The fifth largest of California’s 478 towns and cities and the business, financial, cultural and entertainment capital of San Joaquin Valley, Fresno is place that is rapidly becoming a destination of a choice. Blessed with wonderful weather, this lively destination is packed with plenty of attractions from historic sites to green spaces to family-friendly getaways. Whether you are a sports fan looking for the next big game, an art enthusiast in search of hidden treasures, a shopaholic, interested in smart shopping options, or a food lover with a big appetite for local flavors, and even more, Fresno has something for you any time of year. Here are some of the most popular attractions in Fresno that will fill your day with fun and unforgettable moments.
Forestiere Underground Gardens
The lifelong devotion and hobby of Baldassare Forestiere, a Sicilan immigrant who came to America to pursue his own dreams, the stunning Forestiere Underground Gardens is a unique complex of underground courtyards, passageways, grottos, patios, and garden courts located on Shaw Avenue in north Fresno. The idea to create such an amazing site came to Forestiere’s mind after he saw the world-famous Les Catacombs in Paris, which he admired so much. It took forty years to create the Underground Gardens, but unlike the dark catacombs that was the home of the remnants of the death, Forestiere designed well-lit courtyards to showcase the vitality of life.
The underground complex has three levels and also contains the builder’s home and a tiny chapel. A wide variety of fruit-producing trees, including strawberry, date palm, olive, persimmon and citrus bearing several kinds of fruit on a single tree can be found within the complex. Forestiere Underground Gardens are a must see for anyone interested in architecture, unusual gardens and unique road trips. Tours are open to public and last between 50 minutes to an hour.
Kearney Mansion Museum & Park
Seven miles west of downtown Fresno, one can find the stunning Kearney Mansion, standing in the center of the expansive 230-acre Kearney Park. A former manor house of M. Theo Kearney, Fresno’s ‘raisin king’, the museum highlights the architecture and furniture of the early 20th Century, as well as showcasing Kearney’s one-time wealth. Within the park, visitors will find the carriage house, the servants’ quarters, the ice house, the oil house, as well as a gift shop. The park surrounding the mansion is an ideal place for picnics with shady spots, soccer field and horseshow pits. The drive along palm-lined Kearney Boulevard is surely one of the main reasons to visit the museum. The museum is only accessible on a guided 45-minute tour available on weekend afternoons. The park is administered by the County of Fresno and the entrance fee is $5.
Fresno Chaffe Zoo
If you are visiting Fresno with kids and want to plan a special day full of fun, great food and wild animals, consider Fresno Chaffe Zoo, which is the only zoo in the city. Set in an attractive park, this pleasant, 18-acree zoo is home to some 700 species of animals. Established in 1908, the zoo has the mission to provide a unique close-up experiences to strengthen the bond between visitors of all ages and animals, and features several animal displays, including Ross Lairds Winged Wonders Bird Show. From the journey to the Sunda Forest, where you can see Indochinese tigers to the wet wonders of the Rain Forest exhibit to feeding giraffes and stingrays and more, much more, Fresno Chaffe Zoo promises a day of outrageous adventure sure to delight every member of the family. The Zoo is open daily from 9am until 4pm and the Stingray Barns are open on weekends since January.
Island Waterpark
Another family-friendly getaway that is worth a visit when in Fresno is its Island Waterpark, offering great activities both land and water. Island Waterpark, as its name suggest, is designed to resemble a tropical islands, featuring plenty of palm trees along with a Carbbean feel. Visitors will find a variety of pools within the park, and more than 20 rides and attractions to choose from, all designed for adventure-seekers of all ages. Some of the highlights of the park are the ‘Mumbau Monson,’ the ‘Bermuda Tunnel Terror,’ and the ‘Lazy River,’ as well as a miniature golf course, and an arcade. Guests can organize picnics in the park, bringing their own food, however, alcoholic beverages and glass containers may not be brought in.
Price: Adults 48 inches and taller, $26.99; children under 48 inches, $18.99; seniors 62 and older, $10.99. After 3 p.m., adults and children, $16.99. Parking is $2 per vehicle. Infants and toddlers in diapers are required to wear swim diapers. Come and enjoy!