Top tourist attractions in Fresno, CA
There are many natural places to visit in Fresno, CA. So whether you want to see the Blossom Trail or have a relaxing day at the park, you’ll surely find something you’ll enjoy.
The Blossom Trail is a 62-mile driving and biking route that focuses on the agricultural life of the Central Valley. It blooms from mid-February to mid-March, offering plenty of photo opportunities and family-friendly fun.
Another Fresno attraction is the Forestiere Underground Gardens. These underground gardens were created by Baldasare Forestiere, a Sicilian immigrant who wanted to settle in Fresno in the early 20th century.
Visitors can walk among 100-year-old citrus trees, a fish pond, and underground caverns. You can also tour the underground home, renovated with a fireplace-equipped parlor and a summer bedroom.
Mono Hot Springs Resort is an excellent getaway for a few days. Located near Old Pedro Hot Springs, this resort offers a peaceful retreat.
Mono Hot Springs is located in the Sierra National Forest, two hours east of Fresno. Guests can enjoy a stingray touch pool, a bonsai collection, and a Japanese teahouse.
Another popular Fresno attraction is the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. With over 190 species of animals, this zoo is a great way to spend a day. They have a Species Survival Plan, allowing visitors to learn about the creatures in their care.
You’ll love the Woodward Regional Park if you want a more active outing. This ample green space boasts several playgrounds, picnic areas, and a dog park.
Top 15 things to do in Fresno, California
- Fresno Chaffee Zoo
- Island Waterpark
- Courthouse Park
- Wild Water Adventure Park
- Blackbeard’s Family Entertainment
- Forestiere Underground Gardens
- Oso de Oro Park
- Inspiration Park
- Chukchansi Park
- Roeding Park
- Shinzen Friendship Garden Inc.
- Kearney Park
- Fresno Discovery Center
- Figarden Loop Park
- Christmas Tree Lane
Fresno Chaffee Zoo
The Fresno Chaffee Zoo is home to over 200 species of animals. Its mission is to inspire conservation, connect people, and protect the environment. They offer up-close animal interactions and traditional zoo experiences.
They are a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The mission of the AZA is to be leaders in animal welfare, public engagement, and conservation.
As members of the Association of Zoos, they must meet high standards. Some of these standards include the Species Survival Plan, a breeding management strategy developed by AZA members.
Several special events take place at the zoo. One is Zoo Lights, which features thousands of lights illuminating the zoo.
Island Waterpark
The Island Waterpark is located in Fresno, California. The water park is a favorite among families looking for a fun day out. It offers many attractions, including a wave pool, lazy river, and Tidal Wave wave pool. This Central Valley attraction has grown into a major tourist destination.
There is a lot to do at the Island Waterpark, and the best part is it is family-friendly. There are many fun rides and games to keep the kids happy.
So whether you’re hunting for a fun day out or planning a night on the town, the Island Waterpark has something for everyone.
The wave pool is also an exciting attraction at the Island Waterpark. Sadly, the wave pool is not quite up to par. Some of the features have black algae covering large areas of the floor. Not only does black algae present a health hazard, but it is also hard for operators to tell which patrons may be distressed.
Courthouse Park
Courthouse Park is located in Downtown Fresno, California. The park is home to a variety of statues and memorials. It is also a popular venue for public events.
Many local landmarks and monuments can be found here, and the park has been the site of several important historical moments.
On November 11, 1918, the Fresno community gathered at Courthouse Park for a Thanksgiving service. This was the first time a human statue had been placed in the park since 1914. Another monument commemorates a local soldier who was killed overseas in 1918.
The most prominent building in the Fresno area is the Fresno County Courthouse. It is an 8-story structure, and its exterior details include a domed neoclassical structure and a series of facades.
Wild Water Adventure Park
The Wild Water Adventure Park is the largest in California. It is a fun family activity for people of all ages. You can enjoy a large swimming pool, exciting mat slides, and a wave pool. Several water attractions also include a black hole and a pirate ship.
One of the most impressive attractions is the Blue Wave. This pool is the largest in California, holding 30,000 square feet of water. The Wave Pool is an ideal spot for little water babies.
The water park is in Clovis, California, and is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. During the summer season, it becomes a popular attraction. In addition, since it is located near several national parks, it is a great way to take a break from sightseeing.
Blackbeard’s Family Entertainment
Blackbeard’s Family Entertainment Center has been a long-time Fresno staple. It was initially built in 1914 and offered many family-friendly activities and services.
In addition to its arcade and miniature golf courses, the center features a race track, batting cages, bumper boats, and waterslides. So whether you’re looking for a fun day out or a special event, the center has something for everyone.
The center is open Wednesday through Friday from noon until midnight and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am until midnight. It is located at 4055 N Chestnut Diagonal. The area has plenty of parking, and the facility is family-friendly. Guests can also enjoy a full-service bar and restaurant.
Blackbeard’s Family Entertainment Center has three 18-hole miniature golf courses, bumper boats, water slides, and a batting cage. The facility is open for events, fundraisers, and private parties.
Forestiere Underground Gardens
If you want something different to do during the hot summer months in Fresno, CA, visit Forestiere Underground Gardens. This unique attraction is located on the city’s north end on Shaw Avenue. The underground gardens are a unique mix of creativity and engineering.
Baldassare Forestiere constructed these underground gardens in the early 1900s. He grew citrus trees and grapevines underground. Then, one day, he discovered a hardpan layer below the topsoil. He dug through the hardpan and carved out rooms in his spare time.
Aside from fruit, he planted jujubes and other unusual varieties. He also built a fish pond in the garden. His underground home is a fascinating example of vernacular architecture.
You can visit the underground home any time of the year. But summer is the best season to see it.
Oso de Oro Park
Oso de Oro Park is one of the many quaint and pleasant places to take in the outdoors in Northwest Fresno. There are a variety of features to check out at this public park. The park is accessible to the public and offers several fun and educational activities for children of all ages.
There are two main areas of the park. One has a large playground with plenty of cool features. Another has a small water basin and several play areas. A third has a pond where kids can try their luck at fishing.
This is one of the most popular parks in the area. Despite its relatively small size, this park is well-maintained and has a lot of activities and events to entertain visitors of all ages.
Inspiration Park
If you are looking for a way to get your kids off the couch and onto the street, Inspiration Park is for you. So whether you are looking for something fun and innovative on a rainy afternoon or just for a relaxing and rewarding day of fun, Inspiration Park has covered you.
The park is located at 5770 W Gettysburg Avenue on the west side of Fresno. It is open Monday through Sunday. One of the more exciting features of the park is that it is the first universally accessible park in the Central Valley. This means many amenities and features are designed to accommodate the disabled and physically challenged.
Inspiration Park also has a splash pad. In addition, the property has many other amenities and features, including a fitness cluster, a skatepark, and a lookout mountain.
Chukchansi Park
Chukchansi Park is an exciting sports facility in Fresno, California. The facility features several amenities, including luxurious seats, excellent sight lines, and an impressive view of the Sierra Mountains.
Chukchansi Park is also an excellent venue for concerts. Each year, the venue hosts hundreds of non-profit community events. In addition to a full-service bar, the facility offers various promotions, such as senior day, heritage night, and game notes.
Chukchansi Park is home to the Fresno Grizzlies, a minor-league baseball team. This PCL (Pacific Coast League) affiliate of the Colorado Rockies organization plays in the Northern Division of the California League.
The stadium was initially titled Grizzlies Stadium. However, after the team moved to Chukchansi in 2002, it became known as Chukchansi Park.
Roeding Park
One of the best parks in Fresno is Roeding Park. A gift to the city from the Roeding family, it has 90 acres of open space and is home to the Japanese War Memorial, Storyland, Playland, and the Fresno Chaffee Zoo.
Roeding Park is one of the country’s four largest regional city parks. It is located on Olive Avenue or Belmont Avenue in Fresno. You can drive or catch the free shuttle to the park from the airport, downtown, or nearby.
In addition to its park, the park also boasts a lake and a monument to George Washington. In addition, there are dozens of state-of-the-art sporting and meeting facilities and over 7,000 hotel rooms.
Roeding Park is a great place to have lunch or a picnic. The park has several ponds and provides plenty of shade.
Shinzen Friendship Garden
The Shinzen Friendship Garden is a Japanese garden located in Woodward Park. This is a unique locale. It is a place where visitors are treated to an oasis of beauty and serenity.
The Shinzen Garden is a partnership between the city of Fresno and the Community Service Department. It is a collaboration aimed at helping the City of Fresno preserve its most iconic attraction. Some features include an arched stone bridge, a koi pond, a pond with a waterfall, and a teahouse.
The Shinzen Friendship Garden is a great choice if you want something to do. A visit will introduce you to the splendor of Japanese gardens, including its artificial mountain, a tree-ringed pond, and a lake.
While you are here, check out the Spring Blossom Festival at McLane High School. Also, be on the lookout for the three-ton stone lantern placed in Roeding Park during World War II.
Kearney Park
Kearney Park is a 225-acre park in Fresno, California. The County of Fresno operates it and has a large area open to the public. Plenty of picnic tables and bathrooms, two softball fields, and a playground.
The park was designed by noted American landscape architect Rudolph Ulrich. Ulrich was commissioned to design the park by Kearney. He had initially planned to build a five-story mansion modeled after the Chateau de Chenonceaux in Tours, France. However, he never completed the project.
The main building is a French Renaissance-style mansion with adjoining servants’ quarters. The building features high-pitched roofs and large arches made of lathe-cut wood.
The mansion is a National Historic Landmark. Visitors can take tours of the home and museum. Many of the original furnishings and carpets are on display.
Fresno Discovery Center
If you’re a science enthusiast searching for cool things to do with kids in Fresno, you can check out the Fresno Discovery Center. This interactive science museum features various exhibits and activities to entertain your kids.
The Discovery Center also has a planetarium, which provides educational programs and public shows. You can take the family here for a date, a school field trip, or a fun family day out.
In addition to the museum, the Discovery Center has a park where you can take the kids for a walk. The park has several areas for kids to play in: a small tortoise compound, a turtle/koi pond, and a grassy meadow. There are also walking trails and picnic tables.
Figarden Loop Park Fresno
Figarden Loop Park is a fun and interactive park in Fresno County. The five-acre green space has a splash pad, a baseball field, and several play structures for different age groups. Some unique features include a large playground, a concessions building, and a wildlife observation shelter. There is also a 0.3-mile walking route that is easy on the eyes.
One of the most critical aspects of the park is the water play area. You can have the best of both worlds with the water play area. Aside from the water play area, the park has several other amenities, including an adult baseball field with lights and an outdoor picnic area. It’s a great place to relax and enjoy a lovely day with family and friends.
Christmas Tree Lane Fresno
Christmas Tree Lane is a holiday event that has taken place in Fresno for over 100 years. This tradition started in 1920 when neighbors decorated their trees to honor a young boy who passed away.
Today, the historic lane is open to the public during the holidays. It runs two miles along Van Ness Boulevard between Shaw and Shields avenues. Each year, the event attracts over a hundred thousand people.
Christmas Tree Lane is free to attend. In addition to the tree, several other displays include a light show, yard decorations, and themed displays. During Christmas, the lane is closed to vehicles on two evenings. The second evening is a walk night.
A few events have forced the lane to close. One such event was the Pearl Harbor attack, which caused the celebration to be postponed for a year.