Miami may be known for its raucous nightlife and wild parties, but that’s not all Miami has to offer. This vibrant coastal city is filled with great dining experiences, amazing art, world-famous museums, and plenty of natural attractions that encapsulate Florida’s ecosystems. That means there are plenty of family activities in Miami, and planning the right family vacation in this Florida city isn’t as difficult as you think.
Here we’ve rounded up some of the best ideas for family-friendly activities in Miami. Some are must-sees, while others are short and sweet experiences tucked away in neighborhoods that you get the chance to explore. With this handy guide you can see much of what Miami has to offer for the whole family.
Stay at a cool resort
For the best resort experience, you may be a little outside of downtown Miami, but many resorts offer transportation into the city. Because of this distance, many resorts offer a quiet, secluded atmosphere and space for all their amenities. One of our favorite resorts for a family vacation is the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, which features an on-site gym, yoga classes, golf course, playground, and even babysitting services so parents and grandparents can enjoy a spa day while taking care of the kids. is taken care of.
If you’re more interested in being in the middle of the action, we recommend The Biltmore, a luxury resort close to Downtown Miami and Miami Beach. It has the largest swimming pool on the East Coast (and one of the largest in America), plus a spa, golf course, and multiple kid-oriented activities, including a Kid’s Culinary Summer Camp. For a more affordable option, we like the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel, also located on Miami Beach, close to Downtown Miami. The hotel offers a variety of family activities, such as obstacle courses and beach activities, and they even have an outdoor play area for the kids.
Visit a museum
If your family loves museums, you’ll find that Miami has plenty. Built on the homelands of the Calusa and Tequesta peoples, the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens was originally built in 1916 as the vacation home of businessman James Deering. The architecture was created to mimic that of an Italian villa and is surrounded by a natural landscape with romantic works of art, lush gardens and marble sculptures throughout the estate. The Frost Science Museum is another must-visit, with a huge three-story aquarium. Perhaps the coolest aspect of the aquarium is the oculus lens on the bottom floor, which allows you to sit and look up at the passing sharks and sea life.
The Coral Castle is another cool stop in Miami, and we can’t recommend it enough for families. Designed over the course of more than twenty years, the Coral Castle features rock formations that weigh tons, but was created by one man, Ed Leedskalnin, who claimed he understood the secrets of building the pyramids in Egypt. And if you only have an hour to kill, head to The Paradox Museum, which features interactive exhibits featuring multiple optical illusions.
Check out the art and architecture
With beautiful artwork, statues and architecture on display both indoors and outdoors, there is plenty to do in Miami for art-loving families. Neighborhoods are dedicated to the work of Miami artists and provide visual splendor for families to make memories. Wynwood Walls is essentially an outdoor art museum with the work of more than 100 artists spread across 50 city blocks, and nearby buildings have walls that serve as a canvas for multiple murals. Tickets cost $12 and children under 12 get in free, making this an affordable daytime activity.
Located between the Wynwood and Little Haiti neighborhoods, the Miami Design District features art and architecture in its public spaces, and it is also close to the Institute of Contemporary Art Miami. The Pérez Art Museum Miami (also known as PAMM) is a Miami staple, with a permanent exhibition of works related to Latin America, the Caribbean, and the African diaspora. For a less traditional art option, check out Superblue Miami, an immersive digital art experience that uses inspiring architecture, vast spaces and sounds to create a magical and mystical experience.
Spend a day at the beach
Located right on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, Miami has several family-friendly beaches that won’t be too crowded or lively. Hobie Island Beach Park is ideal for those with small children as it has shallow waters, food trucks and a dog park for families with pets. South of Hobie Island Beach is Crandon Beach, located on Key Biscayne. The beach has calm waters, making it safe and relaxing for the whole family, and there are plenty of activities including cycling on the Fossil Reef Bike Trail, golfing at Crandon Golf and snorkeling and diving at Diver’s Paradise Miami.
If you are looking for a spacious beach with lots of peace and quiet, North Shore Beach is the best choice. It is located north of Downtown Miami and is connected to a park with a playground and picnic area with barbecue grills and bike paths. As you head further south on Key Biscayne, you’ll come across Cape Florida Beach with its picturesque lighthouse and minimal crowds. It’s also part of Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, so you’ll be surrounded by natural scenery.
Go on a fun excursion
Miami has plenty of opportunities for adventure, both within the city and beyond, where Florida’s natural landscape is more apparent. An excellent family-friendly excursion in Miami is the Little Havana Food and Walking Tour, which is both stroller and wheelchair accessible. There you can enjoy the great dishes that Little Havana has to offer, such as churros, Cuban coffee and flan (although the menu changes, so it will be a surprise). You’ll also walk through the historic district that many travelers think of when they think of Miami.
Animal-loving families will enjoy Zoo Miami, which features more than 500 animal species (including 40 endangered species), as well as more than 1,000 species of plants, trees and palms. If you want a more active excursion, consider going on a kayaking or paddleboarding expedition. Or, if you prefer to sit back and enjoy a relaxing getaway, a private boat tour is a nice idea. Medium-sized groups can explore the Miami River, Miami Beach, Star Island and other Miami waterfront hotspots together. You can also explore the Everglades by boat, giving the family the chance to see Florida’s wildlife, such as crocodiles and exotic birds, by airboat.
Hang out in the park
Miami has several parks with playgrounds and picnic areas, and you don’t have to travel far to reach one. North Miami is home to Oleta River State Park, which offers several family activities, including kayaking, paddle boarding, biking, fishing, camping, wildlife watching and more. A $6 entrance fee covers an entire carload of people, and you can even bring food for a picnic in the park. In Coral Gables, just a short drive from downtown Miami, you’ll find the beautiful Mediterranean-inspired Venetian Pool. It’s a perfect place for the whole family to hang out on a warm and sunny day. Parents and grandparents can sit on the sun loungers while the kids dip in and out of the pool and enjoy the caves and waterfalls.
Just south of Miami, the Pinecrest Gardens offer experimental forms of gardening with natural Florida foliage, a large Banyan tree, and mosaics and sculptures throughout the landscape. If you go on the weekend you can take advantage of the farmers market. And if you want more nature after your visit, you can head across the street to the Montgomery Botanical Center and the R Hardy Matheson County Preserve and Park.
Eat some delicious food
Miami has some fantastic restaurants, and you don’t have to make compromises just because you have kids or picky eaters in the family. For snacks and gastropub fare in a retro setting, King’s Dining and Entertainment is a fun stop that the whole family can enjoy. Fratelli La Bufala has a cozy and welcoming atmosphere and is an affordable dining option close to other attractions such as the Jewish Museum of Florida and South Pointe Beach. The highlight of this restaurant is the authentic Neapolitan pizza, and who doesn’t love pizza?
Abuela’s Tacos is another affordable option for lunch or dinner, serving delicious margaritas and some of the best tacos in a relaxed, decorative atmosphere. And you can’t come to Miami without enjoying Cuban food, so be sure to check out Esquina Cubana, which specializes in seafood dishes, paellas and sandwiches. There is also a children’s menu and plenty of snacks to choose from.
