Ushuaia with kids: 15 things to do with your family at the end of the world

The city of Ushuaia is located in the extreme south of Argentina, in a region known as Tierra del Fuego. Surrounded by the Martial mountain range, the tourist city has programs that bring children and the whole family closer to nature.

Camila Amaral , creator of the blog and Instagram “Mala de Mãe”, who travels the world with her husband and three children, proves this. She knows the best places to have fun like no one else and recommends parks, museums, ice skating rinks and boat trips in Ushuaia, known as the city at the “end of the world”.

Why is Ushuaia known as the End of the World?

Located in the province of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, it is known as the southernmost city on the planet — that is, it is the southernmost city in the world . This geographical title has earned it the nickname “end of the world” , a name that arouses curiosity and attracts tourists looking for unique experiences.

Nestled between snow-capped mountains and the Beagle Channel, Ushuaia marks the inhabited limit of South America before the icy waters that lead to Antarctica. The nickname “end of the world” is not just symbolic—it reflects the region’s remote location and stunning scenery, which combines untouched nature, polar climate, and adventure.

Traveling to Ushuaia is like exploring the ends of the earth, which makes it an even more special destination, especially for families looking for something different on vacation. From hiking and train rides to visits to penguin colonies and Antarctic cruises, the end of the world has a lot to offer.

Check out 15 things to do with children in Ushuaia, Argentina:

1. Tierra del Fuego National Park

Tierra del Fuego National Park, which protects around 70,000 hectares of Patagonian rainforest, is a must-see in Ushuaia. With lakes and valleys, the area is huge and full of activities that appeal to all ages.

Visitors can choose from a variety of trails, kayaking and fishing. It is best to hire a guide to help you on the trails and other attractions in the park.

General admission tickets cost up to 30,000 pesos (R$143) and can be purchased on the official website .

Tierra del Fuego National Park: San Martín nº 1395, Ushuaia (9410), Tierra del Fuego/ Tel.: 02901-57793/ Opening hours: every day, from 8am to 8pm

2. End of the World Train

The End of the World Train is a great way to get to Tierra del Fuego National Park. The journey takes about an hour and passes through beautiful scenery and is full of history until it ends at the park entrance.

General admission tickets cost up to 68,000 Argentine pesos (R$325). Premium Class tickets, which include meals, cost up to 155,000 Argentine pesos (R$742).

End of the World Train: Presidente Raul Ricardo Alfonsin 4800, Tierra del Fuego, CP 9410, Ushuaia, Argentina/ Tel.: +549 (2901) 301141 (WhatsApp)

3. Beagle Channel Tour

The boat trip passes through the Beagle Channel and takes the public to see the animals on Bird Island, with colonies of cormorants, and on Sea Lion Island.

In addition to these places, the route also passes by Les Eclaireurs Lighthouse, and you can also take an optional 20-minute walk to a panoramic viewpoint. The program, which lasts almost three hours, is a hit with all ages!

Tickets cost around 75 euros (R$483) on the Get Your Guide platform.

4. Isla Martillo – Pinguinera

Boat trips are available in the summer, from October to March, when thousands of penguins migrate to Isla Martillo to breed and raise their chicks for the first few months. During this time, visitors can take a walk up close to the birds.

There are several tour options, with a wide range of prices, on Get Your Guide. In general, tickets cost between 101 and 384 euros (R$651 and R$2,475) on the reseller website.

5. Emerald Lagoon Trekking

The Laguna Esmeralda trek, which is 10 kilometers in total, counting the round trip, is a walking option in the middle of nature with a low level of difficulty.

Before returning, everyone takes a break for a snack and to enjoy the view. The tour is recommended for people over 10 years old.

I suggest doing this program because Laguna Esmeralda, in the middle of mountains, is breathtakingly beautiful!

6. Castor Hill

With guaranteed snow between the months of June and September, a trip to Cerro Castor is a great place to have fun in the snow and take ski lessons — the mountain has more than 35 slopes for practicing the sport. You can also enjoy a good lunch and do some shopping there.

Pre-sales for the 2025 winter season, which begins on June 27, have already begun. Adult tickets start at 86,000 Argentine pesos (R$411) and can be purchased on the official website .

7. Mayo Spirit Trek

The Mayo Spirit Trek is a boat tour that passes through the Los Tempanos Canal on Lake Argentino. It has three stops, one of which is at Cerro Negro, where the group takes an easy walk along a riverbank until they reach the Black Glacier, which is “hanging” from a mountain.

On the way back, you can see one of Ushuaia's main attractions: the Perito Moreno glacier, which is a wall of ice (see the image above). In front of the glacier, visitors stop to observe this natural phenomenon.

The trip lasts seven hours and 30 minutes and only takes place during the summer in Ushuaia, between October and April. Tickets cost between R$879 and R$1,100 .

8. 4×4 Off Road Tour

The Off Road 4×4 tour is an adventure that passes through forests and past Lago Escondido, at the bottom of a valley in the Andes Mountains. Visitors also visit the giant Lago Fagnano, with beautiful views, take a break for lunch and enjoy a glass of Malbec wine.

Accompanied by a guide, the tour is available in summer and winter, but only children over the age of five can participate. The activity costs from 138 euros (R$894) per person and tickets can be purchased through the reseller website Get Your Guide .

9. Ushuaia Maritime and Prison Museum

The former Ushuaia prison has been transformed into a museum complex, called the Ushuaia Maritime and Prison Museum , which brings together precious collections from the southernmost tip of Argentina. In addition to these institutions, there is an art gallery and a bookstore.

One of the places I recommend visiting is the Maritime Museum , which tells the stories of shipwrecks in the region, the search for gold and marine animals. The exhibits cover the building's past, the islands, the Lighthouse at the End of the World (which was in a distant location, as its name suggests) and more.

Another one I recommend is the Museo Antártico , whose collection of naval models was considered the best in the world by the specialized guide Lonely Planet. With 19 rooms, it has a rich collection of historical and biological materials from the frozen continent in the southern hemisphere of the world, such as objects used in the first polar expeditions.

Lastly, of course, it's worth stopping by the Ushuaia Prison Museum , which housed some of the country's most famous and dangerous prisoners between 1902 and 1947. Visitors can walk through the cells and discover the stories of the convicts.

Tickets cost US$40 (R$227) and can be purchased at the box office.

Ushuaia Maritime and Prison Museum : Gobernador Paz y Yaganes Ex Presidio, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina / Opening hours: daily, from 10am to 8pm

10. Canoe trip + trekking

How about seeing Tierra del Fuego National Park from another point of view? For that, I suggest taking a tour that includes trekking — in summer, the walks are shorter and easier — and a canoe trip across Lake Acigami to Lapataia Bay.

Lasting around eight hours, the program includes lunch in a heated dome with panoramic views and wine. You can make a reservation, check prices and conditions using a form or through the company's official communication channels .

11. Helicopter Flight

I recommend taking a helicopter flight and flying over the main tourist attractions of Ushuaia. Visitors can choose from several package options to enjoy the scenery of the glacial city in Argentina.

One of the tours lands in the Andes Mountains and lasts a total of 30 minutes – with the stop lasting 10. It is possible to see the Esmeralda Lagoon, the Ojo del Albino glacier, the Beagle Channel and Navarino Island.

The tour starts at R$3900 per person and can be purchased on the Brasileiros em Ushuaia website .

12. Land of Enigmas

Located in the Fire Walk Shopping Center, Tierra de Enigmas is similar to Escape 60, in which a group of people are locked in a room to solve a problem and get out in 60 minutes. With four areas, each one has a different theme and level of difficulty.

Accompanied by an adult, children can participate in the game. I guarantee they always love this program!

Tierra de Enigmas: Perito Moreno Avenue 1460, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina 9410/ Tel.: +54 9 2901 40-5453/ Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 11 am to 9 pm. Closed on Mondays.

13. Ice Skating

Ice skating rinks are spread throughout Ushuaia during the winter, with Tachuela Oyarzún located opposite Baia Encerrada, close to the shopping center.

Another track is at Cerro Castor and offers incredible views of the mountains surrounding the city.

The spaces, which often host hockey and figure skating training and tournaments, are open and artificial. You can also take a break at the Yamana Bar for a drink or a quick bite to eat.

Tickets for skating can be purchased at the local box office.

Pista Tachuela Oyarzún/Yamana Bar & Patín : Municipal Sports Center – 12 de Octubre 86, V9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina/ Opening hours: Monday to Friday, from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday, from 1:30 pm to 8:00 pm

14. Canopy Ushuaia

About a 15-minute drive from the city center, Canopy Ushuaia is a park that was created to meet the needs of biologists to study local fauna.

The space has now become a tourist attraction and offers zip-lining, tree climbing, and hiking and trails of varying difficulty levels. It's a great outdoor activity for the whole family!

To book and check prices, you must contact Canopy using the WhatsApp number below.

Canopy Ushuaia: Luis Fernando Martial 3551/ WhatsApp.: +54 2901-655392/ Opening hours: Thursday to Tuesday, from 10:30 am to 5 pm.

15. Circuit with application

The augmented reality circuit is a fun way to learn about the history of Ushuaia through a mobile app. The free tour starts on the waterfront in the city center.

The route has 12 totems that, when activated with the Waia app, show images and information about the city on your cell phone. With this, you can remember buildings and historical moments of Ushuaia.

*The texts published by Insiders and Columnists do not necessarily reflect the opinion of CNN Travel & Gastronomy.

About Camila Amaral

Camila Amaral is the name behind the blog “Mala de Mãe” and the profile @malademae on Instagram, which has over 160 thousand followers. A native of São Paulo, she documents her adventures around the world with her husband and three children. Her tips range from how to put together a travel itinerary to how to experience motherhood in a relaxed way. On her channels, her tips for destinations and itineraries include everything from Campos do Jordão and Orlando to less obvious places to visit with children, such as Fátima (Portugal), Interlaken (Switzerland), Munich (Germany) and Mykonos (Greece).

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