I am going to spend 4 nights in London and 4 nights in Paris with my 3 kids, 14,11, and 8; my brother and sis in law, and now even my parents! I am very excited for this trip, but I was hoping to get advice on restaurants/pubs/cafes that would suit everybody without breaking the bank. I was also wondering if the ease of buying a London museum pass along with transportation would be worth the cost. We are staying at the Premier Travel Inn County Hall in London and the Hotel Britannique in Paris. We are travelling in early March so I am affraid picnicing will be out of the question, am I correct? Thanks!

In London, most museums (as distinct from commercial tourist attractions) are free anyway, apart from the Tower of London and the Imperial War Museum. It would be worth getting your party to read up on what's available to see what they might like to do and how much of that might be in paid-for attractions. It's all a matter of taste, but I could well imagine a whole family finding different things to suit all tastes in the (free) South Kensington museums for much of a day, for example - if you were prepared to split up for parts of the day.

As for picnicking weather - I wouldn't bank on it. You might just get a day with some warmth in the sun, but you'd still need to be wrapped up fairly warm.

Hi L,

>..advice on restaurants/pubs/cafes that would suit everybody ...<

Since we don't know you or your TCs, it would help if you gave us some hints as to what you all would like.

Picnic weather in London? Depends on the climate there, the climate where you come from. Last mid-march it was in the 70s and people were in shirtsleeves.
You don't say if this is a first visit or not. Many, many places (department stores, grocery stores, corner stores, chemists etc.) have very tasty pre-made sandwiches salads and other treats in a range of prices.
A fun outing for a Friday afternoon or Saturday morning is Borough Market, on London Bridge Road, an upscale outdoor food market that serves a lot of prepared food and baked goods etc. Not so cheap, but they often have samples, and if you go after 3, they have discounts.
If you want less expensive choices nearby, I'd head southward, not northward. Variety and prices will be better.

I may be mistaken, but hasn't the museum pass been panned in this forum? Many museums are free anyway.
But the tube/bus passes are a good value. Very nice for taking that one-subway-stop trip when you're tired and not having to pay for it.

The secret to group trips like this is not trying to do everything as a group. Let people clump according to their interest in the activity you propose for the morning, afternoon and evening, trading off at will.

Have a great time!

lynny:
Be sure to report back on the hotel (I know your trip is still a ways away, but...). I just looked it up on tripadvisor and it looks wonderful!

Thanks for the replies! My husband and I have been to London and Paris, but my children and parents have not. I am not purchasing the London museum pass, but I am getting the one for Paris. We are looking forward to trying different foods, in London I'd like to try the traditional food--shepard's pie, etc, as well as some Indian and Thai food. My children are well behaved, but I don't want to go where they would not be welcomed. I don't think splitting up will be desirable to the group, even if it made touring easier. Thanks for your input!

<i>buying a London museum pass</i>

<i>hasn't the museum pass been panned in this forum?</i>

<i>I am not purchasing the London museum pass</i>

There is no &quot;London <b>Museum</b> Pass&quot;. As PatrickLondon says, most all museums (including the Imperial War BTW) are free. There IS a &quot;London Pass&quot; - but it isn't useful for many museums. It does cover other sites but for most visitors it isn't that useful. And the London Pass transport option is basically useless for families, since there are so many other passes and family tickets that are cheaper and only available after you are in London.