When it comes to booking family vacations with points and miles, Hyatt has long been one of my favorite hotel brands. From spacious rooms and family-friendly amenities to some incredible redemption opportunities, World of Hyatt has helped make memorable family trips possible without paying those sometimes eye-watering hotel prices.

And while Hyatt has made some significant changes to its loyalty program in 2026, I still think it deserves a place in your family’s points and miles strategy.

The biggest changes: Hyatt has updated its award pricing, Chase has reduced the Hyatt transfer rate for certain credit cards, and families can now combine Hyatt points between accounts online for free. That last change is especially exciting if you and your spouse or other family members earn points separately!

The key is knowing how to make the most of your points under the new rules.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through why Hyatt remains one of my favorite hotel loyalty programs for families, how to earn and combine points, and what you need to know before booking your next stay.

World of Hyatt Program: A Game-Changer for Rewards Travel

World of Hyatt is one of my favorite hotel loyalty programs because it offers opportunities to get incredible value from points, whether you’re booking a quick family weekend getaway or a bucket-list vacation.

Unlike hotel programs that use fully dynamic award pricing, Hyatt still publishes an award chart, making it easier to plan how many points you’ll need for a stay. And with options ranging from budget-friendly Hyatt Place hotels to luxury resorts and all-inclusive properties, there’s something for just about every type of family trip.

Low Points Redemptions: Stretch Your Travel Budget

One of the biggest reasons I love World of Hyatt is the opportunity to book incredible hotels for significantly fewer points than you might expect.

Hyatt uses an award chart with eight hotel categories, with standard room redemptions starting at just 3,000 points per night at Category 1 properties. That means you could potentially book a five-night family getaway for as little as 15,000 Hyatt points.

In May 2026, Hyatt updated its award chart to include five pricing levels: Lowest, Low, Moderate, Upper, and Top. Depending on the hotel and your travel dates, standard rooms now range from 3,000 to 75,000 points per night.

While some properties require more points than they used to, there are still opportunities to get excellent value, particularly at lower-category hotels.

Some of My Favorite Hyatt Brands for Families

• Hyatt Place: Spacious rooms, often with sofa beds, and complimentary breakfast at many locations.
• Hyatt House: Extended-stay properties with residential-style accommodations, often including kitchens and separate living areas.
• Hyatt Regency: Full-service hotels and resorts with amenities like pools, restaurants, and family-friendly activities.
• Hyatt Ziva: All-inclusive resorts where accommodations, meals, drinks, and many activities are included.

Homes & Hideaways by World of Hyatt

One of Hyatt’s most exciting options for families isn’t a traditional hotel at all.

Homes & Hideaways by World of Hyatt lets you earn and redeem points for professionally managed vacation rentals, including condos, villas, and private homes.

For families who want separate bedrooms, kitchens, and more space to spread out, this can be a fantastic alternative to booking multiple hotel rooms.

I’ve personally used Homes & Hideaways to book a stay at Wailea Ekahi in Maui, and I love that Hyatt gives families another way to use their points for accommodations that better fit their needs.

Unlike traditional Hyatt hotels, Homes & Hideaways properties don’t follow the Category 1–8 award chart. Points pricing varies by property and dates, so it’s important to compare the redemption cost with the cash price before booking.

My tip: Whether you’re booking a hotel room or a vacation rental, always compare the cash price with the points required. Sometimes paying cash and saving your points for a more expensive stay makes more sense.

Transfer Points Easily with Chase Ultimate Rewards®

• You can transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards® directly to Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio.
• Popular Chase cards like the Sapphire Preferred® and Sapphire Reserve® make it easy to earn Ultimate Rewards points, which can then be transferred to Hyatt for hotel stays, room upgrades, and more.

One of the easiest ways to earn World of Hyatt points is by transferring points from eligible Chase Ultimate Rewards credit cards. However, as of October 1, 2026, not all Chase cards offer the same transfer ratio.

Here’s how the Hyatt transfer ratios work:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Sapphire Reserve for Business℠: Transfer at a 1:1 ratio, meaning 10,000 Chase points become 10,000 Hyatt points.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® and Ink Business Preferred®: Transfer at a 4:3 ratio, meaning 10,000 Chase points become 7,500 Hyatt points.

While the reduced transfer rate makes Hyatt redemptions less valuable for some Chase cardholders, there are still opportunities to get excellent value, especially when hotel cash rates are high.

Always check award availability and compare the cash price before transferring Chase points to Hyatt. Transfers are generally final, so you want to make sure you’re getting good value before moving your points.

Combine Hyatt Points with Family and Friends

One of the most exciting World of Hyatt updates for families in 2026 is how much easier it is to combine points.

Previously, transferring Hyatt points between members required submitting a form and waiting for the transfer to be processed. Now, World of Hyatt members can transfer points to one another online for free.

This is especially helpful for couples and families who earn Hyatt points separately but want to combine their balances to book a vacation.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Free transfers: There’s no fee to move Hyatt points between eligible accounts.
• No household requirement: You can share points with family members or friends, even if you don’t live at the same address.
• Account requirements: Both accounts must have been open for at least 60 days.
• Transfer limits: Members can send and receive points up to six times each per calendar year, with monthly limits also applying.

For example, if you have 20,000 Hyatt points and your spouse has 15,000, you can combine them into one account to book a 35,000-point hotel stay.

Before transferring points, find the hotel you want and confirm award availability. Combining points can make booking easier, but it doesn’t guarantee that an award room will be available for your dates.

You can manage points transfers through your World of Hyatt account.

Hyatt Co-Branded Credit Cards

Another way to earn World of Hyatt points is through Hyatt’s two co-branded credit cards issued by Chase: the World of Hyatt Credit Card and the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card.

Both cards allow you to earn Hyatt points directly on eligible purchases and offer additional benefits that can make family travel more rewarding, including opportunities to earn bonus points and work toward elite status. The personal card also offers opportunities to earn free night awards.

If Hyatt is a hotel brand you frequently stay with, these cards may be worth considering. Check the links above for current welcome offers, benefits, and terms.

Hyatt’s Family-Friendly Accommodations: More Room to Relax

When you’re traveling as a family, having enough space to spread out can make a huge difference, especially after a long day of exploring.

One of the reasons I love Hyatt is the variety of accommodations available, from Hyatt Place hotels with sofa beds to Hyatt House properties with kitchens and separate living spaces. Depending on the property, you can also find larger suites and connecting rooms that make traveling with kids or extended family much easier.

Family Rooms and Connecting Rooms

Some Hyatt properties offer connecting rooms, family suites, and special rates when booking a second room for children. Availability, age requirements, and discounts vary by hotel, so it’s worth asking about your options before booking.

If you need connecting rooms or have a larger family, I recommend contacting the hotel directly to confirm the available room configurations and occupancy limits. Don’t assume that booking two rooms automatically guarantees they’ll connect!

Finding the Right Hyatt for Your Family

Beyond the room itself, I always recommend looking at the amenities that will make your stay more comfortable. Complimentary breakfast, a pool, a convenient location, and access to laundry facilities can make a big difference when traveling with kids.

And remember, the hotel that requires the fewest points isn’t necessarily the best value if it doesn’t comfortably accommodate your family.

The Benefits of Status with Hyatt

Another reason I love World of Hyatt is the opportunity to earn extra perks through its loyalty program. Even if you only stay at Hyatt hotels a few times a year, some of these benefits can make family travel more comfortable.

World of Hyatt is free to join and offers three elite status tiers: Discoverist, Explorist, and Globalist.

Member

Anyone can join World of Hyatt for free! Members can earn points on eligible stays, access member rates, and redeem points for hotel nights.

Discoverist

Earned after 10 qualifying nights in a calendar year or automatically with the World of Hyatt personal credit card.

Discoverist benefits include preferred rooms when available, bonus points on eligible stays, complimentary bottled water, and late checkout when available.

This is our current Hyatt status, and I appreciate that even entry-level elite status can add a few conveniences to a family trip.

Explorist

Earned after 30 qualifying nights in a calendar year.

Explorist members receive additional bonus points and access to room upgrades when available, including preferred rooms within the same category. While the benefits aren’t as extensive as Globalist, they can make frequent Hyatt stays more rewarding.

Globalist

Earned after 60 qualifying nights in a calendar year, Globalist is Hyatt’s highest published elite tier and offers some fantastic benefits for families.

These include complimentary breakfast for eligible guests, room upgrades that may include standard suites, waived resort fees on eligible stays, and late checkout at participating properties.

Globalist members can also share certain benefits with friends or family through Hyatt’s Guest of Honor program, allowing others to enjoy Globalist perks on eligible stays.

Of course, earning Globalist status isn’t realistic for every family, especially when you’re planning trips around school calendars and limited vacation time. And that’s okay! You can still get tremendous value from Hyatt points without chasing elite status.

Earning Hyatt Status Beyond Hotel Stays

Hyatt’s co-branded credit cards can help you earn elite status without relying entirely on hotel stays.

• World of Hyatt Credit Card: Includes automatic Discoverist status and opportunities to earn elite qualifying night credits through spending.
• World of Hyatt Business Credit Card: Offers Discoverist status and opportunities to earn elite qualifying night credits through eligible business spending.

Hyatt occasionally offers promotions that can help members earn additional qualifying nights or accelerate their path to elite status, so it’s worth keeping an eye on your World of Hyatt account.

My tip: Don’t feel like you need top-tier hotel status to enjoy the benefits of points and miles. For most families, finding a hotel that fits your needs and booking it at a great value is far more important than chasing elite perks.

Why Hyatt Is Still One of My Favorite Hotel Brands for Families

Hyatt continues to be one of my favorite ways to make family travel more rewarding. From spacious accommodations and vacation rentals to opportunities to book incredible hotels with points, World of Hyatt offers families plenty of ways to stretch their travel budgets without sacrificing comfort or memorable experiences.

And while the program has changed, knowing how to earn, combine, and redeem your points strategically can still open the door to some amazing family vacations. You don’t need to be a points and miles expert to start making this work for your family.

✨ Want help figuring out how to turn your everyday spending into your next family vacation?

My Family Travel Rewards Coach takes the guesswork out of points and miles with personalized guidance based on your travel goals, credit cards, and family travel needs. Whether you’re just getting started or trying to make the most of points you’ve already earned, it’s designed to help you build a strategy that actually works for you.

Ready to make your next family vacation happen? Explore Family Travel Rewards Coach app.

And if you have questions, you can always connect with me on Instagram. I love helping families discover just how much more travel is possible with points and miles!

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  Advice | Europe | Family | Featured | How to | Hyatt | North America | Rewards Travel | United States | USA

  Why Hyatt Hotels Is the Best Brand for Family Rewards Travel

  ByMari October 21, 2026October 21, 2026

  When it comes to finding the perfect hotel for our family vacation, Hyatt consistently stands out. With an amazing rewards program, family-friendly accommodations, and unbeatable perks, Hyatt hotels makes it easier to travel with our family for way fewer points than other hotel brands (sorry, Marriott and Hilton!). When it comes to rewards travel, brand loyalty always pays off. Here’s why Hyatt has consistently been the best hotel brand choice for our family, for redeeming points at the best value, earn rewards, and stretching our travel budget.

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  Family | Featured | North America | Rewards Travel | Southwest | United States

  Southwest Companion Pass Guide (2027): New Rules & Strategies

  ByMari October 21, 2026October 21, 2026

  The Southwest Companion Pass has long been one of my favorite ways to save money on family travel. With this popular benefit, you can bring a designated companion on your Southwest flights for just the taxes and fees, starting at $5.60 each way on domestic flights. For families, that can add up to some serious savings!

  BIG UPDATE FOR 2027: Southwest just announced major changes to how travelers earn the Companion Pass, including eliminating credit card welcome offers as a way to qualify under the new rules. But there’s still a limited opportunity to use the current strategy before the changes take effect!

  Fun fact: we used our Southwest Companion passes to get us to and from Hawaii, along with plenty of other destinations. In this updated guide, I’ll walk you through what’s changing, how to earn the pass under the current and new rules, and whether it’s still worth pursuing for your family.

The post Why Hyatt Hotels Is the Best Brand for Family Rewards Travel appeared first on Mari on the Map.

The Southwest Companion Pass has long been one of my favorite ways to save money on family travel. With this popular benefit, you can bring a designated companion on your Southwest flights for just the taxes and fees, starting at $5.60 each way on domestic flights. For families, that can add up to some serious savings!

BIG UPDATE FOR 2027: Southwest just announced major changes to how travelers earn the Companion Pass, including eliminating credit card welcome offers as a way to qualify under the new rules. But there’s still a limited opportunity to use the current strategy before the changes take effect!

Fun fact: we used our Southwest Companion passes to get us to and from Hawaii, along with plenty of other destinations. In this updated guide, I’ll walk you through what’s changing, how to earn the pass under the current and new rules, and whether it’s still worth pursuing for your family.

What is the Southwest Companion Pass?

The Southwest Companion Pass is one of my favorite travel perks for families because it lets you bring a designated companion on your Southwest flights for just the taxes and fees, starting at $5.60 each way on domestic flights!

Here’s what makes it even better: You can use your Companion Pass whether you book your own flight with cash OR points! That means you can use Rapid Rewards points for your ticket and bring your companion along without using additional points for their airfare.

You can also change your designated companion up to three times per calendar year, giving you some flexibility in who gets to travel with you.

For years, the Companion Pass has offered unlimited companion trips during its validity period. Starting in 2027, Southwest is introducing a new option for three companion trips alongside the unlimited benefit. I’ll break down how to qualify for both below.

Keep in mind that I only recommend trying to earn the Southwest Companion Pass if your home airport has multiple Southwest flight options to places you want to travel to. Make sure to check the Southwest route map to confirm the Companion Pass will support your upcoming travel plans before trying to earn it.

How to Earn the Southwest Companion Pass

Southwest is making some BIG changes to how travelers earn the Companion Pass beginning January 1, 2027. Here’s what you need to know about qualifying under the current rules and what’s coming next.

How to Earn the Companion Pass in 2026

Under the current 2026 rules, you need to earn 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points OR fly 100 qualifying one-way flights in a calendar year. In 2026, you can still earn qualifying points through eligible Southwest credit card welcome offers, everyday spending, and other qualifying activities.

One of my favorite strategies has been combining welcome offers from a Southwest business credit card and a personal credit card to earn enough points for the pass without flying 100 times. Here’s where credit cards come into play: applying for two Southwest cards can help you hit that 135,000-point threshold. For example, by opening the Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card, you can earn points through the welcome bonuses, everyday spending, and even referrals.

It’s crucial to understand Chase’s unofficial 5/24 rule, which limits approvals for most Chase cards if you have opened five or more new credit cards from any issuer in the past 24 months. You also can’t have received a bonus on a Southwest personal card within the last 24 months. Luckily, Chase business cards typically don’t count toward your 5/24 total, making a personal + business card approach a good option for those managing their card applications.

IMPORTANT: December 2, 2026 Deadline

Southwest has confirmed that travelers approved for an eligible co-branded Southwest credit card by December 2, 2026, can still have their welcome offer points count toward Companion Pass qualification, even if they complete the minimum spending requirement in early 2027.

Under this transition opportunity, the Companion Pass will be valid through December 31, 2027.

How to Earn the Companion Pass Starting in 2027

Beginning January 1, 2027, Southwest is introducing two ways to earn Companion Pass benefits through its new qualification system:

• 95,000 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) or 75 qualifying one-way flights: Earn three Companion Pass trips.
• 140,000 TQPs or 100 qualifying one-way flights: Earn unlimited Companion Pass trips through Platinum status.

You earn TQPs through eligible Southwest flights, Southwest credit card spending, qualifying vacation packages, and certain other activities.

Here’s the biggest change: Credit card welcome offers, referral bonuses, anniversary points, and bonus category points will no longer count toward Companion Pass qualification. Instead, Southwest credit cards will earn 1 TQP for every $1 in eligible purchases. That means if you’re relying entirely on credit card spending, you’d need to spend $95,000 to earn just three companion trips (yikes)! 

For most families, that’s a LOT of spending to commit to one airline’s rewards program, especially when flexible points can give you more options.

Southwest will also continue offering limited-time Companion Pass promotions, which may provide another opportunity to earn companion travel benefits without meeting the standard qualification thresholds.

Examples of past promotional Companion Passes have included a 3-month promotional Companion Pass earned by flying two segments (either one round trip to two one-ways) within a certain time frame, and a 1- calendar-year promotional Companion pass, earned by meeting a minimum spend requirement on a specific co-branded Southwest credit card. Be sure to sign up for Southwest’s emails to be notified of these.  

Timing Your Points

Timing has always been one of the most important parts of earning the Southwest Companion Pass. Traditionally, earning it early in the calendar year meant enjoying nearly two full years of companion travel. I earned my first Companion Pass in February, giving me 11 months of benefits that year PLUS the entire following year!

But the strategy is changing for 2027.

Under Southwest’s transition rules, eligible credit card welcome offers from cards approved by December 2, 2026, can still count toward earning a Companion Pass, even if you complete the spending requirement in early 2027.

This opportunity only provides Companion Pass benefits through December 31, 2027. You can no longer use the old welcome offer strategy to earn a pass lasting through 2028.

If you’re planning to take advantage of this opportunity, pay close attention to your card approval date, minimum spending requirements, and when your points will post. Timing still matters, but the rules are different!

Card Strategies for Earning the Companion Pass

Card Strategies for Earning the Companion PassOne of the easiest ways I’ve earned the Southwest Companion Pass has been by combining welcome offers from a Southwest business credit card and a personal credit card. Instead of flying 100 times or spending thousands of dollars on flights, you can earn a substantial number of qualifying points through credit card welcome offers and everyday purchases.

But if you’ve been thinking about using this strategy, time is running out!

Southwest has announced that credit card welcome offers will no longer count toward Companion Pass qualification under its new 2027 rules. However, there’s one final opportunity to take advantage of the current strategy.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Apply for eligible Southwest credit cards by December 2, 2026. You must be approved by this date to qualify for the transition exception.
• Consider combining a business and personal card. Depending on the available welcome offers, you may be able to earn enough points to reach the 135,000-point requirement.
• Meet the minimum spending requirements. Southwest has confirmed that eligible welcome offer points can still count even if you complete the spending requirement in early 2027.
• Pay attention to eligibility rules. Chase has restrictions on earning welcome offers, so make sure you’re eligible before applying.

If you qualify through this transition opportunity, your Companion Pass will be valid through December 31, 2027.

My advice: Only pursue this strategy if the cards, spending requirements, and Southwest’s route network make sense for your family. Never spend more than you normally would just to earn a credit card welcome offer!

After this opportunity ends, I’ll be focusing even more on flexible points that can be transferred to multiple airline and hotel partners. Having options is one of the best ways to make your family’s travel rewards work harder!

Important note: Anyone with a US social security number can be eligible for business cards even if you don’t own an official business with an EIN. If you have a legitimate side hustle, freelance work, or other for-profit activity, you can apply as a sole proprietor.

My Personal Southwest Companion Pass Strategy

The Southwest Companion Pass has been one of my favorite travel rewards for years. My Player 2 and I have each earned a Companion Pass by strategically combining Southwest business and personal credit card welcome offers, allowing us to bring both of our boys along on flights for just the taxes and fees.

One of our favorite redemptions was flying our family of four to Hawaii using Southwest points and our two Companion Passes. We’ve saved thousands of dollars on family flights over the years, and it’s a perfect example of how powerful points and miles can be when you have a plan.

But with Southwest’s new qualification rules taking effect in 2027, my strategy is changing, too.

Rather than directing significant everyday spending toward earning Southwest status, I’ll be prioritizing flexible points that can be transferred to multiple airline and hotel partners. That gives our family more options when booking flights, especially when Southwest isn’t the best fit for our destination or schedule.

I still love the value we’ve gotten from our Companion Passes, and I’ll absolutely keep an eye out for future promotions. But for families starting from scratch under the new rules, I think flexibility is going to be more valuable than ever!

The Southwest Credit Cards We Used to Earn Our Companion Passes

We used a combination of the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card to earn our Companion Passes.

The strategy was simple: Combine the welcome offers from an eligible Southwest business card and personal card, then use qualifying everyday spending to reach the 135,000-point requirement.

Both cards also offer Southwest travel benefits, but the biggest value for our family came from the welcome offers and the Companion Passes they helped us earn.

Is this strategy still worth considering? If you can qualify under Southwest’s December 2, 2026 transition rules, potentially. But starting in 2027, welcome offers generally won’t count toward Companion Pass qualification, making these cards less compelling as a long-term strategy for earning the pass.

As always, compare the annual fees, current welcome offers, and benefits before applying. A card with an annual fee can absolutely be worthwhile when the benefits you actually use outweigh the cost!

Southwest Card Eligibility

Before applying for a Southwest credit card, make sure you’re eligible for the welcome offer! Chase has several rules that can affect your approval and bonus eligibility.

• Chase 5/24 Rule: Generally, if you’ve opened five or more personal credit cards across banks in the past 24 months, Chase won’t approve you for a new card.
• Personal Card Restrictions: You generally can’t receive a new Southwest personal card welcome offer if you currently hold another Southwest personal card or received a Southwest personal card welcome bonus within the past 24 months.
• Business Card Eligibility: Southwest business cards have separate welcome offer restrictions, so you may still qualify for a business card even if you’ve previously earned a personal card bonus.

Remember, you don’t need a large business to qualify for a business credit card! Freelancers, content creators, and people with side businesses may qualify, too.

Always review the current application terms before applying, especially with the December 2, 2026 deadline approaching.

Is the Southwest Companion Pass Still Worth It for Families?

Absolutely! The Southwest Companion Pass can still be an incredible way to save on family travel. But with the new rules taking effect in 2027, how you earn it matters more than ever.

Under the new qualification system, you’d need to put $95,000 in eligible spending on a Southwest credit card just to earn three companion trips. That’s a LOT of spending for a benefit tied to one airline.

My advice: Focus on flexibility.

Rather than putting all your everyday spending toward earning Southwest status, consider credit cards that earn flexible points, like Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, or Capital One miles. These rewards give you access to multiple airline and hotel partners, allowing you to choose the flights and accommodations that work best for your family.

If Southwest happens to have the best flights for your trip, you can still transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Southwest Rapid Rewards with eligible Chase cards.

Continue watching for limited-time Companion Pass promotions, which could offer families a way to enjoy this valuable benefit without meeting the standard qualification requirements.

The goal isn’t to collect the most points or earn every travel perk. It’s to make your points work harder so you can make more memories with the people you love!

Final Thoughts

The Southwest Companion Pass has helped our family make some incredible travel memories, and I’ll always appreciate the value we’ve gotten from it! While the new rules make it harder for many families to earn, there are still plenty of ways to make travel more rewarding.

Whether you’re taking advantage of the current Companion Pass opportunity, watching for future promotions, or building a stash of flexible points, the best strategy is the one that works for your family’s travel goals.

Remember, points and miles are simply tools to help you travel more while spending less. And with the right strategy, those once-in-a-lifetime family trips don’t have to happen just once!

If you have any questions or need further advice feel free to email me or send me a message on Instagram. I’m always happy to share more tips and insights to help you. And if you’re ready to finally learn points and miles yourself, get your family’s personalized plan in my Family Travel Rewards Coach app.

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  Advice | Europe | Family | Featured | How to | Hyatt | North America | Rewards Travel | United States | USA

  Why Hyatt Hotels Is the Best Brand for Family Rewards Travel

  ByMari October 21, 2026October 21, 2026

  When it comes to finding the perfect hotel for our family vacation, Hyatt consistently stands out. With an amazing rewards program, family-friendly accommodations, and unbeatable perks, Hyatt hotels makes it easier to travel with our family for way fewer points than other hotel brands (sorry, Marriott and Hilton!). When it comes to rewards travel, brand loyalty always pays off. Here’s why Hyatt has consistently been the best hotel brand choice for our family, for redeeming points at the best value, earn rewards, and stretching our travel budget.

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  Family | Featured | North America | Rewards Travel | Southwest | United States

  Southwest Companion Pass Guide (2027): New Rules & Strategies

  ByMari October 21, 2026October 21, 2026

  The Southwest Companion Pass has long been one of my favorite ways to save money on family travel. With this popular benefit, you can bring a designated companion on your Southwest flights for just the taxes and fees, starting at $5.60 each way on domestic flights. For families, that can add up to some serious savings!

  BIG UPDATE FOR 2027: Southwest just announced major changes to how travelers earn the Companion Pass, including eliminating credit card welcome offers as a way to qualify under the new rules. But there’s still a limited opportunity to use the current strategy before the changes take effect!

  Fun fact: we used our Southwest Companion passes to get us to and from Hawaii, along with plenty of other destinations. In this updated guide, I’ll walk you through what’s changing, how to earn the pass under the current and new rules, and whether it’s still worth pursuing for your family.

The post Southwest Companion Pass Guide (2027): New Rules & Strategies appeared first on Mari on the Map.

Let me set the scene for you. Eleven people. One trip to Europe. And for seven of them, it was their very first time ever using points and miles to travel.

When my family decided to do a big multigenerational trip to Europe, the task was clear: if we couldn’t make this affordable using points and miles, some of us weren’t going to be able to go. My family has been on points and miles family travel for years, but my parents and my sister’s family of five were starting from scratch. Here I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes of how we pulled it off, what we got right, and what I would tell any family that wants to take a first or big trip on points and miles.

Points and miles are possible to learn, even for total beginners, with the right strategy. You do not need to be a frequent flyer or have a huge income to make it work. If your family also wants to travel to Europe on points and miles, I’m here to help. My new Family Travel Rewards Coach app offers personalized plans in less than 15 minutes a day to help you achieve your travel goals. Learn more here, and read on for our own (realistic) success story.

Start by Taking Inventory of What Everyone Already Has

The very first thing I did was ask a lot of questions. Before you can build a points and miles strategy for a group, you have to know what you are working with. For every family traveling, I asked the same things:

• What credit cards do you already have?
• Do you have any points sitting on them right now?
• What is your credit score?
• When did you last open a new card?
• Roughly how much do you spend on a credit card?
• Does anyone own a business or have a side hustle?

That last question matters more than people think, because business cards can seriously accelerate your points earning, and you do not need a big company to qualify. A side hustle, a rental, or freelance work can count. Learn more about qualifying for business cards here.

The answers led us to our starting point. My sister’s family had a small stash, under 50,000 points in total, on one Capital One Venture card and an American Express business card. My parents, on the other hand, were sitting on close to 300,000 points on a Bank of America travel card that they didn’t really know how to use. Taking inventory is what let me build a different plan for each household instead of a one-size-fits-all guess.

Build a Card Strategy for Each Family

Here is the key mindset shift for points and miles for beginners: there is no one size fits all strategy. While there are some cards that are generally valuable for most people, a good strategy is personalized. Someone with excellent credit who has not opened a card in three years is in a great spot for a big welcome bonus. Someone who just opened two cards last month probably needs to wait. And, of course, you want to consider if you’re just building a flexible points stash, or if you’re working towards a trip goal.

Since we knew where we were going and we had only about six months to earn the points we needed for our flights, we had to choose an airline that would offer lower points redemptions. That led us to Virgin Atlantic, which offers saver fares in economy starting at 6,000 points per ticket one way from the East Coast, and 29,000 in business class.

Every major bank transfers to Virgin Atlantic, and they offer family/household points pooling, making it the best choice for us. Keep in mind that Virgin Atlantic does have higher taxes and fees on award flights, so you may want to consider another airline for your own Europe on points and miles trip. However, this was by far the best option for us with little time to earn.

My parents wanted to fly business class, and needed to earn a large welcome offer quickly. So I started them with an American Express Platinum. I would normally never recommend this as a starter card to someone new to this hobby because American Express hierarchy rules make it more strategic to start with the American Express Green, then move to the Gold, then move to the Platinum. However, my parents aren’t planning on staying in this hobby, so the focus was just getting them the most points in the shortest time.

My sister started with one of my favorite beginner cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred, because her family spends a lot on online groceries from Instacart and takeout. Her family also plans to be in this hobby for longer, so I wanted to ensure she had a keeper card.

A few ground rules I always recommend:

• Only put normal spending on the card. Never buy things you would not otherwise buy just to hit a bonus.
• Pay it off in full every month. If you carry a balance, the interest wipes out the value of the points. This only works if you treat the card like a debit card.
• Be patient. The welcome bonus is where the real value is, so do not rush to the next card before you have earned the one in front of you.

How We Booked the Flights to Europe on Points and Miles

Our trip included a land tour in southern Italy, since my dad wanted to see where his family came from. Next, we left Italy for a Mediterranean cruise.

Check every airport near you, not just your home one

We are in the Philadelphia area, but I did not limit myself to PHL. I looked at flights out of Philadelphia, Newark, JFK, DC, and Baltimore, because award availability and pricing can be wildly different from one airport to the next. A short drive or a cheap positioning flight to a different airport can save you a mountain of miles. To map out which airlines even fly the route, I used a free tool called FlightConnections.

Compare the options before you transfer anything

When I priced out economy round trip per person, the difference between programs was huge:

• American: around 87,500 miles, Philadelphia to Naples
• United: around 77,000 miles, Newark to Naples
• Virgin Atlantic: around 24,000 miles, JFK to London, then onward to Naples

Read that last one again. Virgin Atlantic was a fraction of the others. That is the whole game right there. Same ocean, same destination, wildly different price depending on which airline’s miles you use and how you route it. This is why I never just book with the first airline that comes to mind.

We put it to a vote in our group, and Virgin Atlantic won by a landslide. The other reason it was such a smart pick: American Express, Chase, Capital One, Citi, and Bilt all transfer to Virgin Atlantic. That meant almost everyone in our group could get there from whatever flexible points they were earning, instead of being locked into one airline’s currency.

Use free tools to check award availability

Award seats are limited, especially when you need a lot of them at once. Since our flights were almost a year out and not even released yet, I used June of the previous year as a stand-in to get a feel for how many points we would likely need and how available the seats tend to be.

There are paid tools for this, but there are good free ones too, so you do not have to spend money to start searching. Always confirm what you see directly on the airline’s website before you transfer any points, because once you transfer, you usually cannot transfer back. For this trip, I used point.me/amex, which is always free for American Express cardholders, and seats.aero, which has free and paid versions. If you want to use the Pro version of seats.aero, but don’t want to pay for a whole year, just sign up for a month when you’re looking and cancel.

Book one way for flexibility

We always book our flights one way rather than round trip. It gives us maximum flexibility, and it buys some of our family members more time to keep earning points for their return leg. Award pricing is usually the same whether you book one way or round trip, so you rarely lose anything by splitting it up, and you gain a lot of options.

Get Creative: Transfer Partners and Repositioning

Transfer partners are your superpower. Flexible points from banks like Amex, Chase, Capital One, Citi, and Bilt can move to many different airlines. That means you are not stuck. If one airline wants a fortune in miles, you check that bank’s other partners and find the one that prices the same flight far cheaper. That is exactly how we landed on Virgin Atlantic.

I offer free transfer guides for my e-newsletter subscribers. Sign up here, then drop me a line for links.

Repositioning opens up cheaper awards. Sometimes the best deal is not from your home airport at all. Flying yourself to a different city first, called a positioning flight, can unlock much better award space. It sounds advanced, but it is really just being willing to look one step beyond the obvious route.

Booking Our Lodging

Hotels and lodging are another area where you can easily use points and miles. Hyatt in particular is a sweet spot for families and offers locations across Europe, in addition to other well-known chains like Marriott and Hilton. Choice Hotels also has a sizable footprint in Europe.

However, we were doing some unconventional lodging since we were going to be in a very rural area in Italy, and then we immediately got onto a cruise. For Italy, we stayed at Country House Nonna Pina, an agriturismo run by a family that also offers meals with local ingredients made by the owner. We really enjoyed our stay here, and we were able to “erase” the cost using Capital One Miles.

Booking the Cruise

After the land tour, we boarded a ship for a Mediterranean cruise from Italy to Croatia, Montenegro, and Greece, which was another place that the ability to “erase” travel purchases was essential. Certain cards, like the Capital One Venture, let you redeem points for a statement credit, as well as the Bank of America Travel Rewards card my parents already had, and some Air Canada Aeroplan cards.

For a cruise, the best strategy is to only pay the minimum deposit at booking, continue earning points before the final deposit is due, and erase a large portion of it after the final payment hits your statement.

Final Thoughts

Coordinating points and miles travel for eleven people across three households was, I’ll be honest, a lot. But experiencing this trip together as a family made it all worth it. Rewards travel really is for anyone who is willing to learn.

As always, if you have questions or want help figuring out where to start, send me a message on Instagram. I’m also a certified travel advisor, planner, and strategist, and I’d love to take trip planning and booking off of your plate. Fill out my trip planning form and tell me a little about the trip you have in mind, and I’ll be in touch about next steps. Happy travels!

• 

  Advice | Europe | Family | Featured | How to | Hyatt | North America | Rewards Travel | United States | USA

  Why Hyatt Hotels Is the Best Brand for Family Rewards Travel

  ByMari October 21, 2026October 21, 2026

  When it comes to finding the perfect hotel for our family vacation, Hyatt consistently stands out. With an amazing rewards program, family-friendly accommodations, and unbeatable perks, Hyatt hotels makes it easier to travel with our family for way fewer points than other hotel brands (sorry, Marriott and Hilton!). When it comes to rewards travel, brand loyalty always pays off. Here’s why Hyatt has consistently been the best hotel brand choice for our family, for redeeming points at the best value, earn rewards, and stretching our travel budget.

• 

  Abroad | Advice | Capital One | Chase | Europe | Family | Featured | How to | Italy | Rewards Travel

  How We Booked Europe on Points and Miles for a Family of 11

  ByMari October 19, 2026October 19, 2026

  How we booked Europe on points and miles for a family of 11: our card strategy, Virgin Atlantic award flights, and how we erased our lodging and cruise.

The post How We Booked Europe on Points and Miles for a Family of 11 appeared first on Mari on the Map.

London is one of the best cities for an international family trip, and for good reason. Some of the city’s best museums are completely free, kids under 11 ride buses and the Underground for free with a paying adult, and there’s always a park or playground nearby when everyone needs a break. With three days in London, you can see many of the city’s biggest sights, mix in plenty of kid-friendly fun, and still keep the pace manageable for the whole family.

This London with kids itinerary keeps each day in a single part of the city, so you’re not moving across the city in one day, which can be daunting: London is huge. Day one covers Westminster and the River Thames, day two is the museum district and Hyde Park, and day three is the Tower and the east side. If you have more time, I’ve added some of my favorite additional day trips to round out a 4- or 5-day stay across the pond.

Before You Go: Quick Planning Notes

Best Time to Visit London With Kids

London has plenty to see and do in every season, but you may prefer one over the other for your family:

• April to June: Long days, gardens in bloom, and the weather is as good as London gets. This is the best window for families.
• July and August: Warmest and busiest. Attractions sell out, prices can climb, and museums get packed. Book everything ahead of time. Summer heat is also a real consideration now in a way it wasn’t ten years ago, with heat waves creeping in.
• September and October: Still mild, noticeably quieter once British schools go back, and hotel prices come down.
• November to March: Short days and plenty of grey skies, but the city comes to life around the holidays. Christmas lights, ice rinks, and every free museum is a great idea when it’s raining. If you’re going in December, I have a full guide to Christmas in London with kids.

Whatever month you pick, pack a rain jacket for everyone and shoes that can get wet. London rain is rarely dramatic, but it’s almost always present.

Getting Around London With Kids

London has a fabulous public transit system that makes getting around with kids a breeze. Children under 11 travel free on the Tube, DLR, Overground and Elizabeth line when they’re with a fare-paying adult, up to four kids per adult. They don’t need a ticket at all. You take them through the wide gate with you. Under 11s also ride buses and trams free at any time, with or without an adult.

For kids aged 11 to 15, ask staff at any Tube station to add the Young Visitor discount to an Oyster card. It gives them child fares and lasts 14 days, which covers almost any family trip.

Adults just tap a contactless card or phone. There’s a daily cap, so once you’ve made a few journeys the rest of the day is effectively free. Buses are a flat fare no matter how far you go, and the Hopper fare means you can change buses as many times as you like within an hour for that one fare.

Some things to know to make your day easier:

• Buses can be better than the Tube with young children. You get a view, there are no stairs, and the top deck front seats are the cheapest attraction in London.
• Not every Tube station has a lift (elevator). If you have a stroller, check step-free access before you plan a route, or take the bus instead. Buses are one step up from the street to enter, so that’s much easier with a folded stroller.
• The Uber Boat river service on the Thames is real public transport rather than a tour, and it’s a good way to cover distance while the kids think they’re on a boat ride. Keep in mind that the inside has no AC, so you’ll want to sit in the back where it’s open on warm days.

Practical Tips for London With Kids

• The big museums are free. The British Museum, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, Tate Modern and National Gallery all cost nothing to walk into.
• Book paid attractions in advance. The Tower of London, the London Eye, and anything Harry Potter related sell out in school holidays.
• Pubs are family friendly at lunch. Most welcome children until early evening and almost all have a kids menu.
• Public toilets are scarce and often cost money. Use the ones in museums and department stores while you have the chance.
• Look right before you cross. It’s painted on the road for a reason, and it’s the one thing worth drilling into kids before you land.
• Build in park time. London has green space everywhere, and a park is a great way to end a long sightseeing day.
• Sort out your data before you land. You’ll be checking maps and bus routes constantly in London, so having a connection the moment you step off the plane matters. Try Holafly for an eSIM, which installs before you leave home and switches on when you arrive, so there’s no hunting for a SIM card in an airport with tired kids. Use code MARIHOLAFLY for a discount.

Where to Stay in London With Kids

London is really big, so when you’re planning London with kids the neighborhood matters as much as the hotel. What you want is somewhere with a Tube station, somewhere with a range of places to eat, and a park within walking distance. These areas do all of that.

South Kensington

This is the easiest area for families. The Natural History Museum, Science Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum are all on the same street, Hyde Park is a short walk north, and the neighborhood is calm in the evening. If you’re traveling with younger kids and want to be able to walk home for a nap, stay here.

Westminster and the South Bank

Staying near the river puts you walking distance from Big Ben, the London Eye, Borough Market and the Tate Modern. The South Bank in particular is a good base because the whole riverside walk is flat, wide and stroller friendly, and there’s almost always something happening on it.

Covent Garden and Bloomsbury

Central, walkable, and close to the British Museum. Covent Garden has street performers going most of the day, which buys you a free half hour whenever you need one. Bloomsbury just north is quieter and often better value, and Coram’s Fields is there, a seven-acre playground where adults are only allowed in if they arrive with a child under 16.

East London

On our last trip, we stayed at the Hyatt Place London City East. Our room was spacious for being in the city, included free breakfast, and was walking distance to a Tube station and other attractions like the Tower of London. We used points to get our stay for no cash out of pocket.

London With Kids Itinerary Map

Here’s every stop from this itinerary on one map. Blue is day one around Westminster, red is day two in South Kensington and Hyde Park, and green is day three around the Tower and Borough Market.

3 Day London Itinerary

Here’s how I recommend breaking down the days on your London with kids itinerary:

• Day 1: Westminster, Buckingham Palace, and the river
• Day 2: The South Kensington museums and Hyde Park
• Day 3: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and Borough Market

Day 1: Westminster and the River Thames

Start at Westminster station. Come up the stairs and Big Ben is directly in front of you, which is a delightful first moment for kids who have only seen it on TV. The bridge behind it gives you the postcard view back toward the London Eye.

This is a great time to actually ride the London Eye if it’s on your list, and you’re not afraid of heights. Make sure to buy a timed ticket in advance, and remember that you will still wait in the line to get into a pod, even with a timed ticket. On hot or cold days, the London Eye can be a great break since the pods are temperature controlled, with both heat and AC.

Walk up Whitehall toward Trafalgar Square. You’ll pass Downing Street behind its gates and the Horse Guards, where two mounted soldiers sit completely still while tourists photograph them.

Trafalgar Square is worth a stop. The four bronze lions at the base of Nelson’s Column are the thing kids head straight for, but you’re meant to stay on the stone bases rather than climb onto the lions themselves. The bronze has been worn thin in places after more than a hundred and fifty years of climbers, and the statues stand around eleven feet tall. The plinth gets you the same photo without climbing.

The National Gallery is in the Square and free. With kids, don’t try to do the whole gallery. Pick three paintings, find them, and leave, or play the animal game, where each child counts how many of a certain animal they see in the paintings.

Buckingham Palace is a fifteen minute walk through St James Park, which is one of the nicest walks in central London and has a lake full of pelicans. If you want to see the Changing of the Guard, check the schedule ahead (it doesn’t run every day), and get there early, so little ones can see (it’s standing only). It is free, and can get crowded, but it is worth doing.

In the afternoon, get out on the water. The Uber Boat runs from Westminster Pier and takes you east past the whole skyline. You can ride it to Tower Bridge or all the way to Greenwich, if you’re enjoying the ride.

For the evening, Covent Garden is a ten minute walk from Trafalgar Square and the street performers run until late. You can get dinner at one of the food stalls, and the covered market is a good place to sit if it’s raining.

Day 2: Museums and Hyde Park

Day two is the reason South Kensington is such a good base for London with kids. Three world-class museums, all free, all within two blocks.

Start at the Natural History Museum and get there for opening. The building is incredible, with a blue whale skeleton hanging in the entrance hall. The dinosaur gallery is the main event, and it gets busy fast, so do it first before the other galleries. A free timed ticket is recommended but not strictly mandatory for general admission, though booking online in advance helps you skip the main queue.

The Science Museum is directly next door, and it’s great for a hands-on experience. Wonderlab is the interactive gallery for kids aged between 7 and 14, and it’s the one paid part of the museum.

The Victoria & Albert Museum is across the road and is the most adult-focused of the three, but the courtyard has a shallow paddling pool that children run straight into on a warm day. It’s a good place to eat lunch and let everyone reset.

In the afternoon, walk north into Kensington Gardens. The Diana Memorial Playground is here and it’s the best free playground in central London, built around a wooden pirate ship in a sand pit. Adults are only admitted with a child, so there are no strangers milling around. It gets busy in the afternoon, and they cap numbers, so there can be a line.

From there you can walk through Hyde Park to the Serpentine, where you can rent a pedal boat, or just keep walking east and come out near Marble Arch.

Day 3: The Tower, Tower Bridge, and Borough Market

The Tower of London is the one paid attraction in this itinerary that’s worth the money. It’s a real castle, there are live ravens, the Crown Jewels are inside, and the Yeoman Warder tours are included in your ticket and can be really funny. They are performers as much as guides, and they hold children’s attention very well.

Book online for a timed slot and go first thing. The Crown Jewels queue is the longest between midday and mid-afternoon. Children under five are free.

Tower Bridge is right there and you can walk across it for free. If you want to go up, the Tower Bridge Exhibition takes you along the high walkways with a glass floor you can look straight down through. Kids can follow the Tower Bridge Cat Trail to collect stamps in an activity booklet or passport by finding Bella the Tower Bridge Cat along the high-level walkways and engine rooms.

Cross the bridge and walk west along the south bank to Borough Market. This is the best food stop in this itinerary. It’s a real market rather than a tourist one, and you can ask for samples. Picking lunch from the different stalls can be more fun for kids than sitting in a restaurant. Go on a weekday if you can, because Saturday is chaos.

The Internet famous Turnips at Borough Market is worth the hype. They serve fresh, whole strawberries in a cup and generously coated with warm, silky melted Belgian milk chocolate from a fountain machine. One cup was enough for the four of us to share. Find them at stall 43.

From Borough Market you’re a short walk from the Tate Modern and the Millennium Bridge, which crosses to St Paul’s. Walking the bridge is free and the view back along the river is one of the best in the city. The Tate Modern is free to enter, although timed tickets are recommended. If you don’t want to see the exhibits, skip to the cafe, which has an outdoor balcony that has a lovely view over the Thames. It can be a great spot for a quick snack or walking break.

If anyone still has energy, Sky Garden is free with an advance booking and gives you the best view in London without the London Eye queue.

What to Add If You Have More Time in London With Kids

Three days covers central London. If you have more time, these are the side trips I’d add. Each one is a full day, so plan for that when adding them on.

Richmond

Richmond is twenty minutes from central London and feels like a quaint village. There’s a deer park, a riverside, and if anyone in your family watches Ted Lasso, many scenes from the show were filmed there. I have a full guide to spending a day in Richmond with kids.

Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens is about the same distance out and a short hop from Richmond, so you could pair the two if you had a long day or wanted to stay over nearer to LHR on your first or last day. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and it’s enormous, with glasshouses full of plants you won’t see anywhere else. For kids the draws are the Treetop Walkway, which puts you up at canopy height, and the Children’s Garden, which is one of the biggest play spaces in London (it is massive and endless!). Plan on most of a day.

Greenwich

Greenwich is a spot that feels different from central London, and getting there is half the fun because you can take the river boat all the way down. The Cutty Sark is a real tea clipper you can walk underneath, the National Maritime Museum is free, and up the hill in Greenwich Park, the Royal Observatory lets kids stand on the Prime Meridian with a foot in each hemisphere. The view back toward the city from the top of the park is beautiful.

Harry Potter

The Warner Bros Studio Tour is where the Harry Potter films were made. It’s outside London, tickets sell out weeks ahead, and it takes a full day. If you have a child who is into the books, it’s worth building the trip around.

The British Museum

The British Museum deserves its own morning rather than being squeezed in. It’s free, it’s enormous, and the Egyptian galleries are fun and interesting for the whole family.

Even More London

If you’re still looking for more to do in London, the best way forward is to consider what your family likes best. After all, London is a huge city like NYC or San Francisco, and there’s truly something for everyone.

If you’re movie fans, Notting Hill is a short trip from the museum district and lovely to walk through. Portobello Road market runs on Saturday and is the one place that’s better when it’s busy.

If you have Beatles fans, the Abbey Road crossing is in St John’s Wood and costs nothing, and there’s a shop next to it selling endless Beatles merchandise. Liverpool is the real Beatles home, but it’s two and a half hours each way by train, which makes it an overnight rather than a day trip.

A Note on Summer Heat and Air Conditioning

We’ve now visited London twice in June, and it’s important from an American family perspective (aka AC lovers) that you know what to expect. UK summers have changed dramatically in recent years. Summer 2025 was the warmest on record for the UK, with four separate heatwaves. Summer 2026 ran hotter still, and by mid-July had already logged more days above 86℉ than typical for entire summers. The UK all-time record is 104.5℉.

Most of the city still has no air conditioning. Hotels, restaurants, shops, homes, and much of the transport network were built for a cool damp climate that never needed it. A 95℉ day in a building with no cooling is a very different experience from a 95℉ day in Florida, and you’re going to feel it.

If you’re traveling in June, July, or August, a few things help:

• Confirm your hotel has air conditioning. Many older and mid-range London hotels still don’t have it, and a fan isn’t the same thing when nobody can sleep. Even places with AC usually only get down to 74℉ at the coolest, which can make settling down for sleep a challenge.
• Know which Tube lines are cooled. The deep lines run hot and have no air conditioning, which includes the Central, Northern, Piccadilly, Bakerloo, Victoria and Jubilee. The District, Circle, Hammersmith and City, Metropolitan and Elizabeth lines are air conditioned, and so are the buses. On a hot day, it’s worth taking a slower cooled route over a faster hot one.
• Use the museums as your midday cooling break, but check first whether they’re air conditioned. The British Museum, for example, doesn’t have full air conditioning across the whole building, which can make certain galleries uncomfortably hot on a summer day.
• Carry refillable water bottles both for kids and adults. Refill points are common across the city now, and any pub or restaurant that serves alcohol has to give you free tap water if you ask for it.
• Move the outdoor parts of each day to the morning and the evening. London stays light until well past nine in midsummer, so an evening park walk is easy to build in.

None of this means avoid summer! But if your dates are flexible, late May, September, and early October give you long days without the weather risk, and that’s a large part of why the shoulder seasons are the better bet for London with kids.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do you need in London with kids?

Three days is enough to cover the major sights without rushing. Five lets you add Richmond, Kew, or Greenwich, and gives you a slower pace, which is usually the better trip with younger children.

Do kids travel free on the Tube in London?

Children under 11 travel free on the Tube, DLR, Overground, and Elizabeth line, when accompanied by a fare-paying adult, up to four children per adult, and they do not need a ticket. Under 11s also travel free on buses and trams at any time. Children aged 11 to 15 can get child fares by asking Tube station staff to add the Young Visitor discount to an Oyster card.

To be clear, this means 10 years old or younger. Don’t get caught with an 11 year-old without a ticket because there is a hefty fine.

Is London expensive with a family?

It can be, but many of the biggest attractions are free. The major museums cost nothing, the parks are free, children ride public transit free, and the best views in the city are from Sky Garden and the Millennium Bridge, which are also free. Accommodation and food are where most of your budget will go. However, accommodations can become significantly cheaper or even free when utilizing points and miles.

What is the best area to stay in London with kids?

South Kensington is the easiest, because three major museums and Hyde Park are all walkable and the area is quiet at night. The South Bank and Bloomsbury are also good, and both are more central. East London can be lovely if you are prioritizing the Tower Bridge area.

Is London walkable with young children?

Central London is very walkable, but distances look shorter on a map than they feel. Plan on using buses between neighborhoods and walking within them. Not all Tube stations have lifts (elevators), so check access if you have a stroller.

Do Americans need anything to enter the UK besides a passport?

Yes. US citizens now need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to visit the UK, and that includes babies and kids. It costs £20 per person and you apply through the official UK ETA app or on the UK government website. It usually takes a few minutes, but give yourself at least three working days before your flight in case yours needs extra review. Your ETA is linked to the passport you apply with and lasts two years or until that passport expires, so if you renew anyone’s passport before the trip, apply with the new one. Only use the official app or gov.uk, since other websites charge a lot more for the same thing.

Final Thoughts

There’s a good reason London is so popular with families. With free family-friendly attractions, discounts on public transit for kids, history, entertainment, great food, playgrounds, and more all around, you’re never short on fun things to do on a family trip. If you want even more London, check out my 22 Best Things to Do in London With Kids.

If you’re planning a Europe itinerary, these places pair particularly well with a London trip due to proximity: Ireland Itinerary With Kids, 5-Day Copenhagen With Kids Itinerary, and What to Do in Lisbon With Kids? 20 Fun Activities.

If you have any questions, send me a message on Instagram. I’m always happy to share more tips. I’m also a travel advisor, and I’d love to help you plan and book your London trip! To get started, please fill out my trip planning form and tell me a little about the trip you have in mind, and I’ll be in touch about next steps. Happy travels!

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  Advice | Europe | Family | Featured | How to | Hyatt | North America | Rewards Travel | United States | USA

  Why Hyatt Hotels Is the Best Brand for Family Rewards Travel

  ByMari October 21, 2026October 21, 2026

  When it comes to finding the perfect hotel for our family vacation, Hyatt consistently stands out. With an amazing rewards program, family-friendly accommodations, and unbeatable perks, Hyatt hotels makes it easier to travel with our family for way fewer points than other hotel brands (sorry, Marriott and Hilton!). When it comes to rewards travel, brand loyalty always pays off. Here’s why Hyatt has consistently been the best hotel brand choice for our family, for redeeming points at the best value, earn rewards, and stretching our travel budget.

• 

  Abroad | Advice | Capital One | Chase | Europe | Family | Featured | How to | Italy | Rewards Travel

  How We Booked Europe on Points and Miles for a Family of 11

  ByMari October 19, 2026October 19, 2026

  How we booked Europe on points and miles for a family of 11: our card strategy, Virgin Atlantic award flights, and how we erased our lodging and cruise.

The post London With Kids: The Perfect 3 Day Itinerary appeared first on Mari on the Map.

London is easier with kids than most people expect. The biggest museums are free, children ride the buses and the Underground for nothing, and there’s a park every few blocks for the moment when everyone needs to stop walking.

London is big, and the difference between a good day and an exhausting one is usually how much time you spent getting between places instead of being in them. The key to an enjoyable trip is grouping your time by location to avoid hopping around too much in one day.

If you’re trying to figure out the best things to do in London with your family, this is my list of 22, with the family tips and logistics that make each one go more smoothly.

22 Best Things to Do in London With Kids

1. Start With a Guided Tour

Starting with a tour is one of the best things to do in London with kids on your first day, before you do anything else. It changes the rest of the trip. Instead of walking past buildings and checking a map to figure out what they are, you recognize things, and the kids remember places much better when someone has told them a story about them. London especially rewards this, because so much of the city is layered with history that’s invisible if nobody points it out.

There are three good ways to do it, and which one you pick depends mostly on the age of your kids. Book a morning slot whatever you choose. Patience is always highest before lunch.

Hop On Hop Off Bus

This is the one I’d choose with younger children. We like to treat these as our transportation for the day rather than as a tour, so we ride a few stops, get off for a look or a snack, then get back on when legs start to get tired. You cover a lot of ground without anyone having to walk it, with a wonderful view from the top deck.

Walking Tour

A walking tour gives you far more detail and takes you into the smaller streets a bus can’t reach. It’s the better option if your kids can handle a couple of hours on foot with breaks. Pick a shorter route and do it early in the day, when everyone has the most stamina.

River Cruise

A cruise on the Thames is the easiest one to sell to kids, because who doesn’t love a boat ride? You get the whole skyline from the water, everyone is sitting down, and it works well on a first afternoon when the jet lag is still catching up with you.

2. Ride a Red Double Decker Bus

Riding a red double decker bus is one of the simplest things to do in London with children, and you don’t need a tour bus for it. The regular London buses are double deckers, and the front seats on the top deck give you the best view in the city for the price of a normal fare.

Children under 11 ride the buses free at any time, so you’re only paying for the adults. It’s a flat fare no matter how far you go, and the Hopper fare means you can change buses as many times as you like within an hour without paying again.

If you want a route that passes a lot of landmarks, numbers 11, 15 and 24 all do well. Route 15 also runs the old style Routemaster buses on part of its route, which are the ones with the open platform at the back.

One thing that makes all of this easier is sorting out your data before you land. You’ll be checking maps and bus routes constantly in London, so having a connection the moment you step off the plane matters. Try Holafly for an eSIM, which installs before you leave home and switches on when you arrive, so there’s no hunting for a SIM card in an airport with tired kids. Use code MARIHOLAFLY for a discount.

3. See Big Ben and Westminster

Coming up out of Westminster station and finding Big Ben directly in front of you is a good first moment, especially for kids who have only ever seen it in cartoons. It’s bigger than they expect and it’s right there, with no build up.

Walk out onto Westminster Bridge for the view back toward the London Eye, which is the one most people picture when they think of London. The Houses of Parliament run along the river beside it, and the whole stretch is flat and easy with a stroller.

Westminster Abbey is next door if you want to go inside. With younger kids I’d look at it from the outside, explain that this is where the coronations happen, and save the interior for a trip when they’re older.

4. Explore Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is an easy stop because it’s open, flat and full of space to move around. After narrow pavements and busy streets, that matters more than it sounds. The four bronze lions at the base of Nelson’s Column are the highlight of the stop.

One thing worth knowing before they do. You’re meant to stay on the stone bases rather than climb onto the lions themselves. The signs around the square ask people not to climb the statues, and while it isn’t strictly enforced, there are good reasons for it. The lions have been there since 1867 and generations of climbers have worn the bronze thin in places, with cracks along the backs and tails where people use them as a step. They also stand around eleven feet tall, and falls have caused serious injuries.

The stone plinth gets you the same photo without either problem, so that’s where we’d put the kids.

The National Gallery sits along one whole side of the square and it’s free to walk into. With small children I wouldn’t attempt the full collection. Choose two or three paintings ahead of time, find those, and let that be the visit. The gift shop makes a reasonable trade for their cooperation.

There are public toilets and cafes here, which is worth knowing because both are harder to find when you visit London.

5. Watch the Changing of the Guard

The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is free and it’s a thing worth doing once, even though it’s crowded and you’ll spend more time waiting than watching. The uniforms, the band, and the horses are what the kids remember.

It doesn’t run every day, and the schedule changes with the season, so check before you build your morning around it. This is the official Household Division schedule page.

Watching the Changing of the Guard is one of the most typical things to do in London, so get there at least forty-five minutes early if you want a spot at the gates. If you arrive later than that, don’t fight the crowd. Stand along The Mall instead and watch the guards march past on their way in, which is honestly a better view for a short child anyway.

6. Walk Through St James’s Park

The route from Trafalgar Square to Buckingham Palace goes straight through St James’s Park, and it’s a nice 15-minute walk through central London. If you’re doing the Changing of the Guard, you’ll pass through the park anyway, so give yourself some extra time and treat it as a stop rather than just part of the route.

There’s a lake through the middle with a bridge across it that has a great view of the palace. The park is also known for its pelicans, which have lived there since the 1600s when they were given to the king as a gift from a Russian ambassador. They get fed in the afternoon and kids love watching it.

7. Ride the London Eye

The London Eye is a giant observation wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames. The full rotation takes about 30 minutes, giving you views across central London from the glass capsules. It moves slowly, so there’s no need to wait for it to stop. You simply step on and off while it continues moving.

Book online and choose a timed slot. Queues can be long if you buy tickets at the door, and waiting around with young kids isn’t ideal.

Go on a clear day if you can be flexible, and go late in the afternoon in winter, when it gets dark early and you get the city lit up.

This is one of the only spots in London with consistent air conditioning, so it’s also worth hopping on if you visit during a heat wave.

8. Go Up to Sky Garden for Free

Sky Garden is at the top of a building in the City with a public garden inside and a viewing terrace, and the whole thing is free. You book a slot online in advance and they release tickets a few weeks ahead, so this needs a little planning but no money.

The view takes in the Thames, Tower Bridge and the Shard, and because it’s indoors it works on a day when the weather has ruined everything else. This is one of the best things to do in London with kids that costs nothing at all, there’s no ticket queue and there’s space to sit down.

9. Take a Boat Down the Thames

The Uber Boat river service is proper public transport rather than a sightseeing cruise, which means it’s cheaper and you can use it to actually get somewhere. It runs the length of central London, so you can ride from Westminster all the way east past the whole skyline and get off wherever you’re headed next.

This is one of my favorite things to do in London with kids. They get the fun of a boat ride while you’re also getting from one part of the city to another. Everyone can sit down, and you get a completely different view of London than you would from the Underground.

Sit outside at the back if the weather allows. There is no air conditioning inside.

10. Visit the Tower of London

Of all the paid things to do in London, this is the one I’d spend the money on. It’s a real castle in the middle of the city, nearly a thousand years old, and there’s enough going on inside that kids stay interested for hours.

The Crown Jewels are here, and so are the ravens, which have their own keeper and their own legend about the kingdom falling if they ever leave. The Yeoman Warder tours are included with your ticket and they’re the best part of the visit. The warders are performers as much as guides, and they hold children’s attention better than any audio guide.

Book a timed slot online and go as early as you can. The queue for the Crown Jewels builds through the morning and is at its worst from midday onward.

Children under five are free. Do the Warder tour first while everyone is fresh, then the Crown Jewels, then let the kids run around the walls and the green at the end when nobody wants to concentrate anymore.

11. Walk Across Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is the one people actually picture when they think of things to do in London, and walking across it costs nothing. It’s right beside the Tower, so the two go together naturally in the same day.

If you want more than the walk, the Tower Bridge Exhibition takes you up into the high walkways between the two towers, where there’s a glass floor you can look straight down through at the traffic and the river.

Ask about the Tower Bridge Cat Trail when you enter. Kids can collect stamps in an activity booklet or passport by finding Bella the Tower Bridge Cat along the high-level walkways and engine rooms.

The bridge still lifts for tall ships, and the schedule is published on the Tower Bridge website. If you can time your visit to catch a lift, it’s worth planning around.

12. Visit Borough Market

Borough Market is my favorite food stop in London with kids. It’s a proper working market rather than a tourist one, it has been on the same site in some form for around a thousand years, and it’s under a railway arch so it works in the rain.

What makes it good with children is that you’re not sitting still in a restaurant waiting for food. You walk through, everyone points at what they want, and you build lunch from six different stalls. There are samples everywhere, which handles the problem of a child who says they don’t like something they have never tried.

Turnips at Borough Market, which serves fresh, whole strawberries in a cup and generously coated with warm, silky melted Belgian milk chocolate from a fountain machine, is absolutely worth the hype. The lines are not as long as you see on TikTok. It costs around £8.50 to £9.50 per cup, but your whole family can share one. We got two, and it was a lot. You can find them at Stall 43.

Go on a weekday if you can. Saturday is shoulder to shoulder and harder with a stroller or a small child who wants to look at things.

13. Visit the Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum is free and it’s the one I’d put first if you only do one museum in London. The building itself gets a reaction before you’ve seen a single exhibit, with a huge vaulted entrance hall and a blue whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling. There are even huge dinosaur fossil recreations outside before you enter.

The dinosaur gallery is what most kids come for, and it’s the busiest part of the museum, so go there first and work backward through everything else. The rest of the collection is enormous and you’re not going to see it all, which is fine. Because there’s no ticket, there’s no pressure to get your money’s worth.

Check the website the day before, because free timed tickets are sometimes needed during busy periods.

14. Visit the Science Museum

The Science Museum is directly next door to the Natural History Museum, which makes South Kensington the easiest area in London for a family day. This is the better of the two for kids who need to touch things rather than look at them.

Wonderlab is the interactive gallery and it’s the one part of the museum you pay for. It’s worth it if your kids are between 7 and 14 years old. There are live demonstrations, things to pull and push and set off, and it holds a wide age range at the same time, which isn’t easy to find.

If your children love interactive museums, this is the one you should choose!

15. Visit the British Museum

The British Museum is free, and it’s so big that going in without a plan is a mistake with children. The building alone is worth walking into for the Great Court, which is a covered courtyard with a glass roof in the middle of the museum.

With kids, I’d go straight to the Egyptian galleries. The mummies are the thing they’ll talk about afterward, and the Rosetta Stone is on the way. Do that, see anything else you happen to walk past, and leave before anyone gets tired of it.

This deserves its own morning rather than being added onto the end of a full day. It is a fifteen minute walk from Covent Garden if you want to pair the two.

16. Play at the Diana Memorial Playground

This is the best free playground in central London, in Kensington Gardens, and it’s built around a full sized wooden pirate ship sitting in an enormous sand pit. There are also teepees, a sensory trail and plenty of space to run.

One thing worth knowing is that adults are only allowed in if they arrive with a child, which is a safeguarding rule and also means the whole place is genuinely built for kids rather than shared with everyone else.

It gets busy in the afternoon and they cap the number of people inside, so there can be a wait to get in. From the playground you can walk on through Hyde Park to the Serpentine and rent a pedal boat.

17. Visit London Zoo

London Zoo is in Regent’s Park. It opened in 1828 and is one of the oldest scientific zoos in the world, and a lot of it has been rebuilt in recent years, so it doesn’t feel like an old zoo.

The walk-through enclosures are the parts kids talk about afterward, where you’re inside the space with the animals rather than looking at them from behind glass. Give it most of a day rather than squeezing it into an afternoon.

Buy tickets online in advance. They’re cheaper than at the gate and it saves you the queue.

18. Explore Covent Garden

Covent Garden was London’s fruit and vegetable market for around 300 years before becoming the area it is today. The original glass-roofed market building is still there, with the Apple Market stalls inside and shops and restaurants around it. The whole area is pedestrianized, which is especially nice when you’re exploring with kids and don’t have to worry about traffic.

There are street performers in the piazza throughout most of the day. They audition for their spots, so there are usually some really good acts, and the kids can easily spend half an hour watching a show. You’ll also often find classical musicians playing in the lower courtyard while people eat.

The London Transport Museum is here too. Kids can climb on old buses, trams and Tube carriages, follow a stamp trail through the galleries, and try the Tube train simulator. Adult tickets are valid for a whole year and children go free, so it can be a good option if you’re looking for something to do with kids in central London.

Covent Garden is about a 10-minute walk from Trafalgar Square, so it’s easy to add to a day exploring Westminster.

If it starts raining, this is where to go. The market building is covered, the Transport Museum is indoors, and you can get an entire afternoon out of the two without going back out into it.

19. See Platform 9¾ and the Harry Potter Studio Tour

If you have a Harry Potter fan in the family, there are two versions of this and they’re very different commitments.

Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross

This is the quick one. There’s a luggage trolley set into the wall at King’s Cross station, halfway through, with a staff member handing out scarves and helping with the photo. It’s free, it takes about fifteen minutes including the queue, and there’s a shop next to it. If you’re passing through the station anyway, it’s an easy win.

Warner Bros Studio Tour

This is the full version, and it’s where the films were actually made. The sets are still standing, including the Great Hall and Diagon Alley, and you walk through them. It’s outside London, it takes most of a day including the travel, and tickets sell out weeks ahead.

If you have a child who has read the books, this is the kind of thing you build a trip around rather than fit into one. Book the studio tour before you book anything else, including your flights if you can.

20. Take a Day Trip to Richmond

Richmond is about twenty minutes from central London by train, but it feels like a different place entirely, more like a village on the Thames than part of the city. There’s a huge deer park with actual wild deer, a riverside to walk along, and a much slower pace than you’ll find in central London.

If anyone in your family watches Ted Lasso, Richmond will be especially fun to visit. Many parts of the show were filmed here, including the pub that appears as the Crown & Anchor. The real pub, The Prince’s Head, is right on Richmond Green and you can actually go inside.

If you have more than three days in London, this is one of the first additions I’d make to your list of things to do in London with kids. I have a full guide to spending a day in Richmond with kids.

21. Spend a Day at Kew Gardens

Kew is a short hop from Richmond, so you could pair the two if you had a long day, though each is comfortably a day on its own. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and it’s enormous, with glasshouses full of plants you won’t see anywhere else.

For kids the draws are the Treetop Walkway, which puts you up at canopy height above the trees, and the Children’s Garden, which is one of the biggest play spaces in London. It is truly massive, and your kids could easily spend the entire day there. Each section has different things to do and a new type of play apparatus.

Kew also puts on a Christmas light trail through the gardens after dark in November and December. It’s a lovely option if you’re visiting London with kids in winter. If you’re planning a Christmas trip to London, I have a full guide with everything you need to know.

22. Take the Boat to Greenwich

Greenwich is the one I’d do if you want a day that feels different from central London, and getting there is half the fun because you can take the river boat all the way down instead of the Tube. The Cutty Sark is a real tea clipper you can walk underneath, which is a strange and brilliant thing to see from below.

Once in Greenwich, the National Maritime Museum is free and has plenty for children. Up the hill in Greenwich Park, the Royal Observatory lets kids stand on the Prime Meridian with a foot in each hemisphere, and the view back toward the city from the top of the park is beautiful.

When to Visit London With Kids

London is great all year, and the free museums mean a rainy or cold trip (as London often is) is never a wasted one. But the seasons are different enough to be worth thinking about when you’re planning the best things to do in London with your family.

Spring

April through June is the best window for a family trip. The days are long, the parks are at their best, and the weather is as good as London gets. Prices haven’t climbed to summer levels yet and the crowds are manageable.

Summer

July and August are the warmest and by far the busiest. Attractions sell out, hotel prices climb, and the museums are packed. Heat is also a real consideration now in a way it wasn’t ten years ago, and most of London has no air conditioning, which catches American families off guard. Book everything ahead and use the free museums as your cooling break in the middle of the day, though check first which ones are actually air conditioned. Keep in mind that London AC doesn’t get as cold as American AC; you’re looking at a low of 74℉ with the AC as low as it goes.

Fall

September and October are underrated. It’s still mild, the city gets noticeably quieter once British schools go back, and hotel prices drop. If your kids aren’t in school yet or you have a fall break, this is probably the best value trip of the year. And if you happen to be there in October, you’ll catch all the Halloween decorations around the city.

Winter

November through March means short days and a lot of grey, but the free museums matter more than ever and the city does Christmas seriously from early November. The lights go up along the main shopping streets and stay until January. If you’re looking for things to do in London with kids in December, I have a full guide to Christmas in London with kids.

Final Thoughts

If you’re working out the best things to do in London with kids, the single thing that will improve your trip most is grouping by area. London is big enough that you don’t want to spend most of your day going between places instead of enjoying them.

A simple structure that works for us when we’re picking things to do in London with kids: one big attraction, one museum, one park, and one food stop. Repeat that each day and you’ll see the city without anyone melting down halfway through the afternoon.

If you want these best things to do in London with kids laid out day by day instead of as a list, I have a full London with kids 3 day itinerary.

If you have any questions, send me a message on Instagram. I’m always happy to share more tips. I’m also a travel advisor, and I’d love to help you plan and book your London trip! To get started, please fill out my trip planning form and tell me a little about the trip you have in mind, and I’ll be in touch about next steps. Happy travels!

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  Advice | Europe | Family | Featured | How to | Hyatt | North America | Rewards Travel | United States | USA

  Why Hyatt Hotels Is the Best Brand for Family Rewards Travel

  ByMari October 21, 2026October 21, 2026

  When it comes to finding the perfect hotel for our family vacation, Hyatt consistently stands out. With an amazing rewards program, family-friendly accommodations, and unbeatable perks, Hyatt hotels makes it easier to travel with our family for way fewer points than other hotel brands (sorry, Marriott and Hilton!). When it comes to rewards travel, brand loyalty always pays off. Here’s why Hyatt has consistently been the best hotel brand choice for our family, for redeeming points at the best value, earn rewards, and stretching our travel budget.

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  Abroad | Advice | Capital One | Chase | Europe | Family | Featured | How to | Italy | Rewards Travel

  How We Booked Europe on Points and Miles for a Family of 11

  ByMari October 19, 2026October 19, 2026

  How we booked Europe on points and miles for a family of 11: our card strategy, Virgin Atlantic award flights, and how we erased our lodging and cruise.

The post 22 Best Things to Do in London With Kids appeared first on Mari on the Map.

On our trip to Florida, we made our way to Pensacola expecting sun and sand, but we quickly discovered there’s so much more to explore. The Historic Pensacola Village, nestled in the city’s Historic District, became an unexpected highlight. With its beautifully preserved buildings, immersive museums, and interactive exhibits, it’s a must-visit for history lovers and families alike. Walk the America’s First Settlement Trail, dive into hands-on activities at the Pensacola Children’s Museum, and experience a side of Pensacola beyond the beach. Add it to your Pensacola itinerary, you won’t regret it!

Palafox Street

We kicked off our day with a stroll down Palafox Street, one of America’s top 10 streets, known for its shops, restaurants, and galleries. Although most stores open at 10 am, we found a perfect breakfast spot at The Dog House, a local favorite with a casual, family-friendly vibe. We sat outside, enjoying the street scene and watching dogs stop by for treats and water. The kids loved the French toast bites.

Palafox Street is the heart of downtown Pensacola; it blends the city’s rich history with its modern-day energy. Named after General Jose de Palafox y Melzi, it features a mix of Spanish, French, and British architectural influences, creating a European charm right in the heart of Florida. The street is home to boutiques, art galleries like Blue Morning Gallery, and various dining options. Visitors can also enjoy the waterfront views at the southern end, where Jaco’s Bayfront Bar & Grille overlooks Palafox Pier and the Plaza de Luna, a waterfront park perfect for family fun. The street truly represents the spirit of downtown Pensacola.

Historic Pensacola

Historic Pensacola encompasses 8.5 acres of history and culture, with 30 properties that reflect the city’s past. Out of these, 12 properties are open to the public. What truly sets Historic Pensacola apart is how family-friendly the experience is.

You can find the Historic Pensacola map here. It offers a detailed guide to the Historic District, showcasing the properties spread across 8.5 acres. The map is designed to guide visitors through the district in the easiest and most efficient way.

Historic Pensacola Village

Historic Pensacola Village offers a glimpse into the rich heritage of America’s first multi-year European settlement, founded in 1559. It covers the original footprints of Spanish and British forts in downtown Pensacola. Visitors can enjoy self-guided or guided tours of historic homes like the Lavalle House and Old Christ Church, as well as interact with living history interpreters dressed in period attire.

The kids loved the historic village and kitchen, where they got to ride a hand-carved rocking horse and even assist re-enactors with the garden.

Historic Pensacola Village is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 am until 4:00 pm.

Pensacola Children’s Museum

For families with young children, the Pensacola Children’s Museum is an absolute must-visit.

This museum is an interactive, educational space designed for children 8 and under, offering two floors of hands-on learning. The first floor is home to Our Town, a pint-sized version of Pensacola where kids can grab a seat at the Milk Bottle Diner, ride the Tiny Tot Train, visit the Frisco Train Station, play firefighter at the Germania Fire Hose Company, or build at Theo’s Construction House.

On the second floor, older children can step into the past at the Colonial Classroom, where they can experience what school was like over a hundred years ago. Another popular attraction is the Publix Super Market, a child-sized grocery store where kids can pretend to shop or stock shelves (our kids’ favorite activity in the museum). There’s also the Kid’s Clinic, where little ones put on lab coats and take a patient doll through an ambulance, exam room, CT scanner and lab station, and a Calming Seas Sensory Space for kids who need a quiet break.

The Land and Sea: Wonders of the Gulf Coast exhibit teaches children about local wildlife and the connection between land and water through interactive play. The Pensacola Children’s Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and on Sundays from noon to 4:00 pm. It is closed on Mondays.

Museum of Industry

The Museum of Industry in Pensacola offers a glimpse into the industries that were crucial to the city’s growth during the 19th century. Housed in a historic building dating back to 1870, the museum highlights key industries like lumbering, brickmaking, railroads, and commercial fishing. Through a self-guided tour, visitors can see authentic equipment used in these industries, such as timber processing tools, brickmaking displays, and an old fishing boat.

The museum is a popular stop for families and history enthusiasts. Our kids particularly enjoy the interactive displays, including a detailed train model that showcases how railroads played a key role in transporting goods. The museum’s exhibits offer a well-rounded look at how these industries transformed Pensacola into a commercial center.

The Museum of Industry Pensacola is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Historic Pensacola Village Tickets

With a “One Ticket, Seven Days to Explore” system, you can visit the Pensacola Children’s Museum, the Pensacola Museum of Industry, Historic Pensacola Village, the Pensacola Museum of History, the Pensacola Museum of Art, and all the museums and sites within the district.

Admission Prices

• Adults: $12
• Children (3-14): $7
• Children under 3: Free (they still need a ticket, so add them to your online order)
• Seniors 65+, Military & Dependents, AAA Members, UWF Alumni: $11
• SNAP/EBT Cardholders: Free (2 adults and all children in the household)
• UWF students and members: Free

Tickets can be purchased online or at the Tivoli High House and are valid for seven days.

Historic Pensacola Village Tours

When planning a visit to Historic Pensacola Village, there are several ways to experience the district. Self-guided tours allow families to explore at their own pace, perfect for those with younger children who may need breaks or naps. If you’re looking for more in-depth information, join one of the guided Historic House Tours, which are included with your admission.

The district also hosts special events and family programs throughout the year, so check the Historic Pensacola events calendar before your visit to see what’s on.

There is also a Hop-on Hop-off Tour in Pensacola that might be a good option for those interested in seeing all the city’s most important places. It includes entrance to Historic Pensacola Village too.

More to Do in Downtown Pensacola

There is so much more to do in downtown Pensacola than we had time for, but here are some of the attractions on our list for our next visit:

• America’s First Settlement Trail: This three-mile path takes you through Pensacola’s 260-year history with 20 stops and over 70 points of interest. Along the trail, you can see landmarks from as early as 1756, when the Spanish built Fort San Miguel. The trail offers a fantastic self-guided way to dive into Pensacola’s past at your own pace.

• Pensacola M.E.S.S. Hall: Unlike typical science museums, the M.E.S.S. Hall focuses on hands-on experimentation. Visitors of all ages can think like real scientists, developing questions, conducting experiments, and exploring through interactive play. This makes it an ideal spot for families, encouraging curiosity and learning through science in a fun, engaging way. If you visit the Pensacola Children’s Museum first, bring your ticket. It gets you 50% off admission at the M.E.S.S. Hall.

Tips from a Parent

1. Wear comfortable shoes: You’ll be doing quite a bit of walking, so be sure to wear comfortable footwear.
2. Pack snacks and water: While there are plenty of places to stop and eat, it’s a good idea to have snacks and water on hand, especially if you’re traveling with kids. Our family prefers these reusable water bottles:
   • Water bottles for kids
   • Water bottles for adults
3. Bring a stroller: If you have little ones who might tire easily, a stroller can be a lifesaver during the long day, especially with all of the walking involved. This is our go-to light double stroller
4. Sunscreen and hats: Pensacola is sunny year-round, so it’s important to bring sun protection. This is our favorite sunscreen

Final Thoughts

If you’re planning a trip to Pensacola, I highly recommend visiting Historic Pensacola Village. It offers an engaging experience for families, especially with kids. From the hands-on Children’s Museum to further exploration at the Museum of Industry Pensacola, there’s plenty for children and adults to enjoy.

Don’t forget to take photos and share your experiences with me on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you! I’m always happy to share more tips and insights to help make your family’s adventures as enjoyable as possible.

Planning a trip to Pensacola or anywhere else in Florida? I can help. As a travel advisor, I book hotels, beach resorts, and family vacations, and in most cases it doesn’t cost you anything extra. If you’re using points for your flights, I can help you with that part too. Just fill out my travel planning form and tell me what you have in mind.

If you’re exploring Pensacola, don’t forget to make time for the Blue Angels Practice at the National Naval Aviation Museum.

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  Family | Featured | Florida | North America | United States | USA

  Exploring Historic Pensacola Village and Pensacola Downtown: The Best Activities for Families

  ByMari October 1, 2026

  On our trip to Florida, we made our way to Pensacola expecting sun and sand—but we quickly discovered there’s so much more to explore. The Historic Pensacola Village, nestled in the city’s Historic District, became an unexpected highlight. With its beautifully preserved buildings, immersive museums, and interactive exhibits, it’s a must-visit for history lovers and families alike. Walk the America’s First Settlement Trail, dive into hands-on activities at the Pensacola Children’s Museum, and experience a side of Pensacola beyond the beach. Add it to your Pensacola itinerary—you won’t regret it!

• 

  Family | Featured | Florida | North America | United States | USA

  Pensacola Family Fun: A Perfect 4-day Trip Itinerary

  ByMari December 5, 2025December 5, 2025

  Plan Pensacola family fun with this easy 4-day itinerary featuring sugar-sand beaches, Blue Angels, historic downtown, kid-friendly museums and dining.

The post Exploring Historic Pensacola Village and Pensacola Downtown: The Best Activities for Families appeared first on Mari on the Map.

Christmas in London is a great option for a family trip over the holidays. The season runs about seven weeks, so you’re not forced into the expensive dates, and a lot of the best parts cost nothing. Ice rinks in courtyards, markets along the river, and lights on every main shopping street.

There’s one thing you need to know before you book, and it’s the part most guides leave out. London closes on Christmas Day. Not partially. The Underground does not run, the buses do not run, most attractions are shut, and so are most restaurants. If Christmas Day is in the middle of your trip, you need to plan for it.

Christmas in Europe has been on my travel list for a while, and London keeps coming up every time I look into a holiday trip. I’ve spent a lot of time researching what the city is like at Christmas, so I pulled together this guide with this year’s dates and prices, plus what needs booking ahead.

When to Go and What Is Open

Most of the big events for Christmas in London run from early or mid November to early January, so you have a long window.

Here are the 2026 season dates.

• Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park runs November 19, 2026 to January 3, 2027.
• Christmas at Kew runs November 13, 2026 to January 3, 2027.
• The ice rink at Somerset House opens November 11, 2026 and runs to January 10, 2027.
• The lights on the main shopping streets go up in early November and stay into January.

That means you don’t have to travel the week before Christmas to get the full experience of Christmas in London. Late November and early December give you the same lights and the same markets with smaller crowds and cheaper flights and hotels. If your kids aren’t in school yet, or you can pull them out for a few days, this is the better trip.

The last two weekends before Christmas are the busiest of the year. Everything is bookable and everything sells out.

What Christmas Day Actually Looks Like in London

This is the one part of Christmas in London that catches people out, so plan around it.

On December 25 there is no Underground, no bus service and no trains. Not a reduced schedule. Nothing. It’s been this way for decades, but check the TfL website before you travel in case anything changes. Most museums, shops and attractions are closed, and so are most restaurants. Winter Wonderland is closed. The ice rinks are closed.

What’s open is your hotel, taxis and rideshares at high prices, and your feet. A lot of hotels do a Christmas lunch, and they book up months ahead, so if you want one you need to reserve it when you book the room.

The upside is that London on Christmas morning is empty in a way it never is otherwise. You can walk down the middle of streets that are normally impossible. Families who plan for it end up liking that day. Families who assumed they’d go to a museum do not.

Boxing Day on December 26 is the opposite. The sales start, the shops are packed, transport runs a limited service and most attractions reopen. If you only have one day for shopping, this isn’t it.

The simplest fix is to book a hotel within walking distance of somewhere you want to be on Christmas Day, and to accept that day as a slow one.

The Christmas Lights

The lights are the best part of Christmas in London, and they’re completely free.

Oxford Street and Regent Street switch on in early November and run into January. Regent Street does the large angel installations that arch over the road, and they’re the ones people photograph. Carnaby Street does something different every year and it’s usually the most fun of the three.

Covent Garden puts up an enormous tree and hangs giant baubles through the market building. Seven Dials, just north of Covent Garden, is worth the five-minute walk.

The tree in Trafalgar Square has been a gift from Norway every year since 1947, as thanks for British support during the Second World War. It goes up in early December. It’s a simple tree compared to the ones in the shopping streets, and the story behind it is the reason to go and see it.

The department store windows are the other free thing worth doing. Fortnum and Mason, Liberty and Selfridges all do proper displays, and they’re within walking distance of each other.

Go after dark, which in December means from about four in the afternoon.

London Christmas Markets

London Christmas markets have their own character. They’re smaller than the ones in Germany, France and Austria, and they’re spread through the city rather than filling one big square, which means you come across them while you’re doing other things. That suits a family trip. You get an hour of lights and hot chocolate on your way somewhere else instead of building a whole day around it.

Most of them open in early to mid November and run until just after Christmas or into the first week of January. Nearly all of them close on Christmas Day. They’re free to walk through, so you can see several in an evening and only spend money if you want to.

Winter Wonderland Market

The largest Christmas market in London is inside Winter Wonderland, along with the rides, the ice rink and everything else. It’s the only one on this list you pay to enter, and it’s big enough that it gets its own section further down.

Southbank Centre Winter Market

The Southbank Centre Winter Market runs along the Queen’s Walk beside the Thames, between the London Eye and Waterloo Bridge, and it’s a line of alpine chalets with lights above them and the river on one side. The walkway is flat and wide the whole way, so there’s room for kids to move and no crowding into a narrow lane.

It leans more toward food than gifts, which is a plus with children. Expect hot chocolate, toasted marshmallows, cheese toasties and mulled wine for the adults. Go after dark so you get the lights reflecting on the water.

Winter by the River

This one is at London Bridge City, on the south side of the river between London Bridge and Tower Bridge, near HMS Belfast. The setting is the reason to go. You’re looking straight across at Tower Bridge and the Tower of London with everything lit up.

It’s smaller and calmer than Southbank, with wooden cabins selling gifts and food from local makers. If you’re already doing the Tower of London that day, this is the natural place to end up in the evening.

Christmas in Leicester Square

Leicester Square gets a market with stalls, food and live performances, and there’s usually a rides area alongside it. It’s in the middle of the West End, so it works well before or after a show, and it’s a short walk from Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden.

This is the busiest and loudest of them. With younger kids, go earlier in the day rather than in the evening.

Covent Garden

Covent Garden is less a market than the whole area dressed for Christmas. There are stalls through the market building, an enormous tree in the piazza, and giant baubles hanging from the roof. The street performers keep going all through December.

It’s free, it’s covered, and it’s a great place to be when it starts raining.

Trafalgar Square

The market here is small, but it sits next to the Norwegian tree and there are carol singers most evenings in December. It costs nothing, the National Gallery is right there and free if you need to warm up, and it works as a stop rather than a destination.

Spitalfields and Borough Market

Both are permanent markets that decorate for Christmas rather than pop-up Christmas markets. Borough is the better one with kids because it’s all food and everything is sampleable. Spitalfields is more about gifts from independent makers.

If Christmas markets are the whole reason for your trip, Germany and Austria go deeper, and I’ve written about the best Christmas markets in Europe. But London gives you markets plus everything else the city does in December, which is a good trade with kids.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland is the biggest single event of Christmas in London and the one your kids will ask about. It fills a large section of Hyde Park with a fairground, a Christmas market, an ice rink and more than 100 rides and attractions. It runs on the dates listed above and is closed on Christmas Day.

You need a timed entry ticket booked in advance, and entry is staggered by the hour. Here’s the useful part: Off-Peak time slots cost one pound, and in November most of them fall Monday to Thursday. Look for the green slots when you book. It’s by far the cheapest way in, and weekday afternoons in November are also the quietest it gets all season.

Entry doesn’t include the rides. You pay for those separately or buy one of the ride passes, and with kids the costs add up quickly. Work out your budget before you walk in, because everything inside is designed to be tempting.

The last two weekends before Christmas are the busiest of the whole run. If those are your only dates, book the earliest entry slot you can get.

Christmas at Kew

Christmas at Kew is a light trail through Kew Gardens after dark. The 2026 dates are listed above.

Tickets start at £29.50 for adults and £20 for children, while children under four go free. Entry slots start at 4:20pm, and the gardens close at 10pm, except on Christmas Eve, when they close at 9pm. Advance booking is essential.

It’s an outdoor walking trail in December, so dress everyone properly. And, as always when visiting London, remember to bring umbrellas and waterproof clothing.

Kew is in southwest London, close to Richmond, so it pairs well if you’re already heading that way. I have a full guide to spending a day in Richmond with kids.

Ice Skating

There are outdoor rinks all over London in December and they’re one of the easier things to do with kids.

• Somerset House is the one people picture, in a courtyard with a tall tree in the middle of it. Sessions are about forty-five minutes and they sell out, so book ahead.
• Hampton Court Palace has a rink set in front of the palace, which is the prettiest setting of the lot and worth the trip out if you’re going to Kew or Richmond anyway.
• Winter Wonderland has the largest outdoor rink in the country, though you need a Winter Wonderland ticket to reach it.
• Leicester Square has one right in the middle of everything, which is the easiest to fit into a day you’re already spending in the West End.

Every rink is closed on Christmas Day.

Pantomime

Panto is a very British Christmas tradition that doesn’t really exist in the United States. It’s a comic stage show based on a fairy tale, the audience shouts at the actors, and there’s always a man playing an older woman. Theatres all over London put one on in December.

It’s funny, completely over-the-top, and aimed squarely at children. If you want to experience something during Christmas in London that’s properly British rather than just Christmassy, this is it.

What to Pack

Christmas in London is cold and damp rather than freezing, usually somewhere in the forties Fahrenheit. It rains and it gets dark around four in the afternoon.

Bring waterproof coats rather than heavy ones, warm layers underneath, hats and gloves, and shoes that handle wet pavement. If you’re doing Kew or an ice rink, everyone needs proper warm layers because you’re outdoors for hours after dark.

Most indoor places are heated, so layers you can take off matter more than one thick coat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Christmas in London worth it?

Yes, particularly if you go in late November or the first half of December. The lights, the markets and the ice rinks are all up, the crowds are smaller and the prices are lower than the week before Christmas.

What is open in London on Christmas Day?

Very little. There is no Underground, no bus service and no train service on December 25. Most attractions, shops and restaurants are closed. Many hotels serve Christmas lunch but book up months in advance. Taxis and rideshares run at higher prices.

When do the Christmas lights go up in London?

The main displays on Oxford Street and Regent Street switch on in early November and stay up into January. The Trafalgar Square tree goes up in early December.

When do the Christmas markets start in London?

Most open in early to mid November and run until just after Christmas or into early January. Winter Wonderland opens November 19, 2026 and Christmas at Kew opens November 13, 2026.

How many days do you need in London at Christmas?

Four or five works well. That gives you two days for the regular London sights, one evening for the lights, and one for Kew or Winter Wonderland. If Christmas Day falls in the middle, add a day.

Do Americans need anything to enter the UK besides a passport?

Yes. US citizens now need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to visit the UK, and that includes babies and kids. It costs £20 per person and you apply through the official UK ETA app or on the UK government website. It usually takes a few minutes, but give yourself at least three working days before your flight in case yours needs extra review. Your ETA is linked to the passport you apply with and lasts two years or until that passport expires, so if you renew anyone’s passport before the trip, apply with the new one. Only use the official app or gov.uk, since other websites charge a lot more for the same thing.

Final Thoughts

Christmas in London is an easy trip to like. So much of it is free, the season runs for seven weeks so you’re not locked into the expensive dates, and the whole city takes it seriously.

Plan around Christmas Day, book Kew and the ice rinks before you go, and go in late November or early December if you can choose. For the rest of your days in the city, I have a London with kids 3 day itinerary and a list of the 22 best things to do in London with kids, and most of them work just as well in December.

One more thing. I’m now a travel advisor with Fora, which means I can help with the actual planning and booking, not just the research. If you’ve ever wanted to ask where to stay, whether a hotel is worth it, or how to book something with points, that’s what I do now. And because you know me, you know I’ll look at cash, points and miles, or a combination of the two, depending on what gets you the most value.

If Christmas in London is on your list, or anything else is, fill out my Travel Planning Inquiry Form and we can plan it together.

For more family trips and points tips, find me on Instagram, and feel free to send me a DM anytime. I’m always happy to help other families travel more.

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  Abroad | Advice | Capital One | Chase | Europe | Family | Featured | How to | Italy | Rewards Travel

  How We Booked Europe on Points and Miles for a Family of 11

  ByMari October 19, 2026October 19, 2026

  How we booked Europe on points and miles for a family of 11: our card strategy, Virgin Atlantic award flights, and how we erased our lodging and cruise.

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  Abroad | Best Moments | England | Europe | Family | Featured

  London With Kids: The Perfect 3 Day Itinerary

  ByMari October 4, 2026October 6, 2026

  London is one of the best cities for an international family trip, and for good reason. Some of the city’s best museums are completely free, kids under 11 ride buses and the Underground for free with a paying adult, and there’s always a park or playground nearby when everyone needs a break. With three days in London, you can see many of the city’s biggest sights, mix in plenty of kid-friendly fun, and still keep the pace manageable for the whole family.

  This London with kids itinerary is keeps each day in a single part of the city, so you’re not moving across the city in one day, which can be daunting: London is huge. Day one covers Westminster and the River Thames, day two is the museum district and Hyde Park, and day three is the Tower and the east side. If you have more time, I’ve added some of my favorite additional day trips to round out a 4- or 5-day stay across the pond.

The post Magical Christmas in London With Kids: What to Do and Book Early appeared first on Mari on the Map.

For years, visiting a Christmas market in Europe has been on my bucket list. It is a magical experience I’ve always wanted to have. There’s just something about twinkling lights, the scent of roasted chestnuts, and rows of charming wooden stalls selling festive treats and handmade crafts that feels like stepping into a fairytale. Now that my kids are a little older, I finally feel ready to make this dream a reality and explore the best Christmas markets in Europe as a family. We’re currently planning it for the holiday season in 2027, and now is the time to start planning it with how competitive and pricey flights and hotels can be for this popular tourist season.

To make the most of this long-awaited trip, I’ve been doing plenty of research to uncover which Christmas markets are not only beautiful but also family-friendly. From meeting Santa to enjoying kid-approved activities like carousel rides and cookie decorating, there are so many incredible options to choose from. The Christmas markets of Europe have something for every family. Here’s what I’ve discovered; let’s dive in!

Nuremberg Christmas Market (Germany)

Nuremberg is home to one of the most famous Christmas markets in the world, and it’s incredibly family-friendly. This city has been hosting its Christmas market for 400 years. Children will love the dedicated Kinderweihnacht (Children’s Christmas) section, complete with a carousel, a mini Ferris wheel, and a bakery where they can make their own gingerbread cookies. The market is steeped in tradition, and its charming wooden stalls sell everything from handcrafted ornaments to festive toys.

Location: The Christmas Market for Children in Nuremberg (Kinderweihnacht) is set up at Hans-Sachs-Platz.

Start Date: Typically starts around November 24

End Date: The market closes on December 24, so plan your visit before then.

Opening Hours Children’s Christmas Market “Kinderweihnacht”: Opening times are usually Monday – Sunday: 10 am – 9 pm and Christmas Eve, December 24: 10 am – 2 pm. You can confirm the information here, or visit their official website.

Pro Tips:

• Visit on weekdays and arrive early to avoid crowds, dress warmly, and plan breaks at the Sternenhaus to rest while enjoying a show. The Sternenhaus is a popular family-oriented cultural venue in Nuremberg, it is next to the Christmas Market and offers a magical cultural program for children.
• Bring a reusable cup for hot chocolate refills to save money and reduce waste.

Vienna Christmas Markets (Austria)

Vienna’s Christmas markets are renowned for their charm and festive atmosphere. From rides and open play spaces to delicious treats, each market offers unique activities that make the holiday season magical for kids. Here are the best Vienna Christmas markets for families:

Karlsplatz Christmas Market

The Karlsplatz market stands out as one of the most family-oriented in Vienna.

Kid-Friendly Highlights:

• Children’s carousel
• A few farm animals like sheep in pens
• A straw-floor play area where kids can run and have fun
• Food stalls offering oversized pretzels, roasted almonds, and chocolate-covered treats

Rathausplatz Christkindlmarkt

Vienna’s main Christmas market is located in front of the city’s historic town hall.

Kid-Friendly Highlights:

• A giant merry-go-round at the entrance
• Advent-themed decorations and nativity scenes in the surrounding park
• Ice skating paths lit with festive lights
• Additional rides and activities tailored for children

Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market

The Schönbrunn Christmas Market is set against the stunning backdrop of Schönbrunn Palace, surrounded by popular tourist attractions.

Kid-Friendly Highlights:

• A small artificial ice skating rink (children under 14 can use it for free before 2pm)
• Carousel
• Little train ride
• Open areas for children to play

Families can enhance their visit with stops at the Children’s Museum or the always popular Vienna Zoo.

Vienna Christmas Markets General Information

Start Date: Mid to late November, usually around November 17.

End Date: The main markets close on December 26, but some transition into New Year’s markets, staying open until early January.

Opening Hours: ​​Standard opening times are 10 am to 10 pm, but the market closes at 6:30 pm on December 24.

Pro Tips:

• Keep kids happy with chocolate-covered pretzels, roasted almonds, or chocolate-dipped strawberries available at most markets.
• Eat first, then take advantage of activities like ice skating, where kids can burn off energy.
• Don’t miss the free entertainment, like choirs, a cappella groups, and brass ensembles.
• Go earlier in the day or on weekdays to avoid crowds and allow more time to enjoy the kid-friendly activities.

Learn more about Vienna Christmas Markets here.

Rovaniemi Santa Claus Village (Finland)

This is technically not a christmas market, but it is the ultimate Christmas experience and one that’s at the top of my bucket list. Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland, is known as the official home of Santa Claus. Highlights include:

• Meeting Santa in his office
• Crossing the Arctic Circle
• Snowy landscapes and the chance to send postcards from Santa’s Post Office

Start Date: Santa Claus Village is open year-round. It opens every day, including Christmas Day.

Pro Tip: Rovaniemi can be pricey, so try to book accommodations in advance and look for package deals.

Christmas in Tivoli Gardens (Denmark)

Tivoli Gardens is a magical place year-round, but during Christmas, it transforms into a winter wonderland. The market features Scandinavian-style stalls, snow-dusted decorations, and themed rides. Kids will adore meeting Santa and exploring the enchanting light displays. There are more than 30 rides for families to enjoy. Plus, the family-friendly eateries ensure everyone can enjoy themselves, without worrying about picky eaters.

We’ve actually spent a full day at Tivoli with our boys, just not during the Christmas season. If you want the details on tickets, which rides work for which ages, and where to eat inside the park, I put it all in my Tivoli Gardens Copenhagen family guide.

Start Date: Mid November, usually around November 15.

End Date: After New Year, around January 5. Here is the official calendar

Pro Tips:

• Plan for a weekday afternoon to enjoy both daylight and illuminated displays. You can check sunrise and sunset hours here, it is usually around 3:30 pm.
• Dress warmly for Copenhagen’s winter chill and indulge in Danish treats like:
  • Æbleskiver: small, round, pancake-like balls typically cooked in a special pan. They are fluffy and slightly crispy on the outside and are served warm with powdered sugar, jam or sometimes a dollop of whipped cream
  • Gløgg: the Scandinavian version of mulled wine, for kids there is a non-alcoholic version made with fruit juice.
• There is an entrance fee, so plan to buy your tickets ahead of time on the website: Christmas in Tivoli official website

Christmas Markets in Alsace (France)

Alsace, nestled in northeastern France, transforms into a magical wonderland during the Christmas season. This charming region, already known for its picturesque villages and half-timbered houses, reaches its peak splendor as the holidays approach. Streets are adorned with twinkling lights and garlands, creating an atmosphere straight out of a storybook. Alsace is beautiful year-round, and it’s known to have some of the Best Christmas Markets in Europe.

When exploring the towns of Alsace, choosing a central base is the best way to make the most of your trip. Staying in one town and venturing out to others allows you to experience the region’s charm without the hassle of constantly packing and unpacking. One of the most recommended places to stay is Colmar, a city with a central location and excellent transportation options to nearby villages.

However, as this time of year is particularly busy, it’s often advised to have your own car to travel between the different towns. This way, you can avoid the challenges of crowded public transportation, especially when traveling with kids. You can book your car here.

Start Date: Usually the end of November, but each market has its own opening date.

End Date: Most of them close at the end of December.

Official Alsace Christmas website

Here’s a brief guide to the top markets in Alsace and what they offer for families:

Colmar

Colmar hosts six distinct Christmas markets:

1. Place des Dominicains
2. Place de l’Ancienne Douane
3. Place Jeanne d’Arc
4. Le Marché des Noël des Enfants à la Petit Venise (this is the most kids-friendly market)
5. Le Marché intérieur du Koïfhus (this market is inside, making it an ideal stop if it’s freezing)
6. Le Marché gourmand

Bonus: Place Rapp is a square that usually add some stalls.

Eguisheim

This small, circular village is ideal for families looking for a quieter experience.

Highlights for Kids: The advent calendar at Place du Château opens a new window daily. Street music and occasional performances add to the charm.

Kaysersberg

Voted “Favorite Village of the French” in 2017, Kaysersberg is home to a Christmas market that was named the “Best Christmas Market in France” in 2022. Kaysersberg is a family favorite and offers a range of activities. Plan ahead, though, because this market doesn’t open every day.

Highlights for Kids: Artisan demonstrations and workshops to create Christmas wreaths (must be reserved in advance).

Ribeauvillé

Known for its medieval-themed Christmas market, Ribeauvillé is lively and unique.

Highlights for Kids: Animated performances featuring jugglers, dancers, and musicians bring the market to life.

Strasbourg

Known as the “Capital of Christmas,” Strasbourg offers a wide array of markets across 13 locations.

• Place Broglie: features around 70 stalls offering a variety of items, including holiday decorations, handcrafted leather goods, chocolates, and other artisanal and gastronomic products. This historic market has been held in the same location since 1570, making it one of the oldest and most traditional markets in Alsace.
• Place du Château: Located near the cathedral, it has a carousel and plenty of kid-friendly food options.
• Place Kléber: Home to a 30-meter Christmas tree with light and music shows, a must-see for families.
• Other Christmas markets in Strasbourg: Place de la Cathédrale, Marché de les délices D’Alsace, Place du Marché-Aux-Poissons, Place du Temple Neuf, Place Saint-Thomas, Place Benjamin Zix, Village de l’Avent, Marché Off (Place Grimeissen), Rue Gutenberg and Rue des Hallebardes

Tips for Visiting Christmas Markets with Kids

Plan Ahead

Visiting Christmas markets is a popular activity in Europe, and planning ahead can help make your trip more affordable. Be sure to book flights, accommodations, and a rental car at least six to twelve months in advance. Check out Viator, where there’s a page dedicated to Holiday Market Tours Around the World.

Timing Is Everything

Visit Christmas Markets early in the day or on weekdays to avoid the crowds. Most open around 10-11 am and remain open until 7-8 pm. This way, you can explore at a leisurely pace and enjoy the activities without long waits, and you can take advantage of more daylight. In some of these locations, the sun will set as early as 3 pm.

Layer Up

Winter in Europe can be freezing, so make sure everyone in the family is dressed in warm layers. Don’t forget hats, gloves, and scarves! Many markets have heated tents or indoor cafes where you can take a break and warm up. Here is a list of some of the winter trip essentials we recommend.

Prepare Your Kids

Christmas markets are often bustling with crowds, so it’s essential to prepare your kids for the experience. Talk to them about staying close, holding hands, and what to do if they get separated. You can read my article about Preparing Toddlers for New Experiences.

Pack Snacks and Drinks

While the markets offer plenty of food, having a few snacks and a water bottle on hand can be a lifesaver, especially if your kids get hungry while waiting in line for an activity or attraction. One of our favorite places to grab snacks in Europe is at a specialty cheese shop. You can have them cut the cheese into slices for the kids, and they often also sell bread and nuts to go along with your snack. The cheeses are always delicious and high-quality.

Plan for Breaks

Exploring a market can be tiring for little legs, so plan breaks to sit down, enjoy a treat, or watch a festive performance. Many markets have seating areas where you can relax and soak up the holiday spirit. Consider bringing a stroller. On our recent trip to Europe, we found this stroller wagon to be a great option as a two seater that can fit through narrow European streets and doorways. Plus, the all-terrain wheels make it perfect for cobblestones and snow.

Set a Budget

Between the delicious treats, handmade gifts, and fun activities, it’s easy to overspend. Decide on a budget beforehand and involve your kids in the decision-making process, teaching them about responsible spending. You can even give them 10€ each and challenge them to get their favorite treats within their budget.

Safety Tips for Visiting Christmas Markets with Kids

Christmas markets are magical, but they can also be very crowded, especially in popular places like Nuremberg, Vienna, and Strasbourg. Kids get excited, there is so much to look at, and it’s easy for them to wander off or feel overwhelmed. With a bit of planning, you can enjoy the lights, treats, and activities while keeping everyone safe and comfortable.

1. Keep Kids Close and Easy to Spot

Christmas markets get packed as the day goes on, so keeping young children close is important. ID bracelets and anti‑lost wrist links can help give you peace of mind in busy areas. Many parents also use AirTags for extra safety. Make sure they are synced and attached securely in a holder that clips onto clothing or shoes.

2. Dress Kids in Bright Colors

Bright jackets and hats make it much easier to spot your kids in a crowd. Before heading out each day, take a quick photo of your child’s outfit on your phone. If you get separated, you will have an exact picture to show local staff or police.

3. Set a Simple Meeting Spot

If your child is old enough to understand, choose a clear meeting point such as the big Christmas tree, a fountain, or the entrance arch. Remind them that if they cannot find you, they should stay in that spot and wait. Show them what local security or police look like, since many Christmas markets have officers walking around.

4. Use Identification Bands

Child ID bracelets or temporary tattoos with your phone number are helpful when traveling. They take only seconds to apply and make it easy for someone to contact you quickly if needed. We use these often on busy travel days, and they work well for theme parks and airports too.

Final Thoughts

Visiting the best Christmas markets in Europe as a family is a bucket list experience we hope to make a reality very soon. The magic of twinkling lights, the warmth of holiday treats, and the joy on our kids’ faces as they explore these festive places are memories we can’t wait to create.

We look forward to the day we can visit the markets of Alsace, Vienna, or Nuremberg, soaking in the holiday spirit as a family. With thoughtful planning, we hope to make this journey seamless and unforgettable. Until then, the research and anticipation are all part of the joy of dreaming big for the holidays. Here’s hoping this dream becomes a reality for us and for you soon!

If you’re looking for ideas closer to home, I also have a guide to Christmas vacations for families in the US that might help you plan something magical this season.

If you want to share your European Christmas Market experience, feel free to email me or send me a message on Instagram.

One more thing. I am now a travel advisor with Fora, which means I’m able to plan, book and manage trips like this one from start to finish. If you’d rather hand the planning over than do it yourself, fill out my trip planning form and tell me a little about the trip you have in mind, and I’ll be in touch about next steps. Happy travels!

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  Advice | Europe | Family | Featured | How to | Hyatt | North America | Rewards Travel | United States | USA

  Why Hyatt Hotels Is the Best Brand for Family Rewards Travel

  ByMari October 21, 2026October 21, 2026

  When it comes to finding the perfect hotel for our family vacation, Hyatt consistently stands out. With an amazing rewards program, family-friendly accommodations, and unbeatable perks, Hyatt hotels makes it easier to travel with our family for way fewer points than other hotel brands (sorry, Marriott and Hilton!). When it comes to rewards travel, brand loyalty always pays off. Here’s why Hyatt has consistently been the best hotel brand choice for our family, for redeeming points at the best value, earn rewards, and stretching our travel budget.

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  Family | Featured | North America | Rewards Travel | Southwest | United States

  Southwest Companion Pass Guide (2027): New Rules & Strategies

  ByMari October 21, 2026October 21, 2026

  The Southwest Companion Pass has long been one of my favorite ways to save money on family travel. With this popular benefit, you can bring a designated companion on your Southwest flights for just the taxes and fees, starting at $5.60 each way on domestic flights. For families, that can add up to some serious savings!

  BIG UPDATE FOR 2027: Southwest just announced major changes to how travelers earn the Companion Pass, including eliminating credit card welcome offers as a way to qualify under the new rules. But there’s still a limited opportunity to use the current strategy before the changes take effect!

  Fun fact: we used our Southwest Companion passes to get us to and from Hawaii, along with plenty of other destinations. In this updated guide, I’ll walk you through what’s changing, how to earn the pass under the current and new rules, and whether it’s still worth pursuing for your family.

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  Abroad | Advice | Capital One | Chase | Europe | Family | Featured | How to | Italy | Rewards Travel

  How We Booked Europe on Points and Miles for a Family of 11

  ByMari October 19, 2026October 19, 2026

  How we booked Europe on points and miles for a family of 11: our card strategy, Virgin Atlantic award flights, and how we erased our lodging and cruise.

The post Best Christmas Markets in Europe for Families appeared first on Mari on the Map.

There’s something extra fun about celebrating Halloween as a family. The costumes, the candy, and the festive decorations make it one of the most kid-friendly holidays of the year. If you’re looking to travel this fall, there are plenty of destinations across the country that offer family-friendly Halloween fun without being too spooky. In this guide, explore the best places to visit for Halloween in the US with kids. From theme park events designed just for families to towns that fully embrace the holiday spirit, these destinations will make your October getaway both memorable and easy to enjoy.

Theme Parks for Family Halloween Fun

Theme parks are often some of the best places to visit for Halloween because they already specialize in bringing stories to life. In October, many of them reimagine their rides and shows to fit the season, and the results are magical rather than frightening. For families, that means trick-or-treat stations, dance parties with favorite characters, and themed decorations.

LEGOLAND Florida: Brick or Treat

Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND Florida runs on select weekends in October and is included with park admission.

During Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND Florida, families can walk through trick-or-treat trails, stop at candy stations, and meet characters dressed in Halloween costumes. Oversized LEGO pumpkins, spiders, and skeletons are set up around the park, adding to the atmosphere without being scary. Brick or Treat runs select dates September 5–October 31, 2026 and is included with general admission. There are also new-for-2026 experiences, including Brick or Treat Street, Potion Mischief Light Trail, and Department of Monstrous Vehicles.

Kids enjoy the dance parties and the chance to build Halloween-themed LEGO creations at activity tables. An evening parade with floats and music wraps up the day, and it has become a tradition for many families in central Florida. Most visitors spend the morning on rides, then shift to the Halloween activities in the afternoon.

Seasonal treats are sold throughout the park, sometimes with limited-time options like pumpkin milkshakes or cupcakes. LEGOLAND is one of the best places to visit for Halloween because everything is designed for kids from the start.

Sesame Place: The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular

Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pennsylvania is a top pick for families with toddlers and preschoolers looking for a fun, festive, and not-so-scary Halloween experience. Each fall, the park transforms for The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular, running on select dates from September 19 through November 1, 2026. The family-friendly celebration fills the park with themed shows, a colorful Halloween parade, trick-or-treat stations, and plenty of opportunities to meet your favorite Sesame Street friends in costume.

Highlights include the brand-new Count-Along Castle Halloween Maze, where kids can count their way through twisting hallways, and the always-popular Sesame Street Halloween Parade, complete with decorated floats and music. Little ones can also join the scarecrow scavenger hunt, enjoy Halloween dance parties and shows, and stop for photos with Elmo, Abby, Cookie Monster, and more—dressed in their Halloween best. Most rides stay open during the event, and food stands serve seasonal snacks, making it easy to balance playtime with a quick bite.

While the Spooktacular is included with general admission, Sesame Place also offers extra-special events on select dates. On October 31, families can purchase tickets for the park’s Not-Too-Spooky Halloween Party, a three-hour evening celebration from 4–7 p.m. with trick-or-treating, a costume showcase, rides, and plenty of character meet-and-greets. Other special dates include the Hello Halloween Spectacular (September 19) and a Halloween Costume Contest (October 31).

Between the parades, scavenger hunts, maze, and extra-special events, Sesame Place makes it easy for little ones to enjoy the magic of Halloween without the scares—whether you visit on a weekend in September or on Halloween night itself.

Disney Parks: Halloween Celebrations for Families

Disneyland California

From late August through Halloween, Disneyland in Anaheim turns into a seasonal celebration with carved pumpkins on Main Street, costumed characters, and themed attractions. Families can ride Haunted Mansion Holiday with its Nightmare Before Christmas overlay, or head to Cars Land where the rides are dressed up with Halloween details. At night, Halloween Screams fills the sky with fireworks and projections. There are also special snacks like pumpkin churros and caramel apples.

The Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure is the park’s main Halloween event. This separately ticketed evening includes trick-or-treat trails, costumed character meet-and-greets, and the Frightfully Fun Parade. Families often attend in costume, making it part of the fun. Tickets sell out quickly, but if you can attend, it’s one of the best places to visit for Halloween in the US with kids.

Halloween Time runs August 18–October 31 at Disney California Adventure and August 21–October 31 at Disneyland Park. Oogie Boogie Bash runs on select nights August 18–October 31.

Walt Disney World Orlando

Magic Kingdom hosts Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on select nights from mid-August through October. Families can enter as early as 4 p.m. and enjoy the park before the party begins. Once it starts, kids collect candy at trick-or-treat stations, watch Mickey’s Boo-To-You Parade, and see the castle light up with fireworks during Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular. Storybook Circus is transformed for younger children, and dance parties keep the energy going through the evening.

Characters appear in Halloween costumes, and families are encouraged to dress up, too. Exclusive snacks, themed merchandise, and PhotoPass pictures make it easy to bring home memories from the event. Because it runs late into the evening, the party works best for school-age kids who can stay awake to enjoy it all. For families already planning a trip to Orlando, this is one of the most popular and family-friendly Halloween events in the country.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party runs select nights August 7–October 31, 2026, from 7 p.m.–midnight, with party guests able to enter Magic Kingdom beginning at 4 p.m.

Family-Friendly Halloween Towns

Small towns across the country have built reputations for being some of the best places to visit for Halloween. Streets are lined with pumpkins, local shops decorate their windows, and weekend events give families a full calendar of things to do.

St. Helens, Oregon: Halloweentown Festival

St. Helens was the filming location for Disney Channel’s Halloweentown movie, and every October the town transforms to honor that history. Their Halloweentown Festival includes a giant pumpkin lighting ceremony, parades, costume contests, and themed activities throughout the month. Families can walk through the historic downtown, which is decorated with props and displays inspired by the film.

Vendors set up booths with food, crafts, and souvenirs, while local businesses join in with decorated storefronts. The festival includes activities for children such as pumpkin painting, face painting, and games. Special events vary from year to year but often include movie screenings, guest appearances from cast members, and live performances.

Families visiting St. Helens can spend the day exploring the festival before returning in the evening for the pumpkin lighting ceremony. Parking is available around town, and many events are walkable once you are in the historic district.

Spirit of Halloweentown runs weekends from September 26 through November 1, 2026.

Anoka, Minnesota: Halloween Capital of the World

Anoka has been celebrating Halloween for more than a century and hosts one of the largest community-based events in the country. Each October, the town fills its calendar with parades, pumpkin carving contests, decorating competitions, and school programs that involve children directly. Families who visit can attend the main parade, where floats and marching bands move through the streets with crowds gathered on the sidewalks.

In addition to the parades, Anoka hosts a house decorating contest that families can enjoy while driving through town, along with pumpkin carving events that are open to visitors.

Visitors often stay in the Minneapolis area, where there are plenty of hotels and restaurants, and make the short trip to Anoka for the Halloween events.

Sleepy Hollow, New York: Lantern Tours and Storytelling

Sleepy Hollow is best known for Washington Irving’s tale of the Headless Horseman, and the town builds on that connection with events that families can enjoy. The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is the most popular, with paths lined by thousands of carved pumpkins arranged in glowing displays. The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze takes place on select dates September 18–November 8, and every night in October.

Families can also join lantern tours of historic sites, watch spooky (but not too) scary storytelling sessions designed for children, and see parades with costumed performers. The town itself is decorated for the season.

Because many of the activities take place at night, families often plan to spend the day exploring the Hudson Valley, and then head to Sleepy Hollow in the evening.

New Orleans, Louisiana: Family-friendly Halloween Celebrations

New Orleans is famous for Mardi Gras, but October brings a full calendar of Halloween fun events that work well for families. Boo Carre in the French Quarter mixes live music with trick-or-treating and children’s activities, all in a spot that’s easy to reach on foot. In City Park, Ghosts in the Oaks on October 15, 2026 adds carnival rides, crafts, and candy stations that are designed with younger kids in mind.

The Audubon Zoo hosts Boo at the Zoo on October 16, 2026, where children can wear costumes, collect treats, and see animals along the way. The city’s largest event is the Krewe of Boo parade on October 24, 2026, with floats that toss candy and small souvenirs into the crowd as they roll through downtown. Families often add a stop at the Skeleton House on St. Charles Avenue, a private home decorated each year with dozens of skeletons posed in funny scenes that change each year.

Local Trunk or Treats and Farms

For families who want to stay closer to home, Trunk or Treat events and farm festivals are some of the easiest ways to celebrate Halloween. Schools, churches, and community centers often organize evenings where cars are decorated in a parking lot and kids go from trunk to trunk collecting candy. These events are simple and well-lit, often filled with neighbors and friends. They’re especially good for younger children.

Local farms add their own version of the holiday with pumpkin picking, hayrides, and corn mazes. Many set up small play areas, petting zoos, or seasonal food stands so families can spend a few hours outside without needing to plan a full day trip.

These community events may not be as famous as a parade or theme park celebration, but they often become traditions that children look forward to every year. They also show that the best places to visit for Halloween can often be close to home spending time together.

What to Bring for Halloween Events

As you plan your trip, a few small items make celebrating Halloween on the road a lot easier. Comfortable costumes are important, especially for kids who will be walking through farms, neighborhoods, or parades. We like to bring reusable trick-or-treat bags that fold flat in a suitcase but hold plenty of candy once you’re there. A light jacket or hoodie with a Halloween print keeps kids warm when the evening turns cool, and glow sticks or flashlights help them stay visible after dark. Snacks and refillable water bottles are always worth packing so you don’t have to rely only on event food stands.

If you’re looking for ideas, here are some of our favorite picks for family Halloween travel gear:

• Simple snacks and reusable water bottles
• Kid-friendly costumes that are lightweight and easy to layer
• Reusable trick-or-treat bags or totes
• Halloween pajamas or hoodies for cooler evenings
• Glow sticks and light-up bracelets for visibility

Final Thoughts

Halloween doesn’t just have to be about one night of trick-or-treating at home. From parades in New Orleans to pumpkin festivals in Oregon, there are plenty of places around the country where families can celebrate together. Each destination has its own way of making the season fun for kids.

If your family has a favorite Halloween spot, I’d love to hear about it. Share it with me on Instagram, so I can pass along even more ideas to other families looking for fun places to go. If you’re planning more fall adventures, don’t miss my guide to the best US fall foliage destinations with kids.

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  Best Moments | Family | Featured | New Hampshire | North America | North Carolina | Tennessee | United States | USA | Vermont | Virginia

  5 Beautiful US Fall Foliage Destinations with Kids

  ByMari September 9, 2026September 9, 2026

  There’s something magical about fall in the United States. The weather is cooler, the leaves change color, and many places feel less crowded than in summer. It is a season filled with easy activities like apple picking, short hikes, and scenic drives that work well for kids, and it’s one of the best times to travel as a family.

  In this guide, I’m sharing five of the best family-friendly spots across the U.S. to see fall foliage. Each destination offers colorful views and easy activities that kids and adults can enjoy together, from farm visits to simple nature walks to peaceful afternoons soaking in the season.

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  Best Moments | Family | Featured | North America | Tennessee | United States | USA

  Chattanooga With Kids: The Best Family Travel Guide

  ByMari June 11, 2026June 11, 2026

  Chattanooga with kids turned out to be one of those trips where I kept thinking, why did we wait so long to come here? I had heard good things, but I did not expect a city this walkable, this packed with things for families to do, and this easy to navigate with two boys in…

The post Best Places to Visit for Halloween with Kids appeared first on Mari on the Map.

There’s something magical about fall in the United States. The weather is cooler, the leaves change color, and many places feel less crowded than in summer. It is a season filled with easy activities like apple picking, short hikes, and scenic drives that work well for kids, and it’s one of the best times to travel as a family.

In this guide, I’m sharing five of the best family-friendly spots across the U.S. to see fall foliage. Each destination offers colorful views and easy activities that kids and adults can enjoy together, from farm visits to simple nature walks to peaceful afternoons soaking in the season.

Stowe, Vermont

Stowe is one of the most popular fall destinations in New England and for good reason. The town sits at the base of Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, and in the fall the hills come alive with color. For families, it’s an easy place to enjoy the season without needing to plan an intense itinerary.

Apple picking is a favorite fall tradition in Vermont, and several orchards near Stowe make it easy to add this to your trip. Local spots like Burtt’s Apple Orchard in Cabot or Hacketts Orchard in South Hero welcome families for pick-your-own apples, fresh cider, and seasonal treats. Many orchards also offer hayrides, pumpkin patches, and farm stands, giving kids a chance to explore while parents enjoy the fall harvest. Checking the Vermont orchard directory is the best way to see what’s in season and find an orchard close to your route.

Beyond the orchards, Stowe also has a few local highlights that make fall visits even more enjoyable:

Stowe Recreation Path

The Stowe Recreation Path is a flat 5.3-mile paved, scenic trail that works well for strollers or bikes, and there are plenty of spots to stop for a picnic or just play in the leaves. Families with older kids might enjoy taking the gondola to the top of the mountain, where you’ll get wide views of the fall foliage without having to hike uphill. The path also opens into local shops, restaurants, and lodges, making it easy to plan a half-day outing with food, fall colors, and slow-paced exploration all in one spot.

Cold Hollow Cider Mill

Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury Center is an easy add to a Stowe fall itinerary with kids. Families can watch fresh cider being pressed, pick up warm cider donuts, and browse a country-style store packed with Vermont-made treats. The mill sits right on Route 100 between Waterbury and Stowe, so it works well as a quick stop before or after the Stowe Recreation Path.

The on-site café serves breakfast and lunch daily, and the hard-cider tasting room gives parents a chance to sample while kids snack. Typical hours run 8 am to 6 pm year-round. Weekends can be busy in peak foliage, so plan to arrive early.

The Stowe Foliage Arts Festival

The Stowe Foliage Arts Festival is a three-day celebration that takes place each October at Mayo Farm, just off Mountain Road, and offers a great mix of fall color, local creativity, and relaxed outdoor fun. More than 125 artists and makers set up tents filled with handmade goods, everything from pottery and jewelry to woodwork and paintings. Families can browse at their own pace, stop to watch a live demonstration, or just enjoy the music and atmosphere without the pressure of a packed itinerary.

For kids, the open layout and variety of activities make it easy to stay engaged. Children 14 and under receive free admission to the festival, though some optional activities like bounce houses, pony rides, or craft tents may have their own separate fees. There’s a large dining tent with live music, casual food options, and plenty of space to take breaks. Local vendors serve snacks and sweets (maple treats are especially popular), and the festival continues rain or shine under the tents. With free parking, re-entry stamps, and a casual, family-friendly atmosphere, it’s a great stop to pair with leaf peeping around Stowe.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina

Fall is one of the most popular times to explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park’s wide range of elevations means the leaf colors change gradually, starting at higher points and moving down into the valleys. This stretches the fall foliage season from mid-October into early November and gives families more time to plan a visit.

There are plenty of simple ways to take in the scenery, from a paved walk to Laurel Falls to a drive through Cades Cove where wildlife is easy to spot. Scenic roads with overlooks make it possible to enjoy the views without a long hike, and nearby towns like Gatlinburg and Cherokee add extra kid-friendly activities such as pancake houses, gem mining, and mini golf.

Scenic Drives

• Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail: A one-way loop near Gatlinburg, TN that winds through forest, streams, and historic log cabins. Families can stop at the Noah “Bud” Ogle farm for a short nature trail or take the 2.6-mile round trip hike to Grotto Falls.
• Blue Ridge Parkway: Beginning just outside Cherokee, NC, this route offers some of the park’s best overlooks. Even the first few miles give sweeping mountain views without much walking required.

Hikes

• Laurel Falls: A paved, 2.6-mile round trip to one of the park’s most visited waterfalls, manageable for families with school-age kids. (*Please note that the trail is under construction, but is said to be opening again “soon” in 2026.)
• Oconaluftee River Trail: A flat, 1.5-mile path along the river near the visitor center, easy for younger children and strollers.
• Look Rock Tower: A one-mile round trip on the Foothills Parkway that climbs to a viewing tower with panoramic views.

Junior Ranger program at Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Junior Ranger program at Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers kids aged 5 to 12 a fun, interactive way to connect with the park. Families can pick up an activity guide (available at visitor centers or online) that includes a mix of tasks like mapping, observing wildlife, scavenger hunts, and even creative prompts like drawing or writing. After completing at least five activities and five experiences alongside a parent or guardian, children can be officially sworn in as Junior Rangers and receive a badge at any park visitor center.

The current edition of the activity guide is about 32 to 38 pages long and features colorful illustrations, a tear‑out postcard, and a variety of prompts designed to engage kids through exploring, listening, and playing.

White Mountains, New Hampshire

The White Mountains are one of New England’s most popular fall destinations, with peak color usually arriving in early to mid-October. Lincoln and North Conway are good bases for families, with plenty of lodging and easy access to seasonal activities.

Flume Gorge

Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch State Park is a favorite family hike in the White Mountains. The two-mile loop takes about an hour and a half and combines packed gravel paths, boardwalks, and some stairs. The trail leads through an 800-foot granite canyon with walls that rise nearly 90 feet, so kids can experience a dramatic landscape without a difficult hike. Along the way there are waterfalls, covered bridges, and plenty of places to stop for a break, making it a good choice for families looking for a manageable but memorable walk during foliage season.

The Conway Scenic Railroad

The Conway Scenic Railroad in North Conway is one of the most popular ways for families to enjoy fall foliage in the White Mountains. Departing from a historic 1874 station, the train uses vintage cars that make the ride feel like stepping back in time. The shorter Valley Train excursion is an easy option with younger kids, while longer routes like the Mountaineer carry passengers deep into Crawford Notch.

For families who want to mix hiking with the train ride, special tickets allow for a stopover in Crawford, where you can explore trails before returning on the afternoon train. The Conway Scenic Railroad offers a memorable, low-stress way to take in the season without having to spend a whole day on the trail.

Family-Friendly Fall Foliage Hikes in the White Mountains

If you’re visiting the White Mountains in September or October, hiking is one of the best ways to take in the fall foliage. The cooler weather makes it easier for kids, and many of the trails offer sweeping views without being too long or difficult. Here are some of the most family-friendly options:

• Black Cap (Conway, NH): A 2.4-mile round trip with a gentle climb through beech and oak trees before opening up to views of the White Mountains and western Maine. Great for hikers of all ages.
• Kilburn Crags (Littleton, NH): Just 1.4 miles, this short trail feels more like a nature walk. The summit offers views of Littleton, the Presidential Range, and the Ammonoosuc River Valley, plus a picnic table at the top.

Apple Picking at Windy Ridge Orchard

Apple picking is one of the most popular family activities in the White Mountains during fall, and Windy Ridge Orchard in North Haverhill is a great place to experience it. The orchard grows nearly twenty varieties of apples, including Honeycrisp, Gala, and Macoun. Families can grab a bag and pick at their own pace while enjoying open mountain views and the autumn air.

What makes Windy Ridge especially appealing for kids are the extras that go beyond the apple trees. There are easy walking trails, a small barnyard where kids can meet farm animals, and plenty of space to run between rows. The on-site Cider House Café serves sandwiches, baked goods, and fresh cider, making it a good stop for lunch or a snack before heading back out into the orchard. Parents might also enjoy sampling fruit wines made right at the orchard, while kids love finishing the visit with cider donuts or apple crisp. The atmosphere is relaxed, family-friendly, and full of the season’s best flavors.

Fall Festival at Settlers Green

Another fun way to enjoy the season is the annual Fall Festival at Settlers Green in North Conway. Held each September, this festival blends the charm of small seasonal traditions with the convenience of being located right at the outdoor shopping center. Families can expect activities like pumpkin painting and a mini hay maze. Free cider and apples are often handed out while supplies last.

Because the event takes place at Settlers Green, it’s easy to combine the festival with outlet shopping, grabbing a bite to eat, or simply walking around town. The festival is low-key and doesn’t require a full day commitment, which makes it an ideal stop if you’re already in North Conway for hiking, leaf peeping, or the Conway Scenic Railroad. It’s a simple way to add a little fall fun to your trip without having to plan a separate excursion.

Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina

The Blue Ridge Parkway stretches 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina, linking Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Shenandoah National Park. In the fall, the route is one of the most popular places in the country for leaf peeping, with color usually peaking in mid to late October. Families can take the drive at their own pace, stopping at overlooks for quick photos or pulling over for a picnic. Many sections of the Parkway also connect to short trails that are manageable with kids, like Humpback Rocks or Craggy Gardens, where you don’t need a full-day hike to enjoy mountain views.

Towns along the way, including Boone and Asheville, add extra opportunities for family activities such as pumpkin patches, apple picking, or local fall festivals that pair well with the season’s fall foliage. With a mix of scenic stops and kid-friendly diversions, the Parkway makes it easy to combine time in the car with short breaks outdoors.

Catskills, New York

The Catskills, just a few hours from New York City, are a classic getaway for families. Peak fall foliage usually arrives in early to mid-October, and the rolling hills and small towns offer a mix of outdoor and seasonal activities. Families can combine scenic drives with stops at farms for apple picking, hayrides, and pumpkin patches. The Ashokan Reservoir and nearby overlooks provide wide views of the changing colors, while short hikes like Kaaterskill Falls offer an accessible way to get into the woods. Many towns in the region also host harvest festivals with live music and local food, making the Catskills a simple but rewarding choice for a family fall trip.

Apple Picking at Fishkill Farms

Fishkill Farms in the Hudson Valley is a popular place for families to enjoy pick-your-own apples during fall. The season runs from late summer through October, with dozens of apple varieties available across the orchards. The farm grows a wide selection of organic and eco-certified apples, including types like Jonagold and Golden Delicious, giving families a chance to taste varieties you don’t find at the supermarket. Families reserve a time slot, pick apples at their own pace, and then stop at the farm store for cider, fresh-baked donuts, and other local goods.

There’s also a cider bar for parents who want to sample small-batch hard ciders while taking in the view. With wide open fields and plenty of space to roam, it’s an easy day trip that combines apple picking with a relaxed countryside atmosphere.

Stone Ridge Orchard

Stone Ridge Orchard offers a quieter alternative in the Catskills, with apple and pear picking in a setting that feels low-key and historic. The orchard has been operating for over 200 years, and today it still offers the same mix of pick-your-own fruit, fresh cider, and farm goods. Families can stroll the rows, gather a few bags of apples, and enjoy the open views of the Rondout Valley. Occasional hayrides and seasonal events add to the experience, but the main draw is the chance to enjoy a slower pace and let kids explore outdoors without the crowds of a larger festival.

Fall Festival at Kelder’s Farm

Kelder’s Farm in Kerhonkson turns fall into a full-day outing with its annual harvest festival. Families can pick apples and pumpkins, wander through a corn maze, ride hay wagons, and let kids try more than 30 different farm attractions. There are farm animals to meet, giant slides, and bounce areas that keep younger visitors entertained. Food stands and a farm market sell seasonal treats and local produce, making it simple to spend a whole afternoon without leaving the property. It’s a high-energy option for families who want apple picking plus plenty of extras to keep kids busy.

Hunter Mountain Scenic SkyRide

The Hunter Mountain Scenic SkyRide is a six-passenger chairlift that takes you up to 3,200 feet for a view of the Catskills’ fall foliage, from the Berkshires to Vermont’s Green Mountains on a clear day. The ride lasts about 11 minutes each way, making it an easy and scenic way for families to enjoy leaf-peeping without needing a long hike.

Once you reach the top, there’s an option to explore a marked trail that leads to New York State’s highest fire tower. The round-trip hike from the lift is about four miles and takes around three hours. The SkyRide usually runs through peak fall foliage season (check current dates and weather), and kids under seven ride free with a paying adult. Please note: children must be at least three years old and meet height requirements of at least 36 inches.

Kid-Friendly Hiking at Kaaterskill Falls

Kaaterskill Falls is one of the most popular hikes in the Catskills and it works well for families with kids. From the Laurel House trailhead, a short 0.3-mile path leads to an upper viewing platform where you can see the two-tiered waterfall drop more than 260 feet. The trail is wide, gently sloped, and manageable even with younger children, which makes it a good choice if you are looking for a quick outing with a big payoff.

Families who want a longer hike can continue down toward the base of the falls, but the trail is steeper with stone steps and uneven ground. This section is better for older kids who are comfortable with more challenging terrain. Good shoes and close supervision are important, and it is best to stay on the marked paths for safety. Whether you stop at the overlook or make the climb down, Kaaterskill Falls is an accessible way to experience one of the Catskills’ most impressive natural landmarks with children.

Final Thoughts

Fall is a season that feels made for families. The days are cooler, the pace slows down, and nature puts on a show that is easy to enjoy whether you are walking a short trail, riding a gondola, or picking apples together in an orchard. Each of these destinations offers a mix of beautiful fall colors and family-friendly activities, giving you the chance to plan a trip that balances outdoor adventure with simple seasonal fun. Taking your kids to see the changing leaves can become a tradition that feels different each year depending on where you go.

I would love to hear about your favorite fall foliage destinations! If you have a place your family enjoys, please send me a message on Instagram. I’m always happy to connect and share more tips to help make your family trips even more memorable. And if you’re planning to go hiking this fall, here’s a list of items I recommend to make your adventure easier and more enjoyable.

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  Best Moments | Family | Featured | North America | Tennessee | United States | USA

  Chattanooga With Kids: The Best Family Travel Guide

  ByMari June 11, 2026June 11, 2026

  Chattanooga with kids turned out to be one of those trips where I kept thinking, why did we wait so long to come here? I had heard good things, but I did not expect a city this walkable, this packed with things for families to do, and this easy to navigate with two boys in…

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  Family | Featured | Georgia | North America | United States | USA

  Hiking Georgia’s Great Little Grand Canyon (aka Providence Canyon) with Kids

  ByMari November 28, 2025November 28, 2025

  If you’re dreaming of the Grand Canyon but it’s just out of reach, Providence Canyon in Lumpkin, Georgia, often called “Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon,” might be the perfect alternative for your next family adventure. Located just two hours south of Atlanta, this national park offers a chance to explore stunning canyons without having to travel out west. It’s an excellent destination for families looking to experience nature, get a little muddy, and enjoy a day of adventure.

The post 5 Beautiful US Fall Foliage Destinations with Kids appeared first on Mari on the Map.