Kids in London and Paris

Old Jun 2nd, 2005, 03:30 PM
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Kids in London and Paris

Hello. I am taking my eight year old sister to London and Paris in two weeks. I was curious if I should buy the London Pass. Does anyone have any experience with this pass? Did you find it worth the cost? Also, what is the most economical way to go about buying this pass? I would really appreciate any suggestions and tips on places a child would enjoy. Thanks in advance. I frequently read your posts and always find them helpful and interesting!
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Old Jun 2nd, 2005, 04:05 PM
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Hi I took my two boys to London for a week and we had the best time. I bought us a 7 day bus pass from our nearest tube station which worked out at nothing or you can buy a London Underground pass this will give buses and underground it's more expensive but the boys loved the thought of hopping on and off the bus, however if time is of the essence then the tube is quicker, all the various cards on offer are well documented you may need photo's I can't remember I suggest you take a passport size one just in case saves having to do when you're there. What you do is depending on time allocated we did Buck house Changing of the guard, Hyde Park,and surrounding area's including the brilliant Churchill rooms all war so maybe not a girls must see! Tower of London get on entrance the leaflet and follow the clues great fun. Do a trip down the Thames we went from Houses of Parliment to Greenich and called in at Naval Museum and climbed the hill to see the GMT line ect.Transport Museum in Covent Garden good plus you get Covent Garden thrown in. Carnaby street will be fun along with a show (matinee always cheaper and an 8yr old may have trouble staying awake) buy tickets that have been returned or check out the specials. Do not forget the London Eye best done on a clear day you can pre book tickets and then return.There is so much to see and do just highlight the ones which are a must see and try and work a few things into the day so you're not chasing your tail. I forgot to mention Madame Tussaurds(? spelling) little girls will love that but purchase ticket in advance the lines are horrendous. Can't help on Paris but I know from London its really easy to get there! Have a great trip.
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Old Jun 2nd, 2005, 04:37 PM
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I wouldn't get the London Pass. Its value comes from seeing as many of the higher priced sights as you can pack into your stay. That seems like a bit of a crap shoot with an 8 year old unless you know that her stamina is all go/all the time.

A daily Family Travelcard would be the most economical travel option for you and your sister (less than 5 GBP per day I'd guess). See the website for specific details:

www.tfl.gov.uk

You can get the travelcard at any tube station.

I'd add Hamley's on Regent Street to your list. Multistory toy nirvana.
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Old Jun 4th, 2005, 12:41 PM
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Having just braved Hamley's on a Saturday afternoon to find something for a new great-nephew, I'd suggest you prepare yourself for tears if you go there - from the adults, that is.
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Old Jun 4th, 2005, 12:53 PM
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Hi N,

Paris has some very pleasant parks for an 8 year old to tire herself out in:

Luxembourg, Tuileries and Parc Monceau are my favorites.

There are Merry Go Rounds at the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower.

See www.batobus.com for an on/off Seine River tour.

The absolutely best ice cream in Paris is the gelato at Amorino.

See http://www.amorino.fr/

Where will you be staying in Paris?



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Old Jun 4th, 2005, 01:05 PM
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Good London suggestions already made.

Paris: Pompidou Center, climb the Arc de Triomphe, bateau mouche trip, Galeries Lafayette, Montmartre, Champs Elysee. None of my children have ever been very keen on endless museum/art gallery tours (we managed the Musee d'Orsay once, but that was it - I'm saving the Louvre for when I'm on my own in a few years time!), but they can tolerate and be impressed with a church or two, so Notre Dame, esp going up to see the gargoyles if she has seen Hunchback of Notre Dame(Disney version)!! Pantheon is interesting too. You have to see the Eiffel Tower of course, but queues to go up it are often vast, which is why we looked, marvelled, and opted for climbing the Arc instead - great views too. The carousel in the Tuileries is fun. Chocolate at Angelique's on rue de Rivoli, and ice creams at Berthillon on Ile St Louis.
There is so much to see and do in Paris you will have no trouble amusing your sister. Just wandering around a foreign city is a great education in itself. She is very lucky to have you.
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Old Jun 4th, 2005, 05:47 PM
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In Paris, La Villette is an excellent science museum and the Cité des Enfants is especially nice, as it has many hands-on experiments, it only allows in a certain number of people at a time, and all the exhibits _work_ (however, it's all in French). La Villette also has the Géode (Omnimax theater), a motion theater, a music museum, and a submarine you can tour, as well as large playgrounds.

Disneyland Paris is an obvious choice, with both a theme park and Walt Disney Studios, plus Disney Village (and particularly the Rainforest Café and the superlative Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show).

The Parc Asterix is very nice, also, although it tends to emphasize big roller coasters.

France Miniature is very interesting, as is the Jardin d'Acclimatation on the west side of Paris. The Palais de la Découvert is another science museum, lots of interesting exhibits. The Catacombs and sewers may interest some children. The Luxembourg gardens have some nice playgrounds. There's a Planet Hollywood on the Champs (and at Disney Village).

Boat tours are nice, both on the Seine and on the canals. Double-decker bus tours can be fun (Open Tour, Car Rouge). The Musée Grévin has cool wax figures. Sea Life at the shopping center next to Disneyland has real aquatic animals like sharks and rays.

There are lots of nice toy stores in Paris, too. Notre-Dame is surprisingly interesting for kids. The Eiffel Tower is popular, too. Some kids really like to ride on the Métro, also.
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Old Jun 6th, 2005, 02:38 PM
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Hi Ira~

Sorry for the delay in answering your question. I am staying at the Rochester in Paris. Thanks to all for your suggestions. They are greatly appreciated.

Nat

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