Things to Do in Fresno

Things to Do

Fresno is the largest city in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Beautiful vistas of nature surround this city because it is situated in the cool climate of a valley. That means you will have many things to do in Fresno, such as hiking, skiing, cycling, photography, picnicking, and more. The beautiful attractions of this city allow you to do all of these activities. For example, abundant ash trees lining the San Joaquin River will enable you to witness exotic birds and animals and hear the soothing sounds of water. Likewise, major national parks such as Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia are great places to spot scenic views. Besides, Woodwork Park features the Shinzen Friendship Garden. It boasts numerous picnic areas and several miles of trails. This park is adjacent to the San Joaquin River Parkway. Another major park in the city is Roeding Park, which is near Downtown Fresno. This park is home to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo Rotary Storyland and Playland. It ends not only here. Fresno is also full of beautiful lakes. The nearest Bass Lake, Shaver Lake, and Huntington Lake offer enough things to do in Fresno. 

Fresno is also famous for its history, culture, and entertainment, and it is one of the best museums in the world. In the entertainment, you can talk about programs such as Children’s Musical Theaterworks, Philip Lorenz International Keyboard Concerts, Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theatre, Rogue Festival, Shine Theatre, and Woodward Shakespeare Festival. While considering the museums, we can discuss the worth-visiting ones such as The Fresno Art Museum, African-American Museum of the San Joaquin Valley, Arte Americas, Armenian Museum of Fresno, Discovery Centre, and Kearney Mansion. These museums provide a complete depiction of Fresno's history, culture, art, and science. If you are deeply interested in knowing about nature, visiting these museums is one of the best things to do in Fresno, California. Thus, Fresno offers you a lot of things to do in and around the city. Let's check it out.  

Fresno tourism Guide

Destination Info
  • IATA Code FAT
  • Airport Name Fresno Yosemite International Airport
  • Airport Address 5175 E Clinton Way, Fresno, CA 93727, United States
  • No. of Runways 2
  • Airport Enquiry No. +1 559-621-4500
  • Official Site https://flyfresno.com/
  • Country Code +1
  • Currency USD
  • Ideal Duration 2-3 Days
  • Visa Required Not Required for Domestic Traveller
  • Best Time to Visit June to September
  • Airline Serving United Airlines, Aeromexico Airlines, Volaris Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Qatar Airways
  • Attractions Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Forestiere Underground Gardens, Chukchansi Park, Fresno County Blossom Trail

List of 10 Things to Do in Fresno

  • 1 Attend Community Events At The Tower Theatre
    Attend Community Events At The Tower Theatre

    The Tower District falls in the neighborhoods of Fresno. It is just north of downtown Fresno and one-half mile south of Fresno City College. The historic tower theatre of this district is included in the National Register of Historic Places. This theatre organizes events such as Jamaica My Weekend, Mardi Gras in February, Gay Pride Parade, Car Shows, A Taste Of The Tower, and Halloween In The Tower. Moreover, the Farmer’s Market is an annual literary festival opened on the northwest corner of Olive and Van Ness and LitHop. This festival features mostly the works of local writers. You should attend these events at the Tower Theatre as they are full of entertainment. Attending them is one of the best things to do in Fresno, California, during your travel here. 

  • 2 Hike on the trails of Woodward Park
    Hike on the trails of Woodward Park

    The Woodward Park in northeast Fresno is packed with numerous amenities. It has a multi-use amphitheater with up to 2,500 people, a fenced dog park, a bike park, two playgrounds, an equestrian trail of two miles, a lake, three small ponds, and several picnic areas. There are also multipurpose trails in Woodward Park as part of the San Joaquin River Parkway’s Lewis S. Eaton Trail. You can also spot rare species of birds in the park's bird sanctuary. Thus, Woodward Park covers many things to do in Fresno, California. This park lies on the southern bank of the San Joaquin River. It is the only regional park of its size in the Central Valley. 

  • 3 Enjoy the pleasures of Old Fig Garden
    Enjoy the pleasures of Old Fig Garden

    If you want to do things in Fresno, you can visit the Old Fig Garden. The western part of Fresno encircles this famous Old Fig Garden where you can enjoy your leisure time. It is a place of joy that offers you many amenities. It features primarily no sidewalks and is lined with various tall trees. This area is full of well-maintained homes and beautiful landscapes. An unincorporated community primarily dominates it. This community hosts the famous Fig Garden Christmas Tree Lane, which should be noticed when you are in the town. Along with this festival, you can enjoy amenities like a heated lap pool massage therapy, and shop at the Fig Garden Village. 

  • 4 Explore rare species of animals at Fresno Chaffee Zoo
    Explore rare species of animals at Fresno Chaffee Zoo

    Fresno, California, is situated in a forest area, which means the city is full of animals that have never been seen before. These animals can be found at Fresno Chaffee Zoo. This zoo maintains various attractions to display these animals in spectacular ways. Attending these attractions of Fresno Chaffee Zoo is one of the best things to do in Fresno. These attractions include Stingray Bay, Din and Wilderness, Sea Lion Cove, African Adventure, Australian Aviary, Tropical Rainforest, Roo Walkabout, Reptile House, and Giraffe Feeding. All of these attractions are open daily for the entire day. Despite these attractions, Ross Laird’s Winged Wonders Bird Show is hosted daily from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. 

  • 5 Explore the Forestiere Underground Gardens
    Explore the Forestiere Underground Gardens

    Exploring the underground structures of Forestiere Underground Forests is one of the best things to do in Fresno, California. This famous attraction is a series of underground structures built by Baldassare Forestiere, an immigrant from Sicily. It is well-maintained by the members of the Forestiere family and is considered an unconventional example of vernacular architecture. While roaming around this garden, you can take an hour-long guided tour of Baldassare Forestiere's creations. These creations include a hand-built network of underground rooms, courtyards, and passageways reminiscent of the ancient catacombs. It also consists of arches, vaults, and stone-built walls in ancient Roman architecture. These structures of Forestiere Underground Gardens are the best to be seen in Fresno, California. 

  • 6 Drive along the pink and white Fresno County Blossom Trail
    Drive along the pink and white Fresno County Blossom Trail

    Driving along the trails of Fresno County Blossom Trail is one of the best things to do in Fresno, California. While driving here, you can attend many festivals and special events. These events mark the celebration of the blooming flowers and fruits during the winters in California. Kings River Blossom Trail Bike Ride is an event where you can see the beauty of these blooming flowers. This event is a self-guided motor tour to feature the beauty of Fresno County’s agriculture and a few historical points of interest. At these points, you will come across the incredible panoramas of orchards. These orchards are full of trees, fragrant and bursting with blossoms. You can also visit Simonian Farms and Blossom Trail Cafe. 

  • 7 Absorb the beauty of Yosemite National Park
    Absorb the beauty of Yosemite National Park

    Granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves, lakes, mountains, glaciers, and biological diversity glorify Yosemite National Park. Absorbing this park's landscapes can be included in your list of things to do in Fresno, California. This park is one of the largest, bordered on the southeast by Sierra National Forest and on the northwest by Stanislaus National Forest. The forests of this park are ideal for hiking and day trips. These hikes are designed according to your interests, ability, and challenge levels. Your day trips to this park include stunning high-elevation meadows with endless flowers, famous waterfalls, and renowned peaks such as Cloud’s Rest and Half Dome. Thus, Yosemite National Park is full of adventures during your day trip. 

  • 8 Discover the Fresnos agriculture at Kearney Mansion Museum
    Discover the Fresnos agriculture at Kearney Mansion Museum

    Kearney Mansion’s Museum provides insight into the San Joaquin Valley’s agricultural beginnings through the life and times of M. Theo Kearney. He was a California agricultural pioneer most famously known as the Raisin King. This museum was the ranch headquarters of Kearney’s Fruit Vale Estate. It is situated inside Kearney Park. During your park tour, you can witness Kearney’s 1890s landscapes. Furthermore, the guided tour of this museum includes a visit to the newly opened Gallery and the Ranch Kitchen. Its itinerary also consists of an introduction commentary about Martin T. Kearney, Kearney’s Office, and the exhibit of Kearney Ranch. The tour will end with a gift shop. Diving deep into the knowledge of Kearney Mansion Museum is one of the best things to do in Fresno. 

  • 9 Hike along the trails in Sequoia National Park
    Hike along the trails in Sequoia National Park

    Sequoia National Park is best known for the General Sherman Tree, the world’s largest single-stem tree. Moro Rock, Great Western Divide, foothills, 96, Crystal Cave, the Tunnel Log, and the Giant Forest Museum are the wonders of this park. That is why Sequoia National Park is nothing short of extraordinary. It offers you a lot of things to do in Fresno during your travels. These include climbing 400 steps up to the granite dome to the summit of Moro Rock and witnessing the General Sherman Tree. Traveling to visit this tree becomes challenging in winter. Yet, it gets more beautiful during these times. Therefore, these adventures to Sequoia National Park will leave you amazed. You should not miss visiting this spectacular national park. 

  • 10 Explore the nature of Japan at Shinzen Friendship Garden
    Explore the nature of Japan at Shinzen Friendship Garden

    The city of Fresno offers you a glimpse into the nature of Japan at Shinzen Friendship Garden. Exploring Japanese nature at this attraction is one of the best things to do in Fresno. This attraction is a traditional northwestern American Japanese Garden that represents the beauty and grace of Japan. Its beauty is presented through plant material, rocks, and stones. This garden is designed around the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and winter. As you visit this garden, you will come across the world-class Clark Bonsai Collection, offering a seasonal rotation of some of the finest Bonsai in the United States. Numerous events and concerts are also organized in this garden to mark Japanese culture. 

Fresno Monthly Temperature

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Low 41°F43°F47°F52°F57°F65°F70°F68°F64°F55°F46°F40°F
High 59°F63°F70°F76°F83°F94°F100°F99°F93°F81°F67°F58°F

FAQs About Things to Do in Fresno

1 What is Fresno best known for?

Fresno is best known for its lush greenery. This feature offers you a lot of things to do in Fresno. It enables you to go for a hike, go river rafting boating, take photographs, and spend some peaceful time within the calm surroundings of trees and shrubs. The beautiful city of Fresno is best for family trips. You can enjoy your time with both kids and your friends. 

2 Is Fresno worth visiting?

Fresno is a beautiful city in California that is worth a visit. You can visit this city at any time throughout the year. It features iconic attractions such as Woodward Parks, Sequoia National Park, Shinzen Friendship Garden, and Fresno County Blossom Trail. These attractions are the reasons you should plan your trip to Fresno. 

3 Is Fresno a big or small city?

Fresno is the fifth largest city in California and a major metropolitan hub. This city is the best for permanent settlement or to progress your business. Major national parks, lakes, and museums surround it. Famous theatres also bring glory to this beautiful city of Fresno. 

4 What is Fresno famous for?

The city of Fresno is famous for its sophisticated parks and gardens. These parks offer you great things to do in Fresno. You can participate in water sports or hike a mile to the General Sherman Tree. You can also climb onto the peaks of Moro Rock. Moreover, you can rest beside the San Joaquin River.