Miami Vacation: The Best Things To Do With Kids

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Bienvenidos a Miami! Ah, Miami and its beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife. Who would have expected it to be such a family-friendly destination?! Although we had made countless trips to Florida, this was our family’s first vacation to Miami. Believe me when I say that I wondered why I had put this visit off for so long. The city has a plethora of activities and attractions geared to children of all ages which I will feature below including my hotel and dining recommendations. I hope this comprehensive guide will inspire you to plan a trip to Miami with the kiddos as soon as possible.

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Where to Stay in Miami

Finding the perfect accommodation for your family is crucial to enjoy a happy vacation. Miami offers a plethora of family-friendly hotels and resorts with plenty of amenities and services.

Our family thoroughly enjoyed the lovely Esmรฉ Hotel in South Beach. This boutique hotel is split into Mediterranean-revival style buildings on Espaรฑola Way, mere steps from restaurants, cafรฉs, shops, and the beach. Just make sure to stay in the quieter Casa Matanza building away from the street noise.

Another family-friendly option is the Loews Miami Beach Hotel located right on the beach and offers spacious rooms and suites, a children’s program, and even a pool with a waterslide! Other outdoor amenities include kayaks, parasails, boogie boards, and complimentary banana boat rides all available for guests’ enjoyment. The resort has a state-of-the-art Kids Club and Rec Room featuring video and arcade games.

Esme Hotel Miami

Exploring Family-Friendly Attractions in Miami

Jungle Island

Jungle Island is a small zoological park in the heart of Miami. It is a popular South Florida landmark minutes from Downtown and South Beach. Visitors enjoy immersive, real-life jungle experiences while strolling by streams and waterfalls under a lush canopy of tropical trees. Visitors also have the option to book close encounters with animals such as flamingos and lemurs. These hands-on interactions will take visitors behind-the-scenes where they get to feed and interact with the animals.

Treetop Trekking Miami

Treetop Trekking Miami is an epic aerial adventure park located inside Jungle island. You will feel like Tarzan as you climb, swing, and zip through a forest canopy. This adventure park offers a variety of courses and is the perfect activity for everyone in the family: while Discovery Trek is designed for children aged 5 and up, older children aged 9 and up, as well as adults, will prefer the Explorer and Thrill-Seeker treks. Guests also have the option to watch from the grounds of the Garden and wander around.

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Frost Museum of Science

The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is a world-class science museum, planetarium, and aquarium. Located in Maurice A. Ferrรฉ Park, it sits on four acres of beautiful bay-front land and is adjacent to the Perez Art Museum Miami. The museum includes riveting live shows, animals, hands-on interactions, and cutting-edge technology making for an exciting and fun visit.

Photo courtesy of Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science

Venetian Pool

The Venetian Pool is a historic and beautiful pool built in 1923 and set in a gorgeous tropical oasis influenced by Mediterranean architecture. Fed by an underground aquafier, the pool is emptied daily then refilled with 820,000 gallons of water. Kids and grown-ups alike will enjoy the pool and its different features such as coral rock formations, whimsical waterfalls and interesting cave-like grottoes.

Zoo Miami

Zoo Miami is home to 2,500 animals and 500 species spread out on 750 acres of land. Guests have the option to visit on foot by strolling on 4 miles of walkways, on a safari, or on a tram bus. In addition to the animals on view throughout the zoo, there are activities and presentations catered to the whole family such as animal feedings and encounters, educational presentations, childrenโ€™s activities, character meet-and-greets and zookeeper talks. The zoo even includes play areas and rides for the little ones. As it is the only tropical zoo in the Continental US, Zoo Miami also has more than 1,000 species of trees, palms and other tropical plants

Immersing in Miami’s Vibrant Art Scenes

If you’re looking for a more cultured experience, Miami’s art scene is one of the best in the country, with plenty of kid-friendly options.

Perez Art Museum Miami

The Perez Art Museum Miami is a must-stop for art-lovers. Families can discover immersive art exhibitions and installations by renowned artists such as Leandro Erlich and Yayoi Kusama.

Wynwood Walls

World-renowned Wynwood Walls is a street art museum allying modern art with cutting-edge creativity from its contributing artists. The result is 35,000 square feet of hand-sprayed murals and plenty of green space for kids to roam around. Better yet, it’s free entry for ages 12 and under.

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Art Deco District

The Miami Art Deco District has the largest concentration of Art Deco architecture in the world, some 800 buildings within one square mile. These beautifully colored buildings turn glaring neon lights at night and are fun to visit any time of day. Follow this walking itinerary to see the most important buildings:

ARTECHOUSE Miami

Also in South Beach, ARTECHOUSE Miami is the first of its kind in the country. A digital interactive art gallery, it is the perfect blend of art and technology and is a must-visit if you are looking for a fun and innovative experience for the family.

Enjoying Outdoor Adventures in Miami

Miami Sightseeing Speed Boat Tour

This sightseeing speedboat tour provides an utterly exciting experience riding across Miami waters. Suitable for ages 3 and up only, you get to take in all of the city’s best sights and breathtaking beaches.

Crandon Park

Crandon Park, which spans an 800-acre oasis, provides a plethora of amenities to visitors, including a two-mile-long beach lined with sand dunes known for its soft sand, swaying palm trees, and calm waters; world-class golf and tennis facilities; and eco-adventures and watersports (kayaking, paddleboarding, or kite boarding) at its nature center and marina.

Everglades National Park

There is plenty to do in the Everglades, but the most popular and exhilarating activity is zipping around on an airboat. Another fun activity is to kayak down mangrove tunnels on an eco tour. If you prefer staying on land, you can hike, bike, or tram the Shark Valley Tram Road. Finally make sure to stop by the Visitor Centers where you will find a variety of hands-on displays to keep the little ones interested.

Biscayne National Park

Unbeknownst to most people, Biscayne National Park is 95% underwater, therefore it comes as no surprise that the majority of activities involve water. From boat tours to Boca Chita Key to scuba diving or snorkeling through shipwrecks, and kayaking/paddle boarding through the waters of Jones Lagoon, there are so many adventures to choose from.

Dining Options in Miami

All those activities are sure to leave your family hungry. But don’t worry, Miami boasts plenty of kid-friendly and still delicious restaurants and eateries where you can eat until your heart’s content.

For a taste of Cuban cuisine, head to Versailles in Little Havana, a family-friendly restaurant at fantastic prices. Order a sampler platter to get a little bit of everything. And donโ€™t forget to try the Cuban coffee and pastries next door!

At Kings Dining & Entertainment, you can experience bowling and playing arcade games, all while you eat. The food is yummy and very kid-friendly along the line of burgers, wings and pizzas.

Talk about eating with a view! The 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant overlooks the runway at Miami International Airport. Enjoy a spectacular view of planes taking off and landing while having your meal.

There is no shortage of seafood restaurants in Miami. But Monty’s Sunset is our favorite. The laid-back and casual atmosphere ideal for families looking for a relaxing meal. The seafood is fresh and delicious (especially those Florida’s stone crab claws!), and its waterfront setting makes for spectacular sunset views. On select days, you can expect live/DJ music.

And last but not least, there is Sugar Factory as THE ultimate dessert spot. Here, you can order a variety of sweet treats (cakes, pies, ice cream sundaes, milkshakes, and many more). The restaurant also offers a full bar serving signature cocktails that come in fun glass globes and dry ice, as well as a full food menu featuring burgers, sandwiches, pastas and salads.

Conclusion

Miami offers families an unforgettable vacation with a perfect combination of sunny beaches, exciting adventures, cultural experiences, and fantastic stays and eats. With this ultimate guide, you’re ready to explore all that Miami has to offer with your little ones and create unforgettable memories. Dive in and start planning the perfect Miami getaway! Do you agree with this list? What would you add? Please let me know in the comments.

Thank you for reading!

FOR MORE KID-FRIENDLY GETAWAYS:

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