We Go With Kids!

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  • Visiting New Orleans With Kids

    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.

    Botanical Gardens

    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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  • Weekend in Columbus for Kids

    Weekend in Columbus for Kids

    Thank you to Hotel LeVeque, Autograph Collection, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, COSI, the Franklin Park Conservatory, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Zoombezi Bay for hosting our family’s visits.  All opinions are my own. 

    Columbus, Ohio is near and dear to my heart because I lived there for three years as a law student at the Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law.  Nancy and I both studied at Moritz and lived in the same apartment complex five years apart.  While traveling and blogging may be two of my favorite pastimes, I’m a public finance attorney in the Cleveland office of Bricker & Eckler by day.  Because Columbus is the state capital of Ohio and Bricker’s headquarters, I make the journey from our house in the Cleveland suburbs down I-71 to Columbus every few weeks on business.  Columbus has grown exponentially since my college and law school years (now the 14th largest city in the U.S.) and is a great family destination.  It has been several years since we visited as a family, so I took advantage of an unusually quiet summer weekend while my husband was attending a family wedding in Australia to take the kids (and my daughter’s stuffed monkey, Coconut) on a weekend getaway.  Columbus is a city that offers more than meets the eye, and we made sure to pack many of the highlights into our weekend trip.

     

    Where to Stay in Columbus, Ohio

    A Review of Hotel LeVeque, Autograph Collection

    We spent two nights at the Hotel LeVeque, Autograph Collection, which is ideally located at the corner of Broad and Front, just one block from the Capitol Square.  We did not need our car between check-in on Friday night and check out on Sunday morning because everything on our itinerary was within walking distance of the Hotel LeVeque.  We walked to the Ohio Statehouse, the Bricker & Eckler building, Columbus Commons, COSI, Mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral and dinner at Condado.  We parked in the adjacent garage and were wowed by the elegant marquee at the entryway before proceeding to the lobby.  We immediately noticed the Hotel’s astronomical theme and starry decor.  My husband does not yet know that I spent a lot of time coveting the lobby chandelier and wondering if we could find something like it for our front hallway.

    Lobby of the Hotel LeVeque

    Check-in was a breeze with absolutely no wait.  Throughout our stay, the entire staff was extremely helpful and attentive, especially to the kids.  After we collected our room keys, we headed to our classic double queen room on the eighth floor.

    Hotel LeVeque classic queen guestroom

    The room was decorated in gray tones.  The entryway had laminate wood flooring that was perfect for kicking off our shoes.  The closet included the usual hanging space, safe and ironing board and also a large golf umbrella and a coffee maker.  The queen beds were dreamily comfortable with plenty of pillows.  Gold framed mirrors were a beautiful touch.  The kids were ecstatic to find a welcome gift on the desk and immediately set to work with their coloring books.

    Hotel LeVeque welcome gift

    The luxurious bathroom included a humongous, subway-tiled shower with a rainfall nozzle and separate handheld shower head.  I loved the sleek white on white decor and took some notes for my dream bathroom makeover.  There was also a separate room for the toilet, which worked great for our family.

    Hotel LeVeque bathroom

    The window wells were the perfect vantage point for watching the street below, and the biggest excitement was when the boys spotted a Lamborghini and Ferrari on Broad Street.

    The starry decor extends to the guest rooms.  The most unique feature was the star projector, which we used both nights so that we felt like we were sleeping under the stars with this view.  My son wants a similar projector for his room.

    Hotel LeVeque star projector

    After unpacking and settling into our room, the kids were ready to go explore the hotel.  We set off to the Fitness Center on the sixth floor.  The Center was equipped with high-end machines and weights and provided earplugs, granola bars and water.  The Fitness Center was not designed for kids’ use, but these two jumped on the treadmills for a few seconds before we headed to the lobby to continue our exploring.

    Hotel LeVeque fitness center

    There are so many beautiful artworks in the Hotel’s common areas that we felt as if we were in an art gallery.

    Hotel LeVeque artwork

    There is a Starbucks located right outside the lobby lounge and so many comfortable spots to relax with a morning coffee.

    Hotel LeVeque lounge

    Because I travel to Columbus regularly, I’ve stayed in at least a dozen other Columbus-area hotels, including about six other downtown hotels.  Hotel LeVeque, Autograph Collection is easily my new favorite because of its location and amenities.

     

    Best Things to Do in Columbus, Ohio

    We could easily spend a week exploring museums and parks in Columbus, but we packed the sights that most appealed to us into our weekend.  Here’s our overview of the best things to do in Columbus, Ohio in the order we visited and also a few that are on our family’s list for next time.

     

    Our Weekend in Columbus

     

    #1:  LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus

    Easton’s LEGOLAND is a Discovery Centers that serves as a miniature amusement park.  This 36,000 square foot entertainment center opened in September 2018.  At LEGOLAND, there are LEGO-themed rides, opportunities to build with LEGO, LEGO-themed play areas and a 4D movie theater.  My kids love LEGO and were especially excited that my friend and her 10-year-old daughter were able to join us.  We planned to arrive in Columbus in the late afternoon when most of the museums are closing and were pleased to find that LEGOLAND Discovery Center stays open until 7:00 p.m.  We arrived at about 4:30 p.m. and explored this amazing indoor amusement park until closing time.

    The kids were excited to ride the Kingdom Quest laser ride located immediately inside the entrance.  Each rider has their own laser to zap beastly trolls and sneaky skeletons while collecting points and saving a princess.  This ride reminded me of the Toy Story ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – just without the long line.   The kids rode on Kingdom Quest several times with absolutely no wait.

    Because our kids love to build with LEGO, they were excited about the police car building project in the Creative Workshop.  Workshops are held throughout the day, and visitors get the chance to create different models using LEGO kits.  The leader provided step by step directions projected onto a big screen.  My four year old and I worked together, but she handled the lion’s share of construction.

    It was so much fun watching a pile of LEGO bricks take shape into the police car.  After playing with our cars for a few minutes, we disassembled our creations and put them back in the kits for the next visitors.

    My four-year-old daughter declared the LEGO pool to be her favorite part of the Discovery Center.  This tear-dropped shaped “pool” is filled with thousands of LEGO bricks.  And, yes, she did dive into the middle.

    Miniland was also a big hit.  We’ve seen many LEGO exhibits, including Nathan Sawaya’s The Art of the Brick at the Carnegie Science Center last summer.  The scale of Miniland’s recreations of Ohio landmarks, including the Ohio Stadium was beyond impressive.  And, this room made my heart swell with O-H-I-O pride.

    LEGOLAND recreation of the Ohio State Horseshoe

    After playing in the LEGO City Play Area and the DUPLO Farm and riding the Merlin’s Apprentice Ride, we finished our visit to LEGOLAND in the 4D movie theater.  The kids laughed nonstop throughout the short film, and they thought the 4D special effects were cool (especially the flying hot dog), even if we did get a bit wet.  The LEGOLAND Discovery Center is the “ultimate indoor LEGO Playground.”

    • LEGOLAND Discovery Center Hours:  The LEGOLAND Discovery Center is open every day, and hours vary by day of the week and season.  The last entry is two hours before closing.
    • LEGOLAND Discovery Center Admission:  Walk up general admission to the LEGOLAND Discovery Center varies by date but generally costs between $24 and $34.  Savings are available for visitors who book online in advance.
    • LEGOLAND Discovery Center Parking:  The West Parking Garage at Easton is adjacent to LEGOLAND Discovery Center.  I parked in a surface lot with a three-hour limit and had to move my car before dinner.
    • Time Spent at LEGOLAND Discovery Center:  We spent about two and a half hours at LEGOLAND Discovery Center.

     

    #2:  Easton Town Center

    Easton Town Center is an indoor and outdoor shopping complex that opened in the summer of 1999, right before I moved to Columbus to start law school.  Easton started as a development by Les Wexner, the owner of Limited Brands, and has had multiple expansions and renovation projects since its opening.

    Easton Station includes The Rooms at Easton, presented by COSI.  These are themed rooms where visitors can explore science concepts.  Our favorite was Community Creations, a room inspired by Yayoi Kusama’s The obliteration room, which we saw in Cleveland last year.  We each added a strip of stickers.

    Easton is a wonderful family destination, particularly in the summer when it hosts numerous events like the Easton Art Affair, a fine art craft show that was going on during our visit.  It reminded me of New Orleans‘ Jackson Park with so many amazing artists exhibiting their pieces.  There is also a fountain for kids under eight to splash around in.  It was a bit chilly, and our youngest did not have her bathing suit, but she asked many times if she could try out the fountain.

    • Easton Towne Center Hours:  Most retailers are open Monday to Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6:00 p.m.
    • Easton Towne Center Parking:  Parking garages at Easton are free, surface lots provide free parking for up to three hours, and metered parking is available throughout the Center.
    • Time Spent at Easton Towne Center:  After finishing at LEGOLAND, we spent about two hours eating dinner and checking out the Easton Art Affair.

     

    #3:  Ohio Statehouse

    The Ohio Statehouse is located in the center of downtown Columbus at Capitol Square.  Unlike many state capitols inspired by the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., the Ohio Statehouse’s Greek revival architecture was influenced by the Parthenon and completed before the Capitol.   I am fortunate to attend an annual event inside the Ohio Statehouse, but, unfortunately, we did not have time for a guided tour on this particular visit.

    The William McKinley Monument honors the Ohio native who served as the Ohio Governor and 25th President of the United States.  The monument was completed in 1906, five years after McKinley’s assassination.

    • Ohio Statehouse Hours:  The Ohio Statehouse is open to the public on Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  The Ohio Statehouse is closed on public holidays.
    • Ohio Statehouse Parking:  Underground parking is available 24 hours a day.
    • Time Spent at the Statehouse:  We passed by the Ohio Statehouse several times during our weekend and spent about 30 minutes total.  The guided tour is definitely on our list for our next visit.

     

    #4:  Bricker & Eckler Building

    The law firm of Bricker & Eckler purchased the old, old post office in 1984 and restored and renovated the building to use as its headquarters.  This is one of the few downtown buildings dating from the 19th century and is located across from Capitol Square at the intersection of South Third and State Street.  It was my favorite building in downtown Columbus long before I became an employee.  While the Bricker & Eckler building is not open to the public, we were fortunate to be able to stop in and take a break to relax in the lobby before continuing our Saturday morning walking tour.

    Bricker and Eckler Building
    Bricker & Eckler Building

     

    #5:  The John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons

    The John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons is a six-acre park in the middle of downtown Columbus that opened in 2011 on the site of the former Columbus City Center mall.  I remember when City Center opened as a premier shopping destination and witnessed its decline over my college and law school years as competing malls opened in the suburbs of Columbus.  The Columbus Commons utilized the extensive underground parking constructed for City Center and features green space, Columbus Bicentennial Pavilion, a carousel, 12 gardens and open play.  The Commons hosts over 200 events each year, and many of the events are free to the public.

    Columbus Commons stage

    • Columbus Commons Hours:  The Columbus Commons is generally open from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily.
    • Columbus Commons Parking:  The Main Garage is located at 55 East Rich Street, and the Underground Garage is located at 191 South Third Street.
    • Time Spent at Columbus Commons:  We spent only a few minutes in the Commons due to our packed schedule and ticketed events occurring both nights.

     

    #6: COSI Columbus

    The Center of Science and Industry or COSI, as it is commonly known, is a science museum and research center.  COSI opened in its current space in November 1999, just a few months after I started law school.  My first visit was five years ago in 2014 when I was eight months pregnant with my daughter.  Our family loves science museums, so we were ecstatic to go back to COSI.  Just like our first visit (which I coincidentally discovered occurred exactly five years before this visit when I looked at the previous pictures), our visit coincided with the Science of Big Machines event in front of COSI.  This is an epic touch a truck opportunity that gives kids the chance to try out operating stationary construction vehicles.  This hands-on learning opportunity was a huge hit five years ago when my boys were four and six.  This year, my four and nine year olds each tried out a truck before heading back across the bridge to our hotel.

    In the entryway, we were greeted by an enormous Foucault pendulum that demonstrates that the Earth is spinning.  This may be the largest and most beautiful Foucault pendulum we’ve ever seen.

    COSI is much more than a typical science museum.  Of course, it has live shows, hands-on science experiments, a planetarium, and permanent and special exhibits.  But, it also includes the American Museum of Natural History Dinosaur Gallery, which is larger than dinosaur exhibits at many natural history museums.  The full cast of a T-Rex is certainly the highlight here.  There is also an outdoor park that is open to the public.  In 2017, COSI completed the construction of an underground parking garage to replace its surface lot.  Moving parking underground opened up eight acres that are now used as a park, complete with a playground and fountains.  This park space is heavily used by families, especially on beautiful summer days.

    The exhibit that I was most excited about was The Jim Henson Exhibition:  Imagination Unlimited, which explored Henson’s groundbreaking work and more than 20 historic puppets.  Henson died almost 30 years ago at age 53, but his impact on puppetry was unparalleled.  It was a thrill to see some of my childhood “friends” up close and personal.

    We also explored the Mythic Creatures special exhibit.  Unicorns seem to be as popular as princesses these days, and my daughter especially enjoyed this exhibit, but the boys preferred the rat basketball live show.  Our visit to COSI was cut short because my oldest wasn’t feeling well, but my friend offered to watch my younger two kids while I took my oldest to the hotel.  They made flubber, explored the Ocean exhibit and watched the high-wire unicycle.

    Families can easily spend an entire day at COSI exploring the exhibits.  Luckily, the Atomic Cafe provides a wide variety of kids’ meals and some healthy options for when kids need refueling.   Our kids are already talking about the next trip and plan to prioritize the Planetarium and Giant Screen Theater.

    • COSI Hours:  COSI is generally open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily and 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the last Friday of each month.
    • COSI Admission:  COSI general admission costs $25 for everyone 13 and over and $20 for kids 2-12.  Add on experiences such as the Planetarium, National Geographic Giant Screen Theater films, Motion Simulator rides and some special exhibits are available for additional fees.
    • COSI Parking:  The closest parking is available at the Scioto Peninsula Underground Garage.  Visitor parking costs $6 with the discount stamp available at the COSI Box Office.
    • Time Spent at COSI:  My oldest and I spent about two hours at COSI, and my younger two children stayed on with my friend and spent four hours exploring.

     

    #7:  Franklin Park Conservatory

    Franklin Park Conservatory is a botanical garden located on Broad Street a few miles from Capitol Square.  We always enjoy conservatories, but the big draw for us was its signature collection of Dale Chihuly artworks.  We have a fondness for Chihuly and have seen his works at the lobby of the Bellagio in Las Vegas, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh and even MudBugs Cajun Kitchen in Sanibel.  None of those exhibits comes close to Franklin Park Conservatory’s Chihuly:  Celebrating Nature, the largest Chihuly collection in a botanical garden.  This current exhibit, which is on display through March 29, 2020, includes 13 Chihuly works that are part of the Conservatory’s permanent collection, four pieces of the Conservatory’s collection that have been reconfigured and five pieces on loan from Chihuly.

    Dale Chihuly is an American glass sculptor who uses vibrant colors in his sculptures that often resemble flowers.  The exhibit guide gets high marks for including art label descriptions for each piece and using color-coding to indicate which pieces are from the permanent collection, reconfigured or on loan.  After being wowed by Chihuly’s Persian Window, we passed under the Persian Ceiling with layered glass forms.

    Chihuly's Persian Ceiling at the Franklin Park Conservatory

    My oldest son has color vision deficiency and only sees a fraction of the colors that the rest of the family can see.  To him, many of Chihuly’s selections do not seem bold or vivid, but he likes the forms.  However, this Garden Fiori, on loan for this exhibit, was an exception and looked brilliant to him and easily became his favorite of the exhibition.

    The Lime Green Icicle Tower, also on loan, was the focal point of the Sculpture Garden.  It reminded me of the taller and skinnier version exhibited in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

    Chihuly's Lime Green Icicle Tower at the Franklin Park Conservatory

    There is something magical about butterflies, and it is always exciting to see one up close.  The Conservatory’s Blooms & Butterflies exhibit is located in the Pacific Island Water Garden.

    The Kids Can Design Glass Art Studio gives kids the chance to make their own Chihuly-inspired creations.

    Scott’s Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden offers active experiences in nature for children.  My daughter splashed in the Headwaters and Sandstone Creek, which were inspired by the nearby Hocking Hills before all three kids headed to the Canopy Walk and Nature Play Zone.

    It’s no surprise that the Franklin Park Conservatory was recently named by USA Today as #5 on the 10 most beautiful places list.  The combination of Chihuly sculptures and nature exhibited here is nothing short of breathtaking.

    • Franklin Park Conservatory Hours:  The Franklin Park Conservatory is generally open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
    • Franklin Park Conservatory Admission:  Franklin Park Conservatory general admission costs $19 for visitors age 13-59, $16 for visitors over age 59 and $12 for children age 3-12.
    • Franklin Park Conservatory Parking:  A free adjacent parking lot is available for visitors.
    • Time Spent at Franklin Park Conservatory:  We spent only about an hour and a half at the Franklin Park Conservatory because our visit was postponed due to my son’s illness.  However, we could have easily spent two to three hours exploring the Conservatory and playing in the Children’s Garden.

     

    #8:  The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

    The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has been nationally recognized among the best zoos in the U.S. and was recently named as the country’s #5 zoo by USA Today.  The enormous Zoo is organized by regions.  As soon as we entered, we hopped on the shuttle to the Heart of Africa exhibit and then weaved our way back to the entrance, saving us a lot of steps.  My four year old rarely uses a stroller, but after a few hours in the Franklin Park Conservatory, I was glad that we brought the stroller and comfortable walking shoes.  We saw so many animals up close, but those little legs would have struggled with the long walk on a hot day.

    The large enclosure housing at least a dozen giraffe and also zebras in the Heart of Africa was so realistic that we felt as if we were on safari in Africa.

    As a special treat, our kids took turns feeding a giraffe.  They liked getting up close and personal with the giraffe.

    The Polar Frontier exhibit features polar bears.   My nine-year-old son recently completed a research project on polar bears, and we learned that they can close their ears underwater and many other fascinating facts.  The enclosure features a large, chilled pool, and we were excited to see one close up.

    The Shores & Aquarium, which featured manatees, sea turtles, stingrays and many other aquatic creatures, was my 11-year-old son’s favorite part of the Zoo.

    Elephants are another family favorite.  We noticed that the Asian elephants at the Columbus Zoo have much smaller ears than the African elephants at the Cleveland Zoo.

    The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is one of the largest zoos in the United States and offers many shaded areas perfect for viewing animals on sunny days.  My daughter liked the dozens of animal sculptures around the zoo for photo opportunities, and we had to take pictures at almost everyone.  There is so much to see and do that it’s possible to spend an entire day exploring all the regions and combine a visit to the Zoombezi Bay water park or Jungle Jack’s Landing amusement area.

    • Columbus Zoo Hours:  The hours of the Columbus Zoo vary by day of the week and season but are typically 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. during the summer months.
    • Columbus Zoo Admission:  Admission to the Columbus Zoo costs $21.99 for visitors ages 10-59 and $16.99 for visitors ages three to nine and over 59.  The Columbus Zoo-It-All experience includes Zoo admission as well as Jungle Jack’s Landing, Dinosaur Landing, the 4D theater, carousel and pony rides cost $36.99 for visitors ages 10-59 and $31.99 for visitors ages three to nine and over 59.  All pricing is based on 2019 admission rates.
    • Columbus Zoo Parking:  Parking is available in an adjacent surface lot for $10 per car.
    • Time Spent at the Columbus Zoo:  We spent about two and a half hours at the Columbus Zoo.

    #9:  Zoombezi Bay

    The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium owns the adjacent water park, which is one of the most popular water parks in the Midwest.  The kids were desperate to dip their toes into the fountains at Easton, COSI and the Franklin Park Conservatory and had been waiting for Zoombezi Bay all weekend.  They thoroughly enjoyed their time at the Zoo, but after about two and a half hours were ready to cool off in Zoombezi Bay.  We were glad that we brought our pool bag with us to the Zoo and exited directly to Zoombezi Bay without first stopping at our car.  The first stop inside the entrance was the bathhouse and then the lockers.  The $10 small lockers were sold out for the day, so we rented a medium locker to store our clothes and valuables while we swam.  We selected our code and were able to open our locker as many times as we needed during our visit.

    We headed to Baboon Lagoon, a multi-level play structure for water exploration.  The water sprays and 1,000 gallon bucket that tipped every few minutes was a bit overwhelming for my four year old daughter but perfect for my sons.  The kids also liked the Otter Banks play area.

    The whole family enjoyed the Roaring Rapids Action River, a lazy river with inner tubes, waterfalls and wave generators that weaves throughout the entire water park.

    We also enjoyed the Wild Tides Wave Pool (pictured here below closing for the day).   My boys headed straight for the deeper part of the pool while my daughter waded in the pool’s zero-entry edge and jumped over the breaking waves.

    The lines for the large slides were quite long, but the boys did wait for Big Boa Falls for the gravity-defying experience of the uphill water slide.

    The Tiny Tides area was designed for the youngest visitors.  The slides were much smaller, and there was plenty of space to splash around in the wading pool.

    The kids’ only other water park experiences have been at Kalahari.  Many of the attractions at Zoombezi Bay were similar but on a much larger scale.  And, we enjoyed taking advantage of the park on this beautiful summer day.  We unexpectedly stayed until closing at 8:00 p.m., and all three kids fell asleep in the car on the way home.

    • Zoombezi Bay Hours: Zoombezi Bay is open from mid-May to Labor Day.  Hours vary throughout the summer.
    • Zoombezi Bay Admission:  Admission to Zoombezi Bay costs $29.99 for visitors ages 10-59 and $23.99 for visitors ages three to nine and over 59 and includes admission to the Columbus Zoo on the same day.  Add-on experiences to Jungle Jack’s Landing, Dinosaur Landing, the 4D theater, carousel and pony rides can be purchased for additional fees.  All pricing is based on 2019 admission rates.
    • Zoombezi Bay Parking:  Parking is available in an adjacent surface lot for $10 per car.
    • Time Spent at the Zoombezi Bay:  We spent about three and a half hours at the Zoombezi Bay.  It took us about 30 minutes to walk from the Columbus Zoo, enter Zoombezi Bay and get changed into our swimming attire.

     

    Other Great Columbus Family Activities

    There are so many more great family-friendly activities in Columbus.  While we couldn’t fit them all in during our visit, I’ve had the chance to more fully explore during the three years I lived here and during my frequent visits back.  These are still on our list for next time.

     

    #10:  Columbus Museum of Art

    Columbus Museum of Art features American and European modern and contemporary art along with folk art, glass art, and photography.  The Columbus Museum of Art is located downtown, and I’ve been fortunate to visit several times.  My favorite artwork is the Chihuly sculpture in the Museum’s Derby Court.  We couldn’t fit a trip to the Columbus Museum of Art into our weekend itinerary, but the Museum offers free admission every Sunday.

     

    #11:  National Veterans Memorial and Museum

    The National Veterans Memorial and Museum opened along the Scioto River in October 2018 on the site of the former Ohio Veterans Memorial, which most attorneys in Ohio remember as the convention center where they sat for three days at folding tables to take the bar exam.  The National Veterans Museum is dedicated to the experiences of veterans by incorporating personal stories.  Veterans receive free admission and parking.

     

    #12:  Grange Insurance Audobon Center

    The Grange Insurance Audobon Center is a nature center within the 120-acre Scioto Audubon Metro Park.  The Center is a great place for a nature hike, a spectacular view of downtown Columbus, bird watching and rock climbing.  I attended a series of meetings in the Center earlier this year and loved watching the seasons change from the wall of windows in the conference room.

    #13:  Ohio Theatre

    The Ohio Theatre in Columbus is located on State Street across from Capitol Square.  As a law student, I saw Beauty and the Beast at the Ohio Theatre, and I’ll always remember the Ohio Theatre as the venue for my law school hooding and my swearing-in ceremony.   The Ohio Theatre hosts Broadway shows, concerts, live events and movies.  Its CAPA Summer Movie Series is the longest-running classic film series in America and currently celebrating its 50th year.   Tickets cost only $5 each, and strips of 10 can be purchased for $30.

    #14:  Palace Theatre

    The Palace Theatre in Columbus is a performing arts venue located at the base of the LeVeque Tower next to Hotel LeVeque.  Its design was influenced by the Palace of Versailles.  As a law student, I saw my all-time favorite Broadway show, Rent, for the first time from the front row of the Palace Theatre.  The Palace Theatre hosts many family-friendly events, including Peppa Pig Live and Wild Kratts Live 2.0.

     

    Where to Eat in Columbus, Ohio

    Cameron Mitchell restaurants were taking off in Columbus when I was in law school, and the brand continues as a dominant force in the local food scene, and there are now restaurants all over the United States.  There are so many more restaurant options than there were during my student days, and we chose our dining options based on location and cuisine.  We were certainly not disappointed.

     

    Northstar Cafe at Easton Towne Center

    Northstar has five Columbus locations that each serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Diners order their food from the counter, pay and then find a seat in the restaurant.  I chose the Pad Thai during our meal at the Northstar Cafe at Easton Towne Center and was not disappointed.

    Condado

    Condado features a build-your-own-taco concept, and we visited its original restaurant for dinner on North High Street.  The kids loved all the options to create one-of-a-kind tacos while I chose from the taco suggestions menu.  Condado was decorated with Day of the Dead decor and served a tasty margarita.

     

    Wendy’s

    Wendy’s was founded in Columbus in 1969 by Dave Thomas and is a Columbus institution.  It’s considered the world’s third-largest hamburger chain after McDonald’s and Burger King.  We grabbed a tasty but quick lunch between our visits to the Franklin Park Conservatory and Columbus Zoo.   The kids even talked me into ordering Frosty’s that they could split.

     

    Our Family’s Columbus Weekend

    We had a memorable family weekend in Columbus and didn’t have to pack our passports or book plane tickets.  The museums and parks in Columbus make it an ideal family vacation destination for those living in the Midwest and beyond.  My kids would certainly go back in a heartbeat and hope that spending a weekend in Columbus becomes an annual tradition.  Planning a trip to the Midwest?  Check out our series of posts on Ohio.

  • Best Things to Do in Pittsburgh With Kids

    Best Things to Do in Pittsburgh With Kids

    Thank you to the Carnegie Science Center, the National Aviary, the Andy Warhol Museum, the Duquesne Incline, the Senator John Heinz History Center, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, The Frick Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium for providing complimentary tickets for my family and to the Drury Inn for hosting our stay.  All opinions are my own. 

    Pittsburgh is known for its steel production, bridges and sports teams.  It’s only about two hours from our home in Cleveland and where my college roommate lives, so we regularly visit several times each year. In the 19th century, Andrew Carnegie became one of the richest people in the world by modernizing steel production in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh, where the Monongahela River joins the Ohio River.  Now called the “Steel City,” Pittsburgh used to be known as the “Smoky City” because of so much pollution from the mills. Very little of its industrial past remains in this city now known for its hills, bridges, parks and biking and jogging trails.  In our many visits, we have found so many gems.  Here are some of the best things to do in Pittsburgh with kids:

    Best Things to Do in Pittsburgh’s North Shore

    Pittsburgh’s North Shore boasts picturesque views of Pittsburgh’s downtown, sports venues and world-class museums.  It’s just a short drive (or even walk) from downtown.

     

    #1: Carnegie Science Center With Kids

    The Carnegie Science Center is my boys’ favorite museum, and they’ve been to dozens all over the world.  While the “science” portion of the Carnegie Science Center is pretty impressive, the real draw for my kids is Highmark SportsWorks®, which is housed in an adjacent building and uses more than 30 interactive sports exhibits to show how physics, anatomy, biology and chemistry control sports.

    We visit the Carnegie Science Center several times a year and generally aim to arrive right at the 10:00 am opening and head straight to the Ropes Challenge in Highmark SportsWorks® because the line can get quite long by mid-morning.  The Ropes Challenge consists of a series of challenges, including a rope bridge, rolling logs and a horizontal net and culminates with a zip line.  I think it’s the zip line that makes this my boys’ favorite “exhibit” ever.  The Ropes Course is for children who are at least 48 inches, but the SkyTykes Ropes Course offers younger kids an age-appropriate version that my daughter loves.  Other highlights in the sports complex include a 24-foot rock climbing wall (which even my four year old daughter tried out), a batting cage, a 10-meter dash and various challenges for endurance and balance.

    Roboworld is considered the world’s largest permanent robotics exhibition and features more than 30 interactive displays.  Our favorites include a robot who shoots baskets with impressive precision and another who challenges visitors in air hockey.

    The Miniature Railroad & Village is a fun but unexpected exhibit at the Science Center.  This enormous village with model trains includes scenes of western Pennsylvania from the 1880s to the 1930s and includes over 250,000 trees.  Of course, our favorite miniature was Fallingwater.

    Much of the Carnegie Science Center is geared for kids age six and up, but there are many fun exhibits for toddlers and preschoolers, especially the Little Learner Clubhouse.  My daughter has visited numerous times between the ages of one and four and always has a blast with her brothers.  We recommend the Carnegie Science Center as one of the most fun things to do in Pittsburgh for kids.

    Find out more about the visiting the Carnegie Science Center.

    • Carnegie Science Center Facts:  The E-motion cone, which is a large inverted cone on top of the Science Center was installed in 2000.  It is lit up at night with colored lights that signal the weather forecast for the next day.  Red means warmer, blue means cooler, and green means no change.  The cone flashes when precipitation is expected, and the color yellow indicates severe weather.
    • Carnegie Science Center Hours:  The Carnegie Science Center is generally open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Because of its proximity to the Steelers’ Heinz Field, the Carnegie Science Center is closed when the Steelers have home games with 1 pm or 4 pm kickoff times and may close early for evening games.
    • Carnegie Science Center Admission:  General admission costs $19.95 for adults, $14.95 for seniors and $11.95 for children ages 3-12.  Children under three and ASTC members are free.
    • Carnegie Science Center Parking:  Parking is available in the lot in front of the Carnegie Science Center for $5.

    #2:  National Aviary With Kids

    The National Aviary in Pittsburgh is home to over 500 birds from more than 150 species and a fun thing to do in Pittsburgh with kids. The National Aviary offers walk-through habitats that allowed us to see the birds up close.  My kids, who were not sure what an aviary was when I told them about our planned trip, learned so much about different bird species. I was thrilled to find two bald eagles in the first habitat.  

    The African penguins were definitely a highlight of our visit. Because African penguins are used to a temperate climate, they live in their outdoor habitat all year. Visitors can view them through windows from the inside of the National Aviary. As an added bonus, kids can reach special windows to see the penguins up close by climbing through tunnels.

    Each penguin has a band with his or her name. There are daily penguin presentations for visitors to learn more about these amazing birds.

    My oldest son particularly enjoyed the wetland habitat. He was fascinated by how the flamingos marked their territory by spreading their wings. We also saw peacocks and other birds wandering on the pedestrian path with us.

    We were excited to participate in the lorikeet feeding. We each got a dish of nectar and entered the habitat to feed. While this was something that pushed me out of my comfort zone, it was pretty amazing to hold a lorikeet on my wrist and watch it eat. I barely felt its feet on my wrist, and it quickly polished off the nectar in my bowl.  A limited number of tickets are available at each entrance for the feedings. We arrived just before the 11:30 a.m. feeding and took our place at the end of the line. We only had to wait a few minutes for our turn, but the birds were “slowing down.”  Next time, we’ll make sure to arrive at least five minutes early.

    My boys each had a turn on Birdly, a full-body immersive virtual reality flying simulator that allowed them to experience flying like a bird in Manhattan for 2.5 minutes. After a quick demonstration, they learned how to maneuver up and down and turn and really felt like they were flying.  This was probably the most unique part of our visit to the aviary, and they would love more opportunities to fly.

    • National Aviary Facts:  The Helen M. Schmidt FliteZone Theater was part of the National Aviary’s 2009 $17.5 million expansion project and is the world’s first only indoor theater constructed for the presentation of live, free-flight bird shows.
    • National Aviary Hours:  The National Aviary is generally open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
    • National Aviary Admission:  Admissions costs $17 for adults and $16 for seniors and children 2-12.  Children under 2 are free.
    • National Aviary Parking:  Parking is available in the lot behind the Aviary and costs $5.  Metered parking is available in front of the National Aviary.

     

    #3:  Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh With Kids

    The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is an interactive museum for kids that we have visited several times with kids ages 1 through 10.  It’s geared for the eight and under crowd, but my oldest enjoyed visiting the Museum with his brother and sister and creating on draw bots in the MAKESHOP®.  The project involved hot glue, tape, boxes, motors and a lot of trial and error to anchor markers to a motor and make them move on their own.  This was definitely my boys’ favorite exhibit at the Museum.  My daughter was too young to create a draw box on her own, but she enjoyed spectating and working on a draw bot with one of the Museum guides (who did most of the heavy lifting).

    Other hands-on opportunities for creation are available at the Studio, which is housed in a former planetarium and is a beautiful and bright space to inspire creative juices, and smocks are available.  Many craft projects are available for kids who love art and parents who appreciate prepared projects and easy clean up.

    Find out more about the visiting the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.

    • Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh Facts:  Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood was filmed in Pittsburgh from 1968 to 2001, and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh maintains some great memorabilia.
    • Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh Hours:  The Children’s Museum is generally open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
    • Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh Admission:  Admissions costs $16 for adults and $14 for children 2-18.  Children under 2 are free.
    • Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh Parking:  Parking is available in the lot behind the Museum and costs $6 for non-members.

     

    #4:  The Andy Warhol Museum With Kids

    Our children love art museums, and we’ve visited over a dozen around the world, but none dedicated to the works of a single artist or pop art.  The Andy Warhol Museum is the largest museum in North America that is dedicated to a single artist and is one of the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh.  Andy Warhol was a Pittsburgh-born pop artist who died in the 1987.  The Museum opened in 1994 in a renovated warehouse and now contains an extensive collection of paintings, prints, sculptures, photographs and films.

    The Factory on the Museum’s underground level also provides kids an opportunity to try watercolor painting, blotted-line drawing, acetate collage and silkscreen printing.  There is also a children’s play area for the youngest guests to explore and create.

    During our visit to The Andy Warhol Museum, we learned about the life and works of Andy Warhol.  Our children particularly enjoyed the bright colors and the portraits.  The portraits reminded me of my visit to Casa Lever, a New York restaurant that features a collection of original Warhol portraits.  A few months after our visit, my sons identified Andy Warhol in a Burger King commercial during the Super Bowl.

    • Andy Warhol Museum Facts:  The Museum’s 17 galleries contain 900 paintings, almost 2,000 works on paper, more than 1,000 prints, 77 sculptures and 8,000 photographs, films and videotaped works.
    • Andy Warhol Museum Hours:  The Andy Warhol Museum is generally open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 10 am to 10 pm on Fridays.  The Museum is closed on Mondays.
    • Andy Warhol Museum Admission:  Admissions costs $20 for adults, $10 for students, children and seniors.  Children under three are free.  Admission is half price on Fridays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
    • Andy Warhol Museum Parking:  Parking is available in the lot behind the Museum and costs $6 for non-members.

     

    #5:  Water Steps With Kids With Kids

    The Water Steps are a popular attraction in the North Shore Riverfront Park on the bank of the Allegheny River.  The Water Steps are a perfect location for kids to cool off during the summer months and enjoy Pittsburgh’s beautiful cityscape views.  We visited with local friends who gave us the heads ups to bring swimming attire and towels for the kids.

    It was a bit of a trek along the waterfront from the Carnegie Science Center, but the kids loved splashing around with their friends in the water, which reaches about 18 inches deep in parts.

    Great way to cool off
    • Water Steps Facts:  Over 1,500 pieces of sandstone from a Butler County quarry were used to construct the Water Steps.
    • Water Steps Admission:  There is no admission charge to visit Water Steps.
    • Water Steps Parking:  We walked to the Water Steps from the Carnegie Science Center.  The best bet for parking is to find a meter nearby or use one of the lots near Heinz Field.
    • Water Steps Kid Warning:  My three year old was able to easily climb up and down the stairs on her own, so I was able to watch from the side of the Steps.  However, young toddlers would probably need hovering parental presence in the water.

     

    #6:  Tribute to Children With Kids

    We visited Tribute to Children, including the Fred Rogers Memorial Statue, during our walk from the Water Steps to the Carnegie Science Museum.  Our kids are not really familiar with Mr. Rogers, who was a Pittsburgh native, but were intrigued by this statue of a man who was part of our childhood.  I also tried to explain the tenuous connection to Daniel Tiger, a favorite television show of my daughter’s.  This 2009 statue by Robert Burks was created after Fred Roger’s 2003 death from stomach cancer and depicts him tying his shoes.  The statue is located on the River bank in front of the arch of pier with a keyhole design.

    Fred Rogers Memorial Statue

    • Tribute to Children Facts:  Tribute to Children was a gift from the people of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County honoring children and celebrating the life of children’s entertainer, Fred Rogers.
    • Tribute to Children Admission:  Admission is free to visit Tribute to Children.
    • Tribute to Children Parking:  We walked to Tribute to Children from the Carnegie Science Center.  The best bet for parking is to find a meter nearby or use one of the lots near Heinz Field.

     

    #7:  PNC Park With Kids

    PNC Park is the home stadium of the Pittsburgh Pirates.  This Major League Baseball field is located along the Allegheny River.  A baseball game is fun, family activity and great for kids of all ages.  Few baseball stadiums have a comparable cityscape view.

    Photo credit:  David Mark from Pixabay

    We’ve visited Pittsburgh twice on Opening Day and watched the excitement from our downtown hotel.

     

    Things to Do in Pittsburgh’s South Shore

    #8:  Duquesne Incline With Kids

    The Duquesne Incline in Pittsburgh is an amazing example of living history that combines a trolley ride up Mount Washington, engineering genius and an amazing city view.  The beautifully detailed original trolley cars sit on platforms that keep them level while transporting Pittsburghers and visitors up and down Mount Washington without a driver.  The 794-foot wooden track is not only an engineering masterpiece but also a work of art.

    At the station at the top, there are historical exhibits that provide an overview of the history of Pittsburgh and its inclines.  The David H. Miller Working Museum offers visitors the chance to see the Incline’s hoisting machinery up close.  The Incline still uses its original hoisting equipment that features giant cogs with wooden gear teeth.

    The highlight of the Incline is the magnificent view of Pittsburgh’s “Three Rivers” – the confluence of the Allegheny River and the Monongahela River, which together form the Ohio River and the Pittsburgh’s “Golden Triangle” central business district.  Other highlights include views of the outline of Fort Duquesne, the Steelers’ Heinz Field, the Pirates’ PNC Park, the Carnegie Science Center and many bridges (up to 18 can be visible).

    For more details, check out our Spotlight feature on the visiting the Duquesne Incline.

    • Duquesne Incline Facts:   USA Today recently named the Duquesne Incline as one of the 10 great streetcars, trams and funiculars.
    • Duquesne Incline Hours:  The Duquesne Incline is open every day (including Thanksgiving Day when we visited).  The Incline is open on Monday through Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. and on Sundays and Holidays from 7:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.
    • Duquesne Incline Admission:  Adults tickets cost $2.50 each way and tickets for children ages 6-11 cost $1.25 each way.  There is no charge for children under 6 and seniors over 64. The Duquesne Incline accepts only Port Authority bus tickets or cash and requires exact change.
    • Duquesne Incline Parking:  There is free parking available at 1197 West Carson Street and paid parking at the Station Square lot across from the lower entrance.

    #9:  Point of View Park With Kids

    We somehow missed Point of View Park when we visited the Duquesne Incline.  Point of View Park is a short walk from the Duquesne Incline’s Upper Station.  It’s a favorite spot of a friend of mine who has family in Pittsburgh.  He proposed to his wife, took wedding pictures and announced his first child at this scenic overlook.  Point of View is a bronze sculpture depicting a 1770 meeting between George Washington and Seneca leader Guyasuta in which they were examining land for settlement.  We’ll definitely be making a stop here on our next trip to Pittsburgh.

    Photo credit:  Bryant Eckert

    • Point of View Park Facts:   The landmark public sculpture was created by James A. West
    • Point of View Park Hours:  Point of View is open 24 hours.
    • Point of View Park Admission:  There is no admission fee to visit Point of View Park.
    • Point of View Park Parking:  There is no dedicated parking lot for Point of View Park but street parking available nearby.

     

    Things to Do in Pittsburgh’s Downtown

    #10:  Senator John Heinz History Center With Kids

    During our August 2019 trip to Pittsburgh, we visited the Senator John Heinz History Center, which is associated with the Smithsonian Institution.  We thoroughly enjoyed our lovely morning at the Heinz History Center.  It was a quiet and somewhat dreary morning at the end of summer when we arrived at the renovated warehouse in Pittsburgh’s Strip District.  We walked from our hotel in the central business district.   We started in the Great Hall where the kids loved the Heinz Hitch, a horse drawn wagon that traveled to national events and the street car.

    The Heinz Hitch
    The Heinz Hitch

    My daughter spotted the slide from across the Hall and found her way to the Kidsburgh exhibit in a loft overlooking the Great Hall with stairs leading up and a slide to return to the Great Hall.  She would have been content to stay in the Kidsburgh exhibit for the entire morning and rode the slide countless times before we set off to the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum.

    Heinz History Center Kidsburgh Slide
    Kidsburgh slide

    My boys are sports enthusiasts, but they don’t particularly follow Pittsburgh sports.  Unlike most Clevelanders, we harbor no ill will against Pittsburgh’s sports, either.  Because we have close friends from Pittsburgh, we regularly support area sports teams when they aren’t competing against Cleveland.  My boys closely examined the exhibits in the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum and gained a new respect for the Steelers, the Penguins and the Pirates.  My older son commented, “I didn’t realize how good Pittsburgh sports teams really were.”  Clevelanders may have waited for decades to win a national championship, but it happens fairly regularly for Pittsburgh, especially in football and hockey.  Without a doubt, the table hockey game was the highlight of the Sports Museum.  My boys came back for a second round at the end of our visit.

    The Discovery Place offered many opportunities for hands on learning and exploring at different innovation stations.  My favorite was a pattern challenge.

    Heinz History Center Discovery Place
    The Discovery Place

    We learned all about Heinz ketchup in the Heinz exhibit, which features the world’s largest collection of Heinz artifacts.  We now know the significance of the 57 and the famous ketchup is celebrating 150 years.  The 11-foot ketchup bottle created from 500 individual bottles was also memorable.

    My favorite exhibit was Mister Roger’s Neighborhood.  The famous children’s show I remember from my childhood was filmed in Pittsburgh, the hometown of Fred Rogers.  This exhibit featured sets, puppets, props and other artifacts.  I felt like I was stepping back 35+ years and right into the Mister Roger’s set.  My kids are not familiar with Mr. Roger’s, but my daughter is a fan of Daniel Tiger, a 21st century spinoff of the famous children’s program.

    Mister Roger's Neighborhood Exhibit - King Friday XIII’s Castle
    King Friday XIII’s Castle

    We had a memorable visit to the Senator Heinz History Center and learned a great deal about Western Pennsylvania.

    • Heinz History Center Hours:  The History Center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and closed for New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas each year.
    • Heinz History Center Admission:  As of August 2019, Admission for adults costs $18, for children ages 6-17 and students with a valid school identification costs $9 and for senior citizens over 61 costs $15.  There is no admission for children age five and under.
    • Heinz History Center Parking:  There are several options for nearby parking with daily rates as low as $3.
    • Time Spent at the Heinz History Center:  We spent about 2.5 hours, including lunch at the Cafe.

    #11:  Point State Park With Kids

    The Point State Park (aka the “Point”) is a state park in downtown Pittsburgh located on 36 acres at the point of the confluence of the Allegheny River and the Monongahela River form the Ohio River.   The Point is the tip of Pittsburgh’s “Golden Triangle.”  We walked to the Point from our downtown hotel and also viewed the Point from along the edges of the Three Rivers, and we have spotted it from the Duquesne Incline, the Carnegie Science Center, the Fred Rogers Memorial Statue and the Water Steps.

    At the Point, stones are used to depict the outline of Pittsburgh’s oldest structures, Fort Pitt and Fort Duquesne, which were used in the French and Indian War.  The fountain in Point State Park sprays water up to 150 feet during the warm weather months.  The kids enjoyed the view of the area bridges, the Duquesne Incline, the Carnegie Science Center and Heinz Field from the tip of the Point.

    Walking on the Fort Duquesne outline.
    • Point State Park Facts:  Fort Duquesne was originally built by the French.  Its occupants burned and abandoned the Fort before the British seized it.  The British built Fort Pitt near the destroyed Fort Duquesne.
    • Point State Park Kid Warning:  The Point abuts rivers on all sides without a barrier, so it’s important to keep a close eye on young children.
    • Point State Park Hours:  The Park is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
    • Point State Park Admission:  There is no admission charge to enter the Point State Park.
    • Point State Park Parking:  Point State’s parking lot is located along Commonwealth Place across from the Post Gazette building.

     

    Things to Do in Oakland

     

    #12: Carnegie Museum of Natural History With Kids

    The Carnegie Museum of Natural History has a premier dinosaur collection, Dinosaurs in Their Time, which features a Diplodocus carnegii fossil discovered in 1899.  This dinosaur exhibit also includes two Tyrannosaurus Rex skeletons and a triceratops skeleton and is the world’s largest collection of Jurassic dinosaurs.

    One of two Tyrannosaurus Rex skeletons

    During our last visit, we attended the Live Animal Encounter at the Earth Theater and enjoyed seeing live animals up close.  Another favorite is the 1,300 gemstone specimens in the Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems are artistically displayed and fascinated my kids.

    Find out more about visiting the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

    • Carnegie Museum of Natural History Facts:  Carnegie gifted a cast of its diplodocus skeleton to England at the request of Edward VII, and “Dippy” was featured in  Hitze Hall of London’s Natural History Museum for many years before being replaced by Hope, a blue whale skeleton, in July 2017.
    • Carnegie Museum of Natural History Hours:  The Museum is generally open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and from 10 am to 8 pm on Thursday.  The Museum is closed on Tuesday.
    • Carnegie Museum of Natural History Admissions:  Admission for adults is $19.95, seniors 65 and over is $14.95 and children ages 3 to 18 and students is $11.95.  Children 2 and under are free.
    • Carnegie Museum of Natural History Parking:   The Carnegie Museum of Natural History shares a building the with Carnegie Museum of Art, and adjacent surface-lot parking is available.  Museum weekday visitors receive a voucher to reduce the cost of parking, which is currently $7 for 2-4 hours.  Evening and weekend parking costs $7.

     

    #13: Carnegie Museum of Art With Kids

    The Carnegie Museum of Art was founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1895 and is housed in the same building in Oakland as the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.  The most unique feature of the Carnegie Art Museum is the Hall of Architecture, which is the one of the world’s largest collection of plaster architectural casts.  Andrew Carnegie financed a tinted cast of the West Portal of Saint-Gilles-du-Gard, which may be the world’s largest architectural cast.  The Hall also includes almost 140 other full-size plaster casts.  After our recent visit to Paris and Italy, we particularly enjoyed examining the plaster casts of the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace and other icons that reminded us of architecture and sculptures we saw on our trip.

    Like most major art museums, its impressionist gallery includes paintings by Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet.  Van Gogh’s Wheat Fields at Auvers Under Clouded Sky is one of his famous series of wheat field paintings.

    Our favorite sculpture was Phyllida Barlow’s 2012 untitled:  upturnedhouse, 2.

    Find out more about the Carnegie Museum of Art.

    • Carnegie Museum of Art Facts:  The Hall of Architecture contains the largest collection of plaster casts of architectural masterpieces and the third largest in the world (behind the Victoria and Albert Museum and Musée national des Monuments Français).
    • Carnegie Museum of Art Hours:  The Carnegie Museum of Art is generally open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday.  The Museum is closed on Tuesday.
    • Carnegie Museum of Art Admissions:  Admission for adults is $19.95, seniors 65 and over is $14.95, children ages 3 to 18 and students is $11.95.  Children 2 and under are free.
    • Carnegie Museum of Art Parking:   The Carnegie Museum of Art shares a building the with Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and adjacent surface-lot parking is available.  Museum weekday visitors receive a voucher to reduce the cost of parking, which is currently $7 for 2-4 hours.  Evening and weekend parking costs $7.

     

    #14:  Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens With Kids

    Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens was an amazing gift to the city of Pittsburgh from real estate magnate Henry Phipps.  It was the perfect destination for extra doses of oxygen and vitamin D.  The pathways through the different rooms made it easy for me to keep an eye of all three kids simultaneously, and we didn’t mind making our way at my daughter’s snail’s pace. 

    The kids were all awe-struck by all the beautiful gardens and truly enjoyed each and every room.  The indoor and outdoor gardens were all beautifully curated and maintained.  A few of our favorites include:  the Cuban taxi (an unexpected but joyous find at a conservatory, especially because of the sign encouraging kids to hop inside), the Butterfly Forest, the Serpentine Room and the Desert Room.

    Butterfly picture captured by my 10 year old son

    The Phipps includes several glass chandeliers by artist Dale Chihuly, whose work was featured in a special exhibit in 2007 to 2008.  The Phipps purchased several chandeliers from the exhibit for its permanent collection, including Goldenrod, Teal and Citron located in the Welcome Center and the Desert Gold Star, located in the Desert Room.  The Chihuly pieces usually located in the Palm Court had been removed during the renovation.

    Desert Room and Chihuly’s Desert Gold Star glass chandelier
    • Phipps Conservatory Facts:  The Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens was founded in 1893 and is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year.
    • Phipps Conservatory Hours:  Free parking is conveniently located in the center island on Schenley Drive.
    • Phipps Conservatory Admission:  Free parking is conveniently located in the center island on Schenley Drive.
    • Phipps Conservatory Parking:  Free parking is conveniently located in the center island on Schenley Drive.

     

    Things to Do in Point Breeze

     

    #15:  The Frick Pittsburgh With Kids

    The Frick Pittsburgh is an art and historical center that includes several museums and historical buildings surrounding the Frick family’s 19th century residence.  The Frick Pittsburgh includes the Frick Art Museum, the Car and Carriage Museum, the Scenic Gardens and Greenhouse and the Clayton mansion, the Frick family’s 23-room historic mansion.

    The main impetus of our visit to the Frick Pittsburgh was the impressive special exhibit Van Gogh, Monet and Degas:  The Mellon Collection of French Art from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, but we also we also toured the permanent art collection.  Our favorite was the Bust of Henry Clay Frick.

    My boys are really love cars and found the Cars & Carriages Museum very exciting.  The 1914 Ford Model T Touring was a highlight. The Frick’s car collection is so large that only about half of its cars are exhibited at any one time.

    Ford Model T Touring

    After spending the morning at the Phipps Conservatory, the kids were also excited to check out the Frick Greenhouse. This active greenhouse is a renovation and reconstruction of the greenhouse used by the Frick family from 1897 until the 1970s.

    The Greenhouse at the Frick Pittsburgh

    My college roommate recommends the tea at the Café at the Frick, and we’ll definitely have to try some during our next visit.  Find out more about the visiting the Frick Pittsburgh.

    • Frick Pittsburgh Facts:  Industrialist Henry Clay Frick and his wife, Adelaide Howard Childs Frick lived at Clayton with their four children from 1883 to 1905.  Their daughter, Helen Clay Frick guided preservation efforts at Clayton and returned to live here shortly before her 1984 death.  The property opened to the public in 1990.
    • Frick Pittsburgh Admission:  There is no admission charge to enter the Frick Art Museum, the Car and Carriage Museum or the Scenic Grounds and Greenhouse.  Tours of Clayton cost $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and students, $8 for children 16 and under.  Babies in arms are free.  Admission fees are charged for special exhibitions.  Tour and tours of Clayton.
    • Frick Pittsburgh Hours:  The Frick Pittsburgh is generally open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    • Frick Pittsburgh Parking: Free parking is available in the adjacent lot located off of Reynolds Street.

    Things to Do in Highland Park

     

    #16:  Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium With Kids

    The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is one of the few major zoo/aquarium combinations in the U.S. and is a great place for kids to learn about mammals and aquatic life.   The Pittsburgh Zoo includes more than 10,000 animals (including 1,000 bats) and 20 threatened or endangered species.  We have visited the Pittsburgh Zoo twice – once when my boys were age two and four and a second time when our three kids were age five, nine and eleven.  The Pittsburgh Zoo is enormous, but my five year old was a real trooper and had a work out walking quite a few miles on her little legs.

    The African Savanna was one of our favorite areas of the Zoo.  As always, my daughter was thrilled by the flamingos as we entered the Savanna.  We were lucky that the black rhinoceros were very active.  The black rhinos, which are actually light gray, are an endangered species, but several calves have been born in recent years in Pittsburgh.

    Black rhino at the Pittsburgh Zoo
    Black rhinos

    We moved on the the African elephants, the largest mammals that live on land and the Masai giraffe, the tallest mammals living on land.  While exploring the African Savanna, we worked up enough of an appetite that we decided to take a break and eat some sundaes from Swahili Ice Cream.  It was the perfect late morning snack.

    Kids Kingdom was another highlight of our visit.  My daughter could have spent hours at the Animal Connection playground and was particularly ecstatic to crawl through all the tunnels like the naked mole rats.  I could never find her when she was actually in the tunnels, but we chatted back and forth while she explored.

    Pittsburgh Zoo Kids Kingdom Animal Connections playground
    Animal Connections playground

    My kids really enjoy getting a good view of aquatic animals.  The sea lion exhibit was a highlight, and the indoor aquarium was the perfect place to end our Pittsburgh Zoo visit.  By the time we reached the PPG Aquarium, the August sun was beating down, and the air conditioning was glorious.  My kids spent a long time at the side of the touch tank.  My boys each carefully touched the sting ray several times.  My daughter desperately wanted to but always pulled her hand out of the water just when the sting ray got close enough.

    Sea lions at the Pittsburgh Zoo
    Sea lions

    The Pittsburgh Zoo was definitely a great outing with kids.

    • Pittsburgh Zoo Facts:  The Zoo had a very rare elephant born in captivity (less than 20 have been born since 1995) in 2017, but the calf unfortunately died at three months.
    • Pittsburgh Zoo Hours and Admission:  The Pittsburgh Zoo’s hours and admission varies by season.
    • Pittsburgh Zoo Parking:  Parking is available at the Pittsburgh Zoo is free for visitors.

     

    Things to Do in West Mifflin

    #17:  Kennywood Park With Kids

    Our family had so much fun at Kennywood Park, a traditional amusement park located about 20 minutes southeast of downtown Pittsburgh in West Mifflin.  Kennywood opened in 1899 and is one of two parks in the country that has been designated as a National Historic Landmark because it features rides and structures that are more than 100 years old. Kennywood made me nostalgic for Geauga Lake, an amusement park outside of Cleveland that I visited annually when I was young.  Our family loved our day at Kennywood Park in Pittsburgh and hopes to make this trip an annual tradition.

    Kennywood's Wave Swinger
    Wave Swinger

    Our visit to Kennywood Park was a marvelous, nostalgic day spent riding rides together.  It was only about a 2.5 hour drive from Cleveland and very affordable for Ohio visitors.  A current promotion for Ohio residents offers $34.99 admission. We added visits to several area attractions during our three-day, two-night stay in the Steel City and had a lovely time.  While we did not ride the new Steel Curtain roller coaster on this visit, there were no shortage of thrill rides for our family.  Even though I get nauseous on any ride that spins or sways, but I still do love that feeling of my stomach dropping.  I particularly enjoyed the Thunderbolt, a classic wooden coaster that is almost 100 years old and last renovated over 50 years ago.  The Thunderbolt offered the perfect thrill level for my two boys and me, and we rode it twice.

    Kennywood's Thunderbolt
    Thunderbolt

    With kids in all three major height categories – under 48 inches, under 54 inches and over 54 inches, we appreciate that Kennywood offers some fun rides that we can enjoy as a family, including the Merry-Go-Round and several family rides in Kiddie Land and Thomas Town.  Auto race was a particular favorite, and the five of us piled into three separate cars and rode around the track one after another.

    Journey With Thomas ride at Kennywood Park
    Journey With Thomas

    My daughter would have been happy to spend our entire day at Kiddie Land, which featured 15 classic rides for kids under 48 inches and Thomas Town, Kennywood’s new 2018 theme area.  My daughter rode with her two arms stretched high into the sky on almost every ride.  She’s still a little nervous about kiddie coasters, though and skipped Lil’ Phantom.  Maybe next year….

    Kennywood's Orbiter
    Orbiter
    • Kennywood Hours:  Kennywood hours vary by month and day, and the Kennywood calendar is available online.
    • Kennywood Admission:  Kennywood gate prices range from vary for weekday and weekend visits and are available on the Kennywood website.  Kennywood discount tickets are available on the website and at Giant Eagle grocery stores.
    • Time Spent at Kennywood:  We spent about 7.5 hours at Kennywood Park.  It was nonstop fun, but we were definitely exhausted at the end.
    • Kennywood Height Requirements:  Each ride has its own posted height requirements.
    • Kennywood Weather:  It’s always important to check the weather and be prepared before visiting Kennywood.   Don’t forget to apply and reapply sunscreen.
    • Kennywood Events:  Kennywood Park offers a variety of events throughout the season.  The Fall Fantasy Parade occurred during our visit.  We caught a bit of the parade but on our way to take advantage of the short line for Thunderbolt.
    • Kennywood Park Map:  Make sure to pick up a map before setting off to explore Kennywood.

    Where to Stay in Pittsburgh With Kids

    Drury Inn Pittsburgh Airport Settlers Ridge With Kids

    When we planned a last minute trip to Pittsburgh over Thanksgiving weekend last year, we booked a night at the Drury Inn & Suites Pittsburgh Airport Settlers Ridge because we scored a great deal through Priceline.  Airport hotels are rarely memorable, and we were really just looking for a hotel with last minute availability that had a pool and didn’t break the bank.  We didn’t realize that the Drury Inn Settlers Ridge was a newly constructed hotel that had just opened in May 2018, and we were wowed when we entered the lobby that featured ultra-modern decor.  Hotel renovations are common, but with renovated hotels, there are often vestiges of dated interiors somewhere on the property.  At the Drury Inn Settlers Ridge, everything is clean and neat.  We really felt as if we were staying at a luxury hotel.

    Drury Inn lobby
    Lobby area

    Drury Inn Guest Room

    Our double queen room featured two comfortable beds, granite counter tops and modern interior.  We particularly closely examined all the framed Pittsburgh-inspired wall art.  Our room also had a refrigerator, which was perfect for our left overs.  Everything was clean and fresh, and the beds were oh so comfortable.

    Drury Inn guestroom
    Our guestroom

    The bathroom featured a large granite vanity with plenty of space for everyone’s toiletries, tiled floor and enormous mirror.  There were dispensers in the shower with shower gel, shampoo and conditioner that eliminated the unnecessary waste that usually comes with those trial sized bottles.  While I’m often fumbling around in the dark trying to find the bathroom light switch without waking the rest of the family, the motion sensing light in the bathroom was the perfect solution.  Towels, tissues and a hair dryer were all easily accessible and well-organized.

    Drury Inn Pittsburgh bathroom
    Drury Inn bathroom

     

    Drury Inn Kickback

    We checked in as the Kickback was beginning.  All Drury Inn properties host a nightly happy hour with free food and beverages between 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.  Daily menus are available on the Drury Inn’s website.  My husband and I each received drink vouchers and drink cards to purchase additional drinks for a whopping $.75 each.

    Drury Inn Kickback voucher
    Drury Inn Kickback voucher

    The quality and quantity of the heavy appetizers and drinks was unexpectedly good, and there was plenty of space for the crowd in the dining room.  We planned to have a quick snack before heading to the pool but ended up having seconds and thirds at our trendy circular booth.  After removing decades old wall paper in two homes, I found myself kind of coveting the printed geometric patterns and trying to figure out where I might be able to add a papered accent wall at home.  The kids were so excited about the Kickback and the indoor pool that they decided that they didn’t want to leave the hotel and convinced us to order pizza instead of going out for dinner.  For Drury Inn visitors who decide to do the same, we recommend Vocelli Pizza in Robinson.  Vocelli will deliver to the Drury Inn, but we opted for carry out.  Just remember to ask for paper plates and napkins.

    Drury Inn Pittsburgh dining area
    Dining area

     

    Drury Inn Pool

    After dinner, it was pool time.  Our neighborhood pool had closed for the season several months earlier, so the kids were ecstatic to get wet and dip their toes in the hot tub.  Unlike most hotel pool decks that seem to always be desperately in need of a renovation, I was happy to chaperone my kids in this new pool with beautiful tiles.

    Drury Inn pool
    Drury Inn Settlers Ridge pool

    The Drury Inn keeps its popcorn, soda and coffee machines running until late in the night, and water is always available.  Drury Inns also offer all guests daily hot breakfasts.  We were truly amazed by the value that this hotel offered and have recommended it to several friends.

    Drury Inn breakfast
    Breakfast

    We were thrilled when Drury Inn offered to host our return visit to its Settlers Ridge location in August 2019.  After a long day at Kennywood Park, we missed the Kickback and were too exhausted for a swim, but we thoroughly enjoyed our double queen suite.  The bedroom area was set up virtually identically to our double queen room.  The two room suite and extra pull out couch better accommodated our family of five than the standard room.  There were also flat screen hotels in each room and a large sitting area.  We thoroughly recommend the Drury Inn Settlers Ridge and are certain to return.

     

    Find Out More About Pittsburgh Family Activities

    We recommend a visit to Pittsburgh with kids.  Interested in finding out more about Pittsburgh kids’ activities?  Check out our other blog posts about Pittsburgh and nearby Fallingwater.

    Updated August 2019

  • Spotlight: LA Zoo with Kids

    Spotlight: LA Zoo with Kids

    When people think of visiting Los Angeles, beaches and Hollywood immediately come to mind. It’s a rare person who thinks of visiting wild animals and despite having grown up in Los Angeles, I never thought much of the local zoo, favoring the San Diego Zoo and then, of course, being partial to the National Zoo while living in DC. This past summer, I was delighted to not only discover the LA Zoo and Botanical Gardens with my kids for the very first time, but I was thrilled to learn that it’s a well managed zoo that offers opportunities and experiences that are not available at other zoos!

    The LA Zoo is much larger than I expected an in fact, one of the more delightful discoveries was not only that the zoo has giraffes (which are noticeably missing from the National Zoo), but that for a $5 fee, visitors can participate in daily feedings of the giraffe between certain hours!

    This hungry guy was happy to accept our offerings!

    My three year old son, always the adventurer, was thrilled to engage in the activity and we were both startled when the giraffe’s big black tongue reached out to snag the branches we had ready for him!

    A close second favorite experience at the LA Zoo was the petting zoo, called Muriel’s Ranch. Free with admission, the petting ranch offers the opportunity to get up close and personal with the zoo’s residents goats and sheep. I was thrilled to be handed a brush on our way into the petting area and my three year old and I had a great time, brushing the very docile and friendly goats.

    In addition to our giraffe and goat experiences, we were enjoyed the general layout of the zoo as well. Despite visiting during record hot temperatures in the high 90s, we found plenty of shaded pathways and even indoor exhibits, which offered much needed respite from the relentless heat.

    The indoor reptile house.
    The Australia house where, even though it was hard to see the hidden marsupials, we delighted in the cool air.
    Although technically outdoors, this exhibit provided some much needed shade and entertainment for my three year old, who enjoyed hiding behind corners.

    Finally, in addition to the normal panoply of zoo animals, the LA Zoo also has a “Botanical Garden” component which I initially dismissed but soon discovered was severely underrated.

    I appreciated the the opportunity to not only visit animals that visit the rainforest with my kids, but to also show them the rainforest and provide a small visual of how the rainforest has changed over the years.

    Moreover, although not quite the same scope as Arashiyama bamboo forest in Japan, this mini bamboo forest right in the middle of Los Angeles was a real treat, especially for my three year old who has only visited Arashiyama in utero.

    Fun artistic displayed littered throughout the zoo.

    Pro Tips for those considering an LA Zoo visit with kids:

    • Parking is ample and free, but I hear that the lot can get extremely congested during the weekends as the parking lot is shared with a number of nearby attractions such as the Autry Museum of the American West.
    • There are quite a few dining options, although, as expected, pizza and burgers, and chicken tenders are the general fare. There is one cafe that offers Mexican options and another that offers gourmet pizza and craft beer, so be sure to keep and eye out for whatever suits your fancy!
    • In addition to the giraffe feeding experience, the LA Zoo offers a few other animal experiences for an additional fee. For instance, there is the Flamingo Mingle, which is $25 per person and offers the opportunity for guests to “mingle with flamingos.” There’s also the hippo encounter, which allows guests to get up close to a hippopotamus.
    • The LA Zoo also offers “attractions” such as a carousel ride for $3 per ride, and a “safari” ride around the zoo, which is essentially a tram that drives around and unloads at various spots. We did not experience the carousel, but we did opt for a safari ride at one point when we were extremely tired and hot.
    “Safari” ride around the LA Zoo.

    The LA Zoo is located at 5333 Zoo Drive in Los Angeles and is open to the public seven days a week, from 10am – 5pm, 364 days a year (closed Christmas Day).

    Be sure to check out our entire category of posts on things to do and places to visit in Los Angeles with kids! And, be sure to visit the LA Zoo with kids!

    Every so often, we encounter a place that is so fabulous for those traveling with kids that it is worthy of being featured on its own. For more fun locations, please check out our other Spotlight features!

  • Perth, Australia With Kids

    Perth, Australia With Kids

    Guest Blogger: Clayton is a writer, editor, and devoted family man. A proud husband, father, and grandfather, Clayton enjoys running and cycling in his spare time and is also devoted to supporting literacy and arts programs in his hometown of Worthington, Ohio. To learn more about Clayton, visit his website, Clay Writes.

    On a two-week trip to “The Land Down Under” this past July, my wife and I had the opportunity to observe and learn, finding new things to love before returning to our home in Worthington, Ohio. As an Australian Aboriginal Proverb affirms:

    “We are all visitors to this time, this place…Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love and then we return home.”

    Prior to departure, we alerted our bank that we would be traveling overseas, so they wouldn’t hold up any credit card transactions on suspicion of theft. Each credit card purchase carried an “international transaction fee” (the largest of these was $3.23). We also secured $300 in Australian cash, which cost about $245 in American currency.

    Nine days of our two-week trip were spent in Perth, located on Australia’s southwest coast. Perth ended up being an excellent place to have a multi-generational family gathering with my daughter and son-in-law and their three children, ages seven, five, and two. I say “excellent” not only because Perth is relatively close to their home in Bandung, Indonesia, but also because Perth is an exceptionally kid-friendly city.

    Things to Do:

    #1: Kings Park and Botanic Garden:

    Kings Park and Botanic Garden is not only rich in Aboriginal and European history, but also happens to be one of the world’s largest and most beautiful inner-city parks. We enjoyed our first visit to this park so much that we ended up coming back for a second visit! On our first visit, we took a short hike across an elevated walkway that led us past beautiful flowers and towering treetops. At different points, we had panoramic views of Perth’s skyline and the surrounding waters. We also spent some time admiring the Pioneer Women’s Memorial, a bronze sculpture of a woman and infant surrounded by sparkling fountains.

    Pioneer Women’s Memorial Fountain

    From the Memorial, we visited a children’s discovery play area, just one of many such areas devoted to young ones within the park. My seven- and five-year-old grandchildren had a ball wading in a small pond with other kids, while their two-year-old little brother happily splashed. A small, rocky stream fed into the pond, and I noticed older children using the rocks to build a dam. The play area also featured tunnels; some resembled culverts but others would be better described as climbing tunnels, which require the participant to ascend and then descend a rough-hewn staircase before emerging at the end.

    Pro-Tip: If you’re prone to back or knee problems, I highly recommend that you wait for your children at the tunnel’s end rather than attempting to follow your kids through the tunnel!

    After the kids enjoyed their fill of climbing and wading, we enjoyed a hearty lunch at a nearby cafe. On our way out, I took a moment to study the memorial to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (“ANZAC”) troops who fought and died in WWI. The granite obelisk stands across from an eternal flame with an inscription asking people to “Let Silent Contemplation Be Your Offering.”

    Eternal Flame with State War Memorial

    source

    On our return visit to Kings Park, I again visited the State War Memorial and noticed the names of the fallen ANZAC soldiers inscribed on the wall below and behind the obelisk. The kids again enjoyed wading in the pond and frolicking at the large playground near the park’s entrance. This playground also had tunnels, though not of the climbing kind, as well as a tire swing with an unusually wide arc. While the kids played, little kookaburras flitted about, sometimes coming within just a few feet of visitors.

    Kookaburras near one the Garden’s play areas

    #2: Perth Zoo

    We were fortunate that the Perth Zoo was within walking distance of our rental home. Due to its proximity, we were able to spend a weekday morning at the zoo, come home for lunch, and then return for about two hours in the afternoon. We did not have to pay admission on our return visit – we simply showed our receipt for the morning admission.

    As one would expect, the zoo features a number of animals unique to Australia, including koalas, dingoes, wallabies, kangaroos, wombats, and numbats. The numbats are new to me – these marsupials, with deer-like facial features and white stripes crossing their black/brown fur, dwell in woodlands of Western Australia, and each one eats upwards of 20,000 termites per day.

    The zoo organizes many of its animals according to habitat. The native animals were mostly found in the Australian Wetlands and Australian Bushwalk sections, and the African Savannah featured zebras, baboons, and a radiated tortoise. The Asian Rainforest held gibbons, Asian elephants, and Komodo dragons, while Bolivian squirrel monkeys, golden lion tamarins, and South American coatis could be found in the Amazonia section. Not all sections of the zoo were organized according to geography, however. The Nocturnal House covered a wide range of animals – bats, toads, spiders, and owls (to name a few) — all “creatures of the night.” And, the Primate Trail held lemurs, marmosets, tamarins, and other small primates mostly from Madagascar or the Amazon Rainforest.

    sleeping koala

    Of the animals we saw, I was most impressed by the painted dogs in the African Savannah. Their sleek, black, orange and white fur could have been designed by an artist and they moved with a distinctively graceful style. We learned these animals are highly effective predators and their hunts have a 90% success rate, better than either lions or cheetahs. Sadly, like so many other wild animals, the painted dogs are an endangered species.

    Pro-Tip: The zoo has a playground with ladders, bridges, and two slides (including a tunnel slide). There is also a carousel, which provides a more relaxing form of entertainment for children (and parents) after wearing themselves out on the playground. The carousel, however, only operates from 11am-3pm on most days.

    #3: Caversham Wildlife Park

    Located several miles outside of downtown Perth in Whitman Park, Caversham Wildlife Park is the perfect complement to the Perth Zoo as it provides families with the opportunity to have close-up encounters with wildlife. Although there are fewer animal species at the Wildlife Park, we noticed herds of kangaroos hopping free across hundreds of acres of open range just on the drive to the park. Once we were inside the park itself, we were nearly nose-to-nose with echidnas, llamas, koalas, wombats, pythons, possums, and any number of birds. We all enjoyed the opportunity to pet a koala and the kids had their pictures taken with a husky-looking wombat. We also encountered an Australian brushtail possum, which, with its darker fur, bigger ears, and thicker tail, does not much resemble its North American counterpart.

    cockatoo at the animal park’s indoor pavilion

    After getting acquainted with some of the park’s animals, we attended a farm show, which took place in an indoor pavilion. The show began with a demonstration of a sheep dog, controlling the movement of sheep so that they ended up in a pen. The show was followed by a sheep-shearing demonstration with a man, who was clearly a pro, wielding electric clippers swiftly, yet carefully. As large slabs of wool fell to the floor, the sheep struggled but uttered no cries of pain. According to the man, an experienced handler can shear over 200 sheep a day using electric clippers! Previously, only 60 or so sheep could be sheared in one day with manual clippers. Later in the show, volunteers in the audience were given the opportunity to try their hand at cracking whips and bottle-feeding lambs and, at the very end, anyone who wished could milk an artificial cow. My granddaughter took a turn, with her brother abstaining!

    Granddaughter about to feed a wallaby

    When we finished with the farm program, we entered what appeared to be a kangaroo-wallaby sanctuary where kids could feed the animals food obtained from special machines. This seemed like fun and it mostly was, but be advised that because the animals are fed with such frequency, they often aren’t interested in snacking. My granddaughter had to go to several different kangaroos and wallabies before finding one that was halfway interested in the food she offered!

    Volunteer snuggling with a wombat!

    #4: Scitech Discovery Centre

    If your children enjoy science, then Scitech Discovery Centre is a good place to take them, but get there early.  We arrived only a few minutes after the 9:30 opening, and within an hour the place was packed. We visited on a weekday, but evidently some schools were on winter break, leading to larger-than-normal crowds. Still, my family found much to like about Scitech, which is located near downtown Perth. The hands-on displays give children a chance to make science happen right in front of their eyes. Phenomena such as magnetism, gravity, electricity, sound waves, air pressure, and reflection become real, not just concepts in a textbook. But for my grandchildren, fun more than science was the order of the day. My grandson and I enjoyed building a makeshift parachute with string and a coffee filter and then testing it in a wind tunnel. My granddaughter had a great time using a pulley to elevate herself on a chair, while our toddler kept himself busy dropping colored balls into an interactive probability device. There was a special show at the museum’s planetarium, but the long line made us decide against attending. We did see a puppet show on animal and plant nutrition that featured a human performer interacting with different puppet characters and occasionally with members of the audience.  

    Final Thoughts?

    My only regret is that Australia in general and Perth, in particular, are so far from my home in central Ohio, otherwise, I’d be planning a return trip already! If I do venture to the “Land Down Under” again, I am definitely not flying economy. To be sure, my wife and I were treated well on all of our flights, including the 17-hour odyssey from Dallas to Sydney. But sleeping upright with minimal leg room just does not agree with my over-60-year-old body and I would like to feel like a human being next time, instead of a boomerang! That said, Perth was a great place for a multi-generational family visit. Not only were there a number of family-friendly activities for kids and adults of all ages, but the amount of wildlife and the opportunities to get up close and personal were a real treat.

  • World’s Best Zoos With Kids

    World’s Best Zoos With Kids

    WGWK believes it is safe to say that a day at the zoo is something all kids can enjoy! When traveling, viewing animals in beautiful habitats is a nice break from city sightseeing for the little ones.  We asked our fellow family travel bloggers for their favorites world zoos and came up with this list of world’s best zoos with kids:

     

    Assiniboine Park Zoo – Winnipeg, Canada

    Hailing from Winnipeg, Canada, we have been to the Assiniboine Park Zoo countless times. Until recently, it was just another zoo. But in mid 2014, after years of hard work, this Zoo got a makeover and a brand new world class exhibit called Journey to Churchill was unveiled.  Journey to Churchill focuses on Arctic animals and is the most extensive of its kind in the world when it comes to showcasing northern animal species. It has been dubbed “the Gateway to the Arctic”. The animals in this exhibit are polar bears, muskoxen, Arctic wolves and foxes, to name a few. The exhibit occupies ten acres and recreates the landscape of the animals’ natural habitat of the Subarctic and the Arctic. There are currently nine polar bears living at Assiniboine Park Zoo. Most have been rescued as very young cubs after being orphaned in the Canadian North. We all know that polar bears are endangered species. This exhibit not only serves as a new home to these animals that would have otherwise perished, but it also provides the public with educational opportunities on how to protect them. Our son’s favourite part is observing these animals up close as they swim above his head in the aquarium tunnel called the Sea Ice Passage.  Don’t miss this unique zoo experience when in Winnipeg.

    Recommended by Bea from Pack Your Bags. Find out more from Bea about Assiniboine Park Zoo.

     

    Auckland Zoo – Auckland, New Zealand

    New Zealand’s Auckland Zoo is one amazing zoo!  We love it because the animals are well cared for, and a lot of them are rescued animals that wouldn’t survive in the wild.  Families who visit during the school holidays will also find something different going on as there are special exhibits and learning experiences, including the opportunity to be a zookeeper for a day (for kids and adults).

    Even out of school holidays, it’s great fun. First, we love the vet hospital there, which cares for the zoo animals, but also for injured wildlife. Visitors can see what’s going on through the glass window, and there is usually a zookeeper stationed outside the glass to explain to visitors what is taking happening.  We also love the daily elephant walks that take place every day! As the elephant walks by with its keeper, visitors can view the animals up close. And, of course, in the spring, there is the opportunity to see lots of baby animals! We were lucky to see the red panda cubs, a giraffe calf, and many more during our visit!

    Recommended by Thais Saito from World Trip Diaries.  Find out more from Thais about Auckland.

     

    Belize Zoo – Belize

    The Belize Zoo started off as a conservation center and still has a huge effort in conservation of animals in Belize. All the animals are native to Belize. They may have encountered issues in the wild and have been rescued by the center. For example, they have a jaguar who they rescued as a cub when she got separated from her mother and a jabiru who fell out of its nest and can no longer fly.  They also have a center for “problem jaguars” – jaguars who hunt too close to human settlements because they may be old and injured. Instead of being shot and killed, these problem jaguars are brought to the center to be cared for and studied. My kids thought the Belize Zoo was very cool especially seeing the big cats – the jaguars and the pumas. We spent two weeks in Belize but never saw many of the native animals exhibited at the zoo in the wild.

    Recommended by Shobha George from Nylon Living.

     

    Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary – Tasmania, Australia

    For families with a young animal-lover in their life, a trip to Australia offers the opportunity to see many unique creatures! The Land Down Under has so much more than just kangaroos and koalas. We spent the first day of our epic two-month visit to Australia at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary in Tasmania, where injured or endangered animals are sheltered and nurtured. During our awesome guided tour (which is included in the admission price), we visited with wombats, echidnas, quolls and the infamous Tassie devil… and of course it was a great opportunity to get up close with koalas and ‘roos as well.

    Recommended by Melissa Conn of The Family Voyage.  Find out more from Melissa about family travel in Australia.

     

    Chester Zoo – Chester, England

    We’ve visited a few zoos with our son, but the Chester Zoo, the UK’s most visited zoo, is one that stands out. Not only is it a very large zoo, at approximately 125 acres, with big enclosures for the many species of animals and birds that can be found there, but it is also highly involved in conservation. The most exciting part for us was the Islands at Chester Zoo. This part of the Zoo, opened in 2015, has areas representing six South East Asian Islands including Bali and Sumatra. It is a truly wonderful part of the Zoo and transports visitors to South East Asia with atmospheric music and explorer huts – a true delight to visit. From Sumatran tigers and orangutans, to Visayan warty pigs, the Islands are not to be missed. Chester Zoo has so much to see and do and is best given a full day to explore. Even then visitors may still miss some of the zoo as it’s that big. This is what makes Chester Zoo one of our favourite zoos of all time.

    Catherine from Passports and Adventures.

     

    Cotswold Wildlife Park – Oxfordshire, England

    Cotswold Wildlife Park is one of the star attractions in the Cotswolds.  The Wildlife Park is just outside the town of Burford in Oxfordshire, in the grounds of a manor house surrounded by beautiful gardens.  The Park is home to some amazing animals and is sure to enchant kids of any age.  Visitors can get up close to giraffes in the giraffe house and meet the friendly lemurs and critically endangered Bactrian camels.  The Wildlife Park is probably the only place in the world to see a white rhino grazing in front of a Victorian manor house!

    Don’t miss the daily talks and animal feeding times – visitors can even sign up to be a keeper for the day.  The children’s farm is always a hit as kids can pet some of the more tame animals.  There’s also a miniature train ride, which is a great way to get an idea of the park’s layout and appeals to smaller children. The Cotswold Wildlife Park is a charitable trust and part of several breeding programmes for endangered species as well as promoting conservation in the wild. This means visitors can be sure that they are supporting animals worldwide when they visit.

    Recommended by Emily Cole from Kids and Compass.

    Dujiangyan Panda Base – Shiqiao, China

    Pandas are the emblem of China and currently considered a national treasure. Only in China do pandas live outside of captivity, yet seeing any pandas in the wild in China is nearly impossible, because it’s a vulnerable species and there are less than 2000 in the wild.  That’s what makes the Dujiangyan Panda Base such a special place.  Although the Center may look like a regular zoo at first look, this non-for-profit, government-funded organization is dedicated to saving pandas from extinction through controlled breeding techniques and specially designed wildlife reinsertion programs.

    We visited Dujiangyan Panda Base on our trip to Chengdu.  At Dujiangyan, along with seeing the pandas up close with few interruptions from other tourists, we learned about the Center’s conservation programs. Best of all, visitors can volunteer for the panda keeper program and spend a day working alongside zookeepers and scientists caring for the pandas.

    Recommended by Daniela Kemeny from A Baby Abroad.

    Melbourne Zoo – Melbourne, Australia

    The Melbourne Zoo’s vision is to be the world’s leading zoo-based conservation organization, and it is well worth a visit.  In addition to featuring enclosures with natural habitats where visitors can get close to a wide-variety of international and foreign animals, the park-like grounds are themed to look like different regions of the world.  While seeing the elephants and tigers, visitors will think they are wandering through a safari town in India.

    The Zoo does incredible conservation work through targeted campaigns to teach and educate visitors about sustainability.  The orangutan area has a lot of great information about palm oil products and the threat wild orangutans face from loss of habitat from palm plantations.  Another recent campaign entitled “Wipe for Wildlife” encouraged visitors to make the switch to toilet paper made from recycled materials.  The Melbourne Zoo is Australia’s oldest zoo and has re-invented itself as a wonderful place to learn about wildlife right in the city centre.

    Recommended by Dawn Nicholson from 5 Lost Together.  Find out more from Dawn about Melbourne With Kids.

     

    National Zoo and Aquarium – Canberra, Australia

    Our local zoo, the National Zoo and Aquarium, is the perfect animal experience for young families as it is packed full of cool and interesting animals but is compact enough for little legs. The Zoo itself is beautifully constructed with pretty walkways and creative gardens and enclosures for all the animals. The Zoo offers great memberships where kids under three are free of charge, so when my kids were little for the price of one adult membership, my two young daughters and I had many outings to the zoo.

    Over the last few years the National Zoo and Aquarium has undergone quite a transformation and expansion with the award-winning Jamala Wildlife Lodge opening. Guests can stay overnight in luxury lodgings and be immersed in the wildlife experience as they watch lions, bears and other awesome animals through the floor to ceiling glass windows of their lodges.  As for the animals – a favourite is hard to pick. I love the white lions, giraffes and cheetahs. The kids, are always enthralled by the cheekiness of the otters and the meerkats!

    Recommended by Karen Buffier of Big Adventures for Little Feet.

     

    Ocean Park – Hong Kong, China


    Ocean Park is a part-zoo, part-aquarium, part-theme park and is a favourite day out for Hong Kong’s families.  The two biggest attractions here for animal lovers are the Grand Aquarium and the four resident Giant Pandas. The Giant Aquarium has loads of sea creatures to fascinate children – from hammerhead sharks, to manta rays, starfish and lionfish. There’s also a separate three-level Shark Mystique if they want more. Beyond the pandas, there are also penguins, walruses, sea lions and seals to visit, in addition to rainforest creatures such as the sloth, capybaras and giant anaconda.
    Unusually Ocean Park mixes up animal viewing with thrill rides. There are rides for everyone here – from the carousel and frog-hopper for the little ones, to the floorless Hair Raiser roller coaster that sends you looping and plunging at
    88km/h for the really fearless.  Visitors to Ocean Park should not miss the cable car, which offers some of
    the best views of the south side of Hong Kong Island.

    Recommended by Marianne from Mum on the Move.  Find out more from Marianne about Ocean Park.

     

    Singapore Zoo – Singapore

    The Singapore Zoo is often rated as one of the top 10 zoos in the world, and once we arrived, we could certainly see why. It is well set out, and all the enclosures are open range with no visible fencing or bars. It is spread over 64 acres in the Mandai Rainforest, 30 minutes taxi ride from central Singapore. Singapore Zoo is so large that there is a shuttle bus system to move the 1.7 million annual visitors around the park, which is great for little ones so they don’t get too tired early in the day.

    Singapore Zoo is famous for its orangutan enclosure which is free range and the orangutans move from tree to tree often right above your head. The zoo also offers the opportunity to have breakfast with the orangutans at Ah Meng Restaurant. Visitors sit and enjoy a generous buffet breakfast while the orangutans come to visit and have their breakfast at the same time. After breakfast visitors can stand up close to the orangutans and have their photo taken, but can’t touch them.

    There are various feeding times and educational shows about conserving land and looking after endangered animals. My kids really enjoyed the shows and it was nice that they incorporated an educational message while keeping it fun for the kids.

    Recommended by Sally Lucas of Our 3 Kids v the World.  Find out more from Sally about the Singapore Zoo.

     

    Taipei Zoo – Taipei, Taiwan

    The Taipei Zoo features around 300 animals, including those from tropical, rainforest and safari environments for an admission of about 6 USD. Our Taiwan sojourn became extra special because we got to see a 276 pound panda for the first time. Our little one, Sophia, had a chance to get face-to-face with a panda that had acted aloof because of noisy visitors for a couple of hours prior to our visit.

    Inside the Zoo, we rode the Maokong Gondola up the mountain, and we were mesmerized with the aerial view of the beautiful forest and the city lights. We were waiting for the Crystal Cabins, the glass-bottom cars where visitors can vividly see the breathtaking views from thousands of feet above ground, but we ended up riding a regular cabin. We still experienced the same excitement when the ride reached the highest peak. So far, this is the best zoo adventure we have ever had, and we’ll definitely come back to this astonishing place.

    Recommended by Catha Buti-Uy of Team Uy Travels.

     

    Taronga Zoo – Sydney, Australia

    Taronga Zoo Sydney is an iconic Sydney landmark. Sitting on the Sydney Harbour, historic Taronga Zoo was officially opened on 7 October 1916 and has become one of the city’s main attractions. Spread over 69 acres and boasting over 350 different species of animals, Taronga Zoo showcases both native Australian animals and a range of exotic animals including tigers, chimpanzees, giraffes and gorillas. A daily highlight for all visitors is the Free Flight Bird Show, which is not to be missed.

    The Taronga Zoo offers visiting families the incredible Keeper for a Day program on weekends and school holidays where children can learn about animal husbandry and the behind the scenes workings of a zoo. Those wanting a once in a lifetime experience can enjoy the Roar and Snore experience at stay at the zoo overnight.  One of Taronga Zoo’s highlights every year is its inclusion in the Vivid Sydney festival in May, in which the Zoo is lit up with a number of animal-themed installations around the grounds and accessed in the evening moonlight.

    Whilst visitors can drive to the Zoo, the ultimate experience is to catch a ferry from Circular Quay across to the Zoo and enjoy the sights of the Sydney Harbour along the way. The Zoo is a not for profit establishment with all money raised funneled back into the Zoo’s important conservation projects.

    Recommended by Leah Smileski from The Kid Bucket List.  Find out more from Leah about the Sydney Zoo.

     

    Toronto Zoo – Toronto, Canada

    SONY DSC

    The Toronto Zoo can be reached with a metro-bus combination from downtown Toronto. With 287 hectares, it is the largest zoo in Canada, and visitors should come prepared to walk a lot. The animals get a lot of space at this zoo, which is nice, but sometimes they are hard to spot, especially for young children.  For the past five years the main zoo attraction has been the pandas, but they were moved to Calgary in March 2018.  There are still plenty of other animals to see and the Zoo’s Africa Savannah section houses lions, zebras and very cute pygmy hippopotamuses. What made the Toronto Zoo special for us was its large exhibit of Canadian wildlife. We got to see grizzly bears, cougars, elk and other animals without having to travel to Alaska or other more remote parts of Canada.

    Recommended by Tikva from Gezin op Reis.

     

    Vienna Zoo – Vienna, Austria

    As we wandered aimlessly around the Berlin Zoo looking for the panda we wanted to see, we grew more and more impatient. Soon as we saw a keeper, we asked for directions and were told that the panda was no longer at the zoo. All four of us were so upset that when we added Vienna on our itinerary, there was one place that was top of the list….the Vienna Zoo.  Little did we know how amazing the entire Zoo would be for our family.

    There was so much to do other than seeing the animals. My daughters were a little younger then and just looking at animals was something that Marley could not always do whereas Willow was amazed by the enclosures and all the different animals that were housed there. Marley could let off some steam in the play areas located all over the Zoo.

    The paths were nice and wide for prams with not many hills to tire out those little legs. What I liked the most was that the enclosures were a sight in themselves. They all looked fantastic and really well-kept. We even got to see the pandas at play while we were there!  We also found a restaurant just inside the Zoo that had a great menu for us to all sit and have a proper meal after wandering the Zoo for a few hours. No deep-fried stuff…we all had a great main meal at a really good price too.

    We went on a cold wintery day, and we didn’t find that we were cold as we were sheltered from the wind by the Zoo.  There was little rain, but there were plenty of places to take cover if we needed to. The Vienna Zoo is the world’s oldest zoo, a great place to visit, and kids love it!

    Recommended by Bec Wyld from Wyld Family Travel.  Find out more from Bec about the Vienna Zoo.

     

    Xcaret Park – Playa del Carmen, Mexico

    Xcaret Park has dozens of exhibits, including a huge aviary, a butterfly pavilion, an aquarium complete with big lagoons containing sea turtles, manatees and sting rays as well as Jaguar Island, which includes both black and spotted jaguars. With wildlife around every corner, visitors can spend half the day enjoying the fauna and the other half enjoying the underground rivers, attractions and cultural displays of Mexico. Our family has enjoyed ourselves every time we’ve visited, and the kids always say they want to go back.

    Recommended by Charles Kosman from The Barefoot Nomad.  Find out more from Charles about Xcaret.

     

    Zoo Berlin – Berlin, Germany

    A world-class zoo with respected animal care and preservation programs, Zoo Berlin is “home to the world’s largest variety of species”. The Zoo is extensive and houses nearly 20,000 animals of about 1,400 species, and many of the enclosures appear like the animals’ natural habitat. There is also a petting zoo, a nocturnal house, and a bird house where colorful birds fly freely. Entry to the aquarium portion requires an extra fee.

    Millions of annual visitors enjoy learning about animals and conservation at Zoo Berlin, and they can also view daily animal feedings. Most signs are in English as well as German. An interactive app is available to download, with zoo schedules, map features, and animal information. A variety of food and beverages is available at restaurants and kiosks.  One restaurant looks onto a large playground with a climbing structure for kids.

    Amidst all the activity, there are beautiful, wide, garden-like pathways. These promenades extend along manicured grass and low hedges, interspersed with groupings of roses abloom in summer, and fountains that spout and splash.  Plenty of benches invite a rest under the shade of nearby trees. In the big city of Berlin, the zoo offers a peaceful day out.

    Recommended by Sandy Nielsen from Sleeps5.  Find out more from Sandy about Berlin.

     

    We love visiting zoos with kids, and there are so man of the top zoos of the world that we have not yet visited.  If you want to read about more amazing zoos, check out our post on the Best U.S. Zoos With Kids and other zoos we have visited during our travels.

  • Best U.S. Zoos With Kids

    Best U.S. Zoos With Kids

    Like most kids, my kids love zoos.  We have been regular visitors of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo since my oldest was a few months old and even had an annual membership there for years.  Zoos are generally great for families – they are a stroller paradise, and even the youngest babies are mesmerized by the animal habitats.  They also offer great educational opportunities – my kids learned about many animals by watching them in their habitats.  They could identify armadillos as toddlers and knew that giraffes like to eat lettuce because they’ve had the opportunity to feed them on several different occasions. With zoos in almost every metropolitan area in the U.S., we asked our fellow family travel bloggers for their favorites and came up with this list of the best U.S. zoos with kids:

     

    Bronx Zoo – Bronx, New York

    A trip to New York City conjures up thoughts of big buildings and the urban jungle. But a short subway ride away, up in the borough of the Bronx, is one of the most iconic, world-famous zoos.  The Bronx Zoo is very large with various exhibits and attractions. The Zoo is open year-round and features outdoor animals like bears, sea lions, tigers, and wild dogs along with indoor exhibits such as the aviary, giraffe house, monkey house, world of reptiles and our favorite, the Madagascar exhibit.

    In addition to the animals, my family loves the attractions at the Bronx Zoo – from the newly renovated children’s zoo, to the bug carousel and the World Asia Monorail! We have visited the Bronx Zoo often, and always have trouble seeing everything in one day!

    Recommended by Harmony from Momma To Go.

     

    Dallas Zoo – Dallas, Texas

    The Dallas Zoo includes 100 acres of not only animal exhibits, but educational and interactive exhibits for all ages! This zoo is perfect for kids of all ages! Our family favorites include the Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo and the Wilds of Africa Adventure Safari Monorail. We’ve spent hours in the Children’s Zoo playing, exploring, hand feeding birds, splashing in the creek that runs through the nature playground and petting the farm animals – it’s the perfect spot to let the kids explore! The monorail also provides the perfect break for those tired feet as it gives everyone a birds-eye view of five African habitats that visitors can’t visit by foot. This ride provides amazing views of hippos, chimps, crocodiles, penguins, and many more animals, along with a beautiful ride through a waterfall!

    For elephant fans like us, the Giants of the Savannah habitat is a big hit – it’s the only multi-species zoo exhibit in the US to mix elephants with other species like zebras, giraffes, and ostriches, in the same habitat!

    Recommended by Ashley Clark from Timeout in Paradise.

     

    Denver Zoo – Denver, Colorado

    One of our favorite zoos is the Denver Zoo. We love being able to witness the baby animals. Over the past few years, we have seen infant red pandas, gorillas, bongos and zebras. But, one of our favorite experiences has been watching a baby giraffe growing up. Dobby was a surprise birth. He was born during the time when everyone’s focus was on April the giraffe giving birth in 2017. Surprise! Nobody knew that Dobby’s mom was pregnant until she gave birth in February to the reticulated infant giraffe. We have enjoyed watching the little guy (well, big guy now) growing stronger and taller.

    Recommended by Lance Hale from Family Well Traveled.

     

    Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Orlando, Florida

    Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the most unique zoological theme park that we’ve ever experienced! In fact, it is an enriching cultural experience. We have done complete cultural lessons for our “ABCs” (our four children) just by spending intentional time in the themed areas! From admiring the architecture, taking part in cultural traditions, dining on authentic food, and even hearing stories from cast members about their home country, it is full of depth and richness.

    As for the amazing animals, they are relatively free roaming in their natural environments. Visitors meet most of them on an open-air safari tour or on exotic jungle trails woven throughout the park. Kids can also take part in a free Wilderness Explorers program where they can earn badges for attending brief lessons about the animals. It is great for engagement, a special souvenir, and is an awesome learning experience.

    And then, lastly, there are the world-renowned rides and attractions! Each ride is amazing, and a lot of people come just for the rides. However, we encourage visiting families to spend a whole day there and really take their time exploring the details of the park. There is so much depth and richness to uncover.

    Recommended by Danielle Weiden from Traveling ABCs.

     

    Fort Worth Zoo – Fort Worth, Texas

    Among the greatest features of Fort Worth Zoo is the “Wilder Vision,” backed by a $100 million project spanning ten years including an additional ten acres of exhibit space, experiential dining, new ways to observe and interact with animals, and conservation efforts. Our favorites activities at the Zoo include:

    • Eating With Crocodiles: With only a glass barrier separating visitors and the wild, dine in an underwater viewing area at Crocodile Café.
    • Interacting with animals: Feed free-roaming giraffes on the African Savanna, offer cockatiels and parrots birdseed in the walk-through Parrot Paradise Aviary, or cuddle snakes in the award-winning 30,000 square foot indoor/outdoor Herpetarium.
    • Splashing in the wild: Play at the 14,000 square foot animal-themed Safari Splash water park.
    • Untamed Learning: Kids can participate in formal educational classes taught by certified teachers for all ages including preschool, middle school camps, a high school career camp and full day summer camps. Amy Coslik, Fort Worth Zoo Animal Projects Coordinator and mother of two states: “The camps provide opportunity to learn about and work in all areas of the Zoo, including our one-of-a-kind Nutrition Services department…responsible for feeding all 7,000 animals at the Zoo.” Programs highlight enrichment for animals and conservation while using electronic resources and hands-on techniques.

    Recommended by Brandy Morgan from Kid Allergy Travel.

     

    Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium – Omaha, Nebraska

    Omaha’s zoo, the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, is located just off I-80 and is an easy stop for families heading across the country or spending a little time in Nebraska. Kids will love some of the largest displays of their kind, constant development of new exhibits, and a friendly Midwestern vibe. A large aquarium houses jellyfish, penguins, and a shark tank with a tunnel to walk through.

    There’s also a sting ray touch tank for some hands-on time with animals. Another highlight is the new African Grasslands exhibit with elephants and giraffes, part of which is under the “Skyfari” aerial tram that runs across the campus. Then visitors can head over to the world’s largest indoor desert, the Desert Dome, which is an iconic Omaha landmark. There are also cats and apes and sea lions and bugs.  For another reason to go, the team at the zoo conducts world-class research and conservation efforts that are truly unique. Visitors’ patronage supports plant and animal restoration locally and abroad.
    It’s a must see for anyone passing through Omaha!

    Recommended by Joshua from One Good Family Life.

     

    Lincoln Park Zoo – Chicago, Illinois

    The Lincoln Park Zoo is a completely free park. Visitors can walk right in at any of the six gates. There’re no turnstiles, no actual gates and no wristbands. We took the CTA bus route No. 151 from the AC Marriott Hotel near the Magnificent Mile and were dropped off right in front of the Lincoln Park Zoo sign. While the indoor buildings don’t open until 10 a.m., the gates open at 7 a.m., which allows for families to view animals when they are most active. A visit to this zoo during our recent 2-night trip to Chicago was a perfect break from the typical Chicago sights. This is a decent sized zoo, with a variety of animals and an amazing view of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. Visitors can spend a few hours or pack a picnic and turn it into a full day visit. Pro tip: Don’t miss the climbing structure or the otters, which are located in the building near the Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo.

    Recommended by Ruth Mendes from Have Kiddos Will Travel.

     

    The Maryland Zoo – Baltimore, Maryland

    While not possessing the grandeur of the National Zoo, Baltimore’s Maryland Zoo is a kid-friendly and logistically easy day out.  Visitors need a car to get to the Zoo, as it is not walkable from downtown Baltimore. Those with young kids should take the shuttle to the main entrance as the walk is long, and kids will tire out. My suggestion is to first head to the Polar Bear Watch, which is near the entrance and gives kids the quick gratification of watching the bears up close, swimming and playing with toys. Afterwards, move on to African Journey, where kids can feed giraffes and watch elephants play in water with one another. Then, on to Maryland Wilderness.

    Kids enjoy the nooks and crannies of the zoo, including oversized bird nests for climbing, lily pads to jump across, tree slides, a bat cave and even a petting zoo area. There is also a small merry-go-round for younger kids.

    The Maryland Zoo does offer a couple of unremarkable food stands with pizza, hot-dogs, salads, burgers and chicken fingers. A nice alternative is to pack a picnic lunch. The Zoo is nicely shaded and plenty of grassy areas beckon a blanket and a relaxing lunch.


    Recommended by Alison Netzer from Five Family Adventurers.


    The Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens – Miami, Florida

    The Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens, or simply Zoo Miami, is one of our favourites. Here are the reasons why we absolutely love it:

    • It is the only sub-tropical zoo in the continental United States. Because of south Florida’s climate, many animals from tropical places feel right at home here.
    • Visitors will be hard pressed to find animals in cages. Because of this zoo’s commitment to animal welfare, the displays are mostly open air, yet very safe for the public.
    • Visitors can explore the zoo on a Safari Cycle (a pedal-powered bicycle/vehicle that can accommodate up to 8 people). This is a perfect way to see this massive zoo.
    • Visitors can watch animal feedings or even feed the giraffes, rhinos, camels, giant tortoises and parrots themselves.
    • The zoo is very large (750 acres) and thorough visitors who wish to come back within ten days of their original visit receive reduced admission.

    Recommended by Bea from Pack Your Bags.

     

    Philadelphia Zoo – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    The Philadelphia Zoo was the first zoo in the U.S. dating from 1859. Despite its history and architecture, there’s nothing old-fashioned about this Zoo. It has a 4-D Migration Theater and research centres as well as see-through mesh walkways that go above the treetops all throughout the 42-acre facility. My kids loved watching animals (mostly monkeys) scamper overhead on the walkways. It’s easy to get to the Philadelphia Zoo – there’s good parking facilities, which are great for a city-centre zoo. Nearby there is also the 2000-acre Fairmount Park which, is wonderful for a roam when the kids need to let off some steam.

    Recommended by Shobha George of Just Go Places.  Find out more from Shobha about visiting Philadelphia.

     

    Riverbanks Zoo & Garden – Columbia, South Carolina

    With over 2,000 animals, eight different gardens, and even a few historical landmarks, Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in Columbia, South Carolina is one of our favorite zoos! Why? Well, mainly because of a very simple reason: it is so easily walkable. After visiting zoos throughout the United States, we have truly come to appreciate a zoo that has exhibits located close enough together that little feet can walk with ease. Riverbanks Zoo has attractions including train rides, zip lines, and even a splash zone which is always fun for kids of all ages. But, our family favorites are the animal demonstrations like the penguin presentation and feeding the giraffes!

    Recommended by Julie from More than Main Street.  Check out their family friendly guide to Columbia, South Carolina for more ideas of things to do in South Carolina’s state capital.

     

    San Diego Zoo – San Diego, California

    The San Diego Zoo is world famous and for good reason. Not only is this 100-acre zoo huge, but it’s home to more than 3,500 animals representing more than 650 species. The San Diego Zoo offers several options to help visitors see as many animals as possible. For walking, a stroller is a must, and stroller rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To get to the other side of the zoo, there is the Skyfari Aerial Tram, which offers some incredible views at the same time. For tired legs, there’s a double-decker bus that provides guided bus tours that cover most of the zoo, while the Kangaroo Bus is a hop on/hop off bus with four different stops throughout the zoo. Transportation aside, what truly makes the San Diego Zoo exceptional is the host of different animals to see. Not to be missed are the pandas, koalas, orangutans, and polar bears.

    In addition to all that, the San Diego Zoo is located within the beautiful Balboa Park. Though the zoo is likely to take an entire day to visit, there is also plenty more to see nearby.

    Recommended by Celine from Baby Can Travel.  Find out more from Celine about the San Diego Zoo.

     

    Smithsonian’s National Zoo – Washington, D.C.

    The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is a family favorite, and it’s a free admission zoo that is open 364 days per year. The 163-acre large park located in Washington, D.C. offers 18 distinct areas and is home to over 2,000 animals, 25% of which are endangered. Not to be missed animals include the endangered Giant Pandas (follow the panda camera from home), The Great Ape House (see the first orangutan born at the National Zoo in 25 years), the American Trail and the Great Cats. We recommend taking public transportation to the National Zoo and enjoying it in the early morning when the pandas and other large animals are most active. The National Zoo is built on a hill, so take that into consideration when planning a trip with young children. While the zoo is free, food is very costly so plan accordingly and visit around meals or bring a picnic and lots of water. Visitors should plan on a minimum of three hours to enjoy this Zoo, but a full day at the massive National Zoo would not be difficult to imagine.

    Recommended by Ruth Mendes from Have Kiddos Will Travel.  Find out more from Ruth about Smithsonian’s National Zoo.

    We love visiting zoos with kids, and there are so many of these top zoos in the U.S. that we have not yet visited.  Make sure to check out our post on the Best International Zoos With Kids and other zoos we have visited with kids during our travels.

  • Costa Rica With Kids (Part VIII): Diamante Eco Adventure Park with Kids

    Costa Rica With Kids (Part VIII): Diamante Eco Adventure Park with Kids

    For Spring Break 2018, my family of four traveled to Costa Rica and spent one full week at the Andaz Papagayo. To read about why we chose Costa Rica with kids and booking logistics, visit Costa Rica With Kids (Part I): Why Costa Rica and Booking Logistics. 

    Our trip to Costa Rica with kids did not involve much by way of pre-planned activities. Although our vacations are typically scheduled down to the minute to maximize experiences, our stated goal in traveling to Costa Rica was to spend time together, relaxing as a family. That said, there was one thing that we knew, with absolutely certainty, had to be done: ziplining.

    Ziplining is so essential to any Costa Rica experience that I knew we had to do it. Admittedly terrified of heights, I had no interest in ziplining, but my almost nine year old is a bit of a daredevil and I knew he could persuade his dad into nearly anything. That said, the difficulty with ziplining as an activity was that we also have a very active not quite four year old, who very much so believes that he can and should be able to do whatever his big brother is doing. After a bit of poking around online, I settled on an outing to Diamante Eco Adventure Park with kids!

    My best description of the Park is that it is essentially a Costa Rican amusement park/zoo all tied up into one. The Park offers a number of activities, including ziplining, horse back riding, and ATV rides, to name a few. The Park also offers numerous animals, a butterfly conservatory, and even a hot buffet lunch, if you’re so inclined.

    The cost of admission is not cheap and varies depending on what activities you want to participate in. The plan was for my husband and oldest son to zipline, while my younger son and I visited with the animals, so we knew we needed to at least have those two options available to us. After perusing the various passes, I decided that the Adventure Pass made the most sense, as it includes ziplining, admission to the animal part of the Park, access to the beach, and a buffet lunch. The plan was to spend the day there so even though it was seemingly rather expensive at $118 for an adult and $95 for my older son (children under 5 are free), we went ahead and purchased our tickets.

    The drive from our hotel to the Park took about one hour. About 20 minutes from the Park, we started spotting large and colorful signs that pointed us in the correct direction. Upon arrival, we confirmed with the security guard posted at the bottom of the driveway that we were visiting for the day, at which point we drove up to the parking area outside the main entrance.

    After parking, we spotted the shuttle bus and quickly climbed on. The main entrance is located at the top of the hill directly above the shuttle bus in the above picture. I had some difficulty during the ticket purchasing process in terms of trying to figure out exactly how the day would go. Specifically, the online ticket purchase requires you to select a time for your zipline adventure. We were running slightly behind schedule and so we arrived 10 minutes after our selected time. I was quickly assured this was not a problem as we were checked in and queued for zip lining.

    There are five ziplines at the park, but unfortunately, my son was just shy of the 85 pound minimum required to go on the Superman, which the Park claims to be the longest biplane in Costa Rica. Because he was unable to do the Superman, there was one other zipline he could not go on, as he had to return via the Superman. Although this meant that he was only able to go on three ziplines, his spirits were not dampened as he got weighed and outfitted.

    waiting in line for the first zipline
    The Superman zipline, complete with photographer hanging out in a shaded spot to capture a photo for later purchase.
    Lockers for storing items.

    With my husband and oldest son off on their zipline adventure, my youngest and I set out to explore the animals. It was a quick shuttle bus ride to the zoo entrance and we were off.

    my little one loved the butterflies

    My little one and I enjoyed the various habitats, in particular the frog room. It was an open room with various frogs located around the room. We simply wandered around and tried to peek behind plans and leaves to find resting frogs/toads. We also loved the butterfly conservatory, but it was extremely stressful and it was completely packed with butterflies and I was terrified my little one would step on one. Luckily, we managed to spent quite a bit of time there, admiring the various species of butterflies, without causing any harm.

    My kids also enjoyed the scorpions, which they shined on with provided black lights.

    We were in the zoo for about 40 minutes when my husband and older son joined us. The last station on their abbreviated circuit of three ziplines conveniently dropped them off in the middle of the zoo. We spent about 90 minutes walking the zoo before deciding it was too hot and time for lunch.

    Back at the main entrance, we scoped out the buffet and sat down for a bite to eat.

    View of the ticket counter from our lunch seat. Although barely visible, the lunch buffet is set up to the left.

    The buffet options were modest, but there was plenty for everyone. The meat options included BBQ chicken and ribs, and plenty of rice and beans and fries. My kids also happened to love the pizza (of course).

    After lunch, we decided it was time to leave. Although we had planned to visit the beach, it was clear that the heat had gotten to my youngest son and that he was struggling to keep it together. A quick shuttle bus ride down to the parking lot and we settled in for the hour long ride home.

    Final thoughts?

    I enjoyed our visit to Diamante Eco Adventure Park and it was a good way to spend the day. My oldest got to experience the zipline and my youngest enjoyed seeing “Costa Rica animals,” as he affectionately called them. Every single employee at the Park was helpful – from the hostess that greeted us to the individuals scattered throughout the zoo, offering to give us a mini tour of the various habitats. In fact, my husband and oldest were so taken in by the “cats” habitat that the employee there ended up giving them a 20 minute tour and explanation of the animals and their daily routines.

    In hindsight, I did not have to pay for the full Adventure Pass and could have saved a few dollars by opting for the Discovery Pass (which does not include ziplining, lunch, or beach access) and is $76 cheaper. But, since we had originally planned to visit the beach and knew that we would be eating lunch at the Park regardless, we went ahead and purchased the more expensive pass just to have more options available to us. That children under five are admitted for free definitely helped ease the pain in that regard.

    If you’re thinking about visiting the Diamante Eco Adventure Park with kids, I can highly recommend it. It’s a clean facility and the employees are all top notch. From the extremely affable hostess to the focus on safety with respect to the ziplines, our family was able to enjoy a day outing with plenty of fun and entertainment for everyone.

    I hope you enjoyed following along on our Costa Rica With Kids adventure! 

     

  • Paris With Kids: Five Fun Family Activities

    Paris With Kids: Five Fun Family Activities

    Guest Blogger: Vanessa and Sergio are high school sweethearts from Austin, Texas who love traveling the world and experiencing new cultures and traditions with their daughter. To keep up with this international trio, follow along on Instagram or visit their website, TravelChicFam.

    Our foodra truck ride outside the Musee d’Orsay!

    Paris, France has always been a favorite city of mine. This one city holds the best of the best in art, culture, breathtaking sights and French cuisine.  As the cherry on top, it’s also bursting with romance and, for those traveling with kids, children’s parks perfectly situated through the entire city!

    While pregnant with my daughter, I thought traveling would no longer be possible, but I was wrong! After a year of not traveling, I began experiencing “traveling blues” and decided to plan our first family trip to take place when my daughter would be 20 months old. I excitedly and anxiously began planning our 10-day trip to Paris: flights, transportation, hotel, sites and destinations, family photo shoot, and so much more! Before having a baby, we would have likely booked two or three cities as part of one vacation, but decided to stick to one city for our first family vacation and see how baby girl would travel. As an added surprise, traveling with a child reminded us to slow down, to visit family friendly sites, and to value each moment, laugh, and experience. We also took as many photos as humanely possible so that we could document the experience. Our visit to Paris with a young child was not without challenges, but overall the experience was amazing and life changing. I can confidently say that my now three year old absolutely loves to fly, thrives when she spends quality time with her parents, and enjoys the different sites and children’s parks that we build into our adventures.

    Without further ado, here are my Five Fun Family Activities for Paris With Kids!

    #1. Disneyland Parks

    In the many months I spent planning our trip to Paris, I knew that the one thing I wanted to do was to plan a stop at one of the most magical places on Earth: Disneyland Paris. It was the least we could do for our 20 month old, after dragging her to a different country.  We were visiting in early September, which is considered off-season, so the crowds were minimal and wait times for rides was short.

    Disneyland Paris is comprised of two parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. You can pay to visit one park or both parks. For this occasion, we chose to only visit Disneyland Park as our daughter loves princesses, and we knew that the big mid-day parade would be taking place at Disneyland Park. We arrived around 11am and were able to easily purchase tickets and ride a number of rides, including Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Le Carrousel de Lancelot, Alice’s Curious Labyrinth.  We also visited Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, La Tinier du Dragon, Liberty Arcade, and Discovery Arcade. We made sure to stop and watch the famous Disney parade with all the princess characters, and we ate lunch at Au Chalet de la Marionette, which had a decent selection of food for adults and children.

    By the time we left the park at 7pm, we were beyond exhausted. Although we wished we had seen the fireworks, we had a great experience and of course, left with Minnie Mouse ears, a Mickey Mouse balloon, Disneyland souvenirs, and a number of chocolate treats. If I had to do it all over again, I wish we could have arrived a little earlier so that we could visit both parks and stay for the fireworks, but given the one hour distance from our hotel to Disneyland and my daughter’s age, we were just thrilled that she had an amazing experience.

    Pro-Tip: We took a taxi from our hotel to Disney, but you can also take the Metro. We chose a taxi because it was much faster and easier for our little family. Prices vary, depending on location and transit time, so be sure to price check all your options.

    #2: Jardin du Luxembourg

    The Jardin du Luxembourg is a true gem located in the center of Paris. It covers 25 hectares (over 60 acres) of land filled with beautiful gardens, open-air cafes, puppet shows, rides, slides, musical performers, and sailboats in the pond by the Luxembourg Palace. On a sunny day, you can grab lunch and relax on the green or in one of the many chairs sprinkled throughout the park as you watch your little one run around to release some much needed energy.

    Our favorite activity was the miniature sailboats, which are available for rent or purchase if you don’t happen to have your own to bring! There were many vendors located along the pond and we rented a miniature sailboat that came with a large stick, to use to push the sailboat out and onto the pond. My daughter could not push the sailboat on her own, but my husband was happy to oblige and help maneuver the boat. He had just as much fun playing as all the kids. This is a must visit family friendly park for all to enjoy. By the looks of the native French speaking crowd around us, this is local favorite and so a great way to experience real Parisian family life.

    #3: Parc Zoologique de Paris

    The Parc Zoologique de Paris a great place to visit with children, especially if they love animals. Admission is pricey at 20 € per adult / 15 € per child (ages 3-12) but well worth it. The zoo’s landscape is designed to showcase the animals in their native ecosystem and is home to around 180 species and over a thousand animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. During our visit, we saw a variety of birds, monkeys, fish, jaguars, zebras, and giraffes. And, judging by the crowds, this is another spot that most local Parisians take advantage of with their families, and we were again fortunate to have no trouble with crowds.

    #4: Musee de l’Orangeries & Musee d’Orsay

    When one thinks of a museum in Paris, I’m sure the Louvre comes immediately to mind. The Louvre is amazing, but also full of tourists and crowds. Although definitely a place that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime, I was not sure that it was the best place to take a baby or toddler. For this special trip, we decided to visit the Musee de l’Orangerie and the Musee d’Orsay, which showcase fantastic works by Monet, Van Gogh, and many others, but without the tourist appeal of the Louvre.

    We visited the Musee de l’Orangerie first, where we viewed Claude Monet’s famous painting of the water lilies. The mural and all sides of the walls were so incredibly breathtaking, I had to stop and just enjoy the experience. While I was busy being awed by the beauty of the art, my daughter paced all the rooms of the museum with her daddy. We then went upstairs and enjoyed a quick bite to eat before heading to the Musee d’Orsay.

    At the d’Orsay, we saw Ballet Rehearsal by Edgar Degas, Blue Water Lillies by Claude Monet, Self Portrait by Vincent Van Gogh, and countless others. The museum is large, but we had an idea of what we wanted to see before arriving, which helped make our experience more manageable.

    Pro-Tip: It is 9 € to visit one museum, or 16 € to visit both, so we chose to visit both and save some money.

    #5: Eiffel Tower

    Last, but definitely not least, the most iconic site of all, the Eiffel Tower. Although you can pay to go up to the top of the tower, I personally think the best view is the free one from the bottom. There are two children’s parks at the North side of the tower that are fenced in for security and, happily, there are vendors nearby who sell an assortment of snacks and gelato for the children (and adults!) to enjoy a tasty treat.

    Picnicking on the grounds of the Eiffel Tower.

    While viewing the Eiffel Tower, we spied a carousel across the street, which many children enjoy riding, including my daughter who rode it up to four times! On a beautiful sunny day, be sure to take some time to have a picnic on the green near the Eiffel Tower. It’s easy to pick up a baguette or a tasty sandwich and a bottle of wine and enjoy the beautiful view, while the little ones stretch their legs running around outside. We have a wonderful time and will cherish our memories forever.

    Riding the carousel… for the fourth time!

    Final Thoughts?

    Paris has so many different things to see and do, but these are truly my top Five Fun Family Activities to take advantage of in Paris. As I continue to explore the world with my daughter, I learn more about her personality and try to incorporate her interests and wishes as well. My goal, as a mommy, is to take my daughter to one new country a year. Our first was Paris, and we also have Rome and Barcelona on the agenda. Traveling with a child has its challenges, but seeing their smiles and the memories we create as a family are priceless.

  • Los Angeles With Kids: Five More Fun Family Activities

    Los Angeles With Kids: Five More Fun Family Activities

    With a population of 39.5 million, California is the most populous state in the country with three million residents more than all of Canada. Los Angeles is home to nearly four million residents and the greater metropolitan area (including Long Beach) boasts a population of 18.7 million people. It’s no surprise that there is tons of fun stuff to do in Los Angeles with kids!  In fact, earlier this year, Catherine, her mom, and her son shared Five Fun Family Activities in Los Angeles from a combined work/leisure trip. Here, I’d like to share with you Five More Fun Family Activities!

    #1: Long Beach 

    Long Beach is located roughly 25 miles south of Los Angeles proper and is the second largest city in the Los Angeles area (after Los Angeles, of course). As a child growing up in Southern California, I knew of Long Beach for only two reasons: (1) home of the Queen Mary, and (2) the large container ships that would come in to harbor as Long Beach is a major shipping port. I remember paying one visit to the Queen Mary when I was in high school, but otherwise, Long Beach was something of a no man’s land, with nary an attraction that would make the 45 minute drive worthwhile.

    In the late 90’s and early 2000’s, Long Beach experienced a revitalization of sorts and became a worthwhile destination of its own. The Aquarium of the Pacific, or, the Long Beach Aquarium, opened in 1998, and is a wonderful place to spend the day with kids. Located at Rainbow Harbor Marina, in the heart of downtown Long Beach, the Long Beach Aquarium offers not only wonderful viewing of sea life, but also abundant add on opportunities, such as ocean boat rides, play time on the beach, and even fine dining along the water front.

    Having visited Long Beach on a number of occasions now, I heartily endorse making plans to spend an afternoon at the Aquarium or, if you want to be really wild, plan to spend a night in Long Beach and take full advantage of everything the city has to offer. We did this on a more recent trip to Long Beach, purchasing both Aquarium tickets and a harbor tour as part of a package directly from the Aquarium, then spent the evening at hotel nearby so that we could enjoy dinner and a few hours of sand time on the beach before heading back to Los Angeles.

    #2: Huntington Library

    Another one of my top places to visit whenever we are in Los Angeles visiting family is the Huntington Library. The Huntington boasts an impressive library collection, with seven million manuscripts and 430,000 rare books, as well as an extensive art collection, focusing on European Art from the 15th – 20th centuries. But, the true beauty of the Huntington lies in its extensive gardens and grounds, which take up over 120 of the 207 acres owned by the Huntington.

    Strolling around the Japanese Gardens on his first visit to the Huntington.

    The entire garden is child friendly and my kids particularly love the Asian gardens, but note that the gardens can get extremely crowded and that food and picnicking are only permitted in designated areas and at the cafe and tea room. Advance purchase of tickets is not required and honestly, we have never found it to be necessary.

    #3: Hike the San Gabriel Mountains

    The high school I attended is conveniently located at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. There are a number of hiking trails, but one of my favorite as a child is the Sturtevant Falls Trail which begins at Chantry Flat, a designated Recreation Area within the Angeles National Forest and a starting point for many historic trails up in the San Gabriel Mountains.

    The Sturtevant Falls Trail is a lovely 3.5 mile hike that is extremely kid friendly, with the exception of the last 0.6 miles back to the parking lot. You heard me – the hike begins with a steep 0.6 mile paved walk down to the beginning of the trail. The steep paved incline is glorious at the beginning of the hike, but believe me when I say it has been torture when we are tired and facing the incline at the end of the hike. I’ve seen many families bring umbrella strollers and use the strollers to push young children back up the hill after the hike, but I’ve also seen many parents carrying five year olds up the hill after the kids have given up. Definitely be prepared and know that it’s a rough walk back up to the parking lot.

    A look at the steep paved incline at the end of the trail!

    Pro Tip:

    • A National Forest Adventure Pass is required to park at the trail head. These can be purchased at a small shop located near the official parking area, although you can also just pay either $5 or $10 (depending on availability) to park at the small shop, which is privately owned and managed.
    • Parking does fill up quickly in the mornings.
    • Pack plenty of water – there are no fountains or amenities available once you begin your hike.

    For those with older kids (teenager+), definitely consider using Chantry Flat as the base for a longer hike. My husband and I recently did the 16-mile round trip hike to the Mount Wilson Observatory, via Chantry Flat. It’s a steep climb (nearly 4,000 feet elevation gain) over 7-8 miles and the ledges are tight, so this is not something I would attempt with a toddler or even most elementary aged children. However, the views of Downtown Los Angeles are spectacular on a clear day.

    View of Downtown Los Angeles along the Upper Wilson Creek Trail

    #4: Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

    The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is another fan favorite for my household. Unlike the Huntington, the Arboretum is greatly unsung and most people aren’t even aware that it is there. It is rarely ever crowded and there are a number of tour options, including docent led walking tours that are included in the price of admission.

    One of my favorite things about the Arboretum is the opportunity to get up close and personal with one of my favorite birds: the peacock! The city in which the Arboretum is located, Arcadia, has a number of free roaming peacocks and many of them have chosen to call the Arboretum home. My kids loved the opportunity to see these majestic and beautiful birds up close.

    #5: Travel Town located in Griffith Park

    Griffith Park is one of the largest municipal parks in the country, with over 4,200 acres right smack in the middle of Los Angeles. There are a number of attractions within the Park, some of which are free, but some do require admission (for example, the Gene Autry Museum or the L.A. Zoo).

    For those looking for something to do with young kids, Travel Town may be of particular interest. Travel Town is an outdoor museum dedicated to preserving the railroad history of the western United States. There are a number of locomotives on display, some of which are available for climbing and sitting, and both my sons absolutely adored this stop as young/old toddlers.

    source

    As an added bonus, there is no admission to Travel Town (although donations are gladly accepted), so this is truly one of the most budget friendly options for families with young children visiting Los Angeles!

    I hope you enjoyed my list of Five More Fun Family Activities in Los Angeles! Be sure to check out the original list of Five Fun Family Activities in Los Angeles and our entire category of posts on Los Angeles and California before your next trip to the Sunshine State with kids!