Weekend Pasyalan: Rediscover the Joy of Quezon Memorial Circle!

You don’t have to board an airplane or get stuck in traffic to make the most of summer vacation. In fact, you don't even have to leave the city! If you're on a budget, a quick weekend getaway could be as easy as taking a bus or a cab to the Quezon Memorial Circle.

There are different activities the whole family can enjoy! Did you know that there are four museums at QC circle? The best part is most of the activities are free.

What can the family enjoy and experience at Quezon Memorial Circle?

From the dark and unkempt park that it was in the 1990s, Quezon Memorial Circle has since been upgraded into a fine public park for Quezon City residents and everyone else. Spanning a sprawling 67 acres in the middle of the Elliptical Road, the Circle not only has a park but gardens, four museums, several restaurants, bike trails, jogging trails, playgrounds, an amusement park, a pond, and commercial selling areas — there is an activity for practically every member of the family.

There's recent news that Quezon City representative Winnie Castelo plans to build a stadium/sports arena in the middle of the Circle, but this has been deemed inappropriate for the area by members of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development. We hope it doesn’t happen because it could disrupt the lush tranquillity of the area.

Pay your respects to Manuel L. Quezon

Manuel L Quezon’s remains lie underneath the towering 66-meter-tall monument, which is the center of the entire Quezon Memorial Circle and from which the Elliptical Road and its adjoining streets radiate. But you may be surprised to know there is an actual museum with an extensive memorabilia collection right next to his marble crypt. Admission is free.

Visit the former President's house

Not many Circle visitors realize that the big yellow house next to the Max’s and Tropical Hut restaurants near the main entrance is the home of Manuel Quezon.

The rooms are lovingly restored to the way it looked like in the 1930s-1950s, and the dining room is notable, as this is the same room Dona Aurora Quezon held the first meetings for the Philippine Red Cross.

Admission is free, but donations are accepted. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed for lunch 12 to 1 p.m.)

Relive the history of Quezon City in an interactive way

The Quezon City Experience (QCX) Museum is an interactive, social history museum. In this writer’s opinion, it is one of the most underrated children’s museums out there. QCX opens with a background on how Quezon City was developed with the intention of being the future capital of the country, then delves into the various features, heritage sites, buildings, and transportation modes that are unique to this city.

Open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call beforehand at +632 692-3332 because sometimes the museum is closed for special tours and field trips 

Let the kids play while you enjoy a picnic

Arguably, the most popular spot in the Quezon Memorial of Circle is the Circle of Joy, a free, open-air playground with around 13 colorful play structures of slides, tunnels, monkey bars, and seesaws under the welcoming shade of full-grown trees.

Bike ‘round and ‘round

It isn’t the QC circle if you don’t bike around in circles. Bicycles of different sizes and styles (with sidecar, two-wheeler, three, etc.) can be rented from the QMC Bicycle Station (rates start at Php100) to bike within the Bicycle Trail, an enclosed area next to the Circle of Joy. 

Hop on a ride at Circle of Fun

This is a modestly sized amusement park located across the Bicycle Trail, and is great for small and big children (there are rides for toddlers here, too). The kiddos can enjoy the traditional carousel, bump car, and roller coaster along with other cool rides like the Teacup, Flying Shuttle, and Flying Sharks. It opens in the afternoon, so check the schedules below.

Admission fee is Php30 each. Open Monday to Friday 3:30 p.m. onwards, Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. onwards

Try the zip line

Would you believe that there is a zipline in the middle of Quezon City? There is one in the Circle, and it stretches about 200 meters. (There is an age restriction for kids.) Once you are up there you can get a breathtaking view of the monument and the rest of the Circle.

Rates start at Php100 (one-way). Open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Dine at the nearby restaurants or check out the meals at Banchetto

The entrance of the Circle fronting the Quezon City Hall is where you’ll find popular restaurants, but head straight to Coconut House, which is located along the circular path around the open park. The offerings are all made out of coconut and are healthy and delicious, such as the Veggie Coco Omelette (great whether or not you’re vegetarian), and the Pancit Buko which substitutes noodles for buko strips.

If you are on a budget, there is an open-air Banchetto right next to the playground, selling everything from hamburgers to malunggay snacks. Beat the heat by buying an ice cream cone from one of the dozens of mamang sorbetero (ice cream vendors) with their colorful carts parked underneath one of the trees!

Do some shopping

If you could brave the heat (or wait it out til early evening or late afternoon) you can actually shop for everything at the QC Circle — clothes, shoes, toys, and yes, plants. You can find tiangge tents lined up near the PHILCOA entrance and the prices are very affordable and come Christmas season, the place is full of discount shoppers.

If you’re a real "plantita," the Circle is the best place to shop for all types of ornamental or herbal plants and gardening supplies in the area. Aside from the stalls facing PHILCOA and the Department of Agrarian Reform Area, head to the many greenhouses in the middle of the circle selling everything from Phalaenopsis orchids to fortune plants.

Take a stroll in the gardens

There are not only one but four show gardens in the Quezon Memorial Circle, spanning a couple of hectares. There is the Tropical Garden, the beautiful Bulaklak Garden, the Runnex Elevated Garden, and the Rock Garden. The Philippine Horticultural Society hold office in the Circle, and they organize an annual Plants and Arts Festival here. For more information, follow them on Facebook.

The Quezon Memorial Circle is located at the Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City.