Embarking on a journey around Clark is more than just traversing roads and highways, it is entering a huge and sprawling mega-district brimming with commercial, cultural, historical, industrial, modern, and traditional tourism treasures. Every corner in Clark unfolds into a tapestry of experiences, from its breathtaking highland landscapes offering sweeping views, to the spacious golf courses, array of hotels and restaurants, wide spathe of open lands, and theme parks. Experience a whirlwind of adventures as you navigate the wonders of Clark, where every twist and turn reveals captivating destinations and spots, like telling stories of different chapters. Here are the destinations recommended to visit:
Clark Museum and 4D Theatre
Learn how Clark grew from being the largest American Airbase outside the US mainland to being an industrial and commercial powerhouse of Central Luzon with the Clark Museum. A two-story building with multiple galleries featuring curated displays encompassing different aspects of Clark. Included are the geologic history shaping the landscape of Clark, the cultural backgrounds that molded the current society, and the industrial outputs being manufactured inside the Freeport Zone’s factories and manufacturing plants.
The 4D Theatre located at the far right of the museum structure features animatronic plush seats and a 3D screen where you will get to be in the scenes flashed during the show. A spacious air-conditioned reception area will welcome you and happy staff will be providing 3D glasses for the fully immersive viewing experience. Be enthralled with the different state-of-the-art effects that bring alive the scenarios.
Above Sea Level Restaurant – Clark Branch
One of the newest seafood restaurants in Clark where they serve the iconic Giant Butterfly Squid of the Above Sea Level chain of restaurants. We are lucky to have one inside the Clark Freeport Zone in a strategic spot near other commercial and shopping establishments. According to the owner, they have tweaked a bit the taste profile of the dishes they serve to complement the Kapampangan palate. Also, they allow special requests like Sisig served without egg and mayonnaise at the request of the customers.
Above Sea Level – Clark Branch also offers private functions for business meet-ups or intimate group dining that can comfortably fit up to 12-14 pax. During our day tour around Clark, we are lucky to try their Barkada Bundle which comprises 5 cups of Java Rice, Squid Fest, Krispy Sizzling Pusit, and Seafood Festival Php1,350*.
Here is my taste review: The Butterfly Squid came with nice flavored breading, however, some parts are a bit tough to the bite. The tentacles are tender, however, and have no funky aftertaste. The Krispy Sizzling Pusit gave a good marriage of flavors by the aromatics, the charring, and the umami flavors of egg and mayonnaise. The Seafood Festival dish consists of shrimps, mussels, corn, and slices of squid served on top of Java Rice, think of a modern version of Paella style. The shrimp are plump and tender to bite, with no fishy and no funky aftertaste, the mussels however are quite small, however, tender to bite.
The restaurant has a maximum 60-headcount capacity. Daily operations are from 11:00 AM to 8:30 PM, but can extend until 10:00 PM. Parking Space is available, however, shared with neighboring establishments.
*prices may change without prior notice
VG Bakery & Bistro
Looking for a fine cafe inside Clark offering quality beverages, meals, and baked goodies? Head out to VG Bakery and Bistro, owned by the renowned Kapampangan Chef Vince Garcia.
With the Kapampangans as its main market, Chef Vince ensured the quality of each dish and beverage served. Culinary team members are given quality training to maintain the standard he sets throughout his food businesses. Additionally, the pastries you see on their shelves are ensured fresh. They are all baked daily and anything left at the counter beyond 9:00 PM will be sold at 50% of its price as one of their promos (until further notice).
During our visit, we are able to try from their menu their coffee beverages and frappes, appetizers, salad, all-day breakfast, cookies, pastries, and some cake slices:
All Day Breakfast
Dangsilog
Tapsilog (Beef)
Entrees and other dishes
Sisig (Yes! No Egg and Mayonnaise)
Salmon Salad
Pastries
Spanish Bread
Pecan Pie
Croissant
Red Velvet Cake
Beverage
Mojito and Spanish Latte
Cappuccino
Their daily Beverage bestsellers are Matcha and Chocolate flavored while the Cake bestseller is the SYG Signature Cake, which almost always sold out.
Get to enjoy a private dining experience at their Parisian Art Deco style Room that can comfortably seat about 8-10 pax. There is a huge Smart TV installed to support small business meetings and corporate rendezvous.
One feature I love is their plush private comfort room – you’ve gotta check this out!
The Shop operates daily from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
Address: SRD Building 2062 Ground Floor, E. Jacinto Street, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga
Aqua Planet
Dive into a world of 38 aquatic thrills at the famed Aqua Planet – the largest and most modern water theme park in Southeast Asia. A 10-hectare Aquatic Wonderland where guests can immerse themselves in exhilarating rides and slides, different day accommodation options, and many food stalls to choose from.
We happen to visit on a Tuesday which is their mandatory maintenance day. Instead, we have a brief walking tour around Aqua Planet. It felt like we owned the water park for the moment. Only staff were there and still they expressed their warm gestures of welcome as we passed by them.
Here are the rides, attractions, and slides you can enjoy:
Aqua Loop
Boogie Bay
Sky Shuttle
Tornado
Octopus Racer
Wave River
Wave Pool
Here are Day Accommodation Choices:
24 Beach Cabanas with cozy couches and safety deposit boxes
1 Palmera Cabana that features comfortable couches, ceiling and wall fans, safety deposit boxes and a charging station. Good for a maximum 25 pax at Php6,000 per day.
1 Island Cabana with comfortable couches, safety deposit boxes, wall and ceiling fan for comfort. Good for a maximum of 25 pax at Php6,000 per day.
14 Bubblies Cabana at Php4,500 per day
1 Galaxy Suite at Php15,000 per day which features a mini refrigerator, 40-inch TV and sound bar, living room and dining set plus a safety deposit box. This suite is good for 25-30 pax.
4 Nova Lounge features a private room that is fully airconditioned with private comfort room, mini refrigerator, living room set, and safety deposit boxes. For 10-15 pax at Php10,000 per day.
16 Vista Cabana featuring Airconditioned private room with mini refrigerator, safety deposit boxes, charging station but without private comfort room for 10-15 pax at Php7,000
Here are the Food Outlets:
Pizza House
Midori Cafe
Big Bang
Sub Zero Ice Cream House
Galactic Dough Pizza House
Aqua Planet can hold up to a maximum of 3,500 guests per day for convenience and safety. Additionally, the water you swam onto receives less chemical treatment, unlike the other pools with much chlorine treatment. They also have cashless transactions all throughout which you can load your respect wristlets. Any excesses can be refunded upon your exit.
Do not forget to visit their Shops to take home souvenirs and gifts for your friends or loved ones. It is open daily except Tuesdays, however, no overnight accommodation yet as of posting. It is recommended to check their official calendar since they cater private functions and events in the whole water park itself.
Clark Safari and Adventure Park
Navigate the multileveled 40-hectare animal theme park of Clark Safari and marvel at live animals from different regions of the world. Get to learn and explore their unique life cycles in their “almost natural” personal spaces. It is one of the most modern zoos in Luzon and features thematic areas where you get to interact with different species.
Our tour began at their open-air lobby with a high-ceilinged reception area. From there, we turned left to see the Japanese section featuring artificial Sakura Trees. An ascending footpath leads to the Amphibians and Reptiles section where you can see different species of turtles, tortoises, alligators, and crocodiles. Up next are our feathered friends and a huge aquarium featuring goldfish and lots of Coi.
After the Lion’s Mouth arch entrance, enter the Feline Realm where you get to see the famed Large Cats such as the Lions, Tigers, and Leopards. There are bear species, wild dogs, and monkeys. There is a tiger cub interaction where you can have a photo with them at a specified photo booth.
The next section is where you can see a large cage for ostriches and beside are the famed Taal Horse survivors. Next to it are cages of different cockatoos and parakeets, and the most frightening – the snakes.
Interestingly, they are able to house a Honey Badger too! – one of the most uncanny predators.
Before you leave, you can have a photo with the colorful parakeets and macaws near the entrance, also with their cute little donkey and a snake species. Don’t forget to visit their souvenir shop right beside at the reception hall.
They have food kiosks too if you feel thirsty and hungry during the tour.
Address: J.P. Rizal Avenue, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga
Operational Hours: Monday – Sunday 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (4:00 PM Cut off for last entry)
Contact: +63 946 412 1763
Gemik Clark Unlimited Sport Club
Unleash your love of adrenaline and adventure at Gemik Clark. It is a DOT-Accredited sports-themed park featuring activities such as Archery, Firing Range, ATV, Human Sorb, Airsoft, Darts, and Billiards.
We got to try the Firing Range experience perfectly during the golden hour. First, we had a quick gun safety lesson and seminar including proper stance, handling, and mindful positioning of the guns and rifles themselves. After confirming our full understanding, they gave each of us a moment to do target shooting. We are given individual ear muffs and positioned in front of the targets. The adrenaline would truly come from the first time touching a real gun and the force and sound wave on each trigger release.
Next, we move to the archery section. We get to choose different-sized and weighted bows and are given practical lessons on proper handling of the bow to aiming of the arrow itself. It takes patience and steady arms to get that bull’s eye shot. For beginners, it could be sheer luck, but I felt the challenge of the people dedicated to this sport. Imagine the toil and training to get that precise shot.
Before we bid goodbye, Gemik Clark had us try their new ATV vehicles. We are thankful for the experience despite happening after their operation hours. I tried one round of driving at the sprawling complex and parked it appropriately after.
A thrilling experience to cap our day of exploring Clark!
For relaxing and luxurious accommodation, you can book an overnight stay at Swissôtel Clark. Enjoy the best infinity pool in Clark and explore the Culinary offerings at its 10 Food Outlets! Lounge at its Atrium and bask its exquisite design being the best hotel lobby in Clark to date. Dine at Spice Restaurant for the full Asian explosion of flavors and go to Ristorante de Virona for that exquisite Italian Dining experience. Get the best-tasting cocktails at Bar 20 and have the heavy buffet breakfast at Markt. Take the tasty finger foods paired with cold beers or your choice of liquors at Swisstropic Pool Bar.
For inquiries and reservations, call +63 45 306 2000 or email hb6n4@swissotel.com
Alternatively, you can choose Widus Hotel and get to stay in their modern redesigned rooms. Relax in its spacious rooms featuring inviting beds with good back support, new fixtures, and a refreshing new style. Enjoy your buffet breakfast at Salt Restaurant with a wide array of buffet spread. It has been one of the best-rated hotels in Clark for decades and features one of the most picturesque outdoor swimming pools. (Photos lifted from Widus Hotel Clark FB Page).
For reservations and inquiries, call them at +63 499 1000 or email at info@widus.com
