Zoe's list of child friendly cities.

 

 

At nine years old, my daughter Zoe, is a seasoned traveler. She’s been traveling since she was an infant. She has no recollections of some of the cities she’s visited. But she has three favorites from the ones that she does remember. I can’t say I’m surprised at her choices. The cities she chose are clean, safe, not very crowded, and there are a plethora of child friendly activities that will make for a fun, if not idyllic, vacation. They seem designed to keep the perpetual whining, and emotional meltdown that so many kids are known for, at bay. And yes, parents will enjoy these cities too. The next time you hear: “I’m booooorrrrrred,”will probably be on the flight home.  

 

Zoe’s list of favorite cities:

 

 

 

#3 Boulder Colorado: From a child’s perspective, it’s hard not love Boulder. Pedestrianized Pearl Street in downtown Boulder is brimming with activities.  Fun at every block! Play structures designed to keep kids active and entertained. Mesmerizing street performers: who can forget the zip code guy! Tell him a zip code, he’ll tell you where it’s located. A miniature train: those little legs need a break from all that running, hopping, climbing, and dancing.

Blocks from Pearl Street, in the middle of the city, are parks, hiking trails, biking paths, and a creek. Fishing anyone?

Want to get out and explore the different neighborhoods? Banjo Billy bus tour, 720 938-8885.  Kids can learn all about Boulder’s exciting, and sometimes scary history while seating in a saddle.   

Getting there: Fly to Denver International Airport. Fare approximately $100 to Downtown Boulder.

Hotel: Hotel Boulderado 2115 13^th Street, Boulder Co. Boulder’s oldest hotel has a colorful and storied past. It is located two blocks from Pearl Street. Fares varies: check website.

Eat: Zoe’s favorite restaurant: The kitchen, 1039 Pearl Street, Boulder Co. We had the best vegetarian meal ever, at this gem of a restaurant. 

Boulder Farmer’s Market, 1900 13^th Street, Boulder Co: Saturdays 8-2 pm and Wednesdays 4-8pm. Delightful!

Drink: The Dushanbe Tea House: Afternoon Tea. 1770 13^th Street. Boulder Co. Reservation is required. Wonderfully informal.

 

 

#2 Seattle Washington: An urban playground. Memories created here, will be cherished for years to come. What kid wouldn’t enjoying sampling the culinary delights of Pike Place Market? Or enjoy a game of ping pong at the bustling urban square that is Westlake Park? Victor Steinbruek Park, overlooking Puget Sound, provides the perfect vantage point for kids to wave at passing ferries, and gape at the huge cruise ships. Olympic Sculpture Park: bike, walk, fish, admire the sculptures, or sit back, relax and enjoy the spectacular views of the bay. The kids will be thoroughly occupied with tossing rocks into the water, and getting their feet wet.

Getting there: Seattle Tacoma Intl. Trains run from the airport to the city: $3 Taxi $40-45.

Hotel: Crowne Plaza: 1113 6^th Ave, Seattle, Washington. Located downtown Seattle within walking distance of everything you’ll need to see. There is a member’s lounge that offers complimentary breakfast, and late afternoon snacks or light dinner. Signup for free and start earning points.  Approx.: $237 per night.

Eat: Steel Head Diner, 95 Pine Street in the Pike Place Market. Best Mac n Cheese.

Drink: Storyville Coffee, located on the 2^nd flr at the South entrance of Pike Place Market. Nothing beats sipping delicious hot chocolate, in front of a roaring fire, away from the noise of a crowded market.

Café Ladro: 108 Union Street, Seattle, WA. Another pretty awesome hot chocolate spot.

Dessert: Fran’s Chocolate: 1325 1^st Avenue, Seattle, WA. Most delicious chocolate Zoe has ever tasted.

Things to do: Seattle Aquarium, Argosy Harbor Cruise. EMP Museum at the Seattle center. An entire area of the museum is a dedicated kid’s zone.  Outside, there is a sprawling playground. Here, parents have the option of sitting back and watch their kids run themselves ragged. For a $49 kids pass, the kids will be able to enjoy all of these, including the Space Needle, Pacific Science Center, and Chihuly Gardens.

Just for fun: Kids will count the number of steps (I stopped counting after we got to 100) that lead from Alaska Way where the Aquarium is located, to the top floor of the Pike Place Market.

Tours: There are free walking tours.  Seattle 101 is informative and very kids appropriate. At two hours long, it might be a bit much. That said, Zoe enjoyed it.

Ride the Duck Tours: A bus/boat will ferry you across both land and sea. There’s music, and the general mayhem that comes with kids and adults singing along to YMCA, sightseeing and interesting titbits about the city of Seattle. Meeting point, Seattle Center, outside the EMP Museum. Price $32 adults, $20 kids.

 

 

 

City #1 Vancouver British Columbia: Two words: Stanley Park. Zoe has never met a park she didn’t like. So it’s no surprise that her memories of Stanley Park reign supreme. Can’t say I blame her. This urban masterpiece is by far the biggest, and quite possibly the best, kid’s playground of all.

Things to do: Stanley Park: Located in the middle of the city, within walking or biking distance of most hotels, Stanley Park is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. It has just about everything that would keep a kid mesmerized for a very long period of time: days! There is the swimming pool, the beach, tennis, miniature golf, the aquarium, ponds, lakes, lagoons, gardens, play grounds, trails, and bike paths. Stroll along the scenic seawall. Ride the miniature train. Stop long enough to admire the monuments and sculptures.  Have your kids sit for a portrait-yes there are artists. There is an abundance of wildlife. There are horse drawn carriages, or shuttle tours, and restaurants too. The wealth of activities seem endless.

The weather can be an issue. It rains a lot in Vancouver. But the kids won’t care. Zoe didn’t care.  Rain boots and raincoats are highly recommended.

Getting there: Fly to YVR Vancouver Intl Airport. Fare from the airport to the city center: Ranges from $24-$40.

Hotel: Sutton Place Hotel: 85 Burrard Street, Vancouver, B.C. Approx.: $350 per night. Wonderful hotel, centrally located, within walking distance of just about everything.

Eat: Cactus Club Café: 588 Burrard Street, Vancouver, B.C. Zoe remembers the flatbread with goat cheese and smoked salmon.

Drink: Revolver: Cafe located at 325 Cambie Street in the Gastown neighborhood. Rich, decadent, hot chocolate and freshly baked pastries.

Cultural activities: The Vancouver Jazz Festival, held every June. The year we visited, it was held outside the Vancouver Art Gallery at 75 Hornsby Street, Vancouver B.C. Great music, great food: we had a blast.

So why, might you ask, would these three cities appeal to a kid? Because they’re fun! Kids like to have fun! But I have another theory. All three cities have one thing in common: every activity that a child would possibly enjoy is within a one to three mile radius within the city center. In the case of Vancouver, almost every activity is located within Stanley Park. With no bus, car, train, or ferry ride to contend with, kids can walk out of their hotels and immediately begin exploring the sights and sounds around them. That said, if the opportunity ever presents itself, take your kids to at least one of these cities. They will thank you for it.