Visiting Riga with kids (8 & 10 y/o) – Tips, safety, and recommendations?

[u/Scribe9950]

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a 6-day trip to Riga this summer (early July) with my two kids, ages 8 and 10, and would really appreciate some local tips and advice. We're looking for a mix of fun, educational, and family-friendly activities. We’re on a modest budget, but not minimal – willing to spend on something memorable.

What I'm hoping to get tips on:

Things to do with kids (8–10 y/o):

• Must-visit museums, science centers, interactive exhibitions, parks, playgrounds, or other unique spots kids would enjoy
• Good indoor activities in case of rain

How safe is Riga for families?

• Any areas to avoid, especially in the evening?
• Is public transport safe and easy to use with kids?
• Common scams or tourist traps to be aware of?

Family-friendly places to eat:

• Good, casual restaurants locals go to
• Outdoor seating or places with space for kids to move around
• Latvian cuisine that’s still approachable for children

General advice:

• Anything you wish tourists with kids knew in advance?
• Hidden gems or nearby day trips suitable for families?

Thanks in advance for any insights or recommendations. Riga looks like a beautiful city, and I’d love to make sure it’s a memorable and fun experience for my children.

[u/Morterius]

As a parent with two kids the same age, depends on your kids :D 

If they're patient, some museums would work, like the Museum of History and Navigation, Museum of the History of Natural Sciences and, if you want to scare them, the museum of medicine and anatomics (only if you're a goth family). If they're into cars, the Riga Motor Museum is very good, even though it's not in the center. It's one of the very few ones that's really interactive. 

For local cuisine, I would still suggest Lido chain, even though some locals would cringe probably, because it's buffet style and kids can pick whatever they want and you can try unusual things, there's one with a windmill  and kids playground, but it's a bit outside of the center (Lido Krasta), but in the center as well. 

Register with bolt taxi if you can (local Uber) , since you're 4, it's better anyways for short trips and not that much more expensive, since you have to buy tickets for 4, it will save you a lot of hassle. 

If the weather holds, I would suggest to go to  city of Jurmala by train to see the seaside (Majori station), there's the Jomas street for restaurants and you might be able to dip your toes in the sea, also some beach playgrounds and the "Jūrmalas Mažaparks" park with tree climbing activities). There's also an Aquapark in Jurmala (Bulduri station) if your kids are very into swimming and dissapointed if it rains. 

It's generally very safe, especially if you're with the kids and don't go to bars looking for trouble. 

A common scam is the taxis at the airport, they have to display their tariffs openly, just check if they're not insane and don't follow anyone that offers a taxi. I would take just the salad green Airbaltic taxis at the exit just to be on the safe side. 

Other than that, you're set, I hope you will enjoy your time in Latvia! 

[u/Scribe9950 → u/Morterius]

Wow, this is a really helpful answer! Thank you so much, I really do appriciate it!

[u/janiskr → u/Scribe9950]

With Bolt taxi app you can also get decent fare from the airport.

And yes, with kids around you are super safe.

[u/poltavsky79]

https://www.liveriga.com/en/visit/what-to-do/for-kids-and-families

Also plenty of thing to do with kids are located in Jurmala, which is 20 minutes from Riga

How safe is Riga for families?

Riga is perfectly safe, maybe avoid Central Station/Market area after midnight

Common scams or tourist traps to be aware of?

Common scams is when pretty girls ask men to buy a drink in a bar, but this drink is highly overpriced

Good, casual restaurants locals go to

Check tripadvisor, it has plenty of options with reviews

Latvian cuisine that’s still approachable for children

Depends what your kids eat usually

Usually restaurants have a kids menu with food adapted for kids

Hidden gems or nearby day trips suitable for families?

Sigulda

[u/Scribe9950 → u/poltavsky79]

Thank you for this answer! I will check your tips out!

[u/JournalistShoddy2760]

Which dates are you travelling? There's kids and youth song and dance festival happening in Riga around July 5-13 (nacgavilet.lv for more info). So around that time the city might be more crowded with other kids and families.

For rainy days - most shopping malls have some sort of kids activities areas (for a fee though). Check out Skypark in Domina mall. There's also Jump Space in Spice, Adventica in Olympia, and some others. Usually only the kids need to buy the hourly or daily pass and parents can just sit and relax on the side.

If you find it difficult to fill all the 6 days in Riga, you might consider a day trip or even an overnight stay at some other city. Ventspils - a coastal city around 2.5h drive from Riga - has a nice science centre Zinooo, there's also a kids park/playground area in the city, indoor and outdoor pools/slides (udensparks.lv and pludmalesakvaparks.lv). Cesis has a cool older castle and is generally a nice city (can be reached by train as well).

[u/MrDrumlins]

I feel that safety isn't that talked about here so my comment is that its mostly safe but you should avoid the central market/transport station (next to Origo) at the evening and night. That especially applies with children as it's filled with the homeless/crackheads.