gucci item in the pile. You just have to look hard. You can grab an entire head-to-toe look for less than P500.

Skyworld Commercial Center is at Session Road, corner F. Calderon Street, Baguio City. It is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Roofdeck by the Baguio Mountain Man

Book a private dinner courtesy of the Baguio Mountain Man's husband-and-wife team Chef Chavi and Millie Romawac, who opened their ancestral Baguio home for diners of groups of up to 20. The Baguio Mountain Man experience isn't just any meal. Here you get small personal touches the moment you walk in, including a personalized welcome card, nameplates for the dinner table, and, most importantly, a special menu curated for you and your party. No two dinners at the Baguio Mountain Man are ever the same, but at the end of the day, the common theme unifying all the meals the Romawacs prepare is that there is a deep and profound respect for the traditions, cooking techniques and ingredients of the Cordilleras. 

For more information, visit Baguio Mountain Man's Facebook page.

Asin Hot Springs

Asin Hot Springs is a natural hot spring located in the town of Tuba, about 16 kilometers away from Baguio City. The hot spring is surrounded by lush vegetation and offers a relaxing escape from the busy city center. The water in Asin Hot Springs is rich in minerals such as sulfur, which is said to have therapeutic effects on the body. The town of Asin is home to several resorts and private villas. Think of Asin as the Pansol, Laguna of the North. 

One example of a really cool resort we found in Asin is the Neverland Mountain Resort, which, aside from having hot springs, regular pools, and stunning mountain views, also has a fun zipline activity that'll take you from one peak to another. 

Asin Hot Springs is at Sitio Asin, Brgy Tuel, Tublay, Benguet. 

Baguio Igorot Stone Kingdom

It might not yet be on your radar, but following a closure order in 2022, the Baguio Igorot Stone Kingdom has reopened to tourists. This structure highlights the indigenous culture of the Cordilleras. The man-made theme park features stone walls inspired by the rice terraces of Banaue and represents a lost Igorot kingdom of lore. The stone walls that give the park its signature look are built riprap-style, where stones and boulders are interlocked to form a wall—but don't worry, the ones here have been fortified with cement. Aside from the main structure itself, you can also take photos of the different towers and statues of Igorot Gods and myths. Other sights to see include the Igorot Gold Mine, modern-looking castles and forts made of cement, and soon-to-be-added life-sized statues of prominent Igorots.

Baguio Igorot Stone Kingdom is at Long Long Road, Baguio City. It is open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit Igorot STONE Kingdom's Facebook page.

Easter Weaving Room

Founded in the early 1900s, making it almost as old as the City of Pines itself, the Easter Weaving Room at Baguio is the place to look for traditional woven fabric and other local textiles. The center offers a guided tour that takes visitors through the different stages of the weaving process, from preparing the fibers to the finished product. The Easter Weaving Room produces various textiles, including blankets, table runners, bags, and scarves, all made from locally sourced fibers such as cotton and wool. The textiles are known for their intricate patterns and vibrant colors, which are inspired by the natural beauty of the Cordillera region. Should you fall in love with any of the woven pieces, you can shop 'til you drop at their store, which is perfect if you're looking to bring home something authentically Baguio.

Easter Weaving Room is at 2 Easter Road, Guisad, Baguio City. It is open on Mondays to Saturdays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit Easter Weaving Room's website.

Camp John Hay Forest Bathing Trail

If you love the scent of pine, the great outdoors, and just basking in the tranquility of nature, plus you've got tons of time to burn, then head on to the Forest Bathing Trail at Camp John Hay. This four-kilometer trail takes you through Camp John Hay's pine forest, crossing small streams with very minor hilly ascents and descents. This quick hike may take you an hour or so but trust us, the peace of mind you'll get after making the trek is worth it. Alternatively, you can ride a horse through the Yellow Trail, which is a portion of the Forest Bathing Trail, for that extra thrill.

Camp John Hay Forest Bathing Trail is at Camp John Hay, Baguio City.  For more information, visit Camp John Hay's Facebook page.

Gypsy by Chef Waya

Another famous Baguio spot for great coffee and even better eats is Gypsy by Chef Waya and the Taguan Cafe. These spots perched on a hill along Quezon Hill Road boast amazing views of the adjacent Baguio mountains and residential areas. Gypsy and Taguan are most beautiful during sunset when its location makes it an ideal viewpoint for the colorful Baguio sunset and the rolling fog that comes every now and then. When at Gypsy, don't forget to grab a bite of their famous Salted Egg Pork Belly, their Adlai Paella, and their Roasted Veggie Salad. But always make room for dessert, Gypsy also serves an out-of-this-world take on the Carrot Cake and bangin' Miso Banoffee. At Gypsy and Tagpuan, you come for the view, but end up staying for the food.

Gypsy by Chef Waya and Taguan is at 6 Quezon Hill Road 2, Baguio City. It is open on Mondays to Sundays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, visit Gypsy Baguio by Chef Waya's Facebook page.

Mount Costa

Mount Costa is a nature park and garden located in the town of Tuba, Benguet, adjacent to Baguio City. The park features over 24 themed gardens, each with its own unique character and design, spread out over an area of over five hectares. Some of the spots you can explore at Mount Costa include a Mirror garden, an outdoor musical garden, a maze, a zen garden, and a twig art section. Each space is beautifully landscaped and designed to highlight the natural beauty of the plants and flowers that grow in the area.

Mount Costa is at Lamtang Pico Road, Barangay Puguis, La Trinidad, Benguet. It is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit Mount Costa's Facebook page.

Also read:
10 Things to Do in Baguio for the Solo Traveler
10 Places to Visit in Baguio City Aside From Mines View Park

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