Things to Do in Warsaw
By Holly Rosen Fink
The Royal Castle is one top things to do in Warsaw. (Flickr: Bill Hails)
A slew of amazing sites in Warsaw, Poland, is available to families traveling there with kids. It’s a city rich in history, weaving in the past through the present every which way you turn. Much of it was destroyed during World War II. Today however, it has been reconstructed and is one of the best vacation ideas for families visiting Europe.
From parks and castles to restaurants, there are so many things to do in Warsaw! But if you’re like us, you also enjoy teaching your kids a thing or two along the way. So we have compiled a list of our top five historical sites in Warsaw to see with the kids. Visit the Royal Castle, the Jewish Museum and the Palace of Culture and Science as well as several others. This quiet European city will come alive and liven your children’s senses.
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These Historical Sites in Warsaw are Great Places to See with the Kids
Warsaw’s Royal Castle is a palatial museum that features art by Rembrandt in the Lanckoro?ski Collection, Canaletto and others. It is easily one of the best historical sites in Warsaw. The castle also boasts period furnishings, antiques, royal portraits and more. Nearby you’ll find the St. Mary’s Church and Main Market Square, one of Europe’s largest medieval squares. It’s located in the Old Town, which is is a great space for kids to run around in. After the castle, families can feast on authentic Polish pierogis, among the favorite things to do in Warsaw for natives. https://www.zamek-krolewski.pl/en
Tip: Purchase a family ticket to save money on Royal Castle entrance fees.
The Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw is the tallest building in Poland. (Flickr: Jorge Lascar)
The Palace of Culture and Science, Poland’s tallest building, is among the family-friendly things to do in Warsaw. It has plenty to keep children entertained. It offers the one and only view of the capital from the 30th floor viewing terrace that kids will love. Inside its 3,300 rooms are theaters, the tourist office, a maze of halls and corridors, and big brass chandeliers. There’s also a Darwinist Exhibit at the Museum of Evolution. At the exhibit, kids can gape at a number of fossils from the Gobi desert and large-scale dinosaur skeletons. Be sure to download the Palace’s virtual mobile app for the full experience of the Palace. http://www.pkin.pl/en/
Tip: Book your tickets online ahead of time to save time and money.
Warsaw Rising Museum is a tribute to Warsaw’s residents to those who fought and died for independent Poland and its free capital. It’s definitely one of the most important things to do in Warsaw for many visitors. It’s complete with interactive displays, photographs, video footage and an actual B24 Allied plane that survived the war. The museum is in a former tram power station, a very cool kind of underground place to visit. There is also a children’s exhibition called “the Little Insurgents Room” so young ones can understand the significance of the museum. Children under the age of 7 are free. http://www.1944.pl/en
Tip: Lines can be long, so arrive early and set a few hours aside to view the museum.
Museum of the History of Polish Jews is a must see historical site in Warsaw. (Museum Of The History Of Polish Jews)
POLIN Museum – The Museum of the History of Polish Jews covers 1,000 years of Jewish presence in Poland. The museum, which stands on the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, memorializes and perpetuates Jewish life in Poland. If you’re looking for vacation ideas for families in Poland, this popular historic site is a must add to the list. It was once home to the world’s largest Jewish community from which the majority of Jews living across the Diaspora descend. Among the highlights: a reconstructed painted roof of a wooden synagogue and great description of what happened to the Jewish community during WWII. http://www.polin.pl/en
Tip: The museum requires two hours for a full tour. There’s a cafe for ammunition for kids to recharge during your visit.
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Chopin Museum is a biographical museum of the famous Polish composer. Consisting of 15 rooms, each room creates a separate mini-museum and represents a different stage in his life and career. The museum’s exhibits make up the world’s richest collection of memorabilia related to both Chopin as an individual and his work. It includes manuscripts and printed copies of Chopin’s works, correspondence, autographs, notes, works of art, and his personal items (including his piano!) http://www.chopin.museum/
Tip: The museum offers educational activities for children ages 3 to10 every weekend.
Holly Rosen Fink of The Culture Mom contributed this to MiniTime. She is a full-time marketer living in Larchmont, NY with her husband and two children.
