Chile

Santiago

Mercado Central

A five-minute walk from the Plaza, this stunning cast-iron market is the best place in the city for a seafood lunch, and even picky eaters can find empanadas or fresh fruit at the surrounding stalls. Arrive by noon to beat the crowds and grab a table at one of the mid-market restaurants like El Patio for ceviche and caldillo de congrio.

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Santiago

Mercado Tirso de Molina

This working neighborhood market near Avenida Providencia is a great lunch stop for trying completos (Chilean hot dogs loaded with avocado and tomato), fresh juices, and inexpensive sopaipillas, all in an authentic setting far less touristy than Mercado Central. The fruit vendors on the outer ring sell excellent mangos and strawberries for a few hundred pesos.

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Santiago

Fuente Alemana

A Santiago institution since 1958, this counter-service restaurant on Avenida Italia is the place to try a lomito completo, a towering sandwich of slow-roasted pork, avocado, tomato, and mayonnaise that has fed generations of Santiago families. It is loud, fast, and completely delicious, which makes it a reliable win with kids.

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Santiago

La Chimba

Descend into Bellavista for lunch at this casual neighborhood spot known for solid Chilean comfort food including pastel de choclo and grilled meats at prices that do not punish families ordering multiple plates. The outdoor seating on Constitución street lets kids watch the colorful Bellavista street art scene while they eat.

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Santiago

Galeria Drugstore food court

This retro-styled mall on Avenida Providencia has a top-floor food court where families can each choose from different Chilean and international counters and sit together, which solves the classic problem of kids and parents wanting completely different lunches. The building itself is worth a look, with its converted 1960s gas station architecture.

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Santiago

El Manzano village lunch stop

The small village of El Manzano along the canyon road has several rustic restaurants serving cazuela, grilled meats, and fresh trout pulled from the river, all at reasonable prices and in a setting surrounded by dramatic rock walls. Restaurant Los Ciruelos is a reliable choice with outdoor tables and a menu that works well for both adults and children.

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Santiago

Emporio La Rosa on Parque Forestal

Wind down the afternoon with artisan ice cream at this beloved Santiago chain, where the rose petal and lucuma flavors are unmissable and the scoops are generously sized. The Parque Forestal branch sits right along the tree-lined park, so kids can run around while everyone finishes their cones.

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Santiago

Zoologico Nacional de Chile

Tucked into the forested slopes of Cerro San Cristobal, this well-maintained zoo is home to Andean condors, pumas, and llamas alongside more familiar animals, and the hillside terrain makes the layout feel genuinely adventurous rather than flat and repetitive. It is easily combined with the teleférico since both sit within the same Parque Metropolitano complex.

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Santiago

Embalse El Yeso reservoir walk

If conditions and timing allow, the turquoise glacial reservoir at Embalse El Yeso sits at 2,475 meters elevation and is reachable by a scenic unpaved road from the canyon, offering a short flat walk along the shoreline with Andean condors frequently visible overhead. The color of the water against the red and grey rock is unlike anything in the city and tends to be the photograph families take home.

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Santiago

Plaza de Armas

Start the trip at Santiago's founding square, where street performers, pigeons, and the ornate Metropolitan Cathedral keep kids entertained while parents get their bearings. The central fountain is a reliable landmark and a good spot for a first family photo with the Andes peeking above the roofline.

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Santiago

Cerro Santa Lucia

This fortified hill park in the middle of the city is a legitimately fun climb for kids aged 5 and up, with winding stone staircases, fountains, turrets, and panoramic views of the downtown skyline. The ascent takes about 20 minutes at a relaxed pace and feels more like exploring a castle than doing a hike.

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Santiago

Museo Interactivo Mirador (MIM)

The MIM is Chile's version of a hands-on science museum, with over 400 interactive exhibits covering physics, biology, and technology that are explicitly designed for children ages 4 through 14. Plan for at least two hours because kids routinely refuse to leave the electricity demonstrations and the giant bubble station.

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Santiago

Parque Metropolitano de Santiago Bike Rental (Tobogan entrance)

The park's Tobogan sector has wide, mostly flat paths and a dedicated bike rental station where families can hire bikes by the hour, making this a relaxed morning ride through eucalyptus forest with mountain views. Kids who are not yet confident riders can use the three-wheel options available at the rental kiosk.

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Santiago

Rafting Cajon del Maipo with Cascada Expediciones

This reputable outfitter based in the Cajon del Maipo canyon runs family-appropriate rafting trips on the Maipo River graded for kids as young as 7, with guides who are experienced at managing mixed-age groups and full safety equipment provided. The drive from Santiago takes about 90 minutes and the canyon scenery begins immediately, making the journey itself part of the experience.

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Santiago

Pomaire Artisan Village pottery shopping

On the return route toward Santiago, the village of Pomaire is a detour worth taking for its handmade clay pottery sold directly by local artisans, including the famous one-kilogram clay mugs that have become a Chilean souvenir staple. Kids enjoy watching potters work at outdoor wheels, and the prices are low enough that everyone can pick something out.

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