5 things to do with teens in Chicago

By Jess, aged 17:

Over summer, our family spent the most amazing week in Chicago. Though very full on, we all had a fantastic time, and there is not one activity which I didn't enjoy. Chicago is a genuinely beautiful city; busy but not too loud or congested. There were things to do for all the family, and here are my highlights from the trip, which I think teenagers would particularly enjoy.

Baseball

I had really wanted to go to a baseball match as I felt it was a typical American thing to do. Instead of watching the more famous Chicago Cubs, we opted for the White Sox, and I had a really fantastic time. Unlike football games in the UK, the atmosphere was much more relaxed, with people walking around the whole time. I definitely enjoyed this, as I can get very stressed when watching live sports!

[caption id="attachment_4559" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] We really enjoyed watching the Chicago White Sox![/caption]

Despite never playing baseball before, the people sitting around us were more than willing to explain what was going on, and I found myself getting very engaged with the game. The experience felt very American, with an audience cam, lots of adverts for pizza, a fill in the song lyric game, and everyone standing up and singing "Take me out to the ball game" between the seventh and eight innings.

There were other activities in the stadium as well, such a speed pitching test and a free interactive centre for kids. Mum and I collected free badges and certificates to commemorate our first visit to the stadium, and the people sitting behind us were generous enough to give us White Sox temporary tattoos and t-shirts.

I would definitely recommend baseball games to people visiting the US - not only was the game exciting, but I loved getting a taste of what it's like to be a real American. Mum says that it was expensive though - and we were all shocked by the cost of the food and drink inside the stadium (a bottle of Pepsi was over $6!)

Our tickets to the baseball cost around $50 (they were more expensive because we chose to be under cover - a good decision, as it was very hot!).

Second City

Second City is a famous sketch and improvisational comedy troupe, known for producing stars such as Tina Fey and Steve Carell. I am a huge fan of SNL, and it was especially exciting spotting lots of famous names in the programme we were given. Our family saw a production named "Grinning from Fear to Fear", which included two sets of sketches and an improvisational section.

I thought the production was hilarious, and unlike anything I'd seen before. Ranging from meeting your girlfriend's parents to sleepless late night anxieties, the production was very well done, and I laughed more times than I can count. They also used a lot of suggestions from the audience and even brought people up onto stage.

This was definitely one of the highlights of my holiday.

Second City is not for younger children - the show we went to started at 8pm and didn't finish until nearly 11 and there was quite a lot of swearing in it. Tickets cost $52 each.

Cycling food tour

Cycling isn't something we do very often, so I was somewhat terrified at the prospect of cycling around busy Chicago streets. However, I shouldn't have worried: our Bikes, Bites and Brews tour with Bobby's Bike Hike was great. Our guide Ro was extremely friendly and enthusiastic, and she toured us for 13 miles across Chicago.

[caption id="attachment_4560" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] We loved all the food on our cycling tour with Bobby's Bike Hike, and the views were great too![/caption]

We sampled pizza, cupcakes, hot dogs, and drinks from all across Chicago, learning a lot about the city in the process. A particular highlight was eating delicious deep dish pizza from Lou Malnati's, and spending half an hour cycling down a cycle path right next to Lake Michigan. The views were brilliant, and it was very relaxing. The tour was both interesting and exciting, and we definitely wouldn't have had the confidence to ride around Chicago without a guide. The city was easy to ride around and the views were gorgeous.

I would definitely recommend cycling around Chicago, and there are lots of places to rent bikes from. Though we wouldn't have been able to navigate the streets by ourselves, the cycle path by the lake boasted brilliant views and was easy to make our way around.

This Bobby's Bikes, Bites and Brews cycling tour costs $66.75 for adults and $61.75 for students (Mondays to Thursdays) and lasts four hours. 

Disclosure: We were gifted the opportunity of taking part in Bobby's Bike Hire, the Bikes, Bites and Brews tour, in order to write about it. However, the company had no input whatsoever into this blog post.

Escape room

Our whole family loved going to an escape room at The Escape Game Chicago. Though only an hour long, our experience probably provided us with the most fun of anything we did over the holiday. Our challenge was called "The Heist", and our challenge was to retrieve a painting from the office of a man accused of stealing it.

[caption id="attachment_4557" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] We were pleased to find the painting with only two minutes to go![/caption]

I've been to three other escape rooms before, but this one was definitely the best. It was so well maintained, and some of the parts were genius. It was very difficult, but definitely not unmanageable or frustrating, and we were pleased to escape with two minutes remaining!

Escape rooms can be found all over the world and there are a copious amount in the UK alone, but I would recommend doing this one if you're in Chicago. We all had a fantastic time.

Read Rob's post on the Escape Game (he really loved it too!)
The Heist at the Escape Game costs $35.99 per person.

Beach

Chicago is particularly special as it is on Lake Michigan, so there are a copious number of beaches to relax on. We were all struck by the sheer size of the water - it seemed unfathomable that it was only a lake and not the sea! We went to the North Avenue beach, which was great as it was quiet, and there was a lot of space to sit down and unwind.

[caption id="attachment_4561" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Looking out to Lake Michigan on North Avenue Beach[/caption]

The water was ridiculously cold, but we appreciated that it wasn't salty like the sea. It also didn't get deep quickly, providing ample space for wading in the water and swimming. Chicago's beaches are especially notable as its gorgeous skyline is behind the lake, leading to gorgeous views wherever you look.

Overall, Chicago is a perfect place for teenagers, and I honestly enjoyed every aspect of the trip. Aside from these five highlights, there were so many other fantastic attractions, making the city perfect for all the family. I enjoyed incredible views of the city at the top of the Sears Tower, saw chicks being born at the Museum of Science and Industry, and looked at the largest T-Rex ever found at the Field Museum. Even activities which sounded boring, such as an architecture boat tour, were fascinating!

It may not a common holiday destination for those of us in the UK, but our trip to Chicago was great - both for the adults and the teens.

Read Rob's post on his two favourite activities: 

We also found useful information on the Choose Chicago website and the Enjoy Illinois website.

Soft serve filled cakes at Eva's Original Chimneys, Toronto

Jess, aged 15, writes: During our short stay in Toronto, our family had an amazing time visiting Eva's Original Chimneys. This shop makes chimney cakes, rolls them in various toppings, and then fills them with different treats. The result was a massive and incredibly delicious snack which I would love to have again!

I had found Eva's Original Chimneys from a video online, and subsequently begged my parents to let us go. Luckily they agreed, and while the shop is not in the centre of the city, it was very easy to get there. Though we had no idea how to navigate the subway system, we easily found the neccessary stop and walked to the shop.

[caption id="attachment_4188" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] There was such a wide variety of choices![/caption]

Once entering the shop, we were greeted by chimney cakes of all shapes and sizes. Chimney cakes are Hungarian cake treats, which are generally rolled into a cylindrical shape. The chimney cakes had been rolled in different toppings, such as cinnamon sugar, coconut, and graham crackers. There was an option to buy the chimney cakes by themselves, but we opted for the more calorific versions...

I chose the white chocolate raspberry cheesecake, which consisted of: a cone shaped chimney cake rolled in graham crackers, a chocolate to stop the toppings falling out, vanilla soft serve, berry coulis, cheesecake pieces, more soft serve, and strawberry sauce. Dad opted for a coconut themed option, mum tried a chocolate themed chimney cake, and Robert "made his own", choosing cheesecake, nutella, and pretzels.

[caption id="attachment_4189" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] With our treats![/caption]

When our chimney cakes arrived, we were astounded by their size. My one was taller than my head! The treat was scrumptious - especially the cheesecake and the cone. It was a really unique place to eat, tasted really good, and was generally really exciting. Our portion was so big that we had no reason to eat lunch, and were sated until supper.

Overall, we all had a really great time at Eva's Original Chimneys. It was a very special place with fantastic food, and I recommend it to anyone visiting Toronto.

You can find Eva's Original at 454 Bloor Street West, Toronto. The cones cost around 6-10 CAD each (that's around £3 to £6). Do note that it is a cashless shop, so bring a credit card!

Read about our trip to Toronto in more detail - and find out our tips for what to do!

Four days in Toronto with kids

Jess, aged 15, writes: We have just returned from a break in Toronto, Canada, where we spent four days discovering the city. We did everything from bus tours to cycling, and really loved our time in the city. There was a lot to see and do, the people were friendly, it was unusually clean for such a big city, and the attractions were very well done. Here are our highlights of the trip and what we'd recommend:

What to do

Jess writes: My favourite part of our trip to Toronto had to be the island cycling tour. We met our friendly and knowledgeable guide Mina early in the morning and were quickly armed with bikes and helmets. Soon, we found ourselves cycling downtown to the port, where we took a ferry to the Toronto Islands. We spent the morning cycling around the islands, and learning about their history. I particularly enjoyed visiting the beach, listening to ghost stories, and seeing the lighthouse. This was especially interesting as it was only built six metres away from the seafront, but sediment deposition means that it is now inland. We all had an excellent time - the islands were gorgeous, the stories were fascinating, and the cycling wasn't too strenuous. Despite not being used to cycling on roads, we all felt very safe. It was a wonderfully tranquil morning.

[caption id="attachment_4303" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Casa Loma was spectacular[/caption]

Brian says: One of the highlights of our trip was visiting Casa Loma, a huge medieval looking mansion surrounded by beautiful gardens and a fountain. The gothic exterior with its two towers in completely different styles makes it look a bit like a fairy tale castle.
We began our visit with the very interesting 20 minute newsreel type film about the life of Sir Henry Pellatt, the financier who spent millions building Casa Loma then was forced to leave in 1923 after going bankrupt. We really enjoyed looking at the film posters on the walls downstairs showing the many movies shot there, and there was also a TV screen showing some clips (e.g. X-men, Chicago, Cocktail etc) with captions letting you know which room had been used for that scene. We then took an excellent audio guide of the nearly hundred rooms, the most beautiful ones for me being the Round Room and the Conservatory. We then climbed up the narrow steps to the Norman tower, which gave stunning views of the city in the distance. We were there for about two and a half hours, and hadn’t seen everything we would have liked to (especially the secret tunnels) as we just ran out of time. It might be a tourist trap, but Casa Loma is definitely a must-see when you come to Toronto.

Read more about Casa Loma here, in a full blog post by Sarah.

[caption id="attachment_4304" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Ripleys Aquarium was a must-visit![/caption]

Robert, aged 12, writes: Ripley's Aquarium is one of the most popular, if not the most popular, tourist attraction in Toronto with so much to see and do for both kids and adults. There are loads of different creatures to look at including jellyfish, sharks, turtles and an octopus. Throughout the aquarium were loads of interactive things to play or touch. There was a section when you could feel how cold the water is for the fish, customise your own jellyfish or even feel some baby sharks. Some of the creatures were incredible to look at especially the ones in the tunnel - I loved watching the sharks swim over my head. Over all I had a really fun time and there was really something for everyone. There's even a play area for younger kids.

[caption id="attachment_4309" align="alignnone" width="1200"] If you like shopping, you need to visit the Eaton Centre![/caption]

Jess says: The Eaton Centre is the busiest shopping centre in North America, so we knew we had to give it a try. The Centre contains a range of shops (varying from high end to ones you may see on the high street) and we enjoyed walking around and finding chains which we don't have in the UK. We exited the complex with books, t-shirts, and trousers, and generally had a nice, relaxing time traipsing the stores.

Robert writes: One of the tallest, most symbolic buildings in Canada is the CN tower which can be seen from nearly all the city and even further away.

[caption id="attachment_4311" align="alignnone" width="1200"] View from the CN Tower[/caption]

Classified as one of the modern wonders of the world, the tower stands at 1,815 feet so the views are amazing. We went up the first viewing point which was great, you could see the whole city. You could pay extra to go up a few extra floors but it seemed pointless to me as it is the same view. One floor down were two glass walkways on which you could sit, jump or even lie on while looking down at the roads directly under your feet.

[caption id="attachment_4310" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Robert on the glass floor at the CN Tower[/caption]

I found the whole experience very enjoyable, but it was just another view which I've seen a lot of - and there were so many great things to do in Toronto that it wasn't my favourite.

[caption id="attachment_4308" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The spectacular Horseshoe Falls[/caption]

Sarah writes: It’s hard to tell you how wonderful our visit to Niagara Falls was without referring you to our full post on it (which you can see here!). It was, honestly, the most fantastic day and we cannot recommend it enough – it’s unlike anything else we’ve ever done.

[kad_youtube url="https://youtu.be/PhfPag2VQCw" width=200 height=100 ]

The Falls are majestic and beautiful, a real wonder of the world. And it doesn’t mater that Niagara is really busy, because all the people who are there simply want to enjoy what you do – extraordinary waterfalls!
I have never seen The Falls from the US side, but my husband assures me that the Canadian side, with the Horseshoe Falls, is far better. I can believe it. We experienced our trip from different angles – a helicopter above, a boat riding on and going down to see the Falls at the level at which they gush past. All were well worth doing.
We hired a car to get to Niagara and it took around two hours. We left early in the morning and would recommend that. It really was a wonderful day.

What to see

[caption id="attachment_4307" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The views from the islands were amazing![/caption]

Jess writes: Aside from Niagara, the best views on this holiday had to be on the ferry from Downtown Toronto to the Toronto Islands. During our cycling tour, we took a ferry from the port to Hanlan's Point, and the view was simply stunning. We had a clear, close up view of the Toronto skyline, the water shone in the sun, and there was a small breeze in our hair. It was truly lovely; very serene and tranquil. It made our visit to the islands even more special.

The City Sightseeing Toronto bus tour is another way to see the sights. The two hour journey takes you all around the sights of Toronto, giving lots of information. There was also a real guide, as opposed to listening through headphones and hearing the same annoying music again and again! The only negative of this was it could be difficult to hear the guide due to the microphone static. The trip was very pleasant, though traffic meant we moved quite slowly.

Where to eat

[caption id="attachment_4321" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The food at Eva's was so delicious![/caption]

Brian says: We ate some delicious food on our Canadian holiday, but Eva’s Original was one of the standouts. My sweet toothed daughter had found out about this before our visit, and it took us about 20 minutes to get there from our hotel downtown, but it was really worth it. Eva’s bake traditional Hungarian chimney cakes fresh on the premises. They look delicious enough all by themselves, but we added some extra calories by each having chimney cones which are filled with delicious vanilla soft serve ice-cream. I chose a cone that had been baked with coconut flakes, and a chocolate sauce topping. It was huge, but delicious, so I managed to finish it. We then saw that a couple at the table next to us were sharing one. Eva’s Original was a real treat, and I would love to go back again one day.

Jess writes: Kensington Market is very different to the rest of Toronto, as it is filled with vintage clothes stores and hipster places to eat. I would have loved to explore had we had more time, as there was lots to see and do. We had lunch at a waffle shop which was a bit of a let down, but I know that there were many other places to go to which looked nicer.

[caption id="attachment_4306" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The Beavers Tails were so delicious![/caption]

Sarah says: We found the BeaverTails stall down by the waterfront in Toronto. Quite honestly they were utterly delicious and it is lucky they don't seem possible to get in London, as I would galumph my way through them and become far too vast! Put it this way, we got one each and the couple sitting opposite us, shared theirs...
They are basically pastries with toppings on, but that doesn't sell them well enough! They are huge, the pastry (fried!) is delicious and the toppings - whether chocolate hazelnut or nutella are utterly decadent. A real holiday food!

Jess writes: In conclusion, we all had a lovely time in Toronto. Paired with an excursion to Niagara, it was a holiday with something for all the family. The atmosphere was friendly, it was easy to navigate, and there was lots to do. I definitely recommend a visit.

Disclosure: We were fortunate enough to be given a CityPass to try out when we were in Toronto. This meant we got free entry into a number of attractions and, as importantly, that we skipped the queue - particularly brilliant for the CN Tower and Aquarium! We genuinely thought the CityPass was fantastic as it gave you freedom to do what you wanted, when you wanted - but the company had no input into our decisions of what to do, or what we wrote in this post. The CityPASS costs around £55 per adult and £37 per child.
We were also very fortunate that Toronto Bicycle Tours provided us with the bicycle tour of the Islands, including bike hire and ferry crossing, on a complimentary basis. This usually costs around CAD 90 per person (around £54). However, they also had no input into this post and all our thoughts, as usual, are our own.

Going up the Kitzsteinhorn glacier in Kaprun, Austria

Jess, aged 15, writes: During a lovely lakeside stay in Zell am See, Austria, I was lucky enough to visit the Kitzsteinhorn glacier with my grandpa. In the winter, the Kitzsteinhorn is generally used for skiing, but in summer the mountain is perfect for walks and admiring the gorgeous views. Our trip was definitely one of the most impressive in the entire holiday, and we both had a really good time.

The Kitzsteinhorn is about forty minutes away from Zell am See (our base) by bus, and we arrived just past midday. After pausing for a small drink and a pastry, we began our ascent up the mountain in a funitel. This journey was certainly one of the standout moments of the entire holiday.

[caption id="attachment_4114" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] The gondola lift up the mountain was incredible![/caption]

The Gletscherjet I (glacier jet one) takes you unbelievably high, and the journey is about five and a half minutes long. The small capsule size and lack of midweek crowds meant that it was just me and grandpa by ourselves, and it was lovely to move around and talk freely without strangers next to us! The views were absolutely magnificent: the towering green mountains stretched into the distance, interspersed with tall trees and trickling waterfalls. This was definitely the most majestic point of our entire holiday, and I loved it.

[caption id="attachment_4136" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] We loved our gondola journeys up the mountain![/caption]

After exiting the funitel, grandpa and I took a walk around the area. Luckily, the ground was flat, making it very accessible. The area consisted of a sports and a souvenir shop, a restaurant, and a climbing frame for children (I enjoyed this, despite probably being too old!) Our walk was short, but very pleasant. We stumbled upon some lambs and a river, and the views beneath us were simply gorgeous.

There are lots of lifts to choose in the winter, but there is less of a choice in summer. Grandpa and I took the Gletscherjet II to the next level: a journey which took about three minutes. This was equally as impressive as our first journey, and again, we had the capsule to ourselves.

[caption id="attachment_4133" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] We took the Gipfelwelt up to the top of the Kitzsteinhorn[/caption]

There is a lot to do once outside of the Gletscherjet II, but grandpa and I decided to forgo this and take the Gipfelwelt 3000 to the highest accessible point of the mountain. This journey took us from the mountain's lush grassy hills to the snow-covered glacier, and we could see people partaking in snow sports beneath us.

[caption id="attachment_4113" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] At the top of Salzburg![/caption]

It was extremely exciting to be at the top of the Kitzsteinhorn, as this meant that we were at the highest accessible point of Salzburg: 3029m high. The Gipfelwelt 3000 panorama was a perfect place for admiring the incredible view and taking photos. It was a stunning view, and it was cool to be at the highest point in the whole of Salzburg!

[caption id="attachment_4134" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] The views of the glacier were remarkable.[/caption]

Next came the National Park Gallery, which is located in a 360m long tunnel through the Kitzsteinhorn. It was fascinating to be able to walk through the mountain. We learnt about the formation of the Alps and the different crystals in the Kitzsteinhorn, but had to turn back as the altitude was making grandpa feel slightly uneasy.

Finally, it was time to take the Gipfelwelt, Gletscherjet II, and Gletscherjet I back to the bottom of the Kitzsteinhorn. I had had an amazing time, and was honestly sad to leave. The views from the gondolas had been phenomenal, and the mountain had been just so quiet and beautiful. There was so much grandpa and I didn't manage to do (exploring more of the museum, going to the cinema, or trying out snow sports), yet we still had such a relaxing and interesting time. I would definitely recommend a visit to the Kitzsteinhorn; it was simply a lovely day out.

Jess and her grandpa went on a package holiday with Inghams, flying via Ryan Air from Stansted Airport to Salzburg and then taking a coach to Zell. They were gifted two “summer cards” from the Zell am Zee tourism board, but they had no input into this blog post.

Read more about this holiday here

- you can find out all the other wonderful things that Jess and her grandpa got up to!

Indulging in an Afternoon Tea at The Arch Hotel

Jess, aged 15, writes: Being British, our family loves a good afternoon tea. This is why I was so excited to try an afternoon tea in the Arch Hotel, Marble Arch, in celebration of dad's birthday. It's not do often we get to eat unlimited food in a gorgeous setting, so we all had an amazing time.

[caption id="attachment_4048" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] The Arch Hotel[/caption]

After entering the hotel, we were directed to the Salon de Champagne, where we were given our own private booth. This was very exciting, as there was a curtain which we could draw. This meant that the four of us were effectively sitting in private - something that felt extremely luxurious. On top of this, our plush seats were extremely comfortable, there was a beautiful chandelier above us, and our floral crockery looked amazing.

[caption id="attachment_4049" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Our booth was really luxurious![/caption]

Our main server was named Rebeca and she was really kind and friendly, but also extremely helpful. Our family is not able to eat certain foods, but she was really good at making adjustments and making sure we knew what we were eating. We were presented with a menu of different types of tea, which I loved. I adore tea, and it took me a long time to decide on what to drink. I eventually decided on a silver needle white tea, and afterwards a green tea with jasmine pearls. The variety was so wide, and it was all delicious.

[caption id="attachment_4040" align="aligncenter" width="900"] The tea menu was long and extensive[/caption]

Soon, the food arrived. Our stand was simply magnificent - piled high with sandwiches, biscuits, cakes, and scones. We had not eaten a big lunch in preparation for the occasion, and soon got to work stuffing our faces. The sandwiches were divine, and much more impressive than I was expecting. These were English cheddar with apple chutney, mozzarella and avocado with sun blushed tomato on sourdough toast, smoked salmon and cream cheese on a blini, egg and cress, and cucumber and cream cheese. Particular favourites of mine were the sourdough with mozzarella, and the apple chutney. We devoured these quickly, and were allowed replacements soon after.

[caption id="attachment_4042" align="aligncenter" width="900"] The food was all so delicious, especially the sandwiches![/caption]

Next was the second tier, filled with all sorts on cakes. There was coffee cake, millionaire's shortbread, teacakes, Battenberg cake, and a strawberry tart. Had we not had dietary requirements (no gelatine), there would have been trifle and cheesecake, but we were more than happy with our selection. It was fantastic, particularly the tart and the Battenberg cake, and nothing was too rich or overpowering.

[caption id="attachment_4047" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Robert piled his scone high with cream[/caption]

Our final tier was the scones, but by this point I was so full that I could only manage one! Piled high with jam and clotted cream, it was a perfect end to the tea.

Overall, we had such an amazing time at the tea. We stayed there for over two hours, and by the time we time we left we were unbelievably full. It was such an incredible experience which I would love to relive.

A Royal Afternoon Tea at The Arch hotel, near Marble Arch, London, costs £25 a head. We were given a special media rate to sample the tea, but the hotel had no input into this review.

More food in London with Family Travel Times

A chocolate walking tour - my dream

Trying our Hip Chips - crisps and dips for lunch

 

Attending The Open Air Theatre, London

Jess, aged 15, writes: Our family loves to go to the theatre, but there is one London theatre which is definitely more memorable than the rest. This is the Open Air Theatre, located in Regent’s Park.

As you might be able to tell from the name, what makes the Open Air Theatre so unique is the plays are conducted outside. This is a really different experience to attending a West End theatre.

[caption id="attachment_4001" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Outside the theatre[/caption]

After a short walk through the gorgeous flowers and trees of Regent’s Park, you come to the entrance of the Open Air Theatre. After being admitted, you walk past the café, and come face to face with the stage. Regardless of the production, the stage always houses an elaborate and extremely impressive set. In this year’s production of “On The Town” (which has just finished its run), the set was of a naval dockyard, but this transformed into museums, restaurants, and the bustling streets of New York City.

I have seen five different productions at the Open Air Theatre: “The Tempest”, “The Sound of Music”, “To Kill A Mockingbird”, “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers”, and “On The Town”. While I cannot completely remember “The Tempest” (I think I was about six at the time), I have always really enjoyed my visits. My favourite has to be “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers”, which involved amazing singing and simply unbelievable dancing. This was such an exciting and joyous evening, which I really wish I could experience again. Unfortunately, this year’s production was not as good, but I think this was because it just wasn’t to my taste.

[caption id="attachment_4000" align="aligncenter" width="800"] The weather at the theatre ranges from rainy to very sunny![/caption]

Of course, being outside does have some drawbacks; namely the weather. All evening performances tend to get very cold and dark after the interval, but we combat this problem with lots of layers, scarves, gloves, hats, and blankets. Out of the five productions I have seen at the theatre, it has rained twice. Even during the heaviest of rain, the performances have never stopped - this year, the stage was simply wiped down twice before continuing.

The Open Air Theatre puts on such a wide variety of magnificent plays: comedies, musicals, serious drama, and more. It is so exciting to be outside - you can feel the wind in your face, hear birdsong, and even see the sun set! There really is something for everyone, and I would recommend experiencing it.

The Open Air Theatre is about 10 minutes walk from Baker Street tube station and is open from May to December each year. Prices range from £25 to £65 for the main musical theatre productions (the next one up is Jesus Christ Superstar), although there are often other events at weekends during the summer. This year there is also a production of Oliver Twist, aimed at those aged six upwards, and tickets cost £18.

Find out more from their website. 

 

A Tour of Hamleys, London

Robert, aged 11, writes:  Mum and I went on a special guided tour of Hamleys. We were shown around by Leah, who was really nice, funny and informative. Hamleys is 155 years old and is considered to be one of the best, or the best, toy shop in Britain.

[kad_youtube url="https://youtu.be/sjMGTH1ppPY?list=PL21MnxVphOzI2A8wn1ejWBYSXpgwMIkGw" width=200 height=100 ]

There are seven floors, the first of which being entirely devoted to Star Wars which I’m sure many kids would love. There was loads of cool memorabilia and Star Wars themed objects but my favourite thing on this floor had to be the one thing that wasn’t Star-Wars related. I absolutely loved trying out the virtual reality rollercoaster. I love rides and although I wasn’t on a real one I honestly felt like I was falling or going down a loop the loop. At one point I had to take the cardboard headset out because I felt like I was going to fall over.

[caption id="attachment_3766" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] The Star Wars VR headset was very realistic![/caption]

The ground floor was very hands on with lots to do. First we saw a magic show that I’m sure would blow plenty of people’s minds (although it wasn’t that cool for me as I learnt the tricks when I was younger) There was also a powder that expanded and turned into fake snow when added to water. I really liked the sensation when the powder changed in my hands. On this floor there were also boomerang aeroplanes, which I had a go at throwing, as well as remote control cars, giant inflatable Frisbees and a board which you could draw on with anything.

[caption id="attachment_3767" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] There was lots to try out, such as huge boomerangs![/caption]

There was a floor for babies and a floor which was all about dolls and princesses (it was very pink), which funnily enough I didn’t spend much time on. Further up there was more magic, car racing and a large selection of drones. I loved the hover kick, a flat ball that floats along the ground. It was one of my favourite things in the shop so I bought it. There was a section on Harry Potter, loads of games and a blaster that shot air at people when pulled back. I really enjoyed looking at a range of pens that all had unique abilities, changing colour or not being able to be drawn on.

[caption id="attachment_3765" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] There were lots of sweets, and we took a lot home![/caption]

Finally we came to the sweet section ( woooooooooooooooooooooooh ) There was a pick n mix, candy canes, milkshakes and bars of chocolate. Of course we had to try them!

We were then taken to a room that looked as though it was set up for a party with a table with juice and a giant cake. Leah then told us that everything was for us so I ended up getting a whole cake as well as a cute teddy to end off the tour, and a bar of Hamleys chocolate.

Personally it was one of the best things I have done in a long time and would recommend it for everyone! Although I have enjoyed going to Hamleys in the past, it was really special to go round with a guide, who picked out things that she thought I would enjoy and could help us to jump any queues!

Disclosure: We took part in the tour of Hamleys as part of a complimentary luxury family package stay at the Marylebone hotel (see here for our post). This includes a night at the hotel, breakfast and other special family-friendly extras. Neither Hamleys or the hotel had any input into this blog post.

Guided tours of Hamleys cost £40 per person for a minimum of four guests and last for an hour and a half. See more on their website

More posts about London:

A luxury family stay at the Marylebone hotel

5 cool places to eat in London

Stunning Tintagel Castle in Cornwall

If you think of the most beautiful views you've ever seen, what comes to mind? Do you think of stunning blue seas in the Caribbean, or snowy capped mountain tops in Switzerland? I'd hazard a guess that you don't think of the UK, but perhaps you should....

I'm still overwhelmed by the fabulous views we saw on our trip to Tintagel, on the north coast of Cornwall. It is an absolute gem of a place - with a gorgeous village, so many lovely places to eat (we thought the fudge at Granny Wobbly's was the best we had in our whole Cornwall holiday!) and also lovely to walk around. Then, on top of the charm of the village, it has the most incredible castle remains, dramatic views of the cliffs and Atlantic Ocean, and a link with King Arthur. It's the kind of place that you want to return to pretty much straight after you left. And it's a place we'd all recommend - even if it's just to watch the waves crashing onto the shore again and again.

Tintagel has a history which goes back hundreds and hundreds of years, to the Romans. It was initially called Trevena, which means "village on a mountain" in Cornish and that's certainly a name which makes perfect sense.

[caption id="attachment_3654" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The old post office in Tintagel[/caption]

While you're in the village, you can also visit the Old Post Office, which was originally a 14th century farmhouse and which is open to the public. You'll be particularly impressed by its wavy roof!

And if your children just want to run around away from the views, there is also a local skateboard part at Tintagel Playing Fields, while if you're looking for more culture, then you can visit the ancient church of St Materiana’s, which is over 900 years old.

[caption id="attachment_3656" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Jess at the stunning castle ruins[/caption]

However, if you're in the area, you probably want to visit the ruins of the castle and enjoy the views. Be aware that there is plenty of walking required and that some of the steps are steep, so it's not perfect for very young children (unless you're happy to do a lot of carrying).

Before you go into the castle, there is some background in the exhibition, which is particularly good on the Arthurian links. There is also a beach just before you start walking upwards, and if you look carefully, you might see Merlin's face in there too.

[caption id="attachment_3657" align="alignnone" width="1200"] As you can see, it's a long way up...[/caption]

The castle was built in the 13th century and then rebuilt by Edward the Black Prince in the 1300s, but the site had been inhabited for many hundreds of years before that. Archaelogists have found a number of Dark Age pottery in the area and there are huts along the island as well as the remains of more impressive buildings and a chapel.

It was in the 12th century that Geoffrey of Monmouth named it as the place where King Arthur was conceived and it may be because of this that Richard, the Early of Cornwall, built the original castle in the 1230s.

When we visited, there was quite a queue, but we realised that there was more than one place to purchase tickets (or show your English Heritage membership card) so we kept walking down towards the coastline until we found a shorter line. Be warned that it takes a while to walk from the village to the start of the castle area, and you can pay £2 each to take a Land Rover up and down instead. We didn't do this - we're hardy!

[caption id="attachment_3659" align="alignnone" width="1200"] All of us enjoying the views![/caption]

We walked up and up and I was gripped by the views, which were all incredible. We almost missed the statue of King Arthur (actually called Gallos, which is Cornish for power), which has only been there since 2016. It makes for another perfect photo opportunity.

When you do enter, you first come to some castle ruins, including the Great Hall built by Richard, Earl of Cornwall. There are helpful boards scattered around to give you some history and you can sit down and admire the views. But don't stop here. You simply must keep walking up and up to enjoy the full spectacle.

Tintagel Castle is only open at weekends from now until the 12th February and then open daily from 10am till 4pm during half-term (13th to 24th February). Please check their website for dates beyond this.
Our entrance was free as we belong to English Heritage, but a family ticket for two adults and up to three children costs £20.50. 

Find out more about our trip to Cornwall in this video below:

[kad_youtube url="https://youtu.be/8oWmvduevzM" width=200 height=100 ]

 

If you're going to Cornwall, don't miss our guide

Tintagel was in our best views of 2016 - find out our other "bests" of the year.

Why Playa Blanca, Lanzarote is perfect for families

Jess, aged 14, writes: Some of my earliest memories come from our family's trips to Playa Blanca, a seaside resort on the south of Lanzarote. Our family generally visited every other year along with my Grandma and Grandpa, and having not been for four years, I was ridiculously excited to go back last month. Our family stayed for a week and had a relaxing, enjoyable, and exciting time. It really is a great place for a family holiday.

[caption id="attachment_3599" align="alignnone" width="1200"] In between the villas at Las Casitas[/caption]

Our family stayed in a bungalow at Las Casitas resort, where we had stayed every time we've been to Lanzarote. There's something so special about going back to a place with so many memories attached to it, and it was just as good as I remembered it. The villas are spacious and full of everything we needed, and I preferred the beds to my one at home! The complex includes a tennis court, a pool, and a bar, and everyone we met was lovely. The atmosphere at the quiz night was astonishingly friendly and we talked to lots of people we didn't know afterwards. The WiFi was also pleasingly reliable, although we didn't have to use it much. Las Casitas is in such a perfect and accessible location that we spent most of our time away from the villa.

[caption id="attachment_3634" align="alignnone" width="1200"] At Papagayo. The waves were massive![/caption]

We visited two different beaches in Playa Blanca, and both were lovely. The main Playa Blanca beach is situated directly in front of the promenade, but it's quite small, so we walked past this to Playa Papagayo, which is large and full of deck chairs. The view of nearby Fuerteventura was also beautiful to see. Mum and dad soaked up the sun and lounged on deck chairs, while Robert and I went to the sea. The wind meant that the beach was quiet and the waves were large, but I enjoyed swimming and jumping through them. Playa Flamingo is much busier than Papagayo, but the water was clear and perfect for swimming in. Dad and I also saw fish swimming around our feet!

Robert says: Dad and I went to AquaLava, an awesome waterpark near our resort. It had 5 great waterslides, a heated lazy river and a big area for little kids full of small slides and fountains. There was also a wave pool that started up every hour.

[caption id="attachment_3602" align="alignnone" width="1200"] We had lots of fun on our walks, discovering castles, lighthouses, old buildings, geocaches, carousels, and more.[/caption]

 

Jess writes: Playa Blanca is perfect for walks, as much of it is along a promenade so it is very accessible, and the weather is usually lovely too. One day, our whole family walked about 4km when visiting the Castillo de los Colorados - an old fortress. Another day, mum and I took a 9km walk to the Pechiguera Lighthouse. These walks were lovely as the sea and the views are gorgeous, there were lots of geocaches to find, and more than enough restaurants to try out if we got hungry...

[caption id="attachment_3604" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Enjoying home made ice cream from Gelateria Italiana Verderosa.[/caption]

We were spoiled for choice for food, as Playa Blanca is full of places to eat. We particularly enjoyed the home-made ice cream at Gelateria Italiana Verderosa, and the ridiculously sugary slushies and milkshakes at Good Times. The Canarian potatoes (salty potatoes with two sauces) at La Bahia were the best we had all holiday and I particularly liked eating at Caribe by the marina, where my tuna crêpe was delicious.

Playa Blanca is very convenient for shopping - among the numerous restaurants, there are three supermarkets, clothes shops, and a few very touristy shops, which we avoided.

[caption id="attachment_3605" align="alignnone" width="1200"] We delighted in finding a playground we remember visiting when we were younger.[/caption]

There are lots of other things to do in Playa Blanca. I was very excited when we found a playground that I remember visiting when I was much younger. There are also lots of other things to do on the island with children, such as going to the cactus garden, looking at volcanoes, the animal park Ranco Texas, and visiting César Manrique (an influential architect)'s house. Mum has written a proper guide to the island, so please read it here.

I had so much fun in Playa Blanca when I was small, and it's lovely to know that it's as great as I remembered. There's a lot to do for children and adults alike, and while it's more touristy than I thought it was, I had such a great time. It's such a wonderful place for families to visit and I would love to go again.

You can find out more about holiday rentals at Las Casitas via their website - prices vary throughout the year. We flew with Thomas Cook from Gatwick to Arrecife, which is about 40 minutes away from the resort by taxi.

What to do on a family trip to Lanzarote

If you’re craving some winter sun, we sympathise. January can be a hard month – coming down from the festivities of December, and at the same time suffering from short days, wind and rain. So perhaps you should start thinking about where you can spend next winter! We’d say that if you want a fun, family-friendly place with sun, you couldn’t do better than Lanzarote in the Canary Islands. It has everything you might want – and it’s not that far away.

Let’s start with the distance. Lanzarote, off the coast of west Africa, ticks many boxes for us because it’s only four hours or so by plane (as opposed to double that for the Caribbean or Florida) and is also a cheaper destination to visit than those further afield. It’s beautiful, very family-friendly (no resort is more than an hour away from the airport and many are nearer, which is a boon if you have little ones who’ll be tired after all that travelling) and you’ll be guaranteed some sun (although it’s not always bikini weather). Plus, it's clean and the islanders love kids.

The island has lots of accommodation options, from a number of upmarket luxury hotels to self-catering. When we holiday here I usually want to relax, so go for self-catering, where we can hang around in pyjamas if we want to, and have space to play board games or read on the veranda without anyone bothering us. In Playa Blanca where we usually stay, there are a number of nearby supermarkets which make stocking up very easy, and prices are around the same (or usually a little less) than at home.

Where to stay:

We’d highly recommend Playa Blanca, the southernmost town on the island which has gorgeous sandy beaches (even if the sand is brought in!)

[caption id="attachment_3627" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Jess in Playa Blanca, during a walk along the promenade[/caption]

There you have access to a number of gorgeous beaches, particularly Playa Flamingo, Papagayo and Playa Dorada, plus there is a promenade to walk along which is perfect for little legs and buggies (as well as teen legs and older ones!). It is very well served by shops and restaurants and has a marina at one end (with a market on Wednesdays and Sundays) and the old town at the other – all within around 20 mintues walk. Jess is going to write more on the joys of Playa Blanca very soon, so look out for that, but if you choose to stay here, you won’t regret it – not least the views across the Atlantic to Isla de Lobos and Fuerteventura (where you can take a ferry).

[caption id="attachment_3628" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The beaches in Lanzarote are gorgeous - and the sea is clear and blue.[/caption]

Other family-friendly locations include Puerto Calero (which is only around 10 minutes from Puerto Del Carmen), Costa Teguise (which includes an aquarium and waterpark and has a number of good restaurants and beaches) while Finca de Arrieta, an eco retreat is supposed to be brilliant for kids (we haven’t managed to get here yet though). Puerto Del Carmen is probably the most famous resort on the island, but it wouldn’t be my top choice for a family visit and is better for those looking for busy nightlife, pubs and bars. However, if you are travelling with teens who are looking for more excitement, it may be the right place for you.

Where to go:

[caption id="attachment_3625" align="alignnone" width="675"] A geyser seen at Timanfaya National Park[/caption]

Lanzarote offers a huge variety of places to go and is easy to get around by car (plus petrol is much cheaper than at home). It doesn’t have the most beautiful landscape (Tenerife is prettier to look at) but I always find the barren, volcanic effect of the southern part of the island pretty impressive, while the mountains are a world away from the hustle and bustle of London. I also love the lack of high-rise buildings – this is because of the architect Cesar Manrique who forbade it. In fact, there is only one building on the island which taller than three storeys, and that was built in Arrecife when Manrique was in the US for a few years. There are loads of lovely beaches to visit, including La Santa (for any surfers in the family) and Famara (on the north shore).

[caption id="attachment_3621" align="alignnone" width="675"] Fire erupting from the earth at Timanfaya National Park[/caption]

Timanfaya
Talking of volcanoes, you really should take a trip to Timanfaya, the fire mountain – at least if you have kids from around the age of 4+. Yes, you will face queues, but you will also love the views and the tricks you will see (particularly the way the water steams and shoots up when it’s poured onto the hot ground), and your kids will love the fact that they have seen a real volcano in this moon-like landscape. Very little ones may find the coach tour a little boring, but when we took ours, they were only 4 and 7 and they loved it.
Our tip: Go early or late as it gets very busy and you can end up queuing just to get into the park.

[caption id="attachment_3622" align="alignnone" width="1200"] At the Cactus Gardens (when the children were younger!)[/caption]

Cactus Garden

We first went here when Jessica (who is now nearly 15) wasn’t even three and would highly recommend it. It is basically what it says, a garden full of different time of cacti (more than 1,000 different species), but they are great to walk around and fascinating to look at for all ages. There is also a shop and cafe on site for afterwards. I know it doesn't sound that exciting, but honestly, it's great!

[caption id="attachment_3623" align="alignnone" width="1200"] At the Jameos del Agua,[/caption]

Jameos del Agua
These caves – a natural wonder - are absolutely stunning, and you and your kids will love watching the white crabs (which have no shells) who take on a kind of dreamlike quality due to the light shining on them in the seawater lake. Created by that man Cesar Manrique (again!) it’s all quite enchanting.

El Golfo
This isn’t great for very little children as you need to be really careful along the path, but if your kids are a little older, we’d definitely recommend a visit. Here you’ll see black sandy beaches, stunning views and the impressive sight of the dramatic green lagoon – an effect caused by the algae trapped there by the sea.
If you’re coming from Playa Blanca, it’s a lovely drive past the lava fields.
Tip: The lagoon is not far from Los Hervideros which is also worth a visit for its fantastic crashing waves.

Rancho Texas

This wild west theme park includes a zoo and also has regular bird of prey and sea animal shows which are great fun. It also boasts a small waterpark, so make sure you take a change of clothes!

Waterparks:

Aqualava is based in the area of Playa Blanca and has a number of enjoyable rides, plus a lazy river and wave pool. It is also good value.

Aqua Water Park, Costa Teguise – we have not been here for many years and have heard mixed reviews about the park, but it is the biggest one on the island, and if that’s what would make your kids happy, you should think about checking it out....

Other suggestions would be the seaside village/town of Arrieta where you can enjoy a fish lunch at one of the many restaurants overlooking the sea. On your way back from this, you can actually visit Cesar Manrique’s House where you can not only enjoy his art collection and work, but also see how he designed and built his own house. Young kids may not find this too enthralling (the volcanoes and beaches are better!).

If you like shopping, then you’ll enjoy a trip to Costa Teguise, which boasts the biggest outdoor market in all of the Canary islands. It’s held every Sunday and is well worth a visit.

You can also take a ferry from Playa Blanca to the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura and spend the day there. The boat takes less than an hour.

Plus, you can try out a pedalo from many of the beaches, or even a glass bottom boat or submarine (from Puero Calero Marina).

Be warned that while you will get some sun in Lanzarote, it’s not always baking hot. However, it will definitely be nicer than you will experience at home in December of January!

Final tip: We love hanging around Playa Blanca and enjoying the beaches, food and relaxing. We’d recommend you taking a trip or two, but think you will probably enjoy Lanzarote without having to exert yourself too much by being out and about! And you can always come back again, just as we have....

Read about Siam Water Park in Tenerife and some of that island's stunning beaches