5 Must-Visit Open-Air Museums in the PH
There are artworks and educational pieces that cannot be contained inside a museum. As they say, art is not limited to the four corners of a building, hence, we have open-air museums to fully showcase masterpieces paired with the outside scenery.
In this list, we have put together the outdoor museums in the country that are worth your visit:
Also read: Most Beautiful Museums in Manila
Philippine Air Force Aerospace Museum
Artifacts and relics used by the Philippine Air Force (PAF) during World War II, as well as educational miniatures and aerospace sciences, are showcased at the PAF Aerospace Museum in Pasay City. The building holds the smaller museum pieces, including medals, badges, and uniforms.
There are historical planes strewn outside, which are interactive and educational especially for children. Among the featured aircrafts include the Presidential Plane used by Ferdinand Marcos, The Freedom Fighter jet, as well as helicopters, a T-Bird light aircraft, and more!
Telephone: 02-832-3498
Business Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (Mon to Fri); 8 a.m.-12 p.m. (Sat); Closed on Sundays
Address: Villamor Air Base, Sales Rd., Pasay City
Admission: Php 20
Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
Another art that can’t be confined is architecture. Visit the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bataan, a museum featuring a collection of heritage houses. The whole site is made to resemble a period settlement, spread over 400 hectares.
The structures are restorations of different ancestral homes from all around the country that were previously in a state of neglect. Additionally, the site includes hotel rooms and private houses for rent.
IMAGE Las Casas Filipinas
Telephone: 02-866-8500, 02-332-5286
Business Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (Mon to Fri); 8 a.m.-12 p.m. (Sat); Closed on Sundays
Address: Brgy. Ibaba, Bagac, Bataan
Admission: Weekday walking tour: Php 1,500 (Mon to Fri); Weekday Premiere Heritage Tour: Php 1,850 (Mon to Fri); Weekend Walking Heritage Tour: Php 2,500 (Sat to Sun)
Website: Las Casas Filipinas
Also read: Travel back in time at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bataan
Nagacadan Open-Air Museum
The Nagacadan Rice Terraces is a World Heritage site as a living cultural landscape. It features a non-intrusive tour of the Ifugao customs, culture, and festivals as well as their traditional weaving and woodcraft.
Be educated first-hand how the indigenous life and culture are connected to the rice cycle, as well as how they have built their traditional houses without nails or screws.
Telephone: 0915-811-8500
Address: Kiangan, Ifugao
Admission: Php 350
Email: kiangantourism@gmail.com
Also read: Bangaan Rice Terraces in Banaue: A Jar-Like Cultural Heritage For Trekking Beginners
Museo Orlina
Sculptures are another art that is better viewed in open spaces, such as how Museo Orlina in Tagaytay is made. Larger-than-life sculptures are spread around the garden, while the smaller and daintier sculptures and paintings are inside the building.
Other than showcasing the works of Ramon Orlina, the pioneer of glass sculpture in the Philippines, the museum also includes contemporary art of local and international artists, in support of the modern and contemporary visual art.
IMAGE Museo Orlina
Telephone: 046-413-2581, 0995-735-4462
Business Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Tues to Sun)
Address: Hollywood Subdivision Rd., Brgy. Tolentino East, Hollywood Subd., Tagaytay City
Admission: Php 100; Php 80 for senior citizens and students with ID
Website: Museo Orlina
Pinto Art Museum
Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo resembles colonial Spanish architecture with a touch of Mediterranean. The museum is popular because of its Instagram-worthy displays and interiors. Numerous artworks that the owner collected from 1986 up to present are displayed here.
There are multiple open-air buildings housing themed artworks, including sculptures and art pieces in between. Anywhere you look, there will always be something interesting to see.
Address: Silangan Gardens, 1 Sierra Madre Sreet, Greenheights Antipolo City
Telephone: 02-697–1015
Business Hours: 9 a.m.–6 p.m. (Tue to Sun)
Admission: Adult Php 150, Senior and PWD Php 120, student Php 75 (IDs required for discount)
Facebook: Pinto Art Museum
Also read: Museum Etiquette: Unwritten Rules When Visiting a Museum or Exhibit
Do you know other open-air museums in the Philippines? Let us hear your experience in the comments below!
Featured image by Ramon Velasquez via Wikimedia
