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!
Thank you to the Carnegie Science Center, the National Aviary, the Andy Warhol Museum, the Duquesne Incline, the Senator John Heinz History Center, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, The Frick Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium for providing complimentary tickets for my family and to the Drury Inn for hosting our stay. All opinions are my own.
Pittsburgh is known for its steel production, bridges and sports teams. It’s only about two hours from our home in Cleveland and where my college roommate lives, so we regularly visit several times each year. In the 19th century, Andrew Carnegie became one of the richest people in the world by modernizing steel production in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh, where the Monongahela River joins the Ohio River. Now called the “Steel City,” Pittsburgh used to be known as the “Smoky City” because of so much pollution from the mills. Very little of its industrial past remains in this city now known for its hills, bridges, parks and biking and jogging trails. In our many visits, we have found so many gems. Here are some of the best things to do in Pittsburgh with kids:
Best Things to Do in Pittsburgh’s North Shore
Pittsburgh’s North Shore boasts picturesque views of Pittsburgh’s downtown, sports venues and world-class museums. It’s just a short drive (or even walk) from downtown.
#1: Carnegie Science Center With Kids
The Carnegie Science Center is my boys’ favorite museum, and they’ve been to dozens all over the world. While the “science” portion of the Carnegie Science Center is pretty impressive, the real draw for my kids is Highmark SportsWorks®, which is housed in an adjacent building and uses more than 30 interactive sports exhibits to show how physics, anatomy, biology and chemistry control sports.
We visit the Carnegie Science Center several times a year and generally aim to arrive right at the 10:00 am opening and head straight to the Ropes Challenge in Highmark SportsWorks® because the line can get quite long by mid-morning. The Ropes Challenge consists of a series of challenges, including a rope bridge, rolling logs and a horizontal net and culminates with a zip line. I think it’s the zip line that makes this my boys’ favorite “exhibit” ever. The Ropes Course is for children who are at least 48 inches, but the SkyTykes Ropes Course offers younger kids an age-appropriate version that my daughter loves. Other highlights in the sports complex include a 24-foot rock climbing wall (which even my four year old daughter tried out), a batting cage, a 10-meter dash and various challenges for endurance and balance.
Roboworld is considered the world’s largest permanent robotics exhibition and features more than 30 interactive displays. Our favorites include a robot who shoots baskets with impressive precision and another who challenges visitors in air hockey.
The Miniature Railroad & Village is a fun but unexpected exhibit at the Science Center. This enormous village with model trains includes scenes of western Pennsylvania from the 1880s to the 1930s and includes over 250,000 trees. Of course, our favorite miniature was Fallingwater.
Much of the Carnegie Science Center is geared for kids age six and up, but there are many fun exhibits for toddlers and preschoolers, especially the Little Learner Clubhouse. My daughter has visited numerous times between the ages of one and four and always has a blast with her brothers. We recommend the Carnegie Science Center as one of the most fun things to do in Pittsburgh for kids.
Carnegie Science Center Facts: The E-motion cone, which is a large inverted cone on top of the Science Center was installed in 2000. It is lit up at night with colored lights that signal the weather forecast for the next day. Red means warmer, blue means cooler, and green means no change. The cone flashes when precipitation is expected, and the color yellow indicates severe weather.
Carnegie Science Center Hours: The Carnegie Science Center is generally open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Because of its proximity to the Steelers’Heinz Field, the Carnegie Science Center is closed when the Steelers have home games with 1 pm or 4 pm kickoff times and may close early for evening games.
Carnegie Science Center Admission: General admission costs $19.95 for adults, $14.95 for seniors and $11.95 for children ages 3-12. Children under three and ASTC members are free.
Carnegie Science Center Parking: Parking is available in the lot in front of the Carnegie Science Center for $5.
#2: National Aviary With Kids
The National Aviary in Pittsburgh is home to over 500 birds from more than 150 species and a fun thing to do in Pittsburgh with kids. The National Aviary offers walk-through habitats that allowed us to see the birds up close. My kids, who were not sure what an aviary was when I told them about our planned trip, learned so much about different bird species. I was thrilled to find two bald eagles in the first habitat.
The African penguins were definitely a highlight of our visit. Because African penguins are used to a temperate climate, they live in their outdoor habitat all year. Visitors can view them through windows from the inside of the National Aviary. As an added bonus, kids can reach special windows to see the penguins up close by climbing through tunnels.
Each penguin has a band with his or her name. There are daily penguin presentations for visitors to learn more about these amazing birds.
My oldest son particularly enjoyed the wetland habitat. He was fascinated by how the flamingos marked their territory by spreading their wings. We also saw peacocks and other birds wandering on the pedestrian path with us.
We were excited to participate in the lorikeet feeding. We each got a dish of nectar and entered the habitat to feed. While this was something that pushed me out of my comfort zone, it was pretty amazing to hold a lorikeet on my wrist and watch it eat. I barely felt its feet on my wrist, and it quickly polished off the nectar in my bowl. A limited number of tickets are available at each entrance for the feedings. We arrived just before the 11:30 a.m. feeding and took our place at the end of the line. We only had to wait a few minutes for our turn, but the birds were “slowing down.” Next time, we’ll make sure to arrive at least five minutes early.
My boys each had a turn on Birdly, a full-body immersive virtual reality flying simulator that allowed them to experience flying like a bird in Manhattan for 2.5 minutes. After a quick demonstration, they learned how to maneuver up and down and turn and really felt like they were flying. This was probably the most unique part of our visit to the aviary, and they would love more opportunities to fly.
National Aviary Facts: The Helen M. Schmidt FliteZone Theater was part of the National Aviary’s 2009 $17.5 million expansion project and is the world’s first only indoor theater constructed for the presentation of live, free-flight bird shows.
National Aviary Hours: The National Aviary is generally open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
National Aviary Admission: Admissions costs $17 for adults and $16 for seniors and children 2-12. Children under 2 are free.
National Aviary Parking: Parking is available in the lot behind the Aviary and costs $5. Metered parking is available in front of the National Aviary.
#3: Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh With Kids
The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is an interactive museum for kids that we have visited several times with kids ages 1 through 10. It’s geared for the eight and under crowd, but my oldest enjoyed visiting the Museum with his brother and sister and creating on draw bots in the MAKESHOP®. The project involved hot glue, tape, boxes, motors and a lot of trial and error to anchor markers to a motor and make them move on their own. This was definitely my boys’ favorite exhibit at the Museum. My daughter was too young to create a draw box on her own, but she enjoyed spectating and working on a draw bot with one of the Museum guides (who did most of the heavy lifting).
Other hands-on opportunities for creation are available at the Studio, which is housed in a former planetarium and is a beautiful and bright space to inspire creative juices, and smocks are available. Many craft projects are available for kids who love art and parents who appreciate prepared projects and easy clean up.
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh Facts: Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood was filmed in Pittsburgh from 1968 to 2001, and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh maintains some great memorabilia.
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh Hours: The Children’s Museum is generally open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh Admission: Admissions costs $16 for adults and $14 for children 2-18. Children under 2 are free.
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh Parking: Parking is available in the lot behind the Museum and costs $6 for non-members.
#4: The Andy Warhol Museum With Kids
Our children love art museums, and we’ve visited over a dozen around the world, but none dedicated to the works of a single artist or pop art. The Andy Warhol Museum is the largest museum in North America that is dedicated to a single artist and is one of the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. Andy Warhol was a Pittsburgh-born pop artist who died in the 1987. The Museum opened in 1994 in a renovated warehouse and now contains an extensive collection of paintings, prints, sculptures, photographs and films.
The Factory on the Museum’s underground level also provides kids an opportunity to try watercolor painting, blotted-line drawing, acetate collage and silkscreen printing. There is also a children’s play area for the youngest guests to explore and create.
During our visit to The Andy Warhol Museum, we learned about the life and works of Andy Warhol. Our children particularly enjoyed the bright colors and the portraits. The portraits reminded me of my visit to Casa Lever, a New York restaurant that features a collection of original Warhol portraits. A few months after our visit, my sons identified Andy Warhol in a Burger King commercial during the Super Bowl.
Andy Warhol Museum Facts: The Museum’s 17 galleries contain 900 paintings, almost 2,000 works on paper, more than 1,000 prints, 77 sculptures and 8,000 photographs, films and videotaped works.
Andy Warhol Museum Hours: The Andy Warhol Museum is generally open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 10 am to 10 pm on Fridays. The Museum is closed on Mondays.
Andy Warhol Museum Admission: Admissions costs $20 for adults, $10 for students, children and seniors. Children under three are free. Admission is half price on Fridays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Andy Warhol Museum Parking: Parking is available in the lot behind the Museum and costs $6 for non-members.
#5: Water Steps With Kids With Kids
The Water Steps are a popular attraction in the North Shore Riverfront Park on the bank of the Allegheny River. The Water Steps are a perfect location for kids to cool off during the summer months and enjoy Pittsburgh’s beautiful cityscape views. We visited with local friends who gave us the heads ups to bring swimming attire and towels for the kids.
It was a bit of a trek along the waterfront from the Carnegie Science Center, but the kids loved splashing around with their friends in the water, which reaches about 18 inches deep in parts.
Great way to cool off
Water Steps Facts: Over 1,500 pieces of sandstone from a Butler County quarry were used to construct the Water Steps.
Water Steps Admission: There is no admission charge to visit Water Steps.
Water Steps Parking: We walked to the Water Steps from the Carnegie Science Center. The best bet for parking is to find a meter nearby or use one of the lots near Heinz Field.
Water Steps Kid Warning: My three year old was able to easily climb up and down the stairs on her own, so I was able to watch from the side of the Steps. However, young toddlers would probably need hovering parental presence in the water.
#6: Tribute to Children With Kids
We visited Tribute to Children, including the Fred Rogers Memorial Statue, during our walk from the Water Steps to the Carnegie Science Museum. Our kids are not really familiar with Mr. Rogers, who was a Pittsburgh native, but were intrigued by this statue of a man who was part of our childhood. I also tried to explain the tenuous connection to Daniel Tiger, a favorite television show of my daughter’s. This 2009 statue by Robert Burks was created after Fred Roger’s 2003 death from stomach cancer and depicts him tying his shoes. The statue is located on the River bank in front of the arch of pier with a keyhole design.
Tribute to Children Facts: Tribute to Children was a gift from the people of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County honoring children and celebrating the life of children’s entertainer, Fred Rogers.
Tribute to Children Admission: Admission is free to visit Tribute to Children.
Tribute to Children Parking: We walked to Tribute to Children from the Carnegie Science Center. The best bet for parking is to find a meter nearby or use one of the lots near Heinz Field.
#7: PNC Park With Kids
PNC Park is the home stadium of the Pittsburgh Pirates. This Major League Baseball field is located along the Allegheny River. A baseball game is fun, family activity and great for kids of all ages. Few baseball stadiums have a comparable cityscape view.
PNC Park Parking: Parking is available on the North Shore and downtown.
Things to Do in Pittsburgh’s South Shore
#8: Duquesne Incline With Kids
The Duquesne Incline in Pittsburgh is an amazing example of living history that combines a trolley ride up Mount Washington, engineering genius and an amazing city view. The beautifully detailed original trolley cars sit on platforms that keep them level while transporting Pittsburghers and visitors up and down Mount Washington without a driver. The 794-foot wooden track is not only an engineering masterpiece but also a work of art.
At the station at the top, there are historical exhibits that provide an overview of the history of Pittsburgh and its inclines. The David H. Miller Working Museum offers visitors the chance to see the Incline’s hoisting machinery up close. The Incline still uses its original hoisting equipment that features giant cogs with wooden gear teeth.
The highlight of the Incline is the magnificent view of Pittsburgh’s “Three Rivers” – the confluence of the Allegheny River and the Monongahela River, which together form the Ohio River and the Pittsburgh’s “Golden Triangle” central business district. Other highlights include views of the outline of Fort Duquesne, the Steelers’ Heinz Field, the Pirates’ PNC Park, the Carnegie Science Center and many bridges (up to 18 can be visible).
Duquesne Incline Hours: The Duquesne Incline is open every day (including Thanksgiving Day when we visited). The Incline is open on Monday through Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. and on Sundays and Holidays from 7:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Duquesne Incline Admission: Adults tickets cost $2.50 each way and tickets for children ages 6-11 cost $1.25 each way. There is no charge for children under 6 and seniors over 64. The Duquesne Incline accepts only Port Authority bus tickets or cash and requires exact change.
Duquesne Incline Parking: There is free parking available at 1197 West Carson Street and paid parking at the Station Square lot across from the lower entrance.
#9: Point of View Park With Kids
We somehow missed Point of View Park when we visited the Duquesne Incline. Point of View Park is a short walk from the Duquesne Incline’s Upper Station. It’s a favorite spot of a friend of mine who has family in Pittsburgh. He proposed to his wife, took wedding pictures and announced his first child at this scenic overlook. Point of View is a bronze sculpture depicting a 1770 meeting between George Washington and Seneca leader Guyasuta in which they were examining land for settlement. We’ll definitely be making a stop here on our next trip to Pittsburgh.
Photo credit: Bryant Eckert
Point of View Park Facts: The landmark public sculpture was created by James A. West
Point of View Park Hours: Point of View is open 24 hours.
Point of View Park Admission: There is no admission fee to visit Point of View Park.
Point of View Park Parking: There is no dedicated parking lot for Point of View Park but street parking available nearby.
Things to Do in Pittsburgh’s Downtown
#10: Senator John Heinz History Center With Kids
During our August 2019 trip to Pittsburgh, we visited the Senator John Heinz History Center, which is associated with the Smithsonian Institution. We thoroughly enjoyed our lovely morning at the Heinz History Center. It was a quiet and somewhat dreary morning at the end of summer when we arrived at the renovated warehouse in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. We walked from our hotel in the central business district. We started in the Great Hall where the kids loved the Heinz Hitch, a horse drawn wagon that traveled to national events and the street car.
The Heinz Hitch
My daughter spotted the slide from across the Hall and found her way to the Kidsburgh exhibit in a loft overlooking the Great Hall with stairs leading up and a slide to return to the Great Hall. She would have been content to stay in the Kidsburgh exhibit for the entire morning and rode the slide countless times before we set off to the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum.
Kidsburgh slide
My boys are sports enthusiasts, but they don’t particularly follow Pittsburgh sports. Unlike most Clevelanders, we harbor no ill will against Pittsburgh’s sports, either. Because we have close friends from Pittsburgh, we regularly support area sports teams when they aren’t competing against Cleveland. My boys closely examined the exhibits in the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum and gained a new respect for the Steelers, the Penguins and the Pirates. My older son commented, “I didn’t realize how good Pittsburgh sports teams really were.” Clevelanders may have waited for decades to win a national championship, but it happens fairly regularly for Pittsburgh, especially in football and hockey. Without a doubt, the table hockey game was the highlight of the Sports Museum. My boys came back for a second round at the end of our visit.
The Discovery Place offered many opportunities for hands on learning and exploring at different innovation stations. My favorite was a pattern challenge.
The Discovery Place
We learned all about Heinz ketchup in the Heinz exhibit, which features the world’s largest collection of Heinz artifacts. We now know the significance of the 57 and the famous ketchup is celebrating 150 years. The 11-foot ketchup bottle created from 500 individual bottles was also memorable.
My favorite exhibit was Mister Roger’s Neighborhood. The famous children’s show I remember from my childhood was filmed in Pittsburgh, the hometown of Fred Rogers. This exhibit featured sets, puppets, props and other artifacts. I felt like I was stepping back 35+ years and right into the Mister Roger’s set. My kids are not familiar with Mr. Roger’s, but my daughter is a fan of Daniel Tiger, a 21st century spinoff of the famous children’s program.
King Friday XIII’s Castle
We had a memorable visit to the Senator Heinz History Center and learned a great deal about Western Pennsylvania.
Heinz History Center Hours: The History Center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and closed for New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas each year.
Heinz History Center Admission: As of August 2019, Admission for adults costs $18, for children ages 6-17 and students with a valid school identification costs $9 and for senior citizens over 61 costs $15. There is no admission for children age five and under.
Heinz History Center Parking: There are several options for nearby parking with daily rates as low as $3.
Time Spent at the Heinz History Center: We spent about 2.5 hours, including lunch at the Cafe.
#11: Point State Park With Kids
The Point State Park (aka the “Point”) is a state park in downtown Pittsburgh located on 36 acres at the point of the confluence of the Allegheny River and the Monongahela River form the Ohio River. The Point is the tip of Pittsburgh’s “Golden Triangle.” We walked to the Point from our downtown hotel and also viewed the Point from along the edges of the Three Rivers, and we have spotted it from the Duquesne Incline, the Carnegie Science Center, the Fred Rogers Memorial Statue and the Water Steps.
At the Point, stones are used to depict the outline of Pittsburgh’s oldest structures, Fort Pitt and Fort Duquesne, which were used in the French and Indian War. The fountain in Point State Park sprays water up to 150 feet during the warm weather months. The kids enjoyed the view of the area bridges, the Duquesne Incline, the Carnegie Science Center and Heinz Field from the tip of the Point.
Walking on the Fort Duquesne outline.
Point State Park Facts: Fort Duquesne was originally built by the French. Its occupants burned and abandoned the Fort before the British seized it. The British built Fort Pitt near the destroyed Fort Duquesne.
Point State Park Kid Warning: The Point abuts rivers on all sides without a barrier, so it’s important to keep a close eye on young children.
Point State Park Hours: The Park is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Point State Park Admission: There is no admission charge to enter the Point State Park.
Point State Park Parking: Point State’s parking lot is located along Commonwealth Place across from the Post Gazette building.
Things to Do in Oakland
#12: Carnegie Museum of Natural History With Kids
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History has a premier dinosaur collection, Dinosaurs in Their Time, which features a Diplodocus carnegiifossil discovered in 1899. This dinosaur exhibit also includes two Tyrannosaurus Rex skeletons and a triceratops skeleton and is the world’s largest collection of Jurassic dinosaurs.
One of two Tyrannosaurus Rex skeletons
During our last visit, we attended the Live Animal Encounter at the Earth Theater and enjoyed seeing live animals up close. Another favorite is the 1,300 gemstone specimens in the Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems are artistically displayed and fascinated my kids.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History Facts: Carnegie gifted a cast of its diplodocus skeleton to England at the request of Edward VII, and “Dippy” was featured in Hitze Hall of London’s Natural History Museum for many years before being replaced by Hope, a blue whale skeleton, in July 2017.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History Hours: The Museum is generally open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and from 10 am to 8 pm on Thursday. The Museum is closed on Tuesday.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History Admissions: Admission for adults is $19.95, seniors 65 and over is $14.95 and children ages 3 to 18 and students is $11.95. Children 2 and under are free.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History Parking: The Carnegie Museum of Natural History shares a building the with Carnegie Museum of Art, and adjacent surface-lot parking is available. Museum weekday visitors receive a voucher to reduce the cost of parking, which is currently $7 for 2-4 hours. Evening and weekend parking costs $7.
#13: Carnegie Museum of Art With Kids
The Carnegie Museum of Art was founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1895 and is housed in the same building in Oakland as the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. The most unique feature of the Carnegie Art Museum is the Hall of Architecture, which is the one of the world’s largest collection of plaster architectural casts. Andrew Carnegie financed a tinted cast of the West Portal of Saint-Gilles-du-Gard, which may be the world’s largest architectural cast. The Hall also includes almost 140 other full-size plaster casts. After our recent visit to Paris and Italy, we particularly enjoyed examining the plaster casts of the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace and other icons that reminded us of architecture and sculptures we saw on our trip.
Like most major art museums, its impressionist gallery includes paintings by Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet. Van Gogh’s Wheat Fields at Auvers Under Clouded Sky is one of his famous series of wheat field paintings.
Our favorite sculpture was Phyllida Barlow’s 2012 untitled: upturnedhouse, 2.
Carnegie Museum of Art Hours: The Carnegie Museum of Art is generally open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday. The Museum is closed on Tuesday.
Carnegie Museum of Art Admissions: Admission for adults is $19.95, seniors 65 and over is $14.95, children ages 3 to 18 and students is $11.95. Children 2 and under are free.
Carnegie Museum of Art Parking: The Carnegie Museum of Art shares a building the with Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and adjacent surface-lot parking is available. Museum weekday visitors receive a voucher to reduce the cost of parking, which is currently $7 for 2-4 hours. Evening and weekend parking costs $7.
#14: Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens With Kids
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens was an amazing gift to the city of Pittsburgh from real estate magnate Henry Phipps. It was the perfect destination for extra doses of oxygen and vitamin D. The pathways through the different rooms made it easy for me to keep an eye of all three kids simultaneously, and we didn’t mind making our way at my daughter’s snail’s pace.
The kids were all awe-struck by all the beautiful gardens and truly enjoyed each and every room. The indoor and outdoor gardens were all beautifully curated and maintained. A few of our favorites include: the Cuban taxi (an unexpected but joyous find at a conservatory, especially because of the sign encouraging kids to hop inside), the Butterfly Forest, the Serpentine Room and the Desert Room.
Butterfly picture captured by my 10 year old son
The Phipps includes several glass chandeliers by artist Dale Chihuly, whose work was featured in a special exhibit in 2007 to 2008. The Phipps purchased several chandeliers from the exhibit for its permanent collection, including Goldenrod, Teal and Citron located in the Welcome Center and the Desert Gold Star, located in the Desert Room. The Chihuly pieces usually located in the Palm Court had been removed during the renovation.
Desert Room and Chihuly’s Desert Gold Star glass chandelier
Phipps Conservatory Facts: The Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens was founded in 1893 and is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year.
Phipps Conservatory Hours: Free parking is conveniently located in the center island on Schenley Drive.
Phipps Conservatory Admission: Free parking is conveniently located in the center island on Schenley Drive.
Phipps Conservatory Parking: Free parking is conveniently located in the center island on Schenley Drive.
My boys are really love cars and found the Cars & Carriages Museum very exciting. The 1914 Ford Model T Touring was a highlight. The Frick’s car collection is so large that only about half of its cars are exhibited at any one time.
Ford Model T Touring
After spending the morning at the Phipps Conservatory, the kids were also excited to check out the Frick Greenhouse. This active greenhouse is a renovation and reconstruction of the greenhouse used by the Frick family from 1897 until the 1970s.
The Greenhouse at the Frick Pittsburgh
My college roommate recommends the tea at the Café at the Frick, and we’ll definitely have to try some during our next visit. Find out more about the visiting the Frick Pittsburgh.
Frick Pittsburgh Facts: Industrialist Henry Clay Frick and his wife, Adelaide Howard Childs Frick lived at Clayton with their four children from 1883 to 1905. Their daughter, Helen Clay Frick guided preservation efforts at Clayton and returned to live here shortly before her 1984 death. The property opened to the public in 1990.
Frick Pittsburgh Admission: There is no admission charge to enter the Frick Art Museum, the Car and Carriage Museum or the Scenic Grounds and Greenhouse. Tours of Clayton cost $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and students, $8 for children 16 and under. Babies in arms are free. Admission fees are charged for special exhibitions. Tour and tours of Clayton.
Frick Pittsburgh Hours: The Frick Pittsburgh is generally open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Frick Pittsburgh Parking: Free parking is available in the adjacent lot located off of Reynolds Street.
Things to Do in Highland Park
#16: Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium With Kids
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is one of the few major zoo/aquarium combinations in the U.S. and is a great place for kids to learn about mammals and aquatic life. The Pittsburgh Zoo includes more than 10,000 animals (including 1,000 bats) and 20 threatened or endangered species. We have visited the Pittsburgh Zoo twice – once when my boys were age two and four and a second time when our three kids were age five, nine and eleven. The Pittsburgh Zoo is enormous, but my five year old was a real trooper and had a work out walking quite a few miles on her little legs.
The African Savanna was one of our favorite areas of the Zoo. As always, my daughter was thrilled by the flamingos as we entered the Savanna. We were lucky that the black rhinoceros were very active. The black rhinos, which are actually light gray, are an endangered species, but several calves have been born in recent years in Pittsburgh.
Black rhinos
We moved on the the African elephants, the largest mammals that live on land and the Masai giraffe, the tallest mammals living on land. While exploring the African Savanna, we worked up enough of an appetite that we decided to take a break and eat some sundaes from Swahili Ice Cream. It was the perfect late morning snack.
Kids Kingdom was another highlight of our visit. My daughter could have spent hours at the Animal Connection playground and was particularly ecstatic to crawl through all the tunnels like the naked mole rats. I could never find her when she was actually in the tunnels, but we chatted back and forth while she explored.
Animal Connections playground
My kids really enjoy getting a good view of aquatic animals. The sea lion exhibit was a highlight, and the indoor aquarium was the perfect place to end our Pittsburgh Zoo visit. By the time we reached the PPG Aquarium, the August sun was beating down, and the air conditioning was glorious. My kids spent a long time at the side of the touch tank. My boys each carefully touched the sting ray several times. My daughter desperately wanted to but always pulled her hand out of the water just when the sting ray got close enough.
Sea lions
The Pittsburgh Zoo was definitely a great outing with kids.
Pittsburgh Zoo Facts: The Zoo had a very rare elephant born in captivity (less than 20 have been born since 1995) in 2017, but the calf unfortunately died at three months.
Pittsburgh Zoo Hours and Admission: The Pittsburgh Zoo’s hours and admission varies by season.
Pittsburgh Zoo Parking: Parking is available at the Pittsburgh Zoo is free for visitors.
Things to Do in West Mifflin
#17: Kennywood Park With Kids
Our family had so much fun at Kennywood Park, a traditional amusement park located about 20 minutes southeast of downtown Pittsburgh in West Mifflin. Kennywood opened in 1899 and is one of two parks in the country that has been designated as a National Historic Landmark because it features rides and structures that are more than 100 years old. Kennywood made me nostalgic for Geauga Lake, an amusement park outside of Cleveland that I visited annually when I was young. Our family loved our day at Kennywood Park in Pittsburgh and hopes to make this trip an annual tradition.
Wave Swinger
Our visit to Kennywood Park was a marvelous, nostalgic day spent riding rides together. It was only about a 2.5 hour drive from Cleveland and very affordable for Ohio visitors. A current promotion for Ohio residents offers $34.99 admission. We added visits to several area attractions during our three-day, two-night stay in the Steel City and had a lovely time. While we did not ride the new Steel Curtain roller coaster on this visit, there were no shortage of thrill rides for our family. Even though I get nauseous on any ride that spins or sways, but I still do love that feeling of my stomach dropping. I particularly enjoyed the Thunderbolt, a classic wooden coaster that is almost 100 years old and last renovated over 50 years ago. The Thunderbolt offered the perfect thrill level for my two boys and me, and we rode it twice.
Thunderbolt
With kids in all three major height categories – under 48 inches, under 54 inches and over 54 inches, we appreciate that Kennywood offers some fun rides that we can enjoy as a family, including the Merry-Go-Round and several family rides in Kiddie Land and Thomas Town. Auto race was a particular favorite, and the five of us piled into three separate cars and rode around the track one after another.
Journey With Thomas
My daughter would have been happy to spend our entire day at Kiddie Land, which featured 15 classic rides for kids under 48 inches and Thomas Town, Kennywood’s new 2018 theme area. My daughter rode with her two arms stretched high into the sky on almost every ride. She’s still a little nervous about kiddie coasters, though and skipped Lil’ Phantom. Maybe next year….
Orbiter
Kennywood Hours: Kennywood hours vary by month and day, and the Kennywood calendar is available online.
Kennywood Admission: Kennywood gate prices range from vary for weekday and weekend visits and are available on the Kennywood website. Kennywood discount tickets are available on the website and at Giant Eagle grocery stores.
Time Spent at Kennywood: We spent about 7.5 hours at Kennywood Park. It was nonstop fun, but we were definitely exhausted at the end.
Kennywood Height Requirements: Each ride has its own posted height requirements.
Kennywood Weather: It’s always important to check the weather and be prepared before visiting Kennywood. Don’t forget to apply and reapply sunscreen.
Kennywood Events: Kennywood Park offers a variety of events throughout the season. The Fall Fantasy Parade occurred during our visit. We caught a bit of the parade but on our way to take advantage of the short line for Thunderbolt.
Kennywood Park Map: Make sure to pick up a map before setting off to explore Kennywood.
Where to Stay in Pittsburgh With Kids
Drury Inn Pittsburgh Airport Settlers Ridge With Kids
When we planned a last minute trip to Pittsburgh over Thanksgiving weekend last year, we booked a night at the Drury Inn & Suites Pittsburgh Airport Settlers Ridge because we scored a great deal through Priceline. Airport hotels are rarely memorable, and we were really just looking for a hotel with last minute availability that had a pool and didn’t break the bank. We didn’t realize that the Drury Inn Settlers Ridge was a newly constructed hotel that had just opened in May 2018, and we were wowed when we entered the lobby that featured ultra-modern decor. Hotel renovations are common, but with renovated hotels, there are often vestiges of dated interiors somewhere on the property. At the Drury Inn Settlers Ridge, everything is clean and neat. We really felt as if we were staying at a luxury hotel.
Lobby area
Drury Inn Guest Room
Our double queen room featured two comfortable beds, granite counter tops and modern interior. We particularly closely examined all the framed Pittsburgh-inspired wall art. Our room also had a refrigerator, which was perfect for our left overs. Everything was clean and fresh, and the beds were oh so comfortable.
Our guestroom
The bathroom featured a large granite vanity with plenty of space for everyone’s toiletries, tiled floor and enormous mirror. There were dispensers in the shower with shower gel, shampoo and conditioner that eliminated the unnecessary waste that usually comes with those trial sized bottles. While I’m often fumbling around in the dark trying to find the bathroom light switch without waking the rest of the family, the motion sensing light in the bathroom was the perfect solution. Towels, tissues and a hair dryer were all easily accessible and well-organized.
Drury Inn bathroom
Drury Inn Kickback
We checked in as the Kickback was beginning. All Drury Inn properties host a nightly happy hour with free food and beverages between 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Daily menus are available on the Drury Inn’s website. My husband and I each received drink vouchers and drink cards to purchase additional drinks for a whopping $.75 each.
Drury Inn Kickback voucher
The quality and quantity of the heavy appetizers and drinks was unexpectedly good, and there was plenty of space for the crowd in the dining room. We planned to have a quick snack before heading to the pool but ended up having seconds and thirds at our trendy circular booth. After removing decades old wall paper in two homes, I found myself kind of coveting the printed geometric patterns and trying to figure out where I might be able to add a papered accent wall at home. The kids were so excited about the Kickback and the indoor pool that they decided that they didn’t want to leave the hotel and convinced us to order pizza instead of going out for dinner. For Drury Inn visitors who decide to do the same, we recommend Vocelli Pizza in Robinson. Vocelli will deliver to the Drury Inn, but we opted for carry out. Just remember to ask for paper plates and napkins.
Dining area
Drury Inn Pool
After dinner, it was pool time. Our neighborhood pool had closed for the season several months earlier, so the kids were ecstatic to get wet and dip their toes in the hot tub. Unlike most hotel pool decks that seem to always be desperately in need of a renovation, I was happy to chaperone my kids in this new pool with beautiful tiles.
Drury Inn Settlers Ridge pool
The Drury Inn keeps its popcorn, soda and coffee machines running until late in the night, and water is always available. Drury Inns also offer all guests daily hot breakfasts. We were truly amazed by the value that this hotel offered and have recommended it to several friends.
Breakfast
We were thrilled when Drury Inn offered to host our return visit to its Settlers Ridge location in August 2019. After a long day at Kennywood Park, we missed the Kickback and were too exhausted for a swim, but we thoroughly enjoyed our double queen suite. The bedroom area was set up virtually identically to our double queen room. The two room suite and extra pull out couch better accommodated our family of five than the standard room. There were also flat screen hotels in each room and a large sitting area. We thoroughly recommend the Drury Inn Settlers Ridge and are certain to return.
Find Out More About Pittsburgh Family Activities
We recommend a visit to Pittsburgh with kids. Interested in finding out more about Pittsburgh kids’ activities? Check out our other blog posts about Pittsburgh and nearby Fallingwater.
When people think of visiting Los Angeles, beaches and Hollywood immediately come to mind. It’s a rare person who thinks of visiting wild animals and despite having grown up in Los Angeles, I never thought much of the local zoo, favoring the San Diego Zoo and then, of course, being partial to the National Zoo while living in DC. This past summer, I was delighted to not only discover the LA Zoo and Botanical Gardens with my kids for the very first time, but I was thrilled to learn that it’s a well managed zoo that offers opportunities and experiences that are not available at other zoos!
The LA Zoo is much larger than I expected an in fact, one of the more delightful discoveries was not only that the zoo has giraffes (which are noticeably missing from the National Zoo), but that for a $5 fee, visitors can participate in daily feedings of the giraffe between certain hours!
This hungry guy was happy to accept our offerings!
My three year old son, always the adventurer, was thrilled to engage in the activity and we were both startled when the giraffe’s big black tongue reached out to snag the branches we had ready for him!
A close second favorite experience at the LA Zoo was the petting zoo, called Muriel’s Ranch. Free with admission, the petting ranch offers the opportunity to get up close and personal with the zoo’s residents goats and sheep. I was thrilled to be handed a brush on our way into the petting area and my three year old and I had a great time, brushing the very docile and friendly goats.
In addition to our giraffe and goat experiences, we were enjoyed the general layout of the zoo as well. Despite visiting during record hot temperatures in the high 90s, we found plenty of shaded pathways and even indoor exhibits, which offered much needed respite from the relentless heat.
The indoor reptile house.The Australia house where, even though it was hard to see the hidden marsupials, we delighted in the cool air.Although technically outdoors, this exhibit provided some much needed shade and entertainment for my three year old, who enjoyed hiding behind corners.
Finally, in addition to the normal panoply of zoo animals, the LA Zoo also has a “Botanical Garden” component which I initially dismissed but soon discovered was severely underrated.
I appreciated the the opportunity to not only visit animals that visit the rainforest with my kids, but to also show them the rainforest and provide a small visual of how the rainforest has changed over the years.
Moreover, although not quite the same scope as Arashiyama bamboo forest in Japan, this mini bamboo forest right in the middle of Los Angeles was a real treat, especially for my three year old who has only visited Arashiyama in utero.
Fun artistic displayed littered throughout the zoo.
Pro Tips for those considering an LA Zoo visit with kids:
Parking is ample and free, but I hear that the lot can get extremely congested during the weekends as the parking lot is shared with a number of nearby attractions such as the Autry Museum of the American West.
There are quite a few dining options, although, as expected, pizza and burgers, and chicken tenders are the general fare. There is one cafe that offers Mexican options and another that offers gourmet pizza and craft beer, so be sure to keep and eye out for whatever suits your fancy!
In addition to the giraffe feeding experience, the LA Zoo offers a few other animal experiences for an additional fee. For instance, there is the Flamingo Mingle, which is $25 per person and offers the opportunity for guests to “mingle with flamingos.” There’s also the hippo encounter, which allows guests to get up close to a hippopotamus.
The LA Zoo also offers “attractions” such as a carousel ride for $3 per ride, and a “safari” ride around the zoo, which is essentially a tram that drives around and unloads at various spots. We did not experience the carousel, but we did opt for a safari ride at one point when we were extremely tired and hot.
“Safari” ride around the LA Zoo.
The LA Zoo is located at 5333 Zoo Drive in Los Angeles and is open to the public seven days a week, from 10am – 5pm, 364 days a year (closed Christmas Day).
Be sure to check out our entire category of posts on things to do and places to visit in Los Angeles with kids! And, be sure to visit the LA Zoo 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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
Living and working in DC, it is rare that my family takes the time to visit the museums, monuments, and landmarks. Work, schedules, and activities get in the way and we always just figure that we will go and visit someday. Recently, my eight year old and I had the opportunity to spend the entire day together, without my toddler, and we decided to take advantage of the glorious 50 degree day in the middle of December and spend some time exploring downtown! Here are the top Washington DC kids activities that we took advantage of on our stolen day together!
We left our home at 9:30am and, a short metro ride later, found ourselves in DC, just four blocks away from the Spy Museum.
Unlike many museums in DC, the Spy Museum is not free and admission is steep at $21.95 / adult and $14.95 / youth (ages 7-11). The Museum offers a number of Interactive Spy Experiences, such as Spy in the City and Operation Spy, which you can add on a la carte, or combine with the price of admission for a slight discount. The Operation Spy experience is limited to ages 12+, so, by default, we chose to add Spy in the City to the price of admission for later in the afternoon.
After purchasing our admission tickets, we were told to wait for the elevator ride to the start of the museum exhibits. We had no idea, but the Spy Museum has timed entry in an effort to minimize traffic and manage crowd control. We took the elevator up to the third floor of the museum where we were deposited into a room that introduced us to spy agencies all across the world. We were also encouraged to choose an undercover identity from one of the many “covers” posted on the beams throughout the room.
After selecting our identities, we were allowed to enter the galleries, which were more standard museum fare. We poured over the exhibits of espionage artifacts. I personally loved seeing the old style hidden cameras tucked away in buttons, shoes, pens, and more.
As you wind your way through the exhibits, there are a number of interactive opportunities for visitors to test out their spy skills. My son loved looking for clues on the interactive light-up maps and he also enjoyed practicing his hand at deciphering codes.
Although we enjoyed the modern spy section, my son found the historical spy section to be underwhelming. There is a section on the origins of spying, beginning with Sun Tzu and The Art of War, and also an extensive section on James Bond, which went entirely over my eight year old’s head.
Overall, I enjoyed the Museum and it was a great way to spend 90 minutes of our day, but my son did not enjoy it as much as I hoped as he isn’t one to be particularly fascinated by espionage and has not ever seen any of the James Bond movies. As we made our way out of the exhibits, we emptied into the gift shop, which is where we picked up our tablet device to do our Spy in the City interactive adventure.
The Spy in the City interactive adventure is a guided “spy” adventure that takes you around 7-8 blocks of Washington, DC. The rental tablet provides visual instructions and cues that direct you along the way.
The weather was beautiful that day, so we greatly enjoyed the walk through the City. My son, a total iPad/screen junkie, loved following the clues and deciphering code along the way. I enjoyed the opportunity to stretch my legs and to see some of downtown DC at a leisurely pace.
Our journey took us past the FBI building, the Department of Justice building, the Trump Hotel (where we peeked inside to see the lobby decked out for Christmas), and much much more.
The FBI BuildingDepartment of JusticeThe Trump HotelThe lobby of the Trump HotelSt. Patrick’s Church
Although it was a fun walk and my son enjoyed the “mission,” I was honestly disappointed that the “mission” did not incorporate more of the historical landmarks in DC. Given that we were in DC and walking right past the FBI building, I expected more than to be directed to a random plaque in a plaza as the site of the next clue. The mission could have taken place in any city USA and no one would have been the wiser. Although it was worth the $7 to include the Spy in the City adventure with our admission ticket, I don’t think it is worth the $14.95 on its own and I would not go out of my way to do this experience if time was limited. Moreover, my son and I happily shared one tablet and unless you happen to have two children who are adamantly against sharing, I would not recommend renting more than one device as the instructions would be identical and we had no trouble hearing the instructions via the tablet’s speakers.
Finally, the Spy Museum has an excellent gift shop so if you happen to be looking for a spy-themed gift but don’t have the time or desire to visit the exhibits, you can visit the gift shop via the separate outside entry.
Direct entrance to the gift shop.Sign indicating that admission is required to enter the exhibits from the gift shop.
It would also be remiss of me not to mention that the Shake Shack is located right next door to the Spy Museum. It’s an easy and convenient place to grab a bite to eat but note that it’s more expensive than your usual burgers and fries joint AND lines can get out of control very quickly.After the Spy Museum, we headed across the street to the National Portrait Gallery. As a Smithsonian, admission is free and it was completely deserted when we visited. There was no line to enter and security was a breeze. We had the entire presidential gallery to ourselves and my son loved the open space.
We particularly enjoyed seeing the evolution from traditional oil paintings to more modern portraits and I loved the placement of the Bush presidents across from each other with Clinton in the middle.
Although we did not visit the actual galleries on the third floor, we did head up there to peek at the stained glass ceiling which was stunning.
Finally, no visit to the Portrait Gallery is complete without a glimpse at the atrium – the largest public enclosed area in DC.
As the original home of the Patent Office, the building has served many purposes and the former courtyard has now been enclosed into a beautiful garden with ample space for kids to run around, people to lunch, and just generally enjoy a reprieve from the elements (humidity and heat in the summer, rain/cold/sleet in the winter).
My coworkers and I used to regularly take lunch breaks in the Portrait Gallery, including packing in our lunch from the outside to eat in the atrium. There’s also a little self-service cafeteria, if you’d like to grab a bite to enjoy.
From the Portrait Gallery, we headed off to our final destination of the day: the Botanical Gardens. Unlike most of the museums located near the mall, the Botanical Gardens are located across from the Capital and thus about a one mile walk away. For this reason, it’s a bit off the beaten path and not a place that many have visited. Along the way, we enjoyed the view of the Capital with the bright blue sky and also spotted the great blue chicken that has been roosting at the National Gallery of Art.
The 15-foot blue chicken, roosting at the National Gallery of Art.
Visiting the Botanical Gardens is an annual holiday tradition for my family. My kids started visiting the Botanical Gardens as young tikes with daycare and between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, there is an annual exhibit featuring model trains and replicas of DC landmarks made entirely of plant based materials. We have visited when the line to enter has been wrapped around the building, but on the day we visited this year, there was no line and we walked right in.
He may be 8, but he still enjoys a good tunnel.
After winding our way through the seasonal exhibit, we took a quick tour of the regular gardens, including the desert and rain forest.
Well marked ramps, wheelchair and stroller accessible!
After our brief walk through the gardens and having walked extensively downtown, we decided we were too tired to ride public transit home and called a Lyft instead. All in all, it was an action packed day in downtown DC and I am so glad we had this opportunity to explore the city in ideal temperatures. There is so much to do in DC it can be overwhelming to decide on the actual museums and activities. We had no real set itinerary or plan and just let the weather and crowds dictate our agenda and we managed to pack in more than I thought – a pleasant surprise! Moreover, because admission to the Smithsonian museums and the zoo is free, it is a very affordable way to spend a day with the family.
York is an unparalleled medieval city and one of the few places from all of my travels that I have called home. I studied medieval history and sociology at the University of York as an exchange student during my junior year of college. It was during that time many moons ago that my wanderlust began. I explored literally every nook and cranny of the city – visited every museum, bought produce at the Shambles Market, watched Hamlet in the Yorkshire Museum’s theater, peeked inside York Minster several times each week and tried out dozens of pubs. I met life-long friends while playing cards in the common room of my residence hall and also used York as my home base while traveling around the UK on weekends and to eight other European countries during my six-week Spring break.
York is an easy two-hour train journey on England’s Northern line from Kings’ Cross station, and I have been back four times since my semester abroad. When we planned our last trip to London in 2015, I was ecstatic that we would be able to fit in two days and one night in York. We booked tickets a few weeks in advance online through Grand Central Railway. Our kids (aged 11 months, 5 and 7) thoroughly enjoyed the lovely train journey, and we fit all of our things for the quick trip into two backpacks that we tucked in our daughter’s stroller.
Traveling by train with a table is one of the most comfortable ways to goBaby and luggage on board
When orienting yourself in York, it is important to remember that streets are called gates, gates are called bars, and bars are called pubs. Most streets end in “gate” like Fishergate, Castlegate, Fossgate and Petergate. The four main entries into the city are called Bootham Bar, Monk Bar, Walmgate Bar and Mickelgate Bar. And, as is common throughout the UK, the corner establishments that sell beer by the pint are called pubs.
We stayed at the Novotel York Centre, a modern hotel just outside the city walls between the city center and the University of York. The only downside to our trip was that it was unseasonably hot. The Novotel was not air conditioned but luckily did offer us a fan.
I particularly enjoyed taking the kids to visit the University of York, the guesthouse where I lived and my favorite pub, the Rose & Crown. We stopped by on the evening we were there and found that kids were not permitted after 8 p.m. We returned the next afternoon when the pub was practically empty and were directed to a back room. My husband and I enjoyed some beer, but it was clear that our kids were not really welcome. Those stops would probably not be trip highlights for families with no connection to the University.
The architecture of the University of York, which was established in 1963, starkly contrasts that of the medieval cityMy boys playing in my old back gardenMy favorite pub from my university days
The city offers so many great things for any family, but these are our favorite things to do in York, England.
#1: Relax in Museum Gardens With Kids
Museum Gardens is a very special place – this is where my husband literally got down on one knee and asked me to marry him while surreptitiously filming with my digital camera years ago. These Gardens are known for the medieval ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey as much as they are known for the luscious green space. When I was a university student, I walked through the gardens practically every time I went into York’s city center. I was always in awe of the Abbey ruins, especially when they were illuminated at night.
On our first trip to York with our children, the Museum Gardens were definitely at the top of our list. Even though it was a quick overnight trip, we spent at least an hour relaxing in the Gardens each day. We showed them right where their Dad proposed to me, but the exact spot was unfortunately under construction at the time. And, the peacocks that used to roam in the Gardens have been removed since my last visit.
It’s an amazing place to sit and think
While climbing on medieval ruins is pretty cool, the highlight of our time in Museum Gardens was definitely the Birds of Prey Show. Admittedly, the Birds of Prey Show more than made up for the missing peacocks. A falconer brought six birds of prey to showcase during the free seasonal show that we happened to catch. And, our five-year old son was chosen to hold a white barn owl, which is something he will never forget.
The Gardens also contain the remains of the west corner of the Roman fort of Eboracum, including the Multangular Tower and parts of the Roman walls.
The Multangular Tower with Roman stones on the lower portion
The Yorkshire Museum is also located on the grounds and features archeology, geology, paleontology and natural history collections.
York Museum Gardens Facts for Kids: If the medieval abbey ruins are not ancient enough, Museum Gardens also include the remains of a portion of a Roman fort, including the Multangular Tower and a portion of Roman wall.
Kid Moment: The owl show seems to be a free seasonal attraction and was an absolute highlight of our trip to York. Distinguishing the small Roman stones from the larger medieval ones on the Multangular Tower and adjoining wall is also a great activity.
#2: Evensong at York Minster With Kids
York Minster is the largest cathedral in Northern England. I’ve been to dozens of cathedrals, but York Minster is my hands-down favorite. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked through its doors, and every time, I feel an overwhelming sense of awe at its enormity and beauty.
The Minster’s West Window – the Heart of YorkYork Minster has a way of making me feel quite small
Because our trip was so short, and we had a baby with us, we did not take the guided tour. Also, children must be at least eight to climb the narrow staircase to the top of the tower, so we had to save that for another trip. We chose instead to visit during Evensong with Songmen and Choral Scholars.
York Minster Facts for Kids: Construction began on the Minster in the thirteenth century after at least three churches previously at this site had been destroyed. Its classic Gothic architecture was modeled after Canterbury Cathedral (the archbishop of York is second in England only to the archbishop of Canterbury). Its stained-glass windows are some of the best remaining examples from medieval times. There was a disastrous fire in 1984 that badly damaged the south transept.
Kid Moment: Make sure to request a free Explorer Backpack and the Blue Peter roof bosses in the south transept. In 1986, the popular television show Blue Peter held the York Minster Contest and asked children to submit boss designs for the Minster’s vaulted ceiling. They are the only cathedral designs I have ever seen created by children.
Roof bosses, including those designed by winners of the Blue Peter Contest
Downton Abbey fans will notice that the York Minster makes several cameo appearances in the series, which is set in Yorkshire.
#3: Climb Clifford’s Tower With Kids
Clifford’s Tower is a tower that sits on top of a small hill and is reminiscent of Monty Python movies. It is the largest remaining portion of the castle originally built on this site by William the Conqueror. There isn’t much to see inside the Tower, but it does offer the best view of York. We arrived after it closed, but the kids enjoyed running up the hill to get a closer view.
Clifford’s Tower
We reached the top
Below Clifford’s Tower is the York Castle Museum that allows visitors to step back into time and experience everyday life in earlier centuries. While it is named in honor of the castle that used to sit on this site, it is housed in prison buildings constructed in the 18th century.
The Castle Museum
Clifford’s Tower Facts for Kids: Clifford’s Tower is the only remaining portion of York Castle. In 1190, about 150 Jews died inside the previous timber tower that stood on this hill – most from mass suicide to avoid being murdered. The current stone tower dates from the 13th century.
Kid Moment: My kids particularly enjoy towers in general, but the added excitement of the hill and stairs made Clifford’s Tower especially fun.
Kid Caution: Clifford’s Tower is definitely not stroller accessible.
#4: Walk on the York City Walls With Kids
Since Roman times, cities were walled as a defense mechanism. York’s city walls are more intact than any other city in England and recently ranked by CNN as the third best medieval walled city in the world. There are some remains of the Roman brickwork, as well as Norman and medieval portions with modern renovations.
Visitors can access the remaining portions of the city walls by climbing the stairs at each of the four Bars. The entire circuit is 4.5 miles, and the best stretch is between Bootham Bar and Monk Bar.
Walmgate Bar is the only city gate in England with a working barbican, a fortified outpost of gateway. Unfortunately, the 12th century stone archway did not contemplate the size of modern vehicles, and there are regularly accidents. This is how it looked in 2015, and how I generally remember it. I think a truck tried to drive through days after it was re-opened when I lived there.
Walmgate Bar, the city gate closest to the University of York
York City Walls Facts for Kids: Very little of the Roman walls remain, but the current 13th-century walls were built right on top of the Roman ones.
Kid Moment: We imagined what it would be like to be a castle guard scanning the horizon for enemy forces as we walked along the walls.
Kid Caution: Like Clifford’s Tower, the city walls are definitely not stroller accessible.
#5: Stroll Down the Shambles With Kids
The Shambles is a very old and narrow street with overhanging timber buildings lining each side. The architecture is classic 15th century Tudor. Its name comes from “shamel,” meaning either slaughterhouse or the stalls or benches used to display meat. In 1862, there were 26 different butcher shops on this small, cobbled pedestrian street. The first-floor shops that used to be occupied by butchers are now predominately used as souvenir shops and cafes. There are so many charming and irresistible shops in York’s city center. Many people believe that the Shambles was an inspiration for Harry Potter‘s Diagon Alley. Find out more about the Shambles and its recent wizarding shops.
We caught the Shambles at a quiet moment, but it is usually crowded with tourists
Shambles Facts for Kids: One advantage of the cantilevered buildings is that it maximizes available space without obstructing the street.
Kid Moment: With the narrow street and the overhanging buildings, it is fun to stand in the middle of the street and look up.
York is a great destination for families to get a chance to experience a bit of medieval times (and not the dinner theater variety). Our trip was so short that we didn’t have a chance to make a day trip from York, but we hope to next time for sure. Planning a family trip to England? Check out all our posts on England and London.
Guest Blogger: Joshua and his family live in Nebraska and like to travel on the cheap and keep costs as low as possible. They’re saving up to buy a travel trailer so they can be even more mobile. Follow along on Instagram!
Omaha, Nebraska is a city many people have been through but not many have been to. Situated on the Nebraska-Iowa border with I-80 running through, Omaha has seen its share of cross-country travelers heading anywhere but there. The city is home to the College World Series, the ever-growing Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, world-class hospitals, and numerous colleges and universities. Restaurants are everywhere and serve everything. There are shopping malls abound.
But what if you find yourself in town for the day with a little time to kill? We recently had to take our two-year-old to the wonderful Children’s Hospital and Medical Center for a specialist visit. Children’s is an amazing place that you hate to need but love to have. They saved our little girl’s life, and we will be forever grateful! We had to make the 4-5 hour drive from our home, so we spent the night and had some free time after the appointment. You guys know how hard it can be to spend the whole day in the car with a two-year-old, but we also have an eight-month-old tagging along. Yep, we definitely needed to stay the night!
Omaha has been around for a while and hasn’t stopped growing. Since it is bordered by the Missouri River on the east, all of the city’s growth is to the west. Downtown is where we are heading today. Heading east on I-80, you can see the big glass Desert Dome at the zoo off to the south. Let’s exit there, but we are going to head north into a neighborhood. We’ll save the zoo for another day when it’s a little warmer outside. Down through the neighborhood on Bancroft Street is our destination. Several people on the street have RVs parked in the driveways, so you can probably get down there with yours. It’s so well hidden that we lived in Omaha for several years before having kids and never knew it was there.
Parking at Lauritzen Gardens
Lauritzen Gardens is a hidden gem that makes a perfect afternoon stop. For starters, parking is free and actually near the entrance. There’s even space for buses, so folks with RVs should be fine. You can stop at the park on the grounds to have a picnic before heading in, or you can eat in the café next to a fireplace with a nice view of a seasonal indoor display. This winter, it’s a huge poinsettia tree and model train sets weaving in and out of a winter wonderland.
close up of beautiful poinsettia tree
Admission is only $10 for adults, $5 for ages 6-12, and free for kids under age 6. We’ve found that prices for everything seem to be going up these days, so we thought $20 was a pretty good deal to get our family in.
One of the best things about Lauritzen is the enormous greenhouses. If you’re in Nebraska in December and need something warm to do, a greenhouse is the place to be! They have a couple of buildings with different climates, but everything is connected. There are elevators and paved paths through the buildings, but be warned of the slight incline. We would recommend leaving strollers at the entrance if possible. Kids big enough to walk will love stretching their legs and getting up close with all the unusual plants. After all, that’s why you came to a botanical garden, right?! We put the little guy in our baby backpack so even he could sit up to look out and touch. However, the building is accessible for strollers and wheelchairs for those who need them.
ramps for accessibilityrest area located throughout
While the greenhouses at Lauritzen are big, they are very densely packed. This is a great place to spend as much or as little time as you want. You can stop and admire each plant and its unique characteristics, or you can quickly stroll through each building and still see everything. We spent about 90 minutes to 2 hours and found that to be sufficient. Little kids won’t last much longer than that, but you could spend longer with older kids and make quite a learning experience out of it. Keep in mind that I’m writing this in December, so there isn’t a lot to see outside at this time of year. I saw signs for an outdoor walking path and gardens, which must be fantastic in the spring and summer. A narrated tram tour runs in the summer and is only $3 extra. We can’t wait to go back in the summer and try that out!
Speaking of going back…the multitude of special events convinced us to buy a membership! For $55 (today’s admission counts) you can upgrade to the yearly membership. Omaha is a sister city with Shizuoka, Japan, where we lived in a previous life, and Lauritzen has a couple of Japanese events every year in the spring and summer that we are really looking forward to. There’s also a photographer who hosts a couple of workshops for various skill levels throughout the year. The “Lil Sprouts” programs are specially designed for ages 3-5 and run August-May. Flower arrangement classes for adults are held during the winter. There’s a Mother’s Day Brunch in May with a menu that includes roast beef, coffee cake, and French toast casserole. Can’t go wrong there! Oh, and you get a free subscription to Better Homes and Gardens or Martha Stewart Living with your membership fee. Who doesn’t like a free bonus gift?
The employees and volunteers were very helpful and courteous and did a great job interacting with our little ones. We found the building very easy to get around. The restrooms were clean. The visitor center provided plenty of brochures on all the activities available. Parking was convenient. Lauritzen Gardens is really a fantastic spot for the whole family and will make a great pit stop for you on your way through Omaha. And if you’re coming through town in the evening during the winter, be sure to head downtown to see some beautiful lights on the Gene Leahy Mall!
Gene Leahy Mall
We hope you enjoyed experiencing one of Omaha’s hidden gems! I know we’ll be stopping by on our cross-country drive next summer!
Bangalore may be known more as an IT mecca than for tourism, but this “Garden City of India” is a great place to experience India. With a population of 8.4 million, it is the country’s third largest city and the capital of Karnataka. We spent two weeks visiting family in Bangalore when our kids were 20 months, 5 and 8 and had an unforgettable trip. We can’t wait to return to Bangalore with kids.
When I first traveled to Bangalore over the 2007 New Year, I saw no more than three other blondes during our five-day visit. That trip was the first time that I had ever been a minority. I definitely attracted attention and a fair number of double-takes, but no one ever approached me on the street. Minorities in the US have historically been treated with suspicion or viewed negatively, but that was definitely not my experience in India. Indians seemed to be merely intrigued or interested in my uniqueness but not viewed in a negative light. I was clearly identified as a tourist and constantly encouraged to enter stores. When we visited again in 2016 with our three kids, we saw far more tourists in Bangalore and “blended in” a bit more. Here are our favorite five family activities for visits to Bangalore with kids:
#1: Eating Out in Bangalore With Kids
We ate like royalty in India. Our family’s favorite cuisine is Indian, and all of our kids enjoy some spice in their food. With many meals, my husband and I enjoyed Kingfisher, the most popular Indian beer. Kingfisher is available in the US, but only a version that is also manufactured in the States and does not taste like the Indian Kingfisher.
Kingfisher, our favorite Indian beverage, complete with never-ending bubbles
We ate lunch out daily and enjoyed some phenomenal restaurants, including:
Tandoor features palatial decor and traditional tandoori cooking and is located on MG Road. The butter chicken, milai chicken and roti are our favorites We loved Tandoor so much that we ate here twice.
Chutney Chang is a buffet offering Indian and Chinese dishes where we ate Easter lunch. The buffet is so large that you have to do a quick preview before you start serving yourself. And, save room for the delicious desserts. Our kids particularly enjoyed the cotton candy.
Le Brassierie at Le Meridienwas another unbelievable buffet where we dined for lunch on our last day in India. La Brassierie’s buffet offers North Indian, South Indian, Japanese, Chinese and continental food. When the server heard that we were celebrating our son’s birthday, they brought out an entire cake inscribed with Happy Birthday. My little dimpled guy has never smiled so big.
#2: Bangalore’s Lalbagh Botanical Garden
After a few hours in Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, it will be clear why Bangalore is known as the “Garden City” in this outdoor oasis located within a crowded city. We hired a guide to take us around the gardens in an expanded golf cart and thoroughly enjoyed a few hours away from the hustle and bustle (and honking) of the city.
We particularly enjoyed the 300 year old silk cotton tree, bird watching and generally exploring the foliage.
#3: Shopping in Bangalore With Kids
Shopping was one of our favorite activities in Bangalore. Almost everything available in India is offered at a fraction of the price you would find in the US. Additionally, handicrafts made in India and jewelry are so much more unique and interesting. We made a number of purchases, including a tailor-made suit made to measure for my older son’s First Communion, prescription glasses, jewelry, shoes and clothes. While I never had trouble with substandard products, shopping at a government emporium is a good way to ensure quality at a reasonable price.
Some of our favorite shopping areas include:
Brigade Road/Mahatma Gandhi Road (aka MG Road) is a popular tourist shopping area with a wide variety of popular international stores including Nike and Adidas. Both Brigade Road and MG Road are very busy streets, and you have to be careful when crossing, but there are sufficient sidewalks for pedestrians. Make sure to cross when the locals do. There are often stalls set up on MG Road, and we purchased belts personally fit to each of us and a Panama hat for our younger son at one of these stalls. Bargaining at all stores except emporiums and international chain stores is common. Fast food chains McDonald’s, Pizza Hut and Dominos are all available, but we definitely did not waste any of our meals on fast food and didn’t choose “Western food” once.
Cauvery Emporium at the intersection of Brigade and MG Road is a can’t miss for authentic handicrafts, including textiles and sandalwood and rosewood products.
Cottage Industries Emporium is another government emporium located a short drive away where we always find amazing Indian handicrafts.
PN RAO is a tailor that specializes in made to measure suits. After picking out your material and pattern, your custom-made suit is ready for a first fitting about a week later. We had a suit made for our eight-year old who was about to make his First Communion.
Brigade Road at night
Handcrafted wooden toys that you can sometimes see being made outside of Cauvery Emporium
Commercial Street is one of the oldest shopping areas in Bangalore. It is extremely busy shopping street known for sale of clothes, shoes, jewelry and electronics. Sidewalks are not consistently available, and the main street is shared by parked cars, moving cars and a fair share of pedestrians, so you need to use extra caution with kids here. Soch (my favorite Indian clothes store) and Mex both have large stores here. I was thrilled that Soch shortened my kurti to my desired length for no additional charge and had it ready in about an hour.
The Forum in Koramangala was India’s first shopping mall development that includes five stories of shops and a multiplex movie theater and a food court. Soch also has a store here.
#4: Religious Celebrations in Bangalore With Kids
Spending Holy Week in Bangalore was a truly unique experience. While Hinduism is the most common religion in India, there are almost 20 million Catholics. My husband’s ancestors come from Goa and Mangalore, which are areas with large Catholic populations. While some Indians were converted to Christianity at the time of Christ, most were converted during the Portuguese and British colonial periods. In Goa, it was common for Indians to change their names to Christian names after conversion. They often adopted the Portugese surname of the missionary who converted them. As a result, there are about 50 very common Indian Catholic surnames.
Holy Thursday and Good Friday services at our church at home are well attended but there are always plenty of seats. If you arrive 20 minutes early on Easter Sunday, you are pretty much guaranteed a seat. The services we attended in India gave “standing room only” a new meaning. Multiple services are held almost hourly in different languages, and hundreds of chairs are set up outside with large screens live video streaming the Mass. We arrived at least 30 minutes before each service began to park and then wait outside the doors for the prior service to finish. As soon as the prior Mass ended, people would rush in to find a seat. Everyone was dressed up and reverent and patient with the large crowds.
Easter 2016 coincided with Holi, a Hindu Spring festival known as the “festival of colors” that is popular with non-Hindus as well. People cover each other with brilliant colors and spray each other with water guns and water balloons. We enjoyed watching this joy-filled celebration. We worried about the color getting in the kids’ eyes and didn’t participate in the bright celebration, but found a great list of tips for celebrating Holi in India.
Waiting for MassThrowing color to celebrate Holi
#5: Sporting Events in Bangalore With Kids
With two boys, sporting events are always high on their list. Our trip occurred during the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 cricket tournament, and we watched cricked almost every night. It was amazing to see my boys fall in love with the sport that their dad grew up with. Cricket is an extremely complicated game, but they started picking up the rules and the lingo. My husband purchased tickets to a match held in Bangalore between West Indies and Sri Lanka, and the boys couldn’t wait. Unfortunately, our oldest spiked a high fever on the day after we arrived in India, which was the day of match and was crushed to watch from home while his brother had an experience of a lifetime. West Indies went on to win the tournament in a heart wrenching game against England. Admittedly, even I enjoyed watching that.
The boys also had unique experiences playing soccer in the school yard of their dad’s school, St. Joseph’s.
Our older son also played soccer every night he could with neighbor children in the complex we stayed in. His brother opted for swimming in the pool where he made a few friends himself and taught himself to swim during our stay.
We were lucky to have about two weeks in Bangalore and explore at a slow pace. To make the most of a short visit, check out this ultimate Bangalore itinerary.
While both boys note that visiting family was the best part of our time in Bangalore, we really enjoyed exploring the city, which was so different than our everyday lives. Visiting India with kids, check out our posts on planning and Kerala.
Anyone else hearing the Jurassic Park theme song here?
9. Visit Waimea Canyon
A close second favorite experience at the LA Zoo was the petting zoo, called Muriel’s Ranch. Free with admission, the petting ranch offers the opportunity to get up close and personal with the zoo’s residents goats and sheep. I was thrilled to be handed a brush on our way into the petting area and my three year old and I had a great time, brushing the very docile and friendly goats.
Recommended by Neha Kulshrestha. Check out Neha’s recent post on 
As you wind your way through the exhibits, there are a number of interactive opportunities for visitors to test out their spy skills. My son loved looking for clues on the interactive light-up maps and he also enjoyed practicing his hand at deciphering codes.
Although we enjoyed the modern spy section, my son found the historical spy section to be underwhelming. There is a section on the origins of spying, beginning with 
After the Spy Museum, we headed across the street to the
Although we did not visit the actual galleries on the third floor, we did head up there to peek at the stained glass ceiling which was stunning.
#3: Shopping in Bangalore With Kids
Our older son also played soccer every night he could with neighbor children in the complex we stayed in. His brother opted for swimming in the pool where he made a few friends himself and taught himself to swim during our stay.