5 Things Your Family Must do in Rome Besides the Colosseum

Family travel to Rome will entail a trip to the Colosseum, the most important monument of ancient Rome. But the city is not all about the great sights of antiquity; Italy is about being there and enjoying the moment.

That’s the essence of La Dolce Vita, and, for kids, that means picnics in the gardens, a puppet show and eating lots of gelato. Kids will be more likely to appreciate the magnificent churches if that’s not all they are seeing — or at least they’ll be more patient while you do. So, remember to make time for doing what the Romans do, and live a little.

Shop in Campo dei Fiori

The lively square near the Pantheon is a riot of color and activity in the morning, and a perfect place to shop for all the makings of a picnic lunch. In its stalls and in the little shops that surround it, you’ll find all kinds of meats, salami, cheese, fresh fruit and condiments. There’s a bakery facing the square, where you can get fresh breads, and a pizzeria for those who prefer a slice of pizza. This is a great place for kids to see Romans going about their everyday lives.

Picnic in the Gianicolo

The Gianicolo lies just a 20-minute walk from Campo dei Fiori and consists of plenty of places for a picnic, with kiosks selling drinks to go with it. There are sweeping views of Rome from the top of the hill, and at one side is a botanical garden filled with tropical and semi-tropical plants.

Watch (and Hear) the Noon Cannon

A popular thing to do in the Gianicolo is to gather on the hillside or on the balcony above to see the daily ritual when the cannon fires each day at noon. This tradition dates to 1847, when it was used to make sure the city’s churches all chimed at the right time. Romans still set their watches by it. Be sure to block your ears —  it’s really loud.

See a Puppet Show

Also in the Gianicolo is the Teatro dei Burattini, an open-air puppet theater where plays are presented using traditional Neapolitan hand puppets. The plays are in Italian, but the words don’t matter in these action-packed performances. Visit the free shows on Saturday and Sunday.

Eat Gelato

Once they’ve eaten real Italian gelato, your kids may never again be satisfied with plain old ice cream. Gelato stands are everywhere, but be sure to check the prices, as those near the most popular tourist attractions can be expensive. Note to kids: The bright blue gelato is called Puffo (Italy’s version of Smurf).