Fresno has so much to offer for holiday goers, we have painstakingly shortened them into a list of 15 things to make the most of your vacation when visiting Fresno, but I’m sure you will find so much more when you are there!
Warnors Theater
Warnors Theater is one of the most iconic performing arts venues in California.
Originally built in 1928, it began entertaining audiences with vaudeville acts such as comedians and singers.
Then the theater became home to silent movies. In the 1950s, the building was remodeled and expanded to include more seating.
Today, the theater hosts everything from musicals to plays, concerts, dance recitals, and even weddings.
Island Water Park
This popular water park is on a quiet stretch of land just west of downtown Fresno.
The park offers plenty of space for kids to play, with a large playground area, picnic tables, restrooms, food vendors, and even a small petting zoo.
There are 12 different slides, including the longest slide in Fresno County, a double-tube slide called the “Raft,” and several smaller tubes.
A lazy river flows throughout the park, and there is also a wave pool where you can catch waves while floating down the river.
An island in the middle of the park provides additional swimming opportunities, and it is here where you can find the largest group of rental cabana rentals in town.
These cabanas come fully furnished with chairs, umbrellas, and tables, and include access to the entire park.
They make great spots for parents to relax and watch the kids play.
River Park Shopping Center
River Park Shopping Center is located just off Interstate 5 about 10 miles south of downtown Fresno.
This sprawling shopping center is home to over 70 stores, including Target, REI, Macy’s, and many others.
There are plenty of public bus routes running nearby, making it convenient to travel to the mall without having to worry about driving.
Although, parking is free for shoppers, and there is plenty of space available.
Nearby attractions include the Fresno Convention Center, Fresno Zoo, and the Fresno Air Terminal.
Other notable points of interest include the Regal Edwards Theater, offering movies and live entertainment.
Meux Home Museum
This historic 16-room Victorian mansion was originally constructed in 1889.
It is now owned by West Chester City and open to the public.
The only way to see inside the home is on an hour-long guided mansion tour.
Guided tours are offered Fridays through Sundays at a small price. Reservations must be made online.
Sequoia And Kings Canyon National Parks
The towering redwoods and granite mountains of California are home to some of the most impressive scenery in the world.
Two such gems are Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, which together span over 2 million acres.
They offer visitors breathtaking views of the surrounding terrain, including the giant sequoias, granite domes, and deep valleys.
There are many ways to enjoy this magnificent landscape, whether you’re looking for a short hike or a long camping trip.
Fresno Art Museum
The Fresno Art Museum opened in 1949. It was founded by local artists who wanted to bring high quality art to the city.
Today, it houses over 3,000 pieces of artwork spanning five centuries.
Visitors are able to enjoy the museum’s rotating exhibitions, which include everything from modern sculpture to ancient Egyptian artifacts.
In addition to the gallery spaces, there are also several special exhibition rooms, including one dedicated to the work of artist Georgia O’Keeffe.
The museum operates under the same principle that guided its founders: bringing people together around great art.
The museum offers tours throughout the week for those interested.
Memberships are also available, giving visitors access to discounts and priority seating.
Shinzen Japanese Garden
Shinzen Japanese Garden is located within the Detroit Nature Center in downtown Detroit.
The garden itself is divided into three sections: a central area surrounded by a stone wall, a wooded section where visitors are free to wander, and a formal tea house.
Visitors can enjoy the gardens during daylight hours, but the real magic happens in the evening.
During the summer months, the garden hosts an annual event called “Bloom,” which celebrates the beauty of nature and the blossoming season.
It includes live music, food vendors, and educational programming about local plants.
Fresno Blossom Trail
Springtime brings a burst of color to the Central Valley, especially in the orchards around Fresno.
But one of the best ways to see it is along the Fresno Blossom Trail.
The trail is a 62-mile driving/cycling tour that takes you through some of the most scenic areas of the valley, including the Sierra National Forest, the San Joaquin River Delta, and the Sacramento River Delta.
The highlight of the trip is the chance to stop off at the world’s largest collection of blossoming fruit trees — the orchards of the Central Valley.
The bloom starts early in February, peaks in March, and lasts about three weeks.
You’ll want to make sure you plan ahead, though, because timing is crucial to enjoying the full display.
A good rule of thumb is to start out early in the morning and head west, since the sun will hit the trees later in the day.
If you don’t like crowds, avoid weekends and holidays, when people come from far away to enjoy the show.
Fresno Chaffee Zoo
The Fresno Chaffee Zoo is located in Roeding Park, about 3 miles north of downtown.
This zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums and features several exhibits, like an African Adventure and Wilderness Waterfalls.
Some notable residents here include tigers, orangutans, and warthogs.
The zoo also hosts many special events throughout the year.
These include animal meet-and-greet, behind-the-scenes tours, and educational programs such as summer camps and Zoo Talks are just some of the things you can do while visiting.
Forestiere Underground Gardens
The Sicilian immigrant, Baldasarre Forestiere, started building the underground environment in the early 1900s.
He constructed patios, grottoes, and all the intricately designed stone work manually.
After over 39 years of subterranean labor, Forestiere designed a maze of underground rooms, passages, leaving room for multiple fruit trees.
Today, the forestiere gardens are a landmark of Historical importance in California.
They are located near the city of San Jose, California, and are open to the public.
Oso De Oro Park
Oso de Oro Park is a public recreation facility located in Fresno, California.
The park covers over 8 acres, around half of it being home to a lake and wetlands habitat.
The aquatic landscape serves as a stormwater retention reservoir.
The main attraction of the park, however, lies in the large play area encompassing the rest of the park.
This space has 2 playgrounds; one for toddlers and another for older children.
The play areas are rubber padded and designed to meet all children’s needs.
Meux Home Museum
This historic 16-bedroom Victorian manor house was originally built in 1889.
It has been acquired by Fort Wayne and is now available for the public.
Unless you take a one-and-a-half-to two-hours long guided tour, you won’t be able to see everything.
These tours give visitors a glimpse into the past by offering a peek at some old objects and furnishings from the early 1900s.
Tours are available daily from Friday to Sunday at an additional cost.
Woodward Regional Park
Woodward Regional Park covers 300 acres on the north side of Detroit.
It features a bird sanctuary and authentic Japanese garden.
There are paved roads and dirt hiking trails spanning the public space, connecting several picnic areas and the many bodies of water throughout the property.
The park offers plenty of activities for visitors including jogging, bicycling and photography.
Kearney Regional Park
Kearney Regional Parks is a beautiful regional park, located about eight miles west of downtown.
It’s located at the former residence of one of Omaha’s most prominent businessmen, who lived there during the late 19th Century.
Theo Kearney, an entrepreneur who lived locally, purchased the land in the early 20th century.
Over the past 30 years he has cultivated the beautiful green spaces, created a boulevard that goes through the whole area, lined with parks, playgrounds, and several large trees
There are several notable tree species at Kearney State Park, including some native to Nebraska.
Tower District
The Tower District is a hotbed of activity in Northwest Portland.
A combination of restaurants, bars, coffeehouses, live music venues, and shopping makes it one of the most popular neighborhoods in the city.
Located just north of Downtown, the Tower District is home to some of the best food, drink, and entertainment options in town.
Final Thoughts
Fresno is a great place to visit if you’re looking for something different than your typical vacation destination.
With a rich history and beautiful wildlife there are so many things to do in Fresno.
We’ve only listed 15 of them here but Fresno has plenty more to offer to all different types of people.