Miami Family Vacation Ideas

From intriguing museums, bike rides and a side trip to Key West, there's plenty to keep the whole family entertained in Miami

By Katie Sagal
Miami Beach

While most people think of Miami as a beach city, filled with parties, clubs, and good times, it’s also a fantastic place for a family vacation. There are many interactive attractions for the kids, and there are fascinating museums, aquariums, and cruises that everyone will love.

If you’re planning on heading to Miami for your vacation but aren’t sure which attractions are best for families, check out this list. It’s been curated by travel experts who know a thing or two about traversing Miami with kids. Our top summer vacation ideas include:

  • Big Bus Miami Sightseeing Tour
  • Miami Seaquarium
  • Biscayne Bay Sightseeing Cruise
  • Jungle Island
  • Jet Boat Miami
  • Key West Day Trip from Miami
  • Miami Bike Rental
  • Frost Museum of Science
  • Miami Children’s Museum
  • Pérez Art Museum Miami
  • Bayside Marketplace

Big Bus Miami Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

One of the best ways to get to know the city is an open-deck bus tour with Big Bus Miami. Because Miami is a multifaceted city with many distinct neighborhoods, it’s difficult to know where to go to see all the highlights. A guided bus tour is your solution, as they’ll escort you past all the major sights and areas.

The hop-on hop-off feature is convenient for customizing your sightseeing. Popular stops include Miami Seaquarium, Vizcaya Gardens, Jungle Island, and Miami Duck Tours. Choose from three different routes, depending on what your interests are.

Miami Seaquarium

dolphin-during-show-miami

Miami is filled with great attractions for families that love animals, and this is just the beginning. At Miami Seaquarium you’ll find humane and playful animal shows and interactions, with educational information displayed throughout the park.

One of the best things about Miami Seaquarium is its heartwarming comcommitment to rehabilitation and conservation. They’ve rescued and healed countless manatees and other species. Those who are still healing or can’t be re-released into the wild are given a home at the Seaquarium. 

Biscayne Bay Sightseeing Cruise

One of our favorite ways to really get to know Miami is by spending some time on the water. A Biscayne Bay Sightseeing Cruise is the perfect opportunity to do just that – so sit back, relax, and soak up the beauty of the coastline.

Some of the highlights you’ll see on your journey around this gorgeous bay include American Airlines Arena, the Miami Herald Building, Miami Beach, Southpoint Park, and more. Your 80-minute tour will give you all the highlights. Keep an eye out for the luxury houses of the rich and famous, too!

Lion Country Safari

three-male-lions

Lion Country Safari gives you amazing close-up access to over 900 free-roaming animals and is sure to leave the whole family awestruck. Comprised of a four-mile drive-through and divided into seven areas, you'll see giraffes, zebras, rhinos, wildebeests, and of course, lions. Some might come within inches of your car! Please keep arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times...

What's more, the rest of the park is yours to explore on foot. You can experience more hands-on animal encounters, like giraffe feeding, bird feeding, and a petting zoo.

Jet Boat Miami

man-driving-jet-ski-powerboat

If you’re looking for a little more excitement in your water activities, then Jet Boat Miami is the perfect choice for you and your family. This high-speed vessel will zip around Biscayne Bay, past sights like San Marco Island, Star Island, and many more. Your skilled boat operator will perform tricks like 360 spins and more.

Due to its speed and quick movements, this boat ride may not be appropriate for smaller children. Use your judgment when choosing this attraction.

Please note: Jet Boat Miami is separately ticketed.

Key West Day Trip from Miami

key-west

This round-trip excursion is more than worth the time you’ll dedicate to getting down to the southernmost point of the continental United States. You'll cross 42 bridges and 32 islands before reaching the tropical paradise of Key West.

Once you’re there, you get to spend a few hours as you’d like, whether that’s renting a bike, parasailing, swimming, or sightseeing. Some highlights for explorers include the Hemingway House, a botanical garden, and Mallory Square.

Please note: This excursion is a day-long experience.

Miami Bike Rental

In Miami's hot weather, you’ll find that pedaling along the beachfront can be a good way to get some breezes going in your favor. There are bike lanes and trails galore in Miami and South Beach, and exploring on two wheels is admittedly one of our favorite ways to get around this beautiful city.

Your Miami Bike Rental will come with a map, too, so you won't need much familiarity to set off exploring. We recommend starting with the amazing Art Deco district, which has a lot to offer in terms of sightseeing.

Miami Children’s Museum

For those of you traveling with younger or middle-grade kids, the Miami Children’s Museum should be a must on your list. It’s an interactive environment, with hundreds of things for kids to learn through play. All the exhibits are bilingual, and most emphasize aspects of modern life that will be important as children grow, like the arts, culture, and community.

You'll love watching the kids enjoy exhibits like the Health and Wellness Center, Pet Central, Ocean Odyssey, Everglades Park, and the World Music Studio. They also frequently run special programming – especially during the summer – so be sure to check their calendar before your visit.

Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)

Pérez Art Museum Miami

The Pérez Art Museum Miami is another one of our favorite kid-friendly institutions in Miami. It’s a well-curated art museum, nestled in a beautiful building, with tons of things for kids to enjoy and explore. Of course, there is much for adults to love, too! Take a guided tour to see their exhibit highlights, most of which highlight the multicultural and intersectional nature of Miami.

Don’t forget to ask for the PAMM family pack when you arrive – it’s filled with goodies to make the experience that much more fulfilling for younger visitors.

Bayside Marketplace

Quite a few of the attractions we’ve suggested are near Bayside Marketplace, so it couldn’t be easier to devote a little time to roaming this area. Primarily a farmers market-style place, this open-air venue also features plenty of nearby restaurants, shops, and more.

It’s also host to a number of special events throughout the summer, so stop by their Visitor Center for more information on what’s going on during your visit.

There's plenty to keep the whole family entertained in Miami

There you go. A few suggestions for attractions and activities for your upcoming Miami family vacation. If you are taking small children or babies on your family vacation, save yourself the hassle of bringing your own and consider using BabyQuip if you need to rent any baby equipment in Miami.

Want to save money on those bucket-list attractions? 

Check out a Miami attraction pass from Go City® and you could save yourself up to 50% on your must-sees – perfect!  

☀️Compare Miami passes☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 –  ✈️ Buy a pass ✈️

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Miami in January

Don’t miss the best things to do in Miami. You can fill your days and nights with visits to incredible museums, tropical gardens, and historic sites, and still barely have scratched the surface. Or maybe you just want to just kick back at the beach with a podcast and soak up the sun. Trust us when we say that the possibilities are endless. No, really – we mean it. Drawing in 25 million visitors each year, Miami ranks as America’s second most popular tourism hub – after New York, of course. Yep, I guess we could say that you'll never be bored here. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned visitor to the Magic City, you’re sure to find something to suit your tastes. Not sure quite where to start? Well, luckily for you, we've done all of the heavy lifting here! We’ve spent a lot of time in the area and are sharing our favorite things to do in Miami. Keep scrolling to learn more. See the Sites On January’s hotter days, you’ll be able to enjoy all of the fantastic outdoor attractions that the city has to offer. Around this time of the year, we recommend bringing a light jacket, just in case the weather decides to change up on you. If you’re looking to enjoy the natural beauty of Miami, there’s no better place to be than Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. No doubt one of the most beautiful spots in the city, Fairchild is considered amongst the best tropical gardens in the world. A sharp contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city, this quiet and serene space is brimming with all kinds of rare and exotic flora. Some are bold and vibrant, whilst others are small and delicate. Undeniably, all of them are a treat for the senses. In addition, this site is home to the largest palm collection in the United States. A total Instagrammer’s dream, it would be easy to spend an entire day getting lost in this spectacular display of greenery. If you’re an animal lover, this next item on our list will be right down your alley. Located just east of the city, Jungle Island is recognized as one of the oldest tourist attractions in the Miami area. Combining the beauty of Miami’s tropical landscape with a jungle full of wonderful animals from near and far, this place is pretty much the perfect day out. Walking around this spacious and natural habitat, you’ll be able to appreciate these beautiful creatures thriving happily in a safe and appropriate home for them. The site houses around 3, 000 critters, with over 1, 000 parrots (as the institute was formerly known as ‘’Parrot Jungle’’). For those who want to interact with the animals, you can visit the petting zoo, or catch feedings at certain times. In addition, the park is home to Parrot Cove Beach, Miami’s only private beach. With so much to see and do, this place provides an extraordinary one-of-a-kind experience for you and your loved ones. Learn Something New For those looking to learn about the history of the area, don’t worry – we've got you covered! Built into Miami Beach’s first synagogue, the Miami Jewish Museum seeks to cultivate interest in the cultural history of the area. As one of the most highly populated Jewish states in America, Florida has a long and storied Jewish history just waiting to be explored. Inside the interesting building, you’ll be able to view a comprehensive collection of over 100, 000 artifacts, including historic photographs, documents, religious objects and artworks. The museum’s core exhibit MOSAIC: Jewish Life in Florida, tells the story of nearly 250 years of the development of the community. In addition, the institution has a number of temporary exhibits which serve to preserve and interpret different periods of Jewish history. Thoroughly fascinating, we love this place because it’s impossible to leave without having learned something new. Though Miami is well known for its sugar-sand beaches and perennial sunshine, January is one of Florida’s coldest months. Whilst that might not sound like much in an area with a subtropical climate, the city can definitely have some ‘’off days’’ around this time of the year. Should a cloudy January day crop up on you, we recommend checking out one of Miami’s wonderful cultural attractions. One of our ultimate favorite places in the city is Pérez Art Museum for its wonderful collection of contemporary art. Walking around the institute, you’ll be able to enjoy an impressive collection of around 2,000 pieces, focusing on works from the Americas, Western Europe and Africa. Highlights include seminal pieces by Frank Stella, Dan Flavin, and Christo and Jeanne-Claude. The perfect stop for all art lovers, the institute provides a fantastic visual and cultural experience for those of all ages. Try Something Different Those who come to Miami seeking something a little different will not be disappointed. No doubt one of the city’s most unusual visitor attractions, Coral Castle has been baffling visitors for decades. The mystery surrounding the park begins with its creative process. Constructed out of 1, 100 tons of oolite limestone at a time when no modern construction technology was available, the sculptures bring up many questions. In fact, this site has long been the subject of many conspiracy theories, theorizing that artist Edward Leedskalnin used reverse magnetism or supernatural abilities to create the piece. Whilst nobody is ever quite sure how Coral Castle came to be, the outcome has remained a defining characteristic of the city ever since its opening in 1940. An undeniably mind-bending attraction, this spot is a total must-see. Don’t forget to bring a camera so you can capture some snaps of this utterly unique site! Well, what else can we say? Some places are popular for a reason, and Miami is definitely one of them! January is a fantastic time to visit since it’ll still be warm enough to hit the beach and enjoy all of the city’s best outdoor attractions, sans all of the crowds and humidity. You should also be able to find great deals on accommodation and travel around this time of the year. So, what are you waiting for? Explore the city to its full potential with Go City’s All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass. If you’d like to know more, connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. With Go City, you can see more, for less.
Sarah Harris
Florida gator
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Should I buy Go City’s Miami pass or get individual tickets?

Short answer: the pass usually wins for savings and simplicity. Read on to find out how it ticks all the boxes for your Miami plans.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Is Miami Expensive to Visit?
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Is Miami Expensive to Visit?

Are you heading to Miami this year but worried about the budget? Check out our guide to money in Miami, discover if it's expensive to visit the city, and check out our tips to squeeze your cents! Including: Can you go to Miami on a budget? What is the cheapest month to go to Miami? Can I enjoy Miami without a car? Is Miami Expensive to Visit? and more! What is the cheapest month to go to Miami? Miami's off-season tends to run from mid-spring to the end of summer, so if you travel at any point between April and September, you'll likely find cheaper deals on flights and accommodation. While it may seem strange that Miami's off-season is right in the middle of the northern hemisphere's typically sunniest period, Miami is built different. The summer's scorching heat keeps many away, but if you can handle it, make the most of the deals!   Is Miami Expensive to Visit? There's no beating about the bush with this one. Yes, Miami is expensive to visit. In fact, it's one of the most expensive cities on the planet. The cost of living is over 20% higher in Miami than in the rest of America, which means your hard-earned wages won't go as far. This doesn't matter so much for residents, who typically earn more than the national average to cancel this out. However, for humble visitors such as yourself, those Miami wages won't play a part. Accommodation is much the same, because Miami's housing market is 47% higher than the national average. Nearly 50%! In layperson's terms, rich people move to Miami and drive the price of housing up. Sadly, this has a knock-on effect on rented accommodation too, including many hotels. In fact, you're likely to find cheaper hotels in Vegas than Miami, if you don't know where to look. Is Miami Expensive to Visit: Accommodation As we mentioned earlier, where you stay will determine the answer to this question. If you choose a hostel that's inside or adjacent to the areas you want to visit, you can effectively squeeze your cents at the cost of luxury. If you don't mind sharing bathrooms, kitchens, and - dare we say - bedrooms with other travelers, hostels will drive your Miami budget down dramatically. On the flip side, if you want to live in the lap of luxury and won't settle for anything less than 5-star treatment, you'll pay for it. Miami is absolutely full to the brim with extravagant, expensive hotels, as well as upmarket Airbnbs, that will eat into any modest budget and then some. So, if you want to find a happy medium, what do you do? Well, you're best off deciding your budget and then doing some research! Mid-range offerings like the Eurostars Langford Hotel are reasonably priced, offer a good location near most of Miami's best bits, and still let you sleep in your own room - ace! Alternatively, you could shop around on Airbnb and try to find deals that suit your finances, but you may need to book months in advance to ensure you get something budget-friendly. Is Miami Expensive to Visit: Attractions Paying to get into each of Miami's biggest attractions on an individual basis is sure to add up. So, why not save money and see them all with Go City? Pick from our All-Inclusive Pass or our Explorer Pass - whichever suits your trip - and skip the queue and save at some of Miami's best experiences! See Miami's Seaquarium, snorkel in Fort Lauderdale, check out the white-knuckle thrills at Fun Spot America, and much, much more! So grab a Miami pass and save while you sightsee!
Dom Bewley

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