A charming capuchin monkey at Jungle Island, Miami; (c) Jungle Island
Miami Family Attractions
Miami Seaquarium
DESCRIPTION: Established in 1995 on 38 acres of the man-enhanced Virginia Key, this venue is the home of Lolita, the Killer Whale, and Flipper, the trained dolphin. Enjoy hours of fun with well-choreographed antics by sea lions, dolphins, stingrays, and whales doing remarkable feats. You can also put on a wet suit to enter Flipper Lagoon for a friendly encounter with very intelligent dolphins. Speaking of dolphins, the park became famous from 1963-67, when episodes of the Flipper TV show and movies were filmed here. Eight major performances with big marine mammals are not the entire show. See crocodiles and indigenous tropical fish in large habitats that can never be replicated at home.
ADMISSION: $36 for adults, $27 for ages 2-9, and Free for ages 2 and under
DAYS & HOURS: Last shows begin at 2:30p
ADDRESS: 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL MAP
PARKING: Small fee, on-premises
PHONE: 305-361-5705
WEBSITE: http://www.miamiseaquarium.com
Frost Museum of Science
DESCRIPTION: Stimulate young minds and have fun watching robotic dinosaurs conjure up past millennia; features national shows and hands-on exhibits that illustrate the principles of physics, electricity, light, and sound. Discover a rare collection of natural history treasures from the region; the outdoor Wildlife Center rehabilitates injured animals and includes a museum store. Via the magnanimous philanthropy of the Frost family, the museum is being rebuilt & relocated with eye-popping architectural design in Museum Park. 250,000 square foot Frost Museum of Science includes a 600,000-gallon aquarium atrium, full-dome 3-D planetarium, and dramatic use of space in exhibition wings, cafes, fountains, and swimming pools for a total effect that uniquely stands out. This fantastic venue complements the architecture of the nearby Perez Art Museum Miami, Kaseya Center, and Adrienne-Arsht Center for Performing Arts.
ADMISSION: $20 for adults, $18 for age 62+, and Students w/ID, $13 Age 3-12
DAYS & HOURS: daily 10a-6p
PARKING: Small fee, on-premises
ADDRESS: 3280 South Miami Avenue, Miami, FL MAP
PHONE: 305-646-4200
WEBSITE: http://www.miamisci.org
Jungle Island
DESCRIPTION: This theme park combines some of the globe’s most exotic animals with a contemporary theme park. Two of its claims to fame are the largest crocodile in the New World and the flamingos in the popular 1980s Miami Vice TV program. You expect the many varieties of parrots, but it’s also home to playful baby orangutans, tigers, snakes, and three animal shows. The winding waterfront trails feature gorgeous and unusual flora, including the African Sausage Tree; plenty of concession stands, and a restaurant.
ADMISSION: $30 for ages 11-64, ages 65+ $28, Ages 3-10, Free Age 2 and under
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 10a-5p, Sat 10a-6p
ADDRESS: 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, FL MAP
PARKING: feel on-premises
PHONE: 305-400-7000
WEBSITE: http://www.parrotjungle.com
Luminosa
DESCRIPTION: This multi-sensory theme park features over 1000 LED lights in 100 stunning lamps, meticulously crafted by 150 artisans using 150,000 feet of silk, and live performances. It transforms a portion of old Jungle Island into an immersive wonderland. Each sub-theme is designed around a fair tale. Families experience a kaleidoscope of photo ops, tasty food, and so much more at this light festival.
ADMISSION: $20-30 each or family bundle pricing
DAYS & HOURS: Sun-Thu 5:30p-9:30p, Fri-Sat 5:30p-10:30p
ADDRESS: 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, FL MAP
PARKING: fee, on-premises
PHONE: 305-400-7000
WEBSITE: https://luminosamiami.com/miami/
Families mesmerized by Gulfstream Aquarium inside the Frost Museum of Science; (c) Greater Miami CVB
Miami Childrens Museum
DESCRIPTION: Though founded in 1983, the museum opened this building in 2003 with state-of-the-art exhibits; visitors of all ages are encouraged to play together, learn, imagine, and create at this 56,500 square-foot facility; 12 galleries, classrooms, parent/teacher resource center, Kid Smart educational gift shop, a 200-seat auditorium, and a restaurant let you make an afternoon or day of it; offers hundreds of bilingual, interactive exhibits and programs related to arts, culture, community, and communication.
ADMISSION: $15 General, Free 1 and under
DAYS & HOURS: daily 10a-6p
ADDRESS: 980 MacArthur Causeway, Miami, FL MAP
PARKING: on-premises at Watson Island
PHONE: 305-373-5437
WEBSITE: http://www.miamichildrensmuseum.org
Miami Metrozoo
DESCRIPTION: A marvel among the handful of tropical zoos in America; houses more than 1,300 wild animals in cage-less settings that approximate natural habitats and give the visitor the feeling of embarking on an international safari; interactive exhibits for kids; tour areas that feature endangered animals in a natural environment; Amazon & Beyond, is one of the world’s most comprehensive tropical exhibits with jaguars, anacondas, giant river otters, harpy eagles, and sting ray touch tanks.
ADMISSION: Adults $16, Ages 3-12 $13
DAYS & HOURS: daily 9:30a-5:30p
ADDRESS: 12400 SW 152nd Street, Miami, FL MAP
PARKING: Free, on-premises
PHONE: 305-251-0400
WEBSITE: http://www.miamimetrozoo.com
Kaseya Center
DESCRIPTION: Originally named American Airlines Arena, the venue has more name changes than a CIA Black Ops agent. It was designed by world-famous architecture firm Arquitectonica, this arena opened on New Year’s Eve 1999. Overlooking Biscayne Bay with several landmark skyscrapers set behind it, this beloved 20,000-seat arena hosts basketball, concerts, and special events. Miami Heat fans enter with the pride of having won 3 NBA championships since 2006. Among its many first-rate amenities, the video scoreboard changes colors depending on the atmosphere. A Miami Heat Store onsite is well-stocked for fan gifts. Post-events often spill over to Maurice Ferre Park or Bayside Marketplace next door, since no additional parking fee is required.
ADDRESS: 601 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL MAP
TRANSIT: Metromover Bayside Station
PARKING: Underground parking garage
PHONE: 786-777-1000
WEBSITE: http://www.aaarena.com
Maurice Ferre Park
DESCRIPTION: This 21-acre park is the longest waterfront promenade in Miami. It is bordered on the north by Frost Museum and Perez Art Museum Miami, on the south by Kayesa Center, on the west by Biscayne Boulevards’s modern skyscrapers, and on the east by Biscayne Bay. Over the years it has been enhanced with palm trees & paths for walking & jogging. The paths are framed with ample open areas for picnics, movie nights, and other large events. Enjoy views of cruise ships at PortMiami and modern art installations sprinkled along the Museum Park Circuit. The park also features a monument that honors the Spanish Navy that arrived in the Americas in 1492.
ADDRESS: 1075 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL MAP
TRANSIT: Metromover Bayside Station nearby
PARKING: parking garage nearby
PHONE: 305-358-7550
WEBSITE: https://www.miami.gov/Parks-Public-Places/Parks-Directory/Maurice-A.-Ferré-Park
Aerial view of Maurice Ferre Park on Miami waterfront; (c) felixmizioznikov-iS
LoanDepot Park
DESCRIPTION: Many Super Bowls, Miami Dolphin NFL, and Miami Hurricanes college football games were played on this Orange Bowl ground before moving to Landshark Stadium in 2012. Now the Miami Marlins MLB team plays in this contemporary park 2 miles west of downtown Miami. The stadium name has changed to LoanDepot Park. Having only 37,000 seats and dramatic vistas, fans love the intimate feel of the park. The retractable roof comes in handy for rainy days.
ADDRESS: 501 Marlins Way, Miami, FL MAP
PARKING: on-premises
PHONE: 877-411-2012
WEBSITE: https://www.mlb.com/marlins/ballpark
Hard Rock Stadium
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 1987, the 76,000-seat open-air stadium has undergone several name changes and upgrades. The makeover from 2014-16 however, vaults it into the pantheon of greatest sports venues. Though seating has been reduced to 65,300, sight lines have been optimized for Miami Dolphin and University of Miami football games by moving sideline seating 24 feet closer to the field. For soccer and concerts, the field is even closer. The VIP suites have more immaculate amenities. There are more club seats, terrace seats, lounges, gourmet restaurants, and restrooms served by wider concourses for ease of movement. A new canopy over the stadium will allow sunlight to keep natural grass while increasing shade during early kickoffs. Four humongous High-Definition Video boards will also be placed in each corner of the stadium for ease of viewing by all fans.
ADDRESS: 347 Don Shula Drive, Miami Gardens, FL MAP
PARKING: $25 on game day
PHONE: tickets 305-573-TEAM
WEBSITE: https://www.hardrockstadium.com
Venetian Pool
DESCRIPTION: In a residential neighborhood of pastel-colored stucco walls and wrought iron gates, lies a unique pool listed on the National Register of Historic Places that is far more than a swimming pool. It’s the only swimming pool with 820,000 gallons of spring fresh water, vine-covered loggias, shady porticoes, a Spanish fountain, three-story observation towers, and cascading waterfalls that spill into a lagoon with coral rock caves. Many residents swim here daily and visitors are welcome.
ADMISSION: $12 for ages 13+, $8 for ages 3-12; children under age 3 are NOT permitted
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Fri 11a-5:30p, Sat-Sun 10a-4:30p; longer Summer hours
ADDRESS: 2701 De Soto Boulevard, Coral Gables, FL MAP
PARKING: Free on-premises
PHONE: 305-460-5306
WEBSITE: http://www.venetianpool.com
Everglades Alligator Farm
DESCRIPTION: Airboat tour and live shows every hour featuring large alligators and beefy wrestlers. You might be startled by some of the alligator wrangling.
DAYS & HOURS: daily 9a-6p
ADMISSION: $23 for adults, $15 for children + $8 includes an airboat ride.
ADDRESS: 40351 SW 192nd Avenue, Homestead, FL MAP
PARKING: Free on-premises
PHONE: 305-247-2628
WEBSITE: http://www.everglades.com