My husband and I are greedy urban travelers, and that didn’t change when we had children. We are still enjoying the pleasures of a city, though we now rely more on programming, patience and ice cream.
My family has learned to choose cities with immediate flight access, wandering centers and neighborhoods full of parks and playgrounds. We prioritize accommodation with a heated pool and research in advance of children -friendly festivals and events.
When Katie Farrell, a London -based digital director, explores urban trips with her husband and two daughters, aged 3 and 7, is looking for “fun for everything”.
“The main criteria for me is that children and adults can enjoy the same things,” he said. “Nor does it feel like missing and everyone is enjoying what you do.” Recent adventures for her family included pastaca pastries in Valencia, Spain and swim around the archaeological ruins in Puglia, Italy.
Technology can be an asset: Google Maps filters for restaurants that are “good for children” and those with a “children’s menu”, and also show when museums and other destinations will be open and less full. The activities of our family to reduce the time spent during transport and we create custom hiking routes using Apple maps and other applications.
Through our trips, we have learned that these cities are one of the best for young people and the elderly travelers, especially for the Spring Break:
Washington, DC
At the National Mall, babies and toddlers will have the largest room to wander the first thing in the morning when the crowds are lighter. The Cherry Blossom National Festival makes the shopping center invite every spring, especially for the Kite Make-Or-Brring-You-Lown Festival (March 29th this year). But the city appeals to families in all seasons with its free access to many museums, including 21 Smithsonian institutions and the national zoological zoological zoological zoological zoological zoological zoo, which welcomed two giant Pandas in January.
Our family likes the live Museum Museum Planet Word, especially singing karaoke to our favorite music (free entrance, with a $ 15 recommended donation). When it comes to their own writing, kids can create works and songs at the recently renovated Folger Shakespeare Museum (Pay-What-You-Choose Reserve Timer Timer Entry Tickets). For outdoor adventure, visit the easily accessible Rock Creek Park as well as Theodore Roosevelt island, which honors the president who inspired the invention of the teddy bear.
Favorite family -friendly food includes the small Grand in the Hreet Corridor: Sourdough Pizza is served in both squares and circles (fewer family battles! Pies start at $ 16) and delicious cocktails are a perk for adults. The options abound in the Union Market Food Room, notably Mastiha Taverna (Pita Wraps starts at $ 12) and the Political and Prose bookstore has a warm children’s reading room.
Families traveling during spring will find two different seasons, depending on whether they travel in March or April. Those who arrive earlier could fill a traditional brunch of Quebec Sphinomamos-Sykaya in an urban “sugar” before skating in one of the many ice rinks of the city’s neighborhood. When temperatures rise, the DES FESTIVALS URBAN SPACE site hosts free and paid outdoor concerts. And the Open Air Jean-Talon market in Little Italy offers Maple products and entertainment throughout the year.
In about 700 acres, the Mount Royal Park north of the center is a necessary labeling for family snowshoes or hiking and cycling in hot weather. Adults can then enjoy a steamboat and a water circuit at Bota Bota Nordic Spa in the old port area, which offers “pirate” packs and respiratory workshops for children aged 12 to 17 years (60 Canadian dollars or about 42 US dollars, reduce children, $ 70 for adults). For younger children, La Lune Babysitters will come to hotels and apartments.
The Lobby Swings and a violent bonaventure bonaventure architecture of Bonaventure (double -bed rooms start at $ 229). For breakfast, we liked the visit to local family restaurants, including Beautys for Pancakes (Brunch dishes start at $ 12) and St-Viateur Bagel Bagels (one dozen costs $ 14.25).
Portland’s neighborhoods and children’s museums are easy to move between light rails, trolleys and trams. Start in the Multnomah neighborhood with a Veggie-Forward meal in Laughing Planet (the middle “Tween Burrito” costs $ 6.75 and a green smoothie dream is $ 8). Independent Business Books and Annie Bloom’s books offer good souvenirs.
Make your way to the nearby Forest Park, one of America’s largest urban parks, with numerous trails, including cobblestones that are good for trolleys. Present the Japanese Portland Garden with extensive views of the city and planning for families. Have a tea and mochi break at Umami Café (three Mochi ice cream flavors cost $ 9, recommended bookings).
Stay at the Kennedy School, a renovated elementary school with cinematic theater and a ceramic pool in a previously occupied area of a teacher’s living room (the rooms start at $ 235 and some rooms have original chalkboards and literary themes). The restaurant of the courtyard is good for groups and the dinner fare is worth a stop.
Mexico
Do not let the size of the capital of Mexico crush you. La Condesa and Polanco neighborhoods are good jumping points for families and subway and the affordable Uber walks make the city manageable. Parque Mexico and Parque España are rich and hospitable – ideal for a break, while acclimatized to lift the city. Parque Lincoln has a daily bird sanctuary open daily, as well as electric boats that children can direct a market for farmers with fresh tacos on Saturdays.
During a Sabbatical in 2024, Jenny Tolan, 42, lived in the city of Mexico with her husband and three boys under 7. “Mexico is a paradise of the child,” said Ms Tolan, a businessman now based in New York. “Kids are welcome everywhere and people on the street treat your children like their own. I buy a taco in the corner, and the taco man runs my 3 -year -old hair.”
Museo Frida Kahlo in Coyoacán is worth one afternoon with emerging towing artists (adult entrance is 320 Mexican Pesos or about $ 16 and students pay 30 pesos each; a book in advance). The artist lived and died at Casa Azul for ownership and spent much of her life between her trees and birds. Walk to Mercado Coyoacán for a snack and you know that throughout the city, taco and pastry are plenty.
For the meals they will remember, the location of the Polanco of Rincón Argentino has an upset pirate ship in free babysitting. And if you have a day to spend, Arca Tierra will introduce children into seasonal foods and local agricultural practices in Chinampas, small islands on the Xochimilco channels (keep a tour much earlier). Depending on your child’s adventure, you can travel to a bright trajinera, or gondola boat, through the channels: good for both Fiesta and people watching.
Savanna, g.
Last spring, Savannah’s Art College and Design was thrilled by the family of four and my mother -in -law with Scadstory, an interactive welcome center (free, bookings). Our children loved a showcase of student artworks in the form of a pavement chalk competition at Forsyth Park (this year’s festival will take place on April 26).
The coveted Savannah Bananas baseball games had been sold, but even our younger did not complain when walking the city’s squares. We made close visits to the bookstore E. Shaver with a wide selection of title and resident cats. An early night outing with the sixth feeling gave us a exposure to local seemingly stories ($ 36 for adults, $ 32 for children 4 to 15), as well as a no-all-spooky walk through the Bonaventure cemetery.
For dinner, we got a table on the patio at the Brochu Family Tradition for a well -made but unjust southern food (the sandwiches start at $ 14). Another night danced on a DJ and played games on Starland Yard, which hosts rotating food trucks and permanent Pizzeria Vittoria and Uncle June’s restaurants. I hope more cities have this kind of dedicated space of all ages – and spirit.
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