Are you looking for some of the best family activities in South Florida? Miami is one of the best areas to visit in Southern Florida, and there are many things to do in Miami with kids.
Whether you’re spending a day in Miami or on an extended vacation in South Florida, this list of things to do in Miami will help you maximize your time. Here are the best areas in Miami for a family vacation and 45 kid-friendly activities in South Florida.
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The Best Neighborhoods in Miami for a Family Vacation
Several Miami neighborhoods are perfect for a family vacation because they have many Miami outdoor activities.
Coconut Grove
Coconut Grove’s roots go back to the 1870s. The historic bayfront village has a bohemian vibe with green parks, indie boutiques, and sidewalk cafes.
The Dinner Key Marina on Biscayne Bay is located in the city center, and you’ll find popular lunch spots like Peacock Garden and Greenstreet Cafe. You don’t want to miss The Barnacle Historic State Park.
Coral Gables
Coral Gables has leafy green streets that wind through various historic landmarks and buildings with neat Mediterranean Revival architectural features. It’s known as The City Beautiful and is home to a free trolley system, making getting around easy.
You’ll find plenty of fun things to do in Coral Gables, such as the Venetian Pool and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.
Key Biscayne
Key Biscayne is an island paradise just a few minutes from the heart of Miami. Enjoy nature preserves and miles of sandy beaches with gorgeous sea views.
Eat at the iconic Rusty Pelican restaurant, visit Virginia Key Beach Park for its role in Miami’s Black History, and the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center to see the only fossilized reef in the United States.
Downtown Miami
Downtown Miami is the epicenter of Miami, offering an urban feel near the bay. It’s home to major museums, cultural institutions, rooftop restaurants, theatres, and shopping. At night you can view the cityscape of Miami skyscrapers that stand over Biscayne Bay.
Visit the 1900s iconic buildings such as the Freedom Tower, and the DuPont Building represent Miami’s first major development boom.
Bayside Marketplace near the Port of Miami (PortMiami) is a neat place to start, and you should add nearby Bayfront Park to your itinerary.
Sunny Isles Beach
This small 1.78 square mile city is located in the northeast part of Miami-Dade County and is home to high-rise developments with oceanfront parks and turquoise shores.
Sunny Isles Beach borders the Atlantic Ocean and Intercoastal Waterway. Samson Oceanfront Park hosts many fun, cheap things to do in Miami, like concerts, volleyball, and a covered playground.
The area is also known for its extravagant resorts like the Acqualina Resort & Residences on the beach.
Top Family Activities in South Florida
1. Miami Sightseeing Day Pass
If you want to save money on your South Florida vacation, consider getting the Miami sightseeing day pass. It’s a customizable travel pass that you can get for one to five days.
You can use this pass for more than 35 popular attractions like the Seaquarium, Everglades airboat tour, Jungle Island, and more. It can save you up to 55 percent on admission costs for activities in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Key West.
2. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is worth adding to your list of family activities in South Florida because the house and grounds are gorgeous.
Take a stroll through the breathtaking gardens of the Italian-French renaissance and learn about Miami’s Golden Age history.
Tour ticket also includes round-trip transportation from downtown Miami (Bayside area) and Miami Beach hotels. Book your Vizcaya Museum and Gardens tour with transport here!
3. Bayside Marketplace
Located in downtown Miami, this popular waterfront attraction is home to a range of activities in South Florida, including shops, dining options, and Miami’s Biscayne Bay sightseeing cruise.
Bayside Marketplace is the perfect place to have lunch or dinner before or after a cruise sailing from Miami. It is excellent for walking around and relaxing or sipping mixed drinks while enjoying the beautiful bay views.
4. Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel
While at the Bayside Marketplace, check out the Miami Observation Wheel, one of the top South Florida attractions for families.
It towers about 200 feet above Bayside Marketplace and provides expansive views of downtown Miami, Bayfront Park, and the surrounding Biscayne Bay.
5. Millionaire’s Row Cruise
The 90-minute Millionaire’s Row cruise is a fully narrated sightseeing cruise around Biscayne Bay. Not only will you get to see some of Miami’s most famous residences, but you will also get breathtaking views of the Miami skyline.
This relaxing boat cruise also includes fun facts about Miami’s rich history.
6. South Pointe Pier & Park
South Pointe Park, located at the southern tip of Miami Beach, is a 17-acre urban park that is not to be missed when exploring South Beach.
This pier and park offer unrivaled views of South Beach’s shoreline, Fisher Island, Port Miami’s cruise ships, and downtown Miami.
Visit the mini-splash zone for children, go fishing, or watch the jet skiers and sightseeing speedboat tours as they glide along the coast. You can also spend a fun beach day here with chair and umbrella rentals available.
7. Miami Banana Boat Ride
Looking for a family-friendly water adventure? One of the best water activities in Miami for kids is a banana boat ride. This 15-minute fast boat ride is on a 25-foot inflatable rib craft over the warm tropical waters. It’s safe for kids 4-years old and up.
The tour is open to riders four years and older. All riders are provided a foam helmet and life jacket.
8. Miami Beach Lifeguard Towers
You don’t want to miss the candy-colored lifeguard towers along Miami Beach. It’s one of the many free things to do in Miami.
These towers began appearing after hurricane Andrew and are associated with the Miami revival after the devastating destruction.
Walk along the shore with the kids and see how many of these unique beauties you can capture.
9. Historic Art Deco District
Miami Beach is home to the highest concentration of Art Deco buildings in the world, with around 800 buildings designated historic. The majority of which are in the Historic Miami Beach Art Deco District between 5th and 23rd Streets in South Beach.
These pastel-colored buildings are what give the South Beach skyline its unique character. And Ocean Drive is the perfect place to view the various hotels and restaurant buildings representing this architectural style.
You may even recognize some of these buildings from movies such as Scarface and Marley and Me.
You can book the official Art Deco walking tour with the Miami Design Preservation League here.
10. Duck Tour of Miami and South Beach
The duck tour of Miami and South Beach is one of the most fun family activities South Florida offers. A mix between a bus and a boat, the duck tour explores the heart of South Beach.
It’s one of the best ways to see the Miami sights with expert tour guides that will fill you in on all the city’s fun and interesting facts. And they throw in some corny jokes along the way.
11. Wynwood Miami Arts District
The Wynwood Arts District is one of the city’s hippest areas featuring plenty of family activities South Florida offers.
From being a once rundown warehouse district, it’s now home to museums, galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and street art, giving Wynwood a big splash of color.
If you want to fully take in the beauty of this district, try booking one of these tours:
- Wynwood Art District 1-hour street art tour by golf buggy
- Wynwood Arts District walking tour
- Graffiti Experience
- Admission ticket to the Museum of Graffiti
12. Fun Dimension
Fun Dimension is the ultimate family entertainment center located in Wynwood. The whole family can easily spend an afternoon here playing laser tag, arcade games, riding bumper cars, rocking climbing, VR games, and more.
13. Coral Castle
If you’re in for a bit of mystery, visit this historic limestone Coral Castle built by Latvian engineer Edward Leedskalnin. From 1923 to 1951, Leedskalnin secretly carved over 1,100 tons of coral rock to construct the all-stone sculpture garden.
He created this unique South Florida attraction under the cover of darkness. No one knows how he single-handedly built this grand sculpture. And his secrets died with him, creating one of the world’s most mysterious accomplishments in architecture. But some suggest he had supernatural powers.
You’ll find the Coral Castle in Homestead, Florida.
14. Little Havana, Calle Ocho, Miami
Little Havana is a Miami neighborhood with a rich Cuban influence. You could easily devote a day of your Miami family vacation to Little Havana’s Calle Ocho. This lively area is the perfect place to enjoy colorful murals, cigar shops, art galleries, and Latin-inspired restaurants.
There are even organized food tours in Little Havana that will give you a taste of everything the area offers to experience the culture. Sample some of Miami’s best Cuban cuisine on this popular food tour.
15. Venetian Pool
If you’re spending a day in Coral Gables, visit the Venetian Pool. Created from a rock quarry, the Venetian pool is unique as it is fed by spring water from an underground aquifer. Enjoy the two waterfalls, caves, and lookout towers.
Beware, the pool closes its doors once it reaches full capacity, so make sure to get there early if this is something you don’t want to miss.
16. Zoo Miami
No visit to Miami would be complete without Zoo Miami. This zoo is rated one of the tops in America, with 340-acres that showcase 3,000 wild animals, including:
- Koalas
- Elephants
- Giraffes
- Snakes
- Alligators
And many more. You’ll also get to see over 1,200 plants and tree species and an Asian-themed aviary with hundreds of types of free-flying birds. Book your Zoo Miami general admission ticket here.
17. Marjory Stoneman Douglass Biscayne Nature Center
One of the best things about family activities South Florida has is that many are focused on the unique natural wonders in Florida. The Marjory Stoneman Douglass Biscayne Nature Center provides environmental education and promotes protecting the area’s natural resources.
There are many great activities like the Family Seagrass Adventure are available on Saturdays, and the art gallery and the Earth Keepers Club just for kids.
18. Oleta River State Park
Known as the largest urban park in Florida, Oleta River State Park has plenty of bike and nature trails. This park is heaven for paddlers, swimmers, campers, and mountain bikers.
With over a thousand acres, there are plenty of outdoor family activities to do, and it even offers rustic cabins with air conditioning for overnight stays.
The whole family can view wildlife in their natural habitat, and there’s even a primitive camping area for organized youth groups. Find out more about the park, hours, and fees here.
19. Jungle Island
Jungle Island is an eco-adventure park located on Watson Island featuring unique animal exhibits, plant species, plus 1,000 varieties of parrots and shows. The 20-acre tropical complex is full of trails and a great way to spend an afternoon in Miami with kids.
You’ll also find the lively Joia Beach restaurant on the premises, which offers a relaxing escape for adults within the city.
20. Monkey Jungle
Miami’s Monkey Jungle is a 30-acre rainforest developed to study monkeys in a semi-natural habitat.
The eco-show park is another one of the best family activities South Florida offers, with fun animal shows and guided tours. Visitors can walk through a series of tunnels and watch the monkeys at play.
Regularly scheduled shows are currently suspended, so be sure to check the Monkey Jungle website for more information.
21. Miami Seaquarium
Located on Key Biscayne, the Miami Seaquarium is a great family-friendly attraction to visit on your Miami, Florida vacation. This oceanarium is a favorite attraction that lets you swim with the dolphins, watch sea mammal shows, and see seal life exhibits with penguins, sea turtles, manatees, and more.
It’s one of the best kid activities in South Florida.
Skip the line and pick up your tickets to the Miami Seaquarium here!
22. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is a must-visit for anyone who loves tropical plants.
The garden features stunning exotic plants in various exhibits, including pools, lakes, a butterfly garden, a laboratory and research space, and a museum. There’s an arboretum with more than 740 species of tropical flowering shrubs and trees.
And one of the most captivating exhibits is Wings of the Tropics, where you are surrounded by scores of butterflies enjoying the exotic floral displays.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is a unique South Florida attraction, so learn more about tours, ticket pricing, and schedules here.
23. Pinecrest Gardens
Pinecrest Gardens is a cultural arts park open 7-days a week with a farmer’s market, concerts, and other activities. Set in a natural landscape complete with streams and caves, this is another place to see over 1,000 types of rare and exotic trees, flowers, and other plants.
There are family and youth programs, and the kids will love the sensory and learning garden.
Check out the calendar of events and learn more about Pinecrest Gardens here.
24. Everglades National Park
You can easily spend an entire day exploring the Everglades National Park, the protected natural habitat and UNESCO World Heritage site spanning 1.5 million acres.
There are plenty of things to do in and around the Everglades, from airboat rides to wildlife spotting, hiking, biking the Shark Valley trail, and camping. You can even take a guided airboat tour through the park.
The park is about a 60-minute drive from Miami, and some tour companies will provide pick-up directly from your hotel.
Plan your trip to the Everglades with these ranger tips.
25. Biscayne National Park
Biscayne National Park is under an hour from downtown Miami, but it might as well be in another world. It protects a combination of emerald isles, aquamarine waters, and beautiful coral reefs. The area’s history goes back 10,000 years, from pineapple farmers to prehistoric tribes to shipwrecks.
It’s a premier destination for diving, fishing, kayaking, boating, and more.
26. Dezerland Park
A visit to Dezerland Park is one of the best family activities in South Florida. It’s Florida’s largest indoor attraction, with another location in Orlando. You can ride go-karts, jump on trampolines, and play arcade games.
Dezerland Park also has mini-golf, rock climbing, an indoor ropes course, and other fun activities indoors. It’s perfect for any rainy day.
27. Homestead-Miami Motorplex
If you’re looking for a family-friendly activity everyone will love, you’ll want to visit AMR Homestead-Miami Motorplex. It’s a world-class kart racing facility where the professionals race their karts.
You can reach speeds of 45-miles per hour in their cutting-edge go-karts, as there are kart rentals available for visitors. Learn more about pricing and renting karts here.
28. Tidal Cove Waterpark
If you’re looking for the ultimate waterpark adventure, you’ll want to spend a day at the Tidal Cover Waterpark. The park includes a gravity-defying raft ride, a lazy river, slides, a surfing machine, and more.
The water park is the best way to beat the Miami heat.
29. Skyward Kites
One of the best family-friendly activities in Miami is kite-flying at Skyward Kites.
Every February, they have the Kiteober Kite Festival, where families make kites in traditional styles from countries like China, Jamaica, Trinidad, Japan, the Bahamas, and more.
30. Miami Book Fair International
The Miami Book Fair International is the best Miami event for book lovers. The international book fair is an eight-day literary festival that takes place every November, with smaller activities throughout the year.
The annual Miami Book Fair features:
- Hundreds of celebrated authors gather for readings and discussion groups.
- Literary enthusiasts attend author signings, readings, lectures, and meet like-minded bibliophiles!
- It includes a street fair with over 250 booksellers and publishers selling books with unique features, including original manuscripts, signed first editions, and other collectibles.
This top annual South Florida events is a delight for bibliophiles of all ages.
31. Indoor Rock Climbing
If your family is into rock climbing or wants to try it for the first time, The Edge Rock Gym is one of Miami’s best places to go.
This 14,000-square-foot facility has rock climbing classes for climbers of all experience levels and plenty of different climbing walls. Learn more about the day pass pricing here.
32. Mega Jump Trampoline Park
Who doesn’t like jumping on a trampoline? If your kids love activities like this, check out Mega Jump Trampoline Park. Attractions include Mega Bounce, Mega Ultimate Dodgeball, Mega Hoop, Mega Wipeout, and more.
The park even has space mission laser tag, which offers tons of fun for the whole family.
33. Robert is Here
Robert is Here is a family-owned and operated fruit stand located in Homestead, Florida. The stand specializes in rare and exotic vegetables and fruits and is now a tourist attraction itself.
Try some fresh produce, grab a smoothie to-go, pick up a homemade spread, or a special treat like a key lime pie. And don’t forget to take the kiddos to the outdoor area, complete with an aviary and petting zoo.
This is a great stop to pick up a few snacks before starting your Overseas Highway road trip through the Florida Keys.
34. The Berry Farm
The Berry Farm brings the country to Miami with kid-friendly events like the Easter Eggstravaganza, live music, and activities. They also offer the best fruit and vegetables in the area at their market. Learn more details and ticket pricing here.
35. Pinto Farm
Pinto Farm is another place where you can visit the country without ever leaving Miami.
Eat delicious snacks and check out their fun attractions like the paddle boats, racetrack, slides, children’s zoo, pony rides, and more.
36. Knaus Berry Farm
Knaus Berry Farm is another beautiful family farm that started as a farm stand selling its delicious berries. Now you can buy bakery items, jams, and more.
So, if you’re looking for homemade treats on your trip, this is a great stop to add to your list, like those gooey delicious cinnamon rolls.
37. Dry Tortugas National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park in the Florida Keys is a 100-square-mile park spread across seven tiny islands and includes the historic Fort Jefferson, one of the United States’ largest 19th-century forts.
It also has campgrounds if you want to go camping, snorkeling, and swimming areas the whole family will enjoy.
It’s one of the top activities in South Florida that you don’t want to miss.
Best Museums in Miami for Kids
Miami is home to some fantastic museums, but here are a few of our favorite ones to visit.
38. Miami Children’s Museum
The Miami Children’s Museum inspires kids to be creative, use their imagination, learn, and play. Your kids will love their cute mascot MiChiMu.
Located on Watson Island, the 56,500-square-foot facility is an example of art itself. The exhibits foster your child’s natural curiosity and make learning fun.
39. HistoryMiami Museum
The HistoryMiami Museum is a Smithsonian affiliate located in downtown Miami. It showcases the past that shaped Miami and tells stories about people, events, places, and Miami communities.
Because it’s an affiliate of the Smithsonian, the HistoryMiami Museum can bring world-class exhibitions to Miami. Check out their website to see current exhibits and programs.
40. Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
This Philip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science focuses on all things science and has a planetarium, aquarium, and exhibits the whole family will love. Learn how science pushes the limit with innovative research and discoveries by scientists, including their partners at the University of Miami.
With exhibits on the story of flight, Wooly Mammoths, and more, this museum encourages the next generations of scientists.
41. Gold Coast Museum
Kids of all ages love trains, making the Gold Coast Railroad Museum a favorite activity for families. It’s dedicated to preserving, operating, and showing historic railroad equipment.
Besides the historic railroad cars, the museum has a model railroad room, Thomas play tables, a Naval Air Station Richmond exhibit, and more.
42. The Social Hub Selfie Museum
The Social Hub Museum is one of the most unique in the nation as it’s a selfie museum. This 3,500-square-foot museum is a content creation lab and photo studio located inside Brickell City Centre.
It’s the hottest place in Miami for photoshoots, music videos, TikTok transitions, and more. Check out the Social Hub website for more information on ticket prices and packages.
Best Beaches in Miami
While in Miami, you don’t want to miss the beautiful sandy beaches. Here are just a few of our favorites.
43. Crandon Park
Crandon Park is popular with the locals and the best place for picnics. It also has tennis and golf facilities, and the beach is simply breathtaking. Parking costs $5 during the week and $7 on the weekend.
44. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
Bill Baggs State Park is the best for outdoor enthusiasts. It’s also home to the Cape Florida Lighthouse. This park is always crowded so get there as early as possible as parking lots close once they reach full capacity.
45. Sunny Isles Beach
This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Florida, and it’s nestled among the high rises. It’s one of our favorite places to visit because there’s so much to do in Sunny Isles so that you can make a day of it.
FAQ’s
Where can I take my kids in South Florida?
There are plenty of family-friendly activities you can do in South Florida, such as:
- Xtreme Action Park in Fort Lauderdale
- Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale
- Butterfly World in Coconut Creek
- Rapids Water Park in Riviera Beach
- Flamingo Gardens in Davie
- Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee
And many of the other places on this list.
Which part of Florida is best for families?
There are many great places in Florida for family vacations, such as:
- Orlando
- Clearwater
- Tampa
- St. Augustine
- Panama City Beach
- Miami
- Key Largo
And many more places because Florida has nice weather most of the year. We love Miami the best because it’s the perfect mix of urban and nature with beautiful beaches and plenty of things to do.
Where to Stay in Miami with Family
If you’re wondering where to stay on your South Florida vacation, you’ll find a range of accommodations, from luxurious resorts to budget-friendly hotels. We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite places:
- Loews Miami Beach Hotel
- Fontainebleau Miami Beach
- Hampton Inn & Suites Miami Wynwood Design District
- Hotel Colonnade Coral Gables
- Biltmore Hotel
- Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach
- JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa
This article has 20+ more places to stay on your South Florida vacation.
Final Thoughts on Family Activities – South Florida
As you can see, there’s so much to do in South Florida, in just Miami alone. The things to do on this list are some of the best family activities South Florida offers.
Whether visiting for 24 hours or taking a longer vacation, you won’t get bored on your Florida trip. There’s so much to do that we recommend coming back to South Florida regularly.