may 1 in rome

Everything will be open but the Vatican Museum. The sights may be a bit more crowded due to the holiday but it will be a good day to be in Rome.

I believe that there should be a huge free outdoor Primo Maggio festival in the piazza in front of San Giovanni in Laterano, if you feel in a festive mood.

We are also planning to be in Rome April 30, May 1st and May 2nd. On 2nd, we are planning to do Vatican and that leaves us with only 30th and May 1 st. 1) If we buy a combo ticket for Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Forum, can we use it on the 30th ( we are arriving only in the morning) and 2nd with whatever time we have left on both these days or does it need to be two consecutive days? 2) Any places that we can visit on May 1st? 3) Is is possible to do all the three - Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Forum on the 30th afternoon?

1) If we buy a combo ticket for Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Forum, can we use it on the 30th ( we are arriving only in the morning) and 2nd with whatever time we have left on both these days or does it need to be two consecutive days? 2 consecutive days only 2) Any places that we can visit on May 1st?
Most tourist oriented places normally open will be open. One of my favourite memories is being in front of the Pantheon last year or a couple of years ago on the first of May and seeing a large crowd and a band in traditional uniform all singing the Italian national anthem - the long version. It was really moving. It had been some time since Ferrari had won a Formula 1 race so the tune was even more symbolic to me. 3) Is is possible to do all the three - Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Forum on the 30th afternoon? You don't say where you are arriving from, nor how late in the day. If coming from overseas you will likely be zombies already and unable to fully appreciate all you are seeing. They are L>A>R>G>E sites. If you are just coming in from, say, Orvieto, you may be able to pull yourself around all three in one day. I don't know what physical shape you are in, how long you are able to stand or walk, or endurance levels. I wouldn't do it but you may be the perfect folk for a one day visit. You know yourselves better than we do. To do all three in less than an afternoon you must be the sort of people who go in, look around, say "seen that", check the box and move on. Different strokes for different folks. All types of sightseeing are valid, just different.

Thanks Nigel! We ar arriving from CT after three days there. Which one of the three places is doable in half day?

We have toured the three sites - Colosseo, Forum and Palatino -- in 3-4 hours on two occasions. You will be on your feet most of the time, but not moving fast. Best when it's not too hot... Bring water, hat, sunscreen.

Do plan carefully for your transit needs. Unless it's changed, all public transportation stopped in mid/late afternoon, and it was impossible to find a taxi that wasn't occupied. I visited the Borghese on May 1 a couple of years ago... no taxis to be found at any of the places to which I was directed and all passing by were occupied. I finally found a large hotel and they got me a taxi.