Camping
Bahia Honda State Park
36850 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key, 33043; 305 872 2353 (park) or 800 326 3521 (reservations); www.floridastateparks.org/bahiahonda
Choose from waterfront cabins or RV and tent campsites close to the most beautiful beaches in the Keys. Guests have access to the park’s additional facilities: snorkeling, beaches, nature trails, and educational programs. Reserve well in advance.
– • Garden • Kitchen facilities • Parking • Beach
Naples
Hotel
Naples Beach Hotel
851 Gulf Shore Blvd N, 34102; 239 261 2222 or 800 237 7600; www.naplesbeachhotel.com
Naples’ first hotel, and one of its most popular with families, this place is loaded with family-friendly features. Kids will love the pool, beach, and Kids’ Club; grown-ups will like the fine spa and 18-hole golf course. The hotel offers several dining options, including a pool bar and grill where all gather for sunset.
$$$ • Wi-Fi • Restaurant • Parking • Swimming pool • Beach
Sanibel and Captiva Islands
Resort
South Seas Island Resort
5400 Plantation Rd, Captiva Island, 33924; 239 472 5111 or 800 965 7772; www.southseas.com
One of Florida’s first and largest gated destination resorts, this offers accommodations ranging from guestrooms to rental homes. It also has a mini-waterpark, lots of beaches, nine holes of golf, top-rated kids’ programs, and a nature center.
$$$ • Wi-Fi • Restaurant • Family rooms • Swimming pool • Beach
Hotel
Gulf Breeze Cottages & Motel
1081 Shell Basket Lane, Sanibel Island, 33957; 239 472 1626 or 800 388 2842; www.gbreeze.com
Cozy and family-friendly, this hotel’s cottages and duplexes sit right on the beach, and the owners provide beach toys. There is a fairy-tale quality to its gingerbread detailing and lush gardens.
$$$ • Family rooms • Kitchen facilities • Parking • Beach
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More Things to Do
Miami
Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, and around
Downtown, Little Havana, Vizcaya, and around
Miami Beach and around
The Gold and Treasure Coasts
The Gold and Treasure Coasts
Orlando and the Parks
Orlando and the Parks
The Space Coast
The Space Coast
The Northeast
The Northeast
The Panhandle
The Panhandle
The Gulf Coast
The Gulf Coast
The Lower Gulf Coast, Everglades, and Keys
The Lower Gulf Coast, Everglades, and Keys
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Coral Gables
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Letting Off Steam
Salvador Park (1120 Andalusia Ave, 33134) has open spaces shaded by tropical trees, plus playgrounds and picnic shelters. A short distance east, VIXI Gelateria (374 Miracle Mile, 33134) serves lovely gelato in flavors such as passion fruit and pistachio.
Shopping
Shop for electronics, books, antiques, and more in Miracle Mile (shopcoralgables.com). Most shops and restaurants here are independently owned and known for their quality and variety. Many shops are devoted to weddings and children’s apparel.
The Coral Gables Museum (285 Aragon Ave, 33134; 305 603 8067; coralgablesmuseum.org) reveals the heritage of the Coral Gables community through permanent and traveling exhibits devoted to the city’s history and Spanish roots, architecture, and art.
Next Stop…
Cauley Square Shops
Head 14 miles (22 km) southwest of Coral Gables to shop at Cauley Square Shops (www.cauleysquare.com). This is where the old railroad made its last stop in Miami before heading down to the Florida Keys. Check out the Aviary Birdshop with live birds, dine in restaurants housed in vintage cottages, and admire Spanish-style buildings along cobbled streets.
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Coconut Grove
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Letting Off Steam
Head 2 miles (3 km) northeast of Coconut Grove’s outskirts to Dinner Key (www.miamigov.com), a mega yacht basin. This was a seaplane base for Pan American Airways in the 1930s. Take a walk around the marina to look at the historic “PanAm” buildings – one of which now houses Miami’s City Hall – and the shiny modern yachts.
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The Barnacle Historic State Park
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Letting Off Steam
The Barnacle has lots of wide-open spaces, but if kids still need some outdoor action, head to Kampong Botanical Garden (4013 Douglas Rd, 33133; 305 442 7169; ntbg.org), which offers guided and self-guided tours of its lush grounds – reserve in advance. Check out the massive 80-year-old baobab tree, and see the home and collection of Dr. David Fairchild, who is renowned for Fairchild Tropical Garden.
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Peacock Park
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Take Cover
Head to CocoWalk (3015 Grand Ave, 33133; 305 444 0777; cocowalk.net), a collection of shops and cafes with live music and a 14-screen movie theater, located in the heart of Coconut Grove. Shady walkways provide shelter from sun or rain, and CocoWalk also offers family fun days – with child-centric activities, a petting zoo, and a bouncy castle.
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Fairchild Tropical Garden
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Take Cover
The air-conditioned Dadeland Mall (7535 N Kendall Dr, Miami, 33156; 305 665 6226; www.simon.com/mall), 3 miles (5 km) west of the garden, has toy and kids’ clothing stores, and is a perfect place to chill on a hot day, or stay dry on a wet one.
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Deering Estate at Cutler
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Letting Off Steam
The estate’s extensive grounds provide plenty of space to run around and explore nature.
< More Things to Do: Miami
Zoo Miami
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Take Cover
A short walk southwest of the zoo is the Gold Coast Railroad Museum (www.gcrm.org), which entertains families with train rides on weekends, model train set-ups, and a collection of vintage railroad cars including the presidential Ferdinand Magellan.
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Coral Castle
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Letting Off Steam
In Homestead’s historic agricultural district, known as Redland, Fruit & Spice Park (www.fruitandspicepark.org) offers a see-hear-taste tour that takes in the park’s 70-plus varieties of banana and avocado, and 160 types of mango, plus gardens representing Asia and other warm climes.
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Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
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Letting Off Steam
Hit Bayside Marketplace (401 Biscayne Blvd, 33132; 305 577 3344; www.baysidemarketplace.com) for a half-day or so of shopping and dining, catch a boat excursion, or rent jet skis. Some of the shops here specialize in kids’ toys and clothing.
Shopping
The Vizcaya Shop, in the museum’s north wing, has a vast range of gifts, including postcards, books, and jewelry. The museum is also close to the shopping districts of Miracle Mile, CocoWalk, and Bayside Marketplace.
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Digital
Next Stop…
Charles Deering Estate
James Deering decided to build a winter home in Miami because his father had moved there, and his half-brother, Charles, had also built a splendid home. The Charles Deering Estate, 14 miles (23 km) to the south of Vizcaya, makes for a fitting family reunion of historic sites.
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Cal
le Ocho – Little Havana
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Take Cover
To get an overview of downtown Miami, board the Metromover (www.miamidade.gov/transit), an automated, elevated transportation system that goes round in a 2-mile (4-km) loop. The ride is fun and free, and the closest boarding station is at 59 SE 8th Street.
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Pérez Art Museum Miami
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Letting Off Steam
The lush and lovely Bayfront Park (301 N Biscayne Blvd, 33132; 305 358 7550; www.bayfrontparkmiami.com) may have one of the coolest playgrounds ever. It features a pirate ship, trampolines, and a play sculpture depicting a life-size wave with a dolphin, a sea turtle, and a manatee surfing it.
< More Things to Do: Miami
Miami Children’s Museum
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Letting Off Steam
Kids can play in the Peace Playground (on site) and enjoy a picnic at the tables on the plaza.
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Jungle Island
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Take Cover
At the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science (1101 Biscayne Blvd, 33132; 305 434 9600; www.frostscience.org), formerly the Miami Science Museum, indoor adventures include the the stunning Frost Planetarium, the three-level aquarium, and various permanent exhibits such as River of Grass, which explores the ecosystem of the Everglades.
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Miami Seaquarium®
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Letting Off Steam
Kick up sand on Hobie Beach (Rickenbacker Causeway, 33149; 305 361 2833) – also known as Windsurfer Beach because of its relatively dependable winds. The beach is good for fishing, taking in the views, running off excess energy, or simply relaxing on the sand. There is also free beachside parking.
< More Things to Do: Miami
Virginia Key Beach Park
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Take Cover
Drop in at Toy Town (260 Crandon Blvd #43, 33149; 305 361 5501; www.toytownonline.com) for a shopping break. The store stocks educational and other toys and baby equipment. It also has a teen fashion section.
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Crandon Park
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Take Cover
Named for the hero who helped save the Everglades, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center (www.biscaynenaturecenter.org) occupies Crandon Park’s north end. It displays exhibits that introduce the park’s ecology along its trails. Kids will enjoy the touch tank and shell exhibit.
< More Things to Do: Miami
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
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Take Cover
Explore the little brick Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage nearby. There are exhibits on the life of the keeper’s family, period-furnished rooms, and kids’ toys from the past. An orientation video is screened in the old cookhouse.
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South Beach
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Letting Off Steam
Head to Lummus Park (5th–15th St and Ocean Dr, 33139), which has paved pathways for biking and walking, as well as playgrounds that will engage the little ones.
Shopping
South Beach is all about shopping, particularly along Lincoln Road and Collins Avenue. Families can find souvenirs and beach buys at Alvin’s Island (200 Lincoln Rd, 33139; 305 531 9766; www.alvinsisland.com).
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Film
Miami appears in dozens of major movies, and South Beach stars in most of them. Disney® movies Old Dogs (2009) and Snow Dogs (2002) were filmed in this area, as was Marley and Me (2008).
Next Stop…
Amelia Earhart Park
Families that prefer greenery to city streets might like the Amelia Earhart Park (401 E 65th St, 33014; 305 685 8389; www.miamidade.gov/parks/amelia-earhart.asp), located 14 miles (23 km) northwest of South Beach. The park’s farm has cows, goats, sheep, and geese that younger children adore. Kids will also love the rope bridge that takes them to Tom Sawyer Island’s playground. The park’s five lakes are stocked with fish, and one is set up with a water-skiing and wakeboarding tow cable. Also on offer are lessons in wakeboarding, and wake surfing. For those interested in mountain biking, rentals are available.
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Middle Beach, Bal Harbour, North Miami Beach
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Letting Off Steam
Located north of Bal Harbour, Haulover Beach Park (10800 Collins Ave, 33128; www.miamidade.gov/parks/haulover.asp) contains a 1-mile- (2-km-) long beach with picnic tables. On the bay side, a marina complex houses boat rentals, a kite shop, and a restaurant. Part of the beach is a clothing-optional zone.
< More Things to Do: Miami
Enchanted Forest Elaine Gordon Park
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Take Cover
The nearby Museum of Contemporary Art (770 NE 125th St, 33161; 305 893 6211; www.mocanomi.org) houses a collection of works by emerging and well-known artists. School-aged kids’ art classes are held on the first Saturday of the month. The museum hosts a Family Day as well, which includes workshops, dance lessons, tours, and food for the kids.
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Oleta River State Park
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Take Cover
Bal Harbour Shops (9700 Collins Ave, 33154; 305 866 0311; www.balharbourshops.com), an upscale shopping mall, also has shops for kids. Check out Young Versace, which even has a merry-go-round. Books & Books features weekly story times for children.
< More Things to Do: Miami
Ancient Spanish Monastery
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Letting Off Steam
Catch a water taxi from Pelican Harbor Marina (1275 NE 79th St, 33138; 305 754 9330; www.miamidade.gov/parks) to Pelican Island nature preserve and bird sanctuary. Only 400 yards (365 m) off-shore, the island is equipped with picnic tables, chickee, barbecue grills, and has room to roam.
< More Things to Do: The Gold and Treasure Coasts
Fort Lauderdale
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Letting Off Steam
Just 3 miles (5 km) east of downtown is a sandy beach 7 miles (11 km) long. Backed by an attractive promenade and fringed with palms, it is perfect for swimming.
Shopping
Las Olas Boulevard (www.lasolasboulevard.com) is the city’s upscale shopping strip, with plenty of fashion stores and boutiques that will appeal to teenagers. Galleria (2414 E Sunrise Blvd, 33304; 954 564 1015; www.galleriamall-fl.com) is one of the best malls.
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Film
The dog-friendly tear-jerker Marley & Me (2008) was set in Fort Lauderdale.
Next Stop…
Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation
Visit Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, a Native American outpost 78 miles (125 km) northwest of the city, for its fun “swamp safaris” (www.billieswamp.com) and the enlightening Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum (www.ahtahthiki.com).
< More Things to Do: The Gold and Treasure Coasts
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
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Letting Off Steam
If kids don’t get wet enough kayaking, then go 2 miles (3 km) south to splash in the outdoor pools at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex (www.fortlauderdale.gov).