Sun. Sand. Cuban food. South Beach?

If you’re brainstorming destinations for your upcoming family vacation, odds are Miami isn’t even on the list. Scantily clad south-beach, million dollar yachts, beach clubs and parties just aren’t going to work for you and the kids.

That tried and true family-friendly beach destination will just have to do. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

But where’s the adventure in that?

Why not spice things up this year … try something completely new, maybe even a bit crazy.

Have I got your travel planning cogs turning?

Good.

Because on the contrary to whatever you’ve seen, heard or just generally feel, Miami is a destination for so much more than the party-bound.

So much so, that it has a place in my Top 5 Must-See US Cities list, and possibly even lands the #1 spot.

Here’s what makes it so great (other than our grandparents living there!):

The rich Cuban culture
The tropical beaches
The international worthy architecture, art & design, and food

Good points, you think to yourself, but how is it going to work for you and the kids? Here’s how.

Miami offers everything an international trip would without ever stepping foot outside of the states. No anxiety over whether or not your kids will sleep on the long international flight. No long customs lines after the plane. No navigating language barriers, foreign logistics, currency and the like.

Just a flight to Florida, a rental car, and your stateside international experience awaits. Family-friendly and all.

Using this guide

First things first, a little background on the guide. I am a strong believer that in order to REALLY get to know a city, state, country, etc. you will need more than a day. This guide is not a way to promote daily, one-off, quick trips, but rather to give you an idea of how you could spend a day if you’re starting from scratch.

Based on your speed of travel, pick 1-3 options from each of the main categories below. For example, if you only have one full day in the city, you might need 1-3 restaurants, depending on whether your lodging provides breakfast or just how much of the delicious Cuban cuisine you want to try. Same goes with what to do. At the bottom of the guide, you will find additional info regarding how to get around and what to pack, which you can reference once you have your top picks narrowed down. Feel free to use this graphic while reading or after reading to plan out your day(s)!

A Family Friendly Travel Guide to Miami, Florida

WHAT TO DO

We don’t have children yet, but I’m a party-free, down to earth gal, so all of the things to do outlined below have been vetted and all pass as family-friendly. These things obviously don’t capture everything there is to do in Miami, but will be a great starting point for building out your trip.

WALK LITTLE HAVANA

Little Havana is a vibrant Cuban community, bustling with shops, restaurants, art galleries and even Domino Park. As you walk Little Havana, you’ll smell the Cuban coffee, hear the Cuban music and truly feel like you’ve stepped into another country altogether.

If the kids get weary on the walk, be sure to entice them with a stop at the Ice Cream parlor - you can’t miss the giant scoops and bright colored facade of Azucar.

SHOP AT BRICKELL CITY CENTER

Another great walk in the city is through Brickell City Center. Brickell is a four-level, multi-purpose, covered outdoor mall featuring high-end and mid-tier stores, restaurants and coffee shops. My two favorite eats are Dr. Smood (where my love of Matcha began) and Luna Park (three level space featuring all things Italian such as a mercado, cucina, bars and cooking classes).

This stop would be great for families with older teens / young adults that like to browse the shops. There’s also a movie theater within the center if you get desperate for a break!

A FAMILY FRIENDLY BEACH DAY AT KEY BISCAYNE

If you want to hit the sand and sun, but are wary of the thong-filled sands of South Beach, then Key Biscayne is for you. Key Biscayne, an island that used to be a coconut plantation, is now home to quaint neighborhoods and family filled beaches. Our go-to is Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, where you can access beautiful sandy shores, spot a lighthouse, grab lunch at a picnic table or even hop on the bicycle trails (perfect for biking or walking / we even came across a snake here once)! There’s an $8 parking fee and you can find hours and additional details here.

A QUICK STROLL THROUGH SOUTH BEACH

If you’re heading to Miami kids free, you should still check out South Beach. Even if you don’t plan on spending the day in the sand, you can walk the strip of 1920’s architecture and find a plethora of restaurants. Traffic getting to and from South Beach can get pretty backed up, so I wouldn’t recommend this with the kids unless you’re staying nearby (which you most likely won’t be).

WYNWOOD ART DISTRICT

Another great option if you’re kid free, or if you’ve got teens/young adults, is Wynwood Art District. Wynwood is famous for its colorful murals and the district is surrounded by fun breweries and art galleries - a great itinerary item if there’s an art lover in the family and or if you’re looking for a cool family photo opp.

WHERE TO EAT

Eating in Miami (or anywhere, honestly) is one of my favorite things to do. So much history and heritage goes into food and when eating your way through Miami you’ll not only taste the rich flavors of Cuban food, but also usually end up with a pretty great atmosphere and view.

Versailles: For the traditional Cuban food (order the Cuban coffee, Cuban sandwich, Plantains, or Ropa Vieja) - the space itself is huge and is great for families of any size.

La Camaronera: For the seafood and fish market (small on the inside, better for teens/young adults)

Casablanca: For lunch with a view. Choose to sit on the patio which overlooks the river for a super fun option for the kids. They can watch the boats along the river and even see them dock to to come grab a bite at the restaurant!

The Wharf: For kids that are 21+! If you’re heading to Miami with your adult children, or are adventuring as a solo couple, The Wharf is a great stop to add to your itinerary. The space is outfitted with 7 bars, 6 food trucks and is a fun outdoor space on the river (whether you drink or not)! *If you’re worried about the scene at night, hit this spot for lunch or a quick afternoon snack.

Rusty Pelican: For the views. I would pass if you have little ones, but if you’re a solo couple or have teenage / young adult children, the high-price menu is worth it for the sunset views over the Miami skyline.

GETTING AROUND

One of the most overwhelming parts of heading to a new city is figuring out all the logistics of getting around. The great part about Miami is that you can travel by car, by public transit (for free) or by boat if you so desire!

Here are my tips for getting around:

Rent a car - if you do any of the above, you’ll likely need to drive a decent distance to get from place to place. The city is pretty spread out with the various islands so walking isn’t as feasible as other US cities. This will also give your kids a break in between activities, especially if it’s a warm day!
Take the MetroMover (or People Mover as we like to call it) - one of my favorite parts of Miami, this is Miami’s FREE public transit system, and is the perfect entertainment for kids. You’ll get great views of the buildings and the water and have a fun way to move the family around. It also runs to and from the airport! Find the service map here.
Take a boat - You are in Miami after all! We’ve personally never taken a boat ride in Miami (we will next time we can head down), so I don’t have one to recommend, but you can find great options here.

WHAT TO PACK

Regardless of where you’re coming from, you’re heading SOUTH where the sun is hot and there is a constant breeze. Even if you have a great base-tan, you’re bound to get burnt. So first and foremost - SUNSCREEN. And all those other sunny destination essentials.

Sunscreen. You need it. I promise.
A hat! It’s sunny and hot.
Dresses, loose clothing, etc. Again, it’s warm.
Swim gear!
Sandals + good walking shoes.
An Instant Camera - this is great for the kids to feel like tourists and have some instant gratification - their pictures will probably be an interesting perspective too!

AND THERE YOU HAVE IT

A Family-Friendly Travel Guide to Miami, Florida.

Even if you’re not planning to head to Miami this time around, hopefully this post made you think twice about this beautiful US city and all it has to offer for you and your family.

If you loved this post or think someone you know will find it helpful, hit the share button below!

AND

If you ARE planning a trip to Miami… let me know if the comments or feel free to send any additional questions my way. I would love to help you plan your family-friendly trip.

Adios,

Taylor