What to do with a child in Mulhouse 5 kid-friendly addresses
Because of its industrial past, Mulhouse is often shunned. Not beautiful enough, too grey, not enough this and too much that. Yet it's a pleasant city, with a good streetcar network and a number of museums that can appeal to the whole family. Here are my top 5 family-friendly addresses, all of which have been tried and tested by 4-year-old Nine.
For this article, I invited Tiphanya from the blog Avenue Reine Mathilde. Tiphanya is specialized in family travel, has been living in Mulhouse for some time and is always on the lookout for good “kid-friendly” addresses. I let her speak to you to present his favorite addresses…
1. Mulhouse Botanical and Zoological Park
I liked
- Reduced rate in winter
- Nice playground
- Games to print on the website before the visit
- Picnic areas scattered throughout the zoo
I liked less
- The restaurant is not open every day
- No pedestrian entrance at the bottom of the zoo
Here’s our favorite Mulhouse outing for all seasons: Mulhouse Zoo. It’s a beautiful park where the animals can be seen by everyone.
You don’t have to hold the little ones to let them enjoy it. We particularly recommend the polar bear feeding area (with its huge glass pool), the hatching house (to see chicks of all sizes and colors) and the meerkats (just because we like them).
In front of some of the enclosures, quizzes are proposed: the same 4 questions come up again and again and allow the visitor to compare zebras to snakes, turtles, etc.
Practical information
Children’s specials
Changing table in all the toilets, large play area in two spaces according to age, some stairs but there is always another passage for strollers.
Printable games (for children who can read) are available on the website.
Schedules and rates
You will find here the schedules and prices of the Zoo of Mulhouse.
Animations
Numerous activities are offered regularly throughout the year: photo exhibitions, plant fairs, climate change awareness, etc.
Access
By car
The address is: 111 avenue de la 1ère Division Blindée – 68100 Mulhouse
Free parking at the entrance.
By public transport
Zoo” bus station (line 30) 150m from entrance.
Bike parking at entrance.
Please note that the zoo is high up, so allow 40 min. by bike from the city center to get there, and 10 min. to get back.
2. Café Mozart
I liked
- Don’t be stared at when entering with a child
- The delicacy of pastries
- The view on the temple
- The efficiency of the service
I liked less
- The hot chocolate was not smooth enough
- Not knowing where the entrance is
In summer, the café Mozart takes its place in the open air, on the temple’s square. But it’s in winter that we discovered it and it’s really a “kid-friendly” address: when we arrived, no less than 3 strollers were installed here and there. And when it’s time to leave, I can add: a calm atmosphere, tasty pastries, waiters who don’t bat an eye at the children.
The menu offers Damman teas, a fragrant if somewhat light hot chocolate (Nine tested the Venezuela) and pastries from the Jacques patisserie next door. I’d been advised to try the chocolate tart, but as it wasn’t on the day’s menu, we discovered the Crottin and the Prince.
Nine’s conclusion: “It’s so good that I want to come back here”.
Practical information
Children’s specials
Highchairs are available, and a changing table is available in the shopping mall toilets (10m from the café entrance). There’s room to keep a stroller beside you.
Access
The entrance is either on the first floor of the small shopping center, or through the door that seems to open onto the offices to the right of the Hansi store.
By car
The address is: 25 place de la Réunion 68200 Mulhouse
Located in the heart of Mulhouse’s pedestrian zone, difficult car parking.
By public transport
Large bicycle parking right in front.
3. The Alsace Ecomuseum
I liked
- Regular animations every day
- Seasonal animations
- Sympathy of employees and volunteers
- The bakery
I liked less
- The toilets that always seem far away
- The price for a whole family
Nine chose the Ecomuseum d’Alsace as her favorite Mulhouse address. I tried to explain to her that the Ecomuseum is not in Mulhouse, but next door. However, as it’s a 15min train ride + 15min bike ride away, for her the ecomuseum is in Mulhouse.
In this Alsatian village, you can bake cakes (during Advent), see pigs, take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage: every child will love it. That’s what she says.
I can add that the pastries are delicious, that in summer it’s cool in the houses, that the boat ride is a change of scenery, that every visit teaches me something new. In three visits this year, Nine has also carved a sugar beet into a candlestick, made a wax candle and a clay snake.
Practical information
Children’s specials
Strollers can go everywhere in the village, but it will be difficult to visit most of the houses. It is possible to warm up a baby’s bottle or potty. Picnic tables are scattered around the park. Children can run around freely, just keeping an eye on the tractor and carriage.
Schedules and rates
You will find here the schedules and prices of the ecomuseum.
Animations
Numerous events are organized. See the program on the ecomuseum website.
Access
By car
The address is as follows: Chemin du Grosswald, 68190 Ungersheim
20 minutes from Mulhouse.
Free parking at the entrance.
By public transport
For more information, visit the Ecomuseum website. You can also view your itinerary directly on Fluo.
By bike from Bollwiller station, allow 15 minutes, then follow the signs for “parc du petit prince”, as the ecomuseum is poorly signposted. There are no cycle paths all along the road.
Also on the blog
4. La Cité du Train
I liked
- A very playful 1st room
- Sitting in an old Parisian metro
- View numerous videos
- The children’s playroom
I liked less
- A more austere 2nd room
- The price
All children love trains, and many parents and grandparents associate them with fond memories of their travels. The Cité du Train consists of two halls (both huge), and presents both the historical and technical aspects of the machines.
While children love the first room for its playfulness, the second only catches their eye for the train ride it offers. I recommend finishing off with a coloring session in the children’s playroom: one adult can take a well-deserved sit-down break, while the others can finish satisfying their curiosity.
Don’t hesitate to plan at least 2 hours to do the tour.
Practical information
Children’s specials
Space to change baby in the toilet, strollers can go everywhere.
Schedules and rates
You will find here the schedules and rates of the Cité du Train.
Access
By car
The address is: 2, rue Alfred de Glehn, 68200 Mulhouse
Parking right in front of the museum.
By public transport
Museums” streetcar station (line 3) a 10-minute walk away.
Allow 30 minutes by bike from Mulhouse main station. Bike parking right in front of the museum.
5. Mulhouse ice rink
I liked
- Have space to skate
- To be able to come with your skates
- Accessories for children
I liked less
- Nothing
Mulhouse has a beautiful Olympic rink, which I recommend as a Sunday morning outing. At that time, the rink is organized into two distinct areas, one of which is totally dedicated to children. They can use chairs and other sliding aids, and skate as they please.
Practical information
Children’s specials
With beginners, don’t come outside Sunday mornings. Then there’s no space for them.
Schedules
You will find here the schedules and prices of the Mulhouse ice rink.
Access
By car
The address is: 47 Boulevard Charles Stoessel, 68100 Mulhouse
Parking in front of the ice rink.
By public transport
Palais des Sports” streetcar station (streetcar 2) 100m from entrance
Bike parking in front of entrance.
Allow 15 min from downtown.