Fun alternative to Coliseum underground with kids?

Posted by stacey on 05/02/18 08:24 PM

We're going to be in Rome June 27 through 29, leaving on the 30th to drive to Tuscany. I planned the 27th to be our chill jet lag day, and have purchased Vatican breakfast tickets for the 28th. We plan to see the Coliseum on the 29th.

We can still get tickets for the Coliseum, but the underground tours are sold out, which I thought would be fun for our group that includes four kids from 8 to 12 years old. We'll still go see the Coliseum, but what is another "cool" place to take the kids either on that day (we'll go to the Coliseum early) or on the afternoon of the 28th?

Thanks!
Stacey

Posted by samuelito

Sunnyvale, CA

05/02/18 08:38 PM

149 posts

How about going up to the rooftop of the Victor Emmanuel monument? But there are a lot of steps to climb before you reach the elevator that take you to the rooftop 8-).

Posted by Jessica

05/02/18 08:42 PM

1230 posts

I didnt go to the catacombs in Rome but did go in Paris and my kids loved them (they were 9, 12, and 14). So if the Rome catacombs are similar, this would be fun for them--

Posted by donna

Pa and Italy

05/03/18 11:41 AM

4152 posts

You could take them to Ostia Antica or Tivoli if you want to get a little bit out of town. In town you can take them to the Castel Sant Angelo, the Crypt of the Capucchin Monks, the Knights of Malta Keyhole or the Baths of Caracalla to name a few.

Donna

Posted by Tania

Halton, Ontario, Canada

05/03/18 03:14 PM

208 posts

Our last visit to Rome a few years ago, my kids aged 10 and 12 at the time loved Castle Sant'Angelo. They also enjoyed walking all the pedestrian streets around the Trevi fountain and going for Gelato. They also liked walking along the base of the hill among the small narrow streets on the Trastevere side of the river. While on the Trastevere side, just down from the bridge Pont Sisto and walking towards Isola Tibertina, there was a bunch of stalls set up with food, drink, crafts, trinkets and such right along the path that runs along the Tiber. We also took the Metro out to Aqueduct park, but that might be a bit difficult logistically with such a short timespan. Just a small tip we found is that if you plan to eat anywhere, walk back a couple streets so you aren't viewing any monuments or such, the prices will be much better.

Posted by Tania

Halton, Ontario, Canada

05/03/18 03:38 PM

208 posts

Just a side note if you go to the Colosseum: In the gift shop they have books that show what Ancient Rome looks like today with an overlay that shows you what it used to look like. My kids thought it was really cool and it helps them really see what it was like back in the day.

Posted by Robert

Tampa, FL, USA

05/03/18 04:16 PM

1054 posts

Check out Ostia Antica. The kids can climb up the old ruins, and stairs in the house ruins

Posted by stacey OP

05/03/18 06:21 PM

34 posts

Thanks, everyone! These are some great ideas-- I can't wait to get researching to figure out what we're going to do-- other than watching the fireworks on the Feast of St Peter and Paul, that is!