Animals and archaeological context allow nature and history interests to overlap in one family day.
A museum of pre-Columbian art in Pueblo Libre, set in a colonial-era mansion with flower-filled gardens. Its well-presented ceramics, gold and textiles suit school-age kids and teens, and the garden cafe makes for an easy break.
A park of fountains in the Parque de la Reserva, central Lima, with an evening light and water show. Kids enjoy walking through the fountains, so pack a change of clothes and plan it for after dark.
An ancient adobe pyramid in the middle of Miraflores, built long before the Inca. Guided visits explain how it was used, and kids are often surprised to find a huge archaeological site among modern buildings.
The natural history museum of San Marcos University in Jesús María, with displays of Peru's animals, plants, minerals and fossils. A modest indoor stop for curious kids, easy to combine with a nearby park.
Parque Kennedy is a small central park in Miraflores known for its resident cats, surrounded by cafes and shops. A gentle starting point for strolling the neighbourhood with kids and grabbing a snack.
A cliff-top promenade along the Pacific in Miraflores, linking small parks with ocean views, playgrounds and paragliders overhead. Good for a walk, scooter ride or bike ride, and easy to break into short sections.
Lima's main art museum, in a historic exhibition palace in central Lima's Parque de la Exposición, covering Peruvian art from ancient times to the present. Best for school-age kids and teens; choose a few galleries to explore.
An 18th-century Spanish colonial fortress in the port of Callao, west of central Lima, built to defend the harbour. Older kids enjoy the walls, cannons and history of pirates and sieges; combine it with time by the sea.
Marine wildlife excursion; operator and sea conditions matter.