Vacationing with children can be stressful at times but with the right planning and mix of activities, it can make traveling with the kids much easier and very enjoyable. Here is a list of kid friendly attractions to help you in your planning.
This is a promenade that runs along the walls of the city between the Bay and the Gate areas. It has many large shade trees that line the area. On the weekends you can see many different artists and vendors selling their works. It is a great place to let kids buy inexpensive souvenirs. There are also musicians around to entertain. There is a beautiful view of the bay where 
you can see the different vessels at sea sailing by.
Castillo San Felipe de Morro is a 16th century fortress built and named after King Phillip II of Spain. It was built to guard the entrance to San Juan Bay. Construction of the fort started in 1540 and took 49 years to build. It is a maze of barracks, tunnels, outposts, lookouts, dungeons, vaults, and ramps to explore. Inside the fort there is a museum with a video display. The esplanade is great place for a picnic and flying kites.
In 1634 construction on San Cristobal was started and completed in 1771 to protect Old San Juan from land invasion from the east. This is the largest of the San Juan forts and has 5 separate independent units that are interconnected through tunnels. Each one is higher and stronger utilizing a “defense in depth” approach. Plan 
on spending awhile here. There is so much to see and the views are amazing.
This is a museum designed for children 15 years and under. There are 3 floors of hands on exhibits where children can learn and explore science and nature. There is plenty here to see and do that will keep you busy for hours.
Parque de las Palomas is a great park to enjoy the views of the harbor and the city. It was named after the meaning of “Palomas” which means pigeons. Hundreds of pigeons come here daily. You can buy bird seed from a vendor at the gate to feed them. It is a great stop for children and for the parents to have a short break.
There are many other attractions and sites to check out around San Juan, including walking around the streets of Old San Juan, State Capitol building, other historical museums, caves, local beaches, and don’t forget the El Yunque Rainforest where you can take a guided tour and hike or go on your own.
San Juan has a wonderful free trolley that will take you to many close attractions around San Juan. You can hop on and off as you like and pick and choose what you want to see. If you check out the trolley map you can plan out ahead of time what you want to see and where to catch the trolley and hop off. There is a Red, Green, Yellow, and Blue trolley. They all have different routes, so make sure you are on the correct one for what sites you are looking to visit. The Blue trolley is the longest and will stop at all the same stops as the Red and Green trolley’s.
San Juan is a place with so much history. What a place to take a vacation. Whether it is a land vacation or for a day off a cruise ship, it is not just a vacation but a learning experience as well.
Sharon Asmus