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Things to Do in Kauai with Kids

Kauai has long been high on my list of destinations to visit. Having just moved from the East Coast to the West Coast last summer, a trip to Kauai suddenly became much more feasible for our family of four when it was no longer a 12+ hour journey. When time came to plan our spring break, I did some quick research and within hours had my family of four booked (flights + hotel) for a week long stay in Kauai for next to zero dollars out of pocket. A busy work schedule coupled with two kids in different schools prevented me from doing as much research as I would have liked, prior to our trip to Kauai. Thus, we ended up embarking on a relatively unscheduled and unplanned week in Kauai, with just broad notions as to what we would like to do, but not actually having activities scheduled in prior to departure. We ended up having a ast in Kauai and I would say it is one of my Top 5 Family Vacations – perhaps even Top 3! Here’s my list of things to do in Kauai with kids!

1. Shaka Guide North Shore Kauai Driving Tour

Shaka Guide offers guided GPS tours on four Hawaiian Islands: Oahu, Big Island, Maui, and Kauai. In 2013, my family visited Maui with our then 4 year old and did purchase a guided CD tour of the Road to Hana. I don’t believe Shaka Guide was available at the time, but given the rave reviews online, I decided to download the Shaka Guide prior to our trip to Kauai and it turned out to be a great decision. The Shaka Guide North Shore Kauai Driving Tour provides three hours of audio guidance and although my husband was skeptical at first, it ended up introducing us to some of the highlights of our trip, including the “Gilligan’s Island” Beach and our hike down to “Secret Beach,” all of which we likely would not have found had it not been for the Shaka Guide.

Gilligan’s Island Beach; likely my favorite beach on the planet.

The walk down to Secret Beach; we followed a woman carrying a surfboard on her head because, of course we did.

Secret Beach

The beaches we experienced as part of the Shaka Guide were so great that we ended up planning a whole day around a return trip to one of the featured beaches, Gilligan’s Island Beach. Our Shaka Guide tour ended up being approximately 3.5 hours, including numerous stops and hikes down to various places, like Secret Beach, so for $10, it was money well spent. Our kids enjoyed it as we were definitely off the beaten path in Kauai.

2. Kayak Hanalei Bay

One of the fun memories I have of my pre-college years is kayaking with my brothers. When I was in high school, we had some crazy kayaking adventures in Catalina Island and San Diego. Suffice it to say, kayaking is high on my list of things to do, anywhere we are, and my husband and kids have become accustomed to my building in kayaking time wherever we are.

Kayaking Hanalei Bay was one of the kayaking adventures I was really hoping to experience in Kauai. Although my four year old has kayaked with us before (usually as the middle person on a two person kayak), I didn’t know if he’d be able to go the distance as part of a larger kayaking excursion. Kayak Hanalei offer double kayak rentals at $60/day for pre-1pm rentals and at a reduced price of $45 for post-1pm rentals. After a morning spent exploring the North Shore, I decided that we might as well see how my four year old would do on the kayak. Given that it was after 1pm, we paid $90 for two, double kayak rentals, which came complete with wet bags.

He was so comfy, he fell asleep on the ride down to the confluence and had to be shaken awake

To my surprise, we had a fabulous time! We barely made it back by closing time, 5pm, as we decided to extend our little kayaking excursion from the bay to the confluence; but long story short, we saw sea turtles, disembarked to enjoy a snack (and beer for the adults), and just overall enjoyed being out on the water. I highly recommend this adventure with kids.

3. Spend the Day at the Beach

My husband and I are busy people who like to be on the go when we are on vacation. Our kids, however, can happily spend the day at the beach. We made sure to build in plenty of beach time and Kauai’s unspoiled beaches were the perfect backdrop.

To get the most of our beach days, we actually spent a few dedicated beach days going from beach to beach. Some beaches offered protected areas for snorkeling and others were just good for general lounging. We simply packed a picnic lunch, stocked up on towels from the hotel, and took off for the day. Apply sunscreen as I definitely got a bit singed one day!

4. Coffee Plantation

Lyndgate Farms chocolate farm on Kauai offers a three hour “branch to bar” tour and tasting. Knowing full well that tour wouldn’t hold my kids’ attention, we skipped right to the important part: the chocolate tasting. Lyndgate Farms offers free tasting of all its chocolates and my kids each got to pick their favorite. We purchased a number of bars and I was glad to see they came with complimentary cooler bags to keep them from melting. My kids also enjoyed swinging on the giant swing in the parking lot, before getting back in the car.

5. Attend a Luau

Although I’ve been to Hawaii a handful of times, I never attended a luau until this trip. Although hokey and probably not worth the money to experience again, I’m glad we did it this time. As an added bonus, my kids loved the fire dance.

6. Take a hike!

There are a number of great hiking opportunities in Kauai and we took full advantage of these great adventures. On a rainy morning, we took a short hike near our hotel in Kapaa, and the boys not only managed the whole thing on their own two legs, but had a great time as well.

Anyone else hearing the Jurassic Park theme song here?

7. Hawaii Shave Ice

No trip to Hawaii is complete without Hawaii Shave Ice. We happened to stumble across Jo Jo’s, a Kauai classic, after a long hike up Waimea Canyon, and were happy to partake.

8. Miniature Golf

Mini-golfing at Kauai Mini Golf, located at Anaina Hou Park is a wonderful way to spend a few hours with kids. Not only is the course littered with native plants, but my kids really enjoy mini golfing, something that we rarely get to do in the hustle and bustle of daily life.

9. Visit Waimea Canyon

We spent a full day hiking Waimea Canyon and absolutely loved the experience even with our four year old in tow. But, for those who aren’t up for the day long hike, know that there are plenty of ways to experience Waimea by car. There’s not only a great lookout near the main parking area, but we took a tour down a road (that ended up leading to a restricted military base) and climbed a random hill (yes! all four of us) where we were treated to some amazing views. Do it. You won’t regret it.

10. Sunset Cruise of the Napali Coast

Experiencing the Napali Coast was a non-negotiable item on my list of things to do in Kauai. I’m glad we were able to find a vehicle in which to do it — Captain Andy’s Na Pali Sunset Cruise. Click here for my review of Captain Andy’s Na Pali Sunset Cruise.

Our family trip to Kauai was such an amazing experience that I really think I’ll be hard pressed to ever be persuaded to go on a beach vacation somewhere else. I hope our list of things to do in Kauai with kids will help inform your trip to Kauai!

June 21, 2019
Review of Captain Andy’s Na Pali Coast

Spanning 17 miles along the North Shore of Kauai, the Napali Coast of Kauai was high on my list of things to experience. There are many ways to experience the Napali Coast, but simply driving up to it is not one of them. There are air and sea options, of course, as well as the Kalalau Trail hike, which runs along the Napali Coast and is a rough 11 mile hike. In April 2018, a massive flash flood incident resulted in the closure of many roads on the North Shore of Kauai. The roads were just beginning to open up during our visit in April 2019, but I was glad that hiking the Kalalau Trail was not an option due to road closures as the thought of even attempting an 11 mile hike with young children is not something I’m eager to do. Having done a bit of internet research, however, I quickly decided that our best bet for experiencing the Napali Coast was to book a sunset cruise. Given that one member of our party of four is not only four years old but also prone to sea sickness, I did quite a bit of internet sleuthing before deciding on Captain Andy’s. Here is my review of Captain Andy’s Na Pali Coast Sunset Cruise!

Booking:

Online booking is the easiest option and as an added bonus, the website show very clearly the number of spots left on any given day so even though I was a bit worried things would book up if I delayed too long in booking, I just simply logged in every day or so and checked to make sure there were ample tickets. I was mostly concerned about weather/rain, but about a week prior to our trip, the forecast looked clear for our first full day in Kauai so I decided to go ahead and book the trip. At $135/adult and $105/child, tickets are not cheap, but given that our hotel and flights were essentially free, I felt like we could splurge a bit on this boating excursion, despite having my concerns about how my four year old would respond to being contained on a boat for hours.

The Experience:

We arrived at the harbor at 2pm on the day of our excursion and were able to quickly check in. Each group was given a card upon check in with their boat information written on it. It turns out that Captain Andy’s has the ability to run multiple boats each evening (I believe there were four going out that evening), so we all sat around waiting for our boarding assignment to be called.

As our Captain introduced himself and walked us down to the dock, we were reminded that shoes are not permitted on board. We all took off our shoes and loaded them onto a wheeled shoe rack, before walking onto the boat. After the basic instructions were given (where to stand, where to sit, bathrooms, no picking children up, etc), the boat took off and, well, my four year old loved it.

The boat ride out to the Napali Coast took a while and we mostly just enjoyed the sea water. Once we got close to the Coast, however, the water was definitely choppy and people got wet. It’s no surprise then that alcohol and dinner is not served until the ride back to shore.

My nine year old absolutely loved the experience and stayed out front nearly the entire time. He got sprayed by water on numerous occasions, but thoroughly enjoyed being able to wander around himself. My four year old, husband, and I mostly hung out near the back of the boat as it was much calmer there, and although I did experience some motion sickness myself, my four year old was fine the entire time.

The Napali Coast itself is gorgeous and we ooohed and aaahed the entire time.

The Captain did a fantastic job of explaining various features along the coast, including where old fishing villages had been located and pointing out small waterfalls that we likely would not have noticed on our own. Once we reached the end of the coastline, we turned back for the smooth ride home.

Dinner was served buffet style and the drinks flowed readily. The crew was really top notch and my notoriously picky eater of a husband even said that the food was “not bad,” which is high praise coming from him. The crew was really great about bringing out more food when the supply got low, and they also came around and made sure to refill drinks. All in all, it was a pleasant experience and despite my concerns, we had a great time.

Final Thoughts?

I am definitely glad we experienced the Napali Coast and Captain Andy’s Na Pali Sunset Dinner Cruise was a great way to do it, given our kids. Had they been older, I likely would have explored a snorkeling or kayaking day long adventure, but there was simply no way of guaranteeing that we would be able to be on board for that long a time with our four year old (not to mention many activities have age limits that he would not have qualified for). The Sunset Dinner Cruise is advertised to last four hours and indeed, it lasted every minute of the four hours. I felt bad for one woman who had a horrible case of motion sickness and spent three of the four hours with her head in a bucket. My four year old definitely got tired and the waves helped lull him to sleep after dinner. In fact, I even found myself lying down to enjoy a little bit of shut eye on the ride back, having gotten up at 4am for conference call that morning!

June 20, 2019
Fun Family Hidden Gems in Florida

It’s Spring Break time, and many families will be heading to Florida. With Disney World, Universal Studios and thousands of miles of beaches, Florida may be the family vacation capital of the world, but there are also so many great spots that do not get as much attention as the world-famous theme parks. We asked traveling families for their family favorite hidden gems in Florida and found these amazing places to put on our list!

Fun in the Sun While Swimming in the Hotel Pool in the Middle of Winter

Ever planned an action filled family vacation only to ask the kids what their favorite part was and for them to respond: swimming in the pool? Seriously, this has happened to me more times than I could count including on our last two visits to Disney. As a result, during our last pre and post cruise trip to Orlando, I decided to focus on exploring hotel pools, and it was a huge hit. My four kids and I (hubby joined us for cruise only) enjoyed water slides, splash pads, lazy rivers and poolside dance parties while Connecticut was hit with a Nor’easter.

Recommended by Ruth Mendes from Have Kiddos Will Travel.

Ohana Character Breakfast at Disney’s Polynesian Resort

Our family enjoyed a mouse free Orlando trip, and I wanted to give our youngest an opportunity to feel like he went to Disney World without breaking the bank and spending thousands of dollars on a pre and post cruise Orlando stay. The Ohana Character Breakfast at the Polynesian Resort with Mickey, Lillo, Stitch and Pluto provided us with a delicious meal, character signatures, pictures and interactions without paying park admission and spending time waiting in the hot sun.

Recommended by Ruth Mendes from Have Kiddos Will Travel.

Rainbow Springs State Park

Rainbow Springs State Park is a stunning state park only an hour and a half from Orlando. The water is warm year-round, making it the perfect place to go swimming with kids. One of the coolest experiences is diving into the crystal-clear water with a snorkeling mask, which is sure to entertain kids (and adults) of all age. It’s only $2 for entry per person with children under six getting in for free, so it’s a great deal for families looking for a budget day trip in Florida. It’s also possible to go tubing down the river, but advance reservations are required.

Recommended by Karen of Wanderlustingk. Find out more from Karen about Rainbow Springs State Park.

Glazer Children’s Museum

The Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa makes for a fabulously fun and educational day out for the whole family. The focus is on making learning fun, and all exhibits are interactive and entertaining. We learned all about the weather system of Florida (and got slightly wet in the process!), took part in our very own stage show (costumes included) and tried out various careers in the imaginative play area. Probably my favorite children’s museum yet! There’s even a splash fountain outside to cool off from the Floridian heat!

Recommended by Karen from Are We There Yet Kids.

Bo’s Ice Cream

Bo’s Ice Cream is a small, unassuming ice cream shop in Tampa that’s full of possibilities. Open since 1954, it has a variety of choices from a simple chocolate cone to extravagant sundaes and milkshakes, all at a decent price. It’s not unusual for the shop to be packed, but they have a convenient drive-thru window as well as benches for parents to share the moment with their kids. The tradition of going to Bo’s has been handed down through the generations – there’s nothing wrong with an ice cream cone!

Recommended by Jamie of Crashed Culture.

Dinosaur World

Dinosaur World in Plant City, Florida is about a 30 minutes drive east of Tampa. The park is lush with tropical foliage and filled with life size displays of all kinds of dinosaurs sure to please any dino-philes, including our five year old boy who is absolutely obsessed with dinosaurs.

There are playgrounds for big kids and little tykes, as well as numerous covered picnic areas. We were allowed to bring in snacks, and we saw many families with coolers. There are also fossil digs and cave shows that occur every hour. We didn’t have time for the cave show, but the three kids (ages 3, 4, and 5) all enjoyed the fossil dig. They were allowed to pick 3 fossils and take them home.

The park itself is well planned and situated. It was 81 degrees that day in February, but I could imagine a sweltering summer day and the need to escape the heat. The park has several covered exhibits to fit this need. Overall, Dinosaur World is a fun and leisurely destination, especially for travelers needing a break from the lines and crowds associated with larger theme parks.

Recommendation from Chanta C.

Weeki Wachee Mermaid Show

The mermaid show in the town of Weeki Wachee, Florida could be the last of its kind. For an entrance fee of $13, visitors sit in front of a large glass-fronted natural spring where half a dozen mermaids (and mermen) perform the story of Hans Christian Anderson’s Little Mermaid underwater. They lip sync, dance, and act without weights and seemingly without needing to breathe. Occasional turtles, fish and manatees also make an appearance. It was very mesmerizing and made me want to desperately believe in mermaids. The Weekie Wachee Mermaid Show is a throwback to the old glory days of road trips. Just like other small road trip attractions though, it’s in danger of disappearing forever. Go see it before it does.

Recommended by Jill of Jack and Jill Travel. Find out more from Jill about the Weeki Wachee Mermaid Show.

Shelling in Sanibel Island

Sanibel Island in Southwest Florida is a perfect spot for family vacations and a place that kids love as much as Mom and Dad. Separated from the city of Ft. Myers by a palm tree-lined causeway, Sanibel is quiet and secluded, with paved bike paths running the length of the island. But the most fun on Sanibel is combing the white sandy beaches for amazing seashells – little gifts of the sea – that wash up everywhere. They’ll capture kids’ hearts and imaginations for days. Don’t forget to bring mesh bags for shells and goggles for diving in the crystal clear shallow water!

Recommended by Lori Sorrentino of Travlinmad. Find out more from Lori about shelling on Sanibel Island.

Sarasota Jungle Gardens

Nestled in the shade of over 100 different species of palm trees, the Sarasota Jungle Gardens provides a wonderful opportunity for families to learn about native Florida wildlife. A variety of different shows are hosted throughout the day, and visitors can hand feed a flock of friendly flamingos after walking the Jungle Trail, which is also home to a turtle pond and a petting zoo. Willing volunteers can also become a perch for one of their many resident birds or hold a young alligator. Families will also enjoy the large shaded play area for kids and an on site restaurant with a variety of snacks and cold treats for sale, perfect for a hot Florida day.

Recommended by Leslie Stranathan. Check out Leslie’s YouTube video about Sarasota Jungle Gardens.

Hollywood Beach Hike

During a recent last minute long weekend in Hollywood, Florida with my boys, my sister and my nephew, my sister and I longed for the excitement of the “Hollywood Broadwalk” about two miles north of our Hallendale Beach hotel. I was cautiously optimistic when I proposed a “beach hike” to Hollywood to our crew. We began our journey alongside the ocean, and soon I was carrying everybody’s sandals and water bottles. Though we guessed it would take forty minutes, we enjoyed letting the kids set the pace, playing catch with the ocean waves and a found coconut, destroying abandoned sandcastles, and appropriating cast-off water guns. They watched couples canoodle in the water and prospectors explore with metal detectors.

Before we knew it, the Broadwalk, a 2.5 mile broad pedestrian way, with its array of iffy restaurants, bike rental shops and even a farmers’ market appeared before us, and we brushed the sand off of our toes. It was time for fish and chips. We chose Bonny & Read’s based primarily on its large sunny deck – a spot where we could order our food and enjoy a drink while the kids played on the beach playground-directly in our line of sight, while the sun set.

I confess that while they enjoyed setting off as the sun set on the beach, my kids weren’t up for the roundtrip, but even in a Lyft, felt proud of themselves for the mileage they covered… as they negotiated the next ice cream stop.

Recommended by Suzann Moskowitz.

Drum Circle Sunset on Nokomis Beach

The Nokomis Beach drum circle is a unique experience for the whole family. It’s held each Wednesday and Saturday evening year-round on Nokomis Beach beginning two hours before sunset. We needed to arrive early to find a spot for our blanket and chairs near the front of the large crowd that eventually surrounded the circle.

Our children loved playing with juggling sticks, drums, hula-hoops and dancing with people of all ages inside the drum circle as the sun began to set. A drum circle on Nokomis Beach is definitely a unique experience in Florida.

Recommended by Jill Greising-Murschel of Let’s Travel Family.

Florida Everglades

Take a one-hour airboat tour of the Florida Everglades to get up close and personal with alligators in the Everglades swamps of South Florida. Kids of all ages will enjoy the thrill of gliding past marsh grasses as an expert guide educates them about the wildlife. Be sure to keep the little ones on the inside seats of the boat, because these alligators are real! After the airboat ride, the team from Animal Planet’s “Gator Boys” will present a 20-minute show with the alligators as part of the Everglades Holiday Park of Fort Lauderdale!

Recommended by Cindy Loe of One Perfect Day In Travel. Find out more from Cindy about the Florida Everglades.

Glass Bottom Boat Tour

Ever wondered what life would be like as a marine animal? We experienced it up close in Key Largo during the Glass Bottom Boat Tour from John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, America’s first underwater park. Apart from Hawaii in the USA, the largest living coral reef is spread across the coast of Florida. The 2½ hour boat tours traverses through the vast mangrove plantations then deep into the ocean for a glimpse into the underwater world. We all huddled around the glass and were charmed to see the beautiful fish, the coral reef, and the diverse aquatic ecosystem. It was a sight to see the excitement on kids’ face. It’s the best way for kids and non-divers to espy this underwater world.

Pro Tip – Travelers who suffer seasickness should avoid or take medication before the tour.

Recommended by Neha Kulshrestha. Check out Neha’s recent post on South Florida.

Key Biscayne

Key Biscayne, a barrier island just a few minutes east of Miami, is a great place to visit for a few hours, a day or even stay for a week. The Key has much to offer kids and adults of all ages: a public beach, a State park, biking, canoeing, food, golfing, kayaking, kiteboarding, paddleboarding, sailing, shopping, skateboarding, snorkeling, tennis, wakeboarding, walking and windsurfing.

At the southern end of Key Biscayne is Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, home to a historic lighthouse built in 1825. Guided tours of the lighthouse and lighthouse keeper’s cottage are given year round. The park has 2 restaurants, picnic areas, a mile long beach, nature trails and a playground. A reef located six miles off shore also protects this beach from heavy surf.

Recommended by Tracy McKenna.

Crandon Park Beach

More than just a beautiful beach, Crandon Park Beach on Key Biscayne has a great nature center and an amusement center. At the nature center be sure to check out the touch tank as well as other displays throughout the center. Self-guided nature walks allow visitors to explore the mangroves, sand dunes and seagrass beds. There are opportunities to see a heron or osprey, maybe even come across a sea star, puffer fish or sea turtle. The beach is protected by an offshore sand bar which prevents crashing waves, perfect for young children.

Recommended by Tracy McKenna.

We can’t wait to try out some of these Florida hidden gems during our next winter or spring break trip. Be sure to check out our entire category of blog posts on things to do and places to visit in Florida including Florida cities to explore with kids.

March 23, 2018
Spotlight: Silver Springs State Park (Ocala, FL) With Kids!

Everyone the world over knows Orlando, Florida, home to Disney World & Universal Studios. Most people are vaguely aware of Legoland, located about an hour outside of Orlando. And, if you’re a baseball fan, you’re familiar with Winter Haven, home of Major League Baseball’s spring training facility for years. But, few have heard of Ocala, a mid-sized city located just 90 minutes north of Orlando International Airport. If you’re looking to get away from major amusement parks and explore some of the more natural side of things, Ocala is an easy drive from Orlando and Silver Springs State Park is a wonderful way to get outside in ‘gator country!

Silver Spring State Park, gateway to the Ocala National Forest, is home to a number of activities for adventure goers. A portion of the Park used to comprise the Silver Springs Zoological Park, which my family visited in February 2011 when my oldest was not quite two, but the Zoo has now closed and the Park is fully managed by the state.

waiting for our boat ride

checking out the ‘gators (note the plexiglass barrier!)

The Park is open from 8:00 am to sundown, 365 days a year and admission is only $8 per vehicle. There are rental pavilions, if you want to throw a party or a family reunion, along with campsites and rental cabins. Activities include glass bottom boat tours, canoe and kayak rentals, and you can even arrange for a guided horseback trail ride via Cactus Jack’s Trail Rides. Although we have enjoyed canoeing the Silver River, my personal favorite activity is the glass bottom boat tour, which is free for children under six years of age. Visit the Park’s website for full information, including hours and updated fees and check our Silver River State Park if you want to get up close and personal with the ‘gators!

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!

January 3, 2018
Kids’ Blog: My Favorite Things I did in Alaska

Guest Blogger: Our kid blogger, Steve, is an eight year old boy who loves Legos, Harry Potter, and Minecraft. Steve also loves to travel because it is fun to see new things every single day.

Last summer, my dad, grandfather, grandmother, mom, brother, and I went to Alaska. It was a very cool trip, especially since we got to see new things every day. I am going tell you about my favorites things we did.

#1: Glacier Walk

My first favorite was that when we got to Alaska, we walked on a glacier. After we got past most of the glacier, we saw a big frozen over pond that we could walk on with crampons. It was a very long hike and while we were walking there, we saw my dad climbing on the side of a glacier. We also saw a little tiny stream with little pieces of ice floating in it. The stream led over to a different frozen over pond where the water would freeze over.

#2: Flying in the Mini Plane

I liked when we flew in a mini plane to a little town where we did the glacier hike. I liked what the plane looked like and we got little sets of headphones with microphones so we did not have to hear the big engine and so when we talked, other people could hear us.

#3: Scavenger Hunting

We went on a kayaking trip and stopped at a little island, where there were lots of trees that had been ripped up. We did a little scavenger hunt. We all needed to find mussels, a crab, and barnacles. After my mom found all of those, I started to look and I found lots of mussels and barnacles. The crab my mom found was just a big huge crab head, but the ones I found little tiny mini crabs. When I picked one up, the head was like a little hatch, with nothing inside. I think a bird pecked open the head and ate the brains.

#4: Glacier Landing

Close to the end of the trip, we took another plane ride. When we landed, snow covered the ground. My grandpa, dad, and I had a massive snowball fight. It was awesome.

#5: Puffin Encounter

We went to the aquarium and were able to do a puffin encounter. We were able to feed the puffins fish and we got to see them and go up really close to them. At the end, they had these little tiny things of krill that they would toss all around the water. Only one family at the time can do the puffin encounter and everyone can watch you do it from the other side of the glass. A fun fact about puffins is that puffin eggs are basically about half as big as the puffin stomach.

#6: The Boat Ride

We took a big boat ride for several hours. We got to see a big whale and lots of puffins and other birds.

#7: Dog Sled Ride

We went to this place where we got to ride on these little tiny cart buggy things. Since it wasn’t snowing, we did not have sleds. In front, there were huskies pulling us. My brother fell asleep halfway through the ride. What was really fun about it was that you actually get to pet and hold a baby husky and see the dogs up close in real life, instead of in a movie, like Balto.

#8: Panning for Gold

There was a big water device, here water would flow through over bumps, and every few seconds you could take a big scoop of dirt, dump it on to the top of the device. The water would push the dirt, but the gold would get stuck in the bumps. You could use tweezers to get the gold out. Anything that was not gold would fly around in the water, but the gold would get stuck because it is much more dense than dirt. The guy who was running the panning for gold place would give you a little tiny bottle to drop all your pieces of gold in. Earlier that day, someone found a very small ruby and he gave it to me to put in my bottle.

Alaska was an awesome trip and I had so much fun. My favorite thing about the trip was that we were all together all the time.

November 23, 2017
Washington, DC With Kids: Five Fun Family Activities

Visiting Washington, DC, is something everyone should do at least once in their life. There are tons of guidebooks and websites with detailed information about all there is to do in DC and no first visit to DC is complete without a visit to the National Mall, an obligatory family photo in front of the White House, and a visit to one of the many Smithsonian museums that offer free admission and easy access via Metro!

Having lived and worked in DC for nearly a decade, I’d like to share with you five off-the-beaten-path Fun Family Activities! These are activities and places that those of us who call this beautiful place a home enjoy visiting on weekends and days off with our kids.

#1: Gravelly Point

Gravelly Point is managed by the National Park Service and is located in Arlington, VA just south of DC. It’s a wonderful place to spend the afternoon, picnicking, biking, and plane spotting, as the Park is located just north of Reagan National Airport. Although the parking lot can fill up very quickly and there are no amenities other than restrooms (so pack in your own food!), it’s a wonderful place for budding aviation fans to spend an afternoon outside. Note that the planes are close and very loud, so if your child is sensitive to loud noises, the Park’s proximity to the airport may be a deterrent.

#2: The Tidal Basin

Nearly every visitor to DC makes a point of visiting the National Mall and the monuments, but I’m always stunned by the number of people who skip the Tidal Basin. In my humble opinion, the Tidal Basin offers some of the best views of the Washington Monument and it’s worthy of a visit even when it is not cherry blossom season (although if you have the opportunity to visit during cherry blossom season, please do! Despite the crowds, it is gorgeous and worth the walk). The Tidal Basin offers a small refreshment stand, restrooms, and paddle boat rentals, so this is a great way to enjoy a nice day outside with the family.

View of the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial from the Tidal Basin.

Paddleboat in the Tidal Basin during peak cherry blossom bloom.

#3: Hiking Trails

Catching a glimpse of the Potomac River

Washington, DC is home to a great number of hiking trails. The Billy Goat Trail is one of the most popular trails in the DC Metro area. The trail itself can be challenging due to rocks, but if your kids are older (I’d recommend a minimum of five+, depending on maturity and previous hiking experience) and up for the challenge, it’s definitely a worthwhile experience. If the Billy Goat Trail sounds like too much, plan a visit to Rock Creek Park, which boasts over 32 miles of trails. The Park also offers a number of activities, such as horseback riding lessons, golf, and a boat house where you can rent paddle boats, kayaks, and canoes. Finally, Theodore Roosevelt Island is a national memorial located in the Potomac River. No cars or bicycles are permitted on the Island and access is via a footbridge. If you’ve ever spent time in DC visiting the National Mall and museums, I encourage you to take a hike and explore one of the many areas maintained by the National Park Service! You’ll be amazed at how quickly you’ll forget that you’re in the Nation’s Capital!

#4: Go for a Bike Ride!

The Mount Vernon Trail is an 18 mile paved multi-use trail that stretches from Mount Vernon to Theodore Roosevelt Island. At any time of day and in any kind of weather, you can find people on the trail biking, running, or just walking along the Potomac River. Happily, a local company, Capital Bikeshare, offers a safe and relatively inexpensive way to explore the trail as you can rent both bicycles and helmets from the company and drop them off at any one of 440 Capital Bikeshare stations located in the DC metro area.

Source

#5: Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon, George Washington’s country estate, is located just 18 miles south of Washington, DC and is a fantastic way to spend the day for the entire family! Although the Estate is highly recommended as a place to visit in many tourist books, its distance from DC likely causes many to pass it over as an option during a quick visit to DC. I am here to encourage you to go! Visit! Over the years, we have visited Mount Vernon many times and it is one of our favorite places to take out of town guests. Not only does the Estate allow you to visit the Mansion that George and Martha lived in, but the Estate also boasts farm animals, gardens, stables, and live demonstrations by period actors. Throughout the year, the Estate will offer special programs that coincide with the season. For example, one year we visited one early December and happened to catch the Pardon Turkey!

We have also visited during the Fall Harvest Family Days, which feature hands on 18th century activities and demonstrations. It’s a great way for the family to experience a little bit of Colonial America.

My mother and son, roasting apples dipped in caramel water over an open fire.

Although portions of the Estate are wheelchair (and stroller) accessible, the vast majority of the grounds are not (and the Mansion itself is not). The Estate also has as excellent gift shop, a food court, and a sit-down restaurant that serves hearty and satisfying food.

I hope you enjoyed my off-the-beaten path list of Five Fun Family activities and encourage you to think outside the box next time you are in DC!

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November 19, 2017
A Weekend in Kerala With Kids

Our family spent three days exploring Kerala during our trip to India last year. We spent most of our time in India visiting relatives in Bangalore but spent one long weekend in “God’s Own Country,” which is a favorite holiday destination for Prince Charles and Camilla.  Located in South India along the Arabian Sea, Kerala has been known for exporting spices such as pepper, cardamom, turmeric, cloves and ginger for at least five thousand years. It is baffling to think of a single region known for one trade for that long and no surprise that the food is glorious. Literally, every bite of every meal was perfection, and we loved visiting Kerala with kids.

Why Kerala With Kids?

We were most excited about houseboat tours through the backwaters, which are the most popular tourist attraction of the area. These boats, traditionally called kettuvallams were originally used to transport rice and occasionally as living quarters for royalty. The boats have more recently been converted to accommodate tourists for day and overnight leisure trips, complete with a staff to drive the boat and prepare meals. We were also drawn to the area’s Portuguese influence. The spice trade brought Portuguese traders to Kerala in the 15th century and paved the way for the Portuguese colonization of the area. As a result of the Portuguese influence, Christians in Kerala comprise almost 20% of the population, compared with a mere 2.3% in the entire Indian population.

Visiting Kerala With Kids

Many Indian travel companies require payment in local currency or a physical credit card and therefore cannot make advance bookings from the outside of India. Arrangements for our flights, hotels, driver and houseboat tour were all made locally through Atlas Hoppers, but we understand that Atlas Hoppers can accept electronic payment and make advance bookings for foreigners.

Transportation in Kerala With Kids

We hired a driver named Kiran who picked us up at the airport in Cochin (also known as Kochi) in a specially requested six-passenger vehicle and stayed with us for three days while we explored Kumarakom, Alleppey (also known as Alappuzha) and Cochin.   A private driver may seem like a major indulgence – especially on the smaller, more rural roads, but it was really a necessity on this type of trip.

Kiran not only transported us safely from place to place but also served as our guide. He pointed out local sights, flora, cashew nuts trees, roadside coconut stands, jewelry emporiums and even a local temple elephant. He did not quite understand my need to take the boys to the Arabian Sea, but he took us to the beach nonetheless. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Kiran, who tailored our trip according to our preferences and made sure we did not miss the very best parts of Kerala.

Kerala roadside

Kerala’s greens and blues

It’s not every day you see an elephant, but Kiran knew just where to find this one

Fresh coconut water is divine

Kumarakom and Alleppey

Accommodation in Kumarakom With Kids

We spent two nights at the spectacular Vivanta by Taj – Kumarakom and absolutely loved the property. This lakeside retreat featured luxury rooms, a private lagoon, boats, bikes, a playground and even bunnies. The guest rooms were separate cottages situated around the lagoon, so we needed to walk through the beautifully manicured grounds to reach it. Our room had a wonderful view of the pool, which we had to ourselves the entire stay. Except for our houseboat excursion, we ate all our meals at the resort and generally enjoyed the activities provided by the resort, evening entertainment and scenery.

Lagoon

View of sunset over the lake from the resort

Duck, duck, goose?

Breakfast

Pool fun

Alleppey Houseboat Tour With Kids

Most people travel to Alleppey to tour the backwaters on a houseboat. Day or overnight trips are available, and we booked a five-hour tour through Lakelands Cruise. There are a wide variety of boats, ranging from pretty basic boats to those tricked out with satellite receivers and air conditioning.   Each boat is staffed with a captain to steer and a chef who prepares traditional Keralite meals. Even though every meal we ate in Kerala was superb, our lunch on the boat was the absolute best.

Our boat had covered deck with a large chaise lounge swing and dining table at the front of the boat, an air-conditioned bedroom with an attached bath in the middle and a kitchen at the back. The front was definitely not baby-proof, so we had to be careful not to let our daughter near the low railings. I spent most of my time onboard lounging on the swing with our daughter relaxing on my lap. We also retreated to the enclosed bedroom a few times so that she could run around.

View out the front of the boat

A chaise lounge swing is an amazing spot for a nap

Another houseboat similar to ours

While traveling the backwaters on a houseboat is pretty amazing in itself, the real excitement for us was really getting a chance to glimpse into the lives of some of the villagers who live on or near the water. There was constant activity on the river banks as the villagers went about their lives. We saw many locals bathing, washing clothes and utensils in the water. For who definitely take modern plumbing for granted, watching people wash in the river is the first thing both boys remembered about this excursion.

Washing in the river

Washing dishes

Doing laundry

We also saw workers on the rice fields, children walking to or from school, people boating in the river and riding their bikes along the banks. When we docked by a rice field, the boys got to explore the riverbank, examine the rice plants and see the various states of processing the crop goes through before rice makes it to the plate.

Paddy field workers

Coming home from school

Boat transport

Biking

Rice

In this region, many men wore a traditional wrap cotton sarong called a mundu. Mundus are usually white or cream with a simple border and are worn folded by laborers and as a symbol of masculinity. With very high temperatures while we were there, it is also a very practical attire.

Mundu

We also saw some beautiful birds along the river, including cranes, egrets and kingfisher birds.

So many beautiful birds

I admit that I thought five hours was going to be way too long to spend on the houseboat with three young kids. At the beginning of the trip, I worried it might be an exhausting day wrangling our daughter. Luckily, she was very happy to sit with me on the swing and thoroughly enjoyed the excursion. I found myself more and more relaxed throughout the day and thought we could have enjoyed another hour or two when we docked. Nevertheless, I was glad that we chose not to spend the night on the houseboat with young kids and much preferred our overnight accommodations at the Taj, which were far more luxurious.

Alleppey Beach With Kids

On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at the Alleppey Beach . I really wanted the kids to have a chance to see the Arabian Sea. They really do love beaches and not so surprisingly, they needed to dip their toes in the water. Alleppey is known more for its backwaters than its beach, and this one was almost empty during our visit.

Dipping their toes in the Arabian Sea

Cochin

Accommodation in Cochin With Kids

After our second night in Kumarakom, we headed back to Cochin along the Malabar Coast. We stayed at the Vivanta by Taj – Malabar, an exceptional hotel on the harbor.  The highlight of the room for the kids was glass walled bathroom with a privacy blind that raised and lowered electronically with a switch, but they also enjoyed the view from or room. We had a scrumptious dinner and breakfast at the hotel. Although, after a busy few days, all three kids fell asleep before dinner was over (a first!). The outdoor grounds of the hotel were lovely, and our son enjoyed a swim in the pool in the morning.

View of the harbor from our room

So sleepy

Fun elephant sculpture

The grounds were beautifully manicured

View of the Arabian Sea from the pool

Fort Cochin With Kids

Before colonization, Cochin was a fishing village. The major tourist attraction of the area are the Chinese fishing nets, which are located at the Cochin Beach and symbolize the history and culture of the region. These nets were erected in the area starting in the 13th or 14th century and each operated by about six fishermen. While they have been replaced by modern fishing techniques, they are open for tourists to experience first-hand. Local fisherman are even happy to allow tourists to raise and lower the nets.  My kids absolutely loved our hands on experience pulling up the net.   We visited Cochin beach in the evening and were treated to a beautiful sunset as we wandered through the nearby fish market.

Chinese fishing nets

Counterweights

Helping out

The nearby farmers’ market offered fresh catch, mostly from boats rather than the nets. We enjoyed souvenir shopping at the stalls nearby.

St Francis Church was the first European church built in India. After his death, Vasco da Gama was buried here for 14 years until his remains were returned to Portugal.

St. Francis Church

Inside St. Francis

Biking is such a common mode of transportation that the church yard is full of them

We also enjoyed a Kalripayattu martial arts performance and were the only members of the audience. Kalripayattu techniques include combinations of steps and postures and use a variety of swords and blades. At the end of the show, the boys got a chance to participate with the performers.

The performers’ strength was amazing

We had a luxurious and truly spectacular vacation in Kerala. Although we enjoyed seeing the tourist sights, I hope to spend more time relaxing at the beautiful resorts next time we visit.

Planning a trip to India with kids, check out our posts on planning and Bangalore.

November 8, 2017
Why You Should Visit Copenhagen With Kids!
Guest Blogger: Lisa, the mom behind TwoTravelingTots, is an American expat living in Copenhagen, Denmark and traveling the world with her husband and two young kids. From far off wanderlust destinations like Australia, Thailand and Philippines to more local jaunts like Luxembourg, Finland and Italy, Lisa has traveled to 30 countries and 49 cities with her little ones in tow. Having lived in Copenhagen for over 5 years, Lisa is here to tell us Why You Should Visit Copenhagen with Kids and share her Top 10 Things to Do while there – with some Insider Tips sprinkled throughout. Follow her adventures, tips and tales on Instagram and Facebook. For her detailed tips on Copenhagen, check out #TwoTravelingTotsCPH on Instagram.

Traveling with kids and babies is not easy! Trust me, I know. My family and I travel the world with our 4 and 1.5 year olds. There are certain cities that make the experience enjoyable and magical for both parents and children alike. Copenhagen, Denmark is one of those cities! Denmark was ranked by the UN World Happiness Report as the happiest country in the world in 2016. In recent years Copenhagen, has received world-wide recognition for its New Nordic food scene, Danish design, and hygglig (cozy) lifestyle; however, what isn’t widely known is how child-friendly this city is. It almost feels like every aspect is geared to the reality that people have kids and they travel with them. These things make this city the perfect place for a family visit. From the free strollers found throughout Copenhagen Airport and the Lego play areas at the luggage carousel, to the ease of using public transport with strollers to the countless kids’ activities and green spaces found throughout the city; life in Copenhagen with children is AMAZING!

Copenhagen is in Scandinavia, so the weather isn’t always the best. Summer is by far the best time of the year to visit, with warmer and longer days (sun sets around 9:30 pm). December is also a very special time of year to visit because of the Christmas markets, street decorations and festive moods. However, the days are shorter, darker, and colder (sun sets around 4pm).

This post highlights our Top 10 Things to Do with Children while also including Insider Tips that we’ve learned throughout the 5 years we have lived here. You’ll also find section called “Good to Know Tips” for some general pointers about what kind of clothes to pack, the Copenhagen Card (which provides free entrances to many of the attractions), and public transport tips.

Stroget, the Walking Street, dressed up for Christmas.

10 THINGS TO DO IN COPENHAGEN WITH KIDS

#1: TIVOLI GARDENS

No trip to Copenhagen is complete without a visit to Tivoli Gardens, a fairytale-like amusement park located in the heart of the city said to have inspired Walt Disney’s Disneyland. It’s the second oldest amusement park in the world – second only to Bakken, another Danish amusement park located on the outskirts of Copenhagen. Tivoli is only open four seasons a year – the summer period (mid-March – mid-September), the Halloween period (mid-October to November), the Christmas season (Mid-November – December) and the winter season (February) (Please check exact opening times before you go). It is beautiful and magical all times of the year. The Copenhagen Card provides you free entrance, and children under the age of 8 enter for free.

Halloween at the Nimb Hotel in Tivoli Gardens.

#2: CANAL TOUR

Another favorite activity for parents and kids alike is the Canal Tour. Copenhagen is located on a harbor, so on a beautiful sunny day there is nothing nicer than seeing the city by water. This is also a good way to see the bronze statute of the Little Mermaid from the back (in my humble opinion, it is not worth your time to make a trip to see her as she is underwhelming small). You can catch the canal Tour at Nyhavn or Gammel Strand. The Copenhagen Card provides you free entrance to the Canal Tour but only at the Gammel Strand location.

Insider Tip: Strollers are not allowed on the canal boats, so I recommend you leave them by the ticket counters. I suggest investing in a simple flexible bike lock for your stroller so you can just lock it up wherever, and put your mind at ease.

Nyhavn, originally a busy commercial port where ships from all over the world would dock, is now the perfect place to enjoy a canal ride.

#3: ROSENBORG CASTLE

A Royal Hermitage set in the middle of the City Center and the King’s Garden. It was built by Christian IV in the early 17^th Century. Not to be missed is the Crown Jewels Exhibit – my kids’ favorite.

I recommend this castle because it’s not too big, easy to do with children and also in the heart of the King’s Garden. So, after a quick tour of the castle, you can set up a picnic in the King’s Garden, let the kids run around or visit the playground in the park.

Insider Tip: If you visit mid-summer, you may be able to catch a free puppet show (currently Tuesday-Sunday at 2pm and 3pm located near the restaurant Orangeriet.

#4: PLAYGROUNDS – INDOOR AND OUTDOORS

Copenhagen can be an expensive city, so a visit to one of the many amazing parks located around town is a good free way for the kids to let off steam.

Outdoor Parks

The biggest open space park is Fælledparken located in Østebro. There are several different playgrounds located in this massive park:
- “Mini Copenhagen,” just as it sounds, it’s a playground designed after iconic Danish buildings
- A cycling park where kids can rent bicycles for free and practice riding on fake streets
- Trampolines and swings
- A skateboarding area
- An outdoor gym both for kids and parents.
- A free waterpark (open in the summers)
“Mini Copenhagen”

Superkilen, is another massive park located in the Nørrebro district.

Superkilen

Indoor Parks/Play Areas

On a rainy day, which is quite often, try the FREE indoor playground called Remisen, located in Østebro, a short 10-minute bike ride or bus ride from the City Center.

Remisen

Ku.Be is another great indoor play area located in Frederiksberg; however, it is not free. There’s a climbing area and a café – great place for kids to get energy out.

#5: COPENHAGEN ZOO

The Copenhagen Zoo is a great zoo with elephants, hippos, polar bears, monkeys, giraffes and tons of other exciting animals. Also, there is free entrance with the Copenhagen Card. If you don’t take your stroller, you can rent a wagon for the kiddos. There are also two different playgrounds, a petting zoo and designated picnic areas (you can bring in your own food!).

Copenhagen Zoo

Insider Tip: If a day at the Zoo seems too overwhelming or you’re short on time, try the Free Petting Zoo, ByOasen, in the Nørrebro district.

ByOasen

#6: EXPERIMENTARIUM

Copenhagen’s new Science Center is fun for all ages, from little toddlers to parents! Two floors with 16 interactive exhibits from soap bubbles to a Labyrinth of Light to a Tunnel of Senses. There is free entrance with the Copenhagen Card. It’s located in Hellerup – a 15-minute bus ride from the city center.

Experimentarium

Insider Tip: It gets crowded on weekends, so go early. Also, if the café is too crowded, the Waterfront shopping center, located next door, has tons of eating options.

#7: THE LAKES

Another favorite is to walk or bike around the lakes that surround the city center. I love to pick up a coffee from Lagkagehuset and a free bread bun (boller) for the kids (see my tips below on “Where to Eat”) and take a nice stroll around the lakes. On a sunny summer day, we like to rent swans at Kaffesalonen and ride them in the lakes. They also have a great food menu!

Rented Swans from Kaffesalonen

#8: SMK – The National Gallery of Denmark

This museum provides more than 700 years of Danish Art. Plus, every weekend there are special art workshops for children, with tips and information on how your family can get creative at home.

Insider Tip: SMK is located near the King’s Garden and can easily be combined with a trip to the Rosenberg Castle.

#9: KLAMPENBORG – Dyrehave and Bakken

Take a 20-minute train ride out of the city center to Klampenborg station to visit Jægersborg Dyrehave and the Bakken amusement park. Jægersborg Dyrehave, the deer park, is a huge forest where approximately 2100 deer live among the woods. Also, located within the forest is Bakken, the oldest amusement park in the world!

Insider Tip: The entrance to Dyrehave is located right near Klampenborg station. When you reach the train station, go up the hill (over the over-pass) and make a left. Also, you can take a horse carriage ride through the park. Final tip, beware of tics.

Horse and Carriage Ride in Dryehave

#10: BABY-BIO

Bring your baby to the movies! As a new parent, the one thing I missed was going to the movies because let’s be realistic you can’t take a crying baby to the movies. However, in Copenhagen there is something called Baby-Bio – a couple of different films showings on specific days where you can bring your baby into the movie theater with you. The lights are not dimmed all the way so you can still see, and if the baby cries it’s no big deal. Also, if your baby is sleeping, you can leave him in his stroller by the movie attendant. Once your baby wakes up, the movie attendant will come get you. Win, Win! Google “BabyBio Copenhagen” for participating theaters near you.

WHERE TO EAT WITH KIDS

There are tons of great restaurants and cafes located everywhere in the city, and pretty much all of them have great children’s menus and high chairs. I’ve highlighted only a couple of our favorite places.

Torvehallerne

A food hall located within the city center near Rosenberg Castle. My kids’ favorites include the Fish and Chips and Oatmeal #2 from Grød. I would suggest visiting Torvehallerne in the morning to grab your lunch for a picnic, then head over to the Rosenberg Castle where you can have your picnic in the King’s Garden. After, you can even wander over to SMK, which is close by.

Inside Torvhallen

Boller (Bread Bun)

A favorite treat or after school snack for my kids is a Danish bread bun called boller (pronounced bo-lla). They can be found at different pastry shops throughout the city – try the ones from Lagkagehuset, Emmery’s and Myers. They come in different flavors – plain, with raisins or with chocolate.

Insider Tip: If you get yourself a treat or a coffee from Lagkagehuset, you may be able to get a free boller for your child – just ask!

Laundromat Café

This café offers a small play area right in the middle of the café, so parents can enjoy a relaxed meal while the kids play. They have three different locations – Nørrebro; Østebro and Frederiksberg C. The food is delicious!

Café Norden

Located right in the middle of the pedestrian walking street, Stroget, Café Norden is a favorite for locals and tourists alike. You can bring your stroller inside, and there’s great seating options upstairs with views of the walking street. The brunch plate is a must-try.

GOOD TO KNOW TIPS

After living in this wonderful city for over 5 years and raising our two kids here, I’ve learned lots of tips and tricks. Here are some of my essential “Good to Know” tips.

Copenhagen Airport

In my opinion, it is one of the best airports in Europe because it’s not too big and overwhelming, there is a kids play area in terminal 2; there are fantastic eating options and best of all there are FREE STROLLERS to use throughout the airport. So, feel free to gate check your stroller as you can just pick one up at the airport – they are around everywhere. They also lay flat, so they are suitable for all ages.

Free Strollers in Copenhagen Airport

Nursing and Diaper Changing Area

I’ve nursed my two little ones almost everywhere in Copenhagen with no issues whatsoever as it is very common here. However, if you’re in the City Center and would like some privacy and a break from shopping and sightseeing, stop by either Illums or Magasin. The rooftops of both department stores offer a special nursing area and diaper changing area – a nice break for parents and kids.

The nursing area at Illums Rooftop.

Strollers and Public Transport

Copenhagen is a very stroller friendly city in the sense that all the roads and sidewalks are paved (aside from a couple cobblestone streets), it’s flat with no hills so it’s a very walkable city, and strollers are allowed in most stores. There is a maximum allowance of two strollers per bus, and the entrance for the strollers is in the middle of the bus. The metro and trains also have special stroller sections.

Insider Tip: If there are already two strollers on a bus and you have an umbrella stroller, just fold up your stroller and get on the bus.

Yes, even our big double stroller fits on the bus!

Copenhagen Card

Invest in a Copenhagen Card: it provides entrance to over 70 museums and attractions plus offers free public transport.

Bring along two children under the age of 10 for free. You can purchase different cards depending on how many days you intend to spend in the city. You can pick one up at the CPH Airport Service Center or throughout the city.

Rain Gear

“There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear.”

I love this old Scandinavian saying!! Depending on what time of year you visit, it is important to pack accordingly – think lots of layers for both yourselves and the kids. In the summer, even though your the weather may reach 65 degrees, in the sun it gets very hot and in the shade it might be too cool. Also, it’s very important to bring a rain jacket and rain boots. I know luggage space is precious – but it tends to rain often, and having the right gear will only make your stay more memorable.

I hope this is helpful! Enjoy your time in this beautiful city!

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November 2, 2017