Picnic Grove Activities for Less

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Want to cool down during the hot summer season but can’t afford to drive the long hours to Baguio? Why not visit Tagaytay, which is indeed the next best thing that doesn’t even need to strain your wallet? A favorite activity among those on a look for fun yet cheap things to do when in Tagaytay will definitely be visiting the Picnic Grove.

The Picnic Grove offers a panoramic view of the Taal Volcano. Most visitors bring in food with them for obvious reasons or one obvious reason: a picnic! Cottages are available for rent around the park and can be rented for a minimal fee.

But Tagaytay’s famous picnic park is not all about cottages and picnics, it also provides great camping sites, an eco-adventure trail and even horseback riding adventures. Adults and kids can enjoy a horseback ride for 200 pesos for the big horses and 150 for the small ones. Owners of the horses usually approach visitors offering horseback riding for rent so feel free to haggle with them for a cheaper price. The adventure trail on the other hand is available for an additional fee of 150 pesos.

But what visitors usually look forward to when going to the Picnic Grove is the park’s newest attraction. The Tagaytay Ridge Zip line and Cable Car. The zip line features a breathtaking ride of up to 60 kilometers per hour as you fly 300 feet off the ground. Feel the cold Tagaytay breeze rushing onto your face as you fly down the line like superman. Professional, trained staff will assist every passenger to ensure that every second of the zip line experience is safe and enjoyable so riders wouldn’t have to worry about a thing.

But for those who decide not to test their courage and bravery skills, you can ride the cable car instead. Walk into a huge bird cage that lets you sit comfortably and safely within the wired enclosure. See the beautiful Taal Lake from afar and the green land below you as you slowly ascend to the other side of the mountain. A cable car ride costs 100 pesos per trip for a one-way ride with the zip line adventure charging the same price. During weekends and holidays, the prices are increased by double.

Getting to the Picnic Park is easy either by use of private or public transportation. Taking a jeepney is a cheaper option than riding a tricycle but tricycles are plentiful around Tagaytay City unlike jeepneys that have specific routes. From Olivares Center, take a tricycle to get to the park which will only cost 10 pesos per person. Don’t fall victim to tricycle drivers who will charge you unreasonable prices and don’t be afraid to strike a good deal with them before riding.

Entering the grove isn’t free, though. You’ll have to pay 50 pesos per person to get in and another 30 pesos for car or van parking, 50 pesos for jeepney parking and 100 pesos for bus parking. Although the cottages and all other activities are changed with a fee, it’s still a small price to pay considering the spectacular view of the Taal Lake that comes with it.

Although many claim that the Picnic Grove requires a much-needed improvement, its existing amenities and facilities do not disappoint those who are in dire need of fun. The park is and will always offer what it promises, which is a great Tagaytay leisure escape for less.