15 Best Things to Do in Miami with Kids & Teens

The array of fabulous things to do in Miami with kids and teens may surprise parents. This South Florida city is renowned for its sizzling nightlife and hot fashion sense but it also offers a lot for families. With incredible beaches, animal encounters, artsy offerings, and other amusements — there’s something for everyone in The Magic City. Don your designer shades and get ready for some fun with these 15 family attractions in Miami!

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1. Beaches in Miami with Kids

When considering all the family attractions in Miami, where should we begin? At the beach, of course!

South Beach and Miami Beach

South Beach is Miami’s most famous stretch of sand with its art deco buildings situated along 2.5 miles of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s located on the southernmost section of Miami Beach, an island just a few miles from mainland Florida. This is where the rich, the famous, and the itsy bitsy bikini-clad go to see and be seen.

South Beach is also where families go to explore by bicycle, according to Noel Morata of TravelPhotoDiscovery.com. She says, “Pedal along the historic district with the pastel-colored deco buildings, little parks, and playgrounds. Further down the beach, you’ll take in views of Biscayne Bay and the Downtown Miami skyline. This morning or late afternoon adventure is fun, easy, and safe. Most hotels in South Beach offer free use of their bicycles but you can also rent cruisers right on the beach at Ocean Drive from a variety of outfitters.”

Surfside

Families flock to Surfside for a more mellow vibe with a side of matzo ball soup or pastrami on rye. MiamiAndBeaches.com says, “Known as Miami’s uptown beach community, Surfside is a tightknit town spanning just one square mile, nestled between Miami Beach and Bal Harbour. The Atlantic Ocean laps against its eastern shore, and the Intracoastal Waterway is its western border. This charming oasis has a decidedly retro, small-town appeal. Harding Avenue, lined with old-timey facades, Jewish delicatessens and synagogues, is its main thoroughfare.”

North Beach Oceanside Park

Another great beach day option in Miami with kids is North Beach Oceanside Park. Picture an oceanfront playground and picnic grounds plus walking and biking trails shaded by trees along the Atlantic. There’s a dog park, too, for those traveling with their furry children.

Sunny Isles Beach

For a quiet family beach day, you can’t go wrong with Sunny Isles Beach. It’s the northernmost beach in Greater Miami at the opposite end of the city from South Beach. Expect white powdery sand, warm turquoise water, and lots of lounge chairs belonging to luxury condominiums and hotels.

Still not sure where to go for sand play and splashing in the waves during your Miami family vacation? Read more about these and other enticing Miami beaches.

2. Monkey Jungle

Hand-feeding spider monkeys at Monkey Jungle near Miami is one of the coolest things my family has ever done! These monkeys live the good life within troops in a natural subtropical outdoor environment at this 30-acre park.⁣ When you sign up for a 45-minute Rainforest Adventure Tour, you get a chance to hand-feed seeds and dried fruits to these wee primates. They aren’t shy, either. The sweet spider monkeys climb and jump onto your limbs and atop your head to gobble up their goodies.

The tour also includes an educational talk about the larger and more aggressive Java monkeys. In fact, Monkey Jungle was founded in 1933 by primate researcher Joseph Dumond and his wife, Grace, as a research facility where Java monkeys could live a free-range life much like those in the wild. You get a chance to feed these monkeys as well by putting food in little baskets, which they readily pull up from their perches on the chain-link enclosure. Note: the humans are the ones inside the screened walkways while the monkeys are free to roam!

In addition to over 300 primates, Monkey Jungle is home to two-toed sloths, iguanas, and giant tortoises. Plus, through its Wings of Love Foundation, the attraction has become a free-flight sanctuary for captive parrots that have been displaced or can no longer be cared for by their owners. Along with scientific observational research, Monkey Jungle focuses on conservation and hosts breeding programs of endangered primates.

3. Zoo Miami

Want even more animal play? More than 3,000 animals representing 500+ species call Zoo Miami home. Located just 20 minutes from Monkey Jungle, Zoo Miami makes an entertaining addition to an animal-focused day in Miami with kids.

Occupying nearly 750 acres, this zoo is huge. Therefore, I recommend renting a surrey. It makes visiting the exhibits along four miles of pathways easier and more fun. Plus, you can enjoy a bit of shade as you explore.⁣

If visiting in summer, then be sure to bring swimsuits for the kids. There are several splash pads where families can play and cool off.⁣ Also look for refreshing misting stations located throughout the zoo, which provide welcome heat relief to adults and children alike.

A variety of rides add to the amusement factor at Zoo Miami. Look for the Lostman’s River Ride, a monorail, swan and duck-shaped pedal boats, a Safari Tram Tour, and the Wildlife Carousel.⁣

4. Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science

The impressive Frost Museum of Science is a science center, three-level aquarium, and planetarium rolled into one.

Floor 4: Miami Skyline and Florida Animals

Start on floor 4 and work your way down. From here you can take in sweeping views of the Miami skyline, the grassy Maurice A. Ferré Park (formerly Museum Park), and Biscayne Bay. On this level, you will find live animals native to South Florida like pretty roseate spoonbills, juvenile alligators and crocodiles, and hammerhead sharks. You can even pet stingrays!

Floor 3: Fly Up and Dive Down

One floor down is Feathers to the Stars. This is where visitors learn about the wonder of flight from dinosaurs to birds, airplanes, and space travel. The Dive is also located on floor 3, with an array of small aquariums filled with fish and other sea creatures from around the world.

Floor 2: The Deep and The Oculus

On level 2, you enter The Deep, the portion of the aquarium inhabited by intriguing deep-sea creatures that are rarely seen. The focal point of this level, however, is the Oculus. This 31-foot wide, 13.5-inch thick acrylic lens provides a unique view of the ocean life swimming in the huge tanks above.

Floor 1: Hands-On Science, Planetarium and More

The first floor of the Frost Museum of Science is where much of the interactive learning and play takes place in the Power of Science. It includes exhibits about our planet’s interconnected ecosystems, our oceans, the inner workings of the human body, and our universe. Additionally, you’ll find a Science Store with delightfully geeky souvenirs and the surprisingly tasty Food @ Science café on this level.

Also on the first floor is the entrance to the Frost Planetarium. Embark on a trek through outer space in this domed theater. Motion sickness sufferers (like me) may need to close their eyes for portions of the presentation as viewers feel like they’re flying through the cosmos. This popular attraction may sell out so be sure to book your tickets in advance.

5. Wynwood Arts District

Once a struggling neighborhood full of abandoned warehouses, the Wynwood Arts District is now one of the most vibrant and visually appealing neighborhoods in Florida. You’ll find art galleries galore and huge painted murals throughout this Miami enclave.

Wynwood Walls

The centerpiece is Wynwood Walls, an amazing outdoor museum that showcases street art. Wynwood Walls began in 2009 as a community revitalization project spearheaded by Tony Goldman, a real estate investor who also helped revive SoHo in Manhattan in the 1970s. Now it’s an international tourist attraction, featuring works by talented artists from around the world. Entry to Wynwood Walls is free. If you’d like to learn about the artwork and the history of this unique attraction, though, you should pay for a guided tour.

Museum of Graffiti

True street art enthusiasts may enjoy the wee Museum of Graffiti located in the Wynwood Arts District. Read exhibit signs to learn more about the history and cultural significance of graffiti while viewing some interesting examples of this art form via paintings and photos. Be sure to stop into the colorful graffiti-covered bathroom during your visit!

The Taco Stand

If you get hungry while exploring the Wynwood Arts District, then you must head to The Taco Stand. It’s worth waiting in the line out the door for their scrumptious tacos and street corn. Bonus: the walls are vibrantly painted with graffiti-style art so there is lots of eye candy to observe while waiting for your number to be called. This place is so good, our family had to visit twice during our Miami vacation!

6. Little Havana

Florida is home to the highest concentration of Cuban Americans in the U.S. Therefore, you’ll want to get a taste of the vibrant Cuban culture in Miami with a visit to Little Havana.

Calle Ocho

Eileen Gunn at FamiliesGo! says, “No visit to Miami is complete without a visit to Little Havana. The heart of this Cuban enclave is a handful of blocks along Calle Ocho (Eighth Street). Peruse the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame, which celebrates Cuban and Latin celebrities like Gloria Estefan, Julio Iglesias, and Thalia. As you stroll, you can’t miss experts rolling Cuban-style cigars in stores. Also, pause to watch locals playing dominoes and checkers in Domino Park. Then be sure to take photos in front of the giant colorful roosters. To find all the hidden gems and neighborhood favorites, explore Little Havana via a walking tour or a food-tasting tour.”

Dining in Little Havana with Kids

Gunn recommends sampling Cuban fare with in Little Havana. She says, “There are plenty of places to get a light bite in Little Havana, like empanadas or a pressed Cuban sandwich. Look for Los Pinareños, a produce stand where you can sip all sorts of fresh fruit juices or get coconut water from a coconut they slice open right in front of you.

For a sit-down lunch or dinner, try Old’s Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina. With its dark wood, ceiling fans, and antique-style hanging lamps — it’s exactly what you want a Cuban café to look like. Sit inside or on the airy back porch. Tuck into Cuban classics like media noche sandwiches, ropa vieja (slow-cooked beef), and potato croquettes with ham or salt cod. Wash it all down with a mojito, fresh fruit daiquiri, or Cuba libré.

After your meal, look for the towering ice cream cone above Azucar Ice Cream Factory. Why not try Cuban flavors like sugar cane & pineapple, mamey fruit, or sweet plantain? Familiar flavors like vanilla and salted caramel are available as well.”

7. Everglades Airboat Tour

Airboat tours provide an entertaining and educational way for families to experience the unique Florida Everglades landscape. Debbie Fettback from WorldAdventurists.com says, “With speeds up to 40 miles per hour while ripping along sawgrass, going on an Everglades airboat ride is a fast and adventurous experience that your family won’t soon forget. Kids and adults alike will find an airboat tour just as thrilling as an amusement park ride, though this ride lasts longer.”

The Florida Everglades is the only ecosystem in the world where crocodiles and alligators live together, so you may get a chance to see one or both of these species during your tour. Airboat captains will stop the ride when they spot one of these amazing creatures. Fettback says, “Gliding through shallow and narrow waterways, you are treated to an up-close view of nature, with an excellent chance to see exciting wildlife like gators.” She continues, “Airboat captains are experts in the area and are full of knowledge to share.” 

Fettback suggests reserving your Everglades airboat tour in advance to avoid waiting in line. There are several airboat companies to choose from in Miami including Everglades River of Grass Adventures, Miami Airboat Tours, Miami Beach Airboat, and Gator Park.

8. Miami Children’s Museum

Parents of young kids will want to include a trip to the Miami Children’s Museum in their South Florida vacation itinerary. Created specifically for ages 12 and younger, hands-on exhibits explore such topics as music, green living, pets, art, construction, and more. Miami is home to a major cruise port so climb aboard the museum’s Cruise Ship exhibit, where kids are encouraged to build their own ship from LEGO bricks, learn fun facts about sea life, and pretend to captain a ship. In the Port of Miami space, kids pilot remote control boats and discover how ports operate.

Meanwhile, the South Florida and Me gallery is a mellow space created specifically for children with autism, developmental delays, and other specific needs. This exhibit highlights the wonders of Miami and surrounding communities. According to the Miami Children’s Museum, this is where families can, “Jump aboard a ship to go fishing, enjoy whale watching with our interactive projections, make music with our new Octo-pipe and Manta Ray xylophone musical stations. Explore the magic and the importance of the Everglades with a new area featuring an alligator light table, lady bug hug, large nest play area with eggs and a wooden walkway with nature sounds from the river of grass.”

9. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

The decadent Vizcaya Museum reminds me of the fictional Great Gatsby house surrounded by the gardens of Versailles! It was built in the Gilded Age between 1914 and 1922 by James Deering, founder of International Harvester. ⁣

My teenage daughter and I love exploring old mansions and palaces, and this is one of the most extravagant we’ve ever seen. The 70-room interior is filled with sumptuous original furnishings. Set on 10 acres on Biscayne Bay, the grounds go on and on with lots of secret little gardens, fountains, an elaborate boat launch, and even a hedge maze. 

10. Kayak with Manatees

“One of the best things to do in Miami with kids is get up close and personal with manatees,” says Vicky Sosa of Buddy The Traveling Monkey. She explains, “Just a few minutes from downtown Miami is the small island of Virginia Key where you can go kayaking with manatees. Rent kayaks and go out on your own or take a tour with Virginia Key Outdoor Center. They also provide all safety equipment needed.

The manatees like to hang out in a small lagoon near where you’ll launch your kayaks, so you don’t have to paddle far to see them. It’s always exciting to see them come up for air and then dive down again. Of course, you should try not to disturb them by making too much noise or moving too quickly. Most of the time you can just float in the water watching these surprisingly graceful animals.”

Want to get in the water and swim with these gentle ocean mammals? You can do that, too! Read about how you can swim with manatees in Florida.

11. Miami Seaquarium

For more marine life fun, head to Miami Seaquarium. Founded in 1955, it is one of the oldest oceanariums in the U.S. Animals from both land and sea make their homes here including flamingoes, sharks, stingrays, penguins, sea turtles, fish of all sorts, and more.

Budget Travel Buff‘s Trijit Mallick says, “If you are looking for fun things to do in Miami with kids, then Miami Seaquarium is perfect for you. There is no shortage of marine life at this popular attraction. With shows starring dolphins, sea lions, and orcas — all ages will enjoy a visit to this marine park. The animals are well-trained and the workers are very professional. There are plenty of food options and a gift shop, too.” To save money, Mallick recommends looking for discounted tickets available through Groupon before you go.

12. Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)

Located right next door to the Frost Museum, the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) makes a good addition to your Miami vacation, especially for art lovers. Kenny Chow with Knycx Journeying says, “Founded in 1984, PAMM is Florida’s most prestigious modern and contemporary art museum. The building itself is a sleek and modern example of architecture and its large-scale installation art pieces are of interest to viewers of all ages and backgrounds. It has a permanent collection of over 1,800 artworks, including renowned artists like Kehinde Wiley, James Rosenquist, Purvis Young, Joseph Cornell, Frank Stella, and Kiki Smith.” In addition to showcasing artwork from around the U.S. and the world from the 20th and 21st centuries, Chow says, “The museum has made a great effort to support young and up-and-coming artists in the region.”

PAMM makes art interesting and accessible for young visitors. Stop at the visitor services desk to pick up a kids’ activity booklet filled with scavenger hunts, drawing activities, related games, and more. Parents can also use the museum’s family guide to engage with their children ages 3 to 11 via questions and activities. Admission is free on the second Saturday of every month when teaching artists lead tours and interactive art-making projects for all ages.

When you leave the museum, be sure to head toward the water to view the striking statue, Looking Into My Dreams, Awilda by Jaume Plensa. It’s just a minute’s walk away. You can’t miss this 39-foot creation, which overlooks the Port of Miami. (See below.)

13. Coral Castle Museum

Hand-carved from limestone over the course of 28 years, Coral Castle Museum is an intriguing rock sculpture garden. Ruby Escalona of A Journey We Love explains, “Coral Castle is a unique experience located off U.S. 1 near Florida City in Miami-Dade County. It is a great spot to stop when driving to the Keys or the Everglades from Miami. It was built by hand by an eccentric Latvian-American supposedly as an ode to his lost long-love who canceled their wedding the day before the event.” 

Although audio guides are available in English, French, German or Spanish — Escalona recommends participating in a live guided tour instead. She says, “Tour times vary, but guides provide more context to the sculptures and even invite you to touch and sit on some of the sculptures.”

Escalona continues, “While the attraction is better catered to older kids, little ones can use the open space to run around and climb up some of the sculptures. They do get a bit sharp so young children definitely need supervision.” Plan to spend about an hour exploring Coral Castle.

14. Skyviews MIAMI Wheel

Soak up the best views of Biscayne Bay and the city from the Skyviews MIAMI Wheel. This massive Ferris wheel is nearly 200-feet-tall and holds 42 glass-bottomed, climate-controlled gondolas. A spin on this observation wheel takes 12 to 15 minutes. Climb aboard your private gondola at the Bayside Marketplace, a waterfront open-air shopping and dining complex.

15. Miami Waterparks and Pools

Sometimes nothing beats a fabulous pool day, especially in Miami. Thankfully this city has plenty of splashy options to choose from.

Tidal Cove Waterpark

Located in Aventura, Tidal Cove Waterpark offers plenty of play for water lovers. Teens and big kids will dig seven waterslides, a lazy river, FlowRider, and more. Meanwhile, young children will enjoy the 4,000-square-foot Kids Cove emoji-themed water playscape with its huge splash bucket. This waterpark is located at the JW Marriott Turnberry Resort & Spa but day passes are available for purchase by non-guests.

The Venetian Pool

Built into a former coral rock quarry, the 820,000-gallon Venetian Pool in Coral Gables originally opened in 1924. It features caves, stone bridges, and waterfalls surrounded by rock outcroppings and palm trees. This unique swimming hole was added as the only pool to grace the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. Thankfully, it’s a public space so you can buy a pass to take a swim in the largest freshwater pool in the U.S. Children must be 38 inches tall or show proof that they are at least 3 years old to swim here.

Grapeland Waterpark

Those staying near the airport may want to plan a day at Grapeland Waterpark, a community pool that offers much more than just swimming lanes. Think pirate-themed features like a lazy river, waterslides, splash pads, and more.

Hilton Aventura Miami

When looking for a hotel, one of the first features I consider is its pool. This is especially true when visiting a sunny location like Miami. My family adored the swanky rooftop pool at Hilton Aventura Miami. There’s nothing more alluring than a dip in a refreshing pool like this after a busy day of exploring. Poolside drinks are available for purchase as are plush cabanas. Plus, this hotel boasts a gorgeous lobby bar with live music on weekends, the elegant and creative Gala Restaurant, and outstanding service. Given the luxury atmosphere and amenities here, the price tag is surprisingly reasonable, too.

Read more about Hilton Aventura Miami on Hotels.com and take a look at additional hotels with pools in Miami.

Explore More of Florida

For even more things to do in Miami with kids, read these tips from Visit Florida.

Explore Miami’s neighbor, Fort Lauderdale. Discover the best Fort Lauderdale family activities.

Considering the Florida Keys? Take a look at this list of 21 fun things to do at Hawks Cay Resort.

Learn tips for visiting Disney World with teens.

Want to know where else to take the kids in Florida? Check out the best Florida family vacation destinations that both parents and children love!

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Which of these kid-friendly Miami activities appeal most to you? Let us know in the comments below!

A Note from The Travel Mama: My family’s accommodations and some of our activities and meals were discounted or comped during our Miami family vacation. I will receive monetary compensation related to this blog post. All opinions that I expressed in this story are mine, as always!

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