Spring break is right around the corner! Whether you’re thinking of a day at the beach, heading to the Keys, or exploring the Everglades, South Florida has a TON of local destinations to choose from. Here are 4 kid-friendly day trip destinations near Miami to keep in mind as you make your spring break plans.
Islamorada
Do you like fish, clear blue water, and a relaxed environment? Then you would love the trip I took with my kids to Islamorada. Every time we go it turns into a fun outdoor adventure.
My trips to Islamorada always go one of 2 ways but they always involve fish, clear blue ocean water, and end with a delicious meal. The biggest difference is the age and swimming level of your family.
The day always starts early by buying snacks, drinks, and ice. We like to save some money by bringing lunch and snacks with us. We also eat breakfast at home before heading out. When the baby doesn’t go with us we can go to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, right before getting to Islamorada, to go snorkeling. A boat takes us out and you snorkel seeing some amazing fish and even see the Christ of the Abyss statue.
With younger kids, you can go to the Theater of the Sea. This is so much fun. We got to go on a bottomless boat ride, swim with fish in the lagoon-side beach, and got a kiss from a dolphin.
A more budget-friendly option for going with the little ones is going fishing. We got our permit from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission to go pier fishing. We brought a small tent so the kids wouldn’t be in the sun the whole time. We spent hours fishing. The youngest kids took a nap and everyone caught a fish, except for me. I caught the floor and another fishing pole lol.
After a fun sun-filled day, we usually end up at Islamorada Fish Company where we can feed huge tarpons while we wait to be seated and their menu is amazing, especially the clam chowder.
Then we make the trip back to Miami and it’s usually a quiet, peaceful ride back because all the kids and some adults are all asleep.
Lion Country Safari
Want to have a fun day surrounded by animals? Then try a day at Lion Country Safari.
We started off the day by packing lunch, snacks, and a cooler with drinks. We then head out for West Palm Beach, about a 1 ½ hour drive from us. It’s a coin toss whether the kids fall back asleep on the way or if they are too excited to sleep.
You start off the trip with the 4-mile long safari drive-through. You get to go through 7 different kinds of habitats with so many herds of animals all from the comfort of your car. You can even tune in to their tour on the radio. At the end of the safari, you get to their 55-acre adventure park.
What do they not have here?
We got to gem mine, go to the petting zoo and feed the animals, go down the fun slide, and feed the lorikeets. The kids got to see so many animals, but they were obsessed with feeding the giraffes.
That is until they got to the water section.
My oldest 2 were nonstop going down the water slides. My youngest (age 3) on the other hand did not want to leave the splash pad, even to eat and that says a lot for her.
We had such an amazing day, and the best part was the drive home. It was nice and quiet because the kids were knocked out in the back seat.
Tidal Cove Water Park
One of our family’s favorites is Tidal Cove Water Park located at the J.W. Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa in Aventura. There is something for everyone in the family.
You can purchase a Resort Day Membership to spend the day or if you happen to stay at the hotel, your Tidal Cove admission is included. Children 3 and under are free.
The park also includes a lazy river, water slides for teenagers and adults, and even a surfing experience called FlowRider.
You do not have to go very far past your pool lounger to find some good eats. They do not allow carry-in food, but they do offer poolside dining with yummy snacks and drinks. There are also two more restaurants that offer sit-down dining close by – FreeStyle and Surf House Bar and Grill.
So, grab your kids, beach towels, and sunscreen and plan a fun day at Tidal Cove Water Park in Aventura, FL – about a 30 minute to hour drive from anywhere in Miami!
Wynwood
Tucked away among the Wynwood Walls is a child’s dream – an indoor playground of fun.
FunDimension is a 15,000 square foot multi-level facility. They have an arcade, bumper cars, laser tag, rock climbing, virtual reality, and much more. You can spend a whole day inside this amazing air-conditioned fun zone.
The indoor playground is 4 levels and includes things to do for all ages. Levels two through four are created for the older child and include an interactive obstacle course. And level one is perfect for the toddlers to play in an area created just for them. My grandson who is a toddler loved this area, along with the arcade games and bumper cars.
Wynwood has so many cool places to eat. But you don’t even need to leave FunDimension if you don’t want to walk or drive anywhere else. Their restaurant is called The Galley and offers a wide variety of healthy food for the kiddos. It feels like you are in a sports bar with TVs everywhere and lots of seating. Parents of older children can hang out in The Galley, while their children play for hours. You can purchase a kids’ meal and for just a few more dollars add a game card!
If you are up to adventure outside the walls of FunDimension, there is a great ice cream place called Dasher & Crank. They are located only a short 3-minute walk away. They are well known for their tasty flavors made in-house from scratch. After a day of screaming fun at the indoor entertainment center, why not scream even more for some delicious ice cream!!
