Alcatraz for kids?

Hi!

My husband and I really want to see Alcatraz and will be travelling with a 3 and 6 year old - is the tour appropriate for them?

Thanks

Anything we should not miss? We are there for 5 days later this month.

Alcatraz for kids?

Alcatraz - I always find it interesting.....

People, who stayed in prison, always worked so hard to try to get out of Alcatraz

and

all the tourists work so hard to find a way to see Alcatraz.

The key things about Alcatraz - it is a long walk up hill to the prison area. (they do have a very tiny tram that takes a couple of people...but almost all people have to walk up hill to the prison.) If the 3 year old is up to it, it might be interesting for them. The 6 year old would probably find it fascinating to see the prison area and the views from there...(the kids we saw that age found it interesting....the younger ones it depends on the hill climb and if they are up to it.)

Lots of suggestions on what to see on the forum regarding San Francisco....so I%26#39;d start there and also the recommenndations regarding attractions....Given your kids age, you might want to include a visit to San Francisco zoo, Fisherman Walf and Pier 39 especially to see the Sea Lions, and a cable car ride....

Alcatraz for kids?

We were there with our 3 1/2 %26amp; 7 year old in June. We decided not to do the Alcatraz tour as my 3 year old would have been a nightmare... My son however, would have loved it.

Highly recommend the Firetruck Tour - the kids had a blast (and so did hubby %26amp; I). Lunch at the Blue Mermaid before hand is great too.

The cable cars were a huge hit and they also really enjoyed riding the f-line trolley.

Be sure to stop at Ghiradelli for ice cream sundeas, the kids still talk about how big they were.

The cable car barn was fascinating to my son and they both enjoyed Chinatown, the fortune cookie factory and Dim Sum (their first time).

Pier 39 with the Sea Lions is fun and the kids loved the two story carousal. My daughter insisted on riding it a second time. Also a Fisherman%26#39;s Wharf the USS Pampanito Sumbarine %26amp; the USS Jeremiah Battle ship are open for tours. My son and hubby really enjoyed those while my daughter and I macked out on shrimp %26amp; crab cocktail waiting for them.

We were only there 2 1/2 days but did a lot and had a great time. They keep asking when we can go back.

I held off on taking my kids to Alcatraz until they were 8. Even then they didn%26#39;t ';get'; a lot of the information and they got pretty tired and wanted to leave. The audio tour is good but it moves along kind of quickly and it might be tough for your younger one to understand. Bottom line is I%26#39;d hold off on this until they%26#39;re older. The fire engine tour would be fun, the sea lions at pier 39 and other places mentioned by others would be much more appropriate for them. A half day in golden gate park might be fun too. The zoo is great but it takes awhile to get there from downtown Union Square area.

Thanks for the great input - having a crimianl justice background I think it would be interesting but you all have confirmed that maybe next time with the kids..

Thanks for the great suggestions of other ways to amuse the kids while hubbie works! We are there for 5 days :o)

One thing about Alcatraz... please realize that it REALLY smells bad. Sea birds hang out there and you know what that means.

But they provide nasal plugs in the reception area.

mask making