Rome Colosseum - which ticket option is best for kids?

[CanuckOnaBoat]

With a 3 and 5 year old should I do the underground tour or the regular tour? What would you recommend that would be best for that age?

Thanks!

 

[trvlgirlmq]

With kids that age I wouldn't do a tour at all. They will most likely get nothing out of it. I would head out on my own and hit all of the piazzas with fountains and statues, stop for gelato, chase pigeons, check out a couple of churches (Pantheon, etc), eat more gelato, stop for huge slices of watermelon that they sell from stands for only E1. It will be hot and crowded but with a good plan you can all have a wonderful day. Your kids won't remember it but you will.

 

[anricat]

I'm pretty sure you're on our same cruise. Underground is already sold out for when we arrive back in Rome. I'm so bummed. They were releasing on the first Monday of the proceeding month, but in April they started releasing 90 days out. If you've found an underground tour, please tell me as I'm desperately searching for one!

 

[CanuckOnaBoat]

I'm pretty sure you're on our same cruise. Underground is already sold out for when we arrive back in Rome. I'm so bummed. They were releasing on the first Monday of the proceeding month, but in April they started releasing 90 days out. If you've found an underground tour, please tell me as I'm desperately searching for one!

yes - i think we are on the same cruise! i'm counting on the May 7th release of new tickets. But i keep checking everyday. just in case.

 

[CanuckOnaBoat]

With kids that age I wouldn't do a tour at all. They will most likely get nothing out of it. I would head out on my own and hit all of the piazzas with fountains and statues, stop for gelato, chase pigeons, check out a couple of churches (Pantheon, etc), eat more gelato, stop for huge slices of watermelon that they sell from stands for only E1. It will be hot and crowded but with a good plan you can all have a wonderful day. Your kids won't remember it but you will.

Sorry- i should have clarified - WHICH OPTION is best? Yes- the underground requires a tour. but if it's more interesting.. then i would do it. The general colosseum trip does not require a tour but i'm not sure which would be more interesting to see.

I was going to take them inside the colosseum for a bit, then go to trevi fountain, and bocca della verita. With gelato on the way. then next day we will go inside St Peter's basilica and then see the pope give his 12 noon address in the piazza.

 

[gilsan]

If you can get tickets to do the underground tour I would recommend it, usually you get to go to the top level as well with tours of the underground. I will say that the stairs in the Colosseum have high the risers and it may be difficult for your 3 year old to easily climb the steps. We used Walks of Italy for our tours of the Colosseum. You may have an easier time doing a tour of the underground if you go with a private tour company.

 

[FSU Girl]

I've wanted to do the underground tour, but it's been sold out the two times I've been to Rome. I love the Colosseum, it's so much history there. I'm not sure kids that age will appreciate it, but mom and dad will have a good time

 

[gilsan]

Oops, duplicate post

 

[blabadie]

Sorry- i should have clarified - WHICH OPTION is best? Yes- the underground requires a tour. but if it's more interesting.. then i would do it. The general colosseum trip does not require a tour but i'm not sure which would be more interesting to see.

I was going to take them inside the colosseum for a bit, then go to trevi fountain, and bocca della verita. With gelato on the way. then next day we will go inside St Peter's basilica and then see the pope give his 12 noon address in the piazza.

I don't have any specific advice on tours as my visit to Rome was several years ago and non-cruise, pre-kids. You might also look into if there are some private or semi-private non DCL Colosseum tours available that are designed to be extra fun for kids.

That being said, I just wanted to say that I think your itinerary sounds great and I think it's wonderful that you are exposing your kids to historical/cultural sites despite their young ages. My kids are 4, 5, and 7 and I can say that based on our travels, each of my kids WOULD get a lot out of a Colosseum/Rome visit so it's wonderful you're not "selling your kids short" and skipping great historical sites just bc they aren't stereotypical kid activities.

I think most kids can appreciate historical sightseeing if they are exposed to it young and the parents/tour guide explains it in a way that makes it come alive. You might also consider finding children's books, audio books, paperdoll activity books, etc. about Ancient Rome before your visit so your kids can start getting excited and Rome will mean more to them. Playmobil also has some Ancient Rome toys (chariots, Colosseum, gladiators, Roman family, etc.) that my kids love and might make fun gifts for your family.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[CanuckOnaBoat]

I don't have any specific advice on tours as my visit to Rome was several years ago and non-cruise, pre-kids. You might also look into if there are some private or semi-private non DCL Colosseum tours available that are designed to be extra fun for kids.

That being said, I just wanted to say that I think your itinerary sounds great and I think it's wonderful that you are exposing your kids to historical/cultural sites despite their young ages. My kids are 4, 5, and 7 and I can say that based on our travels, each of my kids WOULD get a lot out of a Colosseum/Rome visit so it's wonderful you're not "selling your kids short" and skipping great historical sites just bc they aren't stereotypical kid activities.

I think most kids can appreciate historical sightseeing if they are exposed to it young and the parents/tour guide explains it in a way that makes it come alive. You might also consider finding children's books, audio books, paperdoll activity books, etc. about Ancient Rome before your visit so your kids can start getting excited and Rome will mean more to them. Playmobil also has some Ancient Rome toys (chariots, Colosseum, gladiators, Roman family, etc.) that my kids love and might make fun gifts for your family.

Enjoy your trip!

YOU READ MY MIND: "You might also consider finding children's books, audio books, paperdoll activity books, etc. about Ancient Rome before your visit so your kids can start getting excited and Rome will mean more to them. Playmobil also has some Ancient Rome toys (chariots, Colosseum, gladiators, Roman family, etc.) that my kids love and might make fun gifts for your family."

I've got it on my calendar to go to the library at school to take out some books about each place we're going.

I didn't know about playmobil so i will add that. I will also read up on the colosseum beforehand so i can tell some fun stories about it.

Thank you for reassuring me!

 

[LNMom]

Choose the tour YOU want to do! The kids are just along with you .
FYI We were in Rome last July, early in the month .It was very hot (and we are Louisianans, so we know hot!). It was hard on the kids. You must have a stroller.
we just walked around outside the colosseum .My kids at ages 2, 7, 10 would have been tough on a tour, particularly the 2 yo. Caveat-this was the end of a one month trip so I was done carrying the baby up stairs, and kids were done with churches and history.
Best gelato at ciampini- not the restaurant location But the cafe. Also loved lunch at hosteria del merato near spanish steps.
But, we will go back when kids are older and can handle it all. ours was just a first look-see.
Wishing you a delightful trip.