Family-Friendly Experiences in Venice

Venice isn’t just about gondolas and museums for grown-ups. Kids get caught up in the maze of narrow alleys and charming bridges too, and there’s plenty to keep them busy. Take them to the Lido beach in summer for some sun and sand,far from the tourist crowds in the historic center. Or spend a few hours at the Natural History Museum, where even my niece loved spotting the giant whale skeleton.

There’s also the chance to hop on a vaporetto (water bus) , which to a child is basically an exciting boat ride through the city’s watery streets. I always recommend picking up some cicchetti (Venetian tapas) to share at a local bacaro around Cannaregio; the kids get to nibble on tasty treats, and you get a real feel for day-to-day Venetian life. If you’re visiting in early spring or fall, quiet mornings around Piazza San Marco are brilliant for kids to run around before the crowds arrive. One insider tip: skip the usual art museums and head to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, where there’s often interactive exhibits that catch kids’ attention without boring them stiff.