Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For some more details about kid-friendly activities in Madrid: https://atotalguirimove.blogspot.com/2023/08/kid-friendly-activities-in-madrid.html

Some notes:

-Yes, Madrid is super stroller friendly. Wide sidewalks (in general). Some streets are quite steep. You will be happy to have a stroller.

Public transit: busses have stroller parking zones so you don't have to collapse your stroller (although they can get very crowded). The Madrid Metro has come a long way toward accessibility, many stations now have elevators, this is indicated by the handicap sign on maps/those lists of stops on the metro line. You can also take cabs but like NYC sometimes it's a lot faster to take the metro. Watch your bags/pockets on metro.

Playgrounds: the website above has several listed, plus Madrid in general has lots of playgrounds so you don't really have to look
for them, they will find you!

In response to your questions:

-El Retiro Park (it sounds like there are tons of great playgrounds, what are your favorites??? Any cafe's in there?) : There is a cafe near the Estanque. The best bathrooms to use are the ones in the cafes. Bring your own toilet paper and soap if that's important to you (in spain in general this is good advice).

-Zoo and take the cable car: the cable car may not be working right now?

-Raton Perez museum (Maybe??): definitely skip this, it's kind of a tourist trap and it's like, exhibits behind glass. Not interactive at all.

-Prado Museum (I wonder about kid-friendly tours): Depends on your kid but I'd visit during the free hours every evening, less pressure in case your kids aren't interested. Pro budget tip: go at 6:30/5:30 pm when the line has died down (Monday to Saturday between 6 PM to 8 PM and on Sundays and public holidays from 5 PM to 7 PM.)

-Obviously visit some top sites like Royal Palace (I think I read maybe there's a nice playground nearby?), Plaza Mayor, Puerto del Sol, etc....: Royal Palace is like walking through a stuffy old palace with lots of furniture, it's not super interesting? The Royal Armory has a lot of armor and knights, that may be of more interest. Honestly you might be more interested in taking a cercania train out to El Escorial and checking out that nice palace. Yes, there is a nice playground in the Plaza del Oriente, and there is a playground with a massive (3 story?) slide in Plaza de España (easy walk from Palace). I personally won't let my kid go to the Plaza de España playground because it looks so dangerous, but that's me.

The city renovated the Puerto del Sol and it's kind of desolate now--just a lot of empty space and no seating/shade. Plaza Mayor is fun. Obviously you gotta check both out, though. Watch your bags/pockets walking from Puerto del Sol to Plaza Mayor.

OP here- wow, thank you!! This is all great. I just googled the playground at Plaza de Espana and it looks like a really cool playground, but the slides do look huge.

Anonymous wrote:Oh there is literally ice cream everywhere. My kids walked like 10-12 miles a day and had many an ice cream cone lol.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just got back from Madrid over winter break. If you plan to use the metro, I disagree about it being stroller friendly. Very few stations have elevators and I saw so many families schleping the stroller up flight after flight of stairs. If it’s light and your younger child can walk in those stations (or you don’t plan to use the metro) - it may be okay. In the older parts the city, the sidewalks are narrow. A stroller also wouldn’t work well in Toledo. It may be better in Segovia.

Be prepared to use a taxi at both the Toledo and Segovia train stations.

And, my 14 year old son hated the Prado….he was bored and not at all interested. Most of the art is Jesus art of either his birth or death - or portraits of rich dead people. You can try to enter during free time - but be prepared for long lines. Any chance you’re an educator? If so, all three of you would be free.

Thanks!! Yes, I actually am an educator

A lot of museums in Spain have free admission for teachers, definitely bring your ID for the free entry and always ask!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just got back from Madrid over winter break. If you plan to use the metro, I disagree about it being stroller friendly. Very few stations have elevators and I saw so many families schleping the stroller up flight after flight of stairs. If it’s light and your younger child can walk in those stations (or you don’t plan to use the metro) - it may be okay. In the older parts the city, the sidewalks are narrow. A stroller also wouldn’t work well in Toledo. It may be better in Segovia.

Be prepared to use a taxi at both the Toledo and Segovia train stations.

And, my 14 year old son hated the Prado….he was bored and not at all interested. Most of the art is Jesus art of either his birth or death - or portraits of rich dead people. You can try to enter during free time - but be prepared for long lines. Any chance you’re an educator? If so, all three of you would be free.

Thanks!! Yes, I actually am an educator

Anonymous wrote:I just got back from Madrid over winter break. If you plan to use the metro, I disagree about it being stroller friendly. Very few stations have elevators and I saw so many families schleping the stroller up flight after flight of stairs. If it’s light and your younger child can walk in those stations (or you don’t plan to use the metro) - it may be okay. In the older parts the city, the sidewalks are narrow. A stroller also wouldn’t work well in Toledo. It may be better in Segovia.

Be prepared to use a taxi at both the Toledo and Segovia train stations.

And, my 14 year old son hated the Prado….he was bored and not at all interested. Most of the art is Jesus art of either his birth or death - or portraits of rich dead people. You can try to enter during free time - but be prepared for long lines. Any chance you’re an educator? If so, all three of you would be free.

Anonymous wrote:I just got back from Madrid over winter break. If you plan to use the metro, I disagree about it being stroller friendly. Very few stations have elevators and I saw so many families schleping the stroller up flight after flight of stairs. If it’s light and your younger child can walk in those stations (or you don’t plan to use the metro) - it may be okay. In the older parts the city, the sidewalks are narrow. A stroller also wouldn’t work well in Toledo. It may be better in Segovia.

Be prepared to use a taxi at both the Toledo and Segovia train stations.

And, my 14 year old son hated the Prado….he was bored and not at all interested. Most of the art is Jesus art of either his birth or death - or portraits of rich dead people. You can try to enter during free time - but be prepared for long lines. Any chance you’re an educator? If so, all three of you would be free.

Anonymous wrote:For some more details about kid-friendly activities in Madrid: https://atotalguirimove.blogspot.com/2023/08/kid-friendly-activities-in-madrid.html

Some notes:

-Yes, Madrid is super stroller friendly. Wide sidewalks (in general). Some streets are quite steep. You will be happy to have a stroller.

Public transit: busses have stroller parking zones so you don't have to collapse your stroller (although they can get very crowded). The Madrid Metro has come a long way toward accessibility, many stations now have elevators, this is indicated by the handicap sign on maps/those lists of stops on the metro line. You can also take cabs but like NYC sometimes it's a lot faster to take the metro. Watch your bags/pockets on metro.

Playgrounds: the website above has several listed, plus Madrid in general has lots of playgrounds so you don't really have to look
for them, they will find you!

In response to your questions:

-El Retiro Park (it sounds like there are tons of great playgrounds, what are your favorites??? Any cafe's in there?) : There is a cafe near the Estanque. The best bathrooms to use are the ones in the cafes. Bring your own toilet paper and soap if that's important to you (in spain in general this is good advice).

-Zoo and take the cable car: the cable car may not be working right now?

-Raton Perez museum (Maybe??): definitely skip this, it's kind of a tourist trap and it's like, exhibits behind glass. Not interactive at all.

-Prado Museum (I wonder about kid-friendly tours): Depends on your kid but I'd visit during the free hours every evening, less pressure in case your kids aren't interested. Pro budget tip: go at 6:30/5:30 pm when the line has died down (Monday to Saturday between 6 PM to 8 PM and on Sundays and public holidays from 5 PM to 7 PM.)

-Obviously visit some top sites like Royal Palace (I think I read maybe there's a nice playground nearby?), Plaza Mayor, Puerto del Sol, etc....: Royal Palace is like walking through a stuffy old palace with lots of furniture, it's not super interesting? The Royal Armory has a lot of armor and knights, that may be of more interest. Honestly you might be more interested in taking a cercania train out to El Escorial and checking out that nice palace. Yes, there is a nice playground in the Plaza del Oriente, and there is a playground with a massive (3 story?) slide in Plaza de España (easy walk from Palace). I personally won't let my kid go to the Plaza de España playground because it looks so dangerous, but that's me.

The city renovated the Puerto del Sol and it's kind of desolate now--just a lot of empty space and no seating/shade. Plaza Mayor is fun. Obviously you gotta check both out, though. Watch your bags/pockets walking from Puerto del Sol to Plaza Mayor.