Eiffel Tower with Kids

Going up the Eiffel Tower was on our bucket list. On our first visit to Paris we stayed just for a weekend. Our most recent trip, since we were staying longer and traveling slower (with kids of course), we decided to add going up the Eiffel Tower to our list. 

The Eiffel Tower, first built in 1889 for the World’s Fair, was at the time a very impressive feat of architecture. Since then, the Tower has become one of the world’s most famous landmarks. It not only represents French innovation and design but it's one of the symbols of Paris. 

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most popular sights to visit so it can get crowded. 

Good to know 

* Bringing a stroller is OK but it needs to be able to fold up for the elevators. You don't need to fold it up when you take through security.

* For security, you need to take everything out of jacket pockets and everything out from the bottom of the stroller.

* There are places to buy snacks on the lower area of the Second floor.

* Bathrooms are available on all floors including the top! 

* There is a Champagne bar at the top to buy some macarons and champagne for a toast at over 300m up high!

* There was a small Christmas market on the first floor with a few snacks but we decided to sit inside and get some coffee and snacks from the cafe.

* Walking down the steps was cold and windy! Kids and I took the elevator down instead. 

* There are a few telescopes to look into (for 2euros) to check out the view.

* Lots to see in the gift shop like magnets, puzzles, and books. Also, nice to warm up inside after walking around the market.

It's nice to go on a sunny day but a cloudy day was still pretty nice. On a rainy day you might have less of a view of the city. 

Tickets

We didn't book tickets in advance, we decided we would just go, and brave the line-up and it turned out not being too long of a wait!

First you go in, through security to get to the courtyard of the Eiffel tower. You then line-up to buy either elevator or stairs tickets. There was one ticket lineup for just purchasing elevator tickets so we chose that line which was shorter than the others.

You can buy elevator tickets to second floor and to the top. On the way up the elevator won't stop to let people off on the first floor. On the way down, you can get off on the first floor.

Prices for kids are very reasonable. If you're not sure the kids feel up for going all the way to the top, you should still buy Top tickets. You can't buy tickets when you are actually on the eiffel tower, you should just get top tickets for the kiddos. 

Note: Top could be closed due to weather. It was closed when we were lining up for tickets but owned just as it was our turn to buy!

The cafes and restaurants around the Eiffel Tower have terrible reviews but we had to stop for kids bathroom and snack break. I had the worst coffee for 12 Euros... but the view was incredible... so you just basically pay for the views.

We were glad the cafe actually on the Eiffel tower was pretty nice and prices were reasonable as well.

We had an amazing visit to the Eiffel Tower with the kids. It's great that we didn't need to wait too long and kids moods were OK overall especially after some delicious crepe at the cafe on the first floor. 

Don't forget your snacks! (snacks helped a lot while waiting in lineup to buy tickets)

Eiffel Tower

Champ de Mars, 5 Av. Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France

For more info check out their website