Miami Beach Vacation (With Kids)

Kathleen Stanley
May 29, 2021
5 min read

Updated: May 30, 2021

Miami Beach probably isn't the first destinations you think of when it comes to family vacations. In fact, if your itinerary is set, be prepared for plenty of raised brows from those you share your excitement with (AHEM! Did we ask?!).

With crime rate at about 3.5 times above the national rating, it's true that Miami doesn't exactly scream safety. If sadness over dreary winter flurries and gray skies outweigh your fear of being pick-pocketed, Miami with kids can be totally safe and adventurous!

Here's what we did to make the best out of Miami:

1. THE FLIGHT.

Our kids have never flown before and it was one of the most exciting points of the whole trip.

Our Expedia planner decided it would be best to fly at 6:00 am... clearly Expedia didn't realize we have children. To our surprise, the excitement of the flight and rush to get to the hotel was enough to keep their mind occupied before fighting and whining came into play. Brent and I decided to swap seating arrangements to level the playing ground- I sat with them on the way there while he sat in their row on the way back.

Travel Tip: Call first dibs on the flight home sense they'll be tired out and sleep!

2. POOL AND HOT TUB.

We're convinced our kiddos are part fish. In fact, the reason we chose Miami was by request of the birthday girl, Rhema, to visit the beach on her birthday (and Cleveland beaches in January aren't as fun). We spent almost every night in the hot tub and the girls braved their way into chilly pool waters every chance they got.

Travel Tip: Call ahead to ask about WHAT temperature the pool is being heated to.

3. ICE CREAM AND CANDY.

What's a vacation without ice cream?! Haagen-Dazs seems to sponsor Miami Beach (we counted 3 within a 15 mile radius).

While the 2 mile walk doesn't seem that far when you see that teeny tiny line on your map, it's the walking back part when your kids see who can whine the loudest that isn't so fun. We chose to do a bundle with Expedia with a rental car included and immediately regretted not driving it on our ice cream adventure!

Travel Tip: when they offer the upfront additional charge to waive tolls, TAKE IT and if you're looking for car seat options, we found these inflatable car seats that worked perfectly.

We did get super lost on the way there where we found ourselves on the side of a busy street, walking down dead end streets and asking friendly police men for directions!

There's also an adorable candy shop that no trip to Miami would be complete without. Rhema got a birthday rice crispy treat complete with sprinkles and a candle for her special day! You can find Sugar Factory on Ocean Drive.

You may find yourself driving through some areas of homeless, tent-living communities but what better way then to teach the kiddos about gratitude?!

3. THE BEACH.

Oh, the beach.... aside from less than modestly dressed people, sand stuck to your oranges, and reapplying sunscreen endlessly, Miami Beach is STUNNING.

We met a nice honeymooning couple who generously gave us their cooler before they left (we passed it on at the end of our trip, along with some Boogie Boards).

Beach Must-Haves:

Oranges
Sandwhiches
Water in insulated cups
Almonds
Chips
Chairs (our faves)
Beach tarp (the best)
Anti-bacterial wet wipes
Sunglasses
Microfiber towels (these are lightweight)

4. EVERGLADES.

A family of hikers, we knew checking out the Everglades and Biscayne National Park was non-negotiable.

We debated on on air boat tours to ensure we saw alligators but decided to hit the parks by foot to really see what they offered. Looking for short hikes that will keep kiddos engaged can be challenging but we found two trails in the Everglades to be our best options.

Anhinga Trail is a deck trail over the marshy lands featuring native birds and tall grasses. It's a thrilling feeling to know you are walking over gators! While there were no shortage of bird-watching, we didn't see as many gators as we would have liked, though we did manage to spot a baby alligator soaking up the sun and a bird swallowing his lunch in one big gulp.

You won't find much shade on Anhinga but when the sun becomes too much, head over to Gumbo Limbo Trail for some needed tree canopy shade.

Gumbo Limbo is where we finally saw one-- A huuggee alligator! I may be a bit crazy but getting as close to that alligator as I could seemed to be the only logical next step. Hey, I could always climb a tree if he comes running after me, right?!

Eerily enclosed by dense foliage, the fear of an alligator popping out at any moment made Gumbo Limbo land high on our list of favorite hiking trails even with its paved walkway and very short distance. There's something to say for that since we typically prefer difficult terrain that goes on for miles!

Unfortunately, Biscayne National Park wasn't our favorite. Water, fish and more water about sums it up (Unpopular opinion?). The coolest part was seeing Miami sit on the horizon.

Travel Tip: Note that there is a charge to see the Everglades (Biscayne is free) which is why we purchase the America the Beautiful pass to avoid the entrance fees on some National Parks.

5. A FUN HOTEL.

Traveling with kids demands backup plans. Staying at a hotel that offers a pool, hot tub, nighttime events, delicious food and an option for a more family-friendly floor was a blessing! When it was time to relax after the day's adventures, it was nice to "come home" to a safe and friendly spot. They even offered a free salsa dancing class!

When Brent got severe food poisoning (oh, did we not mention that yet?!) it was nice that the girls and I could have fun at the hotel while still staying safe. We ate burgers, played Uno, took a dip in the hot tub and played up and down the hallways while Brent laid sick in bed. Sorry, babe!

6. THE OUTPOST.

This place is AMAZING! Reptiles, bears, big cats, an alligator show, and a zebra all within a small wildlife refuge... it was definitely as cool as it sounds. We were able to hold snakes and Rhema even held a baby alligator (Eva was a bit shy)!

If Brent missed out on anything, The Outpost was it. While he sat in the air conditioned car the girls and I experienced an exceptional and knowledgeable crew and even saw an alligator feeding show!

Travel Tip: Tickets for Everglades Outpost were available on Groupon but the small admission fee for Eva and I (Rhema was free) would have been a very small price to pay to visit. I regretted purchasing the deal- this place deserves full-priced admissions!

7. AMAZING RESTAURANTS.

We ate most of our meals in the hotel but decided to get lunch and two dinners to experience Miami eats.

Though all of it was delicious (I wish you were in Cleveland, Joe The Juice), our favorite was The Daily - laid back vibes, the best sandwiches around, portions large enough to share and a staff that doesn't mind messy kids. Brent even enjoyed his chicken noodle soup (though I saw him eyeing our fries)!