My family will be traveling to Europe for the first time this June - husband, myself, and our 3 kids (ages 10, 8, and 5). We will be on vacation for 19 days - the first 9 days will be spent traveling to a few places in England and Edinburgh. We will then have 9 nights left to split between London and Paris. Which of those two cities would you recommend for an extra day/night, thinking of things children would enjoy best. I have been researching and have long lists of places we'd like to see and do, but looking for some advice from folks who have already traveled to these cities. Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
5053 posts
Just my opinion, but as much as I love Paris, I think kids especially can have a lot more fun in London.
Posted by
Oregon
650 posts
It seems to me that there are very kid friendly things in both cities: the eye, The British Museum, The Eiffel Tower, The Catacombs, etc. Spend your extra day where you would most enjoy the kid friendly sights.
Posted by
Portsmouth
5369 posts
There is more to offer kids in London than Paris. Two enduring places that my kids have enjoyed over and over again are the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum in Kensington. They're next to one another (plus the V&A museum is across the road) and they're both free entry and both have displays and interactive exhibits to appeal to all ages. For a 5 year old particularly I would suggest that London would be more suitable than Paris.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
I let the sights determine my length of stay. I start by going through a list of potential sights and decide which are must-sees for me. I plan two a day (one in the morning, one in the afternoon with lunch between). I'll add a smaller sight, evening activity or stop along the way between sights as time allows. There is a ton to see in both Paris and London but only you can compare them against what you like.
Posted by
Phoenix, Arizona
219 posts
London! There is SO much to engage kids! On our family's trip to the two cities we gave more time to Paris than London and wished we had reversed it. Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
New York, NY
4011 posts
With all things being equal, I don't think one could go wrong in either city for 9 days. That said, if one is easier w/r/t your return trip home, choose that city.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33147 posts
Just one or two places in London which might appeal to the kiddoes and the adults, too.
Finding the wild parrots in Hyde Park.
The Serpentine.
Princess Diana Memorial Fountain
Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground
Peter Pan Statue
== all above are just in Hyde Park ==
Seeing all the exotic birds in St James's Park
Pollock's Toy Museum
London Transport Museum
Especially if any of you like armour and armoury, the Wallace Collection
Walking across the Wobbly Bridge
Riding on top of a double-decker bus - or 3 or 4
Seeing Tower Bridge open and close to let a large or tall ship or boat through (on a published schedule)
Changing of the Horse Guard at Horse Guards Parade
Seeing real castles like Windsor Castle, Tower of London, etc.
Riding on a train
Kew Gardens and the Tree Top Walk, the Stag Beetle world and the Badger Sett
The Science Museum
The Natural History Museum
==
Virtually all the above (not the train or Kew or a palace or castle) are free or only a small charge.
I've never thought that Paris could have that sort of stuff but I am sure that there will be things for the kiddoes there too.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Things kids may like in ( or near ) Paris , at least my kids did .
Eiffel Tower
Catacombs ( maybe not the five yr old but my boys , then 13 and 14 ) loved them
Park Asterix
Disneyland
Luxembourg Gardens ( good playground)
Provins ( world heritage sight and great live shows , hawking , jousting , catapaults etc )
Jardins des Plantes ( small zoo)
Chateau Vincennes and park beside it
Boat ride on Seine