We skipped the usual must-dos on our trip to Europe. I know my kids had more fun because of it.

The author's children enjoy a food tour on a family trip to Paris. — The author said the food tour her family took while in Paris was much more fun than waiting in line at a crowded museum. Courtesy of Kate Loweth.

A few years ago, I decided to take my three kids to Paris on a summer trip. When I started planning our itinerary, I reviewed a bunch of "best things to do in Paris with kids" lists and consulted with other parents who'd visited with their families.

Since this was my kids' first time in Paris, everyone recommended we visit the typical spots like the Louvre, Versailles, and Disneyland Paris.

But as the trip got closer, the more I found myself wanting to ditch all the typical must-do spots and plan a trip I knew my kids would actually enjoy instead.

The author and her children pose with the Eiffel Tower in the distance. — While the author skipped many popular tourist spots like the Louve and Versailles, her family did make a visit to the Eiffel Tower while in Paris. Courtesy of Kate Loweth.

I planned the Paris trip that suited my kids' interests

I'd visited Paris before, and I knew one thing for sure: My kids wouldn't tolerate waiting in long lines to inch our way through art galleries crowded with summer visitors. I also remember standing in front of the "Mona Lisa" as a teenager and being very underwhelmed.

We skipped the Louvre entirely, and I have no regrets.

Instead of packing our days with everyone else's must-visit museums, churches, and parks, I started our visit with a food tour that had us tasting everything from crêpes to paté. As we walked the cobblestone streets of Montmartre, our guide pointed out the many Wallace fountains, cast-iron water fountains installed in the late 1800s. This was a great way to get some Paris history with snacks along the way.

One sunny afternoon, we walked through the Tuileries Garden with tiny cups of gelato. I surprised the kids with a stop at the park's trampolines, where they spent quite a bit of time burning off some of their energy.

The author's children enjoy jumping on the trampolines at Tuileries Garden. — The author's children enjoy jumping on the trampolines at the Tuileries Garden. Courtesy of Late Loweth.

We had to hit up McDonald's (sorry, not sorry)

Subsequent days were spent heading down into the catacombs (perfect for a hot day!) and stopping at McDonald's to see how its menu compared to what we were used to in the US. We posed with historical figures at a wax museum and made our own Fragonard perfume to take home.

Perfume making at the Fragonard perfume workshop. — The author said she looked for unique activities, such as making perfume at a Fragonard workshop. Courtesy of Kate Loweth.

At ages 14, 13, and 11, my kids were all interested in thrift shopping, and we found plenty of shops offering local treasures at bargain prices. When we needed a break, we stopped at a café and enjoyed people-watching and cool drinks.

I knew my kids would enjoy a visit to the Eiffel Tower, so I booked a tour that would have us walking up to the viewing platform. Afterward, we hopped on an hour-long cruise of the Seine, the perfect opportunity to relax and take in the city.

Letting go of expectations made for a better trip

Past me would have packed the days with museums, monuments, churches, and more, just to check off an arbitrary list of must-visit places in Paris. I'm sure this would have led to exhaustion for all of us and disappointment that we didn't see everything on my list.

Instead, I learned that the best family travel memories often come from leaving room for spontaneity and cups of gelato. Rather than regretting the museums and attractions that we skipped, I left knowing that my kids had fallen in love with Paris in their own way, and wanting to return in their own time to discover more of the city.