For many years, Miami has been a favorite vacation destination for our family. The Florida hotspot has it all: culture and art, exquisite dining, that city vibe with a beautiful beach backdrop. We especially love to visit in the fall around Thanksgiving after the summer heat has died down but before the influx of snowbirds escaping harsh winters.
While most people associate Miami with nightlife and beach bars, the city actually has so much to offer for families with kids of all ages. From museums, gardens, and parks to the ocean and other thrills in between, there’s more to Miami than meets the eye. If you’re planning a family trip this fall — or really any time of year — here’s everything you need to know about The Magic City.
Hot Spots: Downtown Miami
In the heart of downtown Miami, visitors flock to the Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science, which boasts five levels for exploration as well as a rooftop observation deck. The museum is home to a planetarium and an aquarium as well as multiple labs and exhibits for hours of fun.
The Frost Science Museum is adjacent to the Pérez Art Museum Miami, both of which are located within Maurice A. Ferré Park (formerly Museum Park) along the waterfront overlooking Biscayne Bay. The park has evolved into an open-air museum with scenic views of the bay and Miami’s skyline. It also features an array of sculptures and artwork, including one of our family’s favorite attractions, the Dogs and Cats Walkway, which is filled with vibrant, larger than life statues of many beloved breeds. There is also an amphitheater, grassy areas for playing, and walking and biking paths.
Also downtown, for a unique escape, families should check out the Miami Museum of Ice Cream, an interactive experience that includes the history of ice cream; a play area with a rainbow tunnel, games, and a “sprinkle pool;” a sensory lab; a café and giftshop; and, of course, unlimited samples of the popular sweet treat.
Within walking distance from the museum, you can catch a basketball game or concert at Kaseya Center (formerly American Airlines Arena), home of the NBA’s Miami Heat. Or do some shopping and dining at Bayside Marketplace, an outdoor entertainment venue where you can book a seat on the Thriller Miami Speedboat Adventures or admire the city and the bay from atop the Skyview Miami observation wheel. Families can also walk to the waterfront to watch the cruise ships, yachts, and other watercraft in action.
A short drive across the bay along MacArthur Causeway, you’ll find both Jungle Island and the Miami Children’s Museum. In addition to wildlife exhibits and an aviary (our kids still remember the up-close and personal interaction they had with the macaws), Jungle Island features educational shows; playgrounds; Treetop Trekking, the region’s only aerial adventure park with various zipline obstacles for kids of all ages; and SpaceBounce Miami, an indoor section with inflatables for jumping, perfect for rainy days or hot afternoons. Meanwhile, families with small children will want to spend time at the children’s museum, where aspiring young athletes, artists, musicians, and thespians can let their imagination run wild. The museum has more than 20 play areas, as well as an indoor nine-hole miniature golf course.
South Beach
A short drive from downtown Miami (depending on traffic, of course), beach bums will want to hit up South Beach, which is where we tend to spend the bulk of our trips to Miami now that our kids are older. We like to grab a cup of coffee from a local café and take an early morning stroll along the promenade in Lummus Park on Ocean Drive between 5th and 14th Streets. The boardwalk is wide enough for cyclists (bike rentals are available throughout the city), and there are a few playgrounds spread throughout the park. On a recent trip, we also discovered the Miami Beach Botanical Garden. The garden, located behind the Miami Beach Convention Center, is free to explore and includes a variety of flora and fauna, a children’s garden, and plenty of open greenspace.
Shoppers and diners also have lots of options, with al fresco dining available along Española Way or within the Lincoln Road Shopping District (one of our frequent stops whenever we are in South Beach). In between meals, you can splash, sunbathe, or rent jet skis during your day at the beach. Families looking for a quieter experience at the shore may want to head to South Pointe Beach or Key Biscayne, which has a lighthouse and convenient parking. After dinner, we also make a point to walk throughout Miami’s Art Deco Historic District to take in the scenery.
Little Havana
Families can immerse themselves in the city’s Cuban culture with a visit to Little Havana. Here, you can stroll Calle Ocho (Southwest 8th Street), where you can admire the artwork and murals that reflect the Cuban experience, shop from street vendors, and indulge in genuine Cuban cuisine (the ice cream at Azucar Ice Cream is highly recommended). Be sure to also check out the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame, Little Havana’s version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame that pays homage to Cuban celebrities. The neighborhood’s Domino Park is also a must-see. It’s a local gathering spot where you can watch players strategize in games of dominoes. Visitors can learn about the game and even join in on the fun.
Points of Interest
Wynwood District
Art enthusiasts will want to drop by the city’s Wynwood District, which is known for its 70 eclectic galleries, shops, and restaurants, as well as Wynwood Walls, a globally renowned outdoor street art museum with guided tours available. After viewing the artwork, we like to stop by local craft brewery Cervecería La Tropical for a bite to eat and some live music.
Zoo Miami
Another attraction within driving distance is Zoo Miami. Our daughter is an animal lover, so we tend to visit any place where we can watch critters in action. Zoo Miami, the only tropical zoo in the continental United States, is home to more than 3,000 mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. It has other educational exhibits, including a Conservation Action Center and a botanical garden, as well as multiple eateries and a giftshop.
Everglades National Park
For a longer day trip, Everglades National Park is about an hour and a half away from Miami and is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. In addition to alligators and crocodiles, you’ll find other wildlife in their natural habitat, like manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, ospreys, pelicans, and bald eagles. Guided boat and kayak tours are available, or you can rent a bike, kayak, or canoe and explore at your leisure. Other companies offer airboat tours for a closer look at the gators, and some will even let you hold a baby one — if you’re feeling brave enough.
Lodging & Travel
Gale, in the heart of downtown Miami, is ideal for families and is within walking distance of many attractions. The hotel offers suite-style accommodations with plenty of space for families, a rooftop pool, a fitness center and spa, and a kids’ playroom. Free beach chair rentals for South Beach are also included with your stay.
There are many chain hotel options throughout the area, including several by the airport, that are more affordable for families on a budget. Richmond International Airport offers direct flights to Miami daily, and an early morning two-hour flight allows for ample time to take in the full Miami experience in the afternoon.
Dining
In Little Havana, grab a bite to eat at Versailles, which has served up traditional Cuban dishes and desserts for more than half a century, or Sanguich, which specializes in gourmet Cuban sandwiches and milkshakes. For a quick lunch, try El Rey De Las Fritas, which is famous for its sandwiches topped with fries.
South Beach also has plenty of Cuban options, especially along Española Way, or, dine al fresco at one of the many establishments along Lincoln Road. You can also hop over to Lincoln Eatery, a food hall with a variety of vendors, so everyone in the family can order whatever they’re craving. For a little bit of French inspiration and huge portions, check out La Sandwicherie on 14th Street.
Just want a slice of pizza in between destinations? Head over to Nick’s Pizza located near the Gale Hotel beach rentals on 1st Street. For a fancier meal, make reservations at Joe’s Stone Crab, a world-famous restaurant known for its stone crabs and other seafood dishes. We also like to eat at Sr de Los Tacos Doral, a Mexican restaurant on our way to the airport, whenever our vacation sadly comes to an end.
