The Eiffel Tower With Kids: Our Complete Experience

Visiting the Eiffel Tower with kids was one of the experiences we didn’t want to rush or get wrong.

With limited time in Paris, we knew we couldn’t do everything, but this was one thing we wanted to fully experience, not just check off.

We climbed to the summit, walked down every level, and came back at sunset to watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle, and it ended up being one of the most memorable parts of our trip.

Some experiences are iconic for a reason, and this was one our family still talks about when we think about Paris.

If you’re trying to figure out how to plan it, what’s actually worth it, and how to make it work with kids, here’s exactly what it felt like for us and what I would do again.

If you’re planning more of your trip, you can explore all of our guides and tips in our France travel guide.

Why We Arrived Before Opening When Visiting the Eiffel Tower With Kids

I was determined to reach the summit, so I logged on right at midnight Paris time when tickets were released. Despite being on immediately, nearly all summit tickets were gone, leaving only an 11:00 p.m. option….not ideal with jet-lagged kids.

Instead, we arrived 45 minutes before opening the morning of our visit. Being near the front of the line made a huge difference. When the gates opened, summit tickets were still available, and we were able to purchase them without any stress.

If summit tickets are sold out online, this is where a guided Eiffel Tower tour with summit access can be a great backup. Tours booked through platforms like GetYourGuide or Viator often have availability even when standard tickets are gone and can simplify the process for families.

Planning this was one of those things we had to think through ahead of time, just like the rest of our trip, and I mapped out exactly how we planned everything in our 3-day Paris itinerary with kids.

Getting there and back ended up being just as important as planning the visit itself, which I share more about in how we got around Paris with kids.

The Elevator Ride Up (Smooth, Fast, and Impressive)

We took the glass elevator up to the second floor first, and the ride alone felt like part of the experience. The views open up quickly, and even though the elevator is incredibly smooth, the height hits you fast.

The elevator was packed, and I couldn’t help thinking about the operator, riding up and down all day long. If anyone in your family is uneasy with heights, this is the moment where nerves might kick in. The kids loved it, and it felt like part of the experience rather than just a way to get upstairs.

The Second Floor: The Best Overall Views

If I had to choose one level as my favorite, it would be the second floor. The views here were wide, open, and absolutely stunning. We spent time taking photos, pointing out landmarks, and just standing still for a moment to take it all in.

There’s also a gift shop on this level. It was busy and not a place to linger too long, but we enjoyed browsing as we circled back through. This floor felt like the sweet spot…high enough to feel incredible, but comfortable enough to enjoy.

Going All the Way to the Eiffel Tower Summit With Kids

From there, we headed to the summit….a true bucket-list moment and one we were most excited about when visiting the Eiffel Tower with kids. The ride up was fast, the space at the top was much tighter than I expected, and the wind was intense. There’s a small museum up there, which was interesting, but we didn’t linger long.

Surprisingly, the views weren’t better than the second floor. Still, knowing we made it all the way to the top felt meaningful. It was one of those moments where you pause and think, We’re really here.

Walking Down the Tower (and Feeling How Big It Really Is)

After returning to the second floor, we chose to take the stairs down, and I’m so glad we did.

On the first floor, the glass floor was the highlight. Walking across it gave you a real sense of the height and structure of the tower, and the kids loved looking down at the people below. It was exciting, slightly nerve-racking, and unforgettable.

There’s also a restaurant called, Madame Brasserie on this level that would be fun to try on a different trip, but we continued on.

From there, we continued down to the ground. The walk was longer than expected, and the height becomes very real as you descend. Signs explaining the construction along the way gave us something to focus on, but this is definitely best for older kids who are comfortable walking. At 12 and 14, ours handled it without an issue.

Coming Back at Night: The Moment That Made It Unforgettable

Later that evening, we returned to the gardens behind the tower. The pace slowed completely. We sat, had snacks, and waited as the sky changed colors.

When the Eiffel Tower lit up and then began to sparkle, it was magical. We stayed for a while and took it in as a family. Even now, this is the moment our kids bring up when they talk about Paris.

That slower evening felt so different from the busy daytime crowds, which is something we noticed a lot during this trip and talked more about in what Paris actually felt like for us in August with kids.

If you plan to see the Eiffel Tower both during the day and again at night, choosing a hotel with an easy return route can make the evening feel much more relaxed with kids.

For families who don’t want to sit and wait, especially with kids, an evening Seine River cruise is another great way to see the Eiffel Tower lit up at night.

Where you stay really affects how easy that feels at the end of the night, which is why I put together our honest guide to where to stay in Paris with kids.

If this is a milestone trip, many families choose a short Eiffel Tower photoshoot so they don’t have to think about phones or tripods. We’ve done this in other cities and it’s something I’d love to do here next time.

Is the Eiffel Tower With Kids Worth It?

For us, absolutely.

Not because you have to do every level or rush through it, but because the Eiffel Tower offers a shared experience that feels both iconic and memorable as a family. Whether you stop at the second floor or go all the way to the summit, seeing it again at night completed the experience and made it truly memorable.

This wasn’t just something we checked off. It was the moment Paris really clicked for our family.

Our family and attraction photos were captured during our adventures in Paris, highlighting top family experiences, local culture, and iconic sights. Select scenic and landmark images courtesy of trusted stock sources and tourism archives.

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