Great Museum of the Maya World (Gran Museo del Mundo Maya Merida) - This museum is worth a visit with kids if you're on your way to the Maya ruins in the Yucatan. Exhibits feature artifacts of Maya life past and present, including burial objects, serpent heads, ball court ring, Chacmool sculpture from Chichen Itza, stone stelae, re-creations of facades from ancient ruins, dioramas of traditional Maya life.

Parks - The heart of Merida is the Plaza Mayor (Zocalo). The Plaza Mayor is a wide square with trees and park benches, across from the Cathedral. (No play places at the Zocalo.) Take a look inside the Cathedral, it's cool and shady inside. If you have a toddler and are looking for a playground, Parque San Juan and Parque San Cristobal have swings and slides.

Horse carriage ride - A horse-drawn carriage (calesa) is a relaxing way to see Merida as you clip clop around town. A popular ride is to go up the tree-lined Paseo de Montejo to the Monumento a la Patria, but we took a ride to Ermita San Isabel, a little church and garden in the southern part of town. Agree on the price before you start the ride.

Park Centenario (Parque Zoologico de Centenario) - The Parque Centenario is a kid friendly place where you'll feel at home with other families. The zoo has jaguars, toucans, monkeys, tropical birds, shady trees and fountains. (The zoo is free.) The park also features a miniature train, row boats in a pond, playground with swings and slides, and snacks like cotton candy and ice cream. Park Centenario is especially good for younger kids.

Museum of the City (Museo de la Ciudad) - This museum near to the cathedral is a mini-history of the city of Merida, with models of the Mayan city, and the Spanish city, and the city today.

Sunday fair - Sunday in Merida is fair day. Stalls with food and handicrafts are set up in the Plaza Mayor and in parks along calle 60. The festive atmosphere is contagious and this is an event for the local Merideños, not tourists. The best part of the fair is live music performances in the early evening.