The Discovery Science Foundation is a Southern California based organization dedicated to hands-on science education for kids. With three campuses located in Southern California, the Foundation has four core initiatives: STEM proficiency, early childhood education, healthy living, and environmental stewardship. On a recent visit to the Foundation’s original center in Orange County, California (Discovery Cube OC), my three year old and I had the opportunity to see first hand the real world implementation of the Foundation’s four core initiatives.
Our visit happened to coincide with “Dino Summer” – a large exhibit dedicated to huge animatronic dinosaurs.
It was a truly impressive display, but unfortunately, I wasn’t able to fully peruse as my three year old decided that the dinosaur noises were too scary! I should have prepared him for the noises and large scale dinosaurs prior to entry, evidently!
Luckily, there was plenty to explore aside from the Dino Summer exhibit. My little one particular loved the full scale grocery store replica, where he could walk around with a shopping cart and ring up items for “purchase.”
He also loved the recycling/environmental hazards center, which prompted him through specific tasks.
Being a rambunctious toddler, however, his absolute favorite section was the downstairs level which was comprised of various STEM activities that he could either observe and/or engage with his hands.
We ended up spending a full two hours at the museum before lunch and nap time forced us to leave. My son loved the museum, but honestly, I think that children ages 5+ would likely benefit from it more as my son, at only 3.5, did not quite fully grasp the concept of many of the things he was engaging with. Nonetheless, Discovery Cube was a great way to spend a few hours on an exceptionally hot day, and I would absolutely encourage anyone to visit Discovery Cube with kids – particularly on hot and/or rainy days! Finally, the Orange County location is close to Disneyland and would be a fantastic “break” from Disneyland, if you find yourself in need of one! We could have easily spent more time there and, an added bonus, Discovery Cube is a ASTC Passport Program participant, so you can take advantage of the reciprocal benefits program if you happen to be a member of another ASTC facility and are traveling outside of your home area.
Discovery Cube OC is located at 2500 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, CA and is open daily from 10am-5pm (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas).
Be sure to check out our entire category of posts on things to do and places to visit in Los Angeles, California with kids and check out other ASTC centers we’ve visited!
Every so often, we encounter a place that is so fabulous for those traveling with kids that it is worthy of being featured on its own. For more fun locations, please check out our other Spotlight features!
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!
Thank you to Hale Farm and Village for providing complimentary tickets for my family. As always, all opinions are my own.
Hale Farm and Village is a historic property that features preserved buildings and craft and trade demonstrations. The costumed docents and artisans are each brilliant story tellers and really brought mid-nineteenth century Ohio history to life. Hale Farm is located in Bath, Ohio near Akron and about 30 minutes southeast of Cleveland on the original homestead of Jonathan Hale. Because Ohio history is near and dear to my parents, who are each Ohio natives who both majored in history, Hale Farm was a perfect place to spend their 50th wedding anniversary. We all thoroughly enjoyed our visit to this open-air museum of the Western Reserve Historical Society and recommend Hale Farm and Village as a fun and educational destination for a day out with kids.
The golden anniversary couple
Visiting Hale Farm With Kids
Our first stop was at the Hale Sheep Barn where one of the artisans was demonstrating broom making. The brooms are made of broomcorn, which is grown on site. Broomcorn is actually not corn at all but a sorghum. Brooms are not only used for floors but also for barn ceilings to remove potential fire hazards like cobwebs.
We then visited the blacksmith shop where the blacksmith was making a decorative leaf. We got to see him heat and shape the leaf, which is sold as a necklace pendant in the gift shop.
Glassworks was my favorite craft demonstration. We watched the glassmith expertly shape the glass to make a Christmas ornament. She then placed it in a furnace so that it would cool slowly enough and not crack or shatter. The final products were also available for sale at the gift shop in the Visitor’s Center.
Pottery was my eight year old son’s favorite craft demonstration. The potter explained the techniques he used to shape the clay into a mug on the wheel. Once shaped, the clay needs to dry overnight to leather hard. At this point, the potter can smooth the bottom surface and then waits until the piece is bone dry before firing it using a kiln. Salt is used in the kiln to glaze each piece, and the final product is dishwasher and microwave safe. This presentation convinced my son that he would really like to try his hands on a pottery wheel and make a bowl.
A number of historic homes have been moved from around northeast Ohio and reconstructed on Hale Farm’s property across Oak Hill Road from the Visitor’s Center. The relocated homes include the Jonathan E. Herrick House, the Jonathan Goldsmith House, the Stow House, the Jagger House and the Saltbox Home and feature period-appropriate furnishings and decorations. My four year old noticed on her own that the homes did not have bathrooms, and a docent gave her a brief lesson on outhouses. The kids now have a new appreciation for indoor plumbing. We also noticed the stark differences between the highly decorated rooms used to entertain guests with the stark private quarters used only for the family.
The parlor of the Jonathan Goldsmith House
Another building relocated to Hale Farm include the law office of Benjamin Franklin Wade. Wade was particularly notable as president pro tempore of the U.S. Senate in 1868 when President Andrew Johnson was impeached. He would have become Acting President if Johnson was convicted. There is also a church and a log schoolhouse, where we participated in a mock classroom and learned about common discipline techniques used in 1858. My kids are glad that school facilities have improved considerably since the mid-1800s when school fees were about $2 per student per year.
Every summer, Hale Farm hosts the largest Civil War reenactment in Ohio. We got a preview during our visit, which was the day before the weekend event began. We met many reenactors on site to prepare and a few horses, too.
The 2018 event on August 11-12 features a reenactment of the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg. Field commanders have a basic script, but reenactors simply follow the orders they receive from their commanders. They find it more fun to improvise rather than memorize a script. The reenactors travel from all over Ohio and even as far as Tennessee to participate in the event. Throughout the weekend, they each stay in historic period tents that they set up on site. These canvas tents do not use modern conveniences like nylon, zippers or mesh windows. Nonetheless, we learned if these tents are set up properly, they rarely become waterlogged.
Tent village set up by reenactors
Why We Loved Hale Farm With Kids
Our family had the perfect day for a visit to Hale Farm and Village. The grounds were not overly crowded, likely due to threatened rain that held off until we were headed back to our car. Our family was able to personally interact with all of the artisans and docents and asked many questions at this living history museum to gain a better understanding of pioneer life. We also really enjoyed our preview of the Civil War Reenactment without the hundreds of visitors expected for the weekend event. Hale Farm is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2018, and many events are scheduled to celebrate this milestone. We definitely recommend visiting Hale Farm with kids. It’s one of the best living history museums in Ohio.
Pro-tips:
Hale Farm Tickets: Hale Farm admission costs $10 for adults age 13 and older and $5 for youth age 3 to 12. Visitors age 2 and under and active military are free.
Hale Farm Hours: Hale Farm is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays through Sundays in June, July and August and on Saturdays and Sundays in September and October.
Hale Farm Parking: A large parking lot is available next to the Visitor’s Center.
Hale Farm Map: The Village layout is generally self-explanatory, but it’s helpful to pick up a map when purchasing tickets and inquire about which sites are open.
Hale FarmCaution: The Village spans both sides of Oak Hill Road, so use caution when crossing the street with small children.
Eating Near HaleFarm: The Winking Lizard in Peninsula is a great, family-friendly option for lunch after visiting Hale Farm. If there is a wait for a table, the kids can check out the lizard and the endless free popcorn.
Every so often, we encounter a place that is so fabulous for those traveling with kids that it is worthy of being featured on its own. For more fabulous locations, please check out our other Spotlight features! Also, be sure to check out all our category of posts on Cleveland with kids.
Thank you to the Lamborghini Museum and the Ferrari Museum for hosting our family’s visits. As always, all opinions are my own.
My eight and ten year old boys are sports car enthusiasts, and Lamborghinis and Ferraris are particular favorites. When we planned to spend time in Venice and Florence on our summer vacation, my husband decided that visiting the Lamborghini Museum and the Ferrari Museum would be a dream come true. Since we were planning to visit plenty of art museums, churches and historical sites during our trip to Italy and Paris, it only seemed fair to add these car museums to our itinerary for our young car aficionados.
Lamborghini and Ferrari Tours in Italy
Travel to Modena, Italy
Unlike all the other attractions on our itinerary, the Lamborghini Museum and Ferrari Museum are not in the middle of a major metropolitan area or easily reachable by train. Because rental cars are not available from the pedestrian only city-center of Venice, we chose to take a train from Venice to Bologna and pick up a rental car near the Bologna train station. We hoped to have some time to explore Bologna, but getting to the rental agency and picking up our rental car took longer than we anticipated, so we immediately headed toward Modena, which is known as the “Land of Motors”, as soon as we got into our car.
Visiting the Lamborghini Museum in Italy
After an absolutely lovely three course, fixed price lunch at Glamour Caffe e Cucina, our boys spotted a white Lamborghini behind us, and the anticipation jumped up a few notches. A few minutes later, we reached the Lamborghini Museum in Sant’Agata Bolognese. Ferruccio Lamborghini founded Automobili Lamborghini in Sant’Agata Bolognese in 1963. The Museum has two floors with about 25 exhibited cars. Its collection includes both current and vintage cars, and its current temporary exhibit, Film Emotions, features cars appearing in Hollywood films. My favorite was Christian Bale’s Aventador LP 700-4 from Batman The Dark Knight Rises.
The exhibit included its own version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a number of other famous Lamborghinis, including a classic matte black Jalpa from Rocky IV, a Countach from The Cannonball Run, the Huracán Coupé from the 2016 Marvel movie Doctor Strange and an orange Miura P400 from The Italian Job.
We all oohed and aahed over the cars displayed in the Museum while my husband and sons waited for their Factory Line Tour to begin. Only two Veneno prototypes, three Veneno coupes and nine Veneno Roadsters were ever manufactured, including this one, which is my 10 year old son’s favorite car. One of the five Veneno coupes was listed for $9.4 million last year.
2014 Veneno Coupe
My eight year old son’s favorite Lamborghini was the 2015 Huracán GT3, which was Lamborghini’s first race car developed at Sant’Agata Bolognese.
Because we are in the market for a new SUV, the boys were trying to get my husband and I to consider the Urus, the world’s first super sport utility vehicle. This 4/5 passenger beauty is the fastest SUV in the world with a top speed of 190 miles per hour. Unfortunately, we did not place an order during our visit….
Lamborghini Urus SUV
The Lamborghini Factory Line Tour was the absolute highlight of our visit, but no photography was permitted. Guests store their camera equipment, phones and wallets in lockers before heading to the factory floor, which employs about 200 workers. My husband and sons learned that assembly of the Huracán includes 23 stations, and only 13 Huracáns are completed each day. They were absolutely thrilled to watch the assembly of the V12 Aventador, which includes 12 stations. About 5.5 V12 Aventadors are completed each day, and everything can be customized. A Lamborghini is typically delivered to a first-time customer approximately one year after the order is placed, but repeat customers can get subsequent cars faster. One owner has more than 90 Lamborghinis! More Lamborghinis are sold in the US than anywhere else in the world.
The boys were especially impressed to see how every part of each Lamborghini’s interior is wrapped in perfect leather. Lamborghini factory workers examine leather and identify any imperfections. Then, a computer program determines patterns to utilize as much of the perfect leather as possible, discarding any portion with even the tiniest imperfection. At the end of the tour, the boys each received a leather sample with an embossed Lamborghini bull.
Admission to the Lamborghini Museum costs €15 for adults, €5 for kids aged 6-14 and is free for kids aged 0-5. A combination ticket to the Museum with a factory tour costs €75 for adults and €50 for kids aged 6-14. Children aged 0-5 are not permitted on the factory tour, so my daughter and I continued to explore the Museum while my husband and boys went on the tour. I have to admit that I imagined myself in the driver seat of quite a few of those Lamborghinis. We not only enjoyed checking out the cars but also loved the Museum’s vending machine, which was full of inexpensive treats and bottled water for €.32, which was the cheapest price we found anywhere on our trip. There is something available for purchase at the Lamborghini Museum that won’t require a second mortgage : ). The Lamborghini Factory tour was an absolute trip highlight for our kids.
Lamborghini Aventador
Visiting the Ferrari Museum in Italy
We next headed to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, about a 45 minute drive. This classic car museum in Ferrari’s headquarters explores the history of the Ferrari cars and, of course, the Prancing Horse.
The Museum’s exhibits featured the life of Enzo Ferrari, who was born in 1898 in Modena, and the development of Ferraris. The walls of the Museum are covered with history, photographs and exhibits. Ferrari made his first car in 1929 and said, “If I were to say that when I started out I imagined making more than just one car, I’d be lying.” Obviously, the world is glad that Ferrari accomplished more than he intended. The Ferrari Museum also included a number of vintage cars, including the 290 MM, my older son’s favorite vintage model.
My favorite was the 250 GT Berlinetta. Even though the model shown was not the classic Italian red, I loved the creative paint job with the heart on the hood.
Another exhibit showed cars driven by Enzo Ferrari, who clearly had no shortage of amazing cars at his disposal.
My sons’ favorite Ferraris were the 488 Pista and F12 TDF. The 488 Pista featured uniquely shaped lights and a super-sporty paint job. TDF, which is short for Tour de France, offers track level performance on the road. It can reach 62 miles per hour in 2.9 seconds.
Ferrari 488 PistaFerrari F12 TDF
We also enjoyed the beautiful classic red Ferrari 812 Superfast, which debuted in 2017 and has a top speed of 211 miles per hour.
A big highlight of the Ferrari Museum was the Formula 1 cars. Of Ferrari’s 1,600 employees, about 450 work on Formula 1 cars. Ferrari has been producing Formula 1 cars since 1950, and Ferraris have won 31 world championships. My eight year old was excited to see the Ferrari Formula 1 race cars and the Wall of Fame with each racer’s helmet.
Ferrari Formula 1 Race Cars
Admission to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello costs €16 for adults and €6 for children 0-18 who are accompanied by family members. A combined ticket for the Modena and Maranello Museums costs €26 for adults and €10 for children 0-18 who are accompanied by family members. Production line factory tours are not available to the public, but there is a bus tour that departs at 12:30 and 1:30 each day.
Why We Loved the Lamborghini Museum and Ferrari Museum For Kids
Our visits to the Lamborghini Museum and Ferrari Museum were the perfect trip off Northern Italy’s beaten path and a nice compliment to the art, architecture and history that we focused on during our time in Italy. Even though I am admittedly not a supercar enthusiast, I thoroughly enjoyed checking out all the cars, which were each works of art in their own right. It was an amazing experience, even though we didn’t have the chance to test drive any of the supercars. We’ll absolutely arrange that on our next trip : ).
Trying to decide between the Ferrari or Lamborghini Museum? There’s no bad choice. Planning a family trip to Italy, check out our other blog posts about Rome, Florence and Venice and our listing of all destinations in Italy.
Our first family trip to Paris absolutely exceeded our expectations. It had been 21 years since my last visit, and my husband, who had traveled there more recently for work, was not overly enthusiastic this stop on our family vacation. But, we all loved the City of Lights. In our combined five days and five nights spread over two weekends, we did a great deal of walking and saw a lot of amazing monuments, museums and churches. But, we also had the chance to really explore a few neighborhoods, retrace our steps and enjoy meals at some of the many cafes in the city. Here are 25 top attractions in Paris for families – make sure to note how many are free!
Champs-Élysées With Kids
#1: Arc de Triomphe
Napoleon commissioned the iconic Arc de Triomphe after winning the 1805 battle of Austerlitz. The 165 foot Arc was inspired by Rome’s Arch of Titus and completed in 1836, 15 years after Napoleon’s death. It is the world’s largest triumphal arch. The Arc de Triomphe is located on the western end of the Champs-Élysées at the center of Place Charles de Gaulle, the junction of 12 streets.
Arc de Triomphe Facts: La Marseillaise, the relief on the right pillar depicts Lady Liberty rallying tired soldiers onward.
Arc de Triomphe Cost: Free to view. Admission to climb 284 stairs to the rooftop is €12 for adults but is free for kids aged 0-17.
Closest Metro Station to Arc de Triomphe: Charles de Gaulle-Etoile
#2: Champs-Élysées
The Avenue des Champs-Élysées is one of the world’s most famous boulevards. This magnificent, tree-lined street runs the 1.2 miles between the Place Charles de Gaulle (the Arc de Triomphe’s location) and Place de la Concorde. The portion close to the Arc de Triomphe is lined with cafes and high-end shops. We strayed from the Champs-Élysées only to check out the Grand Palace and the Petit Palace. The Champs-Élysées is the center of Bastille Day and World Cup celebrations (both of which occurred while we were in Italy) and the finale of the Tour de France, which took place one week after our return home.
Champs-Élysées Facts: The Champs-Élysées is the site of the world’s most profitable McDonald’s, which happened to be the only McDonald’s we visited during our European holiday. Orders are placed on touch screens, and our ice cream was more expensive than any of our daily gelato stops.
Champs-Élysées Cost: Free
Closest Metro Stations to Champs-Élysées: Charles de Gaulle-Etoile (Arc de Triomphe), George V, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Concorde (Place de la Concorde)
#3: Grand Palace
The Grand Palace is an exhibition hall that was constructed in the Beaux-Arts style for the 1900 World’s Fair and located just off the Champs-Élysées.
Grand Palace Facts: The Grand Palace will be used for the fencing and Taekwondo events in the 2024 Olympics.
Grand PalaceCost: Admission prices vary with each exhibit
Grand Palace Tip: Closed on Tuesdays
ClosestMetro Stops to Grand Palace: Champs-Élysées Clemenceau or Franklin D. Roosevelt
#4: Petit Palace
The Petit Palace was built for the 1900 World’s Fair and houses the City of Paris Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux-Arts), which features an extensive collection from Greek antiquities to Art Nouveau, including works of Rembrant, Courbet and Monet. The featured Temporary Exhibit is currently Impressionists in London, which we would have loved to see, but were unfortunately visiting on a Monday when the Museum is closed. Instead, the gorgeous entry way and stairs served as a perfect spot to rest before continuing up the Champs-Élysées.
Petit Palace Facts: Architect Charles Girault won a 1894 contest with a late 17th/early 18th century French architectural design.
Petit Palace Cost: Permanent collection is free, fees are charged for special exhibits.
Petit Palace Tip: The City of Paris Museum of Fine Arts is closed on Monday.
ClosestMetro Stops to Petit Palace: Champs-Élysées Clemenceau and Franklin D. Roosevelt
#5: Place de la Concorde
Place de la Concorde is Paris’ largest public square and is located at the eastern end of the Champs-Élysées. The 75-foot Luxor Obelisk, which was once at the entrance of Luxor Temple, stands at the center of the square. This 3,300 year old granite column is decorated with exquisite hieroglyphics. It’s original gold cap was believed to have been stolen in the 6th century B.C., and the current gold-leafed pyramid cap was added in 1998.
Place de la Concorde Facts: Place de la Concorde was the site of over 1,200 executions during the French Revolution, including Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
Place de la ConcordeCost: Free
Closest Metro Station to Place de la Concorde: Concorde
Time Spent at Place de la Concorde: About 15-20 minutes
Left Bank With Kids
#6: Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower (aka the Iron Lady) is the quintessential landmark. It was #1 on my middle son’s bucket list eversince he saw the half scale model in Las Vegas at age four. This wrought iron lattice tower was designed by engineer Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World’s Fair to recognize the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. When constructed, the Eiffel Tower surpassed the Washington Monument to become the tallest structure in the world until the completion of the Chrysler Building in 1930.
The Eiffel Tower is the most visited monument (with an admission fee) in the world with almost 7.0 million visitors each year. There are three observation decks. Visitors who wish to visit the summit should book tickets immediately after flights or as soon as they are available online (about three months in advance). We were only able to book tickets to the second floor in advance because the summit was fully booked each day we were in Paris. We took the elevator to the second floor and chose to take the stairs from the second to first floor. My husband and sons took the stairs from the first floor to ground floor and actually beat my daughter and I taking the elevator. The light show, which begins after sunset, is a particular treat. For more information, make sure to read our entire review of our visit to the Eiffel Tower with kids.
Eiffel Tower Facts: The Eiffel Tower was intended to be dismantled after 20 years but maintained after a wireless telegraph transmitter was installed
Eiffel Tower Cost: Elevator tickets to the second floor cost €16 for adults, €8 for youths aged 12-24, €4 for children aged 4-11 and free for kids under 4. Elevator tickets to the summit cost €25 for adults, €12.5 for youths aged 12-24, €6.3 for children 4-11 and free for kids under 4.
#7: Luxembourg Gardens
The Luxembourg Gardens are 60-acres of lush gardens, fountains and statues, ponds with toy sailboats for rent and the Luxembourg Palace. This is a haven for children, who particularly enjoy pushing toy sailboats available to rent in 30 minute intervals around the Grand Bassin duck pond.
Photo credit: Marissa Mayer
Luxembourg Gardens Facts: Marie de Medici built Luxembourg Palace in the early 17th century after the death of her husband, Henry IV. It was designed as a recreation of her childhood home, Pitti Palace in Florence.
Luxembourg Gardens Cost: Free to enter.
#8: Musée d’Orsay
The Musée d’Orsay houses an impressive Impressionist collection of French art featuring Manet, Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh Degas, Cezanne and many more. The Museum opened in 1986 in the former Gare d’Orsay, which was constructed for the 1900 World’s Fair, and the station’s three enormous clocks are spectacular works of art in their own right. Our family really loves Impressionism, particularly the works of Van Gogh and Monet. So, the Musée d’Orsay, which includes 24 Van Gogh paintings, was a particular treat. Our favorite was Starry Night Over the Rhone.
Musée d’Orsay Facts: Because the platforms were too short for modern trains, Gare d’Orsay was closed in 1939. It may not have been able to accommodate trains but now houses the largest collection of Impressionist paintings in the world.
Musée d’Orsay Cost: €12 for adults or €16 if purchasing a combined admission to Musée d’Orsay and Musée de l’Orangerie; kids 0-17 and EU citizens 0-26 are free.
Closest Metro Station to Musée d’Orsay: Solferino
Musée d’Orsay Tip: To avoid ticket lines, purchase tickets online for same day or advance tickets with €1.50 surcharge. Visits to Musée d’Orsay and Musée de l’Orangerie do not have to occur on the same day.
Time Spent at Musée d’Orsay: About three hours
#9: Place du Trocadéro
The Place du Trocadéro is located across the Seine River from the Eiffel Tower and offers a picturesque view of the iconic Tower, along with beautiful fountains.
Place du Trocadéro Facts: The Place du Trocadéro is named after the 1823 Battle of Trocadéro in which France defeated Spain.
Closest Metro Station to Place du Trocadéro: Trocadéro
Place du Trocadéro Cost: Free
Right Bank With Kids
#10: Louvre Museum
The Louvre is the world’s largest and most visited art museum with 400,000 art works and a permanent collection of about 35,000 on display. It is housed in the Louvre Palace, which was once the world’s largest palace, and includes DaVinci’s Mona Lisa, Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo and so many more of the world’s masterpieces. This vast museum was not nearly as crowded as the Vatican, except for the room displaying the Mona Lisa, which is a nonstop paparazzi scene. Read our entire review of visiting the Louvre with kids.
Louvre Museum Facts: The Louvre contains more than 380,000 objects.
Louvre Museum Cost: €17 for adults, free for kids 0-17
Louvre Museum Tips: We purchased online tickets directly through the Louvre’s website for 9:30 am on our first full day in Paris. There really weren’t significant lines for either people with reserved tickets or people purchasing tickets, but we were ushered to the front of both lines because we had a stroller. There are a lot of stairs in the Louvre, but this museum goes above and beyond to accommodate strollers. There is a special circular elevator in the pyramid so that strollers do no need to use the escalator, and stroller users have elevator access throughout the Louvre.
Closest Metro Stations to Louvre Museum: Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre and Louvre-Rivoli
Time Spent at Louvre Museum: About 3 hours
#11: Louvre Palace and Pyramid
A visit to the Louvre Palace and Pyramid should be on every family’s Paris itinerary. The Louvre Palace is a former royal palace that dates back to the 13th century but has been expanded and renovated over the past 800 years. The iconic glass and metal pyramid that serves as the museum’s main entrance was designed by the Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei and completed in 1989. There are platforms in the courtyard perfect for staging those forced perspective photos that kids particularly love.
Louvre Palace and Pyramid Facts: The pyramid and underground lobby were created so that the Louvre could better accommodate its daily visitors. The pyramid was designed for 4.5 million annual visitors, and the underground lobby had to be redesigned between 2014 and 2017 when the number of annual visitors rose from 4.5 million to over 8 million.
Closest Metro Stations to Louvre Palace and Pyramid: Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre and Louvre-Rivoli
Louvre Palace and Pyramid Cost: Free
#12: Montorgueil
Montorgueil is a quaint pedestrian only neighborhood lined with cafes along its cobblestone streets. This is a great place to have an evening drink or watch a World Cup match (which we did!).
Montorgueil Facts: Montorgueil means “Mount Pride”.
Closest Metro Stations to Montorgueil: Les Halles, Centre Georges Pompidou, Hôtel de Ville
Montorgueil Cost: Free
#13: Musée de l’Orangerie
The Musée de l’Orangerie features impressionist and post-impressionist paintings, including the Museum’s main attraction, two oval rooms custom designed to each display four massive Nymphéas (Water Lilies) wall murals completed by Claude Monet in his final years. My ten year old deemed these two rooms the “best rooms of art” he’s ever seen, and he’s visited many art museums.
Musée de l’Orangerie Facts: The Museum completed a six-year, $36 million renovation in 2006 to move the second floor collection underground so that a skylight could be added to the oval rooms featuring Monet’s Water Lilies.
Musée de l’Orangerie Cost: €12 for adults or €16 if purchasing a combined admission to Musée d’Orsay and Musée de l’Orangerie; kids 0-17 are free
Musée de l’Orangerie Tip: Closed on Tuesdays.
Closest Metro Station to Musée de l’Orangerie: Concorde
Time Spent at Musée de l’Orangerie : About 1.5 hours
#14: Opera Garnier
The Opera Garnier is Paris’ grand theater, which was completed in 1875. It seats over 1,900 and boasts one of the world’s largest stages. The Opera Garnier was completed in 1875 and is the home of the Paris Opera.
Opera Garnier Facts: Opera Garnier was the setting for The Phantom of the Opera.
Opera Garnier Cost: Admission for tours is €7-€12 for adults and free for kids 0-11.
#15: Tuileries Garden
The Tuileries Garden is the royal garden of the Louvre Palace, which is located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde. The portion next to the Louvre includes a ferris wheel and green space, but much of the rest of the length has more pebbles than grass.
Tuileries Garden Facts: The Tuileries Gardens were designed for Henry II’s wife, Catherine de Medici, in the 1500s as a replica of her family’s Boboli Gardens in Florence.
Closest Metro Stations to Tuileries Garden: Tuileries and Concorde
Tuileries Garden Cost: Free to enter. Rides are available for a fee.
Montmartre With Kids
#16: Montmartre
The Montmartre neighborhood is located on Paris’ highest hill and the former home of some of the world’s most famous artists. This is still an artists’ haven with many galleries and working artists ready to paint portraits or caricatures.
Montmartre Facts: Famous Montmartre residents include Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Maurice Utrillo, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Salvador Dalí and Amedeo Modigliani.
Closest Metro Stations to Montmartre: Pigalle and Abbesses
Montmartre Cost: Free
#17: Sacre-Coeur Basilica
Sacre-Coeur Basilica, a white Romano-Byzantine cathedral, is located at Paris’ highest point. The Basilica was completed in 1914 . The mosaic above the altar depicts a 60-foot-tall Christ exposing his sacred heart. The view from the Sacre-Couer steps is absolutely phenomenal both during the day and at night. The central mosaic is one of the largest in the world. It’s definitely worth the two long flights of stairs to reach. We attended a memorable Sunday Mass here.
Sacre-Coeur Basilica Facts: Architect Paul Abadie was the winner of a design competition for the Basilica.
Sacre-Coeur Basilica Cost: Free
Closest Metro Station to Sacre-Coeur Basilica: Anvers
Time Spent at Sacre-Coeur Basilica: About 1.5 hours – We arrived 15 minutes before Mass, stayed for the duration of Mass and then about explored the Basilica and gift shop for about 15 minutes.
#18: Wall of Love
The Wall of Love is a love-themed mural that includes the phrase, “I love you” featured 311 times in 250 languages. The mural was created in 2000 by Fédéric Baron and Claire Kito.
Wall of Love Facts: While most walls divide people, the purpose of this wall is a place of reconciliation and support.
Wall of Love Cost: Free
Wall of Love Closest Metro Station: Abbesses
Time Spent at Wall of Love: Less than five minutes
Ile de la Cite With Kids
#19: Notre-Dame Cathedral
The Notre-Dame Cathedral is medieval French Gothic cathedral that was one of the first to use flying buttress supports. Notre-Dame was completed in 1345 and is known for its Rose Window with original medieval glass, gargoyles, two 226-foot towers and of course, the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Our kids were particularly amused by the statue of St. Denis holding his own head near the left portal. We attended Sunday evening Mass, and the archbishop presided.
Notre-Dame Facts: Point Zero Paris is a geographic marker located right outside of Notre Dame. The distance from Paris to all other places is measured from this Point.
Notre-Dame Cost: Free
Closest Metro Stations to Notre-Dame: Cite, Hotel de Ville and St. Michel
Time Spent at Notre-Dame: About 1.5 hours – We arrived 15 minutes before Mass, attended Mass and then walked around the exterior exploring the carvings, gargoyles and flying buttresses.
#20: Square du Vert-Galant
The Square du Vert-Galant is a triangular park at the tip of Il de la Cite. The apex of the Square is shaded by an enormous weeping willow. We spotted this tree during our Seine River cruise and visited it afterwards and met the picnickers who appeared in my husband’s cruise photos. This is an amazing spot to watch the sunset.
Square du Vert-Galant Facts: This small public park was named to honor Henry IV, who had been nicknamed the “Green Gallant.”
Square du Vert-Galant Cost: Free (BYOB)
Closest Metro Station to Square du Vert-Galant: Pont Neuf
Time Spent at Picnic at Square du Vert-Galant: About 30 minutes
#21: Sainte-Chapelle
Sainte-Chapelle, a 13th century Gothic chapel, is known for the stunning stained-glass windows in its sanctuary. It is considered as the world’s largest expanse of stained glass.
Sainte-Chapelle Facts: Sainte-Chapelle was completed in just six years and means “Holy Chapel.”
Sainte-Chapelle Cost: €10 for adults, free for kids 0-17
Closest Metro Station to Sainte-Chapelle: Cite
Time Spent at Sainte-Chapelle: About an hour, including security, purchasing tickets and browsing at the gift shop
#22: Soap Bubbles
After visiting Sainte-Chapelle, we had a little time before our 9 pm appointment tickets to the Eiffel Tower. We walked through Place Louis-Lepine and found a street performer creating soap bubbles with accompanying music. Our kids were absolutely enthralled with the enormous bubbles and joined the pack of kids chasing the bubbles around the square. There were no long faces or tired faces in the group, and there was a constant clinking of change in the performer’s basket.
Soap Bubbles Facts: The changing colors that appear on the surface of soap bubbles appear because of the interference of light reflecting off the surfaces of the soap film.
Soap Bubbles Cost: Free, but tips appreciated
Family Trip to Paris – Generally
#23: Cafes
Cafes are synonymous with Paris. Chairs on the patio tables generally face outward so diners can take in the hustle and bustle around them. Many offer fixed price, three course lunch meals, which we particularly enjoyed.
Cafes Facts: There are 37 bridges in the city of Paris.
Cafes Cost: Varies
#24: Seine River Cruise
There are several options for families to take an iconic cruise along the Seine River. Vedettes du Pont Neuf, Bateaux-Mouches and Bateaux Parisiens all offer similar one-hour boat cruises. We chose a Vedettes du Pont Neuf cruise because the dock was within walking distance of our Airbnb and had a lovely time listening to the narration and checking out the view of Paris from the River.
Seine River Cruise Facts: There are 37 bridges in the city of Paris.
Seine River Cruise Cost: €10+ for adults, €5+ for kids aged 4-12, free for kids under 4
Seine River Cruise Tip: We purchased our tickets on Vedettes du Pont Neuf’s website for the 8:45 cruise as we were leaving our Airbnb and saved €12 over the ticket office price for our four tickets. We made good time to the dock and ended up using our 8:45 for the 8:15 cruise with no issue. Cruises leave promptly, so make sure to arrive at least 10 minutes before the departure.
Time Spent at Seine River Cruise: About 1.25 hours
#25: Street Art
Paris is a major art capital, but art is not only displayed in its fine museums. We found so many street art gems while wandering around the city. This Guate Mao creation down the street from our VRBO in Montorgueil was definitely our favorite.
Street Art Facts: Parisian street artist Gaute Mao secretly paints portraits around Europe.
Street Art Cost: Free
Best Family Attractions in Paris
The Eiffel Tower may have been Paris’ biggest draw for my kids, but we were all wowed by its art, cathedrals and landmarks. Planning a family trip to Paris? Make sure to check out our Planning, Logistics and Itinerary blog post as well as our other blog posts about Paris!
We are often asked for advice about keeping kids entertained during car journeys and flights. The Boogie Board Jot 8.5 is an LCD eWriter tablet that serves as an endless notepad with many uses, especially for traveling families. Because it is ultra-light and the size of a small notepad, it is super easy to throw into any carry on and can be used for doodling, tic-tac-toe, etc…. As a bonus, it can be erased up to 50,000 times. The Boogie Board Jot also comes in 4.5 inch and 10.5 inch sizes, but we find that the 8.5 inch size is the perfect not to big yet not to small compromise. It’s a screen but not an electronic and not hard to see why the Jot 8.5 is the world’s #1 LCD writing tablet. We’ve both used them and think they are great for traveling kids.
Catherine’s Thoughts:
Our family has been using Boogie Boards since their debut because my brother-in-law’s company, Kent Displays, manufactures Boogie Board eWriter products. My kids often keep a Jot 8.5 LCD eWriter tablet in the car and use it to doodle. The sleek stylus is very easy for my four year old daughter to manipulate, and the LCD pixels are bright. The kids love how easy it is to erase with the press of a button and occasionally ask me to take a picture of creation before erasing and moving on to the next. I’m glad that there’s no worry about pen stains or scraps of paper to clean up.
The stylus is multi-functional and can be used to hold the eWriter in an angled position, but my kids prefer to place the Jot 8.5 on a table or in their lap and do not often use this function.
While my kids have tried out a whole host of Boogie Board products while visiting their cousins, they seem to prefer the sleek Jot 8.5. In addition to a semi-permanent residence in our car, the Jot 8.5 is feather light and can easily be added to a handbag or carry on and provides endless entertainment to kids during flights.
When Catherine mentioned doing a product review for the Boogie Board as something for families to take with them on trips, I was somewhat dumbfounded as who takes ocean equipment when traveling as a matter of course? After clearing up that misunderstanding, I became curious about the Boogie Board and decided to order the Jot 8.5 via Amazon. Upon arrival, both kids immediately begin fighting over who got to play with the device first, but anyone with two kids knows that’s nothing outside of the ordinary. What surprised me was that I immediately took to the Boogie Board. Prior to ordering the Boogie Board, I had considered getting my 3.5 year old a magnetic doodle board or an etch a sketch as he loves to practice writing. But, I wasn’t a fan of either as the writing can be disjointed and the boards don’t always wipe cleanly. I was looking for an e-writing type device, however, because my youngest is such a menace that he simply cannot be trusted alone with any writing implements. Fortunately, the Boogie Board not only captured his attention, but also that of my 9 year old.
As shown in this video, the Boogie Board writes smoothly and erases with one push of a button. My sons have now played with the Boogie Board on an airplane, in the car, and at church during extended announcements post-Mass. My father-in-law was so amused by the Boogie Board that he announced he was going to get one for himself just to tinker around with. As an added bonus, the Boogie Board is so lightweight and thin that it fits easily into my purse and I hardly even know it’s there. The best part of the Boogie Board, however, is that it alleviates all the anxiety I feel when my 3.5 year old gets his hands on a pencil or a marker as the provided stylus provides him with no opportunity to mark up hymnals or clothes or even his toes (yes, we’ve had highlighter and toe nail incidents with my little monkey)!
Depending on which Boogie Board you happen to own, there are different apps available to download onto your mobile device. I downloaded the Jot Mobile App, which allowed me to very quickly turn my son’s masterpiece into a jpg that I could store on my phone and send to his traveling father.
One might wonder whether the Boogie Board is necessary and of course, it’s not. But, it’s a fun and relatively low risk way for me to keep my 3.5 year old entertained and my 9 year old likes it because, as Catherine mentioned, it’s like an electronic device even if it isn’t. At the end of the day, for approximately $20, I’m happy to have it be part of my travel arsenal and would recommend this to anyone looking for a relatively inexpensive item to keep kids occupied during travel. As an added bonus, I have also used it to leave notes for my husband — we rarely keep paper around the house and hardly ever leave written messages anymore now that we can simply text one another. He was highly amused to find the Boogie Board note I left for him one afternoon and I’m sure we’ll continue to utilize the Boogie Board outside of travel as the opportunities present themselves.
The Eiffel Tower has been #1 on my eight year old son’s bucket list ever since he saw the half scale replica in Las Vegas at age four. So, when we start looking into European destinations for our summer vacation and found flights on Wowair to Paris at a fraction of the cost of any other flight from Cleveland to mainland Europe, it seemed as though we were destined to take him to Paris. My husband and I looked at budget flights from Paris to Venice and Rome to Paris for ourselves and our three kids, aged ten, eight and three and quickly decided to include 10 days in Italy. We thought about traveling in August, but everything we read seemed to indicate that we should avoid traveling to Italy in August at all costs, so we booked round trip flights from Cleveland to Paris leaving right after the July 4th holiday. We are so glad we chose plan a trip to Paris with kids.
Booking a Trip to Paris
We booked our flights a mere 5 1/2 weeks before our departure due to scheduling issues. While we often book vacations at the last minute, I wondered, while trying to nail down accommodations and internal travel during peak season, if we had taken on too much. Luckily, once we had accommodations booked for the duration of our stay and transportation to and from Italy nailed down, I decided that this trip was indeed doable and was going to be wonderful. It’s definitely preferable to have more planning time than we did, but we were able to secure accommodation, transportation and advanced bookings necessary even on a tight schedule.
Boarding our flight to Paris in Reykjavik
Accommodations in Paris With Kids
Because our flights required us to start and end our trip in Paris, we decided this was a great opportunity to explore two different Parisian neighborhoods. Unfortunately, our accommodation choices were quite limited because our trip was booked so close to our departure and both Paris stays were over weekends. We booked a VRBO in Montorgueil for the first three nights of our trip. We absolutely loved the pedestrian neighborhood with many cafes, bolangeries and shops literally at our doorstep, but the apartment itself was honestly the worst homestay experience we have had and is fortunately no longer listed on the VRBO site.
Our Montmartre Airbnb for our final weekend was much better than the Montorgueil apartment but was very different from the photos shown on Airbnb’s website and did not have several of the promised amenities. We definitely learned how important it is to book weekend accommodations well in advance and also to make sure that the homestay website includes a clear picture of the bathroom and that the host answers all specific questions about the property prior to booking.
While homestays worked best for our family of five, there are many hotel options. Check out these recommendations for the best hotels in Paris.
Paris Airports With Kids
We flew into and out of Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) at the beginning of our trip and also arrived from Rome via Paris Orly Airport (ORL) after our time in Italy. We appreciated the efficiency of baggage handling at both Parisian airports and particularly enjoyed all the unique moving sidewalk tubes at CDG.
Moving sidewalk tubes at CDG
Before our departing flight at the end of our trip, we went through security for gates 70-78 to find only one cafe with extremely long lines and immediately wished we had picked up dinner before going through security. Also, it was a bit unusual to us that we didn’t know our actual gate number until the flight started boarding, but other than the 45 minute wait to pick up sandwiches at the cafe, it worked out fine.
While families can choose to travel to and from the Paris airports via train/Metro, taxi, shared shuttle, taxi and Uber, we chose to use taxis. We liked that official Paris taxis have standard rates for airport transportation to and from each airport as follows:
From CDG to: right bank – €50 and left bank – €55
From ORL to: left bank – €30 and right bank – €35
We did not compare the cost of a taxi with the cost of an Uber van that would accommodate all five of us, but the taxi fares were comparable with trains and shared shuttles. Because we are a family of five, we had to wait in the taxi stand until there was a taxi that could accommodate us and also pay an additional €4. We had virtually no wait for a taxi at CDG but had to wait about 20 minutes at ORL.
Taxis worked great because we did not want to schlep our kids and bags on the train and Metro and really liked the convenience of the taxis and found the drivers particularly professional. One driver even graciously stopped for an emergency trip to the bathroom. We had two BubbleBum booster seats with us, but one taxi actually had built-in booster seats.
Local Transportation in Paris With Kids
We found Paris very walkable, but the Metro was convenient when we needed to travel farther distances quickly. In our combined five days in the city, we took a total of five Metro rides and one round trip train journey to Versailles. Metro stations are clearly labeled Metropolitain and decorated in a beautiful French Art Nouveau style. The Metro is free for all passengers under four (including our daughter, who happened to turn four only a few hours after leaving Paris), but single ride tickets (billets) for all passengers aged four and up are €1.90. Families planning to take several Metro rides will likely find purchasing a carnet of 10 tickets the most economical option. A carnet costs €14.90 for all passengers aged 11 and up but only €7.45 for passengers aged four to ten. My husband and I shared one carnet, while our 8 and 10 year old sons shared the second.
The entrance to the Abbesses Metro has one of the few remaining roofs (édicules), but it’s a long way down to the platform, which is one of the deepest in the city.
The entrance to the Abbesses Metro station
Currency
We definitely needed to use euros at times, so it was essential to get some local currency. We traveled with about €200 and then withdrew money twice from ATMs during the trip.
Packing for Paris With Kids
Our entire trip was 17 days and 17 nights, but we were primarily staying at homestay apartments with washers. We packed approximately five to six full outfits for each person, which was, as always, more than we really needed, but I worried that the promised laundry facilities might not be functioning in each of our locations. We also needed some bulky items like two Bubble Bum booster seats for Italy. Wowair charges for each carry on larger than a personal item (e.g. back pack) and each checked bag, which cannot weigh over 44 pounds without incurring overweight fees. So, we chose to check one bag and also bring two back packs with us and packed a gym bag inside our checked suitcase, knowing that we would likely be returning with more than we brought with us. Churches in Paris do not require covered knees and shoulders, so shorts and sundresses were appropriate outfits for the unseasonably warm weather we experienced.
Our luggage
With a three year old who would need to nap on the go, we decided to bring a small umbrella stroller with us. While we did need to carry the stroller up and down stairs at times, particularly in Metro stations, we found that much easier than carrying our daughter, especially when she was sleeping. We do look forward to being stroller-free soon but will miss the built in storage and bottle holders.
For the first time, I rolled and packed each person’s clothes in zip lock bags and had separate bags with our pajamas and first day clothes packed into one of the back packs. This helped with the organization of the large suitcase and provided a back up in case our suitcase was delayed at the beginning of the trip. Luckily, we had no trouble retrieving our suitcase at CDG upon arrival. However, on the way back, we made the rookie mistake of packing our pajamas and remaining clean clothes into our back packs along with our cameras and breakables and packed all of our new clothes and shoes and toiletries into the suitcase. We also forgot to remove cash from the locked pocket before checking our suitcase for our return flight. When it didn’t make the connection in Reykjavik, we worried if we’d ever see it again and realized that so many things we had packed were irreplaceable because they were simply not available in the US. Luckily, our bag arrived via FedEx Ground four days later.
We neglected to pack a supply of small soap bars, shampoo or wet wipes but were able to find these items easily in Paris. I also made a bad assumption that our converter also had adapter capabilities when I brought my flat iron, which turned out to be unusable for the duration of our trip (and then delayed). Next time, we’re definitely going with four to five outfits, maximum.
Cell Service in Paris
We researched relatively inexpensive options to add voice/data to our Verizon mobiles while in Paris but ended up not using cell service in the city. We were able to contact our first VRBO host using the WiFi at CDG upon our arrival and had self-check in at our Airbnb at the end of the trip. While WiFi was usually available at restaurants and at least near the entrances of the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay and Musée de l’Orangerie, we were able to mostly unplug during the day and use WiFi at our accommodation in the evenings.
Language Barrier in Paris With Kids
Most people in the Paris tourist industry speak English, and all menus were translated into English as well. My husband and I both studied French in high school and retained some rudimentary language skills. Those skills were helpful in exchanging pleasantries but were rarely necessary.
Eating in Paris With Kids
We thoroughly enjoyed eating at cafes in Paris. Chicken, sea food, beef and frites (aka French fries) were regularly on menus, and many cuisines were available throughout the city. We were also able to pick up snacks, bottled water and toiletries at one of the many Franprix stores or other local groceries. We particularly enjoyed the freshly squeezed orange juice right out of the machine. We only made the mistake once of buying sparkling water instead of still water. It’s not always clear, but double-check that there aren’t any bubbles on the label when looking for still water.
Planning Our Paris Itinerary
To help get our kids involved with planning our five nights in Paris, I borrowed some children’s books on Paris from our local library. My eight year old and I went through one and made a list of what we wanted to see, and I started doing research to determine what attractions require advance bookings. Our top 10 list included the Eiffel Tower, Palace of Versailles, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, Jardin du Luxembourg, Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Sacre Coeur, Champs-Elysees and Place de la Concorde. We knew that the Eiffel Tower, Versailles Palace and the Louvre would require advance tickets but that the other attractions probably did not. We had accommodations booked on our first and last weekend near Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur, respectively, and planned to visit each cathedral for Sunday Mass.
We looked into purchasing the Paris Pass, a sightseeing pass with fast track entry to certain attractions that includes a free travel card and Paris guidebook. However, we decided that it was not worth the cost for what we had planned. Kids are free at many of Paris’ top attractions, and we were able to skip lines by booking entry in advance online.
Because we knew we would be leaving out some sights in Paris during our stay due to timing, we didn’t consider any day trips from the city other than Paris. However, we might consider one of the many day tours from Paris on our next trip to explore the surrounding area.
Our Paris Itinerary – Two Weekends
Because of our round trip flight from Cleveland to CDG, we had spent weekends in Paris at the beginning and end of our trip. Our five days and five nights were split up and included three trips to or from an airport. Our time in Paris was at the beginning and end of a 17 day trip, and we planned to take a slower pace, sit and enjoy meals at cafes and really explore our neighborhoods. We also had some minor ailments to deal with like upset stomachs, bloody noses and a lost tooth in addition to watching World Cup soccer matches. We really didn’t acclimate to waking up early, but it was always late before we got into bed. Even though we weren’t in full tourist mode, we made it to everything on our top 10 list except the Jardin du Luxembourg. The Jardin du Luxembourg is a classic family outing in Paris, but we had a few less than stellar park experiences on this trip decided to visit Sainte-Chapelle on our last day instead with no regrets. Next time, we’ll sail boats.
Here is our basic daily itinerary:
First Weekend
Friday
Flight arrives at 5:30 pm
Taxi from CDG to Montorgueil VRBO
Check in and explore Montorgueil neighborhood
Walk to Seine River and check out the Eiffel Tower
Saturday
Louvre in morning
Rest/World Cup in afternoon
Seine River cruise
Sunday
Palace of Versailles and Gardens of Versailles
6:30 Mass at Notre Dame
Monday
Arc de Triomphe
Champs-Elysees
Place de la Concorde
Tuileries Garden
Musée de l’Orangerie
Petit Palace
Night train to Venice
Second Weekend
Friday
Flight arrives at 5:15 pm
Taxi from ORL to Montmartre Airbnb
Check in, explore Montmartre neighborhood and visit Sacre Coeur scenic overlook
Saturday
Musée d’Orsay
Sainte-Chapelle
Soap Bubbles with Street Performer
Trocadero and Eiffel Tower
Sunday
Mass at Sacre Coeur
Exploring Montmartre
Taxi to CDG at 3:00 p.m.
Find Out More About Paris With Kids
We loved our trip to Paris with kids. Make sure to check out 25 Top Attractions in Paris and the rest of our blog posts on Paris!
Note: The Palace of Versailles hosted our family’s visit. As always, all opinions are my own.
The California Science Center located in the heart of Los Angeles is an amazing facility for people of all ages to learn by doing! With over 400,000 square feet of space, the facility has over four major exhibit areas, including a Discovery Room, which is designed for scientists age 7 and under. My favorite thing about the center is that admission is free for all permanent exhibits!
On a recent sweltering day, we ventured to the California Science Center to check out the King Tut: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh special exhibit. As it is not part of the permanent exhibit, admission was not free, however, our party of six (immediate family + in laws) loved the exhibit – including my 3.5 year old who was riveted and engaged the whole time.
The King Tut exhibit is separated into two parts – the first part begins on the third floor and you are required to show your ticket in order to enter. The exhibit begins with a short movie, introducing King Tut and the exhibit.
Of the 150 artifacts on display at the exhibit, 66 had never before traveled outside of Egypt. Those artifacts were clearly marked with a “first time out of Egypt” label.
As we made our way through the exhibit, we were blown away by not only the quality of the artifacts which were all in pristine condition. The artifacts were also incredibly intricate and I can only imagine the skilled craftsmanship that went into creating each individual item.
My nine year old was able to really dig into the exhibit – he wandered around and read the signs and descriptions on his own, commenting as he went along. My 3.5 year old spent his time in the exhibit largely on his grandfather’s shoulders, but even he was engaged as his grandpa read him the descriptions and explained to him what we were seeing.
After making our way through the first part of the exhibit, we were given a card that would serve as our admission to Part II – located on the first floor. Before leaving the third floor, however, my nine year old decided he wanted to take a ride on the high-wire bicycle. For $3, he was strapped in and completed two back and forth journeys on the high-wire. He reports that it was great fun and wished that we had the time for him to do it again!
After finding our way down to the first floor, we handed over our cards and were granted admission into Part II – which focuses on the actual work of discovering and excavating the tomb.
Howard Carter is credited as the British archeologist who discovered the tomb, but I was tickled to learn, for the first time, that it was water boy, Hussein Abdel-Rassoul who first laid eyes on the tomb and reported the discovery to Carter and his crew of men.
The end of the exhibit featured a short film which introduced some levity into the whole King Tut fascination. My boys loved dancing to Steve Martin’s King Tut parody, which was playing in the background, as they watched the film.
Our exploration of the King Tut exhibit occupied us for over two hours, so by the time we made our way out of Part II, it was time to leave downtown to get home in time for a certain little one’s nap. Having caught a glimpse of the other exhibits at the California Science Center on our way in and out of the King Tut exhibit, I know that we will be visiting the museum frequently on hot days, as well as the rare rainy day in Southern California.
The California Science Center is located at 700 Exposition Park Drive in Los Angeles and is open to the public seven days a week, 362 days a year, with free general admission to its permanent exhibits. The King Tut: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh is a limited time engagement and I strongly encourage those who are able to visit! Note that once you leave the exhibit, re-entry is not permitted.
Be sure to check out our entire category of posts on things to do and places to visit in Los Angeles, California with kids! And, be sure to visit the California Science Center with kids!
Every so often, we encounter a place that is so fabulous for those traveling with kids that it is worthy of being featured on its own. For more fun locations, please check out our other Spotlight features!
Traveling to Iceland with kids? With airfares as low as $99 one way from many cities to KEF, a trip to Iceland sounds like a bargain… until you factor in the price of accommodations, food, and attractions. Although Iceland is filled with natural beauty and waterfalls that are free to view from the Ring Road, other costs and expenses can come as a surprise to those who were expecting a “cheap” getaway. One of the most common questions I’ve been asked is “just how expensive” Iceland is and “how much should a family budget” for Iceland. With that in mind, I’d like to share with you the cost of my recent trip to Iceland over Memorial Day Weekend with my nine year old son.
Airfare + Transportation + Gas = $1053.54
Wow Airlines round trip airfare for two + one checked bag for each leg of the flight (added at the time of booking for $49.99 each way) = $567.06
Route1.IS four day rental car = $359.36 (booked via holiday autos)
The Viking Museum (admission for one adult and one child, including buffet breakfast) = $32
Food: $298.01
Food was a surprisingly expensive part of our trip. I don’t mind spending money on food and we love dining out and do so frequently, but I was a bit taken aback by a simple pizza that cost about $30. Nevertheless, we didn’t end up spending all that much on food because we had access to a grocery store and a kitchen at both locations. We only ended up eating out on a few occasions. On the first day, we had a large, late lunch of burgers and fries for lunch and then opted to just snack on cheese and crackers for dinner. Our second day, we spent a grand total of $19.89 at the Glacier Lagoon cafe but otherwise, ate items that we picked up at the grocery store and made spaghetti for dinner. On our third day, we shared a small snack at the Reykjavik Fish Market and then splurged on our most expensive meal – pizzas and wine at Endofninn. Our final morning, we enjoyed coffee and baked goods at a bakery in Reykjavik and then, due to timing, did not eat again until we found ourselves at the airport (although we did enjoy some refreshments at the Blue Lagoon). At the end of the day, we saved quite a bit of money because we were able to purchase and store groceries at our accommodations. Our dining expenses are as follows:
Smidgen brugghus (one kid’s meal, one adult burger, one beer) = $42.42
Kronan (local grocery store chain where we purchased light snacks, breakfast supplies and spaghetti materials for dinner) = $45.54
A small jar of pasta sauce that was just enough for the two of us costs nearly $4.A $3 baguette at the Kronan in Vik.
Sandwich and soup at the Glacier Lagoon = $19.89
Endofninn (two pizzas, one soft drink, two glasses of wine) = $62.59
Reykjavik Fish Market (one entree of fish and chips) = $28.03
Breakfast coffee and pastries = $16
Blue Lagoon Cafe (one beer, one slushy) = $16.44
Bonus (local grocery store where we picked up food souvenirs to bring home) = $21.27
Nord (our pre-departure dinner of one pizza, one soup, and one beer at KEF airport) = $45.83
To be honest, I wish I had the opportunity to spend more on food. I happen to love dining out and my husband and I are very adventurous eaters. My nine year old, while a wonderful traveling companion, isn’t one to enjoy fish or lobster stew and he can also be particular about his meat. That said, I glanced at many menus and simply decided that it wasn’t worth trying to eat a nice dinner with my son as there was very little, if anything, that he would enjoy on the menu. This ended up saving us quite a bit of money, even if it left me a bit disappointed that I did not get the opportunity to explore the Reykjavik dining scene or the local cuisine. I guess I’ll just have to wait for my next trip to experience the hot dog and fish soup!
As for grocery store prices, I found grocery items to be more expensive than in the US, but not astronomically so. A $3 baguette costs more than the $1.50 baguette at my neighborhood grocer and one kg of oranges cost $3.50 (so ~$1.65/lb), but it was still such a significant cost savings over dining out.
Grand Total = $2,306.04
Our grand total for flights, transportation, accommodations, food, and gas was just over $2300. Yes, we spent a bit more than that on incidentals, such as the $12 travel adapter I had to purchase when I realized I had neglected to pack one from home and the $70 vase I purchased as a souvenir for my mother-in-law, who was graciously babysitting my three year old back home. But, for non-negotiable items, we managed to stay within a reasonable budget. Of course, your own travel patterns and practices will dictate what your trip ends up costing. I was fortunate that we found a nice balance between free activities and paid experiences and that my son was more than content to eat items we picked up at the grocery store for a number of meals.
I hope you enjoyed reading about our trip to Iceland! Planning your own Icelandic adventure with kids? Be sure to check out our listing of all Iceland posts or join our Facebook group We Go To Iceland With Kids, a forum to ask questions and share ideas about family travel to Iceland
Traveling to Iceland with kids is something I would recommend without reservation. I absolutely loved our time in Iceland and it was a perfect destination for our first mother-son international trip. Thanks to Catherine’s extensive write ups on her family’s trip to Iceland last summer, I was likely more prepared for this trip than any international trip I’ve ever taken. That being said, there were still a number of things that came as a surprise that anyone traveling to Iceland with kids should be mindful of.
Our 5AM Arrival to KEF Airport:
Our 5am arrival to KEF Airport was rough. Although I am generally a great sleeper on planes, a number of things conspired to keep me from getting any rest on our red eye flight from BWI to KEF. First, the flight departed BWI at around 9pm, a few hours prior to when I usually go to sleep, and it’s really a rather short flight at just over 5 hours, so there wasn’t a lot of time to get relaxed and tired before we landed at 5am. I did not end up sleeping, at all, on the flight over, and I paid for the lack of sleep dearly as I was exhausted and could barely keep my eyes open on the long drive from KEF to Reynisfjara. I had visited a number of forums online prior to our trip and I knew this was a common problem prior to our trip and one that many people choose to remedy by visiting the Blue Lagoon immediately upon arrival and then staying in Reykjavik that first night just to ease the transition. That said, although the first day was difficult, I was glad that we quickly adjusted to the time change so that we could maximize the rest of our trip. Luckily, my son is a seasoned traveler and at almost nine years of age, he had no problems sleeping in the car and rebounded quickly. Those traveling with younger children will need to plan ahead, depending on their child’s ability to manage the time change and red eye flight. While trolling the online forums prior to our trip, I read that a number of hotels in Reykjavik are extremely accommodating to the flight schedules and will often have rooms available for check in as early as 8am. If you’re staying in Reykjavik, this is definitely something you might want to consider as it would allow you a quick nap and time to freshen up upon arrival.
The Price of Gas, Groceries, and General Dining Out:
I had been told that Iceland was expensive, but I didn’t quite realize how expensive it was until I was eating our $45 lunch of burger and fries our first afternoon in Vik. That said, I didn’t particularly mind how expensive the food was as my nine year old is a relatively picky eater and thus, I didn’t fully expect to be dining out as much as I would have been had I been traveling solo or with my husband. We ended up picking up spaghetti supplies at the local grocery store and making a meal out of it – for a total of less than $10 USD. While grocery store prices were slightly higher than typical in the US (for example, $3 for the smallest bag of spaghetti versus $1.50 or $1.99), this was without a doubt a more economical option than dining out and for a traveling family, this can result in significant cost savings.
Prices a fish and chip restaurant in Reykjavik.Home to our expensive, but delicious $45 meal of two burgers, fries, and a beer.
While restaurant prices were high, I will note that the quality of the food was very good. My friend, who traveled to Iceland last year as part of a couples trip, reports that while prices at mid-level restaurants were high compared to the US, prices at fine dining establishments were comparable to prices in the US, which may be something to keep in mind for those traveling with older children who can appreciate a fine meal or two.
Note: Airport food is generally more expensive than non airport food and the prices at KEF airport are simply outrageous. We ended up at KEF airport on the day of departure with quite a bit of time. We had spent the day traveling between The Lava Tunnel and The Blue Lagoon and had not eaten much more than a nibble here and there, so I simply decided we would grab something at KEF, which ended up being one of our most expensive meals. And, unlike food quality outside of the airport, the pizza was mediocre and the soup was pre-made and simply sitting in a giant vat.
My $22 bowl of soup and my son’s $18 pizza.
As with food prices, I was surprised by the gas prices. I had been warned previously that most cars are diesel and that prices were high, but I did not expect to pay nearly $100 for a full tank of gas. I also was slightly unprepared none of the three gas stations I visited would accept a credit card – I was required to enter a pin each time I sought to purchase gas and thus, I was glad to have packed my ATM card.
Also, do not underestimate just how remote and far between gas stations can be when driving outside the city. My gas light went on at some point while we were driving around in Reykjavik prior to leaving for the Blue Lagoon, but I just assumed that since it was a relatively heavily traveled route that there would be gas stations along the way. Boy was I wrong. I ended up driving nearly 10km on empty and it was a rather panicked trip the entire time as I feared not only running out of gas with a nine year old, but possibly resulting in some kind of delay that would have us missing our departing flight home.
Get gas and get gas often, even if you think there is surely a gas station along the way!
Tax Refund:
One surprising aspect of our trip to Iceland was how simple the country made obtaining a tax refund for purchases. During our day in Reykjavik, I purchased a vase that cost approximately $70 as a souvenir for my mother-in-law and had been given a tax refund receipt. I did not expect to actually pursue obtaining a refund as past experiences traveling abroad had suggested that it was simply more trouble than it was worth.
After checking in for our return flight home, I spotted the tax refund booth and decided to go ahead and investigate. It turns out that all I needed to do was fill out a form, present my receipt and passport, and the taxes paid would be automatically refunded to my credit card. The whole process took less than 10 minutes and I confirmed that my ~$7USD refund was credited shortly thereafter. If you find yourself purchasing lots of goods to bring home, be sure to save your receipts and check out the Tax Refund booth at KEF!
Note: Cash refunds are an option, but will involve a processing fee that is some portion of the refund.
Currency:
Speaking of money, we had no issues using our credit cards at just about every destination, with the exception of when purchasing gas. I did withdraw approximately $100 USD upon arrival at KEF and although we never needed the cash, I did use it on occasion simply for the novelty of the experience.
At most retailers, the credit card machines were prominently displayed at check out and I was given the choice of selecting whether to charge the amount in my native or local currency.
Note: Bring a chip enabled credit card (visa or mastercard) and always select native currency rather than local currency when purchasing abroad.
Driving in Iceland:
I had no trouble driving in Iceland and hardly needed a map as the Ring Road is pretty self-explanatory. I brought our Garmin GPS, which was helpful for maneuvering within Reykjavik, but otherwise, simply followed the signs along the major highways to reach our destinations. There are a number of portions along the Ring Road where the highway narrows from two lanes to one, particularly when crossing rivers and streams, so just be aware and pull off to the side in the face of oncoming traffic.
Language:
Everyone, without exception, spoke English. I did not expect to have any language barrier issues and there were none with the exception of our car! Our car was programmed in Icelandic and would frequently ding out warnings at me, which completely freaked me out while attempting to drive. I managed to take some photos of some of the warnings and googled them later when we had arrived at our destination for the evening… turns out, the signs were telling me I had reached the speed limit and should slow down.
Note: Although the car was telling me to slow down, I was frequently blown off the road by passing motorists. This was particularly the case when driving in inclement weather.
Kid-Friendly:
Iceland is a very kid-friendly destination. Granted, I was traveling with my nearly nine year old that has literally traveled the world, but there were kids everywhere and as I have mentioned, kids under 12 were generally free or admitted at a reduced price at many destinations. Although I had some initial apprehensions about visiting The Blue Lagoon with my opposite-sex child, it ended up being a non-issues as there were a number of attendants in the men’s changing facilities that were happy to help him maneuver the facility.
WiFi/Cellular Reception:
As a Verizon Wireless customer, I enabled TravelPass which provides access to my regular data and cellular plan for $10/day when traveling to certain countries, Iceland included. We had WiFi available at our accommodations every evening, but I wanted to add the data coverage given that I was driving solo with my young son in a foreign country. Although we did not need the coverage for directions, it was handy to have while driving on the Ring Road for looking up specific address or dining options. It was also just a great peace of mind, knowing that if we ran out of gas (oops) or ended up with a flat tire, I did actually have a means of contacting someone.
Planning to visit Iceland with kids? Be sure to check out our listing of all Iceland posts or join our Facebook group We Go To Iceland With Kids, a forum to ask questions and share ideas about family travel to Iceland
He also loved the recycling/environmental hazards center, which prompted him through specific tasks.
There are truly few things better in life than eating your way through the Farmer’s Market on a beautiful spring or fall day!
We then visited the blacksmith shop where the blacksmith was making a decorative leaf. We got to see him heat and shape the leaf, which is sold as a necklace pendant in the gift shop.
Photo credit: Marissa Mayer
After checking in for our return flight home, I spotted the tax refund booth and decided to go ahead and investigate. It turns out that all I needed to do was fill out a form, present my receipt and passport, and the taxes paid would be automatically refunded to my credit card. The whole process took less than 10 minutes and I confirmed that my ~$7USD refund was credited shortly thereafter. If you find yourself purchasing lots of goods to bring home, be sure to save your receipts and check out the Tax Refund booth at KEF!
