South Africa is a country rich in history, culture and wildlife. No matter what your interests, you and your family will find a life changing adventure to embark upon here. Whether it be spotting the Big 5 in the Kruger National Park or hiking up Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain, there are so many things to do in South Africa with kids. Mark and Mila, the dynamic duo behind Mountain IQ, are avid mountain hikers and, as native of South Africa, Mark is here to share his invaluable list of Top Five Family Friendly Activities in South Africa.
Top Things To Do in South Africa
#1: Hike the Challenging and Beautiful Table Mountain in Capetown
View from the top of Table Mountain
When you think of things to do in Cape Town, it’s likely that the first thing that comes to mind is Table Mountain – Cape Town’s number one tourist attraction. But there are so many different trails you and your family can choose to go up the mountain.
The trails are of varying lengths and difficulty. If you have younger children it may be better to take the cable car to the top and then walk across the top of the mountain to Maclean’s Beacon. This is a relatively short walk, but it offers spectacular views of the city and the Atlantic Ocean. If you are planning on taking the cable car, be sure to book in advance to skip the lines. Since the Table Mountain cable car is such a popular attraction, it is also worth getting there early to avoid the crowds. Children under four can ride for free!
If your children are slightly older, you can take the popular Platteklip Gorge or the Skeleton Gorge Trails, amongst many others. Make sure to pack lots of snacks, water and cover up to protect yourselves from the dangerous local sun.
The views from the Table Mountain summit are incredible, you may even be lucky enough to spot a dassie, which are small mammals that live in the rocks and are simple adorable. There is also a restaurant atop the mountain for you and our family to get refreshments once you have completed your hike.
Cape Town is known to have unpredictable weather, so check the weather forecast to avoid being stuck in the wind, rain or fog. The fog is what gives the mountain its name – when the clouds descend on it, they make it look like a tablecloth. If you are planning a few more adventures around the region, here are some more great hikes around Africa.
#2: Enjoying the Adorable and Happy Penguin Colony at Boulders Beach in Capetown
Penguin Colony at Boulders Beach
Boulders Beach is located 40 minutes outside of Cape Town and offers the unique opportunity to see a large number of wild African Penguins. You and your family can spend the day watching these adorable creatures frolic amongst the waves at this beautiful beach, and, if you are brave enough to hop into the frigid Atlantic Ocean, you can even take a swim with the penguins. Although, it may be prudent to rent a bodysuit to enjoy the experience more.
It is important to remember that although cute, the penguins are still wild animals, and you absolutely should not touch them as they have razor sharp beaks and will defend themselves if they feel threatened. The penguins call Boulders Beach home all year round, but South African summer (November till March) is the best time to visit to see them in large numbers. If visiting in January, you may even get to see some baby penguins moulting on the beach!
In order to gain access to the boardwalks, which is the best spot to view the penguins, there is a small conservation fee. Individuals who are not citizens of South Africa pay a bit more, but at ~$11 for adults and ~$6 for children, it is well worth the expense. For information on fees for all South African parks, visit this official site.
#3: Mesmerizing Wildlife of the Kruger National Park
Kruger Lion
Everyone dreams of going on an African Safari, and what better place to go than the Kruger National Park? With nearly 2.2 million hectares of diverse South African landscapes, the Kruger National Park is the most famous wildlife reserve in South Africa and arguably in the world.
The wildlife in the park is plentiful, and visitors are almost most guaranteed to see all of the Big 5 most dangerous animals – buffalo, elephant, rhino, lion, and leopard. There are a number of options for accommodation, whether you are looking to camp or perhaps even enjoy the luxury of a private game lodge, where game rangers take guests on game drives where they explain the local game and wildlife. Summers in the Kruger can get pretty hot, so it may be worth finding accommodation with a pool, in order to cool down during the day.
Hermanus, a once small fishing town located 90 minutes from Cape Town, is a great spot to take the family whale watching. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has voted Hermanus as one of the 12 best whale watching destinations in the world. The Telegraph also named Hermanus as one of the best destinations worldwide to watch marine mammals.
The best time to go whale watching is between July and November with the months of September, October and November being the absolute best time. This is the period when the Southern Right Whales begin mating. Hermanus’s famous Whale Watching Festival also takes place in September, when the normally quiet town becomes bustling with tourists eager to get a glimpse of these spectacular creatures. Visitors can choose to whale watch from land, boat or even a scenic flight. Those who are feeling particularly brave can even rent a kayak and paddle around Walker Bay as the whales breach, but be prepared to get wet along the way!
Sea sickness can also be an issue for those who have never been kayaking in an active ocean before. So consider taking first timers on a taster ride before the adventure and, if needed, you can purchase anti-motion sickness pills, which need to be taken two hours in advance.
#5: Educational Visit to the Cradle of Humankind
The Protea Flower: The National Flower of South Africa
For those looking for something a little more educational, the Cradle of Humankind is a fantastic option that will be enjoyed by both adults and children. The Cradle of Humankind is one of South Africa’s 8 World Heritage Sites. The main attractions are Maropeng and the Sterkfontein Caves, located just a short one hour drive outside of bustling Johannesburg.
It is here where humankind is believed to have originated. Look around the exhibitions in Maropeng and then travel down into the Sterkfontein caves where there are excavation sites as well as an underground lake. Caves’ tour is an amazing experience, and it is actually better for kids, as they fit into narrow passages much easier than adults and will most probably find those the most fun!
There are plenty of things to see and kids will definitely remain entertained the entire day. After working up an appetite, there is a variety of restaurants in the area for refueling. Tickets to access both Maropeng and the Sterkfontein Caves are ~$8 for adults, ~$5 for children between 4 -14, and free for children under 4 years.
Nancy’s Note: South Africa is near and dear to my heart as it is where my husband and I chose to celebrate our 10 year anniversary (without kids). It’s also the vacation that spurred the creation of We Go With Kids!
Thank you to the Carnegie Science Center, the National Aviary, the Andy Warhol Museum, the Duquesne Incline, the Senator John Heinz History Center, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, The Frick Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium for providing complimentary tickets for my family and to the Drury Inn for hosting our stay. All opinions are my own.
Pittsburgh is known for its steel production, bridges and sports teams. It’s only about two hours from our home in Cleveland and where my college roommate lives, so we regularly visit several times each year. In the 19th century, Andrew Carnegie became one of the richest people in the world by modernizing steel production in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh, where the Monongahela River joins the Ohio River. Now called the “Steel City,” Pittsburgh used to be known as the “Smoky City” because of so much pollution from the mills. Very little of its industrial past remains in this city now known for its hills, bridges, parks and biking and jogging trails. In our many visits, we have found so many gems. Here are some of the best things to do in Pittsburgh with kids:
Best Things to Do in Pittsburgh’s North Shore
Pittsburgh’s North Shore boasts picturesque views of Pittsburgh’s downtown, sports venues and world-class museums. It’s just a short drive (or even walk) from downtown.
#1: Carnegie Science Center With Kids
The Carnegie Science Center is my boys’ favorite museum, and they’ve been to dozens all over the world. While the “science” portion of the Carnegie Science Center is pretty impressive, the real draw for my kids is Highmark SportsWorks®, which is housed in an adjacent building and uses more than 30 interactive sports exhibits to show how physics, anatomy, biology and chemistry control sports.
We visit the Carnegie Science Center several times a year and generally aim to arrive right at the 10:00 am opening and head straight to the Ropes Challenge in Highmark SportsWorks® because the line can get quite long by mid-morning. The Ropes Challenge consists of a series of challenges, including a rope bridge, rolling logs and a horizontal net and culminates with a zip line. I think it’s the zip line that makes this my boys’ favorite “exhibit” ever. The Ropes Course is for children who are at least 48 inches, but the SkyTykes Ropes Course offers younger kids an age-appropriate version that my daughter loves. Other highlights in the sports complex include a 24-foot rock climbing wall (which even my four year old daughter tried out), a batting cage, a 10-meter dash and various challenges for endurance and balance.
Roboworld is considered the world’s largest permanent robotics exhibition and features more than 30 interactive displays. Our favorites include a robot who shoots baskets with impressive precision and another who challenges visitors in air hockey.
The Miniature Railroad & Village is a fun but unexpected exhibit at the Science Center. This enormous village with model trains includes scenes of western Pennsylvania from the 1880s to the 1930s and includes over 250,000 trees. Of course, our favorite miniature was Fallingwater.
Much of the Carnegie Science Center is geared for kids age six and up, but there are many fun exhibits for toddlers and preschoolers, especially the Little Learner Clubhouse. My daughter has visited numerous times between the ages of one and four and always has a blast with her brothers. We recommend the Carnegie Science Center as one of the most fun things to do in Pittsburgh for kids.
Carnegie Science Center Facts: The E-motion cone, which is a large inverted cone on top of the Science Center was installed in 2000. It is lit up at night with colored lights that signal the weather forecast for the next day. Red means warmer, blue means cooler, and green means no change. The cone flashes when precipitation is expected, and the color yellow indicates severe weather.
Carnegie Science Center Hours: The Carnegie Science Center is generally open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Because of its proximity to the Steelers’Heinz Field, the Carnegie Science Center is closed when the Steelers have home games with 1 pm or 4 pm kickoff times and may close early for evening games.
Carnegie Science Center Admission: General admission costs $19.95 for adults, $14.95 for seniors and $11.95 for children ages 3-12. Children under three and ASTC members are free.
Carnegie Science Center Parking: Parking is available in the lot in front of the Carnegie Science Center for $5.
#2: National Aviary With Kids
The National Aviary in Pittsburgh is home to over 500 birds from more than 150 species and a fun thing to do in Pittsburgh with kids. The National Aviary offers walk-through habitats that allowed us to see the birds up close. My kids, who were not sure what an aviary was when I told them about our planned trip, learned so much about different bird species. I was thrilled to find two bald eagles in the first habitat.
The African penguins were definitely a highlight of our visit. Because African penguins are used to a temperate climate, they live in their outdoor habitat all year. Visitors can view them through windows from the inside of the National Aviary. As an added bonus, kids can reach special windows to see the penguins up close by climbing through tunnels.
Each penguin has a band with his or her name. There are daily penguin presentations for visitors to learn more about these amazing birds.
My oldest son particularly enjoyed the wetland habitat. He was fascinated by how the flamingos marked their territory by spreading their wings. We also saw peacocks and other birds wandering on the pedestrian path with us.
We were excited to participate in the lorikeet feeding. We each got a dish of nectar and entered the habitat to feed. While this was something that pushed me out of my comfort zone, it was pretty amazing to hold a lorikeet on my wrist and watch it eat. I barely felt its feet on my wrist, and it quickly polished off the nectar in my bowl. A limited number of tickets are available at each entrance for the feedings. We arrived just before the 11:30 a.m. feeding and took our place at the end of the line. We only had to wait a few minutes for our turn, but the birds were “slowing down.” Next time, we’ll make sure to arrive at least five minutes early.
My boys each had a turn on Birdly, a full-body immersive virtual reality flying simulator that allowed them to experience flying like a bird in Manhattan for 2.5 minutes. After a quick demonstration, they learned how to maneuver up and down and turn and really felt like they were flying. This was probably the most unique part of our visit to the aviary, and they would love more opportunities to fly.
National Aviary Facts: The Helen M. Schmidt FliteZone Theater was part of the National Aviary’s 2009 $17.5 million expansion project and is the world’s first only indoor theater constructed for the presentation of live, free-flight bird shows.
National Aviary Hours: The National Aviary is generally open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
National Aviary Admission: Admissions costs $17 for adults and $16 for seniors and children 2-12. Children under 2 are free.
National Aviary Parking: Parking is available in the lot behind the Aviary and costs $5. Metered parking is available in front of the National Aviary.
#3: Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh With Kids
The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is an interactive museum for kids that we have visited several times with kids ages 1 through 10. It’s geared for the eight and under crowd, but my oldest enjoyed visiting the Museum with his brother and sister and creating on draw bots in the MAKESHOP®. The project involved hot glue, tape, boxes, motors and a lot of trial and error to anchor markers to a motor and make them move on their own. This was definitely my boys’ favorite exhibit at the Museum. My daughter was too young to create a draw box on her own, but she enjoyed spectating and working on a draw bot with one of the Museum guides (who did most of the heavy lifting).
Other hands-on opportunities for creation are available at the Studio, which is housed in a former planetarium and is a beautiful and bright space to inspire creative juices, and smocks are available. Many craft projects are available for kids who love art and parents who appreciate prepared projects and easy clean up.
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh Facts: Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood was filmed in Pittsburgh from 1968 to 2001, and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh maintains some great memorabilia.
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh Hours: The Children’s Museum is generally open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh Admission: Admissions costs $16 for adults and $14 for children 2-18. Children under 2 are free.
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh Parking: Parking is available in the lot behind the Museum and costs $6 for non-members.
#4: The Andy Warhol Museum With Kids
Our children love art museums, and we’ve visited over a dozen around the world, but none dedicated to the works of a single artist or pop art. The Andy Warhol Museum is the largest museum in North America that is dedicated to a single artist and is one of the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. Andy Warhol was a Pittsburgh-born pop artist who died in the 1987. The Museum opened in 1994 in a renovated warehouse and now contains an extensive collection of paintings, prints, sculptures, photographs and films.
The Factory on the Museum’s underground level also provides kids an opportunity to try watercolor painting, blotted-line drawing, acetate collage and silkscreen printing. There is also a children’s play area for the youngest guests to explore and create.
During our visit to The Andy Warhol Museum, we learned about the life and works of Andy Warhol. Our children particularly enjoyed the bright colors and the portraits. The portraits reminded me of my visit to Casa Lever, a New York restaurant that features a collection of original Warhol portraits. A few months after our visit, my sons identified Andy Warhol in a Burger King commercial during the Super Bowl.
Andy Warhol Museum Facts: The Museum’s 17 galleries contain 900 paintings, almost 2,000 works on paper, more than 1,000 prints, 77 sculptures and 8,000 photographs, films and videotaped works.
Andy Warhol Museum Hours: The Andy Warhol Museum is generally open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 10 am to 10 pm on Fridays. The Museum is closed on Mondays.
Andy Warhol Museum Admission: Admissions costs $20 for adults, $10 for students, children and seniors. Children under three are free. Admission is half price on Fridays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Andy Warhol Museum Parking: Parking is available in the lot behind the Museum and costs $6 for non-members.
#5: Water Steps With Kids With Kids
The Water Steps are a popular attraction in the North Shore Riverfront Park on the bank of the Allegheny River. The Water Steps are a perfect location for kids to cool off during the summer months and enjoy Pittsburgh’s beautiful cityscape views. We visited with local friends who gave us the heads ups to bring swimming attire and towels for the kids.
It was a bit of a trek along the waterfront from the Carnegie Science Center, but the kids loved splashing around with their friends in the water, which reaches about 18 inches deep in parts.
Great way to cool off
Water Steps Facts: Over 1,500 pieces of sandstone from a Butler County quarry were used to construct the Water Steps.
Water Steps Admission: There is no admission charge to visit Water Steps.
Water Steps Parking: We walked to the Water Steps from the Carnegie Science Center. The best bet for parking is to find a meter nearby or use one of the lots near Heinz Field.
Water Steps Kid Warning: My three year old was able to easily climb up and down the stairs on her own, so I was able to watch from the side of the Steps. However, young toddlers would probably need hovering parental presence in the water.
#6: Tribute to Children With Kids
We visited Tribute to Children, including the Fred Rogers Memorial Statue, during our walk from the Water Steps to the Carnegie Science Museum. Our kids are not really familiar with Mr. Rogers, who was a Pittsburgh native, but were intrigued by this statue of a man who was part of our childhood. I also tried to explain the tenuous connection to Daniel Tiger, a favorite television show of my daughter’s. This 2009 statue by Robert Burks was created after Fred Roger’s 2003 death from stomach cancer and depicts him tying his shoes. The statue is located on the River bank in front of the arch of pier with a keyhole design.
Tribute to Children Facts: Tribute to Children was a gift from the people of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County honoring children and celebrating the life of children’s entertainer, Fred Rogers.
Tribute to Children Admission: Admission is free to visit Tribute to Children.
Tribute to Children Parking: We walked to Tribute to Children from the Carnegie Science Center. The best bet for parking is to find a meter nearby or use one of the lots near Heinz Field.
#7: PNC Park With Kids
PNC Park is the home stadium of the Pittsburgh Pirates. This Major League Baseball field is located along the Allegheny River. A baseball game is fun, family activity and great for kids of all ages. Few baseball stadiums have a comparable cityscape view.
PNC Park Parking: Parking is available on the North Shore and downtown.
Things to Do in Pittsburgh’s South Shore
#8: Duquesne Incline With Kids
The Duquesne Incline in Pittsburgh is an amazing example of living history that combines a trolley ride up Mount Washington, engineering genius and an amazing city view. The beautifully detailed original trolley cars sit on platforms that keep them level while transporting Pittsburghers and visitors up and down Mount Washington without a driver. The 794-foot wooden track is not only an engineering masterpiece but also a work of art.
At the station at the top, there are historical exhibits that provide an overview of the history of Pittsburgh and its inclines. The David H. Miller Working Museum offers visitors the chance to see the Incline’s hoisting machinery up close. The Incline still uses its original hoisting equipment that features giant cogs with wooden gear teeth.
The highlight of the Incline is the magnificent view of Pittsburgh’s “Three Rivers” – the confluence of the Allegheny River and the Monongahela River, which together form the Ohio River and the Pittsburgh’s “Golden Triangle” central business district. Other highlights include views of the outline of Fort Duquesne, the Steelers’ Heinz Field, the Pirates’ PNC Park, the Carnegie Science Center and many bridges (up to 18 can be visible).
Duquesne Incline Hours: The Duquesne Incline is open every day (including Thanksgiving Day when we visited). The Incline is open on Monday through Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. and on Sundays and Holidays from 7:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Duquesne Incline Admission: Adults tickets cost $2.50 each way and tickets for children ages 6-11 cost $1.25 each way. There is no charge for children under 6 and seniors over 64. The Duquesne Incline accepts only Port Authority bus tickets or cash and requires exact change.
Duquesne Incline Parking: There is free parking available at 1197 West Carson Street and paid parking at the Station Square lot across from the lower entrance.
#9: Point of View Park With Kids
We somehow missed Point of View Park when we visited the Duquesne Incline. Point of View Park is a short walk from the Duquesne Incline’s Upper Station. It’s a favorite spot of a friend of mine who has family in Pittsburgh. He proposed to his wife, took wedding pictures and announced his first child at this scenic overlook. Point of View is a bronze sculpture depicting a 1770 meeting between George Washington and Seneca leader Guyasuta in which they were examining land for settlement. We’ll definitely be making a stop here on our next trip to Pittsburgh.
Photo credit: Bryant Eckert
Point of View Park Facts: The landmark public sculpture was created by James A. West
Point of View Park Hours: Point of View is open 24 hours.
Point of View Park Admission: There is no admission fee to visit Point of View Park.
Point of View Park Parking: There is no dedicated parking lot for Point of View Park but street parking available nearby.
Things to Do in Pittsburgh’s Downtown
#10: Senator John Heinz History Center With Kids
During our August 2019 trip to Pittsburgh, we visited the Senator John Heinz History Center, which is associated with the Smithsonian Institution. We thoroughly enjoyed our lovely morning at the Heinz History Center. It was a quiet and somewhat dreary morning at the end of summer when we arrived at the renovated warehouse in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. We walked from our hotel in the central business district. We started in the Great Hall where the kids loved the Heinz Hitch, a horse drawn wagon that traveled to national events and the street car.
The Heinz Hitch
My daughter spotted the slide from across the Hall and found her way to the Kidsburgh exhibit in a loft overlooking the Great Hall with stairs leading up and a slide to return to the Great Hall. She would have been content to stay in the Kidsburgh exhibit for the entire morning and rode the slide countless times before we set off to the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum.
Kidsburgh slide
My boys are sports enthusiasts, but they don’t particularly follow Pittsburgh sports. Unlike most Clevelanders, we harbor no ill will against Pittsburgh’s sports, either. Because we have close friends from Pittsburgh, we regularly support area sports teams when they aren’t competing against Cleveland. My boys closely examined the exhibits in the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum and gained a new respect for the Steelers, the Penguins and the Pirates. My older son commented, “I didn’t realize how good Pittsburgh sports teams really were.” Clevelanders may have waited for decades to win a national championship, but it happens fairly regularly for Pittsburgh, especially in football and hockey. Without a doubt, the table hockey game was the highlight of the Sports Museum. My boys came back for a second round at the end of our visit.
The Discovery Place offered many opportunities for hands on learning and exploring at different innovation stations. My favorite was a pattern challenge.
The Discovery Place
We learned all about Heinz ketchup in the Heinz exhibit, which features the world’s largest collection of Heinz artifacts. We now know the significance of the 57 and the famous ketchup is celebrating 150 years. The 11-foot ketchup bottle created from 500 individual bottles was also memorable.
My favorite exhibit was Mister Roger’s Neighborhood. The famous children’s show I remember from my childhood was filmed in Pittsburgh, the hometown of Fred Rogers. This exhibit featured sets, puppets, props and other artifacts. I felt like I was stepping back 35+ years and right into the Mister Roger’s set. My kids are not familiar with Mr. Roger’s, but my daughter is a fan of Daniel Tiger, a 21st century spinoff of the famous children’s program.
King Friday XIII’s Castle
We had a memorable visit to the Senator Heinz History Center and learned a great deal about Western Pennsylvania.
Heinz History Center Hours: The History Center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and closed for New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas each year.
Heinz History Center Admission: As of August 2019, Admission for adults costs $18, for children ages 6-17 and students with a valid school identification costs $9 and for senior citizens over 61 costs $15. There is no admission for children age five and under.
Heinz History Center Parking: There are several options for nearby parking with daily rates as low as $3.
Time Spent at the Heinz History Center: We spent about 2.5 hours, including lunch at the Cafe.
#11: Point State Park With Kids
The Point State Park (aka the “Point”) is a state park in downtown Pittsburgh located on 36 acres at the point of the confluence of the Allegheny River and the Monongahela River form the Ohio River. The Point is the tip of Pittsburgh’s “Golden Triangle.” We walked to the Point from our downtown hotel and also viewed the Point from along the edges of the Three Rivers, and we have spotted it from the Duquesne Incline, the Carnegie Science Center, the Fred Rogers Memorial Statue and the Water Steps.
At the Point, stones are used to depict the outline of Pittsburgh’s oldest structures, Fort Pitt and Fort Duquesne, which were used in the French and Indian War. The fountain in Point State Park sprays water up to 150 feet during the warm weather months. The kids enjoyed the view of the area bridges, the Duquesne Incline, the Carnegie Science Center and Heinz Field from the tip of the Point.
Walking on the Fort Duquesne outline.
Point State Park Facts: Fort Duquesne was originally built by the French. Its occupants burned and abandoned the Fort before the British seized it. The British built Fort Pitt near the destroyed Fort Duquesne.
Point State Park Kid Warning: The Point abuts rivers on all sides without a barrier, so it’s important to keep a close eye on young children.
Point State Park Hours: The Park is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Point State Park Admission: There is no admission charge to enter the Point State Park.
Point State Park Parking: Point State’s parking lot is located along Commonwealth Place across from the Post Gazette building.
Things to Do in Oakland
#12: Carnegie Museum of Natural History With Kids
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History has a premier dinosaur collection, Dinosaurs in Their Time, which features a Diplodocus carnegiifossil discovered in 1899. This dinosaur exhibit also includes two Tyrannosaurus Rex skeletons and a triceratops skeleton and is the world’s largest collection of Jurassic dinosaurs.
One of two Tyrannosaurus Rex skeletons
During our last visit, we attended the Live Animal Encounter at the Earth Theater and enjoyed seeing live animals up close. Another favorite is the 1,300 gemstone specimens in the Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems are artistically displayed and fascinated my kids.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History Facts: Carnegie gifted a cast of its diplodocus skeleton to England at the request of Edward VII, and “Dippy” was featured in Hitze Hall of London’s Natural History Museum for many years before being replaced by Hope, a blue whale skeleton, in July 2017.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History Hours: The Museum is generally open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and from 10 am to 8 pm on Thursday. The Museum is closed on Tuesday.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History Admissions: Admission for adults is $19.95, seniors 65 and over is $14.95 and children ages 3 to 18 and students is $11.95. Children 2 and under are free.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History Parking: The Carnegie Museum of Natural History shares a building the with Carnegie Museum of Art, and adjacent surface-lot parking is available. Museum weekday visitors receive a voucher to reduce the cost of parking, which is currently $7 for 2-4 hours. Evening and weekend parking costs $7.
#13: Carnegie Museum of Art With Kids
The Carnegie Museum of Art was founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1895 and is housed in the same building in Oakland as the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. The most unique feature of the Carnegie Art Museum is the Hall of Architecture, which is the one of the world’s largest collection of plaster architectural casts. Andrew Carnegie financed a tinted cast of the West Portal of Saint-Gilles-du-Gard, which may be the world’s largest architectural cast. The Hall also includes almost 140 other full-size plaster casts. After our recent visit to Paris and Italy, we particularly enjoyed examining the plaster casts of the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace and other icons that reminded us of architecture and sculptures we saw on our trip.
Like most major art museums, its impressionist gallery includes paintings by Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet. Van Gogh’s Wheat Fields at Auvers Under Clouded Sky is one of his famous series of wheat field paintings.
Our favorite sculpture was Phyllida Barlow’s 2012 untitled: upturnedhouse, 2.
Carnegie Museum of Art Hours: The Carnegie Museum of Art is generally open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday. The Museum is closed on Tuesday.
Carnegie Museum of Art Admissions: Admission for adults is $19.95, seniors 65 and over is $14.95, children ages 3 to 18 and students is $11.95. Children 2 and under are free.
Carnegie Museum of Art Parking: The Carnegie Museum of Art shares a building the with Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and adjacent surface-lot parking is available. Museum weekday visitors receive a voucher to reduce the cost of parking, which is currently $7 for 2-4 hours. Evening and weekend parking costs $7.
#14: Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens With Kids
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens was an amazing gift to the city of Pittsburgh from real estate magnate Henry Phipps. It was the perfect destination for extra doses of oxygen and vitamin D. The pathways through the different rooms made it easy for me to keep an eye of all three kids simultaneously, and we didn’t mind making our way at my daughter’s snail’s pace.
The kids were all awe-struck by all the beautiful gardens and truly enjoyed each and every room. The indoor and outdoor gardens were all beautifully curated and maintained. A few of our favorites include: the Cuban taxi (an unexpected but joyous find at a conservatory, especially because of the sign encouraging kids to hop inside), the Butterfly Forest, the Serpentine Room and the Desert Room.
Butterfly picture captured by my 10 year old son
The Phipps includes several glass chandeliers by artist Dale Chihuly, whose work was featured in a special exhibit in 2007 to 2008. The Phipps purchased several chandeliers from the exhibit for its permanent collection, including Goldenrod, Teal and Citron located in the Welcome Center and the Desert Gold Star, located in the Desert Room. The Chihuly pieces usually located in the Palm Court had been removed during the renovation.
Desert Room and Chihuly’s Desert Gold Star glass chandelier
Phipps Conservatory Facts: The Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens was founded in 1893 and is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year.
Phipps Conservatory Hours: Free parking is conveniently located in the center island on Schenley Drive.
Phipps Conservatory Admission: Free parking is conveniently located in the center island on Schenley Drive.
Phipps Conservatory Parking: Free parking is conveniently located in the center island on Schenley Drive.
My boys are really love cars and found the Cars & Carriages Museum very exciting. The 1914 Ford Model T Touring was a highlight. The Frick’s car collection is so large that only about half of its cars are exhibited at any one time.
Ford Model T Touring
After spending the morning at the Phipps Conservatory, the kids were also excited to check out the Frick Greenhouse. This active greenhouse is a renovation and reconstruction of the greenhouse used by the Frick family from 1897 until the 1970s.
The Greenhouse at the Frick Pittsburgh
My college roommate recommends the tea at the Café at the Frick, and we’ll definitely have to try some during our next visit. Find out more about the visiting the Frick Pittsburgh.
Frick Pittsburgh Facts: Industrialist Henry Clay Frick and his wife, Adelaide Howard Childs Frick lived at Clayton with their four children from 1883 to 1905. Their daughter, Helen Clay Frick guided preservation efforts at Clayton and returned to live here shortly before her 1984 death. The property opened to the public in 1990.
Frick Pittsburgh Admission: There is no admission charge to enter the Frick Art Museum, the Car and Carriage Museum or the Scenic Grounds and Greenhouse. Tours of Clayton cost $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and students, $8 for children 16 and under. Babies in arms are free. Admission fees are charged for special exhibitions. Tour and tours of Clayton.
Frick Pittsburgh Hours: The Frick Pittsburgh is generally open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Frick Pittsburgh Parking: Free parking is available in the adjacent lot located off of Reynolds Street.
Things to Do in Highland Park
#16: Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium With Kids
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is one of the few major zoo/aquarium combinations in the U.S. and is a great place for kids to learn about mammals and aquatic life. The Pittsburgh Zoo includes more than 10,000 animals (including 1,000 bats) and 20 threatened or endangered species. We have visited the Pittsburgh Zoo twice – once when my boys were age two and four and a second time when our three kids were age five, nine and eleven. The Pittsburgh Zoo is enormous, but my five year old was a real trooper and had a work out walking quite a few miles on her little legs.
The African Savanna was one of our favorite areas of the Zoo. As always, my daughter was thrilled by the flamingos as we entered the Savanna. We were lucky that the black rhinoceros were very active. The black rhinos, which are actually light gray, are an endangered species, but several calves have been born in recent years in Pittsburgh.
Black rhinos
We moved on the the African elephants, the largest mammals that live on land and the Masai giraffe, the tallest mammals living on land. While exploring the African Savanna, we worked up enough of an appetite that we decided to take a break and eat some sundaes from Swahili Ice Cream. It was the perfect late morning snack.
Kids Kingdom was another highlight of our visit. My daughter could have spent hours at the Animal Connection playground and was particularly ecstatic to crawl through all the tunnels like the naked mole rats. I could never find her when she was actually in the tunnels, but we chatted back and forth while she explored.
Animal Connections playground
My kids really enjoy getting a good view of aquatic animals. The sea lion exhibit was a highlight, and the indoor aquarium was the perfect place to end our Pittsburgh Zoo visit. By the time we reached the PPG Aquarium, the August sun was beating down, and the air conditioning was glorious. My kids spent a long time at the side of the touch tank. My boys each carefully touched the sting ray several times. My daughter desperately wanted to but always pulled her hand out of the water just when the sting ray got close enough.
Sea lions
The Pittsburgh Zoo was definitely a great outing with kids.
Pittsburgh Zoo Facts: The Zoo had a very rare elephant born in captivity (less than 20 have been born since 1995) in 2017, but the calf unfortunately died at three months.
Pittsburgh Zoo Hours and Admission: The Pittsburgh Zoo’s hours and admission varies by season.
Pittsburgh Zoo Parking: Parking is available at the Pittsburgh Zoo is free for visitors.
Things to Do in West Mifflin
#17: Kennywood Park With Kids
Our family had so much fun at Kennywood Park, a traditional amusement park located about 20 minutes southeast of downtown Pittsburgh in West Mifflin. Kennywood opened in 1899 and is one of two parks in the country that has been designated as a National Historic Landmark because it features rides and structures that are more than 100 years old. Kennywood made me nostalgic for Geauga Lake, an amusement park outside of Cleveland that I visited annually when I was young. Our family loved our day at Kennywood Park in Pittsburgh and hopes to make this trip an annual tradition.
Wave Swinger
Our visit to Kennywood Park was a marvelous, nostalgic day spent riding rides together. It was only about a 2.5 hour drive from Cleveland and very affordable for Ohio visitors. A current promotion for Ohio residents offers $34.99 admission. We added visits to several area attractions during our three-day, two-night stay in the Steel City and had a lovely time. While we did not ride the new Steel Curtain roller coaster on this visit, there were no shortage of thrill rides for our family. Even though I get nauseous on any ride that spins or sways, but I still do love that feeling of my stomach dropping. I particularly enjoyed the Thunderbolt, a classic wooden coaster that is almost 100 years old and last renovated over 50 years ago. The Thunderbolt offered the perfect thrill level for my two boys and me, and we rode it twice.
Thunderbolt
With kids in all three major height categories – under 48 inches, under 54 inches and over 54 inches, we appreciate that Kennywood offers some fun rides that we can enjoy as a family, including the Merry-Go-Round and several family rides in Kiddie Land and Thomas Town. Auto race was a particular favorite, and the five of us piled into three separate cars and rode around the track one after another.
Journey With Thomas
My daughter would have been happy to spend our entire day at Kiddie Land, which featured 15 classic rides for kids under 48 inches and Thomas Town, Kennywood’s new 2018 theme area. My daughter rode with her two arms stretched high into the sky on almost every ride. She’s still a little nervous about kiddie coasters, though and skipped Lil’ Phantom. Maybe next year….
Orbiter
Kennywood Hours: Kennywood hours vary by month and day, and the Kennywood calendar is available online.
Kennywood Admission: Kennywood gate prices range from vary for weekday and weekend visits and are available on the Kennywood website. Kennywood discount tickets are available on the website and at Giant Eagle grocery stores.
Time Spent at Kennywood: We spent about 7.5 hours at Kennywood Park. It was nonstop fun, but we were definitely exhausted at the end.
Kennywood Height Requirements: Each ride has its own posted height requirements.
Kennywood Weather: It’s always important to check the weather and be prepared before visiting Kennywood. Don’t forget to apply and reapply sunscreen.
Kennywood Events: Kennywood Park offers a variety of events throughout the season. The Fall Fantasy Parade occurred during our visit. We caught a bit of the parade but on our way to take advantage of the short line for Thunderbolt.
Kennywood Park Map: Make sure to pick up a map before setting off to explore Kennywood.
Where to Stay in Pittsburgh With Kids
Drury Inn Pittsburgh Airport Settlers Ridge With Kids
When we planned a last minute trip to Pittsburgh over Thanksgiving weekend last year, we booked a night at the Drury Inn & Suites Pittsburgh Airport Settlers Ridge because we scored a great deal through Priceline. Airport hotels are rarely memorable, and we were really just looking for a hotel with last minute availability that had a pool and didn’t break the bank. We didn’t realize that the Drury Inn Settlers Ridge was a newly constructed hotel that had just opened in May 2018, and we were wowed when we entered the lobby that featured ultra-modern decor. Hotel renovations are common, but with renovated hotels, there are often vestiges of dated interiors somewhere on the property. At the Drury Inn Settlers Ridge, everything is clean and neat. We really felt as if we were staying at a luxury hotel.
Lobby area
Drury Inn Guest Room
Our double queen room featured two comfortable beds, granite counter tops and modern interior. We particularly closely examined all the framed Pittsburgh-inspired wall art. Our room also had a refrigerator, which was perfect for our left overs. Everything was clean and fresh, and the beds were oh so comfortable.
Our guestroom
The bathroom featured a large granite vanity with plenty of space for everyone’s toiletries, tiled floor and enormous mirror. There were dispensers in the shower with shower gel, shampoo and conditioner that eliminated the unnecessary waste that usually comes with those trial sized bottles. While I’m often fumbling around in the dark trying to find the bathroom light switch without waking the rest of the family, the motion sensing light in the bathroom was the perfect solution. Towels, tissues and a hair dryer were all easily accessible and well-organized.
Drury Inn bathroom
Drury Inn Kickback
We checked in as the Kickback was beginning. All Drury Inn properties host a nightly happy hour with free food and beverages between 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Daily menus are available on the Drury Inn’s website. My husband and I each received drink vouchers and drink cards to purchase additional drinks for a whopping $.75 each.
Drury Inn Kickback voucher
The quality and quantity of the heavy appetizers and drinks was unexpectedly good, and there was plenty of space for the crowd in the dining room. We planned to have a quick snack before heading to the pool but ended up having seconds and thirds at our trendy circular booth. After removing decades old wall paper in two homes, I found myself kind of coveting the printed geometric patterns and trying to figure out where I might be able to add a papered accent wall at home. The kids were so excited about the Kickback and the indoor pool that they decided that they didn’t want to leave the hotel and convinced us to order pizza instead of going out for dinner. For Drury Inn visitors who decide to do the same, we recommend Vocelli Pizza in Robinson. Vocelli will deliver to the Drury Inn, but we opted for carry out. Just remember to ask for paper plates and napkins.
Dining area
Drury Inn Pool
After dinner, it was pool time. Our neighborhood pool had closed for the season several months earlier, so the kids were ecstatic to get wet and dip their toes in the hot tub. Unlike most hotel pool decks that seem to always be desperately in need of a renovation, I was happy to chaperone my kids in this new pool with beautiful tiles.
Drury Inn Settlers Ridge pool
The Drury Inn keeps its popcorn, soda and coffee machines running until late in the night, and water is always available. Drury Inns also offer all guests daily hot breakfasts. We were truly amazed by the value that this hotel offered and have recommended it to several friends.
Breakfast
We were thrilled when Drury Inn offered to host our return visit to its Settlers Ridge location in August 2019. After a long day at Kennywood Park, we missed the Kickback and were too exhausted for a swim, but we thoroughly enjoyed our double queen suite. The bedroom area was set up virtually identically to our double queen room. The two room suite and extra pull out couch better accommodated our family of five than the standard room. There were also flat screen hotels in each room and a large sitting area. We thoroughly recommend the Drury Inn Settlers Ridge and are certain to return.
Find Out More About Pittsburgh Family Activities
We recommend a visit to Pittsburgh with kids. Interested in finding out more about Pittsburgh kids’ activities? Check out our other blog posts about Pittsburgh and nearby Fallingwater.
Looking for a destination in the heart of Tuscany? We recommend a weekend trip to Florence. This capital of Tuscany and birthplace of the Renaissance was my introduction to Italy as a college backpacker years ago, and I was so excited take my kids (ages 3, 8 and 10) on a holiday in Florence this past summer during a 10-day family tour of Italy. We visited during a particular hot weekend halfway through our European summer vacation after visiting Paris, Venice, Pisa and San Gimignano. While there are so many things to do in Florence, we uncharacteristically chose not to tour any museums, royal residences or historical buildings. Instead, we spent our weekend in Florence roaming around and enjoying the unique architecture and atmosphere. While tours of the Uffizi, Accademia Gallery and Pitti Palace are almost certain to be on our itinerary the next time we visit, there was no shortage of sights to see in this very walkable city. Our list of the best things to do in Florence with kids includes iconic sights and hidden gems.
Top 10 Sights in Florence For Kids
#1: Duomo With Kids (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore)
Florence’s Duomo, located in the center of the city, is the world’s third largest church, dwarfed only by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. Its neo-Gothic facade, which is decorated with pink, green and white Tuscan marble, was added in the 19th century and is brilliantly ornate. It may be my favorite church exterior in the entire world, and I could spend hours examining its details.
The Duomo’s dome was an impressive architectural feat. Plans included a dome, even though the architects were not sure how to construct it. The only dome on this scale was in Rome’s Pantheon, which was over 1,000 years old, and the building method had been long since forgotten. Filippo Brunellschi studied the Pantheon to design the Duomo’s dome. His plans involved the construction of both an inner dome and an outer dome.
The Duomo’s dome
While we did not make it inside on our last visit due to the long line, we planned to attend Sunday morning Mass at the Duomo during this visit. Like many other cathedrals, the Duomo is foremost a religious building that just happens to also be a popular tourist attraction. There were no admission fees or lines to attend Mass. The Mass times posted online were not exactly accurate, so instead of arriving 15 minutes early for Mass, we ended up 15 minutes late but still welcome. At the end of Mass, which was completely in Italian, the priest welcomed English-speaking visitors and briefly summarized the readings and his homily. Attending Mass while traveling is a tradition for our family, and we’ve heard Masses in several foreign languages, and we all really appreciated and enjoyed this English greeting.
The Duomo’s interior
The interior of the Duomo is not as impressive as its exterior. Large portions of the walls are painted white, and the stained glass windows are significantly smaller than those of other major cathedrals in Europe. Brunellschi’s 330-foot red brick dome was certainly an architectural masterpiece, but its mosaics are not as ornate as those that adorn the dome at St. Peter’s Basilica. It’s still impressive and beautiful, just a bit underwhelming, especially when compared with interiors of other major European cathedrals.
The interior of the dome
Duomo Facts for Kids: The Duomo’s iconic dome was the first Renaissance dome and served as a model for many other domes, including St. Peter’s Basilica.
#2: Piazza del Duomo With Kids
Piazza del Duomo is always crowded with the hustle and bustle of tourists and locals. Because the square is relatively small, it’s hard to get a good view of the entire Duomo and the surrounding buildings, the Baptistery and Giotto’s Bell Tower from street level.
The octagonal Florence Baptistery was constructed in the 11th and 12th centuries in Florence Romanesque style. It is known for its three stunning 14th and 15th century doors. Michelangelo nicknamed Lorenzo Ghiberti’s east doors the “Gates of Paradise.” The Baptistery is a truly beautiful building, but it’s size seems to be disproportionate with the Duomo. Their proximity really makes it hard to really appreciate each building for its own beauty, and we all wished they could be more spread out like Pisa’s Field of Miracles, which showcases its cathedral, baptistery and tower with an enormous square and pristine grass.
The Giotto’s Bell Tower is another popular sight, and visitors can climb 414 to the top and get a close-up view of Brunelleschi’s dome. We did not visit the interiors of either on this trip.
Piazza del Duomo Facts for Kids: Lorenzo Ghiberti won a competition to design the Baptistery’s north doors, beating Donotello and Brunelleschi. The north doors took him 21 years to complete but were so impressive that he was asked to design the east doors, which face the Duomo.
#3: Ponte Vecchio With Kids
Ponte Vecchio (or “Old Bridge”), Florence’s oldest and most famous bridge, is enclosed and lined with shops. A bridge has been located on this site since 966, and the current stone, pedestrian bridge was completed in 1345.
Ponte Vecchio was the only bridge across the Arno River to survive German’s World War II retreat on August 8, 1944. There are many theories on why it wasn’t destroyed by the Nazis who blew up ancient buildings on either end to block it off. Nazi officials may have saved it due to its age and beauty, or possibly it was saved because it was not considered a defensive asset. Now, it is a popular tourist sight, with shops lining both sides. Personally, I think that the view from Ponte Vecchio may be as beautiful of the bridge itself.
Ponte Vecchio Facts for Kids: While butcher shops were originally located in Ponte Vecchio, Ferdinand I evicted them in the 16th century because he didn’t like the stench that emanated into Pitti Palace from their shops. It is now a popular place to purchase jewelry.
#4: David Replica With Kids
Michelangelo’s David replica statue may be one of the world’s most famous copies. This marble statue depicts the Biblical hero who is known for defeating Goliath. David is an iconic Renaissance sculpture, originally designed as a symbol of Florentine freedom to be placed on the Duomo’s roof line but ultimately placed at the entrance of the Town Hall upon completion. After 350 years being exposed to the elements, David was moved to the Accademia Gallery in 1873 to protect it from damage. A copy was placed in Piazza della Signoria in 1910.
Michelangelo was raised in Florence, and his works were a highlight of our visits in Florence and Rome. Michelangelo sculpted David in his late 20s as a symbol of Florentine freedom right before he was commissioned to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. David and Pieta, which we saw at St. Peter’s Basilica a few days later, are probably Michelangelo’s two most well-known statues.
David Replica Facts: David was originally intended to be installed in the Duomo’s roofline. On November 12, 2010, a fiberglass replica was installed at the Duomo for one day.
#5: Piazza della Signoria With Kids
Piazza della Signoria is the city’s main square, where its town hall, Palazzo Vecchio, the David replica and Fountain of Neptune are located. The Fountain of Neptune was closed for restorations after vandalism during our 2007 visit and again under renovation during this visit but is scheduled to be reopened by the end of 2018.
Palazzo Vecchio was constructed at the turn of the 14th century. Duke Cosimo I and the Medici family made it their home in the 16th century. I love that the Tower is unexpectedly slightly off-center.
This castle-like fortress now serves as Florence’s Town Hall. There was no charge (or line) to enter the ground-floor courtyard, so we took a quick peek inside.
The Loggia dei Lanzi is a building on the corner of the Piazza del Signoria with wide arches open to the square at street level.
Piazza della Signoria Facts: The Tower is not symmetrical with the rest of the Palazzo Vecchio because the ancient tower of The Vacca was incorporated into the palace’s design.
#6: Santa Croce Church With Kids
The Basilica of Santa Croce is the world’s largest Franciscan church and located in the Piazza Santa Croce, only 800 meters from the Duomo. Santa Croce was designed by architect Arnolfo di Cambio, who went on to design the Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio. Santa Croce was built between 1294 and 1442, and is the burial place for Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, Ghiberti and Rossini. Like the Duomo, the Basilica of Santa Croce features a 19th century neo-Gothic marble facade. The Star of David is a focal point of the facade. Santa Croce was featured in E.M. Forester’s A Room With a View and was the main impetus for my college visit to Florence because the book was one of my companion’s favorites.
We did not tour the interior of Santa Croce because we really only had one full day to explore Florence, it was really hot, and we were a bit worried about church fatigue before heading to Rome. We enjoyed the view of Santa Croce from Piazza Santa Croce, which is much larger than that square surrounding the Duomo.
Santa Croce Church Facts for Kids: Piazza Santa Croce is a major gathering spot in Florence and was covered with 15 feet of water on November 4, 1966 when the Arno River flooded.
#7: Church of Santa Maria Novella With Kids
The Church of Santa Maria Novella was built for the Dominican order in the late 13th and 14th centuries. Its green and white marble facade is original 15th century artistry. Santa Maria Novella remains the home of the Dominican order and the centerpiece of the adjacent square. We did not visit the interior, which houses the Trinita, the first painting that featured linear mathematical perspective.
Church of Santa Maria Novella Facts for Kids: Santa Maria Novella is adjacent to Florence’s train station, which is named after the church, and sometimes shortened to Florence SMN.
#8: Fort Belvedere With Kids
Fort Belvedere is the largest fortress in Florence. It is located across the Arno River from the central part of the city and on the highest hill of the Boboli Gardens. I clearly remember the amazing panoramic view from my college visit and return 10-years later while visiting Florence with friends.
Our pre-kids visit to Fort Belvedere
Fort Belvedere is my favorite place to view Florence’s city center, and especially the Duomo, which rises far above the rest of the skyline.
Fort Belvedere Facts for Kids: Fort Belvedere gained world-wide notoriety after Kim Kardashian and Kanye West rented it for their 2014 wedding for the reported sum of $400,000.
#9: Boboli Gardens With Kids
Boboli Gardens are the gardens of the Pitti Palace. They were constructed in the 16th century for Duchess Elenora of Toledo, who married Cosimo I of the Medici family. Because we visited Florence on an extremely hot weekend, we came to the Boboli Gardens in search of a park bench in the shade with a view. Adult tickets cost €10 each, and the kids were free. We were sadly disappointed to find very few benches, and none in the shade. We had to settle for taking a seat on a step of a staircase that had a magnificent view, but little shade and few benches.
View of Pitti Palace and Fountain of Neptune
Fort Belvedere is a steep hike from the Boboli Gardens. We just couldn’t manage more walking on the hot day we visited, so we settled for the view from the entrance to the Boboli Gardens, which isn’t quite as detailed, but still shows the Duomo’s impressive scale over the Florence skyline.
View of Florence from the Boboli Gardens
Boboli Gardens Facts for Kids: At the time that Elenora married Cosimo I, the Medici family was in danger of becoming extinct. Elenora had eleven children to protect the family’s future. Clearly, she needed an amazing garden to relax.
#10: Piazza della Repubblica With Kids
Piazza della Repubblica is located on the site the original Roman Forum. The triumphal arch was constructed in the nineteenth century to celebrate Italy’s unification.
The 20-horse antique carousel of the Picci family is now a centerpiece to this public space.
Piazza della Repubblica Facts: The English translation of the arch’s inscription is “The ancient centre of the city restored from age-old squalor to new life.”
A Trip With Kids to Florence, Italy
There are so many fun things to do in Florence with kids, and this list just scratch the surface. There were so top attractions in Florence that we definitely recommend a short trip. Planning an Italian holiday? Check out our listing of all posts featuring Italian destinations.
Old Town Alexandria is a historic neighborhood located just a few miles south of Washington, DC. Having called Old Town Alexandria home for six years, I can say, without a doubt, that it is not only an amazing place to live, but also a fabulous place to visit. Over the years, I have encouraged many friends/family visiting from out of town to spend a few hours exploring Old Town with kids! Not only is it an incredibly family friendly place, but it is literally dripping in history and architectural design AND also incredibly dog friendly. Old Town is home to the only coffee shop I’ve ever heard of that freely allows dogs into its establishment. So, even on a crummy day, Old Town is a great place to bring your kids and furry pups for some window shopping and good eats.
How to Get to Old Town Alexandria:
Getting to Old Town Alexandria is not difficult. It’s a short drive down the GW Parkway from Washington, DC and if you’re flying into Reagan National Airport (DCA) and planning on using public transportation, the King Street Metro station is just two stops south of the DCA stop. Once at or near King Street (the “main drag”), you can easily take the free King Street Trolley, which travels along King Street from the metro station to the waterfront every 10-15 minutes throughout the day. There is absolutely no charge to ride the Trolley, you don’t even need to be in possession of any passes, you can simply keep an eye out for Trolley stops along King Street and hop on and off as you see fit! The Trolley also carries free copies of the Alexandria’s Visitor’s Guide as well as a map of the main business area, so it really is a great starting point for learning your way around Old Town Alexandria.
The King Street Trolley!
If you find yourself driving to Old Town, the cheapest parking option is simply to park 2-3 blocks north of King Street. On or in the immediate vicinity of King Street, the parking spots are metered and/or you can look for lots that provide day parking. But, if you’re looking for free parking options, just park a few blocks north of King Street and take the short stroll down. Pro Tip: If you park close to the Potomac, you can simply walk due east until you hit the waterfront and then enjoy the gorgeous scenery on your way down.
Top Five Things to Do:
#1: Explore the Waterfront
Situated on the banks of the Potomac River, Old Town Alexandria is the perfect spot to enjoy the serene waters of the Potomac River. There are so many ways to enjoy the water, including water taxis and boat cruises, but my personal favorite way to experience the waterfront is to visit one of the many waterfront parks located along the Potomac and throughout Old Town.
View of the Potomac from the north end of Founders Park
My personal favorite waterfront park is Founders Park, which is located just three blocks north of King Street. Not only does it provide an amazing, shaded opportunity to enjoy the Potomac’s serene waters, but it also has an unleashed dog park for my four legged child AND a beach volleyball court.
Beach volleyball at Founders Park
On any nice day, you can find the park filled with local residents simply enjoying the outdoors. And, if you happen to be in town during Alexandria’s annual birthday celebration and firework spectacular, which always happens the weekend after the Fourth of July, it’s a perfect spot to lay down a blanket or towel and enjoy the show.
There are a number of fenced in walk ways that are perfect for young duck feeders!
#2: Visit Artists’ Galleries at the Torpedo Factory
The Torpedo Factory is presently home to the nation’s largest collection of working-artists’ open studios under one roof. On the day after Armistice Day, the official end of WWI, the US Navy began construction on the Torpedo Factory which was truly intended to be responsible for the manufacture and maintenance of torpedoes for the Navy. For five years, the factory was fully operational until work stopped during and the building became a munitions storage area. During WWII, production picked up again, but eventually, the factory’s production came to a grinding halt due to the end of WWII and the United States continued to use the building for storage. For years, the factory held congressional documents, dinosaur bones, art objects, and other records.
During a tour of the Torpedo Factory, I learned that the building really became something of a liability for the United States government and so it was “sold” to the City of Alexandria for the hefty sum of $1 in 1969. It took a few years for the city to develop a plan, but eventually the Torpedo Factory opened to the public as a working studio for artists.
The Torpedo Factory is presently home to a large number of open artist studios and, on any given, day, its a great spot to enjoy a reprieve from the elements. Whether it’s summer or winter, the Torpedo Factory’s central location directly at the intersection of King Street and the Potomac River is a great place to seek some shade or air conditioning and to use the facilities. Pro Tip: Free, clean bathrooms available!
My personal favorite part about the visiting the Torpedo Factory (aside from the free, clean bathrooms and air conditioning) is the local “water musician,” who can be found nearly every weekend playing his tunes just outside of the factory’s main entrance.
If you happen to visit the Torpedo Factory, be sure to stop by and say hi to my friend Katy who runs EatsPlace Cafe & Market, a great place to grab a sandwich and cold drink (including beer)!
#3: Experience History
I cannot begin to do justice to the City of Alexandria’s history without turning this post into a thesis. The short story is that Native American artifacts dating to 13,200 years ago and as late as 1,600 AD have been found in Alexandria. The city has served as a tobacco trading post, one of the ten busiest ports in America, a part of the District of Columbia, the hometown of Robert E. Lee, George Washington, and a Civil War supply center for Union Troops, among others.
In my opinion, the city has done a wonderful thing of honoring the past by preserving it for the future. There are a number of historical sites and attractions available for visiting and the city runs most of them, with available tours and special exhibits and attractions. While by no means an exhaustive list, some of my favorite sites are:
This 18th century home is located one block north of King Street and is a beautiful example of Georgian residential architecture. John Carlyle was a wealthy merchant and a founder of Alexandria and the home has served as not only a private residence, but as a hospital during the Civil War and is now a museum.
The Lee Fendall House was constructed in 1985 and has housed 37 members of the Lee family, served as a convalescent home for Union soldiers during the Civil War, and has also been the price residence of many wealthy Alexandrians during its 200 year history. The home is located on the National Register of Historical Places and is a wonderful place to visit. Tours run regularly throughout the week and the museum also offers a number of special events. The home also runs an annual “candy free” Easter egg hunt, which we visited one year with our young son. I totally got a kick out of knowing that my four year old was freaking out over the Easter bunny at home that Robert E. Lee likely visited and stayed at while in command of the Confederate Army.
The Churches:
This may come as a surprise to many, but Alexandria is home to a surprising number of “first churches.” The historic Christ Church is located in the center of Old Town and George Washington was a founding member and rented a family pew and Robert E. Lee was a later member of the church as well.
Last but not least, Alexandria is home to St. Joseph’s Church, the oldest black Catholic church in Virginia. Located only two blocks from our home, we frequently attended St. Joseph’s and found it to be a vibrant and welcoming parish. My husband attended an African Methodist Episcopal Church throughout college and loved the choir and worship at St. Joseph’s, which definitely had a lot more to it than our typical mass.
Built in 1785, Gadsby’s Tavern was an essential part of the fiber of the City of Alexandria. George Washington visited the Tavern frequently and other prominent guests include Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, and yours truly, of course.
Although the food is truly nothing to write home about, the experience of dining at Gadsby’s Tavern is a real treat. Workers still dress in period clothing and the food is designed to be “authentic” – including some of Virginia’s famous peanut soup.
Even if you don’t have time to dine at Gadsby’s, be sure to stop by and visit the recently renovated Icehouse, which can be viewed for free from the outside rain or shine.
The Old Town Farmers’ Market is the oldest continuously held farmers’ market in the country. Any Saturday morning, rain, sleet, or shine, you can find local farmers and artisans with their booths. Not only is it a great place to purchase fresh produce, but there are a number of local bakeries, eateries, and artisans also out selling their products.
There are truly few things better in life than eating your way through the Farmer’s Market on a beautiful spring or fall day!
#4: Walk the King Street Mile
King Street is a walkable mile of over 160 independent shops and boutiques. As you may have gathered by now, King Street is the heart of Old Town and no visit to Old Town is complete without popping into at least some of the shops that make up the Old Town Boutique District.
The Hour: a shop dedicated entirely to cocktail hour! Although many of the items sold here are way outside of our budget, it’s a great little place to get ideas for hosting your next cocktail hour or dinner party.
Red Barn Mercantile: my favorite home goods store, hands down. Not only does the shop offer an great collection of candles, pillows, and other assorted home decor, but it’s a fabulous place to get Alexandria inspired items for home or gifting. I’ve purchased many candles, mugs, and other related items to give as housewarming gifts.
Handmade and DIY Shops: Alexandria happens to be home to a number of do-it-yourself shops. My favorite store in this category is fibre space, which is hands down the best local yarn shop I have ever visited. Owner Danielle has the most amazing vision and all of the employees are not only seasoned knitters and crocheters, but are also fabulous people to boot. If yarn isn’t your cup of tea, you can opt for a sewing lesson, painting lesson, jewelry making and design course, or just a good old fashioned pottery painting session. Be sure to check out the handmade and DIY shop offerings for your next visit to Old Town!
Pro Tip: I’ve affectionately renamed Old Town “Dog Town USA” and it’s no surprise as Alexandia is incredibly dog friendly. If you’re also traveling with your four legged child, The Alexandria is an ideal place to stay. Not only is it located in the heart of Old Town, but it offers a weekly “Yappy Hour” that we have visited with both our two legged and four legged children. Many of the shops in Old Town are pet friendly, just keep your eyes peeled for this blue sign indicating that even Fido is welcome! The dog friendly aspect of Old Town really makes this an ideal family vacation destination as there’s no need to leave your furry friend behind.
Old Town Alexandria is filled with amazing restaurants and eateries. As a rule, the further from the waterfront you get, the better the quality of the food is. That said, if you’re only in town for a short time, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a meal at Vola’s Dockside Grill or The Chart House. I wouldn’t say that either are particularly kid friendly, though. The Chart House is definitely pricey and Vola’s is hard to manage with young children simply because it is always swamped. If you’re looking for tried and true kid-friendly dining options, our favorites:
Eamonn’s: Amazing fish and chips. Be sure to add some extra sauces to your order.
Pizza Paradiso: Great pizza and beer selection. I’ve maneuvered a double stroller through this place, so don’t hesitate to bring your kids!
Hank’s Oyster Bar: We love the seafood, there’s a great kids menu, and my kids love that every meal starts with goldfish crackers and ends with dark chocolate chunks.
Red Rocks Pizza: If you find yourself further away from the water when it’s chow time, Red Rocks offers great pizza and we even prefer it slightly to Pizza Paradiso.
La Madeleine: A french bakery & cafe that is also a great option for a causal breakfast or light lunch. Also a great place to pick up pastries to enjoy at home later!
And, of course, it is nearly impossible to go to Old Town without enjoying some of the amazing desserts the town has to offer. There’s the Ben & Jerry’s just by the water, but also a number of mom & pop ice cream shops. If liquid nitrogen ice cream is your thing, be sure to check out one of the more recent additions to the Old Town dessert scene: Nicecream. There are also quite a few cupcake and chocolatiers littered throughout town, so definitely save room for dessert.
We are so lucky to have called Old Town Alexandria home for six years and we hope you consider popping in for a visit on your next trip to Washington, DC. Be sure to check out our entire category of posts on things to do and places to visit in Washington, DC with kids and make sure to visit Old Town Alexandria with kids!
London may be densely populated and one of the largest cities in Europe, but it is also known for its amazing park areas. The Royal Parks manages the city’s eight Royal Parks, which were originally owned by the monarchy for recreation and hunting but were preserved as public parks by the Crown Lands Act of 1851. We enjoy visiting London parks with kids so much that I once spent the better part of a day wandering between Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens with a friend from my semester abroad at the University of York and my four month old son while my husband and his family went to Wimbledon.
Although I have visited all of the Royal Parks in London’s city center, we only made it to Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens with kids and enjoyed spending time in these amazing parks on most days that we traveled into the city center.
There is so much to see and do in London’s parks, but these are our some of the best London parks with kids:
#1: Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Playground
The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground, which is located in the northwest corner Kensington Gardens, is one of my kids all time favorite playgrounds. The Playground was inspired by J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan and opened in 2000 to honor Princess Diana. On our first visit, we were accompanied by my sister, her husband and three kids who just happened to have scheduled a trip to London that overlapped ours. Any playground is better with cousins to share it with, but this was a particularly amazing place to spend an afternoon. Our boys had so much fun that they requested a return trip on our last day in London’s city center.
The centerpiece of the play area is a huge pirate ship, which is surrounded by an enormous sand play area. The ship’s lookout was my boys’ favorite part and where they spent most of their time.
The Playground is fully gated, and kids cannot get in or out without an adult. The Playground is free, but there may be queues to enter. Luckily, we did not have any wait times during our June and July mid-week visits.
Fans of Peter Pan should also make sure to visit Kensington Gardens’ bronze Peter Pan statue that was commissioned by J.M. Barrie and created by George Frampton in 1912.
Kid Facts: Kids are delighted to learn that adults are not permitted to enter unless they are accompanied by a child aged 12 or younger.
#2: Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace was designed by Christopher Wren, the architect of St. Paul’s Cathedral at the request of King William and Queen Mary and constructed within six months in 1689. King William and Queen Mary only enjoyed Kensington Palace for a few years. Queen Mary died from smallpox about five years after the completion of Kensington Palace. King William died after falling off his horse and breaking his collar bone eight years later.
Kensington Palace is located in Hyde Park and was the royal residence before Buckingham Palace. but now houses the “lesser royals”, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (aka William and Kate), who currently occupy Apartment 1A’s four stories and 20 rooms with their three children. Princess Diana also lived in the Palace from 1981 to 1997. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (aka Harry and Meghan Markle) live in William and Kate’s previous home, a “cottage” also within the Palace.
The Palace Gardens were not open to the public when we visited, but are simply stunning. The Sunken Garden includes a terrace with ornamental flower bed that surround a small pond. The fountains were formed from water cisterns that were used in the Palace during the 18th century.
It would be lovely to stroll around in Palace Gardens, which are sometimes open to the public without required tickets.
Kid Facts: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made their first appearance together after their engagement announcement in the Sunken Garden.
#3: Picnic in Hyde Park
Hyde Park is a large 350-acre park that is often considered London’s Central Park and a lovely place to picnic. There are chairs for rent if it is inconvenient to bring picnic blankets.
There are so many options for takeaway food on the periphery of Hyde Park that it is not necessary to pack your own meal but make sure the prepare for weather changes. On our last visit, a quick shower brought the temperatures down unexpectedly, and we wished we had brought warmer clothes.
After lunch Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain is a great place to stop with kids. The Fountain opened in 2004 as a memorial to Princess Diana, who lived in Kensington Palace. It is constructed with 545 pieces of Cornish granite. The Fountain has a circular stream, and it is permitted to sit on the edge of the memorial and to dip your feet but not to walk on the Memorial.
Kid Facts: Hyde Park was originally Henry VIII’s hunting grounds.
#4: The Serpentine
The Serpentine is a man-made body of water near Hyde Park’s southern border. Favorite activities in this area include renting boats and paddleboats, swimming and feeding ducks. Visiting the Serpentine was one of the few “must-do” activities during our first trip to London when our oldest was only four months old.
On our most recent visit to London, we enjoyed hot chocolate and coffee with friends on a chilly July afternoon at Lido Café and Bar, which is located on the southern side of the Serpentine near the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain.
Kid Facts: Serpentine refers to the curving shape – even though there really is only one bend. Although the entire body of water is commonly called the “Serpentine”, the name actually refers to only the eastern portion of the lake. The portion to the west of the Serpentine Bridge is known as the Long Water.
#5: Speaker’s Corner
Speaker’s Corner is an area for open-air public speaking on Sunday afternoons in the northeast corner of Hyde Park near Marble Arch. Many of the speakers are often passionate and irrational orators who give political demonstrations. We were glad to catch this eccentric tribute to free speech on our last visit to London, and our kids definitely enjoyed participating in this bizarre tradition.
The speakers each gave impassioned political demonstrations what were often irrational. Several literally stood on soapboxes, or at least stepladders. This may not be the best place to learn about current events or engage in intellectual political debate, but it an amusing sight to behold for sure.
Kid Facts: Historically, there have been other areas designated as Speakers’ Corners in London’s parks, but this is the original and most popular location.
Thank you to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the Carnegie Museum of Art and the Duquesne Incline for providing complimentary tickets and a tour for my family. All opinions are my own.
Pittsburgh is known for its steel production, bridges and sports teams. It’s only about two hours from our home in Cleveland and where my college roommate lives, so we often get the chance to visit. In the 19th century, Andrew Carnegie became one of the richest people in the world by modernizing steel production in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh, where the Monongahela River joins the Ohio River. Now affectively called the “Steel City,” Pittsburgh used to be known as the “Smoky City” because of so much pollution from the mills. Very little of its industrial past remains in this city now known for its hills, bridges, parks and biking and jogging trails.
Accommodations in Pittsburgh With Kids
My husband often travels to Pittsburgh for business, so I took a few days off over our kids’ recent Spring Break, and the rest of the family tagged along for a two day trip. We stayed at the Fairmont Pittsburgh and were very fortunate that our room was available when we checked in at 9 am. It was great to drop off our bags and freshen up before heading off to explore some museums. The Fairmont offers well-appointed guest rooms and luxurious and bright bathrooms, complete with a bathtub and separate shower area. There is no pool, but we have never found a hotel in downtown Pittsburgh that offers a pool. My kids’ only complaint was that the room didn’t have two bathrooms like our suite at the Treasure Island Beach Resort. Sorry, kids, a hotel room with two bathrooms is not the norm….
Our room at the Fairmont
Our bright and beautiful bathroom
Our trip happened to coincide with the Pirates‘ Opening Day, and we were lucky to have a view of PNC Park from our window. Our boys enjoyed checking out the festivities while their sister attempted to nap in the afternoon. Strangely, we couldn’t find the game on television, but score updates from Siri sufficed, and a single firework signaled the Pirates first home win of the season.
A room with a view of Opening Day
Food in Pittsburgh With Kids
The Fairmont is centrally located downtown, but it was pretty cold during our visit, so we didn’t do as much exploring as we would have liked. We did met my college roommate and a friend around the corner at NOLA on the Square for happy hour. NOLA nailed the New Orleans vibe, both in its architecture and the art work displayed on the walls. Because it was a relatively quiet Monday night, our group of seven was seated in the dining area but permitted to order from the pretty amazing happy hour menu. With $4 cocktails, $4 appetizers and $1 gumbo ya-ya, we’ll definitely be back the next time we are in town.
After happy hour, we all enjoyed a delicious dinner at Nicky’s Thai Kitchen. My husband regularly frequents Nicky’s and knows that their 1-5 rating is spicier than most. Our family often orders our food in the hot category, but three was plenty spicy for us. My husband once ordered a four and totally regretted it.
We really enjoyed our quick trip to Pittsburgh with kids and recommend these five fun family activities to other family travelers:
#1: Carnegie Science Center With Kids
It’s no secret that my kids love museums. Of the dozens of museums my 10 year old has visited, the Carnegie Science Center is his favorite. He’s probably not alone, as this is Pittsburgh’s most popular museum. The “science” portion of the museum is pretty cool, but the real draw for him is Highmark SportsWorks®, which is housed in an adjacent building and uses more than 30 interactive sports exhibits to show how physics, anatomy, biology and chemistry control sports. The Carnegie Science Center is part of the Carnegie Museums, and members can visit all four on the same membership, but we use our ASTC Travel Passport Program membership for free entry.
When we visited the Science Center on the day after Thanksgiving, the line for the new Ropes Challenge was too long. So, on this visit, my sons went straight for the Ropes Challenge line when we arrived. The Ropes Challenge consists of a series of challenges, including a rope bridge, rolling logs and a horizontal net that culminate in a zip line. This is probably my boys’ favorite “exhibit” ever, especially the zip line.
My daughter was pretty excited to try the SkyTykes Ropes Course, located under the Ropes Challenge, while her brothers waited for their turn.
My little explorer
Other highlights of the sports complex include a 24-foot rock climbing wall (which even my daughter tried out), a batting cage, a 10-meter dash and various challenges for endurance and balance.
Father-son climb
Race against Olympic sprint times
My kids may not have left the Highmark SportsWorks® with a deeper understanding of center of mass and inertia or reciting facts about physics or biology, but the interactive exhibits are certainly fun and provide some basic exposure to the concept that science is everywhere. This bright complex is also a perfect place for kids to burn energy, especially on cold or rainy days.
Inside the Carnegie Science Center, my boys’ favorite exhibit is Roboworld, which is considered the world’s largest permanent robotics exhibition. Roboworld features more than 30 interactive displays, including a robot who shoots baskets with impressive precision and another who challenges visitors in air hockey. My kids could spend hours playing air hockey with a robot or comparing basketball precision.
We also checked out the Little Learner Clubhouse for the first time on our last visit. Because many exhibits focused on a younger audience have an age limit for participation, we often avoid them even when we have two adults. However, I was glad that this exhibit is designed for children six and under and their families. So, my older sons were able to accompany their younger sister, who absolutely loved the water table. Even though this exhibit was clearly geared for younger children, my boys had fun with the tomato stand.
The Miniature Railroad & Village is a fun but unexpected exhibit at the Science Center. This enormous village provides a tour of western Pennsylvania and includes over 250,000 trees. Of course, our favorite miniature was Fallingwater.
We’ve had lunch at Center’s River View Café several times. The Café is currently under renovation and open with only a limited menu, but its convenience is key as there really does not seem to be any other lunch options within walking distance. My kids thoroughly enjoyed their hot dog kids’ meals and cheese steak sandwich. A new wing is also currently under construction, but the exhibits are all open during the renovations.
E-motion cone
Kid Facts: The E-motion cone, which is a large inverted cone on top of the Science Center was installed in 2000. It is lit up at night with colored lights that signal the weather forecast for the next day. Red means warmer, blue means cooler, and green means no change. The cone flashes when precipitation is expected, and the color yellow indicates severe weather.
Pro Tip: Because of its proximity to the Steelers’Heinz Field, the Carnegie Science Center is closed when the Steelers have home games with 1 pm or 4 pm kickoff times and may close early for evening games.
#2: Carnegie Museum of Natural History With Kids
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History was founded in 1896 by Pittsburgh industrialist, Andrew Carnegie, and gained notoriety in 1899 when its scientists found the fossils of the Diplodocus carnegii. Carnegie gifted a cast of its diplodocus skeleton to England at the request of Edward VII, and “Dippy” was featured in Hitze Hall of London’s Natural History Museum for many years before being replaced by Hope, a blue whale skeleton, in July 2017. Dippy is currently on tour across the United Kingdom for the next two years. The original diplodocus skeleton was admittedly a major draw for us to visit the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. It is housed in a space that oddly resembles a hotel lobby, but the exhibit is still a dream for any young paleontologist.
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History maintains one of the world’s most prominent dinosaur collections. The Dinosaurs in Their Time exhibit is the world’s largest collection of Jurassic dinosaurs and the third largest collection of mounted dinosaurs in the US and includes two Tyrannosaurus Rex skeletons and a triceratops skeleton.
One of two Tyrannosaurus Rex skeletons
My kids are fascinated by gemstones, so the Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems was a big hit. Over 1,300 specimens are artistically displayed throughout several rooms.
I see a few that I’d like
The Bone Hunters’ Quarry gives kids 10 and under a chance to dig for bones with brushes and chisels. This interactive exhibit occupied my children for a solid 10-15 minutes until the 10 year old started getting bored.
Kid Facts: The diplodocus skeleton was found on an expedition to the Morrison Formation sponsored by Carnegie. The Morrison Formation in Utah is the most fertile source of North American dinosaur fossils.
#3: Carnegie Museum of Art With Kids
The Carnegie Museum of Art was founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1895 and is housed in the same building in Oakland as the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. One of the most unique features of the Carnegie Art Museum is the Hall of Architecture, which includes the world’s third-largest collection of plaster architectural casts. Andrew Carnegie financed a tinted cast of the West Portal of Saint-Gilles-du-Gard, which may be the world’s largest architectural cast. Saint-Gilles-du-Gard is considered one of the most beautiful Romanesque portals. The Hall also includes almost 140 other full-size plaster casts.
We were also pretty excited to find the special exhibit, Hiroshige’s Tōkaidō Road, had opened just a few days before our visit. This series of woodblock prints depicts landscapes and people that master printmaker, Utagawa Hiroshige, encountered when traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto. We enjoy Hiroshige’s art so much that we have one of his prints at home, but our print is not one of this series. This special exhibit includes a complete set of 55 prints from the first (Hōeidō) edition of Hiroshige’s Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō. Vincent Van Gogh collected ukiyo-e with his brother, and their collection included Hiroshige’s works. Van Gogh incorporated similar bright colors, natural details and unconventional perspectives into his own works.
Like most major art museums, its impressionist gallery includes paintings by Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet. Van Gogh’s Wheat Fields at Auvers Under Clouded Sky was one of his famous series of wheat field paintings. While Van Gogh and Monet are our favorites, we didn’t make it here until well past nap time for my three year old, who found the large bench very comfortable.
Van Gogh’s Wheat Fields at Auvers Under Clouded Sky
Monet’s Water Lilies (Nymphéas)
I love the convenience of two museums in one, which made it logistically possible to visit two museums on the same day we drove to Pittsburgh and still spend most of the afternoon relaxing in our hotel room. While we did not have a chance to explore all the galleries, the collection was impressive, and we look forward to future visits.
The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is an interactive museum for kids that is also a member of the ASTC Travel Passport Program. We visited twice previously before our recent trip, and this is the only museum where I have spent an entire day back when my boys were 1.5 and 3.5. While most families likely visit for only 2-3 hours at a time, there is definitely enough to occupy kids all day. We had a wonderful day thoroughly exploring each and every exhibit in detail and spending hours in the Studio creating works of art.
Our recent visit was during our second afternoon in Pittsburgh and took place after a morning at the Carnegie Science Center. My daughter didn’t get a nap until we were in the car headed back to Cleveland but was so excited about all the exhibits that she forgot to be cranky. As soon as we arrived, she headed straight for the two-story climber that thankfully has entrance and exit openings only at the bottom. Her brothers followed her in but quickly came out, indicating that the climber had a strong odor of feet. Nevertheless, this climber attracted my daughter like a magnet. She probably spent a solid 20 minutes climbing all the way to the top and then back down while my boys worked on draw bots in the MAKESHOP®. She did get a bit stuck at one point, but she got a bit of a boost from a slightly bigger kid and kept moving. At the very top, kids are out of sight for a few minutes, which was a bit disconcerting at first, but the other parents milling around at the bottom assured me that the same thing happened with their kids.
A dream climber for kids
My boys happily worked in the MAKESHOP® just opposite the climber while I hung out at the wall dividing the two areas to keep an eye on all of them. The kids used household boxes to anchor markers in place and then attached motors to make them move on their own. The project involved tape, hot glue and a lot of trial and error, and this was my boys’ favorite exhibit at the Museum. My daughter was too young to create one on her own, but she enjoyed spectating and working on a draw bot with one of the Museum guides (who did most of the heavy lifting).
The Museum’s Studio offers hands-on creating opportunities for kids of all ages. Because we were short on time and stayed for a long time at the MAKESHOP®, we did not make it to the Studio this time, but it’s a beautiful multimedia space with wonderful supplies that allow kids to create paint, sculpt and silkscreen. The Studio is housed in a former planetarium and is a beautiful and bright space to inspire creative juices, and smocks are available. Because I am not crafty by nature, I really appreciate prepared craft projects.
The Studio’s ceiling
Creating in the Studio
My boys really enjoyed the Waterplay exhibit on our previous visits. Honestly, I judged other museum waterplay exhibits against this one for years. Previously, full length rain ponchos and crocs were available for kids to use while exploring in the water. This time, only smocks were available, and almost all the other kids had changed into swimming attire or had stripped down to their underwear, and it seemed more like a spray park than it had been before. An ideal day at the museum for me does not involve hauling swimsuits and towels, and even my three year old would not be comfortable wearing only panties in public. My kids were hesitant because they did not want to get soaked, so this exhibit definitely lost some of its luster this time around. While the snow table was unique, we all agreed that the Wonder Lab at the Children’s Museum of Cleveland is now our waterplay gold standard.
All geared up during a prior visit to the Waterplay area
My daughter was pretty excited to find a puppet of her friend, Daniel Tiger, in the Museum’s Nursery.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and will definitely be back. While some of the exhibits are more age appropriate for my daughter, her brothers had fun accompanying her as she explored those areas and particularly enjoyed the MAKESHOP®. I think it’s been offseason or rainy on each of our three visits, but we hope next time, we can check out the Backyard.
Kid Facts: Mr. Rodgers’ Neighborhood was filmed in Pittsburgh from 1968 to 2001, and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh maintains some great memorabilia.
Pro Tip: Try to visit the Studio first so that art masterpieces dry before it’s time to leave. The Studio is housed in a former planetarium and is a beautiful and bright space to inspire kids’ creative juices.
#5: Duquesne Incline With Kids
The Duquesne Incline in Pittsburgh is an amazing example of living history that combines a trolley ride up Mount Washington, engineering genius and an amazing city view. We visited on Thanksgiving before our turkey feast with friends. The beautifully detailed original trolley cars sit on platforms that keep them level while transporting Pittsburghers and visitors up and down Mount Washington without a driver. The 794-foot wooden track was both an engineering masterpiece and a work of art.
Interior of the trolley car
Wooden track
At the station at the top, there are historical exhibits that provide an overview of the history of Pittsburgh, its many inclines and the engineering challenges that the engineers had to overcome to build and operate the Incline.
Trolley car traveling down the Incline
Tom Reinheimer’s tour of the Upper Station gave us an overview of the history of Pittsburgh, its many inclines and the engineering challenges that the engineers had to overcome to build and operate the Incline. Tom then took us to the David H. Miller Working Museum to tour of the Incline’s hoisting machinery. The Incline still uses its original hoisting equipment that features giant cogs with wooden gear teeth.
Hoisting equipment
The highlight of the Incline is the magnificent view of Pittsburgh’s “Three Rivers” – the confluence of the Allegheny River and the Monongahela River, which together form the Ohio River and the city’s “Golden Triangle” central business district. Other highlights include views of the outline of Fort Duquesne, the Steelers’ Heinz Field, the Pirates’ PNC Park, the Carnegie Science Center and many bridges (up to 18 can be visible). For more details, check out our Spotlight feature on the Duquesne Incline.
Thank you to One World Trade Center Observatory and the 9/11 Memorial Museum for hosting our visits to those attractions. All opinions are my own.
New York City is one of our favorite cities to visit. The “City That Never Sleeps” is the largest metropolitan area in the US and boasts Broadway and Wall Street, along with world-famous landmarks and museums. Nancy previously covered Five Fun Family Activities, but because this is one city that has a seemingly never-ending list of great tourist attractions, I have a few more to add. With so much to see and do, traveling to New York City with kids is a great family vacation.
Visiting New York City With Kids
I’ve enjoyed New York City as a tourist and while visiting friends. My mom and I had a whirlwind weekend in 2005 where we made it to most of the stops on her mile-long must-see list. My husband and I used to travel to the Big Apple each summer before kids, but we generally spent most of our time with friends and relaxing at the Long Island Beach. We have visited New York City several times with our kids, most recently in October 2016 as part of a trip to Princeton, New Haven, Amherst and Chautauqua and look forward to future visits to Manhattan as a family.
Checking out the view of Midtown from Bloomberg’s employee snack bar
For families who need a break, there are some amazing playgrounds in New York City for kids to explore. It’s hard to pass up the opportunity to see a Broadway show, and there are options to score cheap Broadway tickets at the last minute.
Accommodations in New York City With Kids
While in NYC, I have stayed several times at the Millennium Hilton New York Downtown in the Financial District. The guest rooms are very comfortable, and the hotel also offers an indoor pool. But, the highlight for me is the view of One World Trade Center and the Oculus, the World Trade Center Transportation Hub that opened in 2016 with retail and restaurants. The Millennium Hilton is conveniently located for both business and pleasure.
Millennium Hilton guest room with view of Oculus
View of One World Trade Center and Oculus from my room
Restaurants in New York City With Kids
New York is also known for amazing restaurants. Eataly is one of my favorites. This Italian marketplace includes several restaurants, food and beverage counters and retail stores. The food counters offer very reasonable but delicious meals, and the retail sections are beautifully curated.
Eataly’s higher end restaurant, Osteria della Pace is also a great option for lunch or dinner.
Osteria della Pace
I also enjoy Casa Lever, an Italian Restaurant that features original Andy Warhol paintings to complement its ultramodern décor. Casa Lever does not offer a kids’ menu and is not particularly child-friendly in the evening, but the food is superb, and the original Warhol paintings alone are a reason to make me want to go back.
Original Warhol paintings at Casa Lever
For breakfast, Stage Door Deli offers overstuffed sandwiches and a classic New York deli experience. We stopped for coffee and bagels after an early morning flight, and our wrapped bagels were thrown from the back of the store to the register for added flair. Stage Door is one of only two businesses to reopen on Vesey Street after September 11.
Here are my five fun family activities in New York City:
#1: The Metropolitan Museum of Art With Kids
The Metropolitan Museum of Art boasts a permanent collection of over two million works and is the largest art museum in the US and the fourth largest in the world. The Met’s main location is on Fifth Avenue, and we were a few of the Met’s over 7 million visitors in 2016. Admission to the permanent collection was previously by suggested contribution only, but the Met announced in January 2018 that it would begin charging a fixed admission of $25 for visitors who do not live in New York State. General admission gives visitors free entry at The Met Fifth Avenue, The Met Breuer and The Met Cloisters for three consecutive days. It would probably take that long to get through all the exhibits, but we did an abbreviated visit with our three kids, aged 2, 6 and 8.
Times Square is the world’s most visited location with about 360,000 pedestrian visitors daily and over 130 million visitors each year. Excluding residents from the count makes Times Square the second most popular tourist attraction behind the Las Vegas Strip with almost 40 million annual tourists. The Broadway Theater District is located in Times Square, which is especially known for its billboards.
Over the years, I’ve visited Times Square a number of times, but until my recent visit, my last photographs were from 2005. Even before the rise of digital screens, it was still a sensory overload experience.
Times Square – Summer 2005
I was absolutely blown away with the transformation of the Square since the development of digital screens on my recent evening visit. The largest billboard in Times Square was completed in 2014, spans an entire block and features almost 24 million LED pixels. A pedestrian plaza completed in 2016 offers tiered viewing of the Square, including the humongous new billboard pictured on the right below. Find out more about things to do in Times Square.
Times Square – 2018
Kid Facts: The New Year’s Eve ball drop at Times Square has been an annual tradition since December 31, 1907. However, it was placed on hiatus in 1942 and 1943 because of World War II lighting restrictions. Over a million visitors celebrate each New Year in Times Square. The new energy-efficient LED ball installed for the centennial celebration is now a permanent fixture in the Square.
#3: National September 11 Memorial & Museum With Kids
While I am familiar with tragic events like the World Wars, the Pearl Harbor attacks and the Vietnam War from history books, September 11 is one day that is burned in my memory. I had visited NYC for the first time only a few months earlier and spent an entire day exploring the Financial District in the shadows of the famous towers. On the morning of the terrorist attacks, I was numb as I sat glued to my television and watched the World Trade Center crash to the ground.
The 9/11 Memorial Museum is a very somber museum that chronicles the World Trade Center’s 1993 and 2001 terrorist attacks. The Museum honors both the victims of these attacks and also the first responders. The Museum’s collection includes more than 40,000 images, 14,000 artifacts, 3,500 oral recordings and 500 hours of video. It may not seem like a family friendly attraction due to its content, and I noticed on my recent Monday morning visit that there were not any young visitors. I happened to be in the Financial District on business without my children when I visited, but I would not hesitate to take them to the 9/11 Memorial Museum.
My boys learned about the September 11 terrorist attacks by reading Lauren Tarshis‘ I Survived the Attacks September 11th, 2001. Tarshis’ series of historical fiction books is brilliant because they tell stories of some of the world’s worst disasters through the eyes of a pre-teen boy (except one book featuring a female main character) experiencing the situation first-hand. In I Survived the Attacks of September 11th, 2001, the narrator is Lucas, the son of a New York City fire fighter who happens to visit his dad at work on the morning of the attacks. My boys are familiar with the events of September 11 because of Tarshis’ book, and a visit to the 9/11 Memorial Museum with them would definitely be meaningful, but might be a quicker overview than the lingering visit I had with my colleague. The Museum offers a seasonal Youth & Family Tour with an interactive activity and the Art Memorial Cart, which offers age-appropriate self-guided explorations and art activities.
The Historical Exhibition chronicles the events of September 11, the events leading up to September 11 and the immediate aftermath. This exhibit includes first-hand accounts, television footage and a variety of items on display. Photography is not permitted in this exhibit, but is allowed in other areas of the Museum that feature items damaged on September 11, such as a fire engine from Ladder 3. All 11 firefighters who traveled from in this engine died in the World Trade Center. Also displayed is a segment of the radio and television antenna on top of the North Tower and the Last Column, which was the last piece of steel to be removed from Ground Zero and is now considered as a symbol of resilience.
Fire engine destroyed on September 11
Piece of the radio antenna from the North Tower
The Last Column
The National September 11 Memorial located outside the Museum includes two large, recessed pools with cascading waterfalls that are set within the footprints of the original North and South Towers of the World Trade Center. The bronze parapets that surround the pools are inscribed with the names of those who lost their lives in the attacks.
September 11 Museum and Memorial
Kid Facts: The Memorial opened to the public on September 12, 2011, and the Museum, which is largely underground, opened on May 15, 2014. Roses are placed by victims’ names to commemorate their birthdays.
#4: One World Trade Center Observatory With Kids
New York City has no shortage of skyscrapers, but One World Trade Center towers over all of them as the tallest in the Western Hemisphere and sixth tallest in the world at 1,776 feet (a reference to the year the Declaration of Independence was signed). This new structure has the same name as the North Tower of the original World Trade Center and is located on the site of Six World Trade Center, an eight-story office building that was destroyed when the North Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed. The building opened in November 2014, and the Observatory, located on floors 100-102, opened in May 2015 and offers visitors a view of NYC from 1,250 feet in the air.
The experience begins at the Global Welcome Center where visitors are greeted in their native language. A live counter shows stats related to number of visitors and country of origin. The next stop is a walk-through montage, which includes personal stories of all the people who helped build One World Trade Center. The elevator ride to the 102nd floor is a special treat. Visitors travel 1,250 feet in less than a minute while watching a high-definition time-lapse video on the elevator walls. After a quick 3D film on NYC, visitors have the chance to check out the real highlight of the Observatory, the 360 degree views.
View of Midtown from One World Trade Center
The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
We did not have time to eat at ONE Restaurant (which requires admission to the Observatory). Our visit to the Observatory concluded with the high-tech and super-fast elevator ride down, which is as exciting as the ride up.
Kid Facts: The top floor of One World Trade Center is the 104th floor, but the tower actually has only 93 stories, and 103 and 104 are mechanical floors.
#5: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island With Kids
Liberty Enlightening the World (aka the Statue of Liberty) was a gift from France to the US and is an icon representing opportunity and freedom. The Statue of Liberty is a 151 foot copper statue located on Liberty Island. It was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and dedicated on October 28, 1886. It has been maintained by the National Park Service since 1933.
The statue’s pedestal and base were closed for major renovations in October 2011 and reopened on October 28, 2012, one day before Hurricane Sandy. The statue did not sustain direct damage due to Hurricane Sandy, but the storm did destroy the ferry dock. As a result, Liberty Island remained closed until July 4, 2013 for repairs.
The Statue of Liberty
Nearby Ellis Island was the busiest immigrant inspection station in the US from 1892 to 1954 and was the gateway to over 12 million immigrants. The descendants those immigrants now make up almost half of the US population. After sustaining major damage during Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Ellis Island was closed for one year for extensive renovation. The Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration is located in the main building on Ellis Island. About 5,000 immigrants filed into the Registry Room each day for medical and legal examinations.
Registry Room
The view of lower Manhattan from Ellis Island is pretty spectacular.
View of Manhattan from Ellis Island
Kid Facts: While Ellis Island had been considered part of New York, a 1998 Supreme Court case determined that about 90% of the Island is in New Jersey. While the land originally given to New York by an 1834 interstate compact remains under the control of New York, land later reclaimed is now under control of New Jersey.
Find Out More About New York City With Kids
New York City is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the US but is not just for adults. This traveler’s mecca offers many wonderful opportunities for families. Make sure to check out all of our posts on NYC before your next trip.
Las Vegas with kids, really? Sin City may not be an obvious location for a family vacation, but we had a blast. As full disclosure, gambling and night clubs weren’t a draw before we had kids, so it was no biggie to forego completely after kids. Many families wonder if it’s expensive to travel to Las Vegas. Because Vegas offers more hotel rooms than any other US city. Competition for amenities and value is intense, and mid-week hotel prices are quite reasonable compared to similar hotels almost anywhere else, even including the standard resort fees. The weather is nice most of the year, and kids find the Strip’s “neon canyon” as entertaining as adults. Las Vegas Boulevard (aka the Strip), has been named as the world’s most visited tourist attraction with almost 40 million annual tourists and offers shows and activities for all visitors. We loved our trip and would go back in a heartbeat because there are so amazing things to do in Las Vegas with kids.
The famous Strip
We visited Las Vegas when I was six months pregnant with our first son and then again seven years later with our three kids, aged 7, 4 and 6 months. During our “babymoon” trip, we flew into and out of Las Vegas and also traveled to Grand Canyon National Park, Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. We would love to visit Bryce and Zion with kids, especially after reading 10 year old Andrew’s review of Zion, but we weren’t able to add those on during our 2015 trip to Las Vegas, which was inspired by our oldest son’s desire to see the Grand Canyon. We flew to Las Vegas, where we spent a few days at the beginning and end of the trip and visited Grand Canyon National Park and Sedona in the middle.
Beautiful Las Vegas view from our room at Caesars Palace
Our hotels in Las Vegas have been highlights of our visits. Our favorite hotel on the Strip is the Bellagio, which featured a gorgeously appointed room that had an amazing city view. We could check out the water fountain shows from our room.
Our room at the Bellagio
Off the Strip, our favorite resort is Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa, which is located about 15 miles west of the Strip. We booked a night at Red Rock after such a lovely stay at sister Station Casinos hotel, Green Valley Ranch, Casino, Resort & Spa. Both resorts are significantly more low-key and relaxed than those on the Strip. While Green Valley is more conveniently located close to the Airport, the scenery surrounding Red Rock gives it its edge.
The boys loved Red Rock Resort
We have also enjoyed some great meals, including the one of the most popular buffets on the Strip, Bacchanal Buffet in Caesars Palace. Bacchanal opened in 2012 and has been ranked as the top Las Vegas buffet by USA Today. We enjoyed the modern food presentations in this upscale restaurant. Our favorite Thai meal was at Lotus of Siam, which was rated as the best Thai restaurant in the U.S. by Gourmet Magazine. It’s located in a strip mall not far from the Strip, and the food was quite tasty. Here are five fun family activities to consider when visiting Las Vegas with kids:
Las Vegas Kids’ Activities
#1: Visiting Las Vegas’ Casinos
Las Vegas hotels and casinos are lavishly themed and fun for kids of all ages. Most of the interesting parts of the casino complexes are separated from the gaming sections and have nothing to do with gambling.
Caesars Palace is the Strip’s oldest hotel that opened in 1966. This opulent resort features reproductions of Roman statues and the high-end Forum Shops mall. Kids will particularly enjoy the moving statues at the Forum.
Caesar’s Palace
The Bellagio is a $1.6 billion resort that opened in 1998 with an Italian theme. The main lobby of the Bellagio features Fiori di Como, an installation of 2,000 colorful handblown glass flowers designed by Dale Chihuly. My kids loved the flower displays in the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, which were decorated for the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Sheep, at the time of our visit. As a bonus, there is no admission fee for the Conservatory.
Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
The Venetian is the world’s second largest hotel with more than 7,000 suites and beautifully recreates Italy’s most romantic city with reproductions of famous frescoes and Venice landmarks. The gondola ride through the mock canals and outdoor man-made lake is a popular attraction.
Venetian Gondola Ride
The Luxor is a 30-story bronze pyramid, named after the Egyptian city, and opened in 1993. The entrance is through the legs of a giant Sphinx, a recreation of the Great Sphinx of Giza. A xenon light beam is projected from the apex of the pyramid at night and can be seen from planes as far as 250 miles away and supposedly from space, too. The hotel elevators (aka “inclinators”) travel along the inclines of the 350 foot pyramid at a 39 degree angle.
We also enjoyed Mandalay Bay’s tropical theme, the Excalibur’s medieval theme inspired by King Arthur and his knights, and Paris Las Vegas‘ Parisian cobblestone streets.
Families with children can walk through most casinos but cannot stop. Note that the distances between casinos are deceivingly large, and driving is the best way for families to get around. Luckily, the casinos generally offer free parking, even for non-gamblers. Because the weather was ideal, we did walk to the nearby casinos on either side of us and across the street but drove when visiting further casinos. We also took advantage of the free tram that runs between the Excalibur, the Luxor and Mandalay Bay.
Kid Facts: Steve Wynn opened the Mirage in 1989 as the city’s first mega-resort, the largest hotel in the world and the most expensive hotel-casino ever constructed. Its success led to the transformation of the Strip as old casinos were torn down to make room for massive complexes styled after some of the world’s most desirable tourist destinations like Rome, Venice, Paris, Egypt and New York.
#2: Checking Out Las Vegas’ Outdoor Displays With Kids
The Bellagio’s 8.5-acre artificial lake features the famous dancing fountains, The Fountains of Bellagio. The 1,200 jets stream up to 460 feet into the air and burst choreographed water accompanied by over 4,500 lights. The fountain show runs every quarter or half hour in the afternoons and evenings. Make sure to check out the schedule. With different music showcased, it is enjoyable to watch more than one show! We were so glad we visited the Bellagio with kids.
The Mirage’s Volcano “erupts” at 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. each evening and also 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Our kids were mesmerized by the fiery eruption, which we caught a few times during our stay. The Volcano fits in nicely with the Mirage’s Polynesian theme.
Mirage lagoon before the eruption
Eruption!
The Eiffel Tower in Paris is one of the world’s most recognizable icons. It is the #1 destination on my middle child’s bucket list. While Paris-Las Vegas’ half-scale, 460 foot Eiffel Tower replica is not a substitute, it fueled his desire to see it in real life. Years after our visit, my son remembers vividly how the Eiffel Tower replica was built around and into other buildings in the resort’s complex.
Paris-Las Vegas’ Eiffel Tower
Kid Facts: The Fountains of Bellagio were the largest fountain in the world when they opened.
#3: Visiting Pools at Las Vegas Family Resorts
The pools we have visited in Las Vegas are particularly extravagant and cater to guests of all ages. Most pools allow only guests to use their pool facilities, so it’s important to do some pool research before booking a resort or plan to visit one of the pools that permits non-guests with an admission fee. My daughter had her first pool experience at Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis at Caesars Palace and loved it. These pools are modeled after Roman baths and include Roman statues and reminded me of the Hearst Castle pool. Obviously, this was a memorable place to first experience a pool.
The pools off the Strip also have gorgeous pool facilities. We enjoyed the swimming complex at Red Rock Resort before heading to the Airport for our red-eye flight.
Red Rocks pool
We particularly enjoyed the luxurious chaise lounges at Green Valley Ranch’s pool, which did not require an additional booking fee like many on the Strip.
The pool at Green Valley Ranch
Many resorts in Las Vegas also have complimentary spa indoor facilities for guests over 18, including an indoor hot tub. One downside to traveling to Las Vegas with kids is that adults have to take turns in order to enjoy these facilities.
Indoor hot tub at Green Valley Ranch
Kid Facts: I could find no interesting facts about Las Vegas pools, but almost all kids will love them!
#4: Visiting Las Vegas’ Red Rock Canyon With Kids
The natural red rocks just outside of Las Vegas are the perfect contrast to all of the artificial lights on the Strip. We thoroughly enjoyed the scenery of the sandstone and limestone cliffs when traveling to and from Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa. We did not have a chance to hike the scenic loop at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area but definitely hope to do at least part of that hike on our next trip.
Kid Facts: The Red Rock area was under an ocean 600 million years ago. Sandstones were deposited about 250 million years ago, and oxidation of iron in the sediments caused the red coloring.
#5: Visiting Las Vegas’ Hoover Dam With Kids
The famous Hoover Dam is a 726 foot dam located on the Nevada-Arizona border about 35 miles from Las Vegas. The water flow of the Colorado River used to rise dramatically in the spring and slow to a trickle in the summer and was therefore an unreliable water source. Hoover Dam was constructed to control destructive floods, ensure a steady water supply to the Colorado River basin and generate inexpensive electricity. The Dam continues to provide water and electricity to Nevada, Arizona and California. Las Vegas benefitted substantially from the influx of construction workers, who started arriving in 1931, the same year that gambling was legalized. By the time this engineering masterpiece was completed in 1935, there were a number of gambling clubs open in Las Vegas.
The top of the bridge is open to pedestrians and vehicles. We took the opportunity while visiting Hoover Dam to explain how a dam works. The boys were particularly interested in how the changing water depth effected the mountains on the water’s edge.
The half-hour guided power plant tour gives visitors the chance to see the still-functioning generators up close. We were amazed at the architectural detail inside the dam.
Kid Facts: Construction of the Hoover Dam cost $49 million. At its base, the Dam is 660 feet thick (compared to its 726 foot height). The amount of concrete used could build a two-lane highway from San Francisco to New York.
There are so many wonderful things to do in Vegas for visiting families even after you strip out the gambling, shows and night clubs. Luxury accommodations are generally available at a significant discount compared to other cities. The casinos are a feast for the eyes, and buffets and famous restaurants provide a real feast. The hotel pools rival some of the best in the world, and we would love more Las Vegas family fun, especially because Vegas is conveniently located near Grand Canyon National Park and other amazing Southwest destinations. We definitely recommend traveling families consider a trip to Las Vegas for kids.
Guest Blogger: Vanessa and Sergio are high school sweethearts from Austin, Texas who love traveling the world and experiencing new cultures and traditions with their daughter. To keep up with this international trio, follow along on Instagram or visit their website, TravelChicFam.
Our foodra truck ride outside the Musee d’Orsay!
Paris, France has always been a favorite city of mine. This one city holds the best of the best in art, culture, breathtaking sights and French cuisine. As the cherry on top, it’s also bursting with romance and, for those traveling with kids, children’s parks perfectly situated through the entire city!
While pregnant with my daughter, I thought traveling would no longer be possible, but I was wrong! After a year of not traveling, I began experiencing “traveling blues” and decided to plan our first family trip to take place when my daughter would be 20 months old. I excitedly and anxiously began planning our 10-day trip to Paris: flights, transportation, hotel, sites and destinations, family photo shoot, and so much more! Before having a baby, we would have likely booked two or three cities as part of one vacation, but decided to stick to one city for our first family vacation and see how baby girl would travel. As an added surprise, traveling with a child reminded us to slow down, to visit family friendly sites, and to value each moment, laugh, and experience. We also took as many photos as humanely possible so that we could document the experience. Our visit to Paris with a young child was not without challenges, but overall the experience was amazing and life changing. I can confidently say that my now three year old absolutely loves to fly, thrives when she spends quality time with her parents, and enjoys the different sites and children’s parks that we build into our adventures.
Without further ado, here are my Five Fun Family Activities for Paris With Kids!
#1. Disneyland Parks
In the many months I spent planning our trip to Paris, I knew that the one thing I wanted to do was to plan a stop at one of the most magical places on Earth: Disneyland Paris. It was the least we could do for our 20 month old, after dragging her to a different country. We were visiting in early September, which is considered off-season, so the crowds were minimal and wait times for rides was short.
Disneyland Paris is comprised of two parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. You can pay to visit one park or both parks. For this occasion, we chose to only visit Disneyland Park as our daughter loves princesses, and we knew that the big mid-day parade would be taking place at Disneyland Park. We arrived around 11am and were able to easily purchase tickets and ride a number of rides, including Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Le Carrousel de Lancelot, Alice’s Curious Labyrinth. We also visited Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, La Tinier du Dragon, Liberty Arcade, and Discovery Arcade. We made sure to stop and watch the famous Disney parade with all the princess characters, and we ate lunch at Au Chalet de la Marionette, which had a decent selection of food for adults and children.
By the time we left the park at 7pm, we were beyond exhausted. Although we wished we had seen the fireworks, we had a great experience and of course, left with Minnie Mouse ears, a Mickey Mouse balloon, Disneyland souvenirs, and a number of chocolate treats. If I had to do it all over again, I wish we could have arrived a little earlier so that we could visit both parks and stay for the fireworks, but given the one hour distance from our hotel to Disneyland and my daughter’s age, we were just thrilled that she had an amazing experience.
Pro-Tip: We took a taxi from our hotel to Disney, but you can also take the Metro. We chose a taxi because it was much faster and easier for our little family. Prices vary, depending on location and transit time, so be sure to price check all your options.
#2: Jardin du Luxembourg
The Jardin du Luxembourg is a true gem located in the center of Paris. It covers 25 hectares (over 60 acres) of land filled with beautiful gardens, open-air cafes, puppet shows, rides, slides, musical performers, and sailboats in the pond by the Luxembourg Palace. On a sunny day, you can grab lunch and relax on the green or in one of the many chairs sprinkled throughout the park as you watch your little one run around to release some much needed energy.
Our favorite activity was the miniature sailboats, which are available for rent or purchase if you don’t happen to have your own to bring! There were many vendors located along the pond and we rented a miniature sailboat that came with a large stick, to use to push the sailboat out and onto the pond. My daughter could not push the sailboat on her own, but my husband was happy to oblige and help maneuver the boat. He had just as much fun playing as all the kids. This is a must visit family friendly park for all to enjoy. By the looks of the native French speaking crowd around us, this is local favorite and so a great way to experience real Parisian family life.
#3: Parc Zoologique de Paris
The Parc Zoologique de Paris a great place to visit with children, especially if they love animals. Admission is pricey at 20 € per adult / 15 € per child (ages 3-12) but well worth it. The zoo’s landscape is designed to showcase the animals in their native ecosystem and is home to around 180 species and over a thousand animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. During our visit, we saw a variety of birds, monkeys, fish, jaguars, zebras, and giraffes. And, judging by the crowds, this is another spot that most local Parisians take advantage of with their families, and we were again fortunate to have no trouble with crowds.
#4: Musee de l’Orangeries & Musee d’Orsay
When one thinks of a museum in Paris, I’m sure the Louvre comes immediately to mind. The Louvre is amazing, but also full of tourists and crowds. Although definitely a place that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime, I was not sure that it was the best place to take a baby or toddler. For this special trip, we decided to visit the Musee de l’Orangerie and the Musee d’Orsay, which showcase fantastic works by Monet, Van Gogh, and many others, but without the tourist appeal of the Louvre.
We visited the Musee de l’Orangerie first, where we viewed Claude Monet’s famous painting of the water lilies. The mural and all sides of the walls were so incredibly breathtaking, I had to stop and just enjoy the experience. While I was busy being awed by the beauty of the art, my daughter paced all the rooms of the museum with her daddy. We then went upstairs and enjoyed a quick bite to eat before heading to the Musee d’Orsay.
At the d’Orsay, we saw Ballet Rehearsal by Edgar Degas, Blue Water Lillies by Claude Monet, Self Portrait by Vincent Van Gogh, and countless others. The museum is large, but we had an idea of what we wanted to see before arriving, which helped make our experience more manageable.
Pro-Tip: It is 9 € to visit one museum, or 16 € to visit both, so we chose to visit both and save some money.
#5: Eiffel Tower
Last, but definitely not least, the most iconic site of all, the Eiffel Tower. Although you can pay to go up to the top of the tower, I personally think the best view is the free one from the bottom. There are two children’s parks at the North side of the tower that are fenced in for security and, happily, there are vendors nearby who sell an assortment of snacks and gelato for the children (and adults!) to enjoy a tasty treat.
Picnicking on the grounds of the Eiffel Tower.
While viewing the Eiffel Tower, we spied a carousel across the street, which many children enjoy riding, including my daughter who rode it up to four times! On a beautiful sunny day, be sure to take some time to have a picnic on the green near the Eiffel Tower. It’s easy to pick up a baguette or a tasty sandwich and a bottle of wine and enjoy the beautiful view, while the little ones stretch their legs running around outside. We have a wonderful time and will cherish our memories forever.
Riding the carousel… for the fourth time!
Final Thoughts?
Paris has so many different things to see and do, but these are truly my top Five Fun Family Activities to take advantage of in Paris. As I continue to explore the world with my daughter, I learn more about her personality and try to incorporate her interests and wishes as well. My goal, as a mommy, is to take my daughter to one new country a year. Our first was Paris, and we also have Rome and Barcelona on the agenda. Traveling with a child has its challenges, but seeing their smiles and the memories we create as a family are priceless.
The Grand Canyon is a gorge of the Colorado River that is often considered one of the Wonders of the World. The mile deep canyon was carved by the Colorado River over the past 6 million years as rugged plateaus have been cut into the rock. Grand Canyon National Park‘s magnitude is astounding, and pictures cannot capture its breathtaking proportions or the beauty of the fine details and shadows. Even on my fourth visit, I was giddy with excitement for that first peek over the rim. We all loved our family trip to the Grand Canyon.
Lightning over the Grand Canyon
Why Visit the Grand Canyon With Kids?
In February 2015, Phoenix hosted the Super Bowl, which highlighted the Grand Canyon. My son, who had recently learned about canyons in his first grade classroom asked me, “When are you going to take me to the Grand Canyon?” The fact that my husband and I visited while I was pregnant with him and that he technically had been there was no consolation. I promised him I would take him someday. Someday turned out to be much sooner than expected when we happened to find a flight deal as part of Spirit Airlines‘ expansion into the Cleveland market to Las Vegas with perfect timings overlapping our kids’ upcoming Presidents’ Day holiday. The Grand Canyon was definitely a bucket list location for my inlaws, who immediately wanted to join us. We decided not only to book a trip only two weeks in advance, but to keep the destination a surprise for our four and seven year old boys. We had no concerns about how our six month old, who was already a seasoned traveler, would handle her first red-eye flight and also added on a few days in Sedona.
Visiting the Grand Canyon when I was six months pregnant with our first son
My seven year old had only two guesses for the location of our mystery trip – 1. Disney World and 2. the Grand Canyon. He was certainly ecstatic when we told him at the airport that we were headed first to Las Vegas for a few days and then to Arizona to see the Grand Canyon. It was our first time flying on Spirit Airlines, which requires additional fees for checked and carry on luggage. Our family of five was able to pack all the layers and gear we needed for a wide range of temperatures into one large suitcase and had an easy flight to Las Vegas before driving to the Grand Canyon a few days later.
Visiting the Grand Canyon
Within Grand Canyon National Park, there are two rims, which may be only a maximum of 18 miles apart, but traveling from one rim to the other takes over 200 miles by car or a really long and treacherous hike through the Canyon. We visited the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The South Rim is open year around and far more developed than the North Rim, which is open only from May 15 to October 15 each year when it offers restaurants, accommodations and a campground. We wanted to visit Grand Canyon National Park rather than the Skywalk, which is located about 2.5 hours from Las Vegas and drove about 4.5 hours to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon after three nights in Las Vegas. We were not able to find accommodation inside the Grand Canyon National Park for this last-minute trip and booked one night at the Grand Hotel, which was located in Tusayan about one mile from the South Entrance. The Grand Hotel had a felt like a lodge and features comfortable rooms and a heated swimming pool.
We were all thrilled to see the canyon. My son’s immediate reaction was that the Grand Canyon was much wider than he expected but not as deep. Because we visited during the off-season, we were able to drive along Hermit Road to each of the vistas. This seven-mile road is closed to private vehicles from March through November when it is serviced by a shuttle bus. While my husband and I used the shuttle bus during our October 2007 visit, the flexibility of driving our own cars with our large group during the off-season was certainly helpful. Because we were visiting the Grand Canyon in February, there was a risk of snow, but we totally lucked out with good weather and avoiding crowds. Here are five fun Grand Canyon activities for families:
#1: Grand Canyon Rim Trails
Hiking along the Rim Walk on the South Rim is a fabulous way to explore Grand Canyon National Park without the treacherous descent to the floor of the Canyon. I had previously taken a few hour hike about halfway into the Grand Canyon and then back up while visiting the North Rim in 2002, but that wasn’t something I wanted to attempt while pregnant or with kids. The entire Rim Walk follows along the Canyon along for about 13 miles on mostly paved trails. The hike from Hermit’s Rest to Grand Canyon Village is about eight miles.
Enjoying the view from the Rim Walk
When the shuttle operates along Hermit Road from March to November, it is easy to hike from one shuttle stop to the next along the Rim and then pick up the shuttle. The Hermit Road Greenway Trail is even suitable for biking. My husband and I enjoyed some of these hikes during our “babymoon”. Traveling with a group of eight including two grandparents, two young kids and an infant, we chose to limit our hiking to the paved path of the Rim Walk around Grand Canyon Village. This stroller-accessible hike offers spectacular views, which we regularly stopped to enjoy. Next time, we hope to try some more adventurous but easy hikes, including Shoshone Point.
The trails into the Grand Canyon have many switchbacks
Rim Walk Facts: Much of the Rim Walk follows the 1912 alignment of Hermit Road.
Rim Walk Caution: It is necessary to keep a close eye on young kids anywhere near the rim of the Grand Canyon. The barriers are definitely not child proof. It may seem extremely dangerous, but have only been 53 fall fatalities between the mid-1800s and 2015.
#2: Sunset at the Grand Canyon’s Hopi Point
Watching sunrise and sunset at the Grand Canyon’s Hopi Point is definitely a must-do. It’s amazing that the sun rises and sets so brilliantly every day, but we only seem to appreciate it when we are traveling. The sun makes truly exceptional entrances and exits at the Grand Canyon as the colors and shadows constantly change. Even after spending most of the day exploring the various viewpoints, watching the sunset is definitely a highlight. Hopi Point is the most popular west-end vista for sunset views because of its unobstructed views of the western canyon.
Hopi Point offers a view of the Colorado River. Seeing the creator of this canyon masterpiece was a particular treat.
Hopi Point Facts: Hopi Point is named for the Native American Hopi tribe of Northeastern Arizona.
#3: Sunrise at the Grand Canyon’s Grandview Point
Grandview Point offers an amazing sunrise view but requires a bit of a hike as it is located 12 miles east of Grand Canyon Village along Desert View Drive. Waking up early enough to catch the sunrise may be more challenging with kids, but we used the fact that our kids had not fully adjusted to the time change to our advantage. We were prepared for chilly temperatures with winter coats, hats and gloves. This is a heavily wooded area, and our boys enjoyed climbing some low trees while waiting for the sun to make its appearance.
Grandview Point Facts: The Spanish are believed to have first seen the Grand Canyon from Grandview Point. The original canyon lodge was originally at here as well.
#4: Eating at the Grand Canyon’s El Tovar Dining Room With Kids
The El Tovar is a historic hotel that sits on the edge of the Grand Canyon. El Tovar was designed by Charles Whittlesey, a famous southwest architect, and looks like a Swiss chalet from the exterior and a log-house on the interior. We had an amazing lunch at the El Tovar Dining Room on Valentine’s Day. While our group was strolling along the Rim Walk, I sped ahead of the our group to arrive before the restaurant opened for lunch service. I gladly accepted the separate dining room that I was offered, which was perfect for our party of eight. We all enjoyed our lunch and made sure to sit on the front porch afterwards to take in the view.
El Tovar Facts: El Tovar opened in 1905 before the area was designated as a protected national park and has been a National Historic Monument since 1987.
#5: Participating in the Grand Canyon’s Junior Ranger Program
Like most National Parks, Grand Canyon offers a Junior Ranger program for its young visitors. Our boys had previously earned Junior Ranger badges at Yosemite National Park and were excited to participate again. We picked up South Rim Junior Ranger Activity Book, and they each completed their age-appropriate activities. Then, we attended a ranger-led program, and the two of them took the Junior Ranger pledge and earned their badges at the edge of the Grand Canyon.
We discovered lots of fossils on our ranger-led program
Junior Ranger Facts: The Junior Ranger motto is “Explore, Learn, and Protect!” The Junior Ranger Pledge is, “As a Junior Ranger, I promise to teach others about what I learned today, explore other parks and historic sites, and help preserve and protect those places so future generations can enjoy them.”
As part of the Every Kid in a Park program, all fourth grade students in the US can receive a free pass to visit all federal lands and water with their families, including National Parks, for one year. My little guy who inspired this trip three years go just received his, and we can’t wait to put it to use.
Grand Canyon National Park with kids is definitely bucket-list worthy for any family. With easy trails and the Junior Ranger program, we found Grand Canyon kid-friendly. It’s likely to be a destination that requires more than a “once in a lifetime” visit. When traveling to the area, make sure to check out our other favorite Arizona and Nevada destinations.
The Loggia dei Lanzi is a building on the corner of the Piazza del Signoria with wide arches open to the square at street level.
There are truly few things better in life than eating your way through the Farmer’s Market on a beautiful spring or fall day!
After lunch 
We also love Claude Monet’s Water Lilies, so the Met’s Water Lilies, a smaller version than many others we have seen in this series, was a real treat. We are fortunate to frequently visit 
My boys learned about the September 11 terrorist attacks by reading 
Hopi Point offers a view of the Colorado River. Seeing the creator of this canyon masterpiece was a particular treat.
