What are Some Things to do in Fresno, California?

You're not likely to run out of things to do in Fresno, California. Three national parks — Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia — offer many opportunities for all types of outdoor sports such as skiing, hiking, biking, fishing and much more. You can also view popular attractions such as Shinzen Japanese Friendship Garden, the African-American Historical and Cultural Museum, the Kearney Mansion and the Chaffee Zoo.

Visiting the Chaffee Zoo, in Roeding Park, is one of the oldest things to do in Fresno since the Zoo has been here since its opening in 1929. It was first called the Roeding Park Zoo before the name was changed to the Fresno Zoo in 1985. The name was again changed, this time to the Chaffee Zoo, actually the Chaffee Zoological Gardens, in 1990 when the founder and first zoo director, Dr. Paul Chaffee, died in that year. The Chaffee Zoo is known for its bird shows called "Winged Wonders." Roeding Park has playgrounds and an amusement park as well as picnic areas.

The Kearney Mansion in Kearney Park is designed in the French Renaissance style on the outside and has Victorian decor inside. The grand home, with its double pointed roof and dormer windows, belonged to Martin Theodore Kearney, a Fresno agricultural developer. The surrounding Kearney Park is known for its beautiful trees and flowers. Run by the Fresno County Historical Society since 1962, the Kearney Mansion is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Fresno's African-American Historical and Cultural Museum has displays by some of Fresno's African-American artists. The exhibits range from permanent to temporary and focus on African-American culture and history. The Museum was started in 1995.

Walking through the Shinzen Japanese Friendship Garden is one of the best things to do in Fresno for those who enjoy beautiful landscaping. Shinzen is divided into four sections to represent the four seasons and has seven bridges, a koi pond, waterfalls and a tea house. The Garden is located in Woodward Park and may feature seasonal events such as a floating lantern ceremony in August and a spring blossom festival in March.

Yosemite National Park is known as a great place for fun outdoor things to do in Fresno such as biking, horseback riding, camping and hiking. Guided horseback tours and bicycle rentals may be available depending on the season. Yosemite National Park has wildlife such as mountain lions, coyotes, black bears and bobcats. The Park features four visitor centers and scenic beauty including sequoia trees.