Miami Beach, Florida, might be known as the glamorous party spot for the rich and famous and its risque beaches and rigorous nightlife, but it is still a family friendly vacation destination. With kid-friendly beaches, fabulous parks offering numerous outdoor recreational activities and exciting indoor venues including ice-skating and bowling, there are plenty of things to do in Miami Beach to keep the kids more than occupied and the parents extremely happy.
Beach It
Miami Beach is certainly the spot to be to experience some of the world's finest beaches. Although South Beach might not be one of the best public beaches for kids, Haulover Park, also located on Collins Avenue, is an excellent choice.
Nestled between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, Haulover Park boasts pristine white-sand shores with landscaped sand dunes, open ocean surf perfect for surfing and swimming and various shaded picnic areas.
Parents can rest easy as well-trained lifeguards guard the entire beach. The park also offers concession stands, and a family 9-hole golf course and tennis courts are located across the street.
Get Chilly
It is possible to get chilly in Miami Beach. Pay a visit to the Scott Rakow Youth Center, located on Sheridan Avenue, and take the kids ice-skating.
Operated by the City of Miami Beach Department of Parks and Recreation, the center offers public ice-skating sessions on its state-of-the-art 12,885-square-foot ice-skating rink at selected times on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Skate rentals are available.
The youth center also features a swimming pool and aquatics programs, a bowling alley and basketball courts.
Kayak and Learn
Spend an entire day with the kids at Crandon Park located on the idyllic barrier island of Key Biscayne, just 12 miles south of Miami Beach. Begin by exploring the various ecosystems of this Key including the dunes and mangroves, and observe wildlife including herons, ospreys and many brilliantly colored butterflies.
Spend some time with the kids on Crandon Park's pristine 2-mile beach, which is consistently named among the Top 10 beaches in the nation. Rent kayaks at the North Concession area and explore either Biscayne Bay or the Atlantic Ocean.
The beach at Crandon Park is heavily patrolled by lifeguards and is famous for its lagoon-style calm waters thanks to a large offshore sandbar. The park is open daily.
Fun On The Ocean
Experience Biscayne Bay from the water on one of Ocean Force Adventures' Zodiac rigid-hulled inflatable boats. These speedy watercraft hold a maximum of six people, making this Miami Beach water tour perfect for families and small groups.
Kids will love flying along the water's surface while glimpsing a sight of dolphins, manatees and sharks. The 2-hour excursion features a 40-mile tour of the bay and coastal waters with knowledgeable guides that will share the history of the Port of Miami, the Cape Florida Lighthouse and the Miami River. Tours depart daily from the Miami Beach Marina.
Go Biking And Fishing
Pack the bikes and fishing gear and head a few miles north to Oleta River State Park in North Miami. The park is famous for its miles of off-road bicycling trails, ranging from novice trails to more challenging trails for experienced cyclists.
Enjoy a family bike ride through mangrove forests on the 10 miles of intermediate trails, or opt for the more sedate 4 miles of novice trails through less rugged terrain. The park also features a 3-mile-long paved bike path.
Fishing is prevalent in two areas of the park--either from the fishing pier or from the shores of the park along the Intracoastal Waterway.
Other amenities at the park include kayak rentals, a large sandy beach, picnic and barbecue facilities, hiking trails and overnight cabin rentals. Oleta River State Park is open daily.
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