Why Is South Florida Worth Visiting as a Family?
Before we go through all the things to do as family in South Florida, let’s see what’s great about it. Why is it a good destination for families? It’s the combination of beaches, kid-friendly activities, family-run businesses and picture-perfect weather that makes South Florida such a crowd-pleaser.
When you plan a vacation, it can be difficult to find activities that will please everyone in your family. In South Florida, there are plenty of places to visit to make sure that everyone has a great time. For sports enthusiasts, there are professional baseball games, soccer games and basketball games. If you enjoy wildlife experiences, you can take the kids to go swimming with the dolphins, manatees or sea turtles. Or, rent a kayak and have fun on the water.
Some of the most memorable moments of your trip will come when you’re exploring South Florida’s local culture – a vibrant part of the region’s identity. Take some time to stroll through the locally owned boutiques and gift shops or visit one of the farmers’ markets to sample some fresh fruit or veggies grown right in Florida. Your trip will be something to remember!
Things to Do with Kids in South Florida – Miami
Miami is a great place for families. With its warm weather and gorgeous beaches, it’s hard to find a better destination than Miami. While the city has a reputation as an adults-only playground, there are plenty of things to do in Miami as a family. For example, you could spend an afternoon on the Miami Beach or South Beach, or relax in a lazy river at one of the many water parks in the city. If you’re looking for specific attractions, here are our picks.
The Jungle Island
The Jungle Island (formerly Parrot Jungle) is one of the most popular attractions in Miami. This park is home to exotic animals, including tigers and parrots. Today, it offers zip lines, escape rooms, an outdoor wind flight tunnel experience, and more exhilarating activities.
The Zoo Miami
Another can’t-miss activity in Miami is a visit to the Zoo Miami. This zoo is home to over 500 species of animals, making it one of the largest zoos in the country. The Zoo Miami is also unique because it’s located in a subtropical climate, so you can see animals that you wouldn’t normally find in a zoo.
Miami Children’s Museum
The Miami Children’s Museum is one of the best-rated children’s museums anywhere, and it offers interactive exhibits like a two-story sandcastle, a grocery store where kids can pretend to shop, an imaginary boat ride for toddlers, and much more. It’s definitely worth checking out.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Another fantastic place to take the kids is the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, which features several attractions that you’ll love as much as they do. From the Rainforest Exhibit (which has a treehouse!) and a butterfly conservatory to a tram tour and a delicious café, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy for an entire day. It might even get your little ones interested in botany!
HistoryMiami Museum
The HistoryMiami Museum also offers a great learning experience for kids. This museum covers both Florida history and more general American history topics. One of the best parts about this museum is that it allows visitors to get up close and personal with artifacts from the past. Kids can touch artifacts like old fishing boats or replicas of historical weapons from the Seminole Wars.
Things to Do as Family in South Florida – Fort Lauderdale and Nearby
Fort Lauderdale is home to some of the best things to do as family in South Florida. With over 300 miles of navigable waterways, there’s plenty of opportunity to get out on a boat and explore. Or, take advantage of the area’s many parks and nature trails – perfect for a day of picnicking or bird watching. The beaches and water parks are waiting!
Museum of Discovery and Science
This museum is a great place to learn about the many things that make Florida such a special place. With interactive exhibits, a planetarium and an IMAX theater, there’s something for everyone at the Museum of Discovery and Science. Check out their website to browse through the programs and find something for yourself and your little ones!
Butterfly World
Located in Pompano Beach about 30 minutes from Fort Lauderdale, Butterfly World is an unforgettable experience for the whole family. Come face-to-face with some of nature’s most beautiful creatures at the first butterfly park ever built in the United States – and the largest butterfly exhibit in the world! It features over 80 species of butterflies (20,000 individual butterflies) as well as birds like lorikeets, flamingos, and parrots.
Things to Do as Family in South Florida – Other Attractions
For an exotic adventure right here in Florida, take a trip to Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee. This drive-through safari park is home to more than 900 animals from six continents who roam free while you drive past in your car. The park has also added a walk-through section called Safari World, which features lemurs, kangaroos, and many birds like flamingos and toucans.
Older kids will love John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, the first underwater park in the United States. Here, they can take a glass-bottom boat tour or go snorkeling or scuba diving to see the beautiful coral reef and marine life up close.
No trip to South Florida would be complete without a visit to the Everglades National Park. This massive park is home to many animals like alligators, snakes, and birds. You can explore the park by foot, bike, or boat and even take an airboat tour for a truly unique experience.
We’ve described our favorite attractions in South Florida to visit as a family, but there are many more. Some other places to consider are:
- The Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West;
- Biscayne National Park;
- Sun-N-Fun Lagoon in Naples;
- Flamingo Gardens in Davie.
Enjoy the Beaches and More on Your Family Trip to South Florida
These are just a few of the things to do as family in South Florida. It’s impossible to list them all, but we hope this gives you a good starting point for your trip. Whatever you end up doing, we’re sure you’ll have a great time!
Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments below what your favorite things to do as family in South Florida are!
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