By Dante Lima
Miami is the go-to symbol for Florida fun. <!–more–>The problem is, most of the time that fun is depicted as “adult” fun. We see the sun-tanned bodies on the beaches, the flashy nightclubs, high-end dining. We see the alcohol and the partying that aren’t exactly family friendly unless your family’s last name happens to be Kardashian.
But there is another side of Miami that many of us do not think about. There’s the side that brings thousands of families to Miami every year for the fun attractions and sunshine. Now that the Gainesville Regional Airport is offering affordable non-stop flights to Miami International Airport, it makes Miami a great option for a weekend getaway the whole family can enjoy.
Hotels
We recommend that you stay at one of a few child friendly hotels. The first is the Wyndham Miami Beach Resort, where kids stay free. At the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, kids also stay free and are offered a complimentary gift, access to a game and video library and have the opportunity to participate in supervised activities. At the Ocean Point Beach Resort & Spa there are kayaks and paddleboats available for rent.
Activities
Kids love pools. And while chances are great the hotel you’ll be staying at has a pool, there’s a small chance it looks or feels anything like the Venetian Pool in the city of Coral Gables. Coral Gables, a small city located within the heart of Miami, is home to the University of Miami, the historic Biltmore hotel and the famous Venetian Pool. It’s one of the few places where old Miami flourishes and rich European style architecture gives you the sense that you’ve gone back in time.
The pool was built in 1923 out of a coral rock quarry and is fed from an underground aquifer. Its 820,000 gallons are drained and refilled daily to ensure that the water is as pure as possible. There are two lookout towers that give a great view of Coral Gables, two waterfalls, cave-like grottos and a bridge. It’s a one of a kind experience that’s open to the public daily. For rates and requirements please visit www.coralgables.com.
If your children are still up for some aquatic themed activities, your next stop could be at the Miami Seaquarium. The Miami Seaquarium is famous in South Florida for being the long time home of Flipper the bottlenose dolphin. While your kids these days may be a bit too young to remember Flipper on TV, they will no doubt be delighted by the show which features Flipper performing flips, spins, tail walks and jumps all narrated and choreographed to music. You even have the opportunity to swim with dolphins through the Seaquarium’s dolphin interaction programs. Guests can have a hands-on, educational experience with the majestic animals. First, you’ll learn about the mammals in a classroom and then put on a wet suit for the real thing. You’ll get a chance to hug, kiss a dolphin up close and even take a ride across the pool.
There are also dolphin and killer whale shows, sea lion shows and a stingray and crocodile exhibit. For the little ones curious to see the array of wildlife the Miami Seaquarium has to offer, the Tropical Reef Presentation is a 750,000 gallon aquarium teeming with colorful reef fishes of all sizes. Kids can watch as a diver hand feeds the fish. There are daily rates and group rates available for parties of 15 or more and the park is open 7 days a week. For more information on rates, shows and attractions visit www.miamiseaquarium.com.
The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, also located in Coral Gables, is a beautiful two-hour walk through some of the most lush, tropical scenery you’ll find in Florida. It’s the perfect place to take a short stroll with the family, admire some of the breathtaking floral landscape, chase some butterflies and have a picnic lunch. There are tram tours in case it gets too hot and there’s also a butterfly tour. Art exhibits are featured in the gardens depending on the time of the year at Fairchild, so keep that in mind if you’re planning a visit during your trip. This attraction certainly isn’t an all day outing, so it can easily fit in amongst your other plans.
Lastly, the Miami Children’s Museum offers an educational, interactive and mind nurturing experience for all. The Miami Children’s Museum is encourages visitors of all ages to play, learn, imagine and create.
The World Music Studio allows kids to play with instruments and sounds from across the globe and visit a recording studio. There’s a mock Port of Miami, which gives guests the chance to see what goes on at a real port from importing and exporting items to opening a gantry crane. Kids can climb through a two story sand castle and feel sands taken from all over the globe, learn how about veterinary medicine and how to care for their pets, learn good nutrition and healthy hygiene, navigate a cruise ship and learn about the Everglades all at the Miami Children’s Museum. It’s an educational alternative to the beach and especially handy if the weather turns sour. A museum might seem like a hard sell, but hop on the Miami Children’s museum website for a virtual tour. Once children see that a museum can be more than just art on a wall, booking a visit should be much easier. For information on traveling exhibits and rates visit www.miamichildrensmuseum.org.
Restaurants
Dave & Buster’s is a can’t-miss choice for family fun. The restaurant chain is famous nationwide for its eat & play promotions. One part of the restaurant is exactly that, a restaurant. Dave & Buster’s serves a wide array of American favorites that your kids are sure to love. The other part of the restaurant is a video arcade. After (or before) you’re done eating you and the kids can take your play cards and take your pick of the hundreds of games available, from air hockey to racing games. It’s food and nightly entertainment all in one place.
Swensen’s in Coral Gables is a full on American-style diner with burgers, fries and all the classics, but your kids will love the ice cream menu. That’s right, Swensen’s features an entire menu dedicated to ice cream sundaes. Choose from Caramel Turtle Fudge, Very Berry Shortcake, Hot Apple A La Mode, Peanut Butter Fudge Brownie and dozens more. They also serve classic diner-style milkshakes and malts and even smoothies. Put the cherry on top of a long, sun-soaked day with an ice cream sundae at Swensen’s.
Miami is as diverse a city as we have in Florida and there’s still much more to explore on your own. We encourage you to find the Miami attractions that play into your family’s interests and plan for as much variety as possible. When in doubt, ask locals for tips on where they spend time with their families. Reviews and guides are helpful, but sometimes the best advice comes from the people who know the town best. Happy travels!
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