Ostia Antica as base camp

I would think that Ostia Antica would not make much of a base camp. Maybe an overnight stay. When we visited Ostia Antica I do not remember any hotels, motels, around the the area of the park. It looked very suburban. I would think that the public transit would be limited.

Sorry, Jeff, I get what you're trying to do but that's a terrible idea. Despite the fact that OA and Fiumicino are close to each other as the crow flies, there is no easy transportation between them, so put that idea aside. One of the coolest things about Rome is how you stumble across ancient Roman ruins all over the place. (I'm thinking in particular of Largo Argentino.) Much better to stay in Rome, maybe within easy walking distance of the Colosseum, Forum, Palatine and Circus Maximus. And do a daytrip to OA, and another one to Hadrian's Villa.

Good luck.

I'd stay inside the ancient walls in Rome.

Makes sense. Thanks for the wise counsel.

One tip for Ostia Antica - when you arrive, walk the full length of the place to the far end, then work your way back toward the entrance. The most interesting parts of the site are in the "second half" of the site away from the entrance. You'll probably be surprised by how big the site is. Don't do like we did and get slowed down by the first ruins you see. Then a thunderstorm hit and we had to leave. We're going back to see the rest of it next year, but I sure wish I had known that tip before we went.

Also, most of the museums in Rome and the Vatican are chock-full of ancient Rome. Trajan's Market is usually not crowded. Much easier to do Ostia as a day trip from Rome than commute every day. If you are in central Rome, you will be able to get to the popular sights first thing in the morning, when not so crowded.

Your grandson would probably also enjoy some night walks around Rome when the sights are illuminated. Imagination runs wild.

I agree with the others-Rome is a better base. And, to add to Michael's comment on Largo Argentina, they have a cat rescue center there and I love watching the cats sleep in the sun on an ancient column ruin or play in the grass where Caesar was assassinated. Since it is also a good transportation hub, I end up going back several times during any visit to Rome.

The comments above reminded me of a museum in Rome that you HAVE to look into: the National Museum of Rome in Palazzo Massimo. It's all about ancient Rome and it will probably be empty. It was when I went there in 2011.

Here's their website: NMR website

And here are a ten photos and a videoclip I took there when I was wandering around. Palazzo Massimo

You should also check out the Capitoline Museum for more ancient Roman stuff. Photos I took here: Capitoline

As with Palazzo Massimo, the Capitoline Museum won't be crowded at all.

Have a great time. (And what a great granddad you are, to do this for your grandson. You'll be creating memories of a lifetime.)