During our 10-day holiday to Poland, we escaped the hot beaches for a city day in Gdansk. What a lovely city! We explored the city on foot, wandering through the old town and a few key areas I'd earmarked for entertaining kids. Here's what we saw:
We arrived by train and walked about 10 minutes into the city center. Near the KFC at the train station, we found the underground tunnel to safely cross the busy main road. With our Lonely Planet in hand, we headed first to the Golden Gate, happening upon the lovely Millenium Tree on our way there.The gate itself wasn't much to look at, but the Ulica Dluga was gorgeous. The history - and how it was completely rebuilt, stone by stone - was fascinating. We went on a perfectly sunny Tuesday, where it also happened that the Dom Uphagena was free that day.
After wandering inside to see how the wealthy lived, learning how the original items inside had been kept away but the original building destroyed & later rebuilt, we headed to a milkbar for a bite to eat. Lonely Planet recommended Neptun and it did not disappoint. Outdoor seating was perfect for people-watching and little-people running around, and the prices were right. Only thing - the staff spoke no English! Luckily we found someone friendly inside who offered to help us order, and we were soon filling up on sweet gnocchi, savory pancakes, and fried cod. Yum!
Following lunch, we obviously needed ice cream, and found a place right across from the Neptune Fountain. A few photos later, we wandered in the general direction of the Maritime Museum. But wait -- a giant ferris wheel beckoned first! It was definitely touristy but also my first time on a ferris wheel - the Amber Sky. We enjoyed some nice views of the city before wandering over to the museum we'd read so much about.
After all the hype, we enjoyed 2 solid hours at the Maritime Museum. It was a lot of fun for the kids, which made the day a little easier on the adults. We got tickets to the Cultural Center, including a 1-hour visit to the interactive play area. My 5-year old didn't leave the remote-controlled boat area, and the 2-year old had fun sailing, looking at maps, listening to different messaging sounds, building a boat, and dressing a pirate.
We left the museum in search of coffees (and kinder coffees, aka hot chocolates), and found what we needed at Cafe Kamienica on Ulica Mariacka, a very charming little cobblestone street. I bought some amber earrings, we listened to some lovely street performers on their wind instruments, and we successfully drank coffee before meandering back to the train station in search of strawberry pierogies and a train back to Sopot.
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