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LA Family Attractions: 18 Things To Do In Los Angeles With Kids

May 10, 2018 / California, Los Angeles, Travel, USA / 0 comment

LA Family Attractions: 16 Things To Do In Los Angeles With Kids

Los Angeles is an incredible destination for a family holiday. We discovered world-class museums, theme parks and gardens during our stay that left us extremely impressed with that the city has to offer visitors of all ages and interests. Scroll down to find out our favourite LA family attractions, plus where to stay and eat with kids, and how to get around the city without losing your sanity.

Things to do in LA

J. Paul Getty Museum

This is a must when visiting LA with kids. The J. Paul Getty Museum, usually just called “the Getty”, is one of the world’s largest art organisations. In Los Angeles, you can visit their two locations and collections: the Getty Center and Getty Villa. Both are incredible and I would suggest setting aside a day to explore each. This would be a great option if you can spend at least 3 days in Los Angeles.

Getty Center

Perched atop a hill with a stunning view over LA, the Getty Center is worth visiting to see it’s incredible architecture and gardens as well as their art collection.

Visit the Family Room with kids to explore art with hands-on activities such as mask-making, playing with camera lenses, creating a tube sculpture and decorating a giant illuminated manuscript. .

Or, use the Art Detective Cards to engage kids in art around the galleries and garden. There is even a free multimedia GettyGuide® Family Tour with stories, music, and sounds inspired by art available at the GettyGuide Desk in the Museum Entrance Hall.

Read more about our visit to the Getty Center here.

Entry into the Getty Center is free!

Getty Center
1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles
getty.edu

Getty Villa

Another must-visit in LA, the Getty Villa is a recreation of an ancient Roman country house, built in the 1970s and modelled after the Villa dei Papiri in Herculaneum, Italy, which was buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79. The villa is filled with artefacts and art works from the end of the Stone Age to the fall of the Roman Empire, while the garden design reflects those found in ancient Roman homes including a herb garden, decorative fountains, arbors and reflecting ponds.

We spent a peaceful few hours walking through the gardens and villa following the Art Detective Cards, which direct families to find art and solve a mystery while exploring the galleries, garden, and architecture.

The interactive Family Forum room is a highlight of a visit to the Getty Villa with kids, as is the GettyGuide® Family Favorites multimedia tour designed especially for families.

Read more about our visit to the Getty Villa here.

Entry into the Getty Villa is free, but ticket reservations are required.

Getty Villa
17985 Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades
getty.edu

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

The iconic Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in the Miracle Mile area of Los Angeles is a must-visit for any lover of art and design. Kids will love the two outdoor, large-scale installations, Urban Light and Levitated Mass, the Boone’s Children’s Gallery, free story time and family Sunday activities.

Read more about our visit to LACMA here.

LACMA
5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles
lacma.org

La Brea Tar Pits and Museum

The La Brea Tar Pits and museum will educate and engage the whole family. Science-lovers of all ages will get a real kick out of visiting this incredible time capsule, where active tar pits are still being excavated and Ice Age fossils of long-extinct animals being still being discovered today.

We absolutely loved our visit to the La Brea Tar Pits and highly recommend it as one of the top LA family attractions.

Read more about our visit to the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum here.

La Brea Tar Pits
5801 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles
tarpits.org

Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood is a film studio and theme park in the San Fernando Valley area of LA. It’s the original Universal Studios! The park is split into an upper and lower lot with rides and attractions, plus the original Back Lot Studio tour that is unique to Hollywood. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a stand out.

Get our tips on visiting Universal Studios Hollywood here.

Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City
universalstudioshollywood.com

Griffith Park

One of the largest municipal parks with urban wilderness areas in the United States, Griffith Park sprawls over 4,210 acres featuring both natural terrain and landscaped parklands. There are plenty of walking trails in the park, as well as some prime attractions.

Griffith Observatory

A must for lovers of astronomy and space, the Griffith Observatory is perched high up in Griffith Park, offering visitors an excellent view of Los Angeles as well as the famous Hollywood Sign.

Inside the Observatory you’ll find a wide variety of space and science-related displays. Look through telescopes, explore the hands-on exhibits (most feature dense text and aren’t overly suitable to younger kids), and be sure to catch a live show in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium.

Read more about our visit to the Griffith Observatory here.

Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles
griffithobservatory.org

Griffith Merry-Go-Round

It might not look like much, a dilapidated merry-go-round that’s a a bit neglected and worse for wear, but the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round is a special place for Disneyphiles. This carousel with peeling paint, in need of some serious restoration, was actually the inspiration behind Disneyland.

Read more about visiting the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round here.

Hollywood sign

One of the most famous symbols in the world, the Hollywood sign was erected in 1923. While it’s visible from many places in Los Angeles, you can actually hike right up to it.

Get tips on hiking up close to the Hollywood sign here.

Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens

A 133-acre zoo located inside Griffith park, the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens was founded in 1966. Inside the zoo you’ll find animals such as Bornean orangutans, Asian elephants, hippos, gorillas and chimpanzees. Kids will love petting farm animals in the Winnick Family Children’s Zoo and running wild at the Neil Papiano Play Park that features animal-themed climbing sculptures, large play structures, a toddler area and water misters. The play park was designed to be accessible to all children, including those with medical and physical challenges. If your kids want to see animals, then the zoo is an excellent choice of LA family attractions.

Photo by Matteo Ferrero on Unsplash

Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles
lazoo.org

Venice Beach

The people watching at Venice Beach makes it worth the visit alone! There is a boho vibe at Venice Beach, with a boardwalk full of funky shops, street performers and murals. We found a playground and skate park for kids to enjoy, and the Muscle Beach outdoor gym for us to watch the locals training to be musclemen like Arnie!

Santa Monica Pier

The iconic Santa Monica Pier was built in 1909, the first concrete pier on the USA West Coast. Ride the Santa Monica Pier Carousel built in 1939, take a spin on the world’s only solar-powered ferris wheel, challenge each other to a game at Playland Arcade and don’t miss the gorgeous sunset.

Photo by Matthew LeJune on Unsplash

Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica Pier A, Santa Monica
santamonicapier.org

The Original Farmers Market

Enjoy food from over 100 gourmet grocers and restaurants at the Original Farmers Markets, an LA institution since 1934. We loved the open-air setting which made for low-key dining in a vibey atmosphere.

The Original Farmers Market
6333 W 3rd St, Los Angeles
farmersmarketla.com

The Grove

This famous outdoor mall is a must if you love to shop! The grove is packed with world-class shops, restaurants and entertainment, plus offering a bit of fun with old-fashioned trolley rides and dancing fountains.

The American Girl Doll store was a fave for us. Our doll had her hair done and ears pierced in the salon.

The Grove
189 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles
thegrovela.com

Hollywood Boulevard

Movie buffs will want to visit the iconic Hollywood Boulevard, the famous strip lined with museums, theatres and 2,500 stars on the 18-block Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Hollywood Wax Museum and Madame Tussauds Hollywood are both a fun way to spend a few hours “meeting” the stars, or you can see if your hands and feet match up with famous celebs’ in the TCL Chinese Theatre’s Forecourt to the Stars.

Catch a movie while you’re there! The TCL Chinese Theatre is home to one of the largest IMAX© auditoriums in the world, and the Dolby Theatre, where the Academy Awards are held every year, plays live shows year-round.

Since we are Disney fans, we had to visit the El Capitan Theatre. Owned by the Walt Disney Company, the theatre shows Disney movies, often with great movie-themed exhibits. Attached to the theatre is the Disney Studio Store & Ghirardelli Soda Fountain, where you can try an incredible sundae and buy exclusive Disney pins and merchandise.

When we visited we were lucky enough to see the new Star Wars premiering, including a life-sized AT-AT Walker in the street.

The Hollywood & Highland Center is a great spot on the strip to eat and shop, and has fountains in the forecourt for kids to play in. There is also a great view of the Hollywood sign inside.

We found the strip to be quite seedy and filled with people who would try to give you something like a “free CD” and then ask for money for it, so keep your wits around you and your valuables close.

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHMLA)

The largest natural and historical museum in the western USA, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County’s collections include nearly 35 million specimens and artefacts from across 4.5 billion years of history.

There is plenty for kids to do at the NHMLA, from multi-media stations where they can “excavate” their own fossils, to the Discovery Center featuring a fossil dig pit, live bugs and a daily dinosaur puppet show.

We were extremely impressed with the NHMLA and rate it as one of our fave LA family attractions.

Read more about our visit to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County here.

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 W Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles
nhm.org

Disneyland and California Adventure Park

An hours drive south of Los Angeles will bring you to Anaheim, and the original Disneyland theme park. Disneyland park opened in 1955 and still retains many of the original rides and much of the charm that it had upon opening. California Adventure Park opened across from Disneyland in 2001.

I’m a massive Disney fan and my daughter is the same. It goes without saying that if you visit LA and even kind of like Disney, then you must, must, must visit Disneyland. It’s my number one choice of LA family attractions and the one that we re-visit over and over and over again.

We visited during last December, which was absolutely magical. Read about visiting Disneyland during the holidays here.

Get lots of tips on visiting both parks here.

The Broad

The Broad is a contemporary art museum featuring a collection from the 1950s to the present. The goal of the museum is to make art accessible to the widest possible audience by presenting exhibitions and operating a lending program to art museums and galleries worldwide.

The Broad is free to enter and has an incredible collection of engaging art works that are perfect for introducing little ones to art.

Read more about visiting The Broad here.

Wildlife Learning and Conservation Center

Wildlife Learning and Conservation Center (WLCC) is located in Sylmar, California and is home to over 100 displaced, rescued, and zoo-born wild animals.

Read more about visiting the Wildlife Learning and Conservation Center here.

How to get around LA

Driving is the easiest! If you hire a car and can put up with exhorbitant parking fees at the hotels, then I would advise driving as it’s simplly the easiest way to get everywhere.

LA does have a metro system so if you’re planning on using it, I would advise staying near one of the train stations. Get more info on the metro system here.

Uber is also very easy to use in LA. If you require a car seat, see here for info. We always travel with our own car booster seat.

Best Place To Stay In LA For Families

We stayed in two hotels:

The Hollywood Orchid Suites, directly behind Hollywood Boulevard, has a fantastic location and is excellent value. We had an apartment-sized suites featuring a full kitchen. We also received complimentary breakfast every day. A few steps outside of the hotel took us to the Highland Mall with plenty of restaurants and shops, and Hollywood Boulevard on the street parallel. The hotel staff were extremely warm and welcoming and we would happily stay again.

Get more info on the Hollywood Orchid Suites here.

Beverly Laurel Motor Hotel is a budget hotel with a cool retro vibe and a nice-sized pool. The location is excellent for the Grove shopping center, Original Farmers Markets – both are within walking distance. We also walked to LACMA and La Brea Tar Pits from here. The Beverly Laurel was an adequate hotel but lacked the warmth and attention to detail of our other hotel and we wouldn’t stay again.

Get more info on the Beverly Laurel Motor Hotel here.

Kid-Friendly Restaurants Los Angeles

The Original Farmers Market

A popular spot for locals and tourists alike since 1934, even the fussiest eater will find something they like from the 100 gourmet grocers and restaurants inside.
farmersmarketla.com

Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop

Pricey but delicious old-fashioned sodas, ice cream sundaes and chocolate inside the Disney Studio Store. Located on Hollywood Boulevard inside the El Capitan Theatre, the soda fountain is a welcome haven from the busy boulevard outside.

Mel’s Drive In

A retro-style diner featuring a wide menu of standard diner fare and jukeboxes at the tables. Mel’s has plenty of options for kids and adults.
melsdrive-in.com

California Pizza Kitchen

Who doesn’t love pizza? We frequented the CPK brand inside Highland Mall in Hollywood multiple times. They also do pasta and salad.
cpk.com

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

May 10, 2018 / California, Los Angeles, Travel, USA / 0 comment

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHMLA)

The NHMLA’s new dinosaur hall is incredible. Featuring more than 300 real fossils, 20 complete dinosaurs and ancient sea creatures, it’s an impressive collection – particularly the centrepiece exhibit of three T. rex skeletons shown at different ages. It’s the display of such in the world. Kids will enjoy the multi-media stations where they can “excavate” their own fossils and watch footage of a real dinosaur hunting expedition.

Many of the dinosaurs were discovered by the Museum’s own in-house Dinosaur Institute.

We also highly enjoyed the Hall of Gems and Minerals, which we looked at three times during our one visit. The diamonds are dazzling and gold nuggets entrancing!

While we also enjoyed the other sections of the Museum, including the Insect Zoo, North American mammals, African mammals and The Story of P-22, LA’s famous mountain lion who roams Griffith Park, the other big hit for us was the Discovery Center.

The Discovery Center allows kids to get hands-on with science through various stations around the center. The Paleo Play Zone with its fossil dig pit was a particular favourite, as were the fossils in rocks, binoculars pointed outside and bug displays. The Museums also puts on a dinosaur show featuring large puppets.

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 W Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles
nhm.org

Griffith Observatory, Griffith Park, Los Angeles

May 9, 2018 / California, Los Angeles, Travel, USA / 0 comment

Griffith Observatory

A must for lovers of astronomy and space, the Griffith Observatory is perched high up in Griffith Park, offering visitors an excellent view of Los Angeles as well as the famous Hollywood Sign.

Griffith Observatory opened in May 1935, the third planetarium in the USA.

While admission to the Observatory and grounds is free, entry to the planetarium attracts a fee.

We particularly enjoyed the lower level with plenty of information on the planets and scales to show us how much we would weigh if we were on the surface.

Parking at the observatory can be tricky. Read up on how to get there and plan accordingly.

Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles
griffithobservatory.org

The Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round That Inspired Disneyland

May 9, 2018 / California, Los Angeles, Travel, USA / 0 comment

The Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round That Inspired Disneyland

You can find this old fashioned children’s ride is located in Griffith Park, in the Park Center between the Los Angeles Zoo and the Los Feliz park entrance. It’s been enjoyed by over five generations of Los Angleans, including the Walt Disney family.

Local Los Feliz resident, Walt Disney, regularly brought his young children to the merry-go-round on weekends, while he would sit on the nearby benches and watch his kids enjoy the ride.

It was while sitting on a bench watching the enjoyment had by families on the merry-go-round that Disney had the idea for Disneyland – a place for families to go and enjoy time together (the bench has been since been removed and placed behind a fence for preservation at the rear of the carousel). Disney’s dream came true on July 17, 1955, the day that Disneyland opened to the public.

The Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round was built in 1926 by the Spillman Engineering Company and brought to Griffith Park in 1937. It features 68 horses, carved with bridles and blankets. It is accompanied by a Stinson 165 Military Band Organ, playing over 1500 selections of marches and waltz music.

The small carousel, which is tucked away into a quiet corner of the park, served as Walt Disney’s inspiration for Disneyland. When his children were young, Walt, a Los Feliz denizen, took them to the merry-go-round on weekends. During one visit, while sitting on a bench watching his kids circle round and round, he was inspired to create a large scale gathering site that the whole family could enjoy. His dream was realized on July 17, 1955, when Disneyland opened to the public.

Stepping Back In Time At The La Brea Tar Pits And Museum, LA, California

May 9, 2018 / California, Los Angeles, Travel, USA / 0 comment

Stepping Back In Time At The La Brea Tar Pits And Museum

The La Brea Tar Pits and museum were an unexpected delight that engaged the whole family, including the hard-to-please husband. Science-lovers of all ages will get a real kick out of visiting this incredible time capsule, where active tar pits are still in play and fossils being still being discovered and excavated.

Right in the centre of Los Angeles, the tar pits are an Ice Age fossil excavation site where natural asphalt has seeped up from the ground to form pits of tar where animals were trapped and died many centuries ago. The tar preserved the bones of the animals, resulting in one of the biggest collections of Ice Age fossils in the world.

More than 3.5 million fossils have been discovered in the tar pits, including over 600 species of animals from snakes and sloths to mollusks, mammoths sabre-toothed cats and mountain lions.

Next to the actual tar pits is the George C. Page Museum, which is dedicated to researching the tar pits and displaying specimens from the animals that died there. The La Brea Tar Pits are a registered National Natural Landmark.

When visiting the La Brea Tar Pits, begin outside in the park where the actual tar pits are located. Pick up a map from the entrance and walk around the tar pits in order, reading about the animals that have been found in each pit.

We found it a fascinating journey back in time to a land of apex predators such as sabre toothed tigers. Walking around the pits we learned that 90% of the mammals found in the pits were carnivorous – the likely reason being a herbivore would wander in to a pit and get stuck. A carnivore would then spot the animal, assume they were easy pickings, and enter the pit to become stuck themselves.

Some of the tar pits are still active and you may see excavators at work when you visit.

Once the fossils have been excavated, they’re brought inside the museum. the best fossils are on display. Over 1 million Ice Age fossils, from 650 species, can be seen inside, from a Columbian Mammoth, excavated in 1914, to the tooth of a baby mouse.

Visitors can see paleontology in action in the lab in the centre of the museum, where fossils are being cleaned, studied and prepared for future exhibits. When we visited, paleontologists and volunteers were working on fossils of animals who had lived between 40,000 and 10,000 years ago, excavated from Project 23 in the outside tar pits.

Kids in particular will enjoy the 15-minute multimedia performance that brings the Ice Age to life, and features a life-size saber-toothed cat puppet.

The museum is also home to a 3D cinema where visitors can watch entertaining shows on relevant subjects. When we visited, the show was “Titans of the Ice Age 3D”.

La Brea Tar Pits
5801 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles
tarpits.org

Visiting The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

May 8, 2018 / California, Los Angeles, Travel, USA / 0 comment

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

The iconic Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in the Miracle Mile area of Los Angeles is a must-visit for any lover of art and design.

LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States, featuring an excellent collection of modern art including works by Picasso, Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky, Willem de Kooning and Joan Miró, plus collections of American and Latin American art, Asian art, Greek, Roman, and Etruscan art, Islamic art, Decorative arts and design and photography.

Outside, there is an outdoor sculpture garden and palm garden to enjoy

In front of the entrance to LACMA on Wilshire Boulevard you’ll find the famous Urban Light light installation, featuring 202 antique cast-iron street lights from various cities in and around LA. The lights turn on at night so be sure to visit during the day and evening for the full experience.

At the rear of the gallery sits another large-scale installation, Levitated Mass. A 340-tonne boulder sits atop of a 456-foot-long trench allowing visitors to walk underneath.

Kids are more than welcome at LACMA, they’re invited to participate in art making in the Boone’s Children’s Gallery, a free, creative space where visitors of all ages can explore painting. LACMA also offers Story Time in the Galleries, featuring folk-tales and stories aimed at engaging young children, every Friday at 2pm in the Korean art galleries adjacent to the Boone Children’s Gallery.

Families can also enjoy Andell Family Sundays, a weekly event featuring artist-led workshops, family gallery tours and activities.

LACMA
5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles
Hours: Mon, Tue, Thur & Fri 11am-5pm. Sat & Sun 10am-5pm.
Children aged 17 and under are free (3-17 need a “free” ticket)
lacma.org

Visiting The Getty Villa, Los Angeles

May 8, 2018 / California, Los Angeles, Travel, USA / 0 comment

An absolute must-visit in LA, the Getty Villa is a recreation of an ancient Roman country house, built in the 1970s and modelled after the Villa dei Papiri in Herculaneum, Italy, which was buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79.

The villa is filled with artefacts and art works from the end of the Stone Age to the fall of the Roman Empire, while the garden design reflects those found in ancient Roman homes including a herb garden, decorative fountains, arbors and reflecting ponds.

The Family Forum is a highlight of a visit to the Getty Villa with kids. This interactive room brings ancient history to life with hands-on activities designed to encourage families to play and learn together. The Greek vase, how they were made, decorated and used, is the focal point of the Family Forum.

Another free activity, the GettyGuide® Family Favorites multimedia tour lets kids discover the myths, legends and daily life of the ancient Greek and Romans.

Admission to the Getty Villa is free but must be reserved prior to your visit.

Getty Villa
17985 Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades
getty.edu

19 Ideas For An Awesome Blue Mountains Day Trip

May 1, 2018 / Australia, Blue Mountains, NSW, Travel / 0 comment

Take a day trip from Sydney to the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park. A quick 90 min drive or two hours by train will take you to a region full of art, history, thriving cafes and spectacular natural beauty. Your Blue Mountains Day Trip awaits!

20 Ideas For A Blue Mountains Day Trip

Scenic World

The perfect way to experience the beauty of the mountains. Scenic World consists of four activities: the Scenic Skyway, the Scenic Railway, the Scenic Cableway and the Scenic Walkway. The Scenic Skyway is suspended 270 metres above the Jamison Falls Valley and glides two cliff tops. On the other side, the beautiful Katooma Cascades waterfall is a short walk.

An absolute must is a thrilling ride on the Scenic Railway. With its 52 degree incline, this is the steepest passenger railway in the world.

Get more info on Scenic World and Katoomba Cascades here.

Katoomba Falls

The Katoomba Falls is a segmented waterfall that is located close between Echo Point and Scenic World, near Katoomba. The falls flow into the Jamison Valley in the Blue Mountains.

To view the falls, you can take the short, picturesque circuit walk starting at Scenic World. The 1.5km circuit, which takes about 1 hour 45 mins, goes through the rainforest, all the way to the waterfall, with panoramic views of Jamison Valley.

There is an excellent view of the falls from the Scenic World Skyway.

Katoomba Cascades

The cascades can be found in a bend on Cliff Drive, near Katoomba Park. There are some picnic benches in the park, making it the perfect place to stop for a break before heading down to the cascades.

It’s a short 300 metre walk down to the falls, which takes about 15 mins. It can get quite muddy, so wear closed in shoes and possibly bring a change of shoes in the car.

Read about visiting Katoomba Cascades.

Wentworth Falls

Enjoy breathtaking grand valley and waterfall views on the Wentworth Falls walks in the Blue Mountains National Park.

The 1.4km return walk to the top of Wentworth Falls includes two stunning lookouts over the Jamison Valley as well as overlooking Wentworth Falls themselves. There’s a lovely spot for kids to paddle in the cascades at the top of the waterfalls.

Lilianfels High Tea, Katoomba

Enjoy the grand tradition of Lilianfels High Tea, served on a three-tier platter, in the elegant Lilianfels Resort & Spa in the NSW Blue Mountains.

Lilianfels is also a great spot to stay the night, and is only a few metres from Echo Point to take in the Three Sisters while you’re there.

Read more about Lilianfels High Tea and other Blue Mountains high tea options.

High Tea at the Hydro Majestic in Medlow Bath

Take your high tea with a side of history at the iconic Hydro Majestic hotel. Since opening its doors in 1904 the hotel has been a place of luxury to visit for a relaxing stay, or to simply stop by for an elegant afternoon tea.

Read more about visiting the Hydro Majestic here and more Blue Mountains high tea options here.

The Three Sisters Rock Formation in Leura

A towering rock formation located at Echo Point in Katoomba, the Three Sisters is a popular Blue Mountains day trip. This unusual rock formation represents three sisters who, according to Aboriginal legend, turned to stone.

While the Three Sisters is a beautiful sight from the lookout, we love to take the bush walk that starts at the rock formation and heads down into the valley. It takes you past the sisters and beyond into the bush. Wear good walking shoes and pack plenty of water!

Get more info on visiting the Three Sisters here and on bushwalking in the Blue Mountains here.

The Minni Ha Ha Falls in Katoomba

The beautiful Minni Ha Ha Falls (also known as Minniehaha Falls and Minnihaha Falls) are the reward hikers receive for taking the 1.3km trail down to the bottom of the valley floor. You can swim in the waterfall (be warned – it’s cold!) or just enjoy the serenity.

Get more info on visiting the Minni Ha Ha Falls here. NOTE: the falls have been reported closed, so check they are open before going.

Bygone Beautys, Leura

For a truly unique high tea, journey inside the Bygone Beauties Treasured Teapot Museum & Tearooms, home of world’s largest private collection of teawares. Enjoy High Tea or Devonshire Tea surrounded by stunning teapots from a bygone era, while waitstaff zoom past with high tea on silver trays.

Read more about Blue Mountains high tea options, and get info on Bygone Beautys.

Norman Lindsey Gallery in Faulconbridge

Visit the home and studio of Norman Lindsey (1879-1969), an Australian artist, cartoonist, and writer. Famous for his Magic Pudding books and voluptuous nudes, Norman Lindsey’s house and the surrounding gardens have been maintained by the National Trust.

Get more info on visiting the Norman Lindsey Gallery here.

Everglades House and Gardens in Leura

This beautiful 1930s, Art Deco home will transport you to a bygone era of grace and charm. Set aside a few hours to wander the 5.2 hectares of stunning gardens and enjoy a Devonshire tea inside the old house itself.

Get more info on visiting the Everglades House and Gardens here.

Cafe 2773 in Glenbrook

Break your journey into the Blue Mountains with brekkie at one of our fave spots, Cafe 2773 in Glenbrook. The menu at 2773 focuses on use of local organic produce, with an extensive selection of local beer and wine. There’s a little play area for kids and farm animals to meet, too.

Get more info on visiting Cafe 2773 in Glenbrook here.

Mayfield Garden in Oberon

Mayfield Garden is one of the world’s largest privately-owned cool climate gardens. It’s a gorgeous spot to visit year-round, with waterlilies in summer, colourful foliage in autumn, raw structure of plants in winter and fragrant blooms in spring. Look up their calendar of events and plan your visit around one of Mayfield Garden’s special festivals.

Mayfield Garden is quite a drive from Sydney, making it a bit of a stretch for a Blue Mountains day trip. You might want to consider staying the night nearby.

Get more info on visiting Mayfield Garden here.

Blue Mountains Botanic Garden at Mount Tomah

The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden is the only botanic garden in the world located in a World Heritage area. Home to 21,000 plants of 900 species, the 69-acre garden is located 100km west of Sydney at Mount Tomah, in the Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia.

Spend the day strolling through this curated gardens and discovering exotic and native plants.

Get more info on visiting the Botanical Gardens Blue Mountains.

Breenhold Gardens in Mount Wilson

Enjoy spring and autumn colours at the heritage-listed Breenhold Gardens in Mount Wilson, a two-hour drive from the Sydney CBD. The Garden Estate of Breenhold is one of the most extensive privately owned garden properties in Australia.

Get more info on visiting Breenhold Gardens.

Fruit picking in Bilpin

Pick your own apples, oranges, mandarins and persimmons. A day fruit picking in the fresh air makes for a refreshing day trip that the whole family can enjoy.

Get more info on fruit picking in Sydney.

Wildwood Garden in Bilpin

Enjoy seasonal colours in the fresh mountain at at Wildwood Garden, a privately-owned cool climate garden in the Blue Mountains, 90 minutes drive west of Sydney. The garden has stunning seasonal blooms and foliage, and is particularly beautiful in autumn and spring.

Get more info on visiting Wildwood Garden.

Jellybean Pool, Glenbrook

Enjoy a refreshing dip in the Jellybean Pool, a short stroll down the Jellybean Track in Glenbrook, at the base of the Blue Mountains. The pool makes for a perfect Blue Mountains day trip with kids, who will love swimming in the calm waters.

Read more about visiting the Jellybean Pool.

Red Hands Cave

Red Hands Cave in Blue Mountains National Park is one of the best examples of Aboriginal rock art in this part of Sydney.

Read more about visiting Red Hands Cave.

More things to do in the Blue Mountains

Hike the other Grand Canyon in the Blue Mountains.

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids here.

Find things to do in Sydney for free here.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Find the best animal experiences in Sydney here.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney here.

Find the best high teas in Sydney here.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney here.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day here.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney here.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney here.

Find the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Sydney here.

Everglades Historic House and Gardens Leura, Blue Mountains

April 29, 2018 / Australia, Blue Mountains, Leura / 0 comment

We love a beautiful garden and the Everglades Historic House & Gardens certainly ticks all the boxes. A beautiful 1930s, Art Deco home set amongst 5.2 hectares of stunning gardens, the Everglades is destination that will transport you to a bygone era of grace and charm.

Georgina Stonier, the original owner of the house, called it The Everglades in 1923 for reasons unknown. When the Van de Velde family bought the property in the 1930 they kept the name.

It was during the 1930s that the magnificent gardens were constructed by Danish-born landscape gardener Paul Sorensen. They are a prime example of inter-war period gardens and as such receive visitors from garden lovers around the world.

The Everglades is now managed by the National Trust organisation.

I recommend setting aside a few hours to wander the gardens, packing a picnic lunch or enjoying a Devonshire tea onsite. The cafe inside the house serves scones, drinks and light treats only.

We enjoyed following the winding paths to explore little nooks and crannies where fairies might live, and feasting our eyes on the magnificent view of the Jamison Valley.

If you’re visiting the garden with kids aged 4-7 or so, I can recommend the Kids’ Activity Pack which can be purchased for $10 and includes a variety of ideas to engage kids in the garden.

Everglades Historic House and Gardens
37 Everglades Avenue
Leura
https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/places/everglades-house-gardens/

Heading to the Blue Mountains? Get Blue Mountains self-drive day trip ideas here.

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids here.

Find things to do in Sydney for free here.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Find the best animal experiences in Sydney here.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney here.

Find the best high teas in Sydney here.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney here.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day here.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney here.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney here.

Australian Reptile Park: Mini Kids 2 Keeper Experience

April 22, 2018 / Australia, NSW, Travel / 0 comment

The Australian Reptile Park is located on the Central Coast of NSW, about an hour north of Sydney. Established in 1948, the park is a privately owned attraction featuring native Australian wildlife and other exotic, international species. The Australian Reptile Park runs three Kids 2 Keeper programs for kids to engage with animals and learn a bit about their care and habitats.

Mini Kids 2 Keeper (3-6 years old)

Little Kids 2 Keeper (7-12 years old)

Big Kids 2 Keeper (13-18 years old)

We did the Mini Kids 2 Keeper program, which is based on the five sense (hear, see, taste, touch and smell). The program is a guided tour of the zoo and is designed to be both hands-on and educational.

All of the Kids 2 Keeper programs run only during the school holidays, usually on a Monday. Each program is different so kids can attend programs on multiple occasions and find them to be different each time.

During our Kids 2 Keeper program, adults were required to attend with their child. The older programs are drop-off.

Our tour included meeting reptiles, a snake, a tawny frogmouth owl, feeding parrots, patting a koala, watching a special feeding of the alligators, patting an echidna, meeting a ring-tailed possum and, the highlight, going into the Galapagos tortoise enclosure and meeting Hugo, the 67-year-old resident tortoise.