Inspired by the show “The Layover” from the late, great Anthony Bourdain, I decided to write about this very topic! Long layovers can be daunting, especially when traveling with kids. However, they don’t have to be a source of frustration or boredom. Embrace the unexpected and turn layovers into mini-adventures in some of the world’s most exciting cities. From the glitz of Los Angeles to the romance of Paris, the cultural richness of Abu Dhabi, the charm of Amsterdam, and the history of Brussels, we’ll show you how to make the most of your layovers (including bad ones! 🙃) and create unforgettable memories for the whole family!

1. Los Angeles: Experience the sunset at Venice Beach
En route to: Melbourne
Length of layover time: 10 hours

Touching down in Los Angeles with a 10-hour layover might seem like a tight schedule, but fear not! You can still make the most of your time and experience the vibrant essence of this bustling city. Skip the airport waiting and head straight to one of L.A.’s most iconic spots – Venice Beach! It’s only a 30 minute cab ride away from LAX airport and it’s perfect for letting kids burn off some energy before your next flight!

2. Paris: A Taste of Romance and Culture
En route to: Maldives
Length of layover time: 12 hours

Paris, the City of Love, may seem like an unconventional choice for a layover, but it’s worth every second. Even with limited time, you can visit the world-famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum (consider a quick visit to see the Mona Lisa), and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Take a leisurely boat ride along the Seine River, and your kids will be enthralled by the stunning architecture and scenic views. Stroll through the charming streets of Montmartre, where artists create beautiful paintings in the open air. And of course, don’t forget to savor delicious pastries and croissants at a local bakery – the kids will love them too!

3. Abu Dhabi: A sip of luxury and a chance to
marvel at Islamic architecture
En route to: Amsterdam
Length of layover time: 12 hours

Okay, I have to be honest…..this was a TOUGH one! Sometimes you are thrown a curve ball and you just have to deal with it. Our layover to this city was an OVERNIGHT layover! 😱 We arrived in Abu Dhabi at 11:30pm and our flight to Amsterdam was still 12 hours away. So what do you do when your sleeping clock out of whack, eyes wide open and you arrive nearly at midnight??… there was clearly no point in paying for an overnight’s stay at a hotel at this point so what’s there to experience in the wee hours of the morning in this city??

TWO things! First, it was time to feed our jet lagged brains and so we visited one of the most luxurious hotels in Abu Dhabi, the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental. When you think of Abu Dhabi, you think of luxury and opulence and with a 7-star hotel like this (and yes, the Burj-al Arab Hotel in Dubai was the first to call itself ‘7 Star’. Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Abu Dhabi is the second!), you can almost guarantee a 24-hour service open in their lobby lounges! So we headed to Le Cafe and tried some pastries and the highlight was their super famous 24K GOLD-FLAKED PALACE CAPPUCCINO! Yes, you can’t have the word “luxury” without some gold on it, so definitely had to give that a try!

Next, after stuffing our faces at their beautiful lobby for a couple of hours, we couldn’t pass the opportunity to visit & marvel at the awe-inspiring Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque at night! I’m sure it’s just as beautiful in the day time, but most people rarely get to see it at night so we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit it when it’s all lit up! So pretty! 😍

Of course, this isn’t what Abu Dhabi is all about should our layover had been during the daytime! 😅 So here are a few extra tips! Families will enjoy Yas Island, home to Ferrari World and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, two fantastic theme parks. And if you have time, venture into the desert for a thrilling camel ride or sandboarding adventure – an experience your kids will cherish.

4. Amsterdam: A Delightful Journey Through Canals and History
En route to: Toronto
Length of layover time: 22 hours

Amsterdam’s charming canals and rich history make it an ideal layover destination. One of the first things we noticed is that this city shares some similarities with Denmark’s capital — Copenhagen. The most striking similarity between Amsterdam and Copenhagen is biking! Head over to our blog post on Copenhagen to see what we’re talking about! 😉 It seems like everyone rides their bike in these two cities. So if you’re feeling up to it, start your day by renting a bike and tour along the bike-friendly streets of Amsterdam. Then hop on a boat tour to admire the picturesque cityscape and learn about Amsterdam’s fascinating past. A visit to the Anne Frank House provides a poignant opportunity to teach your children about history and tolerance. The NEMO Science Museum is perfect for young minds, offering interactive exhibits and fun experiments. Make sure to try traditional Dutch pancakes – a treat that kids of all ages will relish! In fact, we LOVED it so much that we had to try 2 different pancake restaurants AND even managed to stuff a few dutch pancake mixes in our luggage for the plane ride home! 🤤

5. Brussels: Embrace the Heart of Europe
En route to: Budapest
Length of layover time: 24 hours

So what do you do when you only have a day to spend in Brussels??? Belgian Waffles 🧇, Chocolates 🍫, Fries 🍟, Muscles 🦪 and Beer 🍺. Enough said!! 🤤

Brussels, the heart of Europe, is an excellent choice for a layover filled with culture and delectable cuisine. Take a leisurely walk through the Grand Place, a stunning square surrounded by awe-inspiring architecture. Discover Belgian comic strips with your kids at the Comic Strip Center and visit Mini-Europe to marvel at Europe’s landmarks in miniature form. Of course, indulging in some Belgian waffles and chocolates is essential to complete the Brussels experience! Believe it or not, there are many chocolate tour operators available but we opted to do our own walking chocolate tour as our kids led the way, carefully curated each chocolate shop and raided the best ones! 😅

Conclusion:

Next time you stumble upon cheap flights with long layovers in exciting cities like Los Angeles, Paris, Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, or Brussels, seize the opportunity to create unforgettable memories with your family. Remember, a long layover can be a gift, allowing you to catch a glimpse of a city’s wonders and culture. So, don’t waste precious hours in the airport; get out there and embrace every opportunity given to you and your kids. Happy layover exploring! 🤩