I need recent experienced advice from parents and/or grandparents for our family group vacation in Miami. I'm investigating daytrips for the kit and caboodle.

The situation: OK--I admit it. I would have preferred flying our entire family to Paris. But the kids are too young, and no one seems to have the needed time. Sigh. So we're going to Miami. Go figure.
All in the family wanted a Xmas break vacation someplace warm where three little cousins could be together, but exact dates were hard to align. Long flights and connecting flights are hard with an obstinate 2+ grandson. Flight times to Miami have seemed feasible, though.

• Family Group 1: One DC career daughter and career husband, one huge dog that can't get boarded, with son that will be 2+.
  Daycare shuts down Dec 23-Jan 2, but parents have to work during the break.
  Outside family member that typically babysits said big dog may or may not be able to watch him. Iffy for both parents, one parent and the kid probably are confirmed.
• Family Group 2: One ATL career daughter and career husband, one small dog that can fly who is coming hell or high water, two daughters 6+ and 3+.
  Both kids will have a long Winter Break; parents still have to work for most of it.
  Confirmed for trip.
  Rented a minivan.
• Family Group 3: In the NE city. Really old grandfather who is still working and one less old grandmother who only wants to plan travel and is always mad she's still tied to quarterly revenue reports.
  No dog.
  Confirmed for trip.

I know...TMI. But I wanted to convey our juxtaposition of needs.

We found a good rate at a Port Miami area hotel that would accommodate all three groups. Yep, you read right--not South Beach or the kiddie resort areas. We wanted to shorten our airport commute and "weather proof" our stay. That specific location gives us the option of walking or riding to

• Bayfront Park
• Bayside Marketplace
• Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel
• Pérez Art Museum Miami
• HistoryMiami
• Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
• Miami Children's Museum

As an added bonus, we grandparents can babysit the 3 grandkids and that darn small dog at the hotel while the four parents go salsa dancing. So far, so good.

Please help me out with one or two daytrips outside the city. Remember: Toddlers aboard. I'm specifically wondering if it's worth it to go someplace in the Everglades. I looked at the tram trips on Shark Alley, and I think that would be too long for the 3+ and the 2+. There are airboats available within an hour's drive. If I brought noise-cancelling earphones for the kids, does that work? Opinions? Suggestions? Good and bad experiences? Nightmares from hell?

Thank you so much for your help.
AZ

Airboat -- no.
Shark Valley -- tram could be a yes (there is a stop halfway for about 20minutes), child could sleep, snack, stand (while being held)/sit, etc. I have done this with toddlers before (depends on the kid). This is a great trip, well worth it. Tram tickets could sell out so should buy a day or two in advance (maybe more? I would keep checking on availability).
Miami Children's Museum -- this is not a real museum, skip it.
I do not see any of the things on your list as something I would want to see. The only positive for you will be the sun and nice weather.
I can recommend ZooMiami -- with younger children we went all the time -- it is excellent and there is much to see.
Crandon Beach or other on Key Biscayne -- very calm & nice for small children. If you head out to Key Biscayne, there is a very nice playground at the main city park.
Good Luck.

First of all, thank you CAH85. You replied so long after I posted my question that I never saw it. I appreciate anyone who takes the time.

We just finished our Miami bayfront area stay between Xmas and NYE. We were a party of two grandparents (ahem, that would be we); one family of four plus one Jack Russell; one family of two (husband had to stay behind because no kennel will take their large dog--heck WE won't watch that dog).

Facts:

• We oldsters were the only ones on the ground for all 4.5 days and that was key because we could "scout".
• The family of four with dog was staggered because husband had to arrive 1.5 days after the rest of the family. Kudos to daughter who flew alone with two kids and the dog. One row gave her applause on landing.
• Kid ages: 6.5 years, almost 3 years, 2.5 years.

We booked access to a club lounge at the hotel so we could all convene at staggered times without taxing wait staff. We also would hang in the lobby and bar areas and pool areas throughout the stay, but we were always "flex."

The wins were the Bayfront playground area, the Ferris wheel, and the Bayfront bar/games area. All kids enjoyed the playground; all loved the midday dancing on the stage; all loved playing the various "yard" games nearby. And all adults loved being able to have beers while they enjoyed themselves. We would head down there every night after dinner and dance with the kids and it was bliss. Our toddler of the group was a dancing fool, and the evening salsa dancers gladly gave him room as he did his many "solo" features.

The only field trips we did were hardly long. We did the Frost Science Museum (terribly crowded after Xmas but still darn good) and then Jungle Island on a Monday. Jungle Island is a money pit of options ($20 just for parking!), but because the toddler in our group had already left, the older kids, the almost 3 years and the 6.5-year-old, took full advantage of the various playground activities there that were perfect for their ages, plus they both enjoyed the add-on "feeding bunnies" option. We're sure the Illumination night entry option would be pretty, but we are happy we went as soon as the facility opened and that we went on a Monday morning.

We might be going back!