Having two children, we spend a lot of time going to places with their happiness in mind. What follows is our list of the best places for youngsters in the city of Santiago, with top accolades going to the Museo Interactivo Mirador, a science and technology museum that will honestly blow your mind and take up most of your day. Chile is also very family friendly, and restaurants will not blink an eye if you pop by with children or babies (and some even have play areas, especially in areas like Ñuñoa and Las Condes). Further afield, you could stop by:
The Alpaca Farm in Quintessence;
Aguas San Ramon for family-friendly hikes:
Santuario de la Naturaleza to immerse yourself in nature;
Snow fun at Farrellones;
river swimming at Rio Clarillo;
the beaches of Viña del Mar;
the animal farm at Lonquen;
or one of the various Mampato theme parks for little ones.
Selva Viva
There is no better introduction to the jungles of the world then Selva Viva. This is an indoor, living museum where you can hold parrots, snakes, even hermit crabs, whilst learning all about the world´s ecosystem.
Price: Adults – CLP$9.950 per person / Children (3 – 17 years) and Senior Citizens – CLP$8.950 per person
Address: Av. Presidente Riesco 5330, (Metro Manquehue, inside Parque Araucano), Las Condes
Museo Interactivo Mirador (MIM)
This interactive museum takes the fun side of science very seriously. It takes it so seriously, in fact, that the whole family will be amused and entertained for hours – if not the whole day! Visit the website here.
Price: Adults – CLP$3,900 per person / Children (3 – 17 years) and Senior Citizens – CLP$2,700 per person
Address: Av. Punta Arenas 6711, (Metro Estacion Mirador), La Granja
Museo Aeronautico y del Espacio
Put simply, this is a stunning museum curated with love and maintained with care. This two-storey building is filled with replicas and models of aircraft in all their forms, and there is an outdoors area to explore where you can step inside a real plane.
Price: Free
Address: Avenida Pedro Aguirre Cerda Nº 5.000 (Ex camino Melipilla), Los Cerrillos
Parque Bicentenario del Infancia
There´s toboggans, a caged maze, sandpit, swings, water fountains and tree huts to entertain your child, plus an amphitheatre for events.
Price: Free
Address: Avenida Peru 1001, Recoleta. Metro Cerro Blanco
Fantasilandia
The best theme park in Santiago, Fantasilandia provides entertainment for all ages. Also in Parque O´Higgins you can find a dinosaur museum and an aquarium.
Price: Adults CLP$11.990; Children and Senior Citizens CLP$5.990; Kids less than 90 cm in height enter for free
Address: Beaucheff, corner Tupper (Parque O’Higgins)
Parque Quinta Normal
Choose from one of the museums or just wander this colossal, and historic, park. Museums on offer include the Museum of Natural History, the Science Museum, a railway museum (Ferroviario), and the Artequin children´s art museum.
Price: Free
Address: Metro Quinta Normal
Buin Zoo
A zoo to rival the world´s best, Buin Zoo packs a huge punch that everyone will enjoy. There´s also a marine show (additional price) and a dinosaur park.
Price: Adults CLP$7.500; Children CLP$5.000; Senior Citizens CLP$4.000; Kids less than 90 cm in height enter for free
Address: Panamericana Sur KM 32, Buin.
Santiago Planetarium
Chile is world famous for the quality of its night sky and its observatories rank as some of the best in the world. Learn as much as you can at this city planetarium located within University of Santiago (weekends only)
Price: Adults CLP$3.800; Children, Students and Senior Citizens CLP$3.000
Address: Av. L. Bernardo O’Higgins 3349, Estacion Central. Metro Universidad de Santiago
Granjaventura
Give your kids a break from touring and instead take them to meet all manner of cute and furry critter at this farm located in the pre-cordillera. There are also adventure activities to enjoy in the extensive grounds.
Price: Weekday CLP$4.500; Weekend and holidays CLP$4.900
Address: Av. Larrain 11.095, La Reina
Cerro San Cristobal
From summer swimming pools, a hillside furnicular train, a zoo, Japanese Botanic Gardens, a dazzling-high cablecar (teleforico) and a city lookout, this gigantic hill dominating the Santiago skyline will provide for the whole family.
Price: Various entrance prices
Address: Pio Nono 450, Recoleta. Metro Baquedano
I´d love to hear your recommendations and feedback!
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