Best Things to Do in Quito With Kids: Our First Week Exploring the City
Our first week in Quito, Ecuador was a mix of wide-eyed wonder and early bedtimes thanks to the altitude. Between chasing the kids through city parks, figuring out transport, and sneaking in a few cultural stops, we quickly learned what works, and what doesn’t, when exploring Quito with a family. Here’s our honest guide to the best things to do in Quito with kids, from green spaces to local eats, so your first days in the capital feel more like an adventure than a struggle.
In this guide, I’ll be covering everything from best things to do, where to eat, where to stay, how to get around and much more.
Basically its everythign I know from travelling here for a week
🚗 Getting around: You Rent a car or use Uber to get around.
🏨 Best base: Near La Carolina, quiet apartment with washer & workspace.
🗺️ Top day trip: Book great days trips like Otavalo market or Middle of the World.
📱 Data: Buy an Airalo eSIM before you fly.
🛡️ Insurance: Lightweight family insurance coverage
Landing in Quito as a Family
Arriving in Quito with kids is a bit like being dropped onto a giant treadmill set at altitude. The city is cradled high in the Andes at 2,850m (9,350 ft), which means you’re juggling jet lag, thinner air, and wide-eyed children who don’t quite understand why walking up a single hill feels like running a marathon.
But Quito rewards families willing to slow down. It’s a city of contrasts, historic plazas one minute, sprawling parks the next, science museums tucked beside chaotic traffic.
In our first week, we learned quickly that Quito works best when you balance “wow” moments with practical wins (like getting a SIM card before someone melts down because Google Maps won’t load).
Here’s how we structured our first 7 days in Quito, with family-tested picks that mix culture, play, food, and a few moments of chaos that somehow made it all memorable.
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Day 1 – Settle In, Sort the Essentials, and Ease Into Quito
Where We Stayed: Quiet Residence
Our home base was Quiet Residence, a low-key family-friendly stay close to La Carolina Park. Not a hostel, not a noisy downtown hotel, just a practical spot where the kids could bounce on beds, we could unpack without panic, and the city felt manageable. Also it was a decent size appartment to base in for a week.
First Practical Win: A Local SIM at Mall El Jardín
Before diving into sights, we made the least glamorous but most essential stop: Tuenti Isla at Mall El Jardín. For long-term travel, a reliable local SIM is sanity. Tuenti offered affordable monthly data, which meant fewer “Dad, the map isn’t working!” meltdowns. While there, we ducked into Librería Mr. Books, where the kids picked up Spanish storybooks, small, colourful anchors in a week of big changes.
Bonus they also had a Starbucks which gave us that much-needed caffeine familiarity.
Easy Eats for Jet-Lagged Families
After a travel-heavy arrival, we weren’t up for anything complicated. Dough – Brunch & Drunch turned out to be a perfect family-friendly choice: pancakes for the kids, strong coffee for us, and the comfort of knowing no one cared if crayons ended up on the floor.
Family tip: Don’t try to cram too much into Day 1. Between altitude and arrival fatigue, ticking off “SIM card, snacks, and a playground” is victory enough.
Day 2 – La Carolina Park: Quito’s Giant Playground
If there’s one place in Quito where parents and kids can both breathe, it’s La Carolina Park. Imagine Central Park but with paddle boats, skateparks, outdoor gyms, botanical gardens, and enough playgrounds to wear out even the most stubborn five-year-old.
Paddle Boats on the Lagoon: A short ride that gave the kids the thrill of steering while we soaked in city skyline views.
Bike & Skate Areas: Quito families roll deep here, whole groups zoom past on scooters and bikes. Renting bikes is easy and affordable.
Playgrounds: Scattered throughout, with enough variety that our kids demanded to “just try one more.”
Inside the Park: Jardín Botánico Quito
Hidden in La Carolina is one of Quito’s gems: the Jardín Botánico. It’s small enough not to overwhelm, yet full of surprises. Our kids ran from giant lily pads to orchid displays while we caught our breath in the shaded paths. At just a few dollars entry, it’s an easy win.
Lunch & Snacks Nearby
For a casual family meal, La Hueca Del Verde (local Ecuadorian plates) and Quinua Restaurante (healthy vegetarian-friendly dishes) were both reliable. Both sit within walking distance, so you don’t have to wrestle kids back into a taxi before food.
Family tip: Plan to spend most of Day 2 here. Between boats, bikes, gardens, and playgrounds, La Carolina could easily fill two days if you let it. Pack sunscreen, snacks, and layers, Quito weather flips between hot sun and chilly clouds faster than kids flip between happy and hangry.
Day 3 – Science, Amazon, and Stars
By Day 3 we were ready to balance outdoor chaos with a bit of indoor learning. Quito has a surprising number of kid-friendly museums, hands-on, quirky, and just the right scale for short attention spans.
Museo Interactivo de Ciencia (MIC)
Think of this as Quito’s version of a children’s discovery center. The Museo Interactivo de Ciencia is tucked into an old hospital building, but once inside it’s all experiments, sound tunnels, and push-this-button curiosity. Our kids loved the physics exhibits, though, if I’m honest, we spent more time in the section where you can yell into giant tubes and hear the echoes bounce back.
Museo Amazónico
Next, we headed to the Museo Amazónico, a compact but fascinating introduction to the Amazon region. It’s a good way to show kids the cultural and environmental diversity of Ecuador without booking a rainforest tour just yet. Displays of traditional artifacts and bright visuals kept them engaged. Bonus: it’s small enough that you can walk through in under an hour, which is exactly the attention span we had left.
Astronomical Observatory of Quito
As the day cooled, we made our way to the Astronomical Observatory in Parque La Alameda. Built in the 19th century, it’s one of the oldest in South America, and it feels like stepping into a steampunk movie. Telescopes, globes, star charts… even our five-year-old was pointing out constellations like they were old friends.
If you time it right, you can visit at dusk for that magical transition between city lights and starry skies.
Family tip: Mix indoor and outdoor this day. The observatory pairs well with a picnic in La Alameda Park, where kids can run off steam before heading inside.
Day 4 – Highs, Heights, and Thin Air
By Day 4, we were ready to tackle one of Quito’s big-ticket experiences: the Teleférico Cable Car. (Full disclosure: we’ve written an entire guide to this, but it definitely deserves a spot in a 7-day plan.)
Teleférico de Quito
The gondola whisks you from the city edge to nearly 4,000m (13,000 ft) up the Pichincha Volcano in just 15 minutes. For kids, the ride itself is the main event, watching Quito shrink below, pointing out the airport, squealing when the gondola sways.
At the top, the altitude hits fast. Even short walks leave you breathless, but the views are worth it. On clear days you can spot Cotopaxi and several other snow-capped peaks; on cloudy days, it feels like standing in the sky itself.
Things to Do at the Top
Puente en las Nubes (Cloud Bridge): Concreate block with Short suspension bridge drawn on perfect for kids.
Cruz Loma Café: Hot chocolate with a view (a lifesaver when little fingers get cold).
Mini Treks: Older kids might manage the trail to the giant swing; younger ones will be happier chasing fog near the station.
Family tip: Don’t schedule this on your first day in Quito. Give everyone 2–3 days to adjust to altitude before heading higher. Morning visits are clearer; afternoons bring dramatic clouds but colder temps.
Also read: Is The Teleferico In Quito Worth It? A Family Travel Guide
Day 5 – Markets, Street Life, and Quito’s Old Town
By midweek, our kids had adjusted enough that we felt brave enough to dive into Quito’s markets and historic streets. This day was all about colors, smells, and a bit of bargaining.
La Mariscal Artisan Market
A maze of stalls filled with ponchos, woven bags, carved trinkets, and the occasional llama keychain. La Mariscal Artisan Market is touristy, yes, but still worth it for souvenirs and for letting kids practice their “buenos días” with vendors. Prices are negotiable, expect to haggle a little, but keep it lighthearted. Our seven-year-old bargained down the price of a bracelet mostly by smiling.
Mercado Central
Hungry and overstimulated, we walked a few blocks to Mercado Central. This is the real deal: locals eating soup, empanadas, and fresh juice at plastic tables. It’s noisy, chaotic, and fantastic.
For a few dollars, you can get a heaping plate of rice, meat, and salad. We ordered bowls of encebollado (fish soup) and fresh juices, the kids weren’t convinced, but they happily devoured fried plantains and popcorn sprinkled into soup.
Calle La Ronda
In the afternoon, we headed to Calle La Ronda, one of Quito’s oldest streets. Cobbled lanes, street musicians, and brightly painted houses gave it a storybook vibe. It’s safe to wander with kids, especially earlier in the day before nightlife ramps up.
We stopped at the Peguche Handicrafts Coffee Shop (Our secret spot) for hot drinks and admired handmade crafts. The kids’ highlight? An impromptu performance by a street puppeteer.
Family tip: Pair La Ronda with Mercado Central. One fills your stomach, the other fills your camera roll.
Day 6 – Museums and Parks
After the sensory overload of markets, Day 6 was quieter, a chance to dip into culture without overwhelming the kids.
National Museum of Ecuador
The National Museum sounds daunting, but it’s surprisingly manageable with kids. It covers everything from pre-Columbian art to modern pieces, and the layout allows for quick in-and-out if attention spans wane. We picked one or two exhibits, then moved on before museum fatigue set in.
Parque Itchimbía
A short taxi ride brought us to Parque Itchimbía, perched on a hill overlooking the city. The views of Quito’s historic center are spectacular, but for our kids, the draw was the playground and open space to run. There’s also an exhibition center in the park, but honestly, we were happy to let the kids climb, chase, and roll down grassy slopes while we caught our breath.
Dinner to Close the Day
We ended the day with an easy dinner. Options we liked:
Restaurante Mercado Árabe – Middle Eastern food, good for when you need a break from rice and beans.
Govinda Gopal – a cozy vegetarian spot where the portions are generous and kid-pleasing.
Family tip: Quito’s evenings cool down fast. Bring a sweater even if the day was sunny.
Day 7 – Cafés, Street Art, and a Slow Farewell
After six busy days, our last day in Quito was about slowing down and savouring the city before heading to Baños.
Nudo Street Art Café (La Florentina)
We started at Nudo Street Art Café in La Florentina, part gallery, part coffee shop. The kids admired the murals while we enjoyed one of the best cappuccinos we found in Quito. It felt like a perfect “exhale” moment after a week of running around.
Café-Hopping for Parents (and Hot Chocolate for Kids)
To wrap up the trip, we made a mini café crawl. Highlights included:
Coati’s Coffee House – small, local, and unpretentious.
Pacari Café – Ecuador’s famous chocolate brand turned café, with desserts that doubled as bribes for good behavior.
La Cafenrería UIO – modern vibe, good for laptops and lingering.
San Isidro Coffee Arenas – traditional, tucked-away, and a chance to feel like a local.
The kids were thrilled because every café seemed to offer some form of hot chocolate, which, at 2,850m altitude, feels less like a treat and more like a necessity.
Family tip: Quito cafés are more kid-friendly than you might expect. Many have space for coloring or quiet corners where children can read while you caffeinate.
More Quito Picks for Families
Because no two families travel the same way, here’s a list of extra recommendations that didn’t slot neatly into our 7-day plan but are worth considering.
Cafés Worth a Detour
Roveta Coffee Experience – immersive coffee tasting.
El Maple – vegetarian-friendly, casual.
Family-Friendly Restaurants
Extra Attractions (If You Have More Time)
Museo de la Ciudad – well-curated look at Quito’s history.
Mitad del Mundo – straddle the equator for a photo op.
Parque El Ejido https://maps.app.goo.gl/BDLR8jhWijj4uqpF9– weekend art stalls, open space.
Rumicucho Archaeological Site – short trip outside Quito, low-key but fascinating.
Family Travel Tips for Quito
Altitude: Give kids (and yourself) 2–3 days to acclimatize. Watch for headaches, tiredness, or irritability, snacks and water help.
Transport: Uber is cheap and reliable. Buses are an adventure but less practical with tired children.
Safety: Stick to busier areas after dark. Old Town feels fine by day, but plan taxis home in the evenings.
Weather: Quito is four seasons in a day. Layers are non-negotiable.
Food: Don’t be afraid of market food, but start slow. Fresh juices and plantains are kid-pleasers.
Also read: First days In Quito With Kids
Final Thoughts: Is Quito Worth It With Kids?
Quito surprised us. It’s not the easiest city, the altitude, the traffic, the stares that reminded us we stood out as “the foreign family.” But it’s also vibrant, walkable in pockets, and full of family-friendly surprises: science museums, sprawling parks, chocolate cafés, and street performers who entertained our kids longer than most playgrounds back home.
In seven days we barely scratched the surface, but we found a rhythm: practical wins mixed with adventure, downtime in cafés balanced with bursts of culture and play.
For families considering Quito: yes, it’s worth it.
Come with patience, layers, and a willingness to slow down. Quito will meet you with chaos, colour, and connection.
📌 Save this guide and keep an eye out for our deeper dives into La Carolina Park, the Teleférico, Quito’s markets, and family packing tips for South America.
