My 7-year-old has plenty of interests—soccer, Minecraft, art—you know, normal kid stuff. But there’s one passion that’s been with him from the very beginning: buildings. He has always been fascinated by them. While other kids might look up at a skyscraper and think, “Wow, that’s tall,” he’ll squint, tilt his head, and ask, “How many windows do you think are on that building?”
At home, his LEGO Architecture sets are basically sacred objects. He’ll sit for hours carefully piecing together the Eiffel Tower or the Empire State Building, making sure every block is perfectly straight. So when we travel, our family trips naturally turn into little architecture adventures. Over the years, we’ve visited some incredible places, and seeing them through his eyes has completely changed how I experience these cities myself. Here are five spots that left the biggest impression on both of us.
Marina Bay Sands in Singapore
When we went to Singapore, there was no question what was at the top of his must-see list: Marina Bay Sands. You’ve probably seen photos of it — three sleek towers with what looks like a giant ship balanced on top. It almost feels like a building from the future.
My son was so excited that we got to swim in the legendary infinity pool and said it was the favorite part of our trip. Floating at the edge of the rooftop while the entire city sparkled below us was surreal. My son just kept saying, “This is the coolest pool ever!” as if he couldn’t quite wrap his head around it. Honestly, I couldn’t either.
At night, we watched the light and fountain show by the bay, which was pure magic. For days afterward, he kept sketching Marina Bay Sands in his little notebook, trying to capture every curve and detail.
Burj Khalifa in Dubai
Dubai might as well be Disneyland for architecture lovers — everywhere you turn, another building makes you stop and stare. And then there’s the Burj Khalifa, towering so high above everything else it feels almost unreal.
Taking the elevator to the top was an adventure in itself. As we shot upward, his ears popped, and by the time the doors slid open, his eyes were huge. The view was like nothing we’d ever seen. From up there, the city stretched out like a giant maze, with roads weaving between glittering towers and intricate patterns of lights below. He pressed his face to the glass, completely mesmerized, pointing out every building that caught his attention and asking about each one in rapid-fire succession.
Eiffel Tower in Paris
The Eiffel Tower had been part of our lives long before our trip to Paris. He had the LEGO set and knew every beam and arch by heart, so seeing the real thing was a huge moment.
When it finally came into view, he just stopped walking, stared for a solid five seconds, and whispered, “Whoa.” Climbing up gave him a whole new appreciation for its design. He was obsessed with how all the pieces fit together like a giant puzzle, and he kept pointing out details to me the entire way up.
That night, when the tower lit up and started sparkling, he decided Paris was his “second favorite city”—though, in his mind, nothing will ever beat New York.
Guggenheim Museum in New York City
Living in New York City means we get to see amazing architecture anytime we want, which is pretty lucky for a kid like me. The Guggenheim Museum is one of our favorite weekend spots.
It’s not your typical museum — it’s shaped like a giant spiral, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Instead of walking through separate rooms, you follow a continuous ramp that winds its way upward. My son loves racing to the top and then leaning over the edge to look down at the whole thing like he’s the king of the spiral.
Afterward, we usually grab pretzels and head to Central Park. He’ll sit and sketch buildings while I just sit and, well, breathe. It’s a simple little ritual, but one of my favorites.
Amsterdam Canal Houses in The Netherlands
My husband and I have been to Amsterdam several times, and we’ve done our fair share of canal boat tours. But this summer, we decided to try a smaller, more intimate boat ride, just the three of us and a guide. It turned out to be completely different — and honestly, so much better.
Seeing Amsterdam through our son’s eyes was like discovering the city all over again. As we glided through the canals, he was completely engrossed, listening carefully as our guide explained the quirky history behind the city’s buildings. He especially loved learning why so many of the tall, narrow houses lean forward at odd angles (a clever way to make it easier to hoist furniture up and through the windows back when staircases were too narrow to carry things inside).
The moment he learned that, he was hooked. For the rest of the ride, he was on a mission, spotting every leaning house and pointing it out with pure excitement, like he’d uncovered a mystery only he could solve.
Why These Trips Matter
Traveling with my son has completely changed how I experience these places. It’s not just sightseeing—it’s seeing the world through his questions and excitement. He notices things I’d normally walk right past, like a crooked window or a hidden pulley at the top of a house.
I don’t know if he’ll grow up to design buildings one day, but for now, I’m just soaking up these moments—watching his curiosity unfold, one landmark at a time.