Visalia, California Area Things to Do

Sequoia National Park Lake Kaweah Heritage Complex Giant Forest Museum World Ag Expo

Join us at the Microtel Inn & Suites in Tulare, California for a memorable lodging experience. But wait, there’s more-as in our great location, which puts the best of the Central Valley at your fingertips. Outdoor enthusiasts will fall in love in no time once they step foot in Sequoia National Park, home of the world’s largest trees. History buffs will enjoy going back in time when they visit historic Visalia. And fans of all types of water sports will have the wet and wild time of their lives at Lake Kaweah. But wait, there’s still more-as in more things to do near our Tulare, California hotel. And we’ve listed some of them below.

Sequoia National Park. Located in the southern Sierra Nevada east of the San Joaquin Valley, Sequoia National Park, along with its partner, Kings Canyon National Park, boasts some of nature’s finest handiwork-immense mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, vast caverns and the world’s largest trees. Depending on the time of year you visit, you can take advantage of Crystal Cave tours, hiking and skiing. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/seki/.

Historic Visalia. Visalia is more than 150 years old and you can discover its rich history by taking the Historic Visalia Walking Trail, which consists of nine sites, including Visalia’s first store, house and newspaper building. The town is also home to the historic Fox Theatre, which was built in 1930 and restored to its former glory in 1999. Today, it’s the home of performing arts and musical events. For more information, visit www.ci.visalia.ca.us/.  [Top]

Lake Kaweah. Lake Kaweah is fed by the Kaweah River, which originates in the Sierra Nevada at Sequoia National Park. One of the lake’s main attractions is Horse Creek Campground, a developed campground with 80 campsites and an amphitheater for summer campfire programs. Water-skiers and pleasure boaters abound. Anglers can reel in largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish and rainbow trout. For more information, visit http://areas.wildernet.com/pages/area.cfm?areaID=CAAELK&CU_ID=1.

Tulare County Museum. In the main building of the Tulare County Museum, you’ll encounter a local Native American basket and artifact display, antique guns, railroad memorabilia and vintage clothing. Explore the Pioneer Village, which features one-room schoolhouses, a log cabin, a blacksmith shop and a jail. For more information, visit www.tularecountyhistoricalsociety.org/Museum.htm.  [Top]

Heritage Complex. Located at the International Agri-Center in Tulare, the Heritage Complex houses a meeting and events center, an International Trade Center, the Antique Farm Equipment Museum and AgVentures! Learning Center where kids get a hands-on introduction to agriculture. For more information, visit www.heritagecomplex.com/.

Lee Institute for Japanese Art. The Ruth & Sherman Lee Institute for Japanese Art is located 24 miles north of Tulare in Hanford, California. It was founded by Elizabeth and Willard Clark to collect, conserve, study, and exhibit the paintings, sculpture and decorative arts of Japan. This rapidly expanding collection is comprised of many distinguished works representing artistic activity in Japan from the 10th century to present day. For more information, visit www.shermanleeinstitute.org/.  [Top]

Giant Forest Museum. Named in 1875 by explorer and conservationist John Muir, Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park captivates visitors with its beautiful meadows and sequoia grove. The Giant Forest Museum, designed to serve as the starting point for visits to the grove, provides visitors the opportunity to learn the story of the giant sequoias and Giant Forest. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/archive/seki/snrm/gf/new/museum.htm.

Visalia Convention Center. Discover 114,000 square feet of meeting and convention space at the Visalia Convention Center, located right next to the Marriott Hotel. The convention center features a wide variety of events, including the Visalia Home EXPO and Wedding Style-Fall 2007 Bridal Show, plus an eclectic collection of concerts and seminars. For more information, visit www.visalia.org.  [Top]

World Ag Expo. It began as the Farm Show in 1968 and it attracted 157 exhibitors with 28,000 attendees. By the second year, the show doubled in both attendees and exhibitors. In 2001, it adopted its current moniker, World Ag Expo. Held in Tulare, California each year during the second week of February, the World Ag Expo is the world’s largest agricultural exposition, with 2.5 million square feet of exhibit space, over 1,500 exhibitors, and over 100,000 attendees. For more information, visit www.worldagexpo.com/.

ImagineU Children’s Museum. The ImagineU Children’s Museum provides hands-on exhibits and activities to nurture, educate and entertain kids, ages 1 to 10. Exhibits include a nutrition display, which features a grocery store complete with check-out line, and focuses on healthy food choices. In addition, there’s Imagination Castle, where kids can dress-up, perform their own drama productions or present a puppet show. The museum’s motto is “small museum…big smiles” and it’s easy to see why. For more information, visit www.imagineumuseum.org/. 

Thunderbowl Raceway.  The Thunderbowl Raceway is located in Tulare, California close to the Microtel Inn. Tickets are now on sale for their upcoming "Advanc Auto Parts World of Outlaw Sprint Car Series" on Feb. 22nd & 23rd. Many races are held here through out the year, check their website for more information. www.thunderbowlraceway.com 

California Antique Farm Equipment Show. Come celebrate the rich farm heritage of California. The annual two day event that will take place in Tulare, California will showcase antique equipment collectors and craftsmen from all around the United States. The 16th Annual Show will take place on April 18th - 20th. Call to make your reservations at the Microtel Inn. For more infomation regarding the event., www.antiquefarmshow.org {Top]