Miami has always been a great city for its beaches and nightlife. From shopping to clubbing it’s easy to find things to do from sun-up to sundown in South Beach, but none of those are exactly kid-friendly.
So, if
you’re traveling to Miami with the family in tow, here are some ideas to keep
the kids entertained that don’t just involve the hotel pool.
Venetian Pools
Located in the heart of Coral Gables, the Venetian Pools is the perfect spot for swimming with the kids without the aggravation of a beach trip. Built out of an old rock quarry in 1923, it’s a truly unique environment that features a waterfall and underwater grotto. The 820,000-gallon pool is actually spring-fed with enough water to fill the pool every day! Children under 3 are not permitted, but it’s a great spot for the older kids.
Jungle Island
Take full advantage of Miami’s tropical geography by surrounding yourself in a world of brightly colored flora and fauna. With over 18 acres of parkland, Jungle Island is home to hundreds of wild birds, monkeys, and other mammals that can roam freely through the exhibits. The park also features a large playground, petting zoo, and private beach area.
Miami Seaquarium
Known for their exotic marine mammals, Miami’s Seaquarium features a number of animal encounters to entertain both kids and adults alike. The set of the Flipper movies, the park has a lot more than shows to offer than dolphin and orca shows. There’s a tropical reef, Stingray petting area, a pirate-themed playground, and a ropes course.
Monkey Jungle
Billed as an attraction where “Humans are caged and monkeys run wild,” Monkey Jungle is a 30–acre primate preserve where the majority of the animals are allowed to roam free. The park features an Amazon Rainforest that is home to the highly endangered Golden Lion Tamarin, and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a tour that allows you to touch the park’s spider monkeys, one of the 30 species who call the area home.
Gold Coast Railroad Museum
Adjacent to the Miami Zoo, the Gold Coast Railroad is a fun little attraction for any locomotive enthusiast. With a variety of restored cars on display, little engineers can get their fill of rail-driven action. On the weekends, they offer rides on a small gauge track train, and have a Polar Express during the holidays where you can meet Santa in your PJs.
Pirate Ship Rides – Bayside Marketplace
Take to the high seas on El Loro, Miami’s only fully operating pirate ship. An hour and a half ride around Biscayne Bay and the surrounding area, tours are hosted by Miami Aqua Tours and sets sail multiple times throughout the day from the Bayside Marketplace. Look for the ship on the water near the Hard Rock Café.
Sky Zone
What could be more fun than spending a day at the world’s first indoor trampoline park? Sky Zone in the Doral area of Miami, features a wide variety of trampoline “courts” where kids of all ages can fly through the air or launch themselves into a pit of 15,000 foam cubes in the “Foam Zone.” Don’t worry, mom, it’s completely safe.
Grove Skate Park
The Grove Skate Park is a great attraction for kids ages 4 and up. Located in the heart of beautiful Peacock Park, it features over 10,000 sq.ft. of indoor and outdoor courses that are designed for learning to skateboard and separated by skill level. Oh and don’t worry about traveling with your favorite board, bike, or gear, the Grove has all you need available to rent.