Fresno Top Attractions

Chaffee Zoo Fresno Theaters Fresno City Water Park Botanical Gardens Resort & Casino Downing Planetarium

Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center. Spanning over five city blocks in Fresno, the Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center is a multi-functional facility for cultural and social events, entertainment and conventions. The massive complex features 5 separate facilities, including the 11,300 seat Selland Arena - home to the Central Valley Coyotes arena football team and host to a variety of concerts, sports, family shows and entertainment events. The beautiful William Saroyan Theatre is home to the Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra, Fresno Ballet and diverse cultural events. The state-of-the-art Fresno Convention Center features 83,00 square feet of exhibit space, with a main exhibit floor and 25 meeting rooms for conventions, tradeshows, conferences, meetings, community gatherings, seminars, political rallies, dinner banquets, and wedding receptions. Valdez Hall is a 32,000 square foot multi-purpose facility for exhibit shows, stage events, convention meetings, dances and banquets. The Conference Center features a 13,129 square foot ballroom that may be divided into 7 salons, and an elegant hall for large banquets and receptions.

Fresno Chaffee Zoo. Enjoy exciting up-close encounters with wildlife at the Fresno Chafee Zoo - one of nation’s most animal friendly zoos. The Fresno Chaffee Zoo is home to about 125 species of unique animals, mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, including tigers, giraffes and elephants, and the only zoo in North America that houses Northland green geckos and a Southern tent tortoise. The Zoo is also home to 18 endangered species that are part of the Species Survival Plan, a program that protects the planet's rarest animals such as the addax, Andean condor, Malayan tiger, lesser spot-nosed guenon, Aruba Island rattlesnake, siamang, orangutan, ring-tailed lemur and red wolf. The Zoo offers wonderful animal habitats, educational adventures, experiences and events that enrich the central California community. The Rain Forest at the Zoo features a dwarf caiman and prehensile-tailed porcupines. Viist www.fresnochaffeezoo.com

Fresno Art Museum. Set in Radio Park, Fresno Art Museum is an impressive museum of contemporary and modern art with a spectrum of works by local, national and international artists. With collections on Mexican art from pre-Columbian times to the present, pre-Columbian ceramics and French post-impressionist graphics, the Museum is a repository for important collections from the Central Valley. The Museum has three main galleries, an exhibition concourse, and a unique Child-space. Visit www.fresnoartmuseum.org.

Fresno Metropolitan Museum. Housed in the historic Fresno Bee building in downtown Fresno, the Fresno Met presents a vast art collection, innovative exhibits, and changing exhibitions that inspire the discovery of art, history and science. The Met’s permanent collection features 3,000 works of art and artifacts from different cultures spanning over 400 years. The collection features American and European paintings, European still lifes, tromp l'oeil oil paintings, Native American arts, Asian fine art, Ansel Adams photographs, botanical prints and a complex puzzle exhibit. The Museum also presents exhibits on the cultural heritage of Central California, including exhibits dedicated to author and Fresno native William Saroyan. For exhibitions and events, visit www.fresnomet.org.  [Top]

William Saroyan Theater & Fresno Theaters. The cultural showcase of Fresno, William Saroyan Theater is the home to the Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra, Fresno Ballet and many cultural events throughout the year. The beautiful theater offers luxurious seating for 2,353 people and superb acoustics for a variety of music, dance, performing arts, Broadway shows, plays, ballets, concerts and convention meetings. The theatre has hosted renowned stars such as Mikhail Baryshnikov, David Copperfield and the Broadway shows Les Mis, Cats, The Sound of Music, Evita, Chicago, and Riverdance. The theatre's spectacular lobby is appointed with solid cast brass doors, glistening chandeliers, and hardwood accents - an elegant setting for receptions, social gatherings, and convention functions.

Tower Theater. Opened in 1938, the Tower Theater was restored in 1990 and reopened as a center for Fresno’s performing arts, live music and dramatic productions. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and considered one of the grandest theaters in California, Tower Theatre is a 1940's modern art deco masterpiece. The authentic art deco theme can be experienced in the covered foyer of Italian Terrazo and the lobby with its beautiful historic Carvarts glass etching. The historic Tower Theater is the crown jewel of the Tower District.

Fresno Performing Arts. Fresno is a cultural hotbed with many unique theaters and performing arts venues. Some local favorites include: Good Company Players Second Space Theatre, presenting comedy and drama, Roger Rocka's Dinner Theatre, historic Tower Theatre, presenting touring performers, Theatre Three, presenting eight varied performances annually in a 107-seat facility, and Warnors Theatre. [Top]

Fresno City and County Historical Society. The Fresno City and County Historical Society operates the Kearney Mansion and Fort Miller Blockhouse, two historical museums, extensive archives on the history of Fresno, and tours of the city's historic buildings. Tour Fresno’s historic district containing Meux Home and St. John's Cathedral. A restored historical structure in downtown Fresno, Meux Home displays rotating exhibits relating to the region's history, while the futuristic design of City Hall intrigues architecture buffs.

Discovery Center Museum of Science & Natural History. The Discovery Center is hands-on science museum and outdoor education center that features hands-on learning experiences and fun interactive exhibits that encourage excitement, curiosity, passion and exploration in children about science and the world around us. Children of all ages will enjoy the Discovery Center’s Native American exhibits, cactus garden, worm farms, ponds, and beautiful greenhouse. Through innovative activities, field trips, camps, outreach and parties, the Discovery Center brings classroom lessons to life and makes learning science fun! Visit www.thediscoverycenter.net.

Forestiere Underground Gardens. An amazing retreat hand sculpted by Baldasare Forestiere in the early 1900’s beneath the hot San Joaquin Valley, Forestiere Underground Gardens is an underground compound of rooms, passages, tunnels, gardens, arches and stonework patterned after the Ancient Roman catacombs. Preserved as a living monument to his creative spirit, this 10-acre underground labyrinth also features an auto tunnel, a chapel and chapel garden - all adorned with unique trees like strawberry and citrus. Guided tours are available. Visit www.undergroundgardens.com   [Top]

Island Water Park. The Island Water Park is the perfect way to escape the summer heat. Enjoy year-round family fun at the park’s 20 wild water slides and rides, a huge arcade, amusement park, volleyball courts, and miniature golf. Have days of fun at the Slammin Jammin Fun Park, featuring the Club Atlantic Arcade, Spartan’s Speedway, miniature golf and go karts. The new Bonzai Beach is coming in March, 2009.Visit www.islandwaterpark.com.

Wild Water Adventure Park. The top water park in Central California, Wild Water Adventure Park offers 52-acres of aquatic amusements surrounded by lakes, trees, and grassy picnic areas. Wild Water offers 20 exciting rides, fast slides, fun attractions and fishing. Splash into the Blue Wave, the largest wave pool in California with a million gallons of water. Slide down the Banzai Pipeline, climb the wild Rampage tower, discover Gold Rush Mountain's two dark tube rides - Vertigo and Vortex - race down the Rapids, drop 3 stories on Sidewinder, or brave a white water river run down Thunder Falls. Visit www.wildwater.net

The Big Fresno Fair. The fifth largest fair in California, The Big Fresno Fair - October 6 - 17 - is a fun family experience and the biggest event in the Central Valley. Founded in 1884, the Fair celebrates 125 years of family entertainment and the bounty of Fresno County through its cool exhibits, live horse racing, tasty food, thrilling rides, carnival, concerts and awesome entertainment. The Table Mountain Concert Series presents the nation’s hottest artists of country, hip hop, 70’s, and rock. The 2008 musical line-up included Chicago, Gretchen Wilson and Smoky Robinson. The Big Fresno Fair is held annually at the Fresno Fairgrounds, which also presents a broad array of events, festivals, rade shows, rallies and parties. Visit www.FresnoFair.com. [Top]

Clovis Botanical Gardens. The Clovis Botanical Garden is a wonderful place to relax with your family and enjoy plants that thrive in Fresno County. The beautiful garden is filled with intriguing landscapes, water-wise trees, herbs, California native plants and aromatic shrubs from the Mediterranean. The garden is free to the public on Saturday mornings. Visit www.clovisbotanicalgardens.com.

Sierra Summit (Skiing). Found in the Sierra National Forest at Huntington Lake in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains, Sierra Summit is spectacular family ski and snowboard destination just 65 miles northeast of Fresno. This scenic Central California ski resort offers over 200 acres of diverse ski terrain, including 45 ski trails - some that run up to 2.5 miles long - a base of 7030 feet, a vertical drop of 1679 feet, three exciting freestyle parks, a wicked halfpipe, and the best freestyle terrain in Central California. Winter recreation includes downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling. Sierra Summit’s mix of freestyle terrain at the Canyon, the Ridge and the popular Tollhouse Park feature jumps, step-ups, step-downs, tables, hips and spines as well as a variety of jibs and new custom-made boxes and rails. The Sierra Summit Ski Race Team is open to young skiers with a desire to learn to race competitively. Ski and snowboard rentals are available at the Sports Shop. Visit www.sierrasummit.com/.

Fresno County Fruit Trail. Enjoy this self-guided tour through California’s agricultural heartland and celebrates the beauty, flavor and culture of Fresno County. Visit orchards full of ripe fruit, local fruit stands, farmers markets and fruit related attractions to find the freshest fruit and delectable produce. Fruit Trail season is May through September each year. Visit www.gofresnocounty.com.  [Top]

Chuckchansi Gold Resort & Casino. The Chuckchansi Gold Resort & Casino Since is a world-class gaming, dining and entertainment facility just outside of Fresno. Chuckchansi Gold Resort & Casino offers non-stop gaming action with 1,800 hot slots, 48 table games including 3-Card Poker, Blackjack, Spanish 21 and Pai Gow, and the spacious 3 Peaks Poker Room - with 12 poker tables to play Texas Hold 'Em, Omaha and 7-Card Stud. Chuckchansi Resort presents blockbuster concerts and events, and offers California style dining at seven distinct restaurants. Sample cuisine at Nativo's, California Market Buffet, Vintage Steakhouse, Deuces Diner, Noodle Bar Asian Bistro, Goldfield's Café and The Bakery. Visit www.Chuckchansigold.com.

Table Mountain Casino. Located in Friant, Table Mountain Casino is a world-class gaming, entertainment and dining destination in the Central Valley. The impressive tribal casino features 2,000 popular slot machines, 38 table games - including Blackjack, Spanish 21, Fortune Pai Gow, 3-Card Poker, Mini Baccarat - a poker room, an 800-seat bingo hall, specialty games and great live entertainment and concerts. Table Mountain Casino presents spectacular performers and entertainment in their intimate, indoor Event Center, including World Championship Boxing and Trisha Yearwood. Whether you're looking for casual, elegant dining or buffet celebration, Table Mountain Casino offers 3 restaurants - Eagles Landing, Mountain Feast and TM Café. Visit www.tmcasino.com.

Madera Wine Trail. Just across the river from Fresno, Madera County produces internationally recognized, world-class dessert wines and ports. With wonderful family-owned wineries and premium vineyards, the trail is experiencing a renaissance as a unique grape growing region. Its microclimate is bounded and cooled by the San Joaquin River on the southwest and Sierra Nevada Mountains to the east. Warm summers ad varied soil types provide a foundation for the full development of the grapes. The Madera Wine Trail features: Agajanian Vineyards, Chateau Lasgoity, Ficklin Vineyards, Golden Valley, Madera Wine Company (Maison Basque), Oak Hollow Winery, Pacific Crest Winery, Papagni Vineyards, Quady Winery, Quinta Madera Wines, Simpson Meadow Winery, Westbrook Wine Farm. The Central Valleys best-kept secret Madera is recognized as an American Viticultural Area. Visit www.maderavintners.org. [Top]

Downing Planetarium. Located at Fresno State University, Downing Planetarium is a space odyssey. The Planetariums 74-seat star theater with a 30-foot dome presents exciting shows with its computer controlled star, video and slide projectors. Planetarium shows include: The Planets, Moonbound 2020, Ring World, Destination Pluto and Stella: Adventures of a Black Hole. On Fridays, the planetarium presents free star gazing from its outside telescope, from which you can see celestial objects, planets, double star systems, nebulae, and star clusters. The Downing Planetarium Museum offers a myriad of interactive exhibits from a levitating globe to a 65-pound meteorite. Visit www.dowing-plantarium.org

Boomers. Located in Fresno, Boomers is the place for family fun in the Central Valley. The park offers a variety of entertainment and sports, including bumper cars, miniature golf, go-karts, a game room, rock wall, laser tag, a rookie track and Tiny Tots Cars. Enjoy high-speed excitement aboard the high-performance Go Karts and experience the thrill of banked curves, hairpin turns, and exhilarating straight-aways. Scale the face of the 35-foot rock climbing wall. Play hi-tech laser tag in a black-light battleground. Splash into fun on bumper boats with your own water cannon, or play 18 holes of miniature golf with lush greens, wild waterfalls and wacky windmills. Experience a virtual reality at the state-of-the-art game room with incredible games that lead your starship into a deep-space shootout and let you enjoy the sport of snowboarding. Visit www.boomersparks.com

California State University, Fresno. Located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Fresno State's 388-acre campus and 1,011-acre University Farm offers engaging academics and programs at its 10 schools and colleges. Students can earn bachelor's, masters and doctoral degrees in Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Arts and Humanities, Business, Education and Human Development, Engineering, Health and Human Services; Science and Mathematics, and Social Sciences. The Fresno State Bulldogs compete in Division I baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball, golf, cross-country running, equestrian, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball and wrestling. The West Coasts major sports and entertainment venue, Save Mart Center at Fresno State is home to the Fresno State Bulldogs basketball team. Visit www.fresnostate.edu.  [Top]