Florence’s Renaissance branding can make it feel like an adults-only destination — frescoed churches, slow tasting menus, marble galleries that demand reverent silence. But spend three days here with kids and you’ll discover the opposite: things to do in Florence with kids are everywhere, from carousels in the central piazza to swordfighting workshops, from a 17-foot statue of David that genuinely impresses six-year-olds to gelato so good it’s used as a behavioural-management tool. This 2026 family guide pulls together 30 tested kids-friendly experiences, organised by age band and time of day, with practical tips on strollers, restaurant strategies, museum pacing and the rainy-day options every parent secretly wants ready.
One important context point: all Italian state museums are free for children under 18, regardless of nationality. That includes the Uffizi, Accademia, Pitti, Bargello, Medici Chapels, San Marco and Boboli Gardens. Bring passport or ID for each child. We’ve flagged the strict-vs-flexible museums and the ones with under-rated kid factor below.
The 10 things you’ll be remembered for
- Riding the antique carousel in Piazza della Repubblica.
- Rubbing the Porcellino’s nose for good luck at the Mercato Nuovo.
- Climbing all 463 steps of Brunelleschi’s dome (age 6+).
- Seeing Michelangelo’s David in person.
- The Museo Galileo’s interactive science exhibits.
- Palazzo Vecchio’s “Secret Passages” treasure-hunt tour for kids.
- A pizza or pasta-making class together.
- Picnicking and biking in Cascine.
- An afternoon at the Boboli Gardens chasing peacocks (sometimes).
- Gelato three times a day — Vivoli, Gelateria della Passera, La Carraia.
Best museums for kids
Museo Galileo
The runaway favourite for ages 6–14. Interactive science exhibits across four floors — Galileo’s actual telescopes (and his preserved middle finger), pendulums to swing, magnetic models, a working Pythagorean cup. €10 adults, free under 18. Allow 90 minutes. Five minutes from the Uffizi on the Arno.
Galleria dell’Accademia (David)
Even very young kids react to the 5.17-metre David. The Tribune room is short and dramatic. Skip the rest of the museum if your child’s interest fades. Allow 45 minutes; book a fixed-slot ticket so you don’t queue.
Palazzo Vecchio “Secret Passages” tour
A guided 75-minute walk through hidden staircases, the Studiolo of Francesco I and the rooftop walls of the Palazzo. Kids 8+ love it. €17.50; book ahead. Combine with the family-themed “Lives of Children at Court” workshop for ages 5–9.
La Specola natural history museum
Stuffed animals, dinosaur skeletons, the wax-anatomy room (parental discretion — some models are open-thoracic). Reopened 2024 after restoration. €10. Five minutes from Palazzo Pitti.
Museo dei Ragazzi (Children’s Museum at Palazzo Vecchio)
An entire department running themed children’s workshops: dressing in Renaissance costume, fresco painting, learning Medici history, treasure hunts. Workshops run weekends and during school holidays; €4–€10 per child, must be pre-booked.
Stibbert Museum
57 rooms of armour, samurai gear, weapons and exotic costumes from around the world. The “Hall of the Cavalcade” with full-size mounted knights is a 9-year-old’s dream. €8 adult, free under 18. North of the centre, bus 4.
Museo Nazionale del Bargello
If you have a sculpture-loving child, the Bargello’s Donatello Davids and the medieval armour in the upstairs hall are excellent. €9 adult, free under 18.
Museums to skip with young kids
The Uffizi can be tough with under-7s — long, hot, demanding silence. If you must, do the express 90-minute route: Botticelli (Birth of Venus and Primavera), Caravaggio’s Medusa, the dome view from the cafeteria terrace, then leave. Better: the smaller Museo Bardini (decorative arts) or the family-friendly Specola.
Piazze, carousels & street life
Piazza della Repubblica’s antique carousel
The wooden painted-horse carousel has been running here since 1908. €2 a ride. Kids of every age — including, frankly, adult kids — react to it. Open daily 09:30–22:00 in summer.
The Porcellino fountain
The bronze wild-boar at the Mercato Nuovo, two minutes from Piazza della Signoria. Florentine custom: rub his snout, drop a coin in his mouth and let it fall through the grate underneath; you’ll return to Florence. The boar’s nose has been polished gold by 400 years of rubbing.
Pigeons and statues at Piazza della Signoria
Free, immediate, mesmerising for under-5s. The Loggia dei Lanzi sculptures (Cellini’s bronze Perseus holding Medusa’s head) provoke 30 seconds of legitimate Greek-myth horror.
The dome climb
463 steps. Children must be 6 or older (strict). Tight passages, no lift. Kids who clear that bar usually love it.
Parks, gardens & playgrounds
- Boboli Gardens — 45,000 m² of paths, fountains, peacocks, the Buontalenti Grotto, hiding places. Free under 18. Bring a picnic.
- Bobolino playground — small but shaded, on Viale Machiavelli south of the Boboli walls. Slides, swings, free.
- Parco delle Cascine — 130 ha of running, biking, climbing structures and an Olympic pool (summer). Tuesday-morning market is huge fun for kids.
- Giardino dell’Orticoltura — small playground, ten-minute walk north of the Duomo. The 1880 Tepidarium is interesting on hot days.
- Giardino delle Rose — small but pretty, free, dome view; combine with a picnic on the way down from Piazzale Michelangelo.
- Villa Stibbert grounds — free park surrounding the Stibbert Museum.
Hands-on classes & workshops
- Family pizza or pasta classes — Mama Florence runs dedicated kids’ classes; €70–€95 per child. Cucina Lorenzo and Florencetown are similar. 2 hours, includes the meal.
- Marbled-paper workshop at Alberto Cozzi (Via del Parione 35r) — 60 minutes, €30 per child. Each kid makes their own sheet to take home.
- Gelato-making at La Carraia or Mama Florence — 90 minutes, €60 per child.
- Renaissance-fencing class for ages 8+ at Sala d’Armi Achille Marozzo — 90 minutes, €35; foam swords for younger.
- Treasure hunt with Florence4Families — guided 90-minute riddle-and-clues walk through the historic centre; €15 per child.
- Leather-bracelet workshop at Scuola del Cuoio — 30-minute kid version, €15.
Family-friendly food & gelato
Where to eat with kids
- Mercato Centrale upstairs food hall — multiple counters, no menu commitment, pizza/pasta/sushi/burger options for picky eaters. Open 10:00 to midnight.
- Trattoria Mario — Florence’s most famous lunch trattoria, family-tolerant, kids’ portions of pasta on request, no reservations. Lunch only.
- Gusta Pizza in Piazza Santo Spirito — €7 heart-shaped Margherita, eaten on the basilica steps.
- Trattoria Sostanza — for older kids who’ll appreciate Florence’s most famous butter chicken.
- Eataly on Via dei Martelli — predictable but excellent for picky eaters; the gelato counter is a useful bribe.
- Antico Vinaio — Florence’s biggest schiacciata sandwich shop; €8 sandwich is a meal for two younger kids.
The gelaterias
- Vivoli (since 1930) — the legend; rice, ricotta-and-fig, riso are unmissable.
- La Carraia — €1.50 small cone, the city’s best price-quality ratio.
- Gelateria della Passera — small Oltrarno spot with rosemary-honey and pear-and-caramel for adults; classic chocolate and strawberry for kids.
- Perché No! — since 1939, just off Piazza della Repubblica; pistachio is the move.
- Edoardo — biological gelato across from the Duomo; great for dairy-free.
Day trips with kids
- Pisa — 1 hour by train; Leaning Tower climb (kids 8+ allowed, €18); the Cathedral Square (Campo dei Miracoli) is family-perfect and grass-friendly.
- San Gimignano — 1.5 hours by bus; medieval skyline, kids enjoy climbing the Torre Grossa and the medieval torture museum (parental discretion).
- Cinque Terre — 2.5-hour train; doable as a long day trip but better as an overnight.
- Tuscan farm visit (agriturismo) — half-day rural visits with animal feeding, gelato-making and lunch, €40–€80 per person; book through Tuscany Family.
- Pinocchio Park (Parco di Pinocchio) at Collodi — the actual hometown of Pinocchio’s author Carlo Lorenzini, with a themed park, mosaic-tile village and Garzoni Garden. 1 hour by car or train+bus. €13 child.
- Lucca — 1.5 hours by train; rent a family bike to ride the city’s elliptical Renaissance walls — easy, flat, charming.
Rainy-day plans
- Museo Galileo (interactive, indoor, two hours minimum).
- The Mercato Centrale upstairs food hall (lunch + roaming).
- Pizza or pasta-making class.
- Stibbert Museum (armour halls feel like a film set).
- La Carraia gelato → cinema English-language film at Cinema Adriano (Via Romagnosi 45).
- Indoor climbing at the Climbing Stadio (Via Pasquale Paoli) — €12 adult, €8 child, €5 shoe rental.
Practical family logistics
- Strollers: cobblestones are real but everywhere. A sturdy umbrella stroller copes; lightweight chassis can rattle. The dome and bell-tower climbs are not stroller-friendly. Most museums have lifts.
- High chairs aren’t standard in small trattorie. The big food halls and pizzerias usually have them.
- Public transport: kids under 11 ride free on Florence buses and trams.
- Diaper changing: the Mercato Centrale upstairs has the cleanest tables. Department stores (COIN, La Rinascente) have proper baby rooms.
- Pharmacies: the Farmacia Comunale at Santa Maria Novella station is open 24/7 and stocks every brand of formula, nappies, baby paracetamol.
- Tap water: safe and excellent. Carry a refillable bottle and use the public fountains.
- Hotel rooms: most small Florentine hotels have rooms for two adults plus one child; family rooms (3 + 1) are rare and expensive. Apartments via Airbnb-equivalent platforms are usually better value.
Age-specific recommendations
Under 5
Boboli, the carousel, gelato hunting, the Porcellino, La Specola’s animal halls (skip the wax-anatomy section), Cascine playgrounds. Skip the dome climb, Uffizi and Accademia. Lots of nap time.
Ages 5–8
Add the Accademia (just for David, 30 minutes), Palazzo Vecchio’s Secret Passages tour, marbled-paper workshop, dome climb (technically 6+, but parental call), Stibbert armour halls, Museo Galileo.
Ages 9–13
Now you can do almost everything. Uffizi (express route, 90 minutes), pizza-making classes, the bell-tower climb, San Miniato’s vespers if they like atmosphere, day trip to Pisa to climb the Leaning Tower.
Teens 14–17
Treat them as adults and they’ll respond. Cooking classes, Vespa tours (passenger from age 14), guided photography walks, Vasari Corridor, day trips to Cinque Terre, Vespa rentals at 14+ with adult driver. Free under-18 museum entry is in your favour — pile on the Uffizi, Accademia, Pitti, Bargello.
Florence with kids by season
Spring (March–May)
Probably the best season for a family Florence trip. 14–22°C days, low rain, gardens in bloom, no Italian school holidays clogging the museum queues. The Bardini wisteria and Iris Garden run April 25–May 10 (rough window). Good time for Cascine biking, Boboli picnics and outdoor Pinocchio Park visits.
Summer (June–August)
Heat is the main challenge: 32–38°C in July and August. Schedule outdoor activities for before 11:00 and after 17:00; do museums during the heat of the day. Le Pavoniere pool in Cascine (€11 entry) is a lifesaver; the Westin Excelsior, Four Seasons and Villa Cora are the hotels with proper kid-friendly pools. Italian school holidays start mid-June; expect more local children at attractions but also more kids’ programming. Estate Fiorentina kicks off in June with free outdoor concerts and films.
Autumn (September–November)
The other family sweet spot. Grape harvest in Chianti, comfortable temperatures, dramatic Tuscan colours. Le Pavoniere pool stays open till mid-September. Truffle festivals in San Miniato (the village, an hour west) and the Mugello make great half-day trips. October has slightly higher rainfall but rarely all-day rain.
Winter (December–February)
Cold but not freezing (4–12°C); fewer tourists, cheaper hotels. The carousel in Piazza della Repubblica gets a big-band serenade through Christmas. Ice rinks pop up at Fortezza da Basso and Piazza Santa Croce in December. Carnival in early February. Indoor museums (Galileo, Stibbert, Leonardo) are perfect for cold days.
Best Florence neighbourhoods & hotels for families
Where you stay shapes the family-Florence experience more than anywhere else. Three patterns work:
Pattern A — central hotel for short trips
Best for trips of 3 nights or fewer. The walking saved on every meal more than offsets the smaller room and bell-tower noise. Family-friendly central choices:
- Hotel Brunelleschi — well-spaced family rooms, breakfast plays well for picky eaters, on-site Roman archaeology museum kids enjoy.
- FH55 Hotel Calzaiuoli — mid-range value on Florence’s main pedestrian shopping street; family rooms sleep 4.
- Hotel Cavour — top-floor terrace with dome view, adjoining family rooms.
- Hotel Cellai in San Lorenzo — family-run since 1945, complimentary aperitivo, top-floor terrace.
Pattern B — apartment for stays of 4+ nights
An apartment beats a hotel from night 4 onwards. Kitchens for breakfast, washing machines, room for kids to spread out. Recommended:
- Numa Camperio — modern self-check-in apartments near Mercato Centrale.
- Apartments Florence — the largest local platform; centro storico flats for €130–€350.
- Mr & Mrs Hyde Suites — Oltrarno apartments designed for families of four.
Pattern C — luxury hotel with a garden or pool
For special-occasion family trips. Real Florentine outdoor space at the hotel transforms the experience:
- Four Seasons Hotel Firenze — 11-acre walled garden, outdoor pool, dedicated children’s programmes (Renaissance art classes, kid menus).
- Villa Cora — outdoor pool May–October, panoramic terrace, dedicated family rooms.
- Belmond Villa San Michele (Fiesole) — terraced gardens and infinity pool; free shuttle to the centre.
- Collegio alla Querce (Auberge Resorts) — newest hillside option; cooking classes for families.
For broader hotel context see our best hotels in Florence guide.
A four-day Florence family itinerary
Day 1 — easy arrival day
Don’t push it on day one. Lunch at Mercato Centrale upstairs (kids choose what they want from any of 24 counters). 14:30 — easy walk to the Duomo’s exterior; rub the Porcellino’s snout for good luck. 15:30 — antique carousel rides in Piazza della Repubblica (€2 per ride, 5 rides usually enough). 16:30 — gelato at Vivoli or Perché No! 17:30 — passeggiata along the Arno, photos at Ponte Vecchio. 19:00 — early pizza dinner at Gusta Pizza in Piazza Santo Spirito (€7 Margherita, eat on the basilica steps). Bed by 21:00.
Day 2 — David, Galileo, Boboli
09:00 — pre-booked Accademia entry to see David. Stay 45 minutes. 10:30 — walk south to Mercato Centrale for snack. 12:00 — Museo Galileo (90 minutes; kids love it). 13:30 — lunch at Trattoria Mario or Eataly. 15:00 — Boboli Gardens (free under 18); 2 hours of paths, fountains and the Buontalenti Grotto. 17:30 — gelato at La Carraia. 19:00 — dinner at Gilda Bistro or Trattoria Cammillo. Plenty of time to recover before tomorrow.
Day 3 — hands-on and a half-day off
Workshop morning. 09:30–12:30 — pick one: pasta or pizza-making class at Mama Florence (€95 per child, lunch included), marbled-paper at Alberto Cozzi (€30, 1 hour), gelato-making at La Carraia (€60, 90 minutes). 13:00 — hotel and rest. 15:30 — Palazzo Vecchio “Secret Passages” tour (€17.50, 75 minutes, ages 8+). 17:30 — Cascine park time: rent bikes, run on the Arno towpath, picnic. 19:30 — dinner at the Mercato Centrale upstairs (low-key, picky-eater-friendly).
Day 4 — a Tuscan day trip
Take the day to the Tuscan countryside. 09:00 — train or minibus to Pisa (1 hour) or San Gimignano (1.5 hours). At Pisa: lawn picnic at the Field of Miracles, climb the Leaning Tower if kids are 8+ (€20). At San Gimignano: climb the Torre Grossa (€9), visit the Torture Museum (parental discretion), gelato at Gelateria Dondoli (twice world champion). 17:00 — return to Florence; dinner at the hotel restaurant. 20:30 — last evening passeggiata on Ponte Vecchio for goodbye photos.
Age-by-age deep dive — what actually works
Babies (0–18 months)
Florence is doable but tiring. Bring a lightweight carrier rather than a stroller for the first day; cobbles plus narrow medieval streets favour carriers. Most boutique hotels have cribs free on request (specify travel cot vs full crib). Restaurants welcome babies; the noise level of any Italian trattoria drowns out crying. Diaper changing tables exist at La Rinascente, COIN and the Mercato Centrale upstairs; they don’t exist in many small bars and cafés. The Piscina Le Pavoniere does not accept babies in nappies; the Boboli Gardens, Bardini and Cascine all welcome strollers and prams.
Toddlers (18 months – 4 years)
The carousel, the Porcellino, gelato three times a day, ten-minute museum visits, and a short Boboli walk are your daily structure. Skip the dome, bell tower, Uffizi, Accademia. Mercato Centrale upstairs is ideal because picky toddlers can sample what they want. Plan for one nap per day; many small trattorias welcome stroller-side parking.
Pre-schoolers & early primary (5–8)
Sweet spot for Florentine sights. The Accademia for the David alone (45 min only); Palazzo Vecchio’s Secret Passages (75 min); Museo Galileo for 2 hours; the dome climb if they’re 6+ and not afraid of tight spaces. The Stibbert armour halls are a hit; Boboli garden hide-and-seek can fill a whole afternoon. Pizza-making classes work brilliantly here.
Older kids & tweens (9–13)
Now you can take on the Uffizi (express 90-minute version), the bell tower, Pisa for the Leaning Tower climb, and most workshops. Truffle hunts, half-day Vespa tours (passenger), kayaking on the Arno and gelato-making classes all become viable. The Cinque Terre or Lucca day trips work as full-day pleasures.
Teens (14–17)
Florence treats teens as adults — pay the under-18 rate (free at state museums) but expect adult-style itineraries. Photography walks, after-hours Uffizi, Vespa rentals (passenger from 14, driver from 18), Vasari Corridor (newly reopened), Tuscan-castle wine-blending sessions for the older teens, and proper restaurant dinners. Many teens love a half-day independence pass — give them the Mercato Centrale food hall + a Florence walking app, agree a 17:00 hotel meeting.
Practical family travel logistics
Strollers & cobblestones
Florence’s cobbles are universal but manageable. A sturdy umbrella stroller copes; thin lightweight chassis can rattle teeth. Many Florentine museums lend free heavy-duty strollers at the cloakroom — ask. The dome and bell tower are not stroller-friendly; inquire about cloakroom storage before queueing.
Restaurant strategy
Italians don’t usually eat dinner before 19:30. Pre-book mid-tier trattorias for 19:00 specifically (most will accept the early hour for kids); take a long late-afternoon snack to bridge the gap. Italian restaurants are family-friendly but don’t all stock high chairs — Mercato Centrale and large pizzerias are reliable choices.
Public transport with kids
Children under 11 ride free on Florence buses and trams. Tram T1 runs the airport-Cascine-Careggi corridor; T2 the airport line. Buses 12 and 13 are the easy way up to Piazzale Michelangelo. Tickets €1.70 for 90 minutes; €5 daily pass.
Health & pharmacies
112 is the all-purpose emergency number. Farmacia Comunale at SMN station is open 24/7. The Ospedale Pediatrico Meyer at Viale Pieraccini is Italy’s leading children’s hospital, with English-speaking staff in the ER. Travel insurance covering kids is wise; carry your kid’s UK GHIC or EU EHIC card if relevant.
Strollers, suitcases and the airport
Florence Peretola airport (FLR) is 6 km from the centre. The T2 tram runs every 5 minutes (€1.70, free under 11). Volainbus shuttle €8. Taxi flat rate €22. Florence’s high-speed rail station (SMN) connects you directly to Rome (1.5 hours) and Milan (1.75 hours); kid-friendly services at €19–€39 per child if you book 2+ months ahead.
Kid-friendly tours & private guides
A licensed Florentine guide who knows kids transforms a sight from “look at the painting” to “find the dog hidden in the corner”. The best of the family-tour scene:
- Florence4Families — treasure-hunt walking tours of the historic centre (90 minutes, €15 per child, free for adults). The 6–10s love it.
- Walks of Italy Family Tours — child-led versions of the classic Uffizi, Accademia and Renaissance Florence walking tours; €60 per person.
- Italy with the Family — multi-day Tuscany family tour packages (Florence + Pisa + Lucca + countryside agriturismo).
- Take Walks Kids — 2-hour Renaissance highlights walk with mythology stories and treasure hunts; €40 per child.
- Tuscany Family Tours — countryside agriturismo half-days with animal feeding, gelato-making and Tuscan lunch (€80 per person).
- Curious Appetite Family Food Walks — kid-tailored 3-hour Oltrarno food walks with five tasting stops including gelato and pizza-making.
Private licensed guides cost €180–€280 for a half-day (any group size); ask your hotel concierge or book through the Tuscany Region’s official guide directory.
More museums & sights for kids
Beyond the headliners, several Florentine museums kids genuinely enjoy:
- Leonardo Interactive Museum (Via dei Servi) — 50+ working scale models of Leonardo’s flying, war and hydraulic machines, most hands-on. €8 adult, €5 child.
- Museo dei Ragazzi at Palazzo Vecchio — themed children’s workshops in fresco painting, Renaissance dressing-up, treasure hunts. Weekends and holidays. €4–€10 per child, must book ahead.
- Casa di Dante — small but kid-friendly, with audio guides and a 30-minute family tour. €8 adult.
- Museo dell’Opera del Duomo — kids love Brunelleschi’s wooden model of the dome and the original Ghiberti Gates of Paradise.
- La Specola — natural-history halls (stuffed animals, dinosaur skeletons) are great for under-12s; the wax-anatomy room can be skipped.
- Bargello — armour halls upstairs are the under-rated draw for older kids.
- Stibbert Museum — entire room of mounted knights in armour, 20 minutes north by bus 4. €8 adult, free under 18.
- Florence Soccer Museum at Palazzo dell’Arengario (free) — small but fun for the football-loving teen.
Free family-friendly Florence
Free under-18 entry to all state museums (Uffizi, Accademia, Pitti, Bargello, Medici Chapels, San Marco, Boboli) is the headline. Plus:
- Antique carousel in Piazza della Repubblica (€2 per ride, but the watching is free).
- Porcellino bronze boar (Mercato Nuovo) — rubbing the nose costs nothing.
- The Loggia dei Lanzi sculptures (24/7, free).
- Cascine park, Bobolino playground, Giardino delle Rose.
- Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato (sunset).
- The first Sunday of every month — all state museums free for everyone.
- Public summer concerts at Estate Fiorentina (free outdoor cinema and music in piazze, June–September).
- Watching glass-blowers, marble cutters and gold-leaf gilders working through workshop windows in the Oltrarno (free).
Things to do in Florence with kids — FAQ
Is Florence good for kids?
Yes — once you adjust expectations away from “we’ll do all the museums”. Florence is small, walkable, has free under-18 museum entry, plentiful gelato and several outstanding kid-focused attractions (Museo Galileo, Palazzo Vecchio’s Secret Passages, the carousel, Boboli). Three to four days suits a family trip well.
What is the best museum in Florence for kids?
Museo Galileo, hands down. Interactive science exhibits across four floors, Galileo’s actual instruments, real working pendulums and a famously preserved finger. Allow 90 minutes; €10 adult, free under 18.
Are the Boboli Gardens good for kids?
Yes — 45,000 m² of paths, fountains, the Buontalenti Grotto, peacocks and hide-and-seek terrain. Free under 18 with a parent’s ticket; first Sunday of the month is free for everyone. Bring a picnic; on hot days, the upper Kaffeehaus terrace has shade and water.
Can children climb Brunelleschi’s dome?
Children must be 6 or older to climb the dome — that’s a strict cathedral rule, not a guideline. The 463-step climb is tight, hot and unsuitable for kids who tire easily. The bell tower (414 steps) is more spaced out and slightly less claustrophobic, with the same age limit.
What’s the best Florence day with a 4-year-old?
Carousel in Piazza della Repubblica → Mercato Centrale upstairs lunch → Boboli or Cascine in the afternoon → Vivoli or La Carraia gelato → an early dinner of pizza on Piazza Santo Spirito. Skip every famous museum.
How much does a Florence family trip cost?
Mid-range four-day family trip with two adults and two children: €1,500–€2,500 total, excluding flights. That covers a 4-star family room (€250/night), one mid-range restaurant dinner per day (€80), one gelato per child per day (€8), three workshops or museum tickets adult-only (free under 18), and ground transport.
Is the Uffizi suitable for kids?
For under-7s, no. For 7–12s, do the express 90-minute Botticelli + Caravaggio + Leonardo route only. For teens, full Uffizi is fine. Always take the dedicated family entrance to skip the queue and avoid the cloakroom.