Rome's Imperial Forum clarification

I'm curious about this too. The Rick Steves Rome guidebook has a self-guided walk along the Imperial Fori: "This walk will take you along the outside of the ruins, which is plenty for most visitors. For a more in-depth visit (including access to parts not open to the public), consider stopping in at this point to the Museum of the Imperial Forums." and "this museum, housed in buildings from Trajan's Market, ..." From this I would guess your full experience pass covers it. If it doesn't you could probaby drop in without too long a ticket-purchasing line.

Thanks yes still a bit unclear. I guess my issue is that I was planning on going to Trajan’s market the day before the forum. But if I can find out beforehand if the forum ticket is inclusive of mostly the same stuff I can alter my plan and do something else the day before I go to the forum. I don’t want to assume and miss out on what would be a different experience, yet I don’t want to buy a ticket that basically covers the same stuff as I’ll be doing the following day, if that makes sense

Hi there, I was in Rome back in April and visited both sites. Trajan's Market is a stand-alone site with an indoor museum and access to the ground level ruins. The Imperial Forum is included with your Full Experience ticket. To access the site, there is a ramp system behind the Curia that leads to the Imperial Forum. Hope this is helpful and enjoy your trip.

Oh!! Okay thank you yes that helps clarify. So seems like it would not be redundant to get a ticket for Trajan’s market in addition to the full experience colosseum/forum ticket that I already have (that includes the imperial forum). I guess my understanding is it’s all basically within the same area but each ticket gives you access to different parts

dkinny23, like your husband, I'm very history focused. I enjoyed Trajan's Market and am glad I was able to visit it. That being said, it seems like you have limited time in Rome and have a big to-do list. Maybe check out The Baths of Caracalla. Last spring they added a reflecting pool with waterspouts and a mist feature. It was very cool, and a nice place to sit and (discretely) have a quick lunch. I would also recommend The Appian Way. Like the Baths of Caracalla, it's a great way to break away from the crowds and take a walk back in time. There are a few catacombs worth checking out too. They are both very good, but I preferred San Sebastian. I did it twice and would definitely go again. Ostia and Tivoli are also great options, but again with limited time you might have to stay in town. It takes longer than you think to get from one site to another. Rome at its core has been a chaotic city for thousands of years. It's the history lovers Disneyland. Try not to fall into the trap of doing too much. Take time to linger over a drink in a piazza. People watch. Embrace the chaos. Enjoy!

Thanks for the advice! I'd like to think I have a lot of "options" and that I'll get to what I can. I try to structure my day as best I can before I get on the trip so I have an outline, but definitely give myself a priority list and have downtime baked in. We tend to not like too much downtime though, we are a bit faster paced. Baths of Caracalla and riding along the Appia Way are definitely on my list of interests, just don't know if I'll be able to fit it in. We have 1 day dedicated to going to Ostia Antica already. Not sure how long that whole excursion will take us, but will have a few things earmarked as possibilities for when we return to the city center if we have time or energy.

I'm a planner also. With so many options, logistically it just makes sense. Ostia is a very cool site. If you get an early start, you could be back in the city by early afternoon. I would recommend bringing a lunch to eat on the go. Between waiting for trains (or busses) and all of walking around, hunger has a way of sneaking up on you. I like to grab a panini on my way out of town and cram it in my purse, just in case.

Thanks that’s a great idea! Will definitely plan to do that. I read there was a cafe on site at Ostia Antica and that it actually is pretty good but I’m assuming options will be relatively limited.

Do you have any experience going to the beach after from there? It’s not at all our priority but I know it’s close and was in the consideration list of what to do after if we were close. Will likely just head back to Rome city center regardless, so mostly just asking out of curiosity