Alternative Davao Destinations, Part 1: Urban Spots

by | Feb 28, 2018 | Davao, Features

Quick! Off the top of your head: write down 5 popular spots in Davao City. No Google searches!

Are you done? Good. Now, I want to look at the list you made.

Chances are you’ve included some, if not all, of these places:

– Eden Nature Park
– Philippine Eagle Center
– Malagos Garden Resort
– Roxas Night Market
– Aldevinco Shopping Center
– Crocodile Park
– People’s Park
– Osmena Park
– Magsaysay Park
– Rizal Park
– Matina Town Square

(If you’ve put in beach resorts like Paradise Island, Pearl Farm, and Isla Reta, consider them null and void. Samal and Talicud are beautiful islands, but they’re not part of Davao City, unfortunately.)

These are all places that we’ve probably recommended to tourist friends who are looking for places to see in Davao. I’m guilty of this too. But they’ve earned their popularity for a good reason. However, they’re not the only destinations we have here. One of the beauties of this city is that it has something for anyone and everyone–if you know where to look. Let’s talk about a couple that you can find in Metropolitan Davao.

For The History Nerds: Museo Dabawenyo, Davao Museum of History and Ethnography

Museo Dabawenyo

* image credit davaocitybybattad.blogspot.com

Out of these two, the newer Museo Dabawenyo is relatively more well-known than the older Davao Museum of History. One big reason is that the former is located right at the heart of the city, just a short walk away from City Hall. The latter, on the other hand, is quite a drive from downtown—it’s actually inside Insular Village in Lanang. But both of them proudly showcase artworks, weapons, and handicrafts from the past and the present people of Davao. I highly suggest visiting the two museums to get the best of both worlds.

If You’re A Fossil Buff: D’Bone Collector Museum

D' Bone Collector Museum

* image credit Edgar Alan Zeta-Yap

Want to see animal bones in Davao City? D’Bone Collector Museum Inc. is an NGO with a huge collection of animal skeletons for educational purposes. Their gallery ranges from horses to whales.

They are usually called upon whenever a dead whale, dolphin or rare creature is found (sadness) to help explain the cause of death, and to explain it to the public. They help promote their cause of preserving the environment, by showcasing the cause of death for every animal, most of which is because of the garbage these beautiful creatures have ingested.

Don’t be surprised if you see wrappers or bottle caps under the creature. It’s not an accident. They were found inside the animal’s stomach, and was placed there for us to be aware of where our trash goes. It’s a must-visit if you’re into paleontology, just morbidly curious or would like someone to wake up from their throw your trash anywhere habits.

D’bone Musuem is just along San Pedro Extension in Barangay Bucana, near the Almendras Gym at Quezon Boulevard. Don’t worry about getting, they’ve got a sign by the side of the road to point you in the right direction, and if you’re really lost, us locals are always happy to lend a helping hand.

For Some Family Friendly Fun: Hyperbola, Altitude, MysterEscape

Got kids? Davao’s premier ball pit, Hyperbola Ball Pit-Café, will keep them happy with its calming and therapeutic playground full of thousands upon thousands of white balls. It’s also popular with young adults who love to post on Instagram and with those who want to get away from their stress or do something different for a change. Hyperbola is situated at Emilio Jacinto Extension, near Immanuel Baptist Church.

Hyperbola Davao

*image credit facebook.com/hyperboladavao/

Altitude Davao

*image credit facebook.com/AltitudeDavao

If Hyperbola is for soothing the soul, then Altitude Indoor Trampoline Park will get your adrenaline pumping. But they don’t only have trampolines. If your legs want to take a break, just sit down and play a few games at the arcade or regain those lost carbs at their restaurant. To get there from downtown, head a little bit past SM Lanang. You’ll find it along J.P Laurel on the Damosa side of the highway before you reach the old Central Warehouse Club.

MysterEscape

*image credit facebook.com/mysterescape/

Or if you’re looking for something more cerebral to do with friends or family, there’s MysterEscape, which lets you play 60-minute simulated escape room-type games. They even have different scenarios for their rooms—you can be a spy or someone who has to solve a crime. It’s takes a lot of creativity and teamwork to beat the game, so if you’re up for a challenge, just head to their spot beside Diamond KTV just across Blue Post Boiling Crab and Shrimps in J.P Laurel Avenue, Lanang.

See? There’s so much more to Davao than our famous parks, nature resorts, and night market. And I’m not even done yet—there are still more places I haven’t mentioned, but they’re a bit farther from downtown. Let’s save that for Part 2, shall we?

Here’s the second part of this article:
Alternative Davao Destinations, Part 2: Let’s Go On A Drive

 

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