By Isabel Prontes
Cape Town is the second biggest city in South
Africa, and one of the most exciting and cosmopolitan cities on the African continent. It is the country's most popular tourist destination city, and it is full of tourist attractions including picturesque
beaches, cultural sites and historic architecture. If you are planning to visit Cape Town with children, there are also a lot of fun things for kids to see and do while in the city.
Table Mountain
Table Mountain is part of the Table Mountain National Park, which is one of South Africa's most stunning sites of natural scenery. Kids will have a blast taking a ride to the top of the mountain in cable cars. The top of the mountain provides breathtaking panoramic viewpoints of Cape Town and neighboring areas, which children and adults are sure to love. There is an outdoor cafe located at the top of the mountain, where kids will love having breakfast or lunch.
Lower Cable Station
Tafelberg Road
Cape Town 8001
Tel: 011 (+27) 021 424 0015
Boulders Beach
Boulders beach in Cape Town is the ideal beach to take children for a day in the sun. It's a terrific picnic site, and a very safe swimming location. The best part about Boulders Beach is the abundance of penguins. The penguins will even come waddling over to people relaxing on the beach area (that is, if they don't make any rapid movements to scare them away). This beach has a fun atmosphere and is great for photo-taking opportunities.
4 Boulders Place
Boulders Beach
Simon's Town
Cape Town
Tel: 011 (+27) 21 786 1758
CityROCK
CityROCK is the biggest and most popular indoor climbing gym in Cape Town. CityROCK features a massive bouldering cave, a yoga studio, and a lead climbing and top rope section. Every week, there are also climbing lessons available to beginners. Kids will have a great time at CityROCK, and parents will love it because it is also healthy physical activity for them. If a child is over five years in age, they are allowed to participate in all climbing activities at CityROCK.
21 Anson Rd Observatory
Cape Town
Tel: 011 (+27) 21 447 1326
Ice Station
The Ice Station is one of South Africa's finest ice skating rinks. This is a fun and vibrant skating rink that kids are sure to enjoy. There are skating lessons and educational programs offered here, and a lot of events are put on at the Ice Station as well. There is an on-site Skate Shop that sells everything from blades to hockey boots and figure skates. Children will have a great time spending the afternoon getting out their energy at the Ice Station.
P.O. Box 1018
Eppindust 7475
Cape Town
Tel: 011 (+27) 21 5352260
Monkey Town Primate Centre
The Monkey Town Primate Centre is a place where kids get to see---up close---220 monkeys from all different faraway international locales. There is a playground area and a petting area (where kids can interact up close with monkeys). There are guided tours available of the primate center. There is also a restaurant at the park. Whether you want to see spider monkeys, Hamadrya baboons, Vervet monkeys or chimpanzees, there is a lot to see at the Monkey Town Primate Centre.
Mondeor Road
PO Box 152
Somerset West 7129
Western Cape
Tel: 011 (+27) 21 858 1060
About the Author:
Isabel Prontes is a freelance writer and traveler residing in Manhattan, NY. She has traveled to five continents and counting. Her work has appeared on a number of websites, such as Travels, eHow.com and "Happy Living Magazine." Prontes has a professional background in public relations; she received a bachelor's degree in communication studies from Pace University.
