San Diego is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the country. With beautiful beaches, tons of fun and sunshine galore, it’s no wonder. Balboa Park is home to many of the city’s most beloved places of interest, all conveniently located within one area, giving visitors a chance to make the most of this beautiful town. With dozens of attractions spanning 1,200 acres, there is sure to be something to excite every member of the family.
Home to museums, theaters, gardens and gift shops, not to mention the world-famous San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park has plenty to choose from. Families with young children will have no worries finding entertaining and educational activities to choose from.
The EthnoBotany Children’s Peace Garden
is a great place to start. In the midst of a bustling city, Balboa Park is packed with some of the most beautiful and peaceful gardens in the country. The Peace Garden is the first sustainable and edible garden within the park and is specifically designed with children in mind to give them a special opportunity to explore and understand the relationship between nature and society.
The Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater is a great way to spend a few hours entertaining your little ones. The theater presents 15 shows a week during the summer months (and 12 a week during the winter) and is open Wednesdays through Sundays. Performances are designed to entertain and engage young minds and consist of an assortment of classic fairytales and original creations.
© Susanne Neal | Dreamstime.com
The Balboa Park Carousel is a throwback to simpler times when amusement park rides didn’t require high speed and hair-pin turns to excite riders. Built in 1910, this classic Herschell-Spillman carousel consists of two tiers of carved animals and beautiful murals. The elaborate decorations and lively carnival music awaken feelings of nostalgia in adults and bring young imaginations to life as guests ride intricately decorated horses, camels, ostriches and zebras — there is even a dragon!
If you’ve got some train enthusiasts in the family, you are in the right place. The Balboa Park Miniature Train is a great way to let little (and big) train lovers have the thrill of a real train ride within the confines of the park. Located just outside the San Diego Zoo, this antique G16 train ride lasts only three minutes but manages to cover four acres of the beautiful park.
After your train ride, head over to the San Diego Model Train Museum to see the world’s largest operating museum of its kind. There are incredibly decorated and detailed recreations of some of the nation’s most iconic train routes, not to mention an interactive Lionel Train layout designed especially for children.
Although San Diego has a practically endless list of exciting sites and attractions for visiting families, Balboa Park has more than enough within its boundaries to entertain the whole family for days. The beautiful weather, fascinating culture and commitment to family fun is what makes it such a great place for families to enjoy their time together.
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