Located in Taguig City, BGC or Bonifacio Global City is a financial business district that stands on the land that used to be a part of the military base called Fort Bonifacio. Also referred to as a lifestyle district, BGC has become its own little city with home, health, and happiness all within reach of each other.
Apart from corporate buildings, BGC’s map is sprinkled with tons of restaurants, cafes, shopping spots, and entertainment areas. Multiple malls, parks, and open spaces are also very accessible. If you’re looking to experience Manila’s party scene, BGC is also the place to be with bars and clubs electrifying its nightlife. Many tourists choose to stay in this area because it is only 30-45 minutes away from NAIA or Manila airport and numerous hotels are situated around Global City. A hospital is also just within reach, which is an essential amenity for travelers and locals alike.
If you’re in BGC, you can easily find something to do even if you don’t have a planned itinerary. Just walk around its streets or head over to a mall and explore. But if you’re the type to have fixed itineraries or at the very least list down your must-visits, here are some things to do and places you can visit in BGC.
WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE?
The Mind Museum
Opened in 2012, The Mind Museum is the first world-class science museum in the Philippines. Its shape aptly inspired by cellular structures and growth, the museum sits on JY Campos park in BGC. Several awards have been presented to the museum including a Themed Entertainment Association (THEA) Award for its outstanding achievement in the science museum category. The “Academy Awards” of the themed entertainment industry lauded the museum for making science playful and interactive in 2014.
Children and adults will enjoy exploring the five galleries inside the museum especially if you’re a science enthusiast. You will find the Atom Gallery, Life Gallery, Earth Gallery, Universe Gallery, and Technology Gallery within the two floors of the museum where interactive exhibits await curious minds. While the Science in the Park right across the museum was made for kids, we reckon parents will enjoy a quick trip to the playground as well. After awakening inquisitive minds through the galleries, kids will definitely still have loads of energy to burn after the museum visit and the playground is the perfect place for that.
Tickets are available at the site, but may be limited because there are only 3 time slots daily. However, all-day passes can also be availed. For convenience, you can book your all-day passes in advance via Klook.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Schedule might change without prior notice. Make sure to visit their website or official Facebook page for updates.
Entrance Fee:
- All-day Pass – P750
- 3-Hour Visit – Public School Student/Teacher, P190; Child, Private School Student, P475; Adult, P625
Time Slots: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM; 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM; 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: JY Campos Park, 3rd Avenue, Taguig City
SM Aura
SM Aura is an upscale shopping mall in BGC. Characterized by high ceilings and high-end brands, this mall is not without its own green spaces. Head up to the roof deck to get a glimpse of the city from the Skypark or dine at the al-fresco bars and restaurants located here. With the amount of food options nearly matching the number of stores, you won’t go hungry here. They even have a Food Hall located on the 5th floor!
If you want to catch a movie, SM Aura has cinemas including two Director’s Club Cinemas and an IMAX theater at the fourth floor. The mall also has a performance theater called Samsung Hall that serves as a venue for different types of events like concerts and corporate events. For some much needed quiet time, head over to the Roman Chatolic chapel of San Pedro Calungsod on the 7th floor.
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Schedule may change without prior notice. Make sure to visit their website or official Facebook page for updates.
Location: 26th Street corner McKinley Parkway, Taguig City
Bakebe
If you’ve always wanted to start baking but never knew where to start, Bakebe should definitely be your next stop in BGC! This co-baking space is perfect for beginners who don’t want to commit to their own baking tools just yet or are prone to culinary misadventures.
You can try baking in Bakebe solo or with friends. Each package will allow you to choose a dessert you want to bake from their selection including various cake designs and flavors. Your baking experience will largely be powered by an app, but a cake expert will also be there to assist you. Although they accept walk-ins, it is best to book in advance or inquire about availability as they’re sometimes reserved for large functions like team-building activities.
You can book your baking session through Bakebe’s website, but you can also make a booking through Klook.
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Last baking session at 7:00 PM). Opening hours may change without prior notice. Make sure to visit their website or official Facebook page for updates.
Location: 2nd Floor, SM Aura, McKinley Parkway, Taguig City
Venice Grand Canal Mall
Inspired by the Venice Grand Canal in Italy, the Venice Grand Canal Mall intrigues with its rustic architecture and its open-space layout. While Italy’s Venice may not have as many skyscrapers surrounding its Grand Canal, this unique mall tucked away in McKinley Hill Drive has its own charm.
If you’re not visiting Venice anytime soon, a gondola ride may entice you. You can get on a gondola with a singing gondolier for P500 per person.
Along the canal are various restaurants that offer al fresco dining options allowing you to savor the Venice-inspired view. Apart from these, you may also want to look at the wide range of dining options as the mall hosts a food hall, fast food chains, and fine-dining restaurants across its three floors.
Surprisingly, the highlight of our visit to the Venice Grand Canal was the pigeon feeding. Opposite the canal, you’ll find an open plaza where pigeons flock to mallgoers. For a measly P 20, an attendant will hand you an envelope of bird feeds for the pigeons to peck at from your palm. This gave us quite a laugh, but be careful as these birds really get their claws on you once you bring out the feeds!
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday, 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM; Friday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Schedule might change without prior notice. Make sure to visit their website or official Facebook page for updates.
Location: McKinley Hill Garden Villas, Cluster B, Upper McKinley Road, Taguig City
WiiJUMP Trampoline Park
If you get a thrill out of jumping like crazy and bouncing around, spend your time at WiiJUMP Trampoline Park! Located inside Venice Grand Canal Mall, this hands-on-shoes-off play area is great for high energy kids and adults alike. Inside the trampoline park are eleven zones including the ninja course, wall climbing, foam pit, sticky wall, basketball area, and olympic trampoline.
General admission tickets will give you an hour of playtime, but if you’re gunning for a bit more jump time, you can extend your stay for an extra hour for a fee. Grip socks are required when you enter the park and you can also purchase a pair at the cashier for P99. If you need to relax or grab a quick bite after bouncing all over the place, there’s a café area with chairs and tables just next to the cashier.
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday, 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Friday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM. Opening hours and fees may change without prior notice. Make sure to visit their website or official Facebook page for updates.
Entrance Fee:
- General Admission (1 Hour) – P499
- Extended Hour – P399
- Early Jumpers (Monday to Thursday except Holidays, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM) – P399
Location: 2nd Floor Marco Wing, Venice Grand Canal Mall, Taguig City
Bonifacio High Street
Bonifacio High Street is an open-air mall. Occupying several blocks, it is lined with high-end stores, restaurants, leisure and entertainment areas. Meanwhile, the middle portion of High Street has pocket parks perfect for kicking back and people watching. High Street is pet-friendly so you’ll also see a lot of cute fur babies being walked in the area.
Indoor commercial buildings also sit along High Street. Among these is One Bonifacio High Street, a mall with more dining options, retail stores, and beauty and wellness amenities. Some of the notable dining places here are Wolfgang Steakhouse, M Bakery (popular for their banana pudding!), and Elephant Grounds.
Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Friday to Saturday, 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM. Opening hours may change without prior notice. Make sure to visit their website or official Facebook page for updates.
Location: 5th Avenue corner 28th, Taguig City
Hello Photo
These days, you’re likely to see phones and digital cameras lugged around by memory-hoarders. They’re quick, convenient, and ready for posting with a single click. However, we’re the type of people to believe that there’s still some charm to be found in having printed photos during a trip with the girls or a date with your significant other. If you agree, welcome to the club! If you love taking spontaneous snaps at photo booths, then you’ll love Hello Photo in BGC!
Unlike your usual photo booths where you just sit and pose for photos, Hello Photo booth makes it more fun with their various props available for customers. You can bring out your creativity and mix and match some accessories before taking your photos. Different print layouts are also available for you to choose from.
Opening Hours: Daily, 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Schedule might change without prior notice. Make sure to visit their website or official Facebook page for updates.
Rates: P200 – P250
Location: UG, BGC Central C3, 7th Avenue, Taguig City
Power Up Climbing Gym
If you’re looking for a thrilling activity to fire up your adrenaline, give rock climbing a shot! Power Up Climbing Gym is an indoor climbing space that prides itself of being the first of its kind in the Philippines. They have multiple existing branches around the metro, but their home in BGC is R.O.X.
Recreational Outdoor Exchange is the place for different kinds of outdoor gears and apparel. Power Up’s wall climbing spots sits near the back of the facility, so a quick walk around the superstore before your climb won’t hurt anyone. Beginners and first-timers are welcome, and both kids and adults can go on this indoor wall climbing gym. For seasoned climbers, you can avail their all-day pass sans gear and belay services, but beginners may want to consider the all-in package which includes gear.
Opening Hours: Daily, 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Schedule might change without prior notice. Make sure to visit their website or official Facebook page for updates.
Rates:
- All day (Excludes gear and belay services) – Adult, P500; Kids, P400
- All-in All-day (Includes gear) – P700
- 1 Hour All-in (Includes gear) – P500
- Gear Rental – Shoes, P100; Harness, P100
- Belay Service – P200 per hour
Location: R.O.X, Bonifacio High Street, 7th Avenue, BGC, Taguig City
Gaming Library
Gaming Library catalogues board games, card games, and game accessories in their gaming arsenal. Most of the items in the shop are pretty niche (you won’t be finding a Monopoly set to take home here!), but for curious cats, this is the perfect place for a few rounds of games with friends.
Their All Aboard XP offer allows guests to play various board and card games in store for a fee. It’s a great way to spend some quality time with friends or family while trying out mentally stimulating games. And if you end up loving a game so much, you can buy it at the store so you can continue playing at home.
Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Friday to Saturday, 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM. Schedule might change without prior notice. Make sure to visit their website or official Facebook page for updates.
Rates:
- 1-hour XP Play – Adult, P100; Children, P150
- All-day XP Play – Adult, P350; Children, P500
Location: 3rd Floor, One Bonifacio High Street Mall, Taguig City
Balistika
For an action-packed activity, visit the firing ranges at Balistika. An interactive shooting range, Balistika uses real firearms and live ammo with virtual shooting games. It is an indoor facility where you can learn the basics of shooting a gun and choose between 32 live fire games to play.
These games are projected on a white target board while tracking your shots for a more realistic experience. Sound effects also add more fun as each shot ricochets through the target board and rings your ears through electronic earmuffs. Among the live action interaction games you can choose from are shooting accuracy drills, Zombie shoot, Shoot House, and Battleships Carnival Games. You can choose between solo and sharing packages with an option between a pistol and submachine gun (SMG). Packages starts at P2,500.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM; Monday, CLOSED. Schedule might change without prior notice. Make sure to visit their website or official Facebook page for updates.
Rates: P2500 – P4750
Location: 2nd Floor, Pointe II Building, 28th Street, Taguig City
The Spa Wellness
Traveling can be tiring especially if you’re jumping from one place to another. If you’re looking to pamper yourself during your stay in the big city, book an appointment at The Spa Wellness. Located along BGC High Street, the place is easy to find since the building sits along 9th Avenue.
Upon entering the lobby, you’ll be welcomed by the calming smell of eucalyptus. They offer various spa services from classic massages, to aromatherapy, to face and body care. If you don’t want a whole body massage, you can also opt for a head and shoulder massage or choose from their foot care options. The Spa has different types of rooms you can choose from including a suite for full privacy.
Walk-ins are accepted, but it is highly recommended that you book an appointment in advance. You may call their contact number to set an appointment. Treatment costs range from around P1000 to P3500.
Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Last Call at 8:30 PM); Friday to Saturday, 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Last Call at 9:30 PM). Schedule might change without prior notice. Make sure to visit their website or official Facebook page for updates.
Location: B8, 9th Avenue, BGC Highstreet, Taguig City
Burgos Circle Park
Burgos Circle Park is one of several parks around BGC. It serves as the center island of Burgos Circle, a spot littered with restaurants and bars. Standing in the middle of the park is a striking sculpture called The Trees. Made by Reynato Paz Contreras, this sculpture started a wave of public art in BGC after being unveiled in November 1997. The piece is an impression of a tree with three separate trunks and branches that interconnect, forming a dome.
Burgos Circle Park is an open park with the sculpture in the middle and nothing much else, save for a few benches. It is best to go here in the morning or early afternoon to avoid harsh sunlight. Usually, you’ll see kids running around the park or people walking their pets.
Location: Forbes Town Center, 29th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Forbes Town
If this were a list solely on dining and nightlife in BGC, Forbes Town would be high on the list. Mostly alive and kicking at night, Forbes Town still evades accusations of being a ghost town in the morning. Restaurants around this area offer al fresco dining, which is a nice way to see more of the community while enjoying good food even before happy hour hits.
Restaurants fill up Forbes Town, but if you’re looking for suggestions, you might want to consider Locavore. Keeping true to its name, Locavore serves Filipino dishes with a twist. Among their best sellers are the sizzling sinigang and fried oyster sisig. You can also try street food items here like fishballs and other “tusok-tusok” as well as the usual Pinoy desserts like halo-halo and turon.
If you’re here for a night cap, check out Tap Station. This is a perfect drinking spot if you love beer because they have over twenty options for beer on tap. Another Forbestown pick is Tipsy Pig Gastropub. With a wide array of food and drinks on their menu, come here any time of the day and have anything from breakfast to late night drinks.
Location: Forbes Town Road, Taguig City
The Fort Street
This is another late night hangout spot in BGC. Previously known as Fort Strip, this area is dotted with multiple bars and restaurants. If you’re the type of person who enjoys listening to live music while having drinks, this place is for you. Some of the bars here have live singers or bands on some nights. The area is within walking distance from High Street.
Location: 28th Street corner 7th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Mitsukoshi
Mitsukoshi is a Japanese-inspired, four-story mall. Its roots come from the popular department store chain in Japan bearing the same name. Its doors first opened in BGC in early 2023. Mitsukoshi is home to a mix of Japanese brands and other stores with Japanese influences.
But what really stands out in Mitsukoshi is their grocery store called Mitsukoshi Fresh. It is located on the mall’s lower ground level, just next to the food court. The supermarket carries a mix of local and international products. And of course, the highlight would be the Japanese items. You will find Japanese snacks here including the popular treat from Tokyo -— Tokyo Banana. They also have a ready-to-eat section with Japanese food items like sashimi, inari, maki, rice bowls, and even oysters!
Opening Hours: Daily, 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Schedule might change without prior notice. Make sure to visit their website or official Facebook page for updates.
Location: 8th Avenue corner 36th Street, Taguig City
Uptown Mall
Branded as a lifestyle mall, Uptown Mall is another shopping and dining spot in BGC. Among its notable amenities are the restaurants offering al fresco dining on various floors including its top floor called The Deck. Here you can also find the Uptown Food Hall where you can find relatively cheaper meals alongside fast food options. Sharing this space on the top floor is the St. Gabriel the Archangel chapel.
Uptown Mall is also known for its ultra cinemas that have fully reclining seats. If you drop by the mall at night, you’ll be greeted by its dancing fountain outside. Starting 5:30 PM, the fountain dances with lights and sounds and the occassional pyrotechnics. Meanwhile, across Uptown Mall is Uptown Parade, a strip with restaurants and food trucks that come to life after sunset.
Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Friday – Saturday, 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM. Schedule might change without prior notice. Make sure to visit their website or official Facebook page for updates.
Location: 36th Street corner 9th Avenue, Taguig City
Active Fun Taguig
There’s no shortage of fun things to do in BGC. If you’re with kids, another option to add to your list is Active Fun. It’s an indoor play area where kids can spend time going on slides, sinking into ball pits, and more.
Active Fun also hosts special activities for holidays like Easter Sunday, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day. They also hold trial sessions for taekwondo classes from time to time. You can also book Active Fun for birthday parties or other occasions which can be a more fun way to celebrate. On regular days, they offer 1-hour and 3-hour play times.
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Schedule might change without prior notice. Make sure to visit their website or official Facebook page for updates.
Rates:
- 1 Hour – P295
- 3 Hours – P495
- Adult Pass – P150
- 30-Min Extension – P200
Location: 9th Avenue, Taguig City
Ride a Bike or Scooter
In terms of business districts, BGC is one of the more walkable areas in Metro Manila. Wide sidewalks and stoplights at every corner makes every commuter’s knees weak, especially considering streets in the metro. However, riding a bike or a scooter is also a fun way to get around this economic hub. Moovr Stations all around BGC make renting bikes and scooters easy for anyone.
This bike and scooter sharing service works through an app which you can download on Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store. You can pay the ride by topping up on the app using credit or debit card, GCash, and GrabPay. The app is very easy to use and there are also instructions posted in every Moovr Station on how you can unlock a bike or scooter to start your ride. If you don’t know how to ride a bike, try out the scooter! It’s easy to learn and it’s electric so you don’t have to spend much energy when riding it.
Rates:
- Bicycles – P25 for every 15 minutes or a fraction thereof
- Scooters – P30 for every 10 minutes or a fraction thereof
Experience BGC’s Nightlife
BGC is basically a 24-hour city, especially with the amount of office spaces in its vicinity, but you have to admit: there’s nothing quite like BGC at night. If you’re looking to party, you can head to The Palace at Uptown Parade. It is home to multiple clubs like XYLO, Clubhouse, The Island, and Yes, Please. For a chiller nightcap, you can go to Burgos Circle or Forbes Town for resto bars and gastro pubs. If you’re a fan of stand-up comedy, Wicked Dogs in Uptown Parade hosts comedy nights with various stand-up acts.
But restaurants in BGC know that the life of the party doesn’t always work a 9-to-5. For partygoers who start their nights early, this business district has quite a few establishments already serving your typical night out fare as early as 8AM in the morning.
Suffice to say that if you’re looking to experience nightlife in the metro, BGC is the place to be.
Hunt for Street Art
A stroll around BGC yields a feast for curious eyes. BGC is known for its walls upon walls of public arts. These are part and parcel of BGC’s culture and they definitely add more character to the place. The murals are works of different local and international artists and are usually seen as backdrops for Instagram photos.
When you’re going around BGC, keep your eyes peeled for these paintings! They range from small ones at parking lot corners to huge ones on walls along the street. If you want to know the exact locations of these public arts, you can check out BGC Arts Center’s website.
Where to Stay in BGC
Searching for a place to stay in BGC? Here are some top-rated hotels you can consider booking for your trip.
- GRAND HYATT MANILA
✅ Booking.com | Agoda | Hotels.com - SHANGRI-LA THE FORT
✅ Booking.com | Agoda | Hotels.com - SEDA BONIFACIO GLOBAL CITY
✅ Booking.com | Agoda | Hotels.com - ASCOTT BONIFACIO GLOBAL CITY
✅ Booking.com | Agoda | Hotels.com - CITY PARK HOTEL MANILA
✅ Booking.com | Agoda | Hotels.com
If you want more suggestions with more details about each hotel, you can also check our Top 10 Hotels in BGC article.
Find more BGC Hotels!
How to Get There
From NAIA
If you’re going to BGC from the airport, there are multiple transportation options you can take. You can book a car using a ride-hailing service like Grab or take a taxi. If you’re looking to save on transportation costs, ride a bus. For a more detailed guide, click here.
From Cubao
- Ride the EDSA Carousel Bus to One Ayala Terminal. Alternatively, you can also board the MRT-3 and get off at Ayala Station.
- Cross the footbridge to the other side. Your landmark is the Telus Building.
- Hop on a BGC Bus.
Updates Log
2024.01.08 – Updated opening hours
2023.12.29 – Updated Where to Stay section
2023.09.13 – First uploaded
Reminders
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