If traveling with a baby was a novelty just a few decades ago, today more families make sure their little ones see the world from an early age. Some of these kids travel from practically their birth and add thousands of airline miles to their names by the time they turn three. In the majority of developed countries, an average baby’s first travel experiences can surprise even adults.
Last updated: November 28, 2024
Baby’s First Travel Experiences that Even Adults Will Envy
I was sitting on the floor, waiting for my 18-month baby to finish chewing his food before I could slide another spoon into his mouth. Wow, he is a big little boy now. He eagerly eats what he likes and turns his head away from the food that doesn’t look appealing to him.
But there was a time when I fed him with a spoon for the first time, and him opening his mouth for another spoon with pureed food made me almost jump up with excitement. There were a lot of first things for Dylan, but unlike many other babies he had a privilege to experience some of them in different parts of the world. A few of my baby’s first travel experiences are so unique that even adults will envy him.
BABY’S FIRST TRAVEL EXPERIENCES TO TAKE A NOTE OF
1. First Time on a Glass Bridge in Arizona
Standing 4,000 feet above the Grand Canyon is nerve-wracking not only for children, but many adults. Walking on a bridge and seeing the deep chasm under your feet pushes all the boundaries.
A few months ago while visiting Grand Canyon National Park, we couldn’t pass on the chance of experiencing its newest attraction, Skywalk. Dylan didn’t walk back then yet. The truth is he was too little to understand that it was one of his first big travel experiences. Yet it was surely one for the books.
2. First Time Wobbling on Suspension Footbridge in Vancouver, Canada
By the time we visited the Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver, Dylan was running nonstop. Yet Roshan had to cross the bridge holding him tightly in his arms. A wobbling suspension bridge is a fun travel experience, but not the one that a little boy can do by himself.
3. First Time Eating Bread in Paris, France
You can’t think of a better place to introduce your baby to solid food, such as bread, than a country that defines the word “cuisine”.
4. First Time Playing with Fall Leaves in Vancouver, Canada
We went to Vancouver, Canada, in October. The city was fall festive by that time, adorned with bright red, yellow, and golden colors. For a baby from Southern California, this colorful palette was a novelty, delightful, amusing, and fun.
5. First Time Paddling down a River on Kauai, Hawaii
This one, however, was one of my baby’s least favorite first travel experiences. He cried all the time. It would be a completely different story if I didn’t forget a pacifier in the car before rushing to a little canoe.
6. First Time Dipping Feet in the Ocean on Kauai, Hawaii
Even though we have ample beaches in Los Angeles, Dylan never felt comfortable around the ocean here. In fact, the boy was ready to run away as fast as his tiny legs allowed at the first sound of raging waves. On Kauai, though, whether due to its tropical weather or the Aloha Spirit, Dylan changed his attitude and made his first ocean dip possible.
7. First Time Riding Eurostar from London to Paris
Normally kids prefer trains over planes as they don’t have to be tied to their seats and have more freedom to move or walk around. Traveling on Eurostar from London to Paris was a win-win situation not only for Dylan, but also for us: less restraints for the baby, more time to relax for us. Moreover, it was the first time our boy traveled through the Channel Tunnel, the only fixed link between Great Britain and the European mainland.
8. Enjoying Views from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway in California
The views of the city and surrounding desert were incredible. Dylan, however, was more impressed with a tramcar and the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world’s largest rotating aerial tramway.
9. First Time in the “Wild”: Wildlife in Alaska
Babies adore animals. Every time they see a dog or cat, their little fingers strive to touch the fluffy wool of the four-legged inhabitants of our planet. Dylan is not an exception. He was overflowing with joy when he pointed at every “resident” of the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, asking, “What is it?”
10. First Time Drinking Coconut Water through a Straw on Kauai, Hawaii
This travel experience became a mini show not only for us, but every passerby. As soon as we bought two coconuts from a fruit stand on the corner of the street, Dylan couldn’t stop grabbing them and saying something in his baby language. It looked like the baby felt grown enough to drink through a straw, which made every adult laugh with approval.
11. Sleeping in Front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
People come to Paris to admire the Eiffel Tower. Dylan decided that sleeping in front of the famous attraction would do just fine and justify all the trouble of exploring the capital of France in freezing weather.
12. First Time Seeing Snow in Sequoia National Park in California
Snow in Southern California is a rare phenomenon. You get more chances to experience winter miracles and play in snow high up in the mountains. This is the main reason why we went to Sequoia National Park a few months ago.
13. First Time Visiting a Desert in California
I have to admit, Joshua Tree National Park was my first proper desert travel experience as well. Dylan was about eight months then, but even at that age he showed a clear interest in the area especially its funny-looking trees.
14. First Boat Cruise in San Diego, California
The best way to see a coastal city such as San Diego is by experiencing it from the water. Our little baby boy couldn’t agree more with it.
15. First International Flight to London
Long flights can be exhausting for both adults and babies. Yet Dylan nailed it, and we haven’t stopped exploring the world with him ever since.
16. First camel Sighting in Marrakech, Morocco
Camels are unique and incredible creatures. They look so calm and exotic just like Marrakech, a city where Dylan saw his first ever camel.
17. Riding in London’s Classic Black Taxi
A ride in a black taxi is an obligatory first-time travel experience in London, especially when it’s dark, cold, and snowy outside.
18. Climbing 387 Steps of Iconic Notre-Dame de Paris
In Dylan’s case, it was being carried all the way to the top to enjoy stunning views of the classic city with its Iron Lady in the distance.
19. Riding through the Longest Tunnel in North America
Despite dim light, Dylan managed an almost seven-minute drive through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel exceptionally well. The tunnel was a gateway to Whittier, a place where the baby could finally get out of his car seat and run around.
20. First Time Riding a Double-Decker Bus in London
For this unique travel experience, we opted for Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing bus tour. It was an easy, convenient, and hustle-free way to explore London. What’s more, Dylan liked it a lot.
