South America Ten Foot Square

Chile has lots of tourist attractions to compete for your itinerary. But if you have children, you may be having a difficult time deciding which are the ideal places to visit. Below, we’ve come up with a list of the top places to visit if you have kids. The attractions listed are child friendly are known for being a big hit among kids of all ages. No stuffy museums where you can’t make noise or too dangerous trails where one can wander off. So for those with kids or simply those that are young at heart, read on and catch a glimpse of a Chile that you will surely enjoy visiting.

1. Parque Metropolitano Zoo/Jardin Zoologico – The zoo is just part of the huge Parque Metropolitano. So you can spend an entire day visiting the different sites in the park or simply choose to visit the zoo. You can go to the zoo by riding a car or by walking along the park on foot or for a more fun ride, by taking the 1925 funicular inside the park, which stops by the zoo on the way to a look out point. At the zoo you will be wowed by more than 200 species of mammals, reptiles, and birds that await your viewing pleasure. A note of warning to animal advocates: You might get an apoplexy due to the animal cages, which isn’t always the best size or design for the animals residing in the cages. The zoo is open daily from 10am to 6pm except on Mondays. For those interested in visiting the entire park other interesting park areas are the two swimming pools, a picnic zone, a children’s’ playground, a botanical garden, a very nice chapel, and of course various restaurants with varied cuisine.
2. Santiago Railway Museum – Ok I said no stuffy museums and this doesn’t count as that. The railway museum is really fun and any child or adult will enjoy a visit here. It’s not just of paintings and boring artistic objects but actual trains that are really old. The museum is open during Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 5:30pm and on weekends and holidays from 11am to 7pm.
3. Fantasilandia – A modern amusement park located at the Parque Bernardo O’Higgins. It is the largest amusement park in Chile and is best known for its roller coasters, toboggan ride, haunted house. It is open only during weekends and holidays from April to November and open alweek except Monday from December to March.
4. Museo Interactivo Mirador (MIM) and the Santiago Aquarium – A combo entrance ticket to the two attractions is a good idea since they are both situated inside an 11-hectare park in the La Granja Barrio. The Museo Interactivo Mirador boasts of an all modern museum with interactive displays and more than 300 exhibits sure to perk the interest of any visitor. Visitors are encouraged to always participate in this museum instead of just looking on for a richer and definitely more educational experience. Museo Interactivo Mirador is open daily from 9:30am to 6:30pm except on Mondays. The Santiago Aquarium likewise is always a delight to visit with its colorful sea life and of course its famous sea lion show.