Besides
the
places
we've
listed
in this
section,
children
(and
adults)
should
enjoy
felucca
and
camel
rides,
the
Sound
and
Light
show,
and
theme
restaurants
like
Felfela
Village
on
Maryotteya
Canal at
Giza (see
"Eating").
Because
of
Cairo's
density,
most of
the
parks
and
pleasure
grounds
are on
the
islands
or the
west
bank.
The
Aquarium
and zoo
The
Aquarium
Grotto
in
Galabaya
Park in
Zamalek
(daily
8.30am-3pm;
50pt)
displays
195
kinds of
tropical
fish
amidst a
labyrinth
of
passageways
and
stairs
that
children
will
love to
explore.
The
entrance
is on
Sharia
Galabaya,
on the
western
side of
the park.
For a
larger
park and
more to
see,
check
out
Cairo
Zoo
in Giza
(daily
8.30am-4.30pm;
last
entry
3.30pm;
10pt,
camera
20pt,
ĢE5 to
hold an
animal);
and the
El-Urman
Gardens
(daily:
winter
8.30am-4pm;
summer
8.30am-5pm;
50pt,
camera
50pt)
across
Sharia
el-Gamia,
a
stately
remnant
of the
Khedival
Gardens
laid out
by the
French.
Both can
be
reached
from
Midan
Tahrir
by buses
(#900,
#115,
#913 and
many
others)
that run
past the
Manial
Palace -
another
place
that
children
should
enjoy.
Try to
avoid
Fridays,
weekends
or
public
holidays,
when the
zoo is
packed
with
picnicking
families.
Dr
Ragab's
Pharaonic
Village
Reached
by half-hourly
boats
from the
corniche
2km
south of
the Giza
Bridge,
Dr
Ragab's
Pharaonic
Village
(daily:
winter
9am-5pm;
summer
9am-9pm;
ĢE40,
children
under
six
ĢE20;
tel
571-8675)
is a
kitsch
simulation
of
ancient
Egypt on
Jacob
Island,
upriver
from
Roda in
Dokki.
During
the two-hour
tour,
visitors
survey
the
Canal of
Mythology
(flanked
by
statues
of gods)
and
scores
of
costumed
Egyptians
performing
tasks
from
their
floating
"time
machines",
before
being
shown
around a
replica
temple
and
nobleman's
villa.
The
circus
and the
puppet
theatre
Those
who
enjoy
animals
performing
tricks,
acrobats,
clowns
and
trapeze
artists
should
visit
the
National
Circus
(tel
347-0612)
in
Aguza,
next to
the
Balloon
Theatre
near the
Zamalek
Bridge.
The box
office
is open
from
10am to
10pm (tickets
ĢE20-75);
performances
run from
9pm to
midnight
daily.
Another
traditional
diversion
is the
Cairo
Puppet
Theatre
(Thurs-Sun
11.30am;
tel
591-0954)
in
Ezbekiya
Gardens,
which
stages
Sinbad
the
Sailor,
Ali
Baba
and
other
favourites,
or campy
musicals
during
season
(Oct-May).
Rides
and
games
Fun
rides
and
games
are on
offer at
the
Cookie
Amusement
Park
near the
Giza
Pyramids
(3pm
till
late;
opens at
noon on
Fri) and
the
larger
Sinbad
Amusement
Park
near
Cairo
Airport,
which
has
bumper
cars, a
small
roller
coaster
and lots
of rides
for tots
(daily:
winter
9-11pm,
opens
10am on
Fri;
summer
9pm-2am;
ĢE5
entry
plus
ĢE3-5
per ride).
A much
smaller
mini-fairground
can be
found on
26th
July
Street
in
Mohandiseen,
just
before
Midan
Sphinx
if
you're
coming
from
Zamalek
(daily
8am-4pm;
entry
75pt,
rides
25pt-ĢE1).
Merryland
on
Sharia
al-Higaz,
off
Midan
Roxi in
Heliopolis,
is a
safe
environment
to play,
with a
merry-go-round,
pedalo
lake and
small
zoo (daily:
winter
8am-4.30pm;
summer
8am-7pm;
50pt at
weekends,
ĢE1 Fri
& public
holidays).
