MANILA, Philippines – A family outing to Tagaytay nowadays is not complete without a trip to Sky Ranch, the five-hectare amusement park managed by SM Prime Holdings Inc. Located beside historic Taal Vista Hotel, this theme park in the sky has become one of the popular attractions families and groups must experience when they hie off to this leisure destination south of Metro Manila.

Since it opened in late 2013, Sky Ranch has become a popular destination not only for travelers from Manila, but also from the nearby provinces of Cavite, Batangas and Laguna. The park is quite popular among schools that visit Tagaytay City on field trips, as well as families driving from nearby provinces on excursions.

To date, Sky Ranch boasts a number of attractions. The 63-meter tall Sky Eye is the park’s main landmark, towering over other park rides. Riding one of the gondolas of this mammoth ferris wheel provides guests with magnificent views of Tagaytay Ridge and Taal Volcano.

Other must-ride park attractions include Sky Viking, an open gondola that swings riders up to a 90-degree angle for an action-packed ride; the Zipline that hurls you across a 300-meter drop by the ridge; the double-decker Carousel; and the Riding Loop horseback riding track.

While most of the park rides are geared towards children, six more attractions that are intended for adults are expected to be made available by the end of 2015. One attraction, the Log Cruiser, a log-themed roller coaster, is set to be operational by September.

Apart from its attractions, Sky Ranch is fast becoming a popular foodie destination with its wide selection of dining options, from fastfood and casual dining restaurants to family-style outlets.

A popular stop for those looking for diner fare is Downtown Pizza & Pasta and Red Engine Diner. This two-in-one restaurant serves a selection of pasta dishes, pizza and Angus burgers that have become popular for their huge sizes and portions.

Restaurant manager Raquel M. Añonuevo said the twin restaurants are unique dining concepts that were first introduced in Sky Ranch. Many of their guests are families and barkadas visiting the park.

Those looking for something Filipino should go to Mesa. The branch at Sky Ranch is the 20th for this popular restaurant chain that serves what it calls Filipino Moderne, classic Filipino dishes with an innovative twist.