1. Ayala Malls Solenad

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Ayala Malls is a popular shopping mall chain in the Philippines and Ayala Malls Solenad is no different. This mall contains a wide variety of shops and restaurants that are sure to keep a lot of tourists occupied for hours. There is a movie theater where visitors can enjoy a nice movie.

The mall also regularly holds a sale in its various stores which is a great treat for shopaholics or those looking for something to commemorate their visit around Santa Rosa’s tourist attractions.

Ayala Malls Solenad

Address: Ayala Malls Solenad, Santa Rosa - Tagaytay Rd, Don Jose, Santa Rosa, Laguna

Website: Ayala Malls Solenad

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 8pm; Fri - Sun: 10am - 9pm

2. Nuvali Lakeside

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Nuvali describes itself as an “integrated self-supporting eco-city” composed of various residential communities. It also has a 4-hectare (9.8-acre) multi-functional lake where residents can go biking and jogging. This Instagrammable place in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, also serves as a water reservoir, a rainwater catchment basin, and an emergency water supply in case of a fire.

There are a variety of restaurants located by the lake which provides for some great ambiance while enjoying a meal. There is also a taxi-boat service for those who want to enjoy a ride through the lake.

Nuvali Lakeside

Address: Santa Rosa - Tagaytay Rd, Don Jose, Santa Rosa, 4026 Laguna

Website: Nuvali Lakeside

Opening hours: 8am - 8pm (daily)

3. Experience the high life as an x-games athlete at Nuvali

Nuvali has been stellar thus far as an eco-community and they are pushing their limits. It is a massive master-planned residential area that builds its communities with commerce and recreation. Simply put, there is always something for everyone. For those who love nature, Nuvali offers running trails and off-road biking ventures, which is the best ways to enjoy the scenic views of Mount Makiling, the Tagaytay Ridge and Laguna de Bay. For sports junkies, the fields are sure to be your second home. Here, there are 3 FIFA-sized football fields, 2 sand volleyball courts, and 2 baseball fields. The widely acclaimed Republic Wakepark is also a more-than-eligible water sports facility with a huge lake. It is a popular spot for active sports athletes like runners, bikers, football players, baseball players, volleyball players, and wakeboarders.

Nuvali

Address: Santa Rosa - Tagaytay Rd, Don Jose, Santa Rosa, 4025 Laguna

Website: Nuvali

4. Experience the adrenaline rush at the Backyard Skatepark

Backyard Skatepark is the newest addition to the growing skateboard phenomenon in the Philippines. This Santa Rosa attraction has the proper lighting, obstacles and a pool that makes the skating experience authentic. In 2015, DC presented the Global Skate Jam in this very place for the annual Go Skateboarding Day. It was an action-packed day filled with skate competitions and music jams. The skatepark is seen as the training ground for X-Gamers who will bring honor to the country. Who knows? Perhaps the the next world champion really will come from Santa Rosa.

Backyard Skatepark

Address: Barangay Tagapo, City of Sta. Rosa, Laguna 4026

Facebook: Backyard Skatepark

5. Enjoy Santa Rosa's Best Kept Secret Recipes

An adventure with friends is never complete without adventurous food trips. In Santa Rosa, there are just so many dishes and delicacies to try. It will surely be a problem to tame the tongue, so to speak. First on the craving list is Espasol, rice cake that is cooked in coconut milk that is later on dusted with coconut powder. It is chewy and gooey and simply comforting. Another famous delicacy is Kesong Puti (white cheese). It is a soft kind of cheese made from carabao’s milk and is best enjoyed with hot toast or as the creamy insert to appetizing pasta dishes, burgers and sandwiches. As a savory dish, Kinulob na Itik (deep-fried duck) is considered legendary in these parts. It is delicious in its purest sense being crispy and full of flavor. There are other dishes to try, for sure. As a matter of fact, Santa Rosa will never run out of things to feed you with. It is a matter of looking in the right place.

6. Try your hand in archery at Majarlika Archery Range

Majarlika Archery Range is a sought-after alternative for recreation. Archery enthusiasts everywhere would be glad to know that this Santa Rosa attraction has everything they need here. A plus for this must-try experience are their archery workshops and classes. For seasoned archers and novices alike, the practical advice and guidance of the facilitators are gold. Majarlika Archery Range is opened everyday from 9am to 9pm.

Majarlika Archery Range

Address: Santa Rosa - Tagaytay Rd, Don Jose, Santa Rosa, Laguna

Facebook: Majarlka Archery Range

7. Get cultured at the Museo de Santa Rosa

To get into some history and art, head over to downtown Santa Rosa to get to Gusaling Museo. The venue shows the story of how Santa Rosa came to be and how important the region is to the Laguna Province. It displays various artifacts and memorabilia from World War II and from Santa Rosa-born prominent people. Gusaling Museo is open from 8am to 5pm.

Museo de Santa Rosa

Address: F. Gomez St, Santa Rosa, Luzon 4026, Philippines

8. Become a kid again at the Enchanted Kingdom

Who doesn’t like theme parks? If such a person exists, it may only mean that the child in them is long gone. So, if you need to de-stress, perk up, or simply just know how it feels to be a child again, then this is the place to be. Enchanted Kingdom opened in 1995 and within its 62-acre (25 hectare) borders, there is just too much to do and so many Santa Rosa activities in a day. This is why it is best to plan your trip before actually buying a ticket or availing their pre-selected packages. Doing this will save you time and energy and allows you to customize your theme park experience.

For the extreme thrill-seekers, it is a must-do experience to try the Air Race, Anchor’s Away, Disk-O-Magic, the Ekstreme Tower, Fun Kart, Jungle Log Jam, Rio Grande Rapids, the Space Shuttle, and of course target shooting at XPP. Water-themed attractions as well as dining and shopping venues are easily available to lessen the hype. Ticket rates for depending on height. To enjoy unlimited use of the park’s rides, tickets for children between 3 to 4 feet would entail a cost of 6 USD to 7.50 USD. For park-goers 4 feet and above, tickets range from 12 USD to 14 USD.

Enchanted Kingdom

Address: San Lorenzo Rd, Laguna, Santa Rosa, 4026 Laguna

Website: Enchanted Kingdom

Nearby things to do

9. Sta. Elena Fun Farm

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Sta. Elena Fun Farm is the place to go if you’re after creating family bonding moments. Despite having the word “farm” in its name, Sta. Elena Fun Farm is an outdoor playground that offers a plethora of Santa Rosa activities that are sure to be a lot of fun for the whole family. There is a wide variety of playground equipment like swings, rope obstacle courses, and many more for every to enjoy.

Though the farm in its name still holds true as it also offers rides on wagons pulled by carabaos including a pasture where guests can see these animals.

Sta. Elena Fun Farm

Address: 63WM+63H, Cabuyao, Laguna

Website: Sta. Elena Fun Farm

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 9am - 4pm (closed on Mon)

Santa Rosa: everyday's a holiday

So, the next time your thrill-seeker friends are craving for adventure, be sure to book your trip in Santa Rosa. There are also a number of spots for a staycation available as well. A day is really not enough, make it a 3-Day-2-Night sort of venture to savor life and cherish the friendship all the more with daredevil feats and hearty grub.