We Go With Kids!

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Visiting New Orleans With Kids
Thank you to Oak Alley Plantation, the Presbytère and the New Orleans Botanical Gardens for hosting our visits and to the Cajun Pride Swamp Tours for providing our family a discounted rate.

My husband and I have enjoyed several trips to New Orleans without our kids – both for Jazz Fest and for a weekend getaway several years ago. When we decided to attempt flying for the first time since the pandemic and take a domestic family trip this summer, Mark immediately suggested New Orleans. His parents had never been to New Orleans and decided to join us to celebrate their recent milestone anniversary, and his sister came too. It was a great opportunity for us to play tour guide in a familiar city, return to our favorite restaurants, galleries and landmarks and also explore new sites – with both our kids and extended family.

As the birthplace of jazz and known for Mardi Gras celebrations and Bourbon Street revelry, New Orleans may not seem like an ideal family destination. But, the city offers a number of exciting opportunities for young ones. Even though Bourbon Street can get rowdy, and guests under 21 are not welcome at most live jazz venues and a number of bars and restaurants, New Orleans has much more to offer for visitors of all ages. We found many great activities for families visiting New Orleans with kids. Here are our favorites:

French Quarter With Kids

Visiting Jackson Square With Kids

Jackson Square

Jackson Square is a historic park in the French Quarter. St. Louis Cathedral, one of the most recognizable landmarks in New Orleans, towers over the north side of Jackson Square and is the country’s oldest active cathedral. Construction of the Cathedral began after the previous cathedral was destroyed in the Great New Orleans Fire of 1788. We attend Sunday Mass here every time we visit.

A statue of Andrew Jackson riding a horse stands in the center of Jackson Square. Before he became the country’s seventh President, Jackson was the U.S. commander in the Battle of New Orleans that ended the War of 1812.

St. Louis Cathedral

Jackson Square is a great family destination because it is a lively area in the city where the excitement does not involve either jazz or drinking. Especially on weekends, local artists line the sidewalk outside the park’s fence selling their works while creating new ones. We spoke with an artist painting St. Louis Cathedral who explained to us that she painted a man sitting at a nearby table even though she believed he specifically turned away from her so she would not capture his face.

Especially on a hot summer day, we really appreciated the ice cream vendor parked right in front Saint Louis Cathedral. Fortunately, the Cathedral is also air conditioned and offered a much needed reprieve from the heat.
- Jackson Square Address: 701 Decatur St, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116
- Jackson Square Hours: Daily – 8 am to 6 pm
Presbytère

The Presbytère is part of the Louisiana State Museum and is housed in a building adjacent to St. Louis Cathedral that was completed in 1813 to serve as the monastery. There are two permanent exhibits focusing on hurricanes and Mardi Gras. Both multimedia exhibits are informative and enjoyable for the whole family.

We started with Living with Hurricanes: Katrina and Beyond. I remember watching and reading news coverage of the disastrous hurricane in August 2005, just two years after my first visit to the city. By the time of my next visit in April 2007, it was hard to imagine that so much of the city was under water less than two years before. The interactive exhibit detailed the days leading up to Katrina, the evacuations, the flooding and immediate aftermath and the conditions within the Superdome for evacuees. My 12 year old son recently competed in the Meteorology event at Science Olympiad and was particularly interested in the portions of the exhibit related to the formation of hurricanes. The exhibit reminded me of the 911 Museum, which also documented a recent historic tragedy and made me wonder what COVID-19 pandemic exhibits may look like in future museums.

Living with Hurricanes: Katrina and Beyond Exhibit

Of course, Mardi Gras is synonymous with New Orleans, and while we were visiting months after all the parades had ended, Mardi Gras: It’s Carnival Time was a perfect glimpse into annual celebrations throughout the years. The crown jewels and virtual float exhibit were my daughter’s favorite parts, and she was fascinated by the intricate costumes.

Mardi Gras: It’s Carnival Time Exhibit
- Presbytère Address: 751 Chartres St, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116
- Presbytère Hours: Tuesday through Sunday – 9:00 am through 4:00 pm
- Presbytère Admission: Adults – $7, students, senior citizens and active military – $6, children 6 and under – free
Art and Antiques

There are innumerable galleries in New Orleans selling pieces that soar into the five, six and even seven digits in spaces that can become more crowded than your typical art museum. When we visited in July with our three kids, we were often the only visitors in each gallery, and we were all excited to learn about each artist. The galleries all have video camera surveillance, but our children are all familiar with art gallery behavior and were welcome in each gallery.

My husband’s favorite is Michalopoulos Gallery. James Michalopoulos captures New Orleans architecture in his expressive paintings that evoke Van Gogh’s style and has also branched out to landscapes since he began spending part of each year in France. We visited the Michalopoulos’ Gallery on Bienville Street twice during this trip. My oldest thought his paintings were a nice mix of realism and abstract art, and my youngest was enamored with how the colors popped.

Michalopoulos Gallery
- Michalopoulos Gallery Address: 617 Bienville St, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
- Michalopoulos Gallery Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm; Sunday 11 am to 6 pm
My favorite was Delancey Art Gallery. Danny Delancey used to paint his surrealist works behind St. Louis Cathedral until he opened a gallery on Royal Street in 2020. Delancey’s motto is, “As you stroll through life, be positive, have a sense of humor, and hold on to what’s dear to you.” He was painting as we walked in and was happy to chat with us and tell us about his thoughts about all of his available paintings and works in progress. Even though surrealism isn’t one of my favorite genres, it’s so unique to have seen such a talented artist painting on several occasions. I hear his voice narrating the story of his paintings and love how they ooze positivism.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ChktSNjJLlE/?hl=en
- Delancey Art Gallery Address: 829 Royal St, New Orleans, Louisana 70116
- Delancey Art Gallery Hours: Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday to Monday – 10 am to 9 pm; Friday and Saturday – 10 am to 10 pm
We discovered M.S. Rau during this visit. M.S. Rau is a 40,000 square foot fine art and antique dealer. Our kids were fascinated by the reverspective painting by Patrick Hughes in the window, and we initially went in to get a closer look at The Scottish Museum of Modern Art. We found dozens of museum-quality paintings, including those painted by Monet, Renoir and Pisarro to view and compare prices. The prices on every painting added a new element to our art appreciation as we could compare paintings not only by style and preference but also cost. One of the most impressive was Monet’s Nympheas, which was available for $5.5 million. That is certainly substantially above our budget, but we now know how much it costs to display Monet in our own home.

Monet’s Nympheas

Patrick Hughes’ reverspectives are part painting and part sculpture, and the 3D construction creates the illusion of movement. These unique pieces attracted interest and intrigue from all members of our group. Acqua Alta Again took us right back to Venice’s Grand Canal and is available for a mere $139,500.

Patrick Hughes’ Acqua Alta Again
- M.S. Rau Address: 622 Royal St, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
- M.S. Rau Hours: Monday through Saturday: 9 am to 5:15 pm
Modernist Cuisine Gallery is a gallery that focuses on Nathan Myrhrvold’s photography. We spent a long time examining his works and learning about Myrhrvold’s techniques from the gallerist.

There are galleries outside of the French Quarter as well. We have visited Frenchy Gallery in Uptown. Frenchy is known for his live paintings at music concerts. A few years ago, we met Frenchy when stopping into his gallery before drinks at Maple Leaf Bar and dinner at Jacques’Imos.
- Modernist Cuisine Address: 305 Royal St New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
- Modernist Cuisine Hours: Sunday through Wednesday – 10 am to 6 pm; Thursday through Saturday – 10 am to 8 pm
Eat Beignets at Cafe Du Monde With Kids

Cafe Du Monde is a famous open-air coffee shop that is located on Decatur Street across from Jackson Square. It is known for beignets – square French-style doughnuts liberally covered with powdered sugar and cafe au laits. The limited menu is printed on the napkin holders. The delicious beignets are the only food offering, but you can also order an assortment of beverages, including coffee, hot chocolate, orange juice, milk, soft drinks, spring water, iced coffee and frozen cafe au lait. I’ve never seen so much powdered sugar.

Beignets and coffee

Especially on weekends, there is often a line outside of people waiting to be seated, but tables turn over frequently in this large cafe, and the line moves quickly. Before the pandemic, it was open 24/7 except for Christmas and the “occasional hurricane”, but its hours are now limited. Make sure to bring cash because credit cards are not accepted.
- Cafe Du Monde Address: 848 Decatur St, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116
- Cafe Du Monde Hours: Daily – 7:30 am to 11:00 pm
Other New Orleans Activities for Families

Ride the Streetcar With Kids

Streetcar on Canal Street

The Streetcar is a fun way to travel in New Orleans. The classic trolley is a hit with kids, especially those familiar with Mr. Rogers or Daniel Tiger. We’ve taken the St. Charles Line through the Garden District to Audubon Park, Magazine Street and also the landmark diner, Camellia Grill. We learned that it is the oldest continuously operated street railway line in the world.

The cost to ride the New Orleans streetcar just $1.25 each ride for one trip or an unlimited one-day “jazzy pass” costs $3.00 for adults, $1.00 for children and $.80 for seniors. You need exact change if buying onboard and can also purchase in advance online.

New Orleans Botanical Garden

New Orleans Botanical Garden is located within the City Park and features more than 2,000 plants. The gardens opened in 1936 but were devastated during Hurricane Katrina when they were submerged for several weeks, and staff could not water indoor container plants due to the power outages. Nonetheless, the Botanical Garden re-opened in March 2006.

We visited on a Wednesday when admission is free for Louisiana residents, but it wasn’t too crowded. The gardens in the botanical gardens are lush and colorful and had all of Mark’s favorite plants, including orchids and ferns.

Storyland was definitely my seven-year old daughter’s favorite. She is old enough to know all the stories and young enough to find the life-sized sculptures exhilarating. She ran from display to display and wanted to come back after we explored the gardens.

Storyland
- New Orleans Botanical Garden Address: 5 Victory Ave, New Orleans, Louisiana 70119
- New Orleans Botanical Garden Hours: Wednesday through Sunday – 10 am through 4:30 pm
- New Orleans Botanical Garden Admission: Adults – $10, children 3-12: $5 and children under 3: free
Spend an Afternoon in Audubon Park With Kids

Audubon Park is a city park located in the Uptown neighborhood that borders the Mississippi River. We were amazed by the Tree of Life. This knobby oak tree is believed to be about 275 years old, and some of its long branches actually reach the ground. It was so serene to stand in its vast shade.

Tree of Life

Audubon Park features many other giant oak trees and several playgrounds. The largest play structure is near St. Charles Avenue, across from Loyola University. Due to the excessive heat on the day we visited, we didn’t venture further into the Park, but the kids enjoyed the updated playground and the ice cream available nearby.

Audubon Par Playground

Day Trips from New Orleans With Kids

We had never traveled out of New Orleans on our previous trips. On this trip, we definitely wanted to explore the region. We rented a large SUV for our entire group so that we could finally visit an area plantation and take a swamp boat tour.

Oak Alley Plantation With Kids

The Oak Alley Plantation offered the opportunity to step back in time to the mid-nineteenth century. Oak Alley is named for the 28 oak trees that span from the front façade of the manor to the road. The trees may have been planted as full-grown trees in the early 1800s, and the original trees all remain. Their branches stretch out to the ground and create a beautiful web and perfectly frame the estate, which features Greek Revival architecture and has 28 columns lining the outdoor porch that correspond to the oak trees. I have seen some magnificent trees, including the Major Oak in Sherwood Forest, which is estimated to be over 1,000 years old, but this canopied path is unparalleled.

Oak Alley

We came to Oak Alley after spending the morning on the Cajun Swamp Boat Tour and collected our tickets and the enjoyed lunch at the Oak Alley Plantation Restaurant before our tour. During our tour of the manor, we learned that the home was built by Jacques and Celina Roman. Jacques Roman’s brother, Andre served as the Louisiana Governor from 1831 to 1835, and the Roman’s bought the sugar plantation in 1836 and began constructing their home, which was constructed with 16 inch clay bricks and is surrounded by an outdoor balcony that wraps around the second floor. While this home was considered a mansion at its time, it is not massive by current standards. Due to its thick walls and balcony, the rooms themselves are not large, and the family likely used hallways as living space.

Jacques Roman died in 1848 after contracting tuberculosis. His wife, Celina, was not adept at management, and the plantation was near bankruptcy when her son, Henri took over management in 1859 and eventually sold the plantation in 1866. Several owners struggled to afford the maintenance costs of the property until Andrew Stewart bought Oak Alley in 1925 and began extensive renovations. Josephine Stewart donated the house and grounds to the Oak Alley Foundation upon her death in 1972.

Oak Alley Manor

Of course, plantation life was so much more than beautiful oak trees and the nineteenth century Greek Revival architecture. Behind the “Big House” was a second set of oak trees leading to the slave quarters. The Slavery at Oak Alley exhibit focused on the 220 men, women and children who were enslaved at Oak Alley between 1836 and Emancipation. These individuals included field slaves who lived on the plantation at the time that the Roman family acquired the property, the slaves who were subsequently purchased by the Roman family and the children of those slaves.

Replica Slave Cabin

In addition to the harsh living conditions, enslaved children could be separated from their parents at the age of 10. The names of all of the men and women enslaved at Oak Alley are engraved in the wall of one of the replica cabins, which each typically housed two families.

Names of all people enslaved at Oak Alley

We appreciated that Oak Alley did not gloss over the true history of the plantation. While little is known about many of the people who built and sustained Oak Alley for the several decades, we learned about their challenging lives of the field slaves, the house slaves, the cooks and the gardeners. Slaves tended their own crops after working long days on the plantation so that they could supplement their meager rations. Antoine, the Roman’s gardener, was the first person to graft a pecan tree and was able to produce premium nuts as a result. His methods were widely copied, and Antoine’s last name is not even known.
- Oak Alley Address: 3645 LA-18, Vacherie, Louisiana 70090
- Oak Alley Hours: 8:30 am to 5:00 p.m. daily except New Year’s, Mardi Gras, Thanksgiving and Christmas
- Oak Alley Site and Big House Admission: Adults – $30, children 6-12: $10, and children under 6: free
- Oak Alley Site Admission: Adults – $27, children 6-17: $8 and children under 6: free
- Oak Alley Tips: Purchase tickets in advance on the website for discounted rates
Cajun Pride Swamp Tour With Kids

Our entire group thoroughly enjoyed the Cajun Pride Swamp Tour. We saw dozens of alligators and learned all about the history of the area through Captain Danny’s constant and fascinating narration. We had the chance to see Honey Bun, the 500 pound alligator up close and also had a show and tell time where we saw a baby turtle named Stinky, crawfish named Bonny and Clyde and a grasshopper named Hopper. We also each had the chance to hold a baby alligator named Bruce.

Honey Bun

We learned that National Geographic named the area is one of the most haunted, creepiest places in America. I particularly enjoyed Captain Danny’s ghost story about Julia Brown, a voodoo queen who died in 1915. A category 4 hurricane hit during her funeral and killed most of the residents. We also learned that much of the area had been destroyed by Hurricane Ida, which made landfall in August 2021, exactly 15 years after Hurricane Katrina. The boats survived, but the rest of the structures on the wildlife refuge were destroyed.

The whole family enjoyed the swamp tour, and I felt like I had jumped into Where the Crawdads Sing. After some research, I discovered that while the book is actually set in North Carolina, the movie was filmed outside of New Orleans.

View of the Swamp
- Cajun Pride Swamp Tour Address: 110 Frenier Rd, Laplace, Louisiana 70068
- Cajun Pride Swamp Tour Hours: Tours run daily
- Cajun Pride Swamp Tour Admission: Adults (13+) – $27; children (4-12) – $16
Eat Out in New Orleans With Kids

New Orleans is known for amazing Cajun and Creole food. The main difference between the two is that Creole food uses tomato. Even though kids limited our restaurant choices as many options prohibit any diner under 21 (including Coop’s Place, which my husband and I have enjoyed a few times), there are still a number of amazing restaurants for families. Our group was happy to eat traditional New Orleans cuisine for the majority of our meals and definitely found some great gems.

Our first recommendation for family-friendly dining is Gumbo Shop. Gumbo Shop is known for its award-winning gumbo and has won Best Gumbo of New Orleans every year since 1999. However, the crawfish etouffe and the crawfish and pasta in tasso cream were also our family’s favorites. We had our first lunch of the trip at Gumbo Shop and ended up returning for a lunch a few days later and also our final dinner.

Superior Grill is located on the St. Charles streetcar line and was an easy stop on the way back to the French Quarter from Audubon Park. We all love Mexican cuisine, and Superior Grill did not disappoint.

Another family-friendly restaurant is Emeril Lagasse’s Meril. Meril, a contemporary American restaurant, is Emeril’s fourth restaurant in New Orleans that offers amazing small plates that are designed for sharing but also perfect for kids.

Meril

Camellia Grill is a landmark diner right across from the final St. Charles streetcar stop, about 20 minutes from the city center. There is often a line to get in, and that line continues on benches at the side of the restaurant after you finally make it through the doors. Guests are served diner favorites such as omelets, cheeseburgers, “freezes” and pecan pie.

We also have enjoyed several fabulous breakfasts at Ruby Slipper Cafe, an award-winner that offers New Orleans flair to the southern breakfast standards and also offers a Kids’ Menu. The buttermilk biscuits are truly a treat.

Where to Stay in New Orleans With Kids

Location is key when visiting New Orleans. We always stay in or very near the French Quarter so that most sites and restaurants are easily within walking distance. For this trip, we absolutely wanted a pool, and my husband booked the Royal Sonesta. When I realized that we would be staying on Bourbon Street with our kids and extended family, I was more than a little skeptical. The last time we were on Bourbon Street during Jazz Fest, the only kids we saw were buskers. We discovered that there were many more families strolling down Bourbon this time, and while there was some rowdiness, walking to and from the hotel was not an issue.

The rooftop pool was definitely appreciated, and the kids visited the pool almost every day we were there. We typically did some sightseeing in the morning and then headed to the pool after lunch. The summer heat could be sweltering, and the pool was the perfect reprieve. The Royal Sonesta hosts a pool party every Sunday afternoon for its guests with a DJ and outdoor barbecue in addition to the daily bar service. The pool was absolutely packed during the party, but our kids were still welcome. Most of the adults were drinking, but the vibe was laid back and relaxed.

Royal Sonesta rooftop pool

The property was recently renovated, and we loved the art deco vibe in the lobby and the enormous bouquet of roses.

Royal Sonesta lobby

We were assigned a room that overlooked an interior courtyard, so we were completely shielded from the noise on Bourbon Street. Our room was very functional and had plenty of storage and a refrigerator, which was perfect for left overs.

Royal Sonesta guest room

Visiting New Orleans With Kids

If you are willing to forego an evening listening to live jazz or the excitement of Bourbon Street, New Orleans can be a great family destination. But, there is still so much to do in this amazing city filled with French and Spanish influences, and parents can find quieter places to sip on a a classic hurricane as well.

Originally posted October 17, 2017

Updated September 6, 2022

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September 6, 2022
Best Things to Do in Lisbon With Kids
Thanks to Yellow Bus, St. George’s Castle and Lisboa Story Centre for hosting our visits. As always, all opinions are our own.

Lisbon is located on the northern bank of the Tagus River and known as the City of Seven Hills. During our visit to Lisbon, we stepped back into the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries during the Age of Discovery when the Portuguese Empire was at its peak. As we clocked thousands of steps each day, we also saw how Lisbon was affected by the devastating earthquake of 1755. Portugal’s capital city was the perfect home base for exploring the country, and we loved our time exploring Lisbon with kids.

Things to Do in Lisbon With Kids

Yellow Boat River Boat Tour

Our favorite tour in Lisbon was the Yellow Boat River Tour, which was one of the Yellow Bus tours. We embarked at the Commerce Square dock and took the marvelous one-hour trip to the Christ the King statue, under the 25th of April Bridge to the Monument of the Discoveries and finally, to the Belem Tower. The Yellow Boat tour is a great way to get to see the Christ the King statue up close, especially because taxi fares are particularly high due to the cost of the tolls on the 25th of April Bridge. It’s ideal to take advantage of the opportunity to get off at multiple stops and explore each area, but we were pressed for time and decided to disembark at the Belem Tower and take Tram 15 to the Time Out Market for lunch.

‘The views from the Yellow Boat are spectacular and gave us a new perspective of Lisbon. Our tickets also included unlimited rides on local trams, funiculars and elevators. We took the Yellow Boat River Tour on our last full day in Lisbon and weren’t able to take full advantage of the free local transportation because we had so many things on our to-do list. But, using trams helped us get around quickly, and we finally took a ride on the Santa Justa Elevator, something that was on my Lisbon bucket list.

Tram 28

Trams have been a common mode of transportation since 1837 in Lisbon. Tram 28 is a popular tourist attraction and a great way to get around Lisbon, too. We rode on Tram 28 several times during our stay in Lisbon. The Tram is notoriously crowded, particularly if you try to board in the city center. Tram 28 passes by the Lisbon Cathedral and near St. George’s Castle, but make sure to ask the driver to point out the stop. We missed it and had to double back. We were able to use our Yellow Boat River Tour tickets to ride Tram 28, and it was definitely less crowded in the evening.

Portuguese Pavements

Lisbon is known for its Portuguese pavements, mosaic black and white cobbled pedestrian walkways. The pavements are gorgeous works of art and a challenge for anyone wearing heels. I rarely leave the house in flat shoes but was aware that sneakers were required in Portugal. I did bring one pair of booties that I wore a few times on short trips out of our apartment and destroyed them in the process. Practical, flat footwear is definitely required in Lisbon.

Tagus River Sunsets

I am a sucker for a beautiful sunset, and Lisbon seemed to have a dazzling display every evening. Our taxi driver drove along the riverfront on our way from the airport at twilight, and I was wowed at the welcome to Lisbon. We enjoyed spectacular sunset views from the riverbank near Commerce Square, the Belem Tower and St. Geroge’s Castle. Other great options would be the viewing platforms at the Santa Justa Elevator, the Monument to the Discoveries or the Christ the King Statue.

My favorite view of the sunset was from the Belem Tower.

25th of April Bridge (Ponte 25 de Abril)

The 25th of April Bridge is a 1.5-mile suspension bridge over the Tagus River that resembles San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. The similarities in color and style are no accident – the 25th of April Bridge was constructed in 1966 by the American Bridge Company, the same company that built the Golden Gate Bridge. The 25th of April Bridge, which is Europe’s largest suspension bridge, connects Lisbon and Almada. It was originally called the Salazar Bridge to honor António de Oliveira Salazar, who was the Portuguese Prime Minister at the time of its construction. Under Salazar’s dictatorship, Portugal remained neutral during World War II. Decades later, the bridge was renamed to honor the Carnation Revolution, which occurred on April 25, 1974.

The Sanctuary of Christ the King Statue (Cristo Rei Statue)

The Sanctuary of Christ the King is a Catholic monument and shrine dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The 330-foot monument was inspired by the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro. This concrete statue is located in Almada, across the Tagus River from central Lisbon. The statue was constructed as an expression of gratitude for Portugal being spared from any involvement in World War II, and construction was completed in 1959. We viewed the Christ the King statue from central Lisbon and our Yellow Boat River Tour, but it is also possible to visit the monument and shrine.

Things to Do in Baixa With Kids

Baixa is Lisbon’s lower town near the Tagus River. This neighborhood was almost completely destroyed during the 1755 earthquake. This neighborhood, which is now Lisbon’s main shopping area, was rebuilt by military engineers with uniform buildings constructed on a grid street plan. Baixa includes three main squares: Commerce Square and Rossio Square, which both existed before the earthquake, and Figueira Square, which was part of the reconstruction. The pedestrian-only streets that are lined with shops, cafes and restaurants are the perfect place for people watching.

Commerce Square (Praca do Commercio)

Commerce Square is a riverfront square that serves as the Gateway to Lisbon. At the time of the 1755 earthquake, the Royal Ribeira Palace, Lisbon’s royal palace during the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, occupied Commerce Square. The Square is sometimes still referred to as the Palace Yard. The Palace was completely destroyed by the earthquake and the tsunami that followed. The rebuilt Square now features buildings with striking yellow facades and grand arcades and also the typical Portuguese pavements. The equestrian statue in the Square’s center depicts Jose I, Portugal’s King at the time of the 1755 earthquake. Following the earthquake, Jose I gave the Marques de Pombal control of the Portuguese government to lead the massive reconstruction efforts. We watched as the enormous Christmas Tree was constructed at Commerce Square and then returned to visit the finished product several times.

Lisbon’s Rua Augusta Arch is a triumphal arch that was completed in the nineteenth century. It includes statues of the Marques de Pombal and Vasco da Gama.

The buildings lining the Square are reminiscent of their royal past, but they have never been used as a palace.

Lisbon Story Centre (Lisboa Story Centre)

The Lisbon Story Centre is centrally located at Commerce Square. This museum features a 60-minute multi-media presentation that provides an informative overview of Lisbon’s history. We visited the Lisbon Story Centre on our first day in Lisbon, and the interactive presentations captivated my five, nine and eleven-year-old children. We each received an audio guide, and the multimedia exhibits provided a great historical framework for the rest of our time in Lisbon.

The videos really helped us understand the devastation caused by the earthquake, particularly to Commerce Square, and my tech-savvy boys loved the built-in GPS devices that automatically streamed audio for the nearest display.
- Lisbon Story Centre Hours: The Lisbon Story Centre is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Lisbon Story Center Tickets: Tickets to the Lisbon Story Centre cost 7€ for adults, 5€ for seniors over age 65 and students over age 16 and 3€ for children ages 6-15. Children under age 6 are free. A family ticket for two adults and two children up to age 15 costs 18€.
Rua Augusta

Rua Augusta is Lisbon’s best-known shopping street. Rua Augusta is easily accessible from Commerce Square by going through the Rua Augusta Arch. In addition to shopping, there are also many cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating on this pedestrian-only street. During our visit, the street was beautifully decorated with hanging lights for Christmas.

Rossio Square

Rossio Square is Baixa’s main square and dates back to the thirteenth century. Like Piazza Navona in Rome, this area was used as a race track about 2,000 years ago and retains its oval shape. Rossio features typical Portuguese pavements in a wave pattern. Our favorite view of the entire Square is from the Santa Justa Elevator’s viewing platform.

Rossio Square is named for the adjacent Rossio Railway Station, which we used on our way to and from Sintra. Rossio Station is an example of Neo-Manueline architecture. The Station’s facade was constructed around 1900.

Our favorite ginjinha bar, A Ginjinja, is located around the corner from Rossio. Ginjinha is delicious cherry brandy sold by the shot at many ginjinha bars around town. I preferred to order my shot without berries while my husband ordered with berries.

Church of St. Dominic (Igreja de São Domingos)

The Church of St. Dominic was completed during the thirteenth century. The Church was damaged during the 1531 earthquake and largely destroyed during the 1755 earthquake. After it was rebuilt, it was again damaged by a 1959 fire and remained closed until renovations were completed in 1994.

Many signs of the 1959 fire are still visible. The Church also includes a chapel to Fatima.

Figueira Square (Praça da Figueira)

Figueira Square is adjacent to Rossio Square and serves as one of Lisbon’s main transportation hubs for buses and trams. The central statue features King João I on a horse. We particularly enjoyed the views of St. George’s Castle.

Time Out Market (Mercado da Ribeira)

Time Out magazine transformed the nineteenth-century Ribeira Market and opened the Time Out Market in 2014. It’s now a foodie’s wonderland with a mix of classic restaurants and Michelin-ranked chefs.

The Time Out Market features dozens of food stalls, and our family tried a handful and all gave our meal a thumbs up.
- Time Out Market Hours: The Time Out Market is open daily from 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Things to Do in Alfama With Kids

Alfama is Lisbon’s oldest neighborhood, which is located just east of Baixa. Much of Alfama was spared from the 1755 earthquake, leaving the winding and narrow medieval streets intact.

St. George’s Castle (Castelo de Sao Jorge)

Our visit to St. George’s Castle was one of the highlights of our time in Lisbon. The Castle is a National Monument that sits on the highest of Lisbon’s seven hills. Our tour guide, Susana, described the castle’s history in great detail but also managed to keep the kids completely engaged. St. George’s Castle has been occupied since the seventh century B.C., and the structure dates back to the fifth century A.D. The castle was controlled by the Moors until 1147 when Dom Alfonso Henriques conquered the castle and drove the Moors out of Lisbon. The Castle served as a royal residence until the sixteenth century when the royal family moved to Commerce Square. It survived the earthquakes of 1531 and 1755 and has been open to the public since the 1940s.

While we love exploring ruins and had fun climbing up the castle walls, the archeological site was a real treat. The archeological site was discovered when construction for a parking lot began. The project had to be halted when artifacts were discovered, and parking for residents in the area remains an issue.

The site has been occupied since the seventh century B.C., and we were able to explore two houses from the Islamic period. It was amazing to learn that homes in the seventh century B.C. had a kitchen with a fireplace and pottery.

Floating walls were added to give visitors a feel for the rooms without touching and potentially damaging the existing walls. While I’ve toured many archeological sites, this was the first time I had seen floating walls, and they really helped me visualize what the original home would have looked like.

The archeological museum on the castle grounds had some unbelievable artifacts, including this largely reconstructed vessel.

There are great views of the Tagus River and Alfama from esplanade and castle, particularly at sunset. We only wished the weather would have cooperated earlier in the day so that we could have spent more time exploring the Castle and taking the guided tours available throughout the day.
- St. George’s Castle Hours: St. George’s Castle is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from November to February and 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. from March to October.
- St. George’s Castle Tickets: Tickets to St. George’s Castle cost 10€ for adults, 8.5€ for visitors over age 65 and 5€ for visitors ages 13-25. Visitors age 0-12 are free.
Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa)

The Lisbon Cathedral is a Gothic/Romanesque Cathedral that dates back to the twelfth century. The Cathedral was built to commemorate the defeat of the Moors, and St. Anthony was baptized here in 1195. It was damaged by the earthquakes of 1344 and 1755 but not destroyed. It’s not surprising that it now features a fortress-like exterior.

Things to Do in Belem With Kids

Belém is where the Tagus River meets the Atlantic Ocean. It’s about five miles from central Lisbon and easily reachable by Tram 15 or an Uber. Belem played an important role in the Age of Discovery. Explorers departed from Belem after spending the night praying at the Jeronimos Monastery. Belem did not experience as much destruction from the 1755 earthquake as Baixa, so its buildings were spared.

Jeronimos Monastery

The Jeronimos Monastery is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites named for the monks of the Order of St. Jerome. These monks comforted sailors and prayed for the king’s soul. The Monastery was originally constructed in Manueline style, an ornamental architectural style named for King Manuel, who ruled from 1495 to 1521, to commemorate Vasco da Gama’s voyage to India. And, it was financed, in part, by the proceeds of the spice trade to celebrate Lisbon’s Golden Age. Explorers spent the last night before their departure praying near this site. The church’s exterior is constructed out of stunning white limestone. The building incurred some damage in the 1755 earthquake but was largely preserved.

The tomb of Vasco da Gama is in the Church. Vasco da Gama departed from Belem with four ships and 150 men on July 7, 1497 and became the first European explorer to reach India in 1498. He returned to Lisbon in 1499. Vasco da Gama returned to India two more times and died there in 1524. His body was originally buried at St. Francis Church in Cochin, which we visited in 2016, but after 14 years, his body was returned to Lisbon.

Before heading to the Cloister, make sure not to miss the view of the entire church from the upper choir and check out the columns that look like palm trees.

The Monastery’s Cloister is probably the best example Manueline architecture and has been the site of treaty signings, including Portugal’s admittance to the European Union.
- Jeronimos Monastery Hours: The Monastery is generally open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from October to April and from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from May to September.
- Jeronimos Monastery Tickets: Tickets to the Jeronimos Monastery cost 10€ for all visitors over age 12. Visitors age 0-12 are free. We read in several guidebooks that it was possible to purchase a combined pass for entry into the Jeronimos Monastery and the Tower of Belem, but when my husband inquired, we were told that no such combo ticket was available. The website advertises a combination ticket for the Monastery and National Archeological Museum for 12€.
Belém Tower (Torre de Belem)

Belém Tower is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered a quintessential symbol of the Age of Discoveries. This Manueline-style fortification was built in the early sixteenth century during the reign of King Manuel I.

Our travel guide suggested that the Belém Tower is best viewed from outside, but we loved exploring the inside with its winding staircases and phenomenal views. We visited at sunset, which was ideal, and we lingered as long as we could.
- Tower of Belem Hours: The Tower of Belem is generally open on Tuesdays through Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from October to April and from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from May to September.
- Tower of Belem Tickets: The Tower of Belem tickets cost 6€ with discounts available for youth, families and seniors.
Monument to the Discoveries

The Monument to the Discoveries was originally built in 1940 for the World’s Fair and reconstructed in 1960 to honor the 500th anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator. The monument depicts a huge caravel ship in full sail and includes statues of Portugal’s most famous explorers and allies.

Henry the Navigator is the leader, but Vasco da Gama, Magellan, Pedro Cabra, King Manuel I, Luis de Camoes and Philippa of Lancaster, the mother of Henry the Navigator, are also depicted in this 170-foot structure.

Pastéis de Belém

Pastéis de Belém is a famous custard cream tart that dates back to 1837 when the monasteries were closed, and the monks turned to baking to make a living. These pastries have been registered as “pasteis de Belem”, and all other similar pastries sold in Lisbon are called “pasteis de nata.” Each pastry costs about 1€.

We stood in the takeout line that moved quickly to purchase our six-pack of pasteis, which we enjoyed in a nearby park. The top of the pastry is slightly burned, but the pastry is quite exquisite.

Things to Do in Barrio Alto/Chiado With Kids

Chiado is the neighborhood west of Baixa, often considered the High Town. It is a shopping district.

Church of St. Roque (Igreja de São Roque)

Church of St. Roque was constructed as one of Portugal’s first Jesuit churches in the late sixteenth century. St. Roque is a protector from disease and plagues. Its painted wood ceiling creates a false dome. The John the Baptist chapel was assembled in Rome at a cost per square inch that is higher than any other chapel in Portugal.

We stayed right down the street from the Church of Saint Roque and had this view of the facade from our patio.

Carmo Convent (Convento do Carmo)

Carmo Convent is a former Convent that was constructed during the fourteenth century. The Convent was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake and never reconstructed. As a result, the skeletal Gothic arches are now open to the sky. We tried several times to visit the Convent, but it was never open when we passed by. We had to settle for the view from Rossio Square and the Santa Justa Elevator.

Santa Justa Elevator (Elevador de Santa Justa)

The Santa Justa Elevator was completed at the turn of the twentieth century by Raul Mesnier, one of Gustav Eiffel’s students, and connected the lower and upper parts of the city. The wrought-iron Elevator is 150-feet tall and travels about seven stories. The Neo-Gothic architectural style is reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower. The Elevator, Lisbon’s only vertical street lift, is an easy way to travel between Baixa and Rua Carmo, a path we traveled often on foot, but it is now used largely by tourists rather than residents.

We rode the Santa Justa Elevator on our last day in Lisbon when the ride and access to the viewing platform was included in our Yellow Boat Rive Tour ticket. Even during the low tourist season, we didn’t escape a long wait in Baixa. The viewing platform was more exciting than the elevator ride itself. If we realized that the line was much shorter at the top, we would have gone straight to the viewing platform and taken the ride down instead.

The view from the top was definitely worth the wait. We enjoyed this vantage point for St. George’s Castle, Rossio Square and the surrounding area.
- Santa Justa Elevator Hours: The Elevator is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. from April to October and from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. from November to April. The Viewpoint is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. from April to October and 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. from November to March.
- Santa Justa Elevator Tickets: Round trip tickets cost 5€. Cardholders of Yellow Bus or Lisboa Card tickets do not need to pay an entry fee. Because the Santa Justa Elevator is part of Lisbon’s public transit system, a ride on the lift is included in a 24-hour transit ticket, which can be purchased at any Metro station for €6.40.
Armazens do Chiado

Armazens do Chiado is a stylish shopping center with dozens of stores. We picked up food at the food court a few times, and Wok to Walk was our favorite. It’s is a few minutes from the Elevator Santa Justa and also bridges the gap between Chiado and Baixa.

Camoes Square

Camoes Square may be eclipsed by the more well known Commerce, Rossio and Figueira Squares, but it was one of our favorites, and we visited daily during our time in Lisbon. The main monument was a statue of the famous sixteenth-century Portuguese poet, Luis de Camões.

The Square was superbly decorated for Christmas, and we absolutely loved the enormous ornament.

Things to Do in Parque das Nações

The Park of Nations was developed to host Expo ’98, which honored the 500th anniversary of Vasco da Gama’s pivotal voyage to India.

Lisbon Aquarium (Lisbon Oceanario)

The Lisbon Aquarium is the largest indoor aquarium in Europe. The building was designed to look like an aircraft carrier and is built on a pier. I visited with my five-year-old daughter during our special Mother-Daughter day while my husband took our sons to a Benfica soccer game.

The Lisbon Aquarium was one of my daughter’s favorite sites in Portugal. She’s visited aquariums in Clearwater, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Columbus, but she was really wowed by the 180,000 cubic-foot tank with more than 100 species and also enjoyed watching the penguin feeding.

She was also a big fan of Vasco, the scuba diver mascot and made sure that I got a picture of her posing with her buddy each time she saw him.
- Lisbon Aquarium Hours: The Lisbon Aquarium is generally open from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. during the winter months and 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. during the summer months.
- Lisbon Aquarium Tickets: Lisbon Aquarium tickets cost 19€ for visitors age 13-64, 13€ for visitors age 4-12 and over 64. Visitors age 0-3 are free. Families with two adults and two children up to age 12 cost 50€, and additional children cost 6,70€.
Vasco da Gama Mall

Vasco da Gama Mall is Lisbon’s most popular mall. It opened adjacent to Oriente Station in 1999 and features several outdoor terraces. It was decorated for Christmas when we visited and very crowded.

Park of Nations (Parque das Nacoes)

The Park features flags of participating nations and the Telecabine Lisboa cable car. We did not have a chance to spend much time exploring the park or riding the cable car, but would definitely enjoyed the view.

Things to Do in Northwest Lisbon

Benfica Game

Lisbon is home to two soccer teams – Benfica and Sporting CP. Benfica is Lisbon’s best-known soccer team and plays in the Stadium of Light. My husband took our sons to a Benfica game, which was the highlight of their time in Lisbon. We purchased tickets at the Benfica Store on Rua Augusta. Their seats were right near the field, and they all had a blast watching Benfica beat Maritimo with a final score of 4-0.

Why Visit Lisbon With Kids?

Lisbon is a magical city to visit with kids. Lisbon is a very walkable city with so many different activities for families to enjoy together. Lisbon had the attention of the world during the Age of Discovery and still holds many important historical landmarks as well as beautiful sunsets every evening. Compared to other European capitals, Lisbon is extremely affordable and a wonderful city for families to explore.
February 28, 2020
Best Things to Do in Porto With Kids
Thank you to Yellow Bus for hosting our 3 in 1 Porto tour and to Porto Cruz for hosting our Children’s Tastings.

When we booked a trip to Portugal over Thanksgiving, a visit to Porto was high on our list. Porto is considered the capital of North Portugal and known as the home of port wine, which buses grapes harvested in the nearby Douro Valley and aged on its riverbanks. Because Porto was not devastated by the 1755 earthquake that crippled Lisbon, many more of its historic buildings were preserved. As a result, the city oozes with old-world charm and has a different vibe from Lisbon. Porto is located along the Douro River near the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean, and Porto’s historic center was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. We spent two days and one night in Porto, and even though it was overcast and rainy for virtually our entire visit, we enjoyed our two days in Porto with kids.

Porto’s Ribeira District

Because we bookedan apartment in Lisbon for our entire 12-night stay in Portugal, we wanted to make our overnight in Porto as economical as possible. We stayed in a one-bedroom apartment in the Ribeira District through booking.com that’s no longer listed. The Ribeira District was the perfect location because of its proximity to Porto’s city center and Villa Nova da Gaia.

Travel to Porto

Porto is about three hours from Lisbon by train. Trains depart from Lisbon’s Oriente or Santa Apolónia stations and arrive at Porto’s Campanha station. We booked our tickets from Lisbon’s Santa Apolónia station because it was significantly closer to our apartment. From Porto’s Campanha station, a four-minute shuttle train to the Sao Bento station in the center of Porto is included in the price of the ticket. We booked our train tickets two days before our departure, and round trip second-class cost about 60€ each for adults and 30€ each for children. We’ve heard that discounted tickets are available if booked in advance, but we weren’t able to book early because we were not sure of our itinerary. The almost three-hour train ride was comfortable and included free WiFi. The train was mostly full, and it’s important to sit in your assigned seats.

Porto is also served by buses and an international airport that offers direct flights to many European cities and Toronto. We were relieved that we didn’t attempt to drive to Porto. Central Porto would be a headache by car. The roads are narrow at best, and parking appears to be a nightmare. I’ve never seen cars parked in so many unlikely spots – in the square in front of the Bishop’s mansion or along the River.

Parking in Porto

Transportation Around Porto

The city center of Porto is compact enough that we were able to explore sites easily on foot, but Uber is also widely available. On the day we arrived, we walked across the Dom Luis I bridge to Vila Nova de Gaia. After visiting Porto Cruz and eating dinner at Real Indiana, it was pouring rain, and we were all too tired to walk. So, we ordered a six-person Uber to take us back to our hotel near the Ribeira.

We had never been on a hop-on-hop-off double-decker tour bus but were ecstatic to take the Yellow Bus Porto Premium 3 in 1 tour. The Yellow Bus offered an ideal front seat, panoramic view of the main sites in both Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. It also offered us a respite from the rain that made walking rather uncomfortable. The open-air portion of the upper level would be perfect on a clear day, but unfortunately, we didn’t experience any clear skies in Porto.

The 3 in 1 tour includes travel on both the 90-minute Historical Porto tour, the 120-minute Castle tour and one ride on the Guidais Funicular. We boarded the Yellow Bus at Praça da Liberdade and each picked up a pair of headphones. After we selected our seats in the enclosed portion of the upper level, we plugged in our headphones to the console in the back of the seat in front of us and selected the English narration. The console was easy to use and had a volume control.

My middle son was also not feeling well during our second day in Porto, so we decided to take the entire 90-minute Historical Porto tour without hopping on and off so he could rest. The narration was informative and interesting for the entire family. My five year old was completely entertained during our tour and still talks about how much she enjoyed the bus tour.

The view from Vila Nova de Gaia was stunning and is even more spectacular on a clear day.

Photo courtesy of Yellow Bus

We didn’t have time during our short two-day visit to take the two-hour Porto Castle tour on the Yellow Bus, but it’s something we would have liked to do if we had more time or more pleasant weather. The Castle tour takes the riverside road to Foz do Douro and makes stops at Matosinhos Beach and the 6th-century Queijo Castle.

Queijo Castle

Image by alvarosno from Pixabay

A single ride on the Guindais Funicular was also included in our Yellow Bus 3 in 1 tour and was a great way to travel from the Ribeira District near the River to Batalha at the top of the hill.

Best Things to Do in Porto With Kids

There are so many sites see in Porto and across the Douro River in Vila Nova de Gaia. Here are a few of our favorites.

#1: Espaço Porto Cruz

Our hands-down favorite activity in Porto was our family tasting at Porto Cruz. We were drawn to Porto Cruz because of its reputation and its resemblance to our surname, which has Portuguese origins. Porto Cruz is located in Vila Nova de Gaia, a Porto city on the south bank of the Douro River. The Gran Cruz House dates back to 1887. We scheduled our tastings in advance, and our check-in was quick. After my husband and I chose our combined tastings, we were directed to the Wine Journey 360º on the first floor. The interactive exhibits and short films outline the history of port wine.

Our tasting guide, Filipa, was superb and did a presentation on the history of port wine that was kid-friendly. We felt like we had a master class in port wine during our tastings in the professional tasting room located on the second floor. This colorful and sleek space was the perfect backdrop for tasting port. We learned that port comes from grapes from a defined Douro region. The grapes were crossed with an American grape to produce grapes resistant to the infestation of bugs. Grapes are harvested in the fall about 60 miles upstream, stored in silos during the winter and then shipped to Vila Nova de Gaia to age. Flat gondolas or rabelo barcos were used as cargo boats to transport the wine because the river is not deep. Port wines were transported to Britain for sale; however, many wines went bad before they reached their ultimate destination. To preserve the wines, the fermentation period was shortened, and spirits were added to create an environment where wine yeasts can’t survive. This produced a wine that could last the long journey to Britain and was also significantly sweeter than the typical table wine. Some wines are aged in stainless steel containers and others in barrels. Filipa described the aging process as “sleeping” to the kids.

The kids’ tasting included pineapple juice, tropical fruit juice and strawberry juice each paired with chocolates. After they finished their tasting, Filipa brought out markers and instructed them to draw pictures inspired by her port presentation. My son created this timeline showing the port process from grapes to sleeping to wine.

Filipa then moved on to port tastings for my husband and me. She provided details about how each port was made. We started with a sweet white port. The fermentation process for white port is stopped after one day, which makes it super sweet and is known as the “tear of Christ.” Dry white ports ferment for seven or eight days and end up with a steel, fruity taste.

No sugar is added to port, but the fortified wine added to stop fermentation is very sweet. Port wine is typically about 19-21% alcohol and comes in pink, tawny, ruby and white. Porto Cruz was just the second house to make rose wine. Their Porto Rose was created in 2009 and is now a best seller. Ruby is the darkest of the ports. The large barrel is completely filled so that no oxygen remains. Tawny has a caramel color and taste and is stored in smaller barrels that are not filled so that oxidation can occur.

We learned that vintage ports with a corkscrew top need to be consumed quickly. Bottles with a bar top can be opened and closed. Also, the Portuguese often by a bottle of vintage port from the year that their baby was born and keep the bottle until the baby is old enough to drink. After our tasting, we took a peek of the view from the Porto Cruz rooftop and only wished the weather was better. Our private tasting at Porto Cruz was definitely a highlight of our trip.

#2: Douro River

The heart of Porto is the Douro River, which separates the Porto city center from Vila Nova de Gaia. The Douro was shallow and fast-moving in parts before a series of dams and locks were constructed in the 1960s and 1970s. Wooden, flat bottom cargo boats called rabelos were used to transport wine from the Douro Valley to the Vila Nova de Gaia wine cellars. Rabelos are no longer used for commercial cargo purposes but are now used for sightseeing cruises.

Even with less than stellar weather, we couldn’t get enough of the riverside view.

#3: Dom Luis I Bridge

The Dom Luis I Bridge is a double-deck, metal arch bridge that was designed by Theophile Syrig, an associate of Gustave Eiffel. The 564-foot bridge was completed in 1886 and was became the longest bridge of its type in the world. Dom Luis I Bridge spans the Douro River and is an icon of Porto. The ironwork on the Dom Luis I Bridge resembles the nearby D. Maria Pia Bridge, which was designed by Eiffel. These two bridges were named to honor Portugal’s current king, Luis I and his wife, Maria Pia of Savoy. The lower level is used for vehicular traffic, and the upper level is used for Metro trains. Pedestrians can cross on either level, but note that the upper level is 190 feet above the Douro.

Image by Frank Nürnberger from Pixabay

#4: Imperial McDonald’s

Even tourists who thumb their nose at McDonald’s while traveling abroad should make an exception for the Imperial McDonald’s at Liberty Square. Liberty Square is located at the bottom of the Avenida dos Alidos, the wide boulevard that serves as the central gathering place in Porto. It is truly the most beautiful fast food restaurant we have ever visited. We focus on local cuisine when traveling, but since my days traveling through Europe as a poor college student, I try to taste a McDonald’s ice cream cone in every country I visit, and my cone at the Imperial McDonald’s was one of my most memorable. I made an early morning stop for my Portuguese cone with my oldest and youngest children while my middle son and husband spent the morning at our apartment.

We visited the McDonald’s on the Champs-Elysees, which Conde Nast ranked as the world’s most stylish in July 2018. However, while the location on the Champs-Elysees might edge out the Imperial McDonald’s, Porto’s decor is the fanciest McDonald’s we’ve ever seen. Of course, we had to stop later in the day so that my husband and younger son could order some ice cream.
- Imperial McDonald’s Hours: The Imperial McDonald’s is open from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on Mondays through Thursdays and 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. on Fridays through Sundays.
#5: Porto Cathedral

The Porto Cathedral or Se is a Roman Catholic church that was constructed in the 12th century in a Romanesque style. It has been rebuilt and renovated since its construction and now incorporates Baroque and Gothic elements. The Porto Cathedral is located in Batalha, the highest point of the city.

#6: Lello Bookstore

The Lello Bookstore is a spectacular bookstore that dates back to the early 20th century. It is known for its twisting and interlocking wooden staircases and Art Nouveau. Lello gained popularity in recent years as the “Harry Potter Bookstore” because of its potential inspiration for Hogwarts. J.K. Rowling lived in Porto during the early 1990s when she was writing Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and the interior of this bookstore is reminiscent of the staircases at Hogwarts and Diagon Alley bookstore, Flourish and Blotts.
- Lello Bookstore Hours: The Lello Library is generally open from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily.
- Lello Bookstore Tickets: A 5€ is necessary to enter and can be applied to any purchase.
#7: Clerigos Church

Clerigos Church was designed in the mid-18th century by Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni in Baroque style. Its name means “Church of the Clergymen.” Clerigos’ 250-foot tower dominates Porto’s skyline and is one of the city’s most distinctive symbols.

Image by Vilve Roosioks from Pixabay
- Clerigos Church Hours: Clerigos Church is typically open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Clerigos Church Tickets: A day pass to the Tower and Museum cost 6€ for all visitors over age 10. A tour of the Church, Tower and Museum costs 6.5€ for all visitors over age 10. There is no fee for visitors under age 11.
#8: Stock Exchange Palace

The Stock Exchange Palace is located in Henry the Navigator Square. This 19th century building was designed in the Neoclassical style to serve as the seat of the Commercial Association.
- Stock Exchange Palace Hours: The Stock Exchange is open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. from November to March and 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. from April to October.
- Stock Exchange Palace Tickets: Tickets cost 10€ for adults and 6.5€ for seniors and students over age 12. Children up to age 12 are free.
#9: Carmo and Carmelitas Churches

The Carmo and Carmelitas Churches are two churches separated by a narrow house about 1-meter wide that prevented contact between the nuns and monks. The churches were constructed during the 17th and 18th centuries in Baroque architecture.

Photo courtesy of Yellow Bus

#10: Sao Bento Train Station

The tile work in the main entry hall of the Sao Bento train station makes it worthy of a visit even for visitors not arriving in Porto via train. The azulejos are hand-painted tiles that depict historical scenes from the Douro Valley.

#11: Guindais Funicular

The Guindais Funicular was constructed in 1891 to transport Porto residents from the riverfront to the top of the hill. The short ride offers breathtaking views of the Dom Luis I Bridge and the Douro River. After a serious accident in 1893, the use of the Guindais Funicular was suspended, and the funicular was shuttered until its rehabilitation in 2001. The Guindais Funicular is now part of Porto’s metro system and used by residents and tourists.

View of Dom Luis I Bridge from Guindais Funicular

We are big fans of funiculars, including Pittsburgh’s famous Duquesne Incline and were excited to take the Guindais Funicular from the Ribeira district to the Batalha at the top of the steep hill.
- Guindais Funicular Hours: From November to March, the Guindais Funicular is generally open from 8:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and from 8:00 a.m to p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. From April to October, the Guindais Funicular is generally open from 8:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and from 8:00 a.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Guindais Funicular Tickets: A one-way ticket costs 2.50€ for adults and 1.25€ for children ages 4 to 12.
#12: Ribeira

Porto’s Ribeira District is a touristy area located along the Douro River. Praca da Ribeira is a lively square with cafes. A modern cubic sculpture sits on top of a fountain, which was built over the remains of a 17th-century fountain.

The narrow and winding medieval streets reminded me of York, England except that they were much more colorful. This touristy area is filled with restaurants and gift shops. We stayed in the Ribeira and thought it was an ideal location due to its proximity to Vila Nova da Gaia and the Porto City Center.

Eating in Porto

We enjoyed our meals in Porto. We stopped for a quick lunch at a cafe along in Vila Nova de Gaia. We selected a few prepared sandwiches from the deli counter that were delicious. We had our family Thanksgiving at Real Indiana. The food was very tasty, and the colorful decor was festive, but we wished there were more diners.

Porto specialties are two pork sandwiches. The francesina consists of pork cutlets, sliced sausages grilled on a dense bread and topped with melted cheese, a spicy sauce and an optional fried egg. It is a heavy sandwich that is perfect for splitting. We ordered three at Café Santiago F across from Porto’s Coliseum and enjoyed every savory bite.

The bifana is a slowly cooked shredded pork served on a bun with spicy sauce. We tried them at O Astro, which was located across from the Campanha station. The local favorite beer in Porto is Super Bock, and of course, port wine is widely available everywhere.

Two Days in Porto

Porto is a wonderful city to visit and learn about port wine. Even though we kind of wanted to curl up and hide under our umbrellas during the wet days in Porto, we were so glad we took the trip to see Porto.
January 12, 2020
A Day Trip to Sintra from Lisbon
Thank you to Parques de Sintra for providing me with free entry to Pena Palace and Moorish Castle. All opinions are my own.

Sintra, Portugal is an easy day trip from Lisbon, and our visit was one of our family’s highlights during a recent trip to Portugal. Sintra is located about 15 miles from Lisbon and was the summer home for many of the members of Portugal’s royal family. It’s a popular tourist destination because of its picturesque castles and palaces and the extraordinary hilltop views of the Atlantic Ocean and Lisbon. Sintra was designated as a UNESCO heritage site in 1995 because of its cultural landscape. We were lucky to visit on a gorgeous day with a beautiful blue sky that served as the perfect background for the colorful Pena Palace. We enjoyed our day trip to Sintra from Lisbon and highly recommend adding Sintra to the itinerary of any Portuguese vacation.

Interior walls of the Moorish Castle

Getting to Sintra

Sintra is about a 40 minute train ride from Lisbon’s Rossio station. We read that trains leave Rossio every 10 to 20 minutes, but when we arrived at the Rossio station at 10:00 a.m., the next train to Sintra was departing at 10:40 a.m. We picked up pastries while we waited. We used our Viva Viagem cards, and the round trip train fare cost less than 4 euros per person. It was a quick and uneventful journey, and we were ready to spend the day perusing palaces and castles.

Sintra Town Center

The train station is located in the Sintra town center, which is known for its Romanticist architecture. We visited on a Monday when many attractions are closed in Lisbon and many tourists venture to Sintra. Because it was off-season, it was not very crowded. As a result, we were overwhelmed with offers for transportation and palace tours as we exited the station. Despite reading about getting around Sintra at length, we were nervous about fitting in visits to two palaces and a castle before sunset. While we typically rely on public transportation, ubers and taxis when walking isn’t feasible, we were nervous about the availability of transportation from Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle back to town. One driver, Nuno Aramac, caught our attention and told us that he had a van with car seats and could take us to all three sights over the next few hours. His price was higher than the cost of the local bus, but we weren’t exactly sure where to find that bus or how to navigate all our stops. We also didn’t have time to wait for buses. So, my husband and I quickly agreed that convenience made the cost worthwhile.

We headed into town and wandered around the exterior of the National Palace while we secured our tickets to Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle and then headed up the hill. The drive up the hill was longer than I expected. Nuno pulled off a few times for us to check out different views of Pena Palace and Moorish Castle before leaving us at the Pena’s Lakes Entrance.

View of Pena from below

Pena Palace

The Pena Palace in Sintra is the most colorful palace I have ever seen. Prince Ferdinand hired a German architect to design this fantasy castle in the mid-nineteenth century. Pena sits almost 1,500 feet above sea level on the site of a 16th-century monastery. The result was a blending of a whole host of architectural styles and a blending of bold primary colors. Pena bears some resemblance to the Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria and is known as the “Versailles of Portugal.” The surrounding Pena Park is one of Portugal’s most spectacular parks.

Pena Palace

After a morning spent waiting and sitting, we were ecstatic to finally start exploring. The walk through Pena Park from the Lakes Entrance took at least 30 minutes and was mostly uphill, but the gardens were so lovely and different that we enjoyed the time immensely. Pena Palace looked so far away when we started our hike, and it was fun to catch different views of the Palace as we explored the gardens. Compared to the gardens in Versailles, these lush gardens were well shaded and not particularly crowded at all. I was so glad that we were finally stroller-free because the uneven pavement and hill would have made it challenging to use, and strollers were not permitted in Pena’s interior. My daughter was a trooper, but her 11 year old brother did need to give her a few lifts.

Pena Park

There was beautiful shade from the more than 500 species of trees, and the long walk was worthwhile for us. The air itself was a delight. However, the walk would not have been so pleasant if it was raining. Also, families short on time should enter at the Main Entrance and spend any extra time wandering into the gardens closest to the Palace. Or, if possible, walk from Pena to the Lakes Entrance to take advantage of the downhill slope.

Pena Park

When we finally reached Pena Palace, we headed for the outdoor patios and checked out all the views of the Palace and the surrounding area. While Pena Palace was not nearly as crowded as Versailles during our July 2018 visit, it attracted the largest crowd of tourists and the highest concentration of Americans that we saw during our 12 days in Portugal. The outdoor patios were the most crowded for sure at this magical hilltop palace.

View from Pena Palace

The Palace housed the royal family from 1857 until 1910. Its interior is largely as Queen Amelia left it in the early 20th century. The eclectic rooms inside Pena were small and luxurious but also unique. The furniture was similar to the style of 19th-century pieces we have in our house. No pictures were permitted in the interior of the castle, but we noted differences in the styles of the design and interiors of each room as we wandered through the bedrooms, terraces, bathrooms and dressing rooms. We used Rick Steves’ Portugal guidebook to create our own self-guided tour. The crowds within the Palace were limited, which, compared to our experience at Versailles, was very welcome.

We took a break at a cafe inside of Pena Palace and picked up sandwiches and snacks that we enjoyed on a patio with a stunning view of the area. After we finished up at Pena, we walked to the Main Entrance. There was a shuttle bus available for an additional fee, but we didn’t want to do any more waiting – to purchase tickets or wait for a bus, and the short walk was no issue.
- - Admission to Pena Palace and Park: Tickets are available at Pena’s Main Entrance and Lakes Entrance, at the National Palace and the Moorish Castle and several shops in town. As of December 2019, tickets for the Palace and Park cost 14€ for adults and 12,5€ for youths age 6-17 and seniors over 65. A family ticket is available for two adults and two youths for 49€. Tickets for the Park only cost 7,5€ for adults and 6,5€ for youths age 6-17 and seniors over 65. A family ticket is available for two adults and two youths and costs 26€. There is a small discount when purchasing tickets to two or more of the Parques de Sintra.
  - Pena Palace and Park Hours: In high season, the Pena Palace is generally open from 9:45 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Pena Park is open from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. During low season, Pena Palace and Park are generally open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Moorish Castle

The entrance to the Moorish Castle is about 10 minutes downhill from Pena Palace’s Main Entrance. We walked along the side of the road for about 10 minutes to reach the Main Entrance of the Moorish Castle. We already had our tickets, so we headed right for the Castle when we reached the main gate.

Walk from Pena Palace to Moorish Castle

We love exploring ruins and wanted to stop at Moorish Castle, even though we felt pressed for time. The Moorish Castle is about 1,352 feet above sea level and dates back to the 10th century by Muslims and was captured by Scandinavian crusaders in 1147. King Ferdinand led restoration efforts in the 19th century to preserve the Castle. The Castle attracted a smaller crowd than Pena, but the pathways were so narrow in parts that it was necessary to stop and wait for others to pass coming in the opposite direction. Even after several hours of walking, my five-year-old was fine on the Castle walls, but there were many stretches with lower walls where my husband or I made sure to hold her hands.

The panoramic view of the Atlantic and the surrounding area from the top of the Tower was stunning. This was my favorite hilltop view in Sintra.

View from Moorish Castle

We only had time to explore one of the two towers before our meeting time with Nuno, but we were glad we included a stop at the Moorish Castle.

Exploring the Moorish Castle walls

The Moorish Castle is not at all stroller friendly. On the path up to the Castle, the pavement was uneven and had large gaps filled with moss. The walkways to the towers had many stairs and were often too narrow for a stroller. Our youngest stopped napping this year, and we were thrilled to be stroller free.

Uneven pavement
- Admission to Moorish Castle: Tickets are available at the Moorish Castle, Pena Palace, the National Palace and several shops in town. As of December 2019, tickets for the Moorish Castle cost 8€ for adults and 6,5€ for youths age 6-17 and seniors over 65. A family ticket is available for two adults and two youths and costs 26€. There is a small discount when purchasing tickets to two or more of the Parques de Sintra.
- Moorish Castle Hours: During the high season, the Moorish Castle is generally open from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and during low season, the Moorish Castle is generally open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Quinta da Regaleira

Quinta da Regaleira was our last stop and our favorite site of the day. Most Sintra visitors prioritize the iconic Pena Palace and overlook Quinta da Regaleira, and we were certainly glad that we did not. Luigi Manini designed the estate’s manor house (the Quinta) and garden for Carvalho Monteiro, a Brazilian who was connected with the Knights Templar and Freemasonry in 1912. The manor house was designed in a Romantic style.

Quinta da Regaleira manor house

The palace itself is an extremely impressive private estate, but the highlights of Quinta da Regaleira were the gardens. Not only did these gardens include impeccably manicured landscapes, the perfect amount of shade and beautiful views of the Quinta, but there was also the Initiation Well, towers, a stone bridge over a creek and secret underground passages. The Masonic twists made us feel as if we were touring a set of Da Vinci Code.

Quinta da Regaleira gardens

The Initiation Well was never used for water collection, and its ceremonial purpose remains somewhat of a mystery, which made it more interesting. It was not intended as a tourist site, but we all had a thrill climbing down the well.

Quinta da Regaleira Initiation Well

The peculiar Initiation Well was just a starting point. We explored the winding tunnels below and came to Labyrinthic Grotto, which included a pond that could only be crossed by balancing on a series of stones. It was these mysterious and unusual touches that made Quinta da Regaliera’s gardens our family’s favorite of all time.

We finished up our time at Quinta da Regaleira visiting the Chapel and manor house. The Chapel was deceptively large and included several stories. The interior of the Quinta itself was not as memorable as Pena but impressive for a private estate. We recommend Quinta da Regaleira on any Sintra must-see list.

Quinta da Regaleira chapel
- Quinta da Regaleira tickets: Tickets cost 8€ for adults and 5€ for youth age 6-17 and seniors age 65-79. Children under 6 and seniors over 79 are free. A family ticket is available for two adults and two youths and costs 22€.
- Quinta da Regaleira hours: From April 1 to September 30, Quinta da Regaleira is generally open from 9:30 to 8:00 p.m. From October 1 to March 31, Quinta da Regaleira is generally open from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
National Palace

The National Palace is located in Sintra’s town center and was constructed during the 16th century and partially reconstructed in the 19th century. The National Palace served as a royal palace until 1910 and was last inhabited by Queen Maria Pia and is still used for occasional official receptions, making it the oldest surviving royal palace in Portugal.

View of National Palace from Moorish Castle

We viewed the National Palace from the outside only – from the town center and the hilltop – due to time constraints but noticed the cone-shaped chimneys and its blend of Gothic and Manueline architecture. Manueline influences were particularly obvious in the ornamentation around the windows.

National Palace window

Eating in Sintra

After touring Quinta da Regaleira, we headed back to the town center for dinner. Many tourists who made a day trip to Sintra had already headed out, and Sintra was particularly quiet. We stopped at Casa Piriquita to pick up some quintessential Sintra pastries – queijada de Sintra, a cheesecake, and travesseiro da Piriquita, an almond puff pastry, before finding a quaint cafe for dinner. I enjoyed Lisbon’s pasteis da nata more than the Sintra pastries, but we enjoyed our sweet, local treat during our train ride back to Lisbon.

A Day Trip from Lisbon to Sintra

It’s not hard to see why Lord Byron referred to Sintra as “Glorious Eden.” We recommend families travel to Sintra from Lisbon. The only downside was that we felt like we were racing to fit it all in. My oldest commented that we could have easily spent a second day exploring Sintra. We may not have had enough time to fit in a second day in Sintra, but it would have been more relaxed if we had an earlier start.
December 30, 2019
Review of Travelon Anti-Theft Revolution Underseat Carry-On Spinner

Thank you to Travelon for providing an Anti-Theft Revolution Underseat Carry-On Spinner to review in conjunction with this post.

Travelon is an industry leader in travel accessories, and I was very impressed with the Travelon anti-theft classic essential messenger bag that I purchased for our family’s 2018 trip to France and Italy. The messenger bag had outstanding anti-theft capabilities and kept my essentials organized while we were traveling. I wanted to try out other Travelon products and was thrilled to review the Anti-Theft Revolution Underseat Carry-On Spinner during our recent trip to Portugal. The Spinner fits under most airplane seats, and the Travelon Spinner outperformed our other carry-on suitcases in terms of capacity, organization, ease and anti-theft capabilities. It’s the only wheeled suitcase that we own that fits under an airplane seat. I’m confident that this Spinner is going to travel far and wide with our family in the years to come.

Travelon Revolution Underseat Carry-On Spinner Review

The Travelon Revolution Underseat Carry-On Spinner exceeded my expectations. This was our first underseat spinner and deceptively roomy. On the way to Lisbon, it carried pajamas and a change of clothes for each of my three children and me and also all of our toiletries, a Chromebook, power cords and our important documents. The spinner opens a full 180 degrees for easy packing and unpacking and features a hard-shell back and nylon front. It glided smoothly on its four wheels through airports in Cleveland, Toronto, London and Lisbon. I was certainly impressed with its capacity and well-planned organization.

When I was asked to gate check the Spinner during the short flight from Cleveland to Toronto, I didn’t question the attendant because I had not yet tested the Spinner as an underseat carry-on. Its dimensions (17″ x 14.75″ x 9″) were slightly larger than the carry-on size limit for Air Canada. I didn’t have any valuables or breakables other than the Chromebook, which was easy to pull out through the front pocket without even unzipping the entire suitcase, and the Spinner was waiting for me when I disembarked the short flight in Toronto.

We placed the Spinner in the large overhead compartment during our flight from Toronto to Heathrow, but it was a bit of a tight squeeze to fit it in. We tested it as an underseat carry-on for the first time during our flight from Heathrow to Lisbon, and it fit fine, even though I had packed it particularly full.

We really put the Spinner to the test on our way back from Lisbon when we used it to transport two ceramic bowls and two ceramic serving pieces. We had carefully wrapped them in beach towels and placed the items in the back compartment against the hard shell, but I was nervous about accidental breakage during our long day of travel. We had no issues stowing it under the seat during our flight from Toronto to Cleveland. I got home to find that voila, everything made it safely in one piece.

This video tour shows all of the Revolution Spinner’s features and capabilities.

Travelon – Anti-Theft Capabilities

The same anti-theft capabilities that kept our valuables safe in Paris and Italy are incorporated into the Revolution Spinner. The Spinner has interlocking zippers that are easy to fasten but also make it much harder for thieves to access valuables inside the bag. The zippers are puncture resistant and use double racquet coil chain technology. The front compartment also protects contents from radio-frequency identification. The fact that thieves could potentially collect credit card data wirelessly is pretty terrifying, and this feature is very useful on the Travelon handbags because that is where I typically carry credit cards, but it’s a great benefit here as well.

Interested in finding out more about Travelon’s anti-theft technology? Check out this short video.

Travelon Revolution Spinner’s Exceptional Organization

The Travelon Revolution Spinner offers more pockets than any of our other small spinning suitcases. The Spinner opens a full 180 degrees for easy packing and features two main compartments, including one with hold-down straps for clothing and garments and another designed for technology. The two main compartments are separated by a divider that includes a laptop sleeve, three zippered pockets and two net pockets. These organizational features made it easy to separate items within the Spinner.

Our Travelon Revolution Spinner Review

My Travelon Revolution Carry-On Spinner protected our valuables while our family traveled to Portugal. This Spinner is going to be my go-to suitcase for business trips and short vacations, especially when I’m trying to avoid checking luggage.

Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, We Go With Kids will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Opinions are the author’s.

December 26, 2019
Best Things to Do in Cleveland With Kids
Thank you to the Great Lakes Science Center, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Goodtime III, the Nautica Queen, the Greater Cleveland Aquarium, the Cleveland Museum of Art the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, and the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, for each providing complimentary tickets for my family. All opinions are my own.

While our family loves to travel internationally and explore the world, we are based in the Cleveland, Ohio, and many of our adventures take place close to our Midwest home. Cleveland is rich with history, art and culture and has so many opportunities for young families. While it may not be at the top of every traveler’s bucket list, Cleveland offers so much for traveling and local families to explore, and we always have plenty of options whenever we have a day off. Our list of the best things to do in Cleveland with kids includes something for everyone and also several free activities.

Family Attractions in Downtown Cleveland

#1: Great Lakes Science Center With Kids

The Great Lakes Science Center opened next to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 to support STEM learning. Its North Coast Harbor location on the shore of Lake Erie is a picturesque setting. We have visited the Great Lakes Science Center many times, and our kids particularly love the hands-on exhibits in the main exhibition space on the second level. My kinesthetic learner and his two siblings could spend hours trying out everything.

Hands-on exhibits

Watching films in the six-story Cleveland Clinic Dome Theater is always a highlight. We’ve recently seen Rocky Mountain Express and Natural Parks Adventure. The IMAX photography really makes us feel like we’re seeing the scenery ourselves, and National Parks Adventure particularly reminded me of my trips to Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon.

Cleveland Clinic Dome Theater

The NASA Glenn Visitor Center has been housed at the Great Lakes Science Center since 2010. The highlight of this exhibit is the 1973 Skylab 3 Apollo Command Module. Visitors can try out a nearby replica capsule, which, even with the door removed, was so small that it screamed claustrophobia and made me wonder how the astronauts handle such confined spaces.

1973 Skylab 3 Apollo Command Module

Another favorite exhibit is the Cleveland Creates Zone, which offers various activities for kids to invent, design and tinker. Each area includes all the materials needed to create and test designs. My kids enjoy the Creates Zone every time we visit the Great Lakes Science Center and could spent hours testing and refining their rockets and parachutes for hours. On our last visit, we watched a special physics program in this area that focused on force and motion and absolutely captivated my boys.

Physics Demonstration on Force and Motion

Additionally, the William G. Mather is docked outside the Science Center, but we always seem to visit in the winter when it is closed. A visit to the Mather is one of the few items still on our Cleveland bucket list.

William G. Mather

My kids love hands-on opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering and math and are always asking to visit the Great Lakes Science Center.

Find out more about the Great Lakes Science Center.
- Great Lakes Science Center Admission: Adult admission costs $16.95, admission for children ages 2-12 costs $13.95, admission for seniors over age 65 costs $14.95, and admission for college students costs $15.95. Children under age two are free.
- Great Lakes Science Center Hours: The Science Center is typically open from 10 a.m. to 5. p.m. every day during the summer and Tuesdays through Sundays during the winter. Note that due to its proximity to FirstEnergy Stadium and the large number of tailgating revelers in the area, the Great Lakes Science Center is closed on the Browns’ regular season home game dates.
- Great Lakes Science Center Parking: Parking at the Great Lakes Science Center is conveniently available in the 500-car attached garage, and visitors receive a reduced $8 rate with validation. I paid for parking at the Box Office and avoided looking for a pay station or fumbling with my credit card when exiting. Visitors entering through the parking garage arrive on level 0. There are also meters in front of the Science Center, but the two-hour limit really does not provide enough time to fully explore.
#2: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame With Kids

Cleveland was chosen as the site of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, and the Rock Hall opened in 1995. The Rock Hall definitely draws tourists to the area, and I am fortunate to have one of Cleveland’s claim to fame just across the street from my office. I’ve always loved the I.M. Pei design that incorporates a glass pyramid and reminds me of the Louvre.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Our family last visited in December 2017. We started our tour at the Legends of Rock permanent exhibit, which includes artifacts such as handwritten drafts, instruments and costumes. The British Invasion exhibit is the world’s largest artifact-based collection of the Beetles. The Rock Hall also has always featured a standing Elvis exhibit with many artifacts and an exclusive 14-minute Elvis video. The kids particularly enjoyed the costumes. It’s always surprising to see first-hand how small many of the musicians are in real life. I did feel really old when my younger son asked if Michael Jackson was a basketball player and realized that the King of Pop actually died before he was born.

Michael Jackson’s jacket

The boys were pretty excited to find costumes of musicians they recognized like Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift. We are all still amazed that Lady Gaga actually wore this contraption.

Lady Gaga outfit

We noticed more families with young children touring the Rock Hall than we expected. While our kids are not familiar with most of the featured musicians, they enjoyed the multi-media exhibits. My husband and I could have easily spent a few more hours perusing the exhibits, but our shorter highlight tour was a perfect Rock Hall introduction for our kids.

Find out more about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Admission: General Admission to the Rock Hall costs $26 for adults, $16 for kids age 6-12 and $24 for seniors over age 64. Children ages five and under are free.
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Hours: The Rock Hall is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays all year around and on Wednesdays through Saturdays during the Summer months. The Hall of Fame is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Parking: Parking is available at the Great Lakes Science Center garage, and Rock Hall visitors receive a $2 discount with validation.
#3: Goodtime III With Kids

In June 2018, our family spent an amazing summer afternoon cruising on Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River aboard the Goodtime III, Cleveland’s largest sightseeing vessel. The ship’s four decks offer indoor and open air seating for up to 1,000 passengers to enjoy the view of Cleveland’s skyline, its many bridges and all the new development at the East Bank of the Flats. The Narrated Sightseeing Tour is especially kid-friendly and a great way for visitors (and residents!) to learn about Cleveland’s downtown from a unique perspective. A ride on the Goodtime III with kids is a particularly good first boating experience for young passengers, and the views of downtown Cleveland just can’t be beat.

Boarding the Goodtime III

Because there were only about 150 passengers on our mid-week afternoon cruise, we had plenty of seating options throughout the ship. The kids excitedly tried out a half a dozen views before we even left the dock.

Checking out the views while docked on the Ninth Street Pier

The ship departed exactly as scheduled, and visitors need to arrive in time to board before departure or will be stuck on shore. We enjoyed an hour of narration about Cleveland’s history, buildings, bridges and trivia and then a second hour of music on the ship’s sound system, which was fun to listen to while watching the ever-changing views.

Cleveland Flats

At the end of cruise, my daughter took full advantage of the dance floor to try out some of her moves. We were lucky to take advantage of a beautiful summer afternoon and truly enjoy our hometown from a new perspective. Our kids would love to make an afternoon on the Goodtime III an annual tradition, and I’m sure they would see and learn different things on each cruise.

Find out more about the Goodtime III.
- Goodtime III Admission: General admission for the two-hour Narrated Sightseeing Tour costs $18 for adults and $10 for children, and reservations are available online for a small booking fee. Children under five are free, but need a ticket to board. Advance reservations are required for special events and any trip that includes a meal.
- Goodtime III Hours: Exact timing for the seasonal cruises varies by day. Check out the online schedule for details.
- Goodtime III Parking: Parking is conveniently located at the East Ninth Street Pier Parking lot and costs $10 for 2-3.5 hours.
#4: Federal Reserve Bank Learning Center and Money Museum With Kids

The Federal Reserve Bank Learning Center and Money Museum opened in 2006 and was a huge hit with my kids. The Federal Reserve Bank Building’s exterior was designed to resemble an Italian Renaissance palace. Creation of the Money Museum was a brilliant way to use the former bank teller windows that were vacated after the terror attacks of September 11, 2001.

Federal Reserve Bank in Cleveland

The Money Museum is a unique history and learning center that offers multi-media experiences and activities to teach visitors about the history of currency. Through the Follow the Yellow Brick Road exhibit, we learned that many consider L. Frank Baum’s Wizard of Oz an allegory about money policy. We’ll never look at the Yellow Brick Road in quite the same way. The kids loved the interactive exhibits and the two-story money tree. Make sure not to forget to design your own dollar bills before leaving.

Money Tree
- Money Museum Admission: There is no admission fee to visit the Money Museum.
- Money Museum Hours: The Money Museum is generally open Mondays through Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. but closed on all bank holidays.
- Money Museum Parking: Parking is available at a number of downtown garages.
#5: Cleveland Public Library With Kids

The Cleveland Public Library‘s Main Library is known as the People’s University and a wonderful place to visit with children. The historic Main Library Building is almost 100 years old and resembles a museum. The research library has a vast collection, and the kids loved the Superman statue.

Superman statue

We visited the special exhibit, The World of Puppets: From Stage to Screen, which occupied a stunning cathedral-like space on the first floor. The museum-quality exhibition reminded us of the puppet exhibit at COSI that we enjoyed a few months earlier. In addition to the many puppets on display, there was a puppet show area where my daughter produced her own show.

The World of Puppets: From Stage to Screen
- Cleveland Public Library Admission: There is no admission fee to visit the Cleveland Public Library.
- Cleveland Public Library Hours: The Cleveland Public Main Library is generally from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays.
- Cleveland Public Library Parking: Parking is available at a number of downtown garages.
#6: Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument With Kids

The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument is dedicated the veterans of the American Civil War from Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. It opened on July 4, 1894 and is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2019. The Monument is located in the southeast quadrant of Public Square and features a 125-foot column with a statue of the Goddess of Liberty on top.

Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument

Inside the Monument, the names of 9,000 Civil War veterans from the area are listed on marble tablets affixed to the walls. We also learned that body of Abraham Lincoln was placed in this same quadrant of Public Square on April 28, 1865, and tens of thousands of mourners paid their respect to the assassinated President.

Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument interior
- Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument Admission: There is no admission fee to visit the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument.
- Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument Hours: The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during the summer months.
- Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument Parking: Parking is available at a number of downtown garages.
Family Attractions in the Flats

#7: Nautica Queen With Kids

The Nautica Queen is Cleveland’s dining cruise ship that departs from the West Bank of the Flats for lunch and dinner cruises. Our family took a lunch cruise on the day before my kids started a new school year in August 2019, and it was an amazing way to end a lovely summer. While the forecast showed rain a day or two before our cruise, we ended up with picture perfect blue skies and an ideal 75 degree temperature.

Nautica Queen

As soon as we embarked the ship, we were directed to our table on the middle level. We ordered sodas and explored the top deck before the buffet lunch was served. Our meal included salad, beef, pasta, fish, chicken, oven-roasted potatoes, seasonal vegetables, dinner rolls, cheesecake, coffee, tea and ice tea. And, our lunchtime view was unbeatable as we cruised on the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie while passing historic bridges and all the sights of Downtown Cleveland.

Lunch on the Nautica Queen

My favorite part of the cruise was definitely the view from the top deck. We spent most of our time up there after finishing our lunch. The railings were high, and I felt very safe for even my youngest child. My daughter particularly loved the dance floor and kept asking to return for a song or two. While I may have missed the wind blowing through my hair while accompanying her on the inside deck, the view most definitely never disappointed. We were all sad to disembark at the end. There probably is not a better way to really feel like a visitor in our hometown other than spending an afternoon on a cruise.

View from the Nautica Queen
- Nautica Queen Admission: Rates vary by day but as of August 2019, two-hour weekday lunch cruises with gratuities generally cost $29.65 for adults and $18.95 for children under 12 and two and a half hour weekday sunset dinner cruises with gratuities cost $35.59 for adults and $22.52 for children under 12. Sunday brunch cruises and Friday and Saturday dinner cruises cost more than weekday cruises.
- Nautica Queen Hours: The schedule for Nautica Queen cruises is available online.
- Nautica Queen Parking: Parking is available in an adjacent cash-only parking lot for generally $3-6. There is also free street parking on nearby streets.
#8: Greater Cleveland Aquarium

The Greater Cleveland Aquarium opened in its current location in the Flats’ FirstEnergy Powerhouse in 2012 and remains Ohio’s only free-standing aquarium. The Powerhouse building was originally constructed in 1892 as a power station and is a unique setting for an aquarium. My prom was held in this building, and I absolutely love how this space has been repurposed and renovated. We last visited in December 2017 and headed straight to the diver presentation in the shark tank when we arrived. Watching the diver feed the aquatic life was the highlight of our visit. A special microphone allowed the diver to talk directly to the audience. During the presentation, we learned that most shark bites are really caused by mistaken identity. Sharks explore the world with their mouths, and surfers often look like fish from below.

Diver in the Shark Tank

The 230,000 gallon Shark SeaTube includes four species of sharks, stingrays, angelfish, a giant barracuda and a whole host of other ocean creatures. Visitors can literally walk under the tank to get a whole new perspective. If you want to take a peek into the shark tank in real-time, check out the shark cam.

Shark SeaTube

The Aquarium has more than 50 exhibits, 250 species and 1,450 animals from Lake Erie and all across the globe. Some of our favorite animals included the turtles, lion fish and clown fish with the stunning anemone.

Turtle hanging out

My son particularly enjoyed the Invertebrate Touch Pool where he got the chance to feel a starfish with the official “two-finger” technique. The Greater Cleveland Aquarium is an amazing place to learn about aquatic animals and get a glimpse of life under the sea.

Find out more about the Greater Cleveland Aquarium.
- Greater Cleveland Aquarium Admission: Admission to the Greater Cleveland Aquarium costs $19.95 for visitors age 13-99 and $13.95 for children age 2 to 12. There is no admission fee for visitors under age 2 and over 99.
- Greater Cleveland Aquarium Hours: The Greater Cleveland Aquarium is generally open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- Greater Cleveland Aquarium Parking: Parking is available in an adjacent cash-only parking lot for about $3-6.
University Circle Attractions for Families

#9: Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland Museum of Art is the art museum we frequent most often. We’re so lucky to have one of the world’s best free art museums practically in our backyard. A massive expansion project was completed at the end of 2013 and increased floor space by 65% and included the glass-roofed Ames Family Atrium.

Ames Family Atrium

The Cleveland Museum of Art has a permanent collection of 45,000 works and significant Egyptian and Asian galleries. The Armor Court the ArtLens Gallery are our kids’ favorite exhibits.

Armor Court

We always make sure to spend a few minutes sitting on the bench in front of Monet’s Water Lilies (Agapanthus).

Monet’s Water Lilies (Agapanthus)

Rodin’s Thinker, which sits outside the front entrance, was partially vandalized by a bomb in 1970, and the statue’s lower legs were destroyed and have not been restored. We love spending time outside the Cleveland Museum of Art and walking around the Wade Lagoon.

The Cleveland Museum of Art features rotating special exhibits. Some of our favorites over the years were Painting the Modern Garden: Monet to Matisse, Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors and PROOF: Photography in the Era of the Contact Sheet.

Find out more about the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Cleveland Museum of Art Admission: Admission to the Cleveland Museum of Art is free, but there are fees and sometimes advance reservations required for special exhibits.
- Cleveland Museum of Art Hours: The Cleveland Museum of Art is generally open daily on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The Museum is closed on New Year’s Day, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
- Cleveland Museum of Art Parking: Parking is available in the attached indoor garage, and the maximum daily rate is $16. There is also metered street parking available nearby.
#10: Cleveland Botanical Garden With Kids

The Cleveland Botanical Garden features the Eleanor Armstrong Smith Glasshouse, a 17,000 square foot conservatory that features two biomes – the desert of Madagascar and the cloud forest of Costa Rica. Together, these biomes house over 350 plant species and 50 animal species. We visit the Cleveland Botanical Garden almost every year.

Costa Rica exhibit

We enjoy visiting the Botanical Garden’s annual holiday tradition, Glow, an exhibit featuring holiday-inspired trees, gingerbread house displays and crafts. Admission to the Garden is often free during the Circle Fest in early December

Glow

The Hershey Children’s Garden was the first children’s garden in Ohio. It is open from March 31 to October 31 during regular Botanical Garden hours and a great place for kids to explore nature.

Hershey Children’s Garden
- Cleveland Botanical Garden Admission: Admission to the Cleveland Botanical Garden costs $12 for adults and $8 for children ages 3-12. Children age 2 and under are free.
- Cleveland Botanical Garden Hours: Cleveland Botanical Garden is generally open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. The Cleveland Botanical Garden and until 9:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and from noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays.
- Cleveland Botanical Garden Parking: Parking is available in the attached indoor garage, and the maximum daily rate is $16. There is also metered street parking available nearby.
#11: Cleveland Museum of Natural History With Kids

We were members of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for many years. Our kids especially enjoy exploring the planetarium, the dinosaur exhibit, the gemstones, the toddler-friendly Smead Discovery Center, and the Shafran Planetarium & Mueller Observatory. Like many natural history museums, the dinosaur exhibit is a favorite for our family.

My daughter has a special fondness for Lucy, a paleontology icon. The 3.2 million year old Australopithecus afarensis partial skeleton was discovered in 1974 by team led by former Museum curator, Dr. Donald Johanson, and we never miss saying “hello” to her replica.

Visiting Lucy

The outdoor Perkins Wildlife Center opened in 2016, drastically expanding the Museum’s outdoor animal exhibitions. There is a new exhibit around each of the winding pathways, including Ohio’s famous bald eagle.
- Cleveland Natural History Museum Admission: Admission to the Cleveland History Center costs $17 for adults and $14 for seniors age 62 and over, college students with identification and youth age 3-18. Children under three and are free.
- Cleveland Natural History Museum Hours: Cleveland History Center is generally open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays.
- Cleveland Natural History Museum Parking: Parking is available in the attached indoor garage, and the maximum daily rate is $16. There is also metered street parking available nearby..
#12: Cleveland History Center With Kids

The Cleveland History Center is the headquarters of the Western Reserve Historical Society and features collections that cover community and family history. The History Center features the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum, the Hay-McKinney Mansion, the Kidzibits Hands-on Gallery and the Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel.

Carousel

My kids’ love the antique car collection and learning about the evolution of the automobile. The Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum’s impressive collection of automobiles includes more than 170 antique automobiles.
- Cleveland History Center Admission: Admission to the Cleveland History Center costs $10 for adults, $9 for seniors age 62 and over, $7 for veterans and $5 for children ages 3-12. Children under three and active military are free.
- Cleveland History Center Hours: Cleveland History Center is generally open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays.
- Cleveland History Centers Parking: Parking is available in the attached surface lot off Magnolia Drive and costs $8 for two hours with a $15 daily max. There is also metered street parking available around University Circle.
#13: Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland With Kids

The Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (MOCA) is one of only 20 modern art museums in the United States. MOCA opened its new facility in $27.2 million building designed by Farshid Moussavi in 2012. The main exhibition space on the fourth floor is a wide-open space that is very different from the typical gallery in traditional art museums with paintings and sculptures. The exhibit we saw during our January 2018 visit did not have any barriers. While the exhibition featured in this space changes several times a year, it is probably best suited for children over five.

My kids’ favorite part of our visit to MOCA was the Marjorie + Anselm Talalay Classroom on the third floor where visitors can create their own art. My kids had so much fun creating works inspired by the exhibition that I invested in in a colored tape dispenser for their use at home.

Marjorie + Anselm Talalay Classroom

MOCA is a great resource for Cleveland families and encourages children to use their imaginations to create art in non-traditional ways.

Find out more about MOCA.
- Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland Admission: General admission to MOCA is now free.
- Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland Hours: MOCA is generally open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland Parking: Metered parking and garages are available nearby.
Family Activities in Midtown

#14: Children’s Museum of Cleveland With Kids

The Children’s Museum of Cleveland reopened, in November 2017, in the former Stager-Beckwith Mansion, one of the four remaining mansions still standing on Millionaire’s Row. The Millionaire’s Row mansion in Midtown had most recently served as the main campus for Myers University and an elegant banquet hall. We had been members of the Museum at its previous location in University Circle when my oldest son attended preschool nearby and love the larger and updated space.

Although my boys both are beyond the target age for any children’s museum, they have fun exploring the Children’s Museum with their young sister when we visited in January 2018 and August 2019 I think their favorite exhibit was the Wonder Lab, an industrial science laboratory with water tables, whirlpools and jets. My sons largely ignored the water features but spent most of their time building ball tracks on the magnetic wall.

Adventure City is located in what was the ball room of the Stager-Beckwith Mansion and Myers University. One of my best friends hosted her wedding reception in this space that now features an amazing indoor two-story climber with a construction site theme. The space also recreates the much-loved grocery store, doctor’s office, nursery and kitchen that were featured in the Museum’s prior location and also adds an auto shop. This indoor play area is constructed from smooth wood not suitable for outdoor playgrounds.

This climber was enormous

Serious grocery shopping

Making Miniatures features a collection of dollhouses created by local artist, Cathy Lincoln, and completely entranced my daughter. Each house was placed on a pedestal and enclosed with a plastic casing. Children could get up close by standing on small step stools and carefully explore the houses with available flashlights. My boys were less enthusiastic about dollhouses, but they enjoyed searching for the tiny CMC logos hidden in each house.

She carefully examined each and every dollhouse

Arts & Parts is a bright art studio with different prepared art projects for children to create. My kids loved that they could tinker, glue and hammer. I loved that all the materials had been prepared for creating, and clean up was easy.

The Museum also features a Sensory Friendly Room for children who get overwhelmed in loud and crowded spaces and the Meadow for infants and toddlers. While only vending machines are available on site, the Café offers tables and a microwave for families packing lunch. There are also party rooms.

The Museum is geared for visitors aged birth to eight. My nine and eleven year old boys accompanied their sister and enjoyed the Wonder Lab and Adventure City. But, there were times where they were a bit bored – especially in the Making Miniatures and Art & Parts exhibits. If the youngest child in your group is over eight, this may not be your ideal activity or, perhaps, plan only a short visit. The former Stager-Beckwith Mansion is an ideal setting for the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, and my kids had so much fun exploring, imagining and creating.

The new home of the Children’s Museum of Cleveland

Find out more about the Children’s Museum of Cleveland.
- - Children’s Museum of Cleveland Admission: Admission costs $12 for all visitors over 11 months. Children 11 months and younger are free.
  - Children’s Museum of Cleveland Hours: The Children’s Museum of Cleveland is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Museum is closed on Independence Day, Labor Day, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
  - Children’s Museum of Cleveland Parking: Free parking is available in an adjacent surface lot.
Family Activities in Old Brooklyn

#15: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is one of the Cleveland area’s most popular attractions and hosts more than one million visitors annually. The Zoo features the Australian Adventure, African Savanna, Northern Wilderness Trek, the Rosebrough Tiger Passage, the Primate, Cat & Aquatics Building, Waterfowl Lake, the RainForest and Asian Highlands. When our kids were young, we were Zoo members for years, and our kids learned first-hand about elephants, giraffes, lions and kangaroos from our visits. We still enjoy a Zoo trip at least once a year.

We have watched as new exhibits such as the Elephant Crossing and Asian Highlands, the Rosebrough Tiger Passage and Asian Highlands have opened and always enjoy a visit to the Zoo.
- Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and RainForest Admission: Adult admission costs $16.95, admission for children ages 2-11 costs $12.95 and admission for seniors over age 62 costs $14.95. Children under age two are free. Tickets can be purchased online for a savings of $2 each. Admission to the Zoo only is free on Mondays for residents of Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township with identification.
- Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Hours: The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m and stays open until 6 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays during the summer months. The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is closed on New Year’s Day and Christmas Day.
- Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Parking: Free parking is available in an adjacent surface lot.
Find Out More About Cleveland With Kids

There are so many kid-friendly things to do in Cleveland, an up and coming destination. These five amazing museums are just the tip of the iceberg. Spending time in Northeast Ohio, check out our favorite activities in Cleveland with kids.
October 13, 2019
Review of the Inn on Boltwood in Amherst

Thank you to the Inn on Boltwood for providing a media rate. All opinions are my own.

There’s nothing quite like the charm of a historic inn. However, we’ve stayed in a few historic hotels that were desperately in need of modern amenities or updates. Western Massachusetts is just over two hours from Plymouth Rock and the perfect place to turn the clock a bit. The Inn on Boltwood is the perfect refuge and allowed us to experience both history and comfort during our two nights in Amherst.

Inn on Boltwood Review

The Inn on Boltwood is a historic hotel located on the Amherst Common immediately adjacent to Amherst College. The elegant Inn was completed in 1926 and known as the Lord Jeffery Inn until early 2019 when it was re-branded as the Inn on Boltwood. The Inn’s 49 guest rooms are each unique and blend antique furnishings with modern amenities like pillow-top mattresses, luxury linens, high definition flat screen televisions and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Front entrance of the Inn on Boltwood

Inn on Boltwood Lobby

Upon arrival, we were greeted by two cheerful and helpful staff members who checked us in and gave us suggestions for the best place to watch Fourth of July fireworks nearby at the University of Massachusetts that night. The lobby of the Inn on Boltwood included plenty of gathering space for guests to relax. There were also tables and chairs set up in the hallways around the Inn that many guests, including one middle or high school guest, used as a respite. While we didn’t spend much time in the common areas of the Inn during our busy few days, I certainly would have enjoyed sipping my morning coffee in the living room area.

Inn on Boltwood lobby

Inn on Boltwood Guest Room

The Inn’s colonial architecture is much like many of our neighboring homes in Shaker Heights, and we felt right at home. Our Georgian brick home was constructed in the late 1930s, and we are really lucky to have many family heirloom furnishings. But, comforts like renovated bathrooms are high on our list when booking hotels. The Inn on Boltwood checked all our boxes and more. Our guest room featured a hard wood floor almost identical to ours at home and also a large area rug. The dark cherry beds, bedside table, dresser and desk had an antique feel but also had modern conveniences like slow close drawers.

Inn on Boltwood guest room

The grayish green walls and white woodwork were almost identical to our master bedroom, and the Roman shades were effective, classy and easy to use. This stylish room perfectly blended an antique vibe with stylish modern decor.

Inn on Boltwood guest room sitting area

The bathroom featured my favorite white subway tiles and classic black and white diamond mosaic floor tiles. The sink had plenty of counter space, and the plentiful racks and hooks made it easy to hang and organize each of our towels. The shower had a sleek glass door and unbelievable pressure. The Bee Kind bath products blended lemon and honey scents together, forming a memorable aroma.

Inn on Boltwood bathroom

Amherst Common

The Inn on Boltwood is located in Amherst Common, a lovely town center. The Grace Episcopal Church across the street from the Inn is a Gothic Revival church that dates back to 1865. Amherst Town Hall is also an exquisite, castle-like building. As we were headed out of town early on Saturday morning, we saw the stalls being set up for the Amherst Farmers’ Market. Amherst Common is clearly the ideal location for a home base in Western Massachusetts.

Grace Episcopal Church in Amherst

The Inn is within walking distance of Amherst College, one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Massachusetts. It’s biggest claim to fame is its acclaimed alumna, Nancy.

Amherst College

Inn on Boltwood Fitness Center

The Inn on Boltwood’s fitness center features free weights, a recumbent bike, two treadmills, and elliptical and a flat screen television. Although we did not use it during our stay, it was clean and welcoming.

Inn on Boltwood fitness center

Inn on Boltwood – A Quaint Historic Hotel

The Inn on Boltwood also offers guests free adjacent parking, coffee and ice water in the lobby and on-site restaurant. The Inn is that rare hotel that is designed to make guests feel at home and comfortable while enjoying New England charm in an ideal setting. We certainly hope to stay here again on our next visit to Amherst.

October 4, 2019
Kennywood Park in Pittsburgh
Thank you to Kennywood Park for hosting our family’s visit. All opinions are my own.

When we decided to spend a few days in Pittsburgh at the end of the summer, a visit to Kennywood Park was at the top of our list. Our kids love amusement rides and wanted to try a new area park this summer. Kennywood was founded in 1898 and opened as a trolley park recreation area in 1899. It is located in West Mifflin, which is about 20 minutes southeast of downtown on land that was previously known as the Kenny farm. It is one of two parks that has been designated as a National Historic Landmark because it features rides and structures that are more than 100 years old. Kennywood has been recognized by Theme Park Magazine and Golden Ticket Awards, and this classic amusement park reminded me of our annual trips to Geauga Lake outside of Cleveland when I was young. Our family loved our day at Kennywood Park in Pittsburgh and hopes to make this trip an annual tradition.

Kennywood Park entrance

Kennywood Amusement Park – An Ideal Vacation Destination

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.

Raging Rapids

Kennywood’s Best Rides

Kennywood’s Thrill Rides

Swing Shot

While we did not ride Steel Curtain on this visit due to the length of the lines and kids not yet ready to attempt record breaking coasters, there are many other thrill ride options. I get nauseous when there’s too much spinning or swaying, but there’s something about my stomach dropping that reminds me of childhood. I rode Cranky’s Drop Tower with my boys twice, and Kennywood also offers 18 water and thrill rides.

Kennywood’s Roller Coasters

Kennywood features seven roller coasters, including Steel Curtain, which opened in July 2019. Steel Curtain is named to honor the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 1970s defensive line and is a record breaking coaster that features the world’s largest inversion, a 197 foot corkscrew that recently received a rave review in cleveland.com. The Steel Curtain is the first amusement attraction themed off of a professional sports team, but I predict that the trend is likely to catch on across other top amusement parks. Maybe Kennywood was inspired by Cedar Point’s 2014 offer to name a roller coaster after LeBron James if he returned to Cleveland? The yellow and black Steel Curtain will serve as the anchor of Steelers Country, a themed-area honoring the famous football team.

Steel Curtain

Kennywood’s roller coasters are a big draw, and the lines for each were long. Because we visited on a popular summer day with limited time, we only rode the Thunderbolt, a wooden roller coaster that dates back to 1924 and was last renovated over 50 years ago in 1968. I enjoy wooden coasters, and Thunderbolt offered the perfect thrill level for my two boys and me. The only unusual “rule” is that single riders are not permitted. For safety reasons, each rider needs to have a partner. One of us had to locate another singleton on each of our two rides. We made sure to get on at the same time, and my younger son happened to find another nine year old boy, and they chatted as they waited and throughout the ride.

Thunderbolt

Kennywood Family Rides

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. Our first ride of the day was the Merry-Go-Round. There are also several rides in Kiddie Land and Thomas Town that the whole family could ride together. Auto race was a particular favorite, and the five of us piled into three separate cars and rode around the track one after another.

Elephant Parade

Kennywood’s Kiddie Land

Kennywood’s Kiddie Land featured 15 classic rides for kids under 48 inches. The section reminded me of Memphis Kiddie Park, a Cleveland-area amusement park geared specifically to young children. My older son was able to join our youngest on several rides in Kiddie Land, and we all hopped on to the Crazy Trolley together. My kids’ favorites included Elephant Parade, Orbiter and Whirlwind. My daughter rode with her two arms stretched high into the sky on almost every ride at Kiddie Land. She’s still a little nervous about kiddie coasters, though and skipped Lil’ Phantom. Maybe next year….

Orbiter

Kennywood’s Thomas Town

Kennywood’s Thomas Town section opened in 2018 and featured the Journey with Thomas train ride and four other family attractions. We really enjoyed this revamped space. My oldest was a pretty serious fan of Thomas when he was about three. He watched the videos, read the books and even owned some Thomas trains, or at least a few of the ones featuring his name. We took him to a Day Out with Thomas event back in 2011, and he was over the moon. By the time our daughter was born three years later, both boys had pretty much moved passed their Thomas fascination. Videos were out of rotation, and while we still own a few Thomas story books that we have read to our daughter, they have never been her favorites. As soon as we entered Thomas Town, our daughter jumped right in with great enthusiasm. The kids first rode Flynn’s Fire Training, a unique ride that gives riders the opportunity to shoot water while moving up and down in a protective basket. We had never seen anything like this, and we loved it, even if my husband ended up soaked.

Flynn’s Fire Training

Diesel drivers is definitely for the under five crowd. My daughter dubbed it “too slow.” However, we enjoyed several trips on Harold’s Helicopter Ride together. My daughter also loved the Journey with Thomas train ride and repeated, “Chugga, chugga choo-choo,” for the entire ride.

Journey with Thomas

While my husband took our daughter on Journey with Thomas, the boys and I rode Cranky’s Drop Tower twice. I loved the view of Kennywood as we traveled up and down the tower. Thomas Town also includes an indoor play area for younger kids. We hadn’t expected a need for socks, and my daughter was quite worried when she learned that she couldn’t climb the indoor structure without them. We did see one mother take off her own socks and give them to her son, but neither my daughter nor I were wearing socks. Luckily, Kennywood predicted this dilemma, and the attached gift shop sold single pairs of Thomas-themed socks for a mere $4. My daughter was absolutely thrilled with her “souvenir” and now asks to wear her James socks every day.

Souvenir socks

Kennywood’s 4-D Theater

Kennywood’s 4-D Theater plays two 4-D films daily. We caught a shortened 15-minute version of San Andreas, a 2015 thrill movie that we are now likely to request from the library. Watching a short film is a great way to get out of the sun for a few minutes, and the 4-D experience made us feel like we were on a ride.

Where to Eat when Visiting Kennywood

Kennywood offers many dining options. My friend recommended Parkside and Potato Patch, but our entire family got a collective hankering for shakes and sandwiches when we saw the Johnny Rocket sign. It ended up being a longer than expected wait to get our food, but our shakes, chicken, burgers and fries complimented our amusement park experience perfectly.

Kennywood’s Johnny Rockets

Kennywood Park Vacation Logistics
- 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.
Live show in Thomas Town

A Family Day at Kennywood Park

Kennywood Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the perfect location for a family outing because it blends classic carnival rides with record breaking thrill rides. Our first family trip to Kennywood was a highlight of the summer because we all love riding rides and sharing quality family time together.
August 16, 2019
Cedar Point Amusement Park in Ohio
Thank you to Cedar Point for hosting our family’s visit. All opinions are my own.

We are so lucky to have Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio. Cedar Point in Sandusky is consistently recognized as one of the world’s best amusement parks and always winning awards for its roller coasters. It is the only amusement park with six roller coaster that are taller than 200 feet and the only park that features coasters in all four height classifications. On top of that, the classifications of giga and strata were coined during the development of the Millennium Force and Top Thrill Dragster, respectively. When Cedar Point constructs a new coaster, it seems to always break at least one world record. It’s no surprise that Cedar Point, which is located on Lake Erie, is known as “America’s Roller Coast.”

Cedar Point Amusement Park Awards

Cedar Point received Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Award for “Best Amusement Park in the World” every year from 1997-2013. It’s the most visited seasonal amusement park in the nation and boasted about 3.6 million visitors in 2017. And, its historic, too. Cedar Point is the second oldest continuously operated amusement park in the U.S. behind only Lake Compounce in my husband’s former hometown of Bristol, Connecticut. My husband was pleased to know he’s visited the two oldest amusement parks in the U.S., especially considering Cedar Point and Lake Compounce are two of the only seasonal amusement parks he’s visited. Cedar Point also has several buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Cedar Point Theme Park – An Ideal Vacation Destination

Cedar Point is a vacation destination that attracts visitors from all over the world. The Sandusky area has many options for accommodation to support Cedar Point, including three hotels with indoor water parks and Cedar Point’s Hotel Breakers. We met one family who was visiting on a five day pass with dining plan. While we generally have to travel to see top tourist spots, we’re able to make a day trip to Cedar Point from the eastern suburbs of Cleveland on about a half a tank of gas. Before school starts each year, we ask the kids about their favorite parts of summer, and Cedar Point always ranks at the top of the list, even the year we took an amazing trip to Iceland.

We scheduled our visit to Cedar Point on what turned out to be the hottest day of the summer. Meteorologists warned of the dangers of the high heat index throughout the entire region. We were glad we planned to visit later in the day, and the souvenir cup with unlimited refills was a non-negotiable necessity. We stayed hydrated and avoided any attractions with long lines and made sure to visit air-conditioned buildings whenever we felt hot. Much to my daughter’s dismay, we also decided to skip one of her favorites, Snoopy Bounce, because it required too much physical exertion on this hot day.

Cedar Point Weather

It’s important to check the weather and be prepared before visiting Cedar Point. Even though rain was not in the forecast when we headed to Cedar Point, we threw a few umbrellas under our stroller to use as shade during this day of extreme heat. We had been fortunate during our recent trips to Cedar Point and visited on only dry days, but at about 9 p.m., an unexpected and ominous storm cloud appeared overhead and significantly darkened the beautiful blue sky we enjoyed the entire day. It brought with it a cooling breeze and then a downpour of rain and consistent lightning. When the unexpected rain shower began, we felt very lucky that we were some of the few prepared Cedar Point visitors. We stopped for dinner hoping the storm would pass, and the rides would reopen, but due to safety concerns and ongoing lightning, most of the rides understandably closed early. Only a few fixed to the ground remained open.

Unexpected storm clouds rolling in behind Maverick, Cedar Point’s steepest roller coaster

Cedar Point Nights

From July 12 through August 18, the Cedar Point Nights event offers an ultimate nighttime beach party with five hours of live entertainment from local bands at the Lakeside Beach Musical Festival. Visitors can take advantage of Cedar Point’s low priced admission after 5 p.m. and enter the park for only $25 per person. We unfortunately missed the Musical Festival because of the unexpected storm but have enjoyed the evening live entertainment during visits in prior years. In addition to the nightly beach party, the Cedar Point theme park lights up after dark. Giant Wheel, Cedar Point’s Ferris wheel illuminates against the skyline and has more lights than any other ride in the park. While the boys waited in line for the Dodgem cars, we were totally transfixed by the light show. My daughter’s favorite parts were the heart and smiley face.

The illuminated Giant Wheel

The dodgem cars were brightly lit at night, which added to the smash up fun.

Dodgem cars at night

Cedar Point Best Rides

Cedar Point Thrill Rides

Cedar Point’s roller coasters constructed since 2000 are for serious thrill seekers. They include:
- Millennium Force, which debuted in 2000 as the original giga roller coaster by exceeding 300 feet;
- Top Thrill Dragster, the steel accelerator coaster completed in 2004 as the original strata coaster remains one of only two roller coasters, in the world that exceeds 400 feet;
- Maverick; which was completed in 2007 as Cedar Point’s steepest roller coaster;
- GateKeeper, which was constructed in 2013 as the world’s highest, fastest and longest wing coaster;
- Valravn, which opened in 2016 as the tallest, fastest and longest dive coaster; and
- Steel Venegance, which was completed in 2018 as a partial reconstruction of the Mean Streak and opened as a hybrid hypercoaster setting 10 world records.
Our boys have yet to attempt any of these these, but maybe next year.

While we did not ride any of Cedar Point’s newest roller coasters on this visit, my boys and husband enjoyed some of the thrill rides, including MaXair, Skyhawk and Ocean Motion. I get nauseous when there’s too much spinning or swaying, so I am happy to wait with my daughter and take pictures, amazed that my family is flying through the air. Skyhawk, the world’s highest swinging thrill ride, had a model seat outside the entrance for riders to test out, and my daughter thought that was the coolest thing ever. She spent a solid 10 minutes opening and closing the lap bar.

Skyhawk, the world’s highest swinging thrill ride

My favorite “thrill ride” is the Wave Swinger, a classic swing ride that is far more mellow than the others in this category. I stored my flip flops in the bin and let my feet dangle in the wind. It was a glorious ride, dampened only slightly by the storm clouds that appeared.

Cedar Point’s Classic Roller Coasters

In my teens and 20s, I was a roller coaster enthusiast. I regularly visited Cedar Point on a May weekday when the park was practically empty and the coasters all had minimal waits. I loved the thrill of my stomach dropping and raced from coaster to coaster trying to ride them all in a single day. I’m not so brave in my “old age” and have been happy to settle for the record-breaking coasters from many years ago. The roller coasters I remember most fondly from childhood are from Cedar Fair’s now defunct Geauga Lake: Double Loop, Big Dipper and Corkscrew. At Cedar Point, Gemini, the Blue Streak, Corkscrew and Iron Dragon fit into this category. We’ve ridden all as a family but didn’t get to all of them on this trip due to the unexpected storm. The great thing about Cedar Point is that the newest coasters draw the biggest crowds, and our wait time for the coasters we wanted to ride rarely exceeded five minutes.

I still have a soft spot for Gemini, the 1978 steel hybrid was one of the tallest, fastest and steepest roller coasters in the world when it was constructed. Two cars run on side by side tracks, which makes this one of the highest capacity rides in the park. There is one main hill and a bunch of smaller hills and various twists and turns, but the highlight for me is the dual tracks and experiencing the coaster as a race with a large group of excited visitors. While steel roller coasters seem to be much more popular, this hybrid wooden coaster with a steel track seems like the perfect compromise. I rode the Gemini with my two sons, and my oldest agreed that it was his favorite, too, which was a proud mama moment.

The Gemini against the bright blue sky

Cedar Point Junior Roller Coasters

Cedar Point truly caters to visitors of all ages and interests and features two junior roller coasters. We decided to ride the Woodstock Express. My four year old daughter wasn’t 100% convinced that she wanted to try a roller coaster, but we encouraged her because the boys both overcame mild fear to ride at about her age. Unfortunately, her least favorite ride turned out to be the Woodstock Express junior roller coaster. This roller coaster is 38 feet high and 25 miles per hour and was a bit too much for her. In hindsight, the Wilderness Run, which was formerly known as the Junior Gemini and has a 19 feet drop and top speed of 6 miles per hour would have probably been a better bet. Even though the Woodstock Express was not even a little bit fun for her, I think she’ll try the Wilderness Run next year.

Waiting for the Woodstock Express

Cedar Point Family Rides

With kids in all three major height categories – under 48 inches, under 54 inches and over 54 inches, we appreciate that there are a number of fun rides that we can enjoy as a family. We typically start and end each day at Cedar Point with a ride on the Midway Carousel. While I took my sons on the Cedar Creek Mine Ride, my husband and daughter rode the Antique Cars together. There are also many rides in Cedar Points three children’s areas that the whole family can ride together. We always make sure to ride the Kiddie Kingdom Carousel and also enjoy the 4x4s, Camp Bus, Snoopy’s Express Railroad and Charlie Brown’s Wind Up. Peanuts 500 was my daughter’s favorite ride.

The Midway Carousel is the perfect way to start and end a day at Cedar Point

Cedar Point Kid Rides

Over the years, many parents have told me that they are putting off a trip to Cedar Point until their kids are older. Even if Cedar Point has a roller coaster reputation, it really does not disappoint when it comes to the youngest visitors. There are three areas with kiddie rides – Kiddie Kingdom, Camp Snoopy and Planet Snoopy, which consists of rides relocated from Geauga Lake after it closed. In most of these kiddie rides, kids spin around an axis on some mode of transportation. The Mustangs, police and motorcycles may seem really similar for adults, but my four year old daughter was delighted running from ride to ride, wanting to try them all. We may not miss the kiddie areas when our daughter outgrows them, but we’re glad that Cedar Point offers so many options for its youngest visitors.

Cedar Point’s Town Hall Museum

My proudest mama moment of our visit may have been when my daughter pointed to the Town Hall Museum and said she wanted to check it out. My kids really appreciate and enjoy museums, but I wouldn’t have expected her to notice the museum at Cedar Point and want to explore when it was surrounded by rides. We not only appreciated the air conditioning but learned about the history of Cedar Point’s roller coasters during our short visit. The model replica of Steel Vengeance was impressive, and we compared the redesigned coaster to the nearby Mean Streak model.

Where to Eat when Visiting Cedar Point

Cedar Point Restaurants

Cedar Point offers many dining options. We often opt for Chick-fil-A or Panda Express and also make sure to purchase a souvenir cup with unlimited refills. It’s so important to stay hydrated.

Restaurants Near Cedar Point

On our way to and from Cedar Point, we regularly stop for a meal at Costa Azul at the Rye Beach Road exit off of OH-2 in Huron, Ohio. Costa Azul serves authentic Mexican cuisine and even accommodated my older son’s entire soccer team after a state championship tournament game at the nearby Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center.

Cedar Point Vacation Logistics
- Cedar Point Tickets: As of July 2019, Cedar Point admission is available online starting at $49.99 for adults for weekday passes and $45 for children under 48 inches. Guests who love roller coasters and dislike lines should consider purchasing the Cedar Point fast pass. Tickets for entry after 5:00 p.m. costs $25. Cedar Point discount tickets are available from a number of vendors, including Groupon.
- Cedar Point Hours: Check the Cedar Point schedule.
- Cedar Point Height Requirements: Each ride has its own posted height requirements.
- Cedar Point Park Map: Don’t forget to pick up a map before setting off to explore Cedar Point. Even though we visit almost every year, we always find ourselves referring to the map for important location information.
- Cedar Point Parent Swap: We requested a Parent Swap authorization at Guest Services by the Main Entrance. After I rode Iron Dragon with the boys while my husband waited with our daughter, I showed the authorization to the operator. After we reunited, my husband and younger son walked up the exit ramp and got on the next train.
- Cedar Point Kidtrack: At Guest Services, we signed up for a Kidtrack wristband for my daughter. I wrote my name and phone number on the inside. If we were ever separated, the contact information would help us reunite faster.
- Cedar Point Pre-K Pass: Cedar Point offered free season passes for children ages three to five for the entire 2019 season. Registration closed on June 3, 2019, but make sure to look out for the program in 2020.
A Family Day at Cedar Point

Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio is the perfect location for a family outing because it blends classic carnival rides with world record thrill rides. Our annual trip to Cedar Point is a highlight of the summer because we all love riding rides and sharing quality family time together.
July 22, 2019
Things to Do in Western Massachusetts With Kids
Thank you to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art for hosting our family’s visits and to the Inn on Boltwood for providing a media rate. All opinions are my own.

My aunt and uncle live near Amherst, Massachusetts, and I’ve visited them many times over the years since my early childhood. I love the rural beauty of Western Massachusetts and particularly their farm, which abuts Bull Hill in Leverett. While I made solo trips in 2017 and 2018 to visit them, the kids have not been to Western Massachusetts since 2016 when we took a fall getaway trip to New England. With a few days off around the Fourth of July holiday, we decided to plan a trip to Amherst. Unfortunately, my husband was not able to join us due to work conflicts. Because our kids are now 11, 9 and 4, I felt more comfortable taking on the long car journey as a solo parent. In addition to visiting my aunt and uncle, there are many amazing things to do in Western Massachusetts with kids that made the long drive well worth it.

Where to Stay in Western Massachusetts

Inn on Boltwood

We stayed at Inn on Boltwood, a historic hotel located on the Amherst Common immediately adjacent to Amherst College. Read our full review of the Inn on Boltwood.

Things to Do in Springfield, Massachusetts

Visit the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

A year ago, I flew into Hartford to visit my aunt and uncle and on my drive between Hartford and Leverett, I passed through the center of Springfield, Massachusetts where a building with a large spherical dome caught my attention. I later discovered that the nine-story dome was the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. I couldn’t fit in a visit during that quick one-night trip, but I knew that my two sons would absolutely love to visit the next time we came to Western Massachusetts as a family. When I started planning our 2019 trip to Amherst, the Basketball Hall of Fame was at the top of our must-see list.

Basketball Hall of Fame Dome, currently under renovation

We had started the 575 mile drive the previous day, explored Rochester and stopped for the night near Oneida, New York. We woke up on the Fourth of July and had a three-hour drive to Springfield. Luckily, the Basketball Hall of Fame does not close for Independence Day, and we arrived at about 11 a.m. ready to stretch our legs and check out sports memorabilia. The main lobby had one of our favorite exhibits with players’ favorite quotes and plaques depicting shoe sizes. Shaquille O’Neal, who wore a size 22, had the biggest feet. Here’s the comparison from my daughter’s youth size 11.

Shaquille O’Neal’s shoes compared to my daughter’s

At the information desk, we collected our tickets and learned that the Basketball Hall of Fame was hosting a free throw contest at 2:00 p.m. on Center Court to commemorate the Fourth of July holiday. My two boys immediately looked at me and asked if they could participate. I sent a message to my uncle to let him know we would leave after the contest as we entered the Basketball Hall of Fame theater to watch a 12-minute introductory film that provided an overview of basketball history and highlights, including our favorite basketball memory, the Cavaliers’ 2016 national championship win.

Basketball Hall of Fame theater

As we boarded the elevator, the guide told the kids to look for two gold medals and a golden sneaker. While my boys were most excited to enter the Basketball Hall of Fame, read the mini biographies of the Basketball Hall of Fame inductees and check out basketball memorabilia, my daughter was a bit bored with the Honors Ring, despite the scavenger hunt assignment. She was more interested in what was happening on the court below.

Bob Lainer’s golden sneaker

In the Players’ Gallery on the second level, the boys continued spending time reading and exploring the exhibits, particularly those embedded in a locker room display. They learned a great deal of basketball history.

Checking out the Michael Jordan exhibit

But, all three kids really enjoyed all the interactive exhibits on the second floor. They tested how high they could jump, grab a rebound and tried out a pop-a-shot not unlike the one in our basement.

Pop-a-shot at the Basketball Hall of Fame is so much better than in our basement

My younger son loved the virtual hoops game and took eighth place on the leader board. My older son was wearing a royal blue shirt that was almost the identical color to the game’s green screen. As a result, much of his body was invisible on the television screen. He wasn’t able to dribble or shoot and gave up on the game before his turn was over. Our lesson was not to wear royal blue clothes to the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Virtual Hoops leader board

The Media Center was also a big hit. The kids were able to record a live sports news cast and watch it back and also check out the view of Center Court from a sky box. Those are definitely the best seats in the house.

View from the half court sky box at the Basketball Hall of Fame

We finished our tour on Center Court where the kids all shot hoops, tried dunks and checked out the historic hoops, including a peach basket. We decided to eat lunch before the free throw contest. We returned to Center Court about 10 minutes before the contest began. The largest crowd we had seen on Center Court gathered for the contest, and there was a lot of excitement from the participants. The boys took a few warm up shots and lined up.

As the contest began, I turned to the woman next to me and said, “Every one of them thinks they might win.” In round one, each of the 30-40 contestants took a single regulation free throw. Only five made it on to the second round, including my older son. Round two included another single free throw attempt, and my son was one of two contestants who made it to the third and final round. The other finalist was an adult who seemed about twice my son’s height and definitely had basketball experience and skills. It was clear that my son was the underdog but exciting that he made it this far. The host announced that each finalist would take three shots in the final round. The other finalist went first and made one of his three shots. My son missed his first and swished the next two, winning the contest. Check out the video clip of his winning shot below.

His prizes included the basketball used in the contest and a drawstring backpack filled with Basketball Hall of Fame swag, including a t-shirt, hat, basketball cards, net and a miniature basketball. He was elated, and I have to admit that I was both surprised and excited for him. All those hours shooting hoops in the driveway really paid off.

On the way back to our car, we stopped at the Coaches’ Circle Monument, which was sculpted by Brian Hanson and unveiled during the 2015 Hall of Fame Enshrinement. My son was especially excited to be leaving the Hoop Hall with souvenirs.

The Coaches’ Circle Monument at the Basketball Hall of Fame

The Basketball Hall of Fame was all we hoped for and more. Even though the Hall of Fame is currently undergoing a major $22 million renovation that is expected to be completed next year, our visit was truly unforgettable. The boys want to come back every time we visit Western Mass. We definitely recommend a visit to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts for any basketball enthusiast.
- Basketball Hall of Fame Hours: The hours for the Basketball Hall of Fame vary by season, but it is generally open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. and closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas.
- Basketball Hall of Fame Tickets: As of July 2019, Basketball Hall of Fame admission costs $25 for adults age 16 to 65, $20 for seniors age 65+ and $16 for children age 5 to 15. Children age four and under are free.
- Basketball Hall of Fame Parking: Free parking is available in a lot adjacent to the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Eat at the Basketball Hall of Fame Restaurants

After we explored the exhibits and did a bit of hoop shooting, we worked up an appetite for lunch. Luckily, the Basketball Hall of Fame includes six restaurants on site that are each open to the public as well as visitors to the Hall of Fame. We headed to the entrance and chose to eat at Max’s Tavern for lunch.

Max’s Tavern served typical American fare and offered a kids’ meal that included several vegetables and reminded me of the food pyramid advocated by Michelle Obama.

My oldest ordered the cheeseburger off of the regular menu, and the burger was at least six inches tall. He has a pretty incredible appetite and polished off the entire burger with no problem. He was completely fueled and ready to compete in the free throw contest. We loved the atmosphere, sports memorabilia and classic tavern decor.

Things to Do in the Amherst Area

We headed from Springfield to the Amherst, Massachusetts area. Amherst is a quintessential Colonial town known as Emily Dickinson’s hometown and the home of Amherst College and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. In addition to visiting my aunt and uncle, we checked out a few of the area’s best attractions as well.

Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art has been on my list of attractions to visit in Amherst for several years. Eric Carle is an award winning author and illustrator of picture books who is best known for The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which is one of our family’s favorite picture books and has been rated the #2 best picture book ever by the School Library Journal.

Four large murals painted by Eric Carle for this Museum dominate the entry way. These murals reminded us of Monet’s large scale paintings but with bolder colors and more abstract style. The paintings were my oldest son’s favorite part of the entire collection.

Eric Carle’s wall murals

Eric Carle lived nearby in Northampton, Massachusetts for over 30 years and founded The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art with his wife in 2002 to celebrate picture book art. Carle is now 90 years old and resides in Key West, Florida, but continues to collaborate on projects and visits The Carle several times each year. We learned about Eric Carle’s life and his bold, graphic artistic style that unexpectedly led him to picture books.

The Carle’s West, Central and East Galleries all house rotating exhibits that include works both from the Museum’s permanent collection and some that are on loan. The West Gallery currently holds Eric Carle Makes a Book, which explores Carle’s story inspirations. The kids explored this exhibit by completing a scavenger hunt and then working on their own mini-books.

The Central Gallery housed an exhibition honoring the 50th anniversary of William Steig’s Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. My two youngest set to work preparing the most delicious picnic lunch. We weren’t as familiar with William Steig’s books but have already reserved a few from our library.

The East Gallery featured the works of Peter Sis, an author and illustrator who we were also not particularly familiar with but now plan to read his collection. I read Fire Truck to my daughter in the gallery, and the kids used rubbing plates to make labyrinths and also did some maze drawing.

Our favorite part of The Carle was probably the Art Studio. Like many moms, I’m ecstatic when my kids have the opportunity to create art in a bright studio with all the materials already prepared and ready to go. We worked on animal collages. As we worked on our projects, five or six other families came into the studio, and there was plenty of room for everyone.

The Carle’s art studio

For younger kids not yet ready to do cutting and gluing, there were magnets, bright blocks and a host of switches and knobs to explore while other family members worked on their projects.

We are so glad we finally made it to The Carle. With so much of its actual collection rotating and many interactive art projects, we would definitely enjoy returning on our next trip to Western Massachusetts.
- The Eric Carle Museum Hours: The Carle is generally open on Tuesdays through Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Carle is also open on Mondays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in July and August.
- The Carle Tickets: As of July 2019, admission to The Carle costs $9 for adults and $6 for youth ages 1-18, students, teachers and seniors. Families can take advantage of a special for admission for two adults and two youth for $22.50.
- The Carle Parking: Free parking is available in a lot adjacent to The Carle.
Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens

Magic Wings in South Deerfield, Massachusetts is a truly magical place for families to visit and an ideal way to follow up a visit to The Carle. Magic Wings includes an 8,000 square foot, climate-controlled, glass conservatory filled with about 5,000 absolutely beautiful butterflies. In addition to the conservatory, there are a number of educational exhibits and a cafeteria.

While we often visit butterfly exhibits in botanical gardens and zoos, Magic Wings stands out as exemplary. It is both larger than the average butterfly exhibit and there are so many more butterflies. Visitors are asked not to touch butterflies or hold leaves or twigs as butterfly landing grounds, but those who are patient and stand still are likely to have one of the butterflies land on them at some point.

We purchased a $1 guide to the butterflies in Magic Wings before we left and wish we would have had it with us to help identify the different butterfly species during our visit. We ate lunch at the on site food court and air conditioned eating area. We ordered sandwiches and hot dogs and got soft serve ice cream for dessert. It was the perfect break to butterfly observing, and we were ready to head back into the conservatory for a second visit after our meal.
- Magic Wings Hours: Magic Wings is generally open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- Magic Wings Tickets: As of July 2019, admission to Magic Wings costs $16 for adults, $14 for seniors age 62 and over and $10 for youth age 3-17 and through 22 with a valid student identification. Children under age three are free.
- Magic Wings Parking: Free parking is available adjacent to Magic Wings.
- Time Spent at Magic Wings: We spent about two and a half hours at Magic Wings, including lunch.
Yankee Candle Village

Yankee Candle is a scented candle manufacturer and retailer that started in South Hadley, Massachusetts. The flagship store opened in 1982 in South Deerfield, and Yankee Candle Village developed around that store to offer New England crafts, toys, a Bavarian Christmas Village and other gifts and collectibles in addition to scented candles.

We last visited the Yankee Candle Village in 2008 and noticed my oldest’s first tooth while he was laughing at the enormous stuffed animals. It’s no surprise that we spent all of our time in the Yankee Candle Village during this visit in the toy shop and viewing the Christmas display. The kids wanted everything but settled for gumballs from the coolest gumball machine we had ever seen.
- Yankee Candle Village Hours: Yankee Candle Village is generally open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., but hours may vary during holidays.
- Yankee Candle Village Parking: Free parking is available adjacent to Yankee Candle Village.
- Time Spent at Yankee Candle Village: We spent about 20 minutes in the toy, candy and Christmas sections of the Village.
Mount Sugarloaf State Reservation

I always enjoy going to the highest point in a city or region and getting a birds-eye view of the area. Mount Sugarloaf in South Deerfield is the perfect location for viewing the Connecticut River. Because it is possible to drive to the summit, it is easily accessible for families with young children. Our trip there in 2008 had added excitement as Mel Gibson just finished filming Edge of Darkness at the summit of Mount Sugarloaf. The observation tower had been temporarily renovated and had not yet been returned to its pre-filming state, and the Fall colors were brilliant.

The view from summit is stunning, and the vantage from the top of the observation tower is even better.
- Mount Sugarloaf Reservation Hours: The Reservation is open from 9 a.m. to sunset. Summit Road is open from mid-May through mid-October.
- Mount Sugarloaf Reservation Admission: There is no admission fee to visit Mount Sugarloaf.
- Mount Sugarloaf Reservation Parking: Parking permits can be purchased at the entrance to Mount Sugarloaf. The parking fee is $5 for cars with Massachusetts license plates and $10 for cars with all other license plates.
- Time Spent at Mount Sugarloaf: We spent about a half hour at Mount Sugarloaf Reservation.
Hiking in Western Massachusetts

There are also many opportunities for hiking in Western Massachusetts. On our last trip in 2016, my aunt and uncle suggested a family hike at Rattlesnake Gutter, which was a perfect location for us to hike with the kids. It was mostly flat with a clear path and beautiful wooded scenery. We found some of the best Fall colors there and collected a few leaves to iron flat to preserve. My daughter enjoyed the hike from the comfort of her carrier and even took a nap.

Because we live in the suburbs, our kids loved the opportunity to spend a day outside hiking.

Experience Farm Life

There are many working farms in the Amherst area, and my kids were delighted that my aunt and uncle live on one of them. We took a hike around their pond, through their barn and circling their fields and got up close and personal with the Belted Galloway cows living on their land. We affectionately call these “oreo cows” because of the white belt at their middle flanked by black sides.

While my aunt and uncle don’t often have young visitors, they diligently pointed out bull frogs in the pond, explained the hay baling process and many other special features on the farm. My kids loved exploring the farm.

We visited as hay harvesting was being finished up on my uncle’s farm. On the first day of our visit, the hay was neatly arranged into rows. When the work was completed, my kids were offered short ATV rides, which they very willingly accepted.

On the second day, the hay was baled and harvested. I found the harvesting process fascinating. The hay baler was connected to a tractor and created compressed bales that were catapulted into the flatbed trailer for easy transportation. There was something artistic about watching the hay bales gracefully fly through the air.

My aunt and uncle’s farm is not open to the public, and every day is definitely not a harvest day. However, there are many farms to visit in the Amherst area.

Places to Eat in the Amherst Area

Atkins Farms

Nancy went to college in Amherst and suggested that we stop at Atkins Farms. It turned out to be the perfect breakfast stop before our visit to The Carle, which is just down the street. The bakery offers so many options of delicious donuts. We each chose our favorites and then ate at a table in the cafe. My daughter enjoyed her chocolate covered donut so much that much of it ended up on her face. We picked up some staples for our long car ride home before heading to The Carle.

BridgeSide Grille

We eat at the BridgeSide Grille almost every visit. It’s a lovely family restaurant with locally sourced meals. I love the homey atmosphere and tasty meals.
- BridgeSide Grille Hours: BridgeSide Grille is generally open from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sundays.
- BridgeSide Grille Parking: Free parking is available in an adjacent parking lot.
Sugarloaf Frostie

On Independence Day, many area restaurants were closed; however, Sugarloaf Frostie was open. It was the perfect night for outdoor dining, and the sandwiches were surprisingly good. Of course, we followed up our meal with ice cream for dessert.

Western Massachusetts Itinerary

We packed many activities into our two days in Western Massachusetts and still had plenty of time left for exploring my aunt and uncle’s farm.

Day 1:
- Basketball Hall of Fame
- Fun on my aunt and uncle’s farm
- Dinner at the Sugarloaf Frostie
- Check in at the Inn on Boltwood
Day 2:
- Breakfast at Atkins Farm
- The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
- Watching hay baling
- Magic Wings
- Mount Sugarloaf
- Yankee Candle Village
- Dinner at BridgeSide Grille
There are so many fun things to do in Western Massachusetts that we recommend this area as an ideal weekend destination. Even though it’s a long drive for us, we’ll most certainly be back sooner rather than later. Planning a trip to Western Massachusetts? Check out our entire series of posts relating to New England.
July 18, 2019