fishee

Escaping the Chicago cold for several nights at the end of February with my husband, 2 year old and my newborn. I've read that Seaquarium, Children Museum, and the Miami Zoo are all good kid attractions but wondering if my son is too young to enjoy this?

We planned on wandering around pools and beaches everyday but that's hard to do all day long. Also any suggestions on whether Miami Beach or Sunny Isles Beach might be a better location for us to rent a condo? We are flying into FLL but don't mind driving further South for accommodations if it will add to our trip.

nytraveler

Can;t comment on specific activities. Just be very sure that kids have strong sunblock - since reflected sun can get them even under umbrellas and hats.

Dave0099

Sunny Isles might be more kid friendly. Seaquarium, Monkey Jungle and Parrot Jungle are all nearby and would be fun for all. The zoo is nice but it is a long trek in terrible traffic to get too, and there is a lot of walking. I dont know anything about the childrens museum sorry.

LarryBee

Dave, the Monkey Jungle is actually further south than ZooMiami, so if it is a hassle to get from Sunny Isles to the Zoo, it would be worse to get to the Monkey Jungle. Also, if OP stays in Sunny isles the traffic headed south to Miami will be a nightmare to get to Seaquarium or Parrot Jungle if one goes in the morning, and if one goes in the afternoon, the pain will be getting back. OP, the Children's museum is cool, took my daughter when she was two, she enjoyed it (but not as much as my older daughter, who was 5 at the time. but maybe

LarryBee

Sorry got cut off. I wanted to add if OP wants to do Miami activities but combine it with a beach, stay on Miami Beach, or Key Biscayne. You also might want to consider just staying on a Broward County Beach (e.g. Ft. Lauderdale), but you would have to research what kid's activities are available that way; if you stay up there you don't want to be driving down to Miami each day.

Hobbert

The zoo is pretty low key and they've got these pedal cars you can travel around in which I think a little guy would enjoy.

Dave0099

Larry, didnt they combine Monkey Jungle with Parrot Jungle on the MacArthur causway?

fishee

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies! We're staying at 6551 Collins Ave in Miami Beach. I've heard about the bike rentals with canopies at the zoo too - we would love to do that if we got there early enough to snag one.

My husband absolutely HATES driving and bikes everywhere so we will def take traffic into consideration when planning what's possible.

MiamiBeachMomma

Dave0099 - nope. The old Parrot Jungle is now Jungle Island on the causeway. Monkey Jungle is still a way down south.


fishee - Childrens Museum is great for a 2 year old. The zoo is also perfect. There is a also a train museum next to the zoo that has a Thomas train ride a few times a year.
http://gcrm.org/

Lincoln Road on Miami Beach would be great to eat and meander with a stroller. Lots of people watching.

South Pointe has a lovely park that overlooks the cut where the cruise ships cross to get out to open water. Pretty exciting stuff for a toddler.

Its been a long time since mine were 2 - but Ill keep thinking and post if I come up with any thing else.

You can also check out South Florida Parenting for a full list of attractions and events....

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features...ida-parenting/

csing

The Children's Museum is well worth a visit as I am sure your two-year-old will enjoy all the hands-on exhibits and the underwater gallery. The Miami Museum of Science and Space Transit Planetarium (miamisci.org) also has a toddler play area. The planetarium shows may be good for a little while for your two-year-old but he is unlikely to want to sit through a whole one. Go to the Enchanted Forest Elaine Gordon Park on 1725 NE 135th St., Miami for nice natural open space, nature trails, and playgrounds.

jp36

We've gone down to Miami Beach for long weekends the last 4 winters. The first being when our twins were 2 (2 and 3 months to be exact).

We had a great time at Jungle Island on that first trip (and since). It's pricey, but great fun if your kids like animals. We have a picture of our then 2-year old son holding a baby alligator and another with a snake around his neck.

We went to SeaAquarium the following year, when they were 3. We had fun there too, although not as much as Jungle Island.

However, both were nice breaks from the pool and the beach on lesser weather days.

We've always talked about but never gone to the Children's Museum, however it is very close to Jungle Island.

SusanM

If you visit the Seaquarium and find the wedding ring I lost there in 2002, would you let me know? Thanks!

SoBe1

There's so much to see and do with little ones in Miami Beach & Miami, we've tried many of them. For museums:
- Miami Children's museum
- Miami Science museum
- Jungle Island
- Miami Zoo + Gold Coast Railroad Museum (they're next to each other)
- Miami Seaquarium

Parks:
South Pointe park or Flamingo park if you're staying in South Beach,
Bill Baggs beach park (great escape from busy Miami)
Matheson Hammock park (great beach for little ones)
Pinecrest Gardens (great for little ones too and fully shaded)

You could pick up few more tips from here too http://oliom.com/blog/category/family-attractions/

You won't be bored with your little ones in Miami, there're even few tours you can include them in. If staying in South Beach, ask the visitor center about the latest tours good for kids.

Enjoy,

jlee

Lots of useful info.