Fresno, California

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Forestiere Underground Gardens was built by Baldasare Forestiere over a period of 40 years. The Sicilian immigrant started dedicating his time to the 10-acre man-made creation in 1906 and continued until his death in 1946.

Visitors are invited to explore the spectacular features, which include a winter bedroom, a summer bedroom, a kitchen, a parlor with a fireplace, and a fishpond. Lovers of architecture will be enthralled with the archways and beautiful stone walls. Visitors will enjoy browsing the innumerable number of plants, some of which are over 90 years old.

5021 W. Shaw Avenue, Fresno, CA 93722, Phone: 559-271-0734, Forestiere Underground Gardens Video

The Discovery Center is a science education center founded in 1954 that offers memorable hands-on learning experiences. Visitors will find themselves curious about and stimulated by the many hands-on exhibits that discuss the mysteries of physical and environmental sciences.

Visitors can explore the 5+ acre park that houses the museum as well as outdoor attractions such as the Miwok Indian houses, a historical barn, the Deutsch Cactus Garden, a Dino Dig, and a tortoise enclosure. The exhibit areas focus on electricity and magnets, paleontology, natural sciences, space, and Native American basketry and artifacts.

1944 N Winery, Fresno, CA 93703, Phone: 559-251-5533

Woodward Park is the largest regional park in Central Valley and is packed with amenities, promising visitors a wonderful outdoor adventure. A majority of the land was donated by a Fresno resident upon his death in hopes that the park would be a sanctuary to those who visited it.

Visitors will find that it has in fact lived up to its purpose; other than the expansive bird park, you can find a 2,500-seat amphitheater, a fenced dog park, an exercise course, an authentic Japanese garden, a walking trail, and picnic areas for visitors to relax in.

7775 Friant Road, Fresno, CA 93720, Phone: 559-840-1264

Located inside of Woodward Park in Fresno, Shinzen Friendship Garden was constructed to honor Fresno's sister city Kochi, Japan and to promote cultural and educational awareness. The traditional northwestern American Japanese Garden was designed around the four seasons, and the five acres are filled with structures that focus on rock, stone, and water.

Some of the features visitors might enjoy include the Mon Gate and Entry, Ume Grove, which is filled with waterfalls and walking paths, the Double Moon Bridge, which goes over a Koi pond, and the Clark Bonsai Collection, which was donated in 2015.

114 W Audubon Drive, Fresno CA 93720, Phone: 559-840-1264

Recommended Activities for Families

A group of local artists initially established the Fresno Art Museum in 1940 as a place for them to exhibit and critique each other's work. Now, it is an active venue for art exhibitions as well as a host of educational programs, workshops, and artist talks. Visitors of all ages and skill level can take part in various art classes throughout the year.

Some of the spectacular exhibits found in the museum's permanent collection include Kenneth E. Stratton's Collection of Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican Art: Earth, Fire & Stone and the Andean Pre-Columbian Textiles and Artifacts.

2233 North First Street, Fresno, CA 93703, Phone: 559-441-4221

Families visiting Fresno will find the Fresno Chaffee Zoo to be one of the most fun-filled attractions during their vacation! There are exciting animal exhibits that are the perfect combination of adventure and education, so little ones will learn a thing or two as they make memories that last a lifetime.

The engaging environment is home to over 190 species of animals. 94 are part of the Species Survival Plan, which focuses on breeding and protecting rare animals. Visitors can get up close and personal with the animals in the African Adventure safari, the Valley Farm petting zoo, and other exhibits.

894 West Belmont Avenue, Fresno, CA 93728, Phone: 559-498-5910

Attractions for Couples

Since its opening in 1978, the Roger Rocka's Dinner Theatre has been entertaining Fresno's locals and visitors with refreshing productions of some of the nation's favorites. The theatre has only improved with time and now boasts of having over 180 productions under its belt.

Past productions include Bye Bye Birdie, Guys & Dolls, and The Sound of Music. The beloved institution is a must-visit for most as its reputation for superb shows and dining is something that must be verified in person to appreciate. Visitors will not only enjoy the food and the show, but the amazing architecture of the theatre as well.

1226 N. Wishon Avenue, Fresno, CA 93728, Phone: 559-266-9494

Now the largest non-profit Latino cultural center in the Valley, Arte Americas started off in a modest one-room office in 1987. The organization is now an integral part of Downtown Fresno's Cultural Arts District. Visitors can enjoy exploring the center, which brings together an eclectic collection of works from Latino filmmakers, musicians, poets, photographers, and artists.

The 10,000 square foot gallery and performance, classroom, and meeting spaces provide a great place to spend the day exploring Fresno's Latino art culture. During summer months, visitors can spend their evenings in the adjoining La Plazita and enjoy a number of scheduled concerts each Friday night.

1630 Van Ness, Fresno, CA 93721, Phone: 559-266-2623

Chuckchansi Park, which opened its gates in 2002, is the home of the Fresno Grizzlies minor league baseball team. The ballpark is an intricate part of Downtown Fresno and comes alive in the spring when visitors can enjoy one of the 72 home games played there annually. Visitors who are not fans of baseball would still enjoy an evening at Chuckchansi Park as it offers stunning views of Fresno's skyline against the majestic backdrop of the Sierra Mountains.

The ballpark also has a full-service restaurant and bar, 33 luxury suites, a pool and spa, and a Fun Zone for young Grizzlies fans complete with an inflatable slide, interactive pitching and batting activities, and a carousel.

1800 Tulare Street, Fresno, CA 93721, Phone: 559-442-1047

If you would like to explore Fresco County’s beautiful Blossom Trail you will need to plan a visit during mid- February to mid-March when acres and acres of fruit trees burst into flower. The Blossom Trail is a self-guided trail which you can follow by car or bicycle, stopping here and there to admire the brilliance of the flowers from the side of the road. There are usually a lot of fun community activities planned for the weekends too. Just a few of the blossoms you will see include brilliant white Almond and Plum Blossoms and bright pink and red peach and nectarine blossoms. You can also view the colorful spectacle from the comfort of the Blossom Trail Train.