Tall palms swaying in the wind. Sandy beaches dotted with beautiful seashells. Exciting Latin culture and cuisine. Kid-friendly outdoor fun and attractions. What’s not to love about South Florida? If you’re planning a family beach getaway and are on the hunt for some ideas, here are 15 great things to do in South Florida with kids.
For a hotel that has it all, check out JW Marriott Miami Turnberry. The super luxe resort and spa caters to parents as much as it does to children with a full-service wellness collective (think: massages, facials, acupuncture, fitness, and salon services) and an on-site waterpark. Tidal Cove has tons to do with a FlowRider wave generator, a lazy river, a dedicated kids’ area and spiral slides for adventure-seekers.
You could easily spend an entire day at the Miami Children’s Museum. Explore a two-story sand castle, experiment with six different elements of art, get to work with a crane and bulldozer, try indoor rock climbing, or play at the kid-sized super market. This museum has exhibits to match every interest.
Take the kids on a thrilling airboat tour of the Florida Everglades to see all kinds of cool wildlife. The team at Everglades Alligator Farm will help you find fish, turtles, birds, and gators in the swamp. Then meet snakes, lizards, emus and alligators at feeding time in the pond area.
Beach bums of all ages will have plenty of sand to sink their toes into at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa. The hotel is situated on its own gorgeous private beach, perfect for endless sand castle making and beach blanket napping. Plus, it’s close to shops, dining and nightlife along Las Olas Boulevard.
Eco-adventure theme park Jungle Island is undergoing a multi-million dollar transformation and has something for everyone with experiences like Escape Rooms, SuperFlight sky diving simulations, sloth encounters, and exotic animals of all kinds.
Whether you’re in the market for something specific or just looking to browse while on vacay, The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale has all your favorite apparel and accessories stores, including adorable children’s boutique Flora Ottimer.
Pool or beach? You don’t have to choose just one at the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort & Spa. A convenient skywalk connects the elevated outdoor pool to the sand and snorkeling at the beachfront hotel.
Beat the heat and make an indoor plan to see a show at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. Upcoming family-friendly productions include The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Eric Carle Favorites, Theatreworks USA The Pout-Pout Fish, Penguins and Diary of a Wombat.
More than 550 animals call the Palm Beach Zoo home, including Komodo Dragons, Spider Monkeys and Scarlet Macaws. Stay for lunch at the Tropics Cafe, and remember to pack some bathing suits for an afternoon in the Play Fountain.
Nobody appreciates a hotel kitchenette quite like families with young children. Convenience is at your fingertips at the Residence Inn Miami Sunny Isles Beach, with each apartment-inspired room tricked out to meet your family’s every need. There’s also a complimentary breakfast and free shuttle to the largest mall in Florida, Aventura Mall, and a rooftop pool when naptime doesn’t let you stray too far.
Take in the great outdoors at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. Go for a scenic hike or enjoy biking, camping, stand-up paddleboarding, fishing, picnicking and swimming at Fort Lauderdale beach.
There’s always something new to see at the Museum of Discovery & Science in Fort Lauderdale. Learn all about hurricanes, local ecology, aviation, dinosaurs and more. And no visit would be complete without a stop at the Great Gravity Clock and the outdoor Science Park.
Get a taste of downtown hustle and bustle at the contemporary West Palm Beach Marriott. The hotel is a 15-minute walk from all the exciting shops, restaurants, arts, and culture at CityPlace, and with its own outdoor pool to escape to any time of day. A great spot to stay before or after a family cruise!
About halfway between Fort Lauderdale and Miami is the high-tech Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Catch a family-friendly matinee or plan a date night viewing of any genre from dance to documentary.
Here’s The Scoop!
Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream
Dig into a scoop of custom-order ice cream made right in front of your eyes at Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream. Choose your base milk or yogurt, your flavor and then add texture from a delicious menu of Mix-N’s. With dairy-free and vegan options to satisfy all dessert lovers.
Interested in a free rewards program? Marriott Bonvoy Members™ save up to 5% off Marriott’s best rates, enjoy free WiFi, and earn points redeemable at over 7,000 hotels in the world. Book your stay and earn more at participating hotels in Miami, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and Key West. Bon voyage!
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