Porcupine at Jungle Island, Miami
Miami Family Attractions
Miami Seaquarium
DESCRIPTION: Established in 1995 on 38 acres of the man-enhanced on 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 Adults, $27 Ages 2-9, Free age 2 and under
DAYS & HOURS: Last shows begin at 2:30p
ADDRESS: 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL MAP
PARKING: $8 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; outdoor Wildlife Center rehabilitates injured animals; includes a museum store. Via magnanimous philanthropy of the Frost family, the museum is being re-imagined 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, dramatic use of space in exhibition wings, cafes, fountains and swimming pools for a total effect that uniquely stands out, while complimenting the architecture of nearby Perez Art Museum of Miami, AmericanAirlines Arena and Arsht Center for Performing Arts.
ADMISSION: $20 Adults, $18 Age 62+ and Students w/ID, $13 Age 3-12
DAYS & HOURS: daily 10a-6p
ADDRESS: 3280 South Miami Avenue, Miami, FL MAP
PHONE: 305-646-4200
WEBSITE: http://www.miamisci.org
Parrot 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 Miami-Vice TV program. You expect the many varieties of parrots, but its 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 Ages 11-64, Age 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: on premises, fee-based
PHONE: 305-400-7000
WEBSITE: http://www.parrotjungle.com
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, 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 a cage-less settings that approximates natural habitats and gives the visitor the feeling of embarking on an international safari; interactive exhibits for kids; tour areas that featured 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
AmericanAirlines Arena
DESCRIPTION: Designed by world famous architecture firm Arquitectonica, this arena opened on New Year’s Eve 1999. Overlooking Biscayne Bay with 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 3 NBA championships since 2006. Among its many first-rate fan amenities, the video scoreboard changes colors depending on the atmosphere. Post-events often spillover to 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
Marlins Park
DESCRIPTION: Many Super Bowls, Miami Dolphin NFL and Miami Hurricanes college football games were played on this hallowed Orange Bowl ground before moving to Landshark Stadium in 2012; now the Miami Marlins baseball team play in this contemporary park 2 miles west of Downtown Miami. Having only 37,000 seats and dramatic vistas, fans love the intimate feel of the park. The retractable roof comes in handy for many rainy days too
ADDRESS: 501 Marlins Way, Miami, FL MAP
PARKING: onsite $15-$35
PHONE: 877-411-2012
WEBSITE: http://mlb.mlb.com/mia/ballpark
Sun Life 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 1pm kickoff from 17% of patrons in 2015 Season to 92% of patrons in 2016 Season. 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 game day
PHONE: tickets 305-573-TEAM
WEBSITE: http://www.sunlifestadium.com
Venetian Pool
DESCRIPTION: In a residential neighborhood behind pastel stucco walls and wrought iron gates, lies a unique pool listed on the National Register of Historic Places 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, Spanish fountain, three-story observation towers and cascading waterfalls that spill into a lagoon with coral rock caves; many city residents swim him daily
ADMISSION: $12 Age 13+, $8 Age -3-12; Children under 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
DAYS & HOURS: daily 9a-6p
ADMISSION: $23 Adults, $15 Children $8 includes airboat ride; $5-$7 less without he airboat ride
ADDRESS: 40351 SW 192nd Avenue, Homestead, FL MAP
PARKING: Free on premises
PHONE: 305-247-2628
WEBSITE: http://www.everglades.com
