6 Top Attractions to Visit During Your Next Trip to Fresno

Fresno (Spanish for ash tree) is a city in California. The city was founded in 1872 as a railway station of the Central Pacific Railroad and is an economic hub of Fresno County and the San Joaquin Valley. Fresno is the fifth-largest city in California and is the most populous inland city in California. Fresno is rich in fresh produce and it's one of the only cities in close proximity to three national parks: Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, and Sequoia National Park.

If you are planning a road trip through California, you should definitely consider spending a day or two at Fresno. Here is a list of some of the best attractions for your next visit to Fresno.

Forestiere Underground Gardens

Forestiere Underground Gardens(Wikimedia Commons)

Forestiere Underground Gardens are a very unusual and unique tourist attraction. The gardens consist of a series of subterranean structures built over a period of 40 years. These underground gardens are the work of Baldassare Forestiere who spent his spare time digging the underground maze of caves, gardens, and patios. He also planted different varieties of fruits and grapevines some of which still exist. The gardens are located at West Shaw Avenue and is a must-visit place for every tourist.

Woodward Park

Shinzen Japanese Garden(Facebook)

Woodward Regional Park is the largest park in Fresno and was a donation from Ralph Woodward in the year 1968. The park is a great place to get some outdoor action and is filled with jogging trails, picnic tables, playgrounds, and a pond. One of the most popular activities is the Woodward Shakespeare Festival known as Shakespeare in the Park. The park also the CIF Cross Country State Championship in November each year.

Also, inside you will find the Shinzen Japanese Garden. The 5 acres big garden was built by the local Japanese-American community and captures the beauty of the Japanese landscape. The garden contains a Koi pond, peacocks, reflecting ponds, and dozens of bonsai trees.

Fresno Chaffee Zoo

Fresno Chaffee Zoo(Facebook)

If you are visiting with family and kids, Fresno Chaffee Zoo is one of the most fun-filled places in Fresno. There are plenty of animal exhibits that are both educational and adventurous to help kids learn while having fun. The Fresno Chaffee Zoo spans roughly 40 acres and is home to over 190 species. Some of the most popular attractions at the zoo are dino dig, the Valley Farm Petting Zoo and the African Adventure section.

Vineyard Farmers Market

Vineyard Farmers Market(Flickr)

Your trip to Fresno is not complete without sampling the fresh produce from one of the farmers market. There are plenty of farmers markets in Fresno but my favorite is the Vineyard Farmers Market. It has been providing Fresno with some of the best locally produced vegetables and fruits for the past 35 years. The market opens every Wednesday and Saturday. You can not only stock up on fresh produce but also treat yourself to several options of baked goods made from organic and locally sourced ingredients.

Tower District

The Tower Theater(Wikimedia Commons)

Tower District is Fresno's entertainment district. The area is filled with local restaurants, pubs, shops, nightclubs, and galleries. If you are looking to party when you are in Fresno, Tower District is the place to go. The galleries are free to the public from 5 pm to 8 pm on the first Thursday of each month.

Fresno County Blossom Trail

Fresno County Blossom Trail(Wikimedia Commons)

If you are visiting Fresno in February or March, you must drive through the Blossom Trail. The 62-mile self-guided trail is one of the most scenic places in Fresno. You will come across plum blossoms, pink apricot blossoms, and many more. I recommend starting your trip is at Simonian Farms.

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