Where is: halfway between point A and point B and boasts a large medieval castle with beautiful views? If you guessed our next “along the way stop” on our journey around Ireland, then you guessed right! Of course it wouldn’t be right if we didn’t get a late start and losing the car keys didn’t help, but once we got all that sorted*, we were off! As expected the drive was beautiful and we saw many tower house ruins along with the ever present cows and sheep!
King John’s Castle
Along the way from Killarney to Galway… Limerick, Ireland
111 km from Killarney
We weren’t sure what to expect at King Johns’ Castle, but I do love a good castle and we had to stop for lunch anyway so why not just eat lunch at the castle? Although we had limited time in Limerick and I can’t speak to the city itself, I highly recommend King John’s Castle, especially if you’re traveling with kids!
I loved that it had the traditional castle look compete with ramparts and crenelations and the kids really enjoyed exploring the castle and its many interactive displays and activities. They both participated in a scavenger hunt which became a friendly competition between them! I will mention that the castle cafe turned out to be pretty terrible as they ran out of food and the line was painfully slow, notice I didn’t say long. So you don’t go there for the food…
However, the views from the castle ramparts were beautiful and I lucked out and saw them just before the torrential rains caught us! Getting to the carpark was an adventure in itself! Just as we left the castle the sky opened up and literally drenched us! It didn’t help that Tim and I each ran to the wrong (right?) sides of the car and then had to switch sides. Even with the heat blasting it was two hours before we dried off!
“Don’t look so happy…”
“how’s this?”
Always one to go along with my photo antics, Simon was kind enough to pose humor me and we I had some fun with the castle’s many props!
The Cliffs of Moher
Leaving Limerick with plenty of daylight to spare we set off for the Cliffs of Moher and crossed our fingers in the hopes that the skies would be clear by the time we arrived. Believe it or not, these magnificent cliffs which rise vertically almost 700 feet straight out of the sea and stretch for 5 miles are not the tallest cliffs in Ireland, however, they are the most famous and a definite must see if you’re visiting the West Coast of the Emerald Isle.
The Cliffs of Moher
Along the way from Limerick to Galway… Just south of the Village of Doolin in County Clare, Ireland
78 km from Limerick
Lucky for us the skies were clear when we arrived although it was very windy! The weather is never boring in Ireland! The views from the cliff top walkways near the visitor center were breathtaking, but judging by the silly antics of the boys I could tell they were over it within just a few minutes. It had already been a long day and in hindsight visiting at the end of an already full day was probably not the best idea.
There is a walk along the cliff tops , but we were running out of daylight and weren’t really dressed for a hike, so we satisfied ourselves with a good long look over the edge and then spent time in the visitor center. The center is fairly new and very well done with interactive exhibits, a restaurant and a gift shop.
If you’re looking for a slightly different view point, you can walk up O’Brien’s Tower. We discovered these wedding rings on the tower bulletin board left there by a woman honoring her nana’s last wish… very sweet.
Next Stop: Galway!
*Seems like for us Killarney and transportation just didn’t mix!
Looking for somewhere to take your family that appeals to all ages? Consider Chicago, its home to world class museums, amazing architecture, fun parks and fantastic shopping! I’ve been there countless times, and it never gets old! You might think that because I’ve been so many times I would just forgo the usual sites and visit just one or two… Nope, we did our best to fit it ALL in! Are you ready!?
Day One
Take a walk down the Magnificent Mile, a 13 block stretch of North Michigan Avenue that runs from the Chicago River to Oak Street. Shopping, restaurants, and world famous landmarks line both sides of the street! The John Hancock Center, The Historic Water Tower and the Tribune Tower to name just a few.
The Tribune Tower
The Tribune Tower is of particular interest to me because because of the stones from famous landmarks around the world, which are embedded in the facade! We used to stop here when I was a little girl and I remember looking at all the stones, but I had never been to any of the places. This time when I went back I had been to many of the places!
Who knows maybe that’s what helped to spark my love of travel? Oh, and there is a Dylan’s Candy Bar located on the ground floor so if you’re in need of a break from all the walking, you’re in luck, or at least the kids are!
Millennium Park
Keep walking along Michigan Avenue and cross the Chicago River and you’ll come to Millennium Park. This is a wonderful place especially on a warm spring or summer day! You’ll find many activities of interest to the entire family here including, concerts, gardens, art and architecture, water splash fountains for the kids to play in, tours and more!
A park favorite is the Cloud Gate Statue sometimes referrd to as The Bean. It’s quite a marvel and we all love looking into it and at it! Millennium Park is a true oasis in the middle of the city.
The Art Institute
Just south of the park on the same road you’ll find the Art Institute of Chicago, a definite must-see. The building is beautiful with giant iconic lions perched out front.
The museum is filled with many iconic works of art, Nighthawks by Edward Hopper, American Gothic by Grant Wood, A Sunday on La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat and many more! Before he lost interest, it had been a pretty long day, Elliot was quite excited to recognize a Vincent Van Gogh painting he had studied in his after school art class!
My saving grace with Elliot were the Thorne Miniature Rooms. There are 68 miniature rooms each one set inside a small glass window. They are all constructed on a scale of one inch to one foot with every single detail created perfectly. Like tiny little doll houses but without the dolls. We all loved this and it was a perfect way to end our visit!
Buckingham Fountain
Buckingham Fountain located about a 10 minute walk from The Art Institute in Grant Park, is another favorite. The fountain is lit up at night on most evenings, and I recently learned that it is one of the largest fountains in the world! Beautiful!
Day Two
Just two miles south from the downtown area, and you’ll find the Museum Campus, a large park, which sits on the shores of Lake Michgan, and is home to three of Chicago’s most popular science museums: The Field Museum of Natural History, The John G. Shedd Aquarium, and The Adler Planetarium. They are not only world renowned institutions, but they are housed in incredibly iconic buildings impressive in their own right.
The Field Museum
I’ve been visiting the Field Museum since I was a little girl and I never get tired of it! I love that I’m lucky enough to share my joy of this special place with my own children. The Field Museum is a magical place with three giant floors each full of countless wonders. Upon entering the museum you’ll be standing inside Stanley Hall which is two stories high and the length of the building!
The Shedd Aquarium
The Shedd Aquarium is high on our Aquarium list! There are many unique creatures here and many wonderful exhibits showcasing different types of habitats from around the world.
My son’s favorite aquarium specimen
This is another place we’ve all been enjoying since we were young and we have definite favorites here too! High on our list are the Beluga whales, the penguins, the Caribbean Reef, the snapping turtle.
The building’s architecture is incredibly grand and even the chandeliers have an aquatic theme! They just don’t make them like this anymore! The front of the building has been named a national historic landmark!
Day Three
I’ve saved the best for last!
The Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry is one of my all time favorite museums! It opened its doors in 1933 and is the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere, which means you’ll want to allow a lot of time here.
This place is magical! Really! While the other places we visited are spectacular in their own right, they don’t allow for much other than looking, observing and reading. The Museum of Science and Industry is a place where you learn by DOING! Yep! You get to touch almost everything! There are levers to pull and buttons to push, you can make storms and tsunamis, do experiments, create a toy top and watch it go down the assembly line, tour a real submarine from WWII, go into a coal mine, learn about genetics by visiting the baby chicks, climb aboard farming equipment, and visit Colleen Moore’s Fairytale Castle… just to name a few!
Are you interested in ships, trains, or space? It’s here! How about bicycles, airplanes and the human body? Yep, it’s all here too! They have live demonstrations, special exhibits and so much more!
My must-see exhibits are: The U-505 Submarine, Colleen Moore’s Fairytale Castle, Science Storms, The Great Train Story and the current special exhibit. On our last visit the special exhibit was Numbers in Nature and it involved a mirrored maze which Elliot lead us through!
Science Storms Exhibit
Farm Science
Colleen Moore’s Dollhouse
Baby Chicks in the Genetics Exhibit
We love to have our photo taken at the old fashioned photo studio and have tried to take one every visit for the past 13 years!
I just can’t say enough about how great this place is. We’ve never been able to see everything we wanted to see before the closing announcement came over the loudspeaker. It’s just that great!
The Drake Hotel
Although there are many great places to stay in Downtown Chicago on this trip we chose The Drake Hotel located at the end of the Magnificent Mile. Not only is it on the National Historic Register, but my parents got married there 52 YEARS ago on the 4th of July! I thought it might be fun for them to revisit the place where they got married all these years later!
I alerted the hotel to our special occasion! There was a bottle of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries waiting for my parents when they entered their room! What a nice touch!
Tips & Advice:
Chicago has a City Pass which includes many of the attractions mentioned in this article. If you think you might visit more than one of them it’s absolutely worth it!
You can grab a quick bite on the go in Millennium Park, or there are sit down restaurants.
When visiting the Art Insitute DON’T climb on the lions, even for a quick photo! If you do be prepared for a loud roar followed by an even louder voice telling you to get off of the lions.
Don’t miss the Modern Wing which has a stunning view of the Millennium Park Band Shell.
If you have limited time pick up a brochure with a list of the top must-see items in the Art Institute and where to find them. The Museum is open late on Thursday evenings.
Buckingham Fountain’s light and music show takes place most evenings for 20 minutes every hour on the hour.
I highly recommend purchasing tickets or your City Pass to all of these places online prior to arrival online before you arrive. The lines are very long!.
The MSI is located in Hyde Park about six miles from The Field Museum.
All of the museums have multiple food options in all price ranges. The MSI has an old time ice cream parlor
The Drake Hotel offers “family” rooms with two complete bathrooms which makes for a smooth morning routine.
London is one of our favorite cities and lucky for us we’ve had plenty of opportunities to take advantage of its world renowned museums! This collection of photos spans over the course of 11 years, which is why you’ll notice difference in quality and the ages of my boys.
Traveling with kids close to six years apart can be challenging since they have different interests and attention spans. Our solution is to switch off between museums, historic sites and attractions. This way everyone experiences something they love. We also do our best to stick to highlights in each place, so those of us who aren’t quite as interested in a particular place aren’t too tortured. I’ll never forget the time I took the boys to the British Museum by myself. Simon was learning about Egypt in school and was so fascinated he wanted to read/see everything! I looked over and poor little Elliot was licking the glass of the display case… oops! Time to go!!
The British Museum
The world-famous British Museum has a long and fascinating history and has been open since 1759! The building itself is stunning, especially the Queen Elizabeth II Great Court. The British Museum is home to the Rosetta Stone, ancient Greek sculptures originally part of the Parthenon, and 8 million other objects! Yes, 8 million! It is well worth a visit, after all the 6 million people who visit every year can’t all be wrong! If you’re taking my advice and just checking out the highlights you’re in luck because the museum has ideas for you! They offer suggestions for both 1 and 3 hour visits as well as guided tours and self guided audio tours. There are multiple food options ranging from the extremely casual to fancy. There are a number of gift shops and while a lot of museums just sell the same old junk I happen to think the gift shops here are worth a visit!
The Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum in London is a favorite for all of us. It’s been open since 1881 and the building itself is a site to see! The entire outside and the central entrance hall are just beautiful. The boys and I can easily spend an entire day here, leaving only when they close for the evening. Like most of the museums and castles we’ve visited the food in the cafes and restaurants is quite good, so there is no need to eat first before going. They offer both adult and kid friendly food items and adult beverages too! This is definitely a repeat destination, but extremely popular, it can get very crowded.
The London Science Museum
We visited the London Science Museum when Simon was just a little boy and haven’t had a chance to get back. Maybe we’ll give it another shot on our next visit? Like the other museums admission is free and there are nice places to eat.
The Tate Modern
The Tate Modern opened in 2000 and is located in Bankside in what used to be a Power Station This is one of our favorites and is definitely worth a visit! It’s just across the river from St. Paul’s Cathedral and is one of the United Kingdom’s top three tourist attractions. Like the history and science museums I mentioned above the Tate Modern is also free! It’s exhibitions are always changing so repeat visits are a must, just check the website before you go to see what’s on. Of special note at the museum is the Turbine Hall which has ever changing exhibitions of contemporary art. Here is what the official website has to say:
Since opening in 2000 over 60 million visitors have experienced the Turbine Hall and it has earned a unique place in the public imagination.
It has hosted some of the world’s most memorable and acclaimed works of contemporary art. And the way artists have interpreted this vast industrial space has revolutionised public perceptions of contemporary art in the twenty-first century.
An idea for an itinerary would be so start at St. Paul’s Cathedral in the City of London and then cross the River Thames on the Millennium Bridge and see the Tate Modern. The bridge offers spectacular views of St. Paul’s north side and the Globe Theater is also nearby on the Tate Modern side.
The British Museum
Queen Elizabeth II Great Court
Queen Elizabeth II Great Court
Central Entrance Hall
Amazing building details
Natural History Museum
The Turbine Hall with exhibition. Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Having visited many amazing places It’s hard to choose an absolute favorite, but Barcelona is definitely near the top of the list! A few summers ago, we spent a month traveling through Europe and when I asked Simon we he liked most, he said, “Living the Barcelona lifestyle!” He loved the late nights, late mornings and naps or rest time in the middle of the day. Geez, who wouldn’t?!
RESTAURANTS
Eating in Barcelona is as much of an attraction as visiting markets and Gaudi buildings! Many places offer tapas, which is purchased by the piece. Perfect if you’re in a hurry, or just looking for a quick snack. Drop in, grab a bite, and you’ll be on your way. Jamon Iberico, is a favorite with my boys, and if they could they’d eat it along with a few slices of manchego day and night.
Bar Mut is One of the coolest tapas places in town. It is hard to get in, but SOOOO worth it! Don’t miss this place! If you’re not sure what to order just ask them to decide for you. Lunch is a good alternative if you find dinner too crowded. Reservations for dinner are a must.
Mercat Princesa is an upscale “food court” of sorts. We LOVED this place, and went almost everyday for lunch, the food was fantastic, the service was excellent and because each station specializes in something different there was something for everyone in our group! There is a lovely atrium in the center where you can sit and enjoy your meal. By the end of our trip Simon had made friends with the man working at the station he liked most even though they didn’t speak each others language.
Chocolate con Churros
No trip to Barcelona would be complete with Chocolate Con Churros! A tradition passed from generation, Tim’s friend took us to the spot he used to go to with his grandparents when he was a small boy. We all loved this and we had chocolate con churros many times!
Tim’s local friend took us to Mundial Bar a tiny little restaurant with excellent food. The place was packed with locals, so we knew we were in the right place!
Cava is the Spanish version of champagne and it’s very popular! We met up with some good friends from the States during our visit and I confess we popped open a few bottles.
While I did enjoy the Cava, my favorite beverage was white sangria. Remember that “Barcelona Lifestyle” I mentioned? Nothing like sitting in the square enjoying sangria, Jamon and manchego, while watching the people and performers go by.
Gin bars were all the rage when we were last there, so of course we had to check one out! We are lucky enough to know a few locals and one graciously offered to watch the boys so we could venture out for a night on the town!
Things To See Around Town
Definitely wander and explore the city aimlessly!! Keep in mind that the shops and restaurants have no rhyme or reason for opening times, so each time you walk down the street it will be a completely different experience! Allow yourself to get lost in the El Born, Barri Gotic and El Raval neighborhoods.
Cathedrals
The Cathedral of Barcelonawas completed in 1448 and is located in a large square where they sometimes have outdoor markets. It’s a nice place so stroll around and there are many restaurants near by. Keep in mind there are strict dress code policies and no shorts or sleeveless shirts are allowed inside. The Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar dates back to 1383 and is definitely worth going inside. It’s one of the oldest cathedrals in the city, and it is very beautiful! The boys and I were fascinated by the many stones in the floor with skull and crossbones on them. I did take a few photos of the inside, but honestly I couldn’t do it justice. The outside is tricky too because it’s located in a quaint little square and it’s hard to get far enough away to get a good photo. I hope you’ll trust me on this one and go check it out!
Our room was down a little street about 1/2 a block away and all four of us loved sitting outside in the square. Some combination of the four of us could be found here almost every afternoon while the others took time for siestas in the room. There is just something about this place and part of town that is special to me.
Gaudi
When visiting Barcelona you don’t want to miss taking a look at some of the Gaudi buildings. They are quite spectacular and some are even UNESCO World Heritage Sites. La Pedrera, Casa BatlloandParc Guellare all worth seeing, however if you have limited time I would choose Casa Batllo or La Pedrera as both are located on the Passeig de Gràcia.
If the other Gaudi buildings are impressive then La Sagrada familia is the pièce de résistance! It literally took my breath away. I highly recommend you get your tickets in advance online as the lines can be very long. We learned this the hard way, but there was as silver lining as Simon and I met some incredibly nice people from SoCal while we were waiting and we are still friends!
This place has been under construction since 1866 and still is!! We chose to do a self guided tour and also decided to go up to the top. I would definitely recommend going up as the views were amazing and you can actually see some of the construction taking place. Keep in mind that the stairways are quite narrow, and it is high so if you’re claustrophobic, afraid of heights or have very small children this might not be the place for you.
If not the most amazing church I’ve ever stepped into, it’s definitely the most unique. According to the official website it should be completed sometime this century. These photos were taken in 2013 during our second visit. Our first visit took place in 2007 when the inside had no windows and was completely unfinished. It was amazing to see how much progress was made in six years time. How special to witness the building of such an amazing place.
Las Ramblas
Although I do love the side streets, Las Ramblas, one of Barcelona’s main streets is definitely worth walking down. You’ll probably end up here a few times and and there are definitely things to see. There is even a Joan Miro in the middle of the sidewalk!
Markets
The La Boqueria located on Las Ramblas has existed in one form or another since 1200. While it is a bit more on the touristy side than some other markets, its definitely fun to wander through. There are stalls selling spices, fruits, vegetables and meats, also TONS of candy and many other items, some of which are unusual to us americans. The kids enjoyed these markets especially the candy!!
El Mercat de Santa Caterina is another market located not far the Cathedral of Barcelona. It has an incredible mosaic tile roof and is more popular with the locals. Wandering through these markets is a nice way to get an idea of what it might be like for the locals. We love this market and have been multiple times!
At the market
I wouldn’t mind shopping here
Or here…
Tours and Other Attractions
A friend and I went on a Running tour of Barcelona and we loved this! If you have any runners in your group this is a great way to see a lot of the city! A very unique way to see the city and our guide Robin was very knowledgable.
Tim and I enjoyed the Picasso Museum , but my little guy wasn’t a big fan. To avoid the long lines consider arriving right at opening.
Roman Ruins are everywhere in Barcelona and they are definitely worth seeing. We went to quite a few. It’s really quite incredible how they are just “right there” surrounded by everyday life.
I don’t recommend the beach in Barcelona. In fact it was by far the dirtiest beach I’ve ever seen. Absolutely disgusting! It looks beautiful from a distance, but upon closer inspection it was more like a trash dump than a beach. I saw things I don’t even want to mention… If you’re looking for a swimming beach Stiges is the place.
We weren’t sure what to expect at King Johns’ Castle, but I do love a good castle and we had to stop for lunch anyway so why not just eat lunch at the castle? Although we had limited time in Limerick and I can’t speak to the city itself, I highly recommend King John’s Castle, especially if you’re traveling with kids!
Leaving Limerick with plenty of daylight to spare we set off for the Cliffs of Moher and crossed our fingers in the hopes that the skies would be clear by the time we arrived. Believe it or not, these magnificent cliffs which rise vertically almost 700 feet straight out of the sea and stretch for 5 miles are not the tallest cliffs in Ireland, however, they are the most famous and a definite must see if you’re visiting the West Coast of the Emerald Isle.
Lucky for us the skies were clear when we arrived although it was very windy! The weather is never boring in Ireland! The views from the cliff top walkways near the visitor center were breathtaking, but judging by the silly antics of the boys I could tell they were over it within just a few minutes. It had already been a long day and in hindsight visiting at the end of an already full day was probably not the best idea.
