EMBRACE LOCAL CULTURE
An island of roughly 3,500 square miles, Puerto Rico became a territory of the United States in 1898 after centuries of control by Spain. For history buffs of any age, tours of the Spanish-built forts that surround Old San Juan are an absolute must. San Felipe del Morro and Castillo de San Cristobal are about a mile apart, connected by a large area that's easy to push a stroller across. When not exploring the forts, kids will love to run around here on the grass, and there's usually at least a few kites flying high. Just south of the forts is Old San Juan, Puerto Rico's storied capital that was first settled in the early 1500s; it's fun to wander the streets of this historic town and photograph its colorful colonial houses.
The Museo del Nino is another fantastic place to spark kids' imaginations. Their exhibits cover everything from "Art and Music" to "Physics and Energy," and there's even a small zoo. Perhaps your kiddos have always wanted to explore a real plane, cockpit included? If so, there's a McDonnell Douglas MD-80 (donated by American Airlines) ready and waiting for them.
Another way to get to know Puerto Rican culture is through its excellent, kid-friendly food. Drop into the Miramar Food Truck Park for a casual lunch, with plenty of local food options to choose from and space to play in between bites of empanada.
