Visitors will learn the history of Baldassare Forestiere and his underground home, gardens, and creations! This is a walking tour through underground passageways, rooms, and courtyards. Guests will be walking on earthen terrain and should dress accordingly. Baldassare Forestiere, a Sicilian immigrant, came to America in 1901 to pursue his dreams of becoming a citrus farmer. In Fresno, California, Forestiere crafted a subterranean complex of patios, grottoes, and garden courts, all featuring arches and stonework using the local hardpan sedimentary rock. He became a self-taught artist, and patterned his underground world after the ancient catacombs he admired as a boy, near his home town of Filari, Sicily. No plans were put on paper; each room and passageway was created in Forestiere’s mind as he worked. With simple farm tools (a pick, a shovel, and a wheelbarrow) the young immigrant dug, chipped, and carved the unforgiving hardpan for 40 years, all in his spare time! By the time he was 44 years old, he had excavated and planted over 10 acres.

Shinzen Garden is a place for exploration, learning, reflection and relaxation. Dive into the history of Shinzen Garden and learn about its creation, layout, architecture and so much more! You will also get a glimpse of Japanese culture and lifestyle while roaming our stroll garden. During your visit, you can discover the art of bonsai through the notable Clark Bonsai Collection.

Located in the heart of the agriculturally rich Central Valley, the Old Town Farmers Market is home to some pretty amazing produce and local products. And because our growers are basically in our own backyard, you’ll always get super fresh and peak-of-flavor produce. The Old Town Market vibe is as fresh as the produce, with wonderful food selections and live music from our very own local artists and foodies.

Vineyard Farmers Market is a year round, twice a week market serving the greater Fresno area since 1980. We value the land that produces the bounty you will find under our arbor twelve months out of the year.

The Farmers Market at River Park has been Fresno’s Favorite Certified Farmer’s Market for more than 20 Years! We celebrate the amazing bounty of our Valley and the hard work of the farmers that make it all possible. We also celebrate the bakers, chefs and specialty food producers that create culinary magic with things grown right here in our Valley. The Farmers Market is a unique and delicious weekly experience that celebrates the diversity of the community we serve. A visit to the Farmer’s Market at River Park is always a DELICIOUS adventure!

Dating back to 1901, Simonian Farms has been a favorite of thousands, near and far. Step into a world where the past meets the present, where memories are cherished, and traditions are celebrated. At Simonian Farms, we do things the old-fashioned way, with a heartfelt commitment to preserving the warmth of days gone by.

The Fresno Art Museum is Fresno’s nationally-recognized fine art museum, best known for exhibiting modern and contemporary art from California, art by women artists, and works of art on paper, along with exhibitions that reflect the visual arts traditions of the ethnic groups that contribute to the rich diversity of the San Joaquin Valley. The Fresno Art Museum’s permanent collection of over 3,800 paintings, prints, and sculptures by important local, regional, national, and international artists includes a superlative collection of Art of the Ancient Americas which spans more than 2,500 years of the major artistic traditions of cultures in West Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula, and the Peruvian Andes. Founded in 1949, the Fresno Art Museum has been located at First Street and Clinton Avenue in Radio Park since 1960.

The Veterans Memorial Museum grew out of the efforts of several dedicated Legion of Valor members and their wives who worked with the City of Fresno to use the Fresno Veterans Memorial Auditorium. Staffed by volunteers and supported in part by the City of Fresno, the museum houses thousands of items and papers donated by Legion of Valor members as well as others. Numerous framed citations, photographs, and exhibits tell the story of America's wars as seen by individual soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen. Uniforms and equipment of different eras are also on display.

Arte Américas is the largest Latino Cultural Arts Center in the Central Valley

Very interesting read! The history of the zoo discusses when the zoo started in 1907 as basically an animal shelter, the first elephant being purchased by money children raised, the aviary exhibit constructed in the 60s, the tropical rainforest in the 80s, and a 10 year old girl sparking measure Z and saving the zoo! Copy and paste the link below to read about the history of the Freano Chaffee Zoo. https://www.fresnochaffeezoo.org/about/