21 Best Things to Do in Miami with Kids- 2023
Are you planning a trip to Miami with kids and need help deciding the best things to do? Or are you trying to decide if Miami is good for families?
I”m here to help you answer both these questions and plan the most amazing, memorable trip to Miami with your kids. Having been to Miami quite a few times with our kids, I can definitely tell you Miami is a great destination for your family’s next trip!
Here are the 21 best things to do in Miami with kids!
Is Miami Good for Families?
Is Miami good for families? YES, YES, YES!!! Don’t let Miami’s reputation for being a “party city” keep you from traveling to this amazing city with your kids.
Miami is one of my favorite cities to take my kids to. It’s full of culture, beautiful beaches, kid-friendly museums, and much much more.
Let’s talk culture! If you’re looking for a cultural experience like no other in the U.S., head to Miami with your kids.
What makes Miami’s culture unique and different from the rest of the U.S is that a strong portion of its population is from Cuba, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
Because a large portion of the population is from these Spanish-speaking countries, Spanish is widely spoken here. In fact, you just might be approached by someone speaking Spanish to you and not English. This would be a great place for your kids to practice using their Spanish-speaking skills.
Also, let’s talk about the weather! Miami is a tropical destination in the U.S. No matter what time of the year you go, you will have a good chance of swimming at the beach or your hotel pool.
Things to Do in Miami with Kids
In this guide, I have included the top things to do in Miami with kids. Pick your favorites because unless you plan on staying for an extended period of time, you won’t be able to do all of them. But trust me, after visiting Miami, you’ll want to come back again and again!
Here are the top things to do in Miami with kids.
1. Explore South Beach
South Beach is more than just a popular place for nightlife. South Beach is world-famous for its glitz and glamour, Art Deco buildings, shopping, and beaches, making it a must-see when in Miami with kids.
Ocean Drive/Collins Avenue Area
I’m sure you’ve heard of Ocean Drive! It’s been featured in many movies and tv shows. It’s also a prime place for celebrities to hang out in Miami.
If you haven’t heard of Ocean Drive, it’s probably everything you’ve pictured in your head of what Miami is all about. Ocean Drive is a famous street facing the Atlantic Ocean lined with Art-Deco buildings, cafes, restaurants, and the sound of Latin music.
Collins Avenue, AKA, Flordia A1A is another famous street, known for its shopping, luxury resorts, and Art-Deco buildings.
The best way to explore the Ocean Drive/Collins Avenue Area is to get out and walk. I recommend eating lunch outdoors at one of the many restaurants on Ocean Drive. This is a great way to get a taste of South Beach-the Latin music, the Spanish language, and the people.
Cross Ocean Drive and walk over to view the gorgeous beach. Let the kids play in the sand and admire the beautiful clear Atlantic Ocean.
Lincoln Road Mall
Head to Lincoln Road Mall, a ten-block outdoor shopping mall with hundreds of stores and a variety of dining options. This is an excellent place to walk around in Miami with kids. Not only does Lincoln Road Mall have lots of shopping and dining options, but it also has some amazing art galleries.
There are many kid-friendly restaurants here including Shake Shake and a couple of pizza restaurants. Grab an ice cream or shaved ice here for dessert. If you are a Starbucks lover, like me, grab your favorite drink here and bring home a Been There Series Miami mug.
Lincoln Road Mall also has regularly scheduled kid-friendly live entertainment.
TIP: There’s a convenient parking garage located at Lincoln Road Mall. This makes accessing this outdoor mall easy and convenient.
2. See Animals at Zoo Miami
Zoo Miami is one of the best things to do in Miami with kids. Zoo Miami not only has lots of animals to see but many fun activities for the kids.
Just to list a few, here are some animals you can find at Zoo Miami: flamingos, monkeys, gorillas, orangutans, lions, elephants, tigers, hippos, and rhinos.
Zoo Miami has feeding encounters where your kids can feed giraffes and parrots. A really cool, unique thing here at Zoo Miami is the “croc tunnel.” Here, you crawl through a tunnel surrounded by water and a croc! 🐊😱
Fun activities for an additional cost at the zoo are a slow-moving water boat ride, carousel, pedal boat, and a safari tram tour.
Miami is HOT, so if you’re going to the zoo during the summer you’ll want to head to one of the several water-play areas. Ocean Voyage is a large water playground that includes water-shooting cannons, a whale tail waterfall, and overflowing buckets of water.
Another fun water feature at the zoo is the Fiesta Fountain, located at the Amazon & Beyond Village Plaza. It’s a splash pad where water shoots up from the ground. There are also a couple of other smaller water play areas near the front of the Children’s Zoo and the hyena exhibit.
For those not-so-hot days, your kids will enjoy Jungle Journey Playground, a non-water playground with a spongy floor great for those extra clumsy kids.
Getting Around Zoo Miami
Zoo Miami is large! A cool way to get around the zoo here is by renting a Safari Cycle. This is such a unique family experience when visiting the zoo.
Small cycles can fit up to two adults and two small children. Large cycles can fit up to four adults and two small children.
Also for rental, are single and double strollers and wagons. It is recommended to reserve your Safari Cycle and strollers before your visit, in case they sell out. Click here for pricing and to reserve your rental.
There is also an air-conditioned monorail that offers an aerial view of the zoo. The monorail drops you off at four different spots around the zoo. This is a great way to get out of the heat and see and learn about the animals.
Zoo Miami also offers a safari tram tour as another way of getting around the zoo.
Location: 12400 SW 152 St. Miami, FL 33177
To purchase your tickets to Zoo Miami click here!
3. Shop & Dine at Bayside Marketplace
Bayside Marketplace is located on beautiful Biscayne Bay in Downtown Miami. It has more than 100 shops and many family-friendly restaurants including Bubba Gump and Hard Rock Cafe.
Here you can ride the Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel and take in the amazing view of Biscayne Bay and the city skyline. Enjoy the free daily live music performances on stage with local Miami musicians.
Many Biscayne Bay cruises and boat rides also leave from here. I highly recommend taking one, which I will talk more about next!
Location: 401 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
4. Take a Tour of Miami by Pirate Ship or Speedboat
When in Miami with kids, I highly recommend taking one of the following two boat tours. Both of these tours meet at Bayside Marketplace. One is a tour on a pirate ship and the other on a speedboat.
Pirate Ship Tour of Miami
First, let’s talk about the Pirate Ship tour. This tour is great for those with small kids and/or those that love the whole pirate theme.
They give cute pirate hats for the kids to wear. The Latin music playing is fun and energizing. It really puts you into that Miami vibe!
I really enjoyed cruising down Biscayne Bay and seeing all the mansions and celebrity homes. The tour guide pointed out a number of homes and named what celebrity lived where. We also saw the Scarface mansion!
This tour is about 80 minutes.
To book your pirate boat cruise, click here!
Speedboat Sighting Tour of Miami
For more adrenaline, thrill kind of tour, the Speedboat Sighting Tour would be a great option. This tour not only provides you with a tour of the mansions and celebrity homes, but it also cruises down to beautiful South Beach.
TIP: If you DON’T want to get wet, don’t sit in the back! If you DO want to get wet, claim that back seat!! 🤣
This tour is about 45 minutes.
To book your Speedboat Tour of Miami, click here!
5. Explore the Everglades by Airboat Ride
When in Miami with kids, you must go to the Everglades! And the best way to experience the Everglades is by airboat.
Taking an airboat ride in the Everglades is a great experience for the whole family.
I highly recommend an airboat ride through Everglades Holiday Park. Not only do they have an amazing airboat tour, but they also have a live alligator show and an animal encounter with animals that include tortoises, skunks, snakes, pigs, and of course alligators.
After your exciting airboat ride tour, you can proceed to the Gator Show. Everglades Holiday Park is home to the world-famous Gator Boys of the Animal Planet reality show. You might just see one of them in one of the shows.
The whole family will enjoy watching the Gator Boys and alligators’ entertaining stunts and tricks.
After the show, you are given the opportunity to hold a baby alligator! This is such a cool experience for the kids.
Everglades Holiday Park is located in Fort Lauderdale, about 36 miles from Downtown Miami. They are open 7 days a week!
Location: 21940 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33332
To get your tickets for Everglades Holiday Park, click here!
6. Enjoy Miami’s Sandbars
Rent a boat, be your own captain, and enjoy beautiful Miami by water. Cruise to Haulover Sandbar. The kids will enjoy floating out on rafts and throwing a frisbee here in the shallow water. There are food trucks here where you can grab a hamburger, hot dog, or cold drink.
To book your private boat rental, click here!
7. Swim at Venetian Pool
Venetian Pool is a beautiful public pool with an Italian village theme. The design and architecture of this pool are stunning!
This is a great place to go when in Miami with kids and your hotel does not have a swimming pool or you are just looking to try something a little different.
This is a family-friendly place to take your kids, but there is a minimum age requirement of 3 years old here.
Location: 2701 De Soto Blvd., Coral Gables, FL 33134
8. Water Fun at Tidal Cove Waterpark
Tidal Cove Waterpark is located at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort and Spa. They offer a resort day membership which allows access to Tidal Cove Waterpark if you are not staying there.
The resort’s waterpark includes a lazy river, a kids’ water playground area with several slides and splash features, and a FlowRider! There’s also a large slide for the older kids and adults to go tubing down!
Poolside Cabanas are also available to rent. This is a great way to relax and get out of the sun for a little bit.
There are several different places to dine here, whether you want to grab a snack, sandwich, tacos, pizza, or some tasty drinks!
Location: 19999 W Country Club Dr, Aventura, FL 33180
To reserve your Day Pass at Tidal Cove Waterpark, click here!
9. Get A Taste of Cuba in Little Havana
Little Havana is a must-see neighborhood in Miami with kids. It is the heart of Cuban culture in Miami.
Visit the main drag on Calle Ocho (8th Street) and enjoy seeing the vibrant, colorful neighborhood. Dine at a Cuban restaurant, get some sweets at a Cuban bakery, and try some Cuban coffee.
Let the kids enjoy some ice cream at Azucar Icecream Company.
Little Havana is more than just its food though, the colorful mosaics and artwork on the walls make it the unique neighborhood it is.
See Domino Park where locals get together and play dominoes. Check out the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame, similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but recognizing Latin and Cuban celebrities.
Location: SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135
10. See the Street Art at Wynwood Walls
Wynwood Walls is an outdoor museum of international street art. Street artists from all around the world have come here and shown their talents on the walls.
Our whole family enjoyed Wynwood Walls. It was so interesting to walk around and see the vibrant, unique artwork lining the walls.
TIP: It is outdoors, so be sure to plan ahead for the weather. Go early or late in the evening during the summer months to avoid the unbearable heat and humidity.
Location: 2520 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33127-4306
Other Things to Do in the Wynwood Walls Neighborhood
The “walls” are not the only thing to see in this neighborhood. The Wynwood neighborhood is home to many unique stores, art galleries, and restaurants. So just go for a walk and see what interesting places you can find.
If you’re hungry before or after viewing Wynwood Walls, I recommend stopping at Coyo Taco. We stopped here and got some really delicious street tacos. This is a very small and popular place, so the line can get pretty long. It can also be hard to find a table but it is worth it.
Walt Grace Vintage is a fun, unique store to go in and browse. It’s half guitars, half vintage cars. For car lovers, you will enjoy admiring their vintage cars. For guitar lovers, enjoy browsing and shopping the guitars from vintage to new.
11. Play at Indoor Family Fun Center FunDimension
FunDimension is a fun entertainment destination for the whole family located in Wynwood. This would be a great activity to take your kids to in Miami after exploring Wynwood Walls.
They have arcade games, bumper cars, laser tag, rock climbing, virtual reality, and a 7-D Theatre. They also have a restaurant if you get hungry or if you want to relax and get a drink while the kids play.
Location: 2129 NW 1st Ct, Miami, FL 33127
12. Learn and Play at Miami Children’s Museum
Miami Children’s Museum would be a great rainy day activity or a great way to get out of the sun when in Miami with kids. This museum is best for toddlers, pre-schooler, and younger elementary schoolers.
There are many fun, educational, and interactive activities here. Two hours is just going to fly by! Tickets are for 2-hour slots because they clean in between playtime sessions.
Kids will enjoy pretending to shop at a grocery store. They can take a shopping basket and pick up what they’d like to buy.
For all those animal-loving kids, they can pretend to be a veterinarian. For the musicians, a big keyboard to jump and play on.
Special storytimes and themed art times are also available.
There are picnic tables outside, great for eating a picnic lunch before or after your visit.
To purchase tickets, click here!
Location: 980 MacArthur Causeway, Miami, FL 33132
13. Discover the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is great for all ages. It not only houses a science museum but also an aquarium and a planetarium.
The aquarium is on three levels and your kids will enjoy seeing sharks, jellyfish, stingrays, and alligators. The rooftop level has a beautiful view of Biscayne Bay.
The planetarium is amazing! There are a few different shows going on including shows about space and sea life.
Some nights they have laser light nights in the planetarium, fusing music from artists such as Pink Floyd and Lady Gaga.
The museum includes many educational and hands-on exhibits for the kids. Your little kids will especially enjoy the water table.
Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is large. Arrive early and plan to spend at least a few hours here.
It’s recommended to purchase your tickets in advance. Click here to purchase your tickets.
Location: 1101 Biscayne Blvd, Miami FL 33132
14. Tour Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens was a waterfront estate home, now a museum, that was built in the early 1900s. The home was inspired by Italian villas of that time.
This would make a great experience for those who appreciate history and beautiful architecture!
The main home includes original furnishings and artwork. You will feel like you’ve been transported to Europe. The highlight of the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens though is the gardens! There are 10 acres of picturesque, lush, and green formal gardens. They are just stunning!
This would make for some great family pictures when in Miami.
There’s a cafe for food and drinks in case you and your kids need a drink or a bite. Enjoy relaxing and dining in the beautiful outdoor seating area.
Location: 3251 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33129
🌟Currently, you must reserve your tickets online. Click here to purchase your tickets!
15. Take in a Sports Game
Miami is home to four major league sports teams. Depending on what time of year you are on here, watch the Miami Dolphins(football), Miami Marlins(baseball), Miami Heat(basketball), or Florida Panthers(hockey).
If you have a sports-loving kid, this is definitely something fun you should do when in Miami. I have an NBA and NFL-loving boy who would gladly watch a game anytime or anywhere!
16. Visit Hollywood Beach
Hollywood Beach is a wonderful place to visit or stay when traveling to Miami with kids. Hollywood Beach is located between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. Its beaches are family-friendly and gorgeous, but what sets Hollywood Beach apart is its boardwalk.
This boardwalk is called Hollywood Beach Broadwalk. It covers about 2.5 miles along the Atlantic Ocean. It’s common to not only see walkers, and joggers but also people riding bicycles and rollerblading.
Restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and shops along with resorts and hotels line up this 2.5-mile stretch of boardwalk. We like to dine at the family-friendly Landshark Bar & Grill.
For those with little ones, head to Charnow Park. They have a nice splash pad area that your little kids will love cooling off and splashing around in. There’s also a playground there.
Location of Charnow Park: 300 Connecticut St, Hollywood, FL 33019
PRO-TIP: Park at the Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort Public Parking Garage. This is the perfect spot to park, within close proximity to the best things on the boardwalk.
Location of Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort Parking Deck: 357 Johnson St, Hollywood, FL 33019
17. Visit Key Biscayne
Cross the Rickenbacker Causeway from Downtown Miami and you will come to gorgeous Key Biscayne. Key Biscayne includes two parks, Crandon Park and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.
Crandon Park
Crandon Park is a great place to walk or bike when in Miami with kids. It’s common to see peacocks, iguanas, ducks, and other animals here. The park is located right next to beautiful Crandon Beach. What’s unique about Crandon Beach is the palm trees that cover the white, sand.
Crandon Beach is a great beach to go to if you’re looking for a more uncrowded beach experience.
Location: 6747 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, FL 33149
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is a great place to visit when in Miami with kids. Here at the State Park, you can take a tour of the historic lighthouse, go hiking or biking on the nature trails, swim and play on the beach, and have a picnic.
Bicycles are available for rental here. They also have quad bikes that seat four plus two smaller children!
Location: 1200 S. Crandon Blvd. Key Biscayne, FL 33149
18. Day Trip to the Florida Keys
If you’ve never been to the Florida Keys, you must take a day trip to the Keys when in Miami with kids. The Keys begin at the southernmost part of Miami and continue all the way to Key West. This is a bucket list drive for many.
The drive from Miami to Key West takes about 3.5 hours if you do not stop. It’s definitely manageable to do all in one day if you leave early in the morning. We have done this on one of our trips to Miami and I will tell you it was totally worth it!
There are some interesting places to stop on the Overseas Highway. The Theatre of the Sea and Robbie’s Marina of Islamorada are great places to stop in Islamorada. A great place to stop in Marathon is The Turtle Hospital, a sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation center.
Must-do activities in Key West with kids are the Conch Train Tour, walking around Mallory Square, the Key West Butterfly, and Nature Conservatory, and The Key West Aquarium. Also, you have to get your family’s picture taken at Southernmost Point.
Where to Eat in Miami with Kids
There are so many great family-friendly restaurants to dine at when in Miami with kids! I am listing a few of my favorite must-eat restaurants. These are more than just a place for food, but also an experience!
19. Versailles Restaurant Cuban Cuisine
Versailles Restaurant Cuban Cuisine deemed the World’s Most Famous Cuban restaurant is regarded as one of the best restaurants in Miami and THE place to get Cuban food.
This iconic restaurant is designed beautifully. It has a vintage flair with beautiful mirrors on the walls and elegant chandeliers.
They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We ate here for lunch. Their menu is huge. You can find just about anything from soups, salads, entrees, sandwiches, and desserts.
For an appetizer, we tried the Versailles combo and got a taste of empanadas, croquettes, and yuca fries.
For my entree, I had chicken and yellow rice. Almost all the meals come with plantains. A plantain is similar to a banana, but not. They are usually cooked. It was my first time trying one. I wasn’t the biggest fan, but I always like to try the “local food” when visiting other places.
They have a wide variety of desserts. I had the Tres Leche, which was very good. The kids had ice cream and milkshakes.
Before you leave, stop by the bakery take home some authentic Cuban desserts and get a Cuban coffee.
TIP: Because this place is so popular, come early or be prepared for a wait.
Location: 3555 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33135
20. Sugar Factory
Sugar Factory is located on South Beach directly on Ocean Drive. Your kids are going to love this place! It’s a very fun restaurant that serves up yummy festive drinks, entrees, and desserts for the whole family.
The food here is so fun! You can order sliders served on colorful buns with a complimentary duck. They also have just about any dessert you can imagine. The deserts are not just ordinary either, they are over the top!
Sugar Factory also has a candy store. Even if you choose not to eat here, stop by and let the kids grab some candy.
Sugar Factory is kind of pricy, but if you’ve never been before I highly recommend it when in Miami with kids. It’s such a cute, fun place and excellent for a celebration! Click here to see if there’s a Groupon, available for your dates! The Groupon allows you to save a big chunk of money here!
Location: 1060 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139
21. Landshark Bar & Grill
Landshark Bar & Grill is not located in Miami, but a short drive away in Hollywood Beach. It is located at the Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort.
We love to eat here when visiting Miami. The outdoor dining with a view of the Atlantic Ocean is beautiful. The drinks, food, and music are all great!
You and your kids are going to love this place!
Location: 357 Johnson St, Hollywood, FL 33019
When to Visit Miami with Kids
Miami any time of the year is great! The best time to travel to Miami though is in the spring between March and May. The weather is very warm and you will have no threat of hurricanes.
Summertime is very, very hot and humid. We’ve been several times during the summer and we still had an amazing time, but the weather can be pretty unbearable at times.
If you do travel during the summer, make sure to stay hydrated and always have water bottles with you. Also, if you plan on doing activities outside that don’t involve water, start very early or wait till later in the evening.
Where to Stay in Miami with Kids
There are lots of great, family-friendly places to stay in Miami with kids for every budget.
I am making the following few recommendations based on the fact they far exceed kid-friendly by offering amazing pool areas for kids, kids clubs, and much more!
Loews Miami Beach
Loews Miami Beach is your place to stay in the South Beach area with kids. The location of this resort is amazing! Located on the beach, within walking distance of Lincoln Road Mall and Ocean Drive!
Why is this place amazing for kids? Loews Miami Beach offers a kids club for ages 4-12. The Kids Club includes an awesome play area, crafts, video games, and more.
There’s also a Rec Room with video games. The pool area includes a zero-entry pool and pop fountains for the little ones. They even have a shaded sandpit area on the beach!
Location: 1601 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
🏨To book your stay at Lowes Miami Beach, click here!
JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa
JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa is luxurious, modern, and has just about any amenity you would expect. Its beautiful, tropical landscape will definitely give you that Miami vibe. Why I’m recommending this as a place to stay in Miami with kids because of its amazing waterpark.
The Tidal Cove Waterpark is available to you anytime during your stay. Your kids are going to love this waterpark.
This resort also offers a kids club for kids ages 4-12. It includes arts and crafts, sports, and other fun activities.
There’s also a wide variety of dining options here the whole family will love.
Location: 19999 West Country Club Drive, Aventura, FL 33180
🏨 To book your stay at JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, click here!
Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort
Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort is not technically in Miami but is still close to all Miami has to offer. This resort is located directly on beautiful Hollywood Beach.
Not only a place to stay but also a destination in itself, this resort has so much to offer for kids. The pool area here is amazing! There’s a waterslide, a beautiful waterfall feature, and a splash fountain area for the kids.
For all the kids wanting to get a feel for surfing, they can try out the flow-rider!
Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort also offers a kids club with games, crafts, and activities. While your kids are having fun here, enjoy the adults-only pool, get a spa treatment or have a relaxing adult-only dinner.
Location: 1111 N Ocean Dr, Hollywood, FL 33019
🏨 To book your stay, at Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort, click here!
How to Get To Miami
By Car
Miami is located in the very southeast portion of Florida. It is about 3.5 hours south of Orlando and 4 hours southeast of Tampa. Not too bad of a drive if you will be coming from these other major tourist areas in Florida.
By Airplane
If you are flying to Miami, you have two convenient airports to choose from. You can either fly into Miami International or Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International.
Subscribe below for my tips on scoring cheap flights for your family!
Renting a car is a must when visiting Miami with kids if you want to see and do as much as you can while here.
🚗 I recommend booking through Discover Cars for the best deals!
The Wrap-Up: Miami with Kids
Miami is full of culture and family fun!
I hope my guide of 21 Best Things to Do in Miami with Kids has helped you decide to take that trip to Miami with your kids or given you ideas of things to do.
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