London! With Kids!
I feel a little like I am cheating on my favorite city NYC with London and she's quickly becoming my favorite mistress. London is the most livable, lovable city. We're here in the winter AND it gets dark at 4 pm so the fact that we are loving it speaks volumes.
Some London Highlights:
Let's be honest, I hardly like animals, and this building is full of them. I'll humor Ralph any day and take him here because the experience is amazing every time- the architecture of this place blows me away. Just gorgeous. Total hit with kids and adults. This museum is FREE (donation based).
Another great museum a stones throw from the Natural History Museum. Also donation based. A great place for kids to run around. The basement even has some interactive stuff for the younger tikes.
This one is a little spendy, but if your kid loves trains/busses/any working thing like Ralphie does, it'll be worth the money spent. It is good fun, and your ticket allows an entire year of entrance!
4. Covent Garden
After the London Transport Museum you can hop on over to Covent Garden, where there are lots of places to eat, and performers to watch.
5. Hyde Park
The best place for kids to run around. Also the Diana Memorial Playground is HUGE and amazing. You can also spot the Peter Pan statue in the park.
6. London Zoo
A little spendy again, but it's a really cool zoo. Also where Harry Potter learned he spoke Parseltongue at the Reptile House.
7. Harrods/Hammley's (aka a huge toy store)
You have to be brave (it's often quite busy) and have the right kid for this one- but the toy sections are unreal. London is such a fun place to be a kid, and I love taking Ralph to toy stores. Luckily he's pretty good about "put it back" so we haven't had any meltdowns.
This isn't really in London, but it's also not far so it'll get included. A huge park with lots of green space and DEER. Yep, it's a protected habitat for deer, so the kids will easily spot them :)
9. Buckingham Palace
I mean, even my two year old likes to watch the guards.
10. Warwick Castle
Also technically not London but it's not too far. I can't recommend this enough. We were super hesitant about going because we heard it was pretty commercialized. But we realized while there that is exactly what we need in our lives right now. Having a two year old tag along means forgoing authentic experiences and opting for falconry shows at times. We embrace it, and realize it's a phase. And had lots of fun.
11. London Eye
This one may be controversial because they charge an arm and a leg for it, but if you book ahead of time and choose a time slot you can find discounted prices. I think everyone should do the London Eye once. Ralph loved it.
Mummies! Ancient Egypt! So cool. The building is also phenomenal. You can also pack a lunch and eat it in the basement, which is clutch for kids.
13. Tower of London
Enough room for kids to run around, and interesting exhibitions they won't be bored by- the crown jewels!
London has been a great place to have a kid, lots of big designated green space to run around, reliable transportation, and great grocery stores. We could live here forever.
