Best Bets for 5 Days in Miami With Children
 

My wife and our five and nine year old daughers are going to be in Miami for five days next week. Any tips?

Here are a couple of web sites that might interest you.

www.soulofamerica.com/cityfldr/miami14.html.

and

www.miamikids.net

South Beach's 3rd St. Beach (Ocean Dr. & 3rd St.), is reputed to be one of the more family friendly South Beach beaches.

Beach time & ride the antique carousel at Crandon State Park. http://www.key-biscayne.com/kb/beach...h/beach1.shtml - or - http://www.co.miami-dade.fl.us/Parks...each.asp#Beach

Head to the Little Havana area of Miami. Walk around a little, wander into a market in hopes of securing some Cuban or Hispanic soda and a mango. Eat at the Versailles Restaurant - http://icuban.com/3guys/versailles.html

The 11th Street Diner is a classic looking diner in a train car.

Check out the destination pages on this web-site. There is a whole Miami with kids section. http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...;feature=30008

The Miami Children's Museum off of McArthur Causeway is great fun and you can hang out outside and watch the cruise ships if they are in port. Across the causeway is the Parrot Jungle. It's more expensive to get into, but it is a pretty unique attraction and they have worked hard to recreate the lush landscaping of their original site. The Miami Seaquarium, not far from Crandon Park on Key Biscayne is pretty cool especially if there is nothing like it close to where you live. It's not my favorite, but it is pretty miami-like. Walking around Coconut Grove and having lunch at Monty's or Scotty's Landing on the water is a great way to spend an afternoon. If shopping at the Sawgrass Mills outlet mall is on the agenda, there is a Wannado City there - an interactive, imaginary play city that is perfect for your kids. At the Deering Estate in south Dade, they offer kayak trips through the mangroves.

The Miami Herald website has great information www.herald.com You have to register, but they have updated info on restaurants and events. The Dade Heritage Trust, www.dadeheritagetrust.org has events going on including boat tours during April. The boat rides out of Bayside are fun too.

In addition to the beach (Crandon Beach or Miami Beach, depending on your hotel location), I would include a trip to Everglades National Park. Get directions from your hotel to the Florida Turnpike. The Tpike ends in Florida City at a traffic light with a Shell station on the corner. Turn left and just follow the road to Everglades National Park. Stop at the Visitor's Center building and then drive to the Anhingua Trail. You'll see lots of birds, gators, etc. Include a stop at the "Robert is Here" fruit stand for wonderful milkshakes. Also great fruit and veggies. There's no food concessions in the park so take a picnic lunch if you plan on eating there.

Take a look at sfparenting.com for lists of children's activities and places to go in the area. I would definitely do the Miami Children's Museum and Miami Metrozoo. Also fun - Young at Art in Davie, Museum of Science and Discovery in Fort Lauderdale, Boomer's in Dania Beach. Fun but expensive - Wannado City in Sawgrass Mills Mall, Parrot Jungle, Dave and Buster's in HOllywood.