The Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore) – The Duomo, with its brick red cupola, is a Florence landmark and an architectural tour de force. In the 15th century nobody had plunked such a big dome onto a cathedral, and skeptics thought it would fall down. But the architect Brunelleschi had an innovative design, and hundreds of years later, the dome is still the largest masonry (stone and bricks) dome in the world.

When you go inside the cathderal, it's quite a contrast to the vibrantly decorated exterior. Stained glass windows and frescoes provide color, but it's amazing stand under the dome itself and look up – what an incredible sense of wide open space, it takes your breath away. Kids can imagine what it was like for the workman to build the dome, using 15th century tools and techniques (no cranes), eating their lunch inside the vault high above the ground.

Campanile (Campanile di Giotto) – Next door to the Duomo is the Campanile, the bell tower started by Giotto in the 14th century. Climb up the tower, the stairs go round and round, with cool slits to peer through as you ascend. At the top of the Campanile are stellar views of the Duomo just across the way, and views all around of Florence. Each level is fenced in, so there's no worries about the safety of kids. This is one our favorite things to do in Florence, but go early in the day.

To see a wooden model of the dome, stop in to the Museo dell'Opera Duomo. Also in this museum is the heart wrenching Pieta by Michelangelo. In this sculpture, the face of Joseph of Armithea is a self-portrait of Michelangelo at the end of his life.

Museo Nazionale del Bargello – The Bargello museum is housed in a fabulous Renaissance palazzo, with blue and gold ceilings, and decorated with the 14th and 15th century coats of arms. On display are sculptures, including Donatello's incomparable bronze St. George and Verrocchio's David (standing on Goliath's head), a lovely Madonna and Child by Michelangelo, plus Turkish armor, Egyptian swords, miniature bronze statues of knights, rearing horses, peacocks and lions, and Renaissance cameo jewelry. This museum is a hidden gem.

Galleria degli Uffizi – The Uffizi is chock full of spectacular art, but you'll need to plan your visit (tickets have a timed entrance), and it's also chock full of visitors. Once inside, head for the Botticelli room to see those truly exquisite Birth of Venus and Allegory of Spring. Room 16 has maps of Tuscany painted on the walls and a copy of Galileo's telescope. For more info about the collections, check out the Uffizi Gallery Web site.

Tip: To buy tickets for the Uffizi in advance, click here.

Leonardo da Vinci Museum Activities (Via dei Servi 66) – Leonardo left tons of drawings of his inventions, and in this museum, kids can see and touch large wooden models of Leonardo's machines. Turn the wheels, watch gears and mechanisms move for the bicycle ornithopter, machine gun, ball bearing, mortar cannon, revolving crane, floats for walking on water, printing machine, and more. This museum brings Leonardo's drawings to life.

Galleria dell'Accademia – The place to see the Michelangelo's original David statue is the Accademia. It was originally situated in the Piazza della Signoria (where there's a copy of the statue today), but moved inside to the Galleria dell' Accademia in the 19th century. At the Piazzale Michelangelo is a third copy of the David statue.

Museo Salvatore Ferragamo (via dei Tornabuoni 2) – Shoes, shoes, shoes, a traditional Florentine art. This is the perfect destination for a teen or anyone in your family who likes shoes. Pick your favorites from this imaginative collection of fabulous hand-crafted shoes by Salvatore Ferragamo from the 1920's to the 1960's, black and white stripes and swirls, emerald green, electric blue, ruby red, multicolor shoes, encrusted with embroidery and rhinestones.

Museum of the History of Science (Instituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza) – Right next to the Uffizi is the Museum of History of Science, which might sound dry, but it's not. The Renaissance was also a time of wondrous scientific discoveries. The museum has Galileo's scientific instruments, old telescopes and microscopes, all kinds of clocks, and other scientific apparatus. Don't miss Galileo's gold-covered middle finger preserved in a glass bubble.

Church of Santa Croce – The church of Santa Croce is famous for it's lovely Giotto frescoes, depicting the life of St. Francis, but it's most fun for the famous people buried there. You won't be able to walk through the church without stepping on tons of tombstones, and stopping to look at different marble monuments. Stand on one side of the church and you'll see Michelangelo's ornate tomb – right across the way is the tomb of Galileo. Machiavelli is also buried in Santa Croce, and there's a memorable monument to Dante as well. Not a destination for little kids, but something for older kids.

Walk along the River Arno – During your stay in Florence take time to just walk along the River Arno. There are wide promenades on either side. Starting at the Ponte Vecchio (which has withstood invading armies and flooding), going east, walk all the way to Piazza Piave (then take the electric bus back). Walking west, follow the Arno all the way to the Piazza Vittorio Veneto. Or, at any point, cross the river on the bridges, and make a loop.

Standing in line for hours in the summer heat is enough to make anyone cranky, especially the kids. Reserve your museum tickets in advance for the Galleria degli Uffizi and Galleria dell'Accademia to bypass the long ticket lines and head right in: