Many adults visit Miami for the beaches and the nightlife, but did you know Miami is also a great place to take your family on vacation?
Not only can your kids enjoy Miami’s gorgeous beaches, but there are plenty of other places to take them where they’ll have a great time.
Things to Do in Miami With Kids
#1 Puttshack
Your kids may not have a good time on a typical miniature golf course, but they will love the courses at Puttshack.
The 27,000-square-foot venue overlooks the Miami cityscape and is the world’s only tech-infused mini-golf course.
The two-story building houses three mini-golf courses, including the Sapphire Course on the first floor and the Ruby Course, and the Emerald Course on the second floor.
There are dining areas on each floor where your family can enjoy a meal and a bar on each floor for the adults to enjoy while the kids are off playing.
You can also have a seat on the rooftop terrace with amazing views of the city.
The Puttshack is a great place to take the kids during the day, and your family must leave at 8 pm because the location is only open to people over 21 after 8 pm.
#2 Venetian Pool
If you don’t want to visit a crowded beach, the Venetian Pool is a great alternative.
It is one of the most beautiful swimming pools in the world and is surrounded by tropical foliage.
The pool has gorgeous waterfalls and Italian architectural touches, making this freshwater pool a great way to spend the day.
There is a shallow pool for younger kids and a kid’s grotto that will provide hours of fun.
There’s also an on-site cafe where your kids can eat pizza, french fries, ice cream, and many other types of food your kids will love.
If your kids don’t like the salt water, sun, and crowds at Miami’s beaches, the Venetian Pool is an excellent alternative.
#3 Zoo Miami
Zoo Miami is an attraction that must be included in your family vacation itinerary.
The zoo is located on 750 acres and has four miles of walkways.
If your kids love animals, they’ll enjoy seeing the 2,500 animals that represent nearly 400 different species.
Your family can choose between the VIP tour and the tram tour.
If you choose the VIP tour, your family will ride around the zoo in a golf cart for two hours, and you’ll have your own personal guide.
The VIP tour costs $99.95 plus tax per person, and this includes a food voucher and a souvenir cup.
Also, there are two VIP tours daily, one starting at 10:30 am and one starting at 1:30 pm.
The tram tour is a 45-minute ride through Asia and Africa, with a narrator providing information about the animals your family will see.
The tram tour is a relaxing and entertaining experience that your kids will love.
Tram tours aren’t available during the week, and you can take a tram tour during the weekend at 12 pm, 1 pm, or 2 pm.
If your kids have a favorite animal, they may be able to see it up close and personal during one of the zoo’s animal encounters, including:
- Black Bear Encounter
- Rhino Encounter
- Pygmy Hippo Encounter
- Tortoise Encounter
You can spend a whole day at the Zoo Miami, and it’s something your kids will never forget.
#4 Tidal Cove
If your kids love water parks, you must take them to Tidal Cove.
It’s one of Miami’s top waterparks, and there are fun things to do for kids of all ages.
The top attractions at Tidal Cove include:
- Aqua Drop: The Aqua Drop is great for anyone who loves an adrenaline rush. The second the door opens, you do an almost-vertical drop, which can be exciting and terrifying all at the same time.
- Constrictor: This inner tube slide consists of tight, high-banking turns and is excellent for anyone who feels like they will come flying off the slide, and your kids will love the excitement and the adrenaline rush.
- Boomerang: This is one of the park’s original waterslides. You’ll experience a steep drop that sends you to a near-vertical wall for a moment, where you feel weightless. Before you can think, you’ll drop back down to the splash pool.
- Master Blaster: This waterslide allows you to defy gravity and is the world’s first uphill waterslide. The slide powers you through the dips and drops and is one of the park’s scariest and most exciting rides.
- Lazy River: When your kids get tired of the excitement of the waterslides, they’ll love a ride on the lazy river. The river is winding and relaxing, and your family will enjoy colorful tropical landscapes that make the ride more relaxing.
- Laguna Pool: This pool is a great place to lay out in the sun while your kids swim and have a wonderful time.
- Oasis Pool: If you want to be comfortable while watching your kids swim, the Oasis Pool has cabanas that provide shade and allow you to get comfortable so you can relax while the kids play.
- Kids Cove: If you have young children, they will love the Kids Cove. The Kids Cove has an emoji theme and spans 4,000 square feet. Kids Cove has small slides that younger children can handle, games, ice cream tip buckets, and many other things that your younger kids will love.
#5 Miami Seaquarium
Miami Seaquarium is the best aquarium in South Florida, and it’s a must-see attraction during your family’s trip to Miami.
Your kids will enjoy the exhibits and presentations and the animal encounters.
Attractions that you shouldn’t miss out on include:
- Dolphin Interactions: This attraction lets your kids get into the water with dolphins and swim with them. There are a few options to choose from, such as the Royal Swim, which allows your kids to ride on two dolphins. The Dolphin Odyssey offers a deep water ride with a dolphin, and the Meet a Dolphin lets your kids get close to the dolphins without having to go in the water. Your family can also get close to seals, penguins, sharks, and rays.
- SeaTrek: This is a great attraction for kids ten and older and allows your family to walk underwater through a 300,000-gallon tropical reef. The aquarium’s state-of-the-art dive helmets will enable you to breathe freely while taking the 25-minute journey through the reef. You’ll encounter sting rays, tropical fish, and many unique sea creatures. This attraction is something your kids will never forget.
#6 Everglade Alligator Farm
The Everglade Alligator Farm is a great place to take the kids, and they’ll be perfectly safe.
This attraction allows kids to learn about alligators and have interactive experiences.
The farm’s must-see options include:
- Airboat rides: Many people will never get a chance to ride in an airboat, and this attraction will give your family a chance. The airboat rides are 20 to 25 minutes long and allow your kids to experience the Everglades for themselves. You can also book a private airboat tour for up to 25 people, and an expert will teach you all about the wildlife in the Everglades.
- Alligator feeding: If you’re at the farm during the alligator’s feeding time, you can watch them eat as they do in the wild. There are over 500 alligators in the breeding pond area, and feeding time is something your family will never forget.
- Alligator encounters: This attraction will allow your kids to get up close and personal with alligators. Your kids can hold baby alligators, crocodiles, and alligators that are three feet long. The alligators available to hold are tame, so you won’t have to worry about your kids losing an arm.
Miami Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Miami Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Miami a safe place to visit?
Yes, Miami is a safe place for families if you book a hotel in a safe area.
As long as you pay attention to your surroundings, your trip to Miami will be fun and safe.
Why is Miami a better family vacation spot than Orlando?
Orlando is home to Disney World, Universal Studios, and more, but you may find Miami a better place to visit.
Miami is a less expensive city than Orlando, and the attractions cost less.
This will allow you to have a great time on a smaller budget or use your money to see and do more things during your vacation.
Also, there are more dining options in Miami, so you can find something that the pickiest eaters will love.
What's the best time of year to visit Miami?
If weather is a consideration, you should take your family vacation in the spring or winter.
Miami is very hot and humid during summer, and rainfall can ruin your vacation.
If you’re worried about crowds, avoid taking a family vacation during the holiday season and school vacations.
Miami is very crowded during these times of the year, and you’ll have to deal with long lines at every attraction you visit.
The optimal times to visit are between March and May.
What's the best way to get around in Miami?
Most Miami attractions are spread out, so renting a car is the best way to get around.
You can take public transportation, but this will require several transfers, so getting to the attractions your kids want to visit will take much longer.
There are plenty of car rental companies at the Miami International Airport, which is very convenient for you.
