Are you are looking for sun, sand, culture, or adventure? Are you looking for a tropical paradise for your family and kids? In this page, review our 3 day Miami itinerary, with tips on where to stay, what to do, and where to eat. We will also find the best attractions for kids of all ages, from the colorful Art Deco district to the amazing Miami Seaquarium. We will also learn how to save money and time with the Miami Go Card, which gives we access to over 30 attractions for one low price. Ready to explore Miami with your kids? Let’s go!

3 Day Miami Itinerary

# Day 1

If we are looking for a fun and relaxing way to spend a day in Miami with kids, this will be the best itinerary. We will explore some of the best attractions in the city, from a beautiful beach to a botanical garden, and enjoy some delicious food along the way. Here is how to make the most of our day in Miami with our family.

Morning: Crandon Park

Start the day at Crandon Park, a family-friendly beach located on Key Biscayne, just a short drive from downtown Miami. This park has everything we need for a perfect beach day, including calm waters, soft sand, picnic areas, playgrounds, and restrooms. We can also rent kayaks, bikes, or paddleboards to explore the park and the bay.

If we are feeling adventurous, we can also take a short hike on the Bear Cut Preserve Trail, which leads us through a mangrove forest and offers stunning views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline. We might even spot some wildlife, such as birds, crabs, or raccoons.

Lunch: Nearby Restaurants or Picnic

After a morning of fun in the sun, I am sure all will probably be hungry for some lunch. We have two options: either eat at one of the nearby restaurants or pack our own food and enjoy it at the park.

If we choose to eat out, we can find a variety of cuisines and prices in the area. Some of the popular options are:

• Boater’s Grill: A casual waterfront restaurant that serves fresh seafood, burgers, salads, and Cuban dishes. We can also enjoy the views of the bay and the lighthouse from their outdoor patio.
• Rusty Pelican: A more upscale restaurant that offers fine dining with a spectacular view. Their menu features seafood, steaks, pasta, and sushi. They also have a kids menu and a brunch buffet on weekends.
• Sir Pizza: A family-friendly pizza place that offers thin-crust pizzas with a variety of toppings. We can also order salads, sandwiches, wings, and desserts.

If we prefer to picnic at the park, we can either bring our own food or buy some from the concession stands or vending machines. There are plenty of picnic tables and grills available throughout the park. Just make sure to clean up after and dispose of trash properly.

Afternoon: Miami Beach Botanical Garden

In the afternoon, we will reach the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, where we can learn about the unique plants and animals of south Florida. This 2.6-acre garden is a hidden gem in the heart of Miami Beach, featuring tropical flowers, trees, herbs, fruits, and vegetables. The garden also has a Japanese garden, a water lily pond, a butterfly garden, and an edible garden.

We can take a self-guided tour of the garden using their free app or join one of their guided tours that are offered on wednesdays and Saturdays at 11 am. We can also participate in one of their workshops or events that are held throughout the year. Check their website for more information.

The garden is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission is free but donations are appreciated.

Dinner: Big Pink or Lincoln Road Mall

For dinner, head to Big Pink, a classic diner with a retro vibe and a huge menu. This place is popular among locals and tourists alike for its comfort food, generous portions, and friendly service. We can find anything from burgers and fries to salads and wraps to pasta and steak. They also have a kids menu with options like chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese, and hot dogs.

Big Pink is open from 8 am to 12 am on weekdays and until 2 am on weekends. They also offer delivery and takeout.

If we are not in the mood for diner food, we can also check out Lincoln Road Mall, an outdoor shopping area that has plenty of restaurants to choose from. We can find cuisines like Italian, Mexican, Asian, Mediterranean, and more. We can also enjoy some entertainment at the mall, such as street performers, live music, art galleries, and a movie theater.

# Day 2

This could be a fun and educational day out with kids in Miami, we might want to check out these two attractions: Miami Seaquarium and Jungle Island. Both of them offer a variety of animal encounters, shows and activities that will keep our family entertained and amazed. Here is how we can plan our day to make the most of our visit.

Miami Seaquarium

Miami Seaquarium is one of the oldest and largest marine parks in the US, with over 10,000 animals and plants. We can see dolphins, sea lions, manatees, penguins, sharks, turtles and more. We can also watch animal shows, feedings and presentations throughout the day.

How to get there

Miami Seaquarium is located on Virginia Key, a small island off the coast of Miami. We can drive there by taking the Rickenbacker Causeway from downtown Miami. The drive takes about 15 minutes. There is a parking fee of $10 per car.

What to do

There is plenty to do at Miami Seaquarium, depending on our interests and preferences. Here are some of the highlights:

• Dolphin Odyssey: This is a 30-minute interactive program where we can swim with dolphins and learn about their behavior and communication. We will also get a souvenir photo and a tour. The cost is $224 per person and we need to book in advance.
• Sea Trek Reef Encounter: This is a 20-minute underwater adventure where we can walk among fish, stingrays and other marine life. We have to wear a special helmet that allows we to breathe normally. The cost is $99 per person and we need to book in advance.
• Penguin Encounter: This is a 15-minute program where we can meet and touch one of the penguins at the park. We will also learn about their habitat and conservation. The cost is $55 per person and we need to book in advance.
• Sharky’s Sky Trail: This is a ropes course that challenges our balance and agility. We can climb, swing and zip across five levels of difficulty. The cost is $10 per person and we can pay at the park.

Where to eat

There are several options for eating at Miami Seaquarium, depending on our budget and taste. we can choose from:

• Manatee Bay Cafe: This is the main cafeteria at the park, serving burgers, pizza, salads, sandwiches and more. The prices range from $5 to $15 per item.
• Golden Dome Sea Lion Show: This is a snack bar near the sea lion show, serving popcorn, pretzels, ice cream and drinks. The prices range from $2 to $6 per item.
• Paradise Cove: This is a picnic area near the entrance, where we can bring our own food and drinks. There are tables, benches and trash cans available.

Jungle Island

Jungle Island is an interactive zoo with exotic animals, birds and plants. We can see parrots, flamingos, monkeys, sloths, lemurs and more. We can also enjoy attractions like a petting farm, a water park, a zip line and an escape room.

How to get there

Jungle Island is located on Watson Island, another small island off the coast of Miami. We can drive there by taking the MacArthur Causeway from downtown Miami or South Beach. The drive takes about 10 minutes. There is a parking fee of $10 per car.

What to do

There is plenty to do at Jungle Island, depending on our interests and preferences. Here are some of the highlights:

• SuperFlight: This is a wind tunnel that simulates skydiving. We can fly up to 10 feet above the ground with the help of an instructor. The cost is $59 per person for two flights and we need to book in advance.
• Escape Room: This is a game where we have to solve puzzles and clues to escape from a themed room in 60 minutes or less. There are three rooms available: Jungle Island Mystery, Temple of Time and Pirate’s Plunder. The cost is $35 per person and we need to book in advance.
• Luminosa: This is a nighttime festival of lights that showcases Chinese lanterns in various shapes and colors. We can walk through different scenes inspired by Miami’s culture, wildlife and landmarks. The cost is $35 per person and we need to book in advance.
• Animal Encounters: These are programs where we can interact with some of the animals at the park. we can choose from:
• Lemur Experience: This is a 15-minute program where we can feed and touch one of the lemurs at the park. We will also learn about their habitat and conservation. The cost is $39 per person and we need to book in advance.
• Sloth Encounter: This is a 15-minute program where we can feed and touch one of the sloths at the park. We will also learn about their lifestyle and adaptations. The cost is $39 per person and we need to book in advance.
• Flamingo Encounter: This is a 15-minute program where we can feed and touch one of the flamingos at the park. We will also learn about their behavior and biology. The cost is $39 per person and we need to book in advance.

Where to eat

There are several options for eating at Jungle Island, depending on our budget and taste. we can choose from:

• Pink Flamingo Cafe: This is the main restaurant at the park, serving burgers, chicken, salads, wraps and more. The prices range from $8 to $15 per item.
• Parrot Cove: This is a snack bar near the parrot show, serving nachos, hot dogs, ice cream and drinks. The prices range from $3 to $7 per item.
• Oasis Grill: This is a food truck near the entrance, serving tacos, burritos, quesadillas and more. The prices range from $5 to $10 per item.

# Day 3

Today, we will visit two of the most popular attractions in the city: Miami Children’s Museum and Little Havana. We will also enjoy some delicious food and experience the Cuban culture that makes Miami unique.

Miami Children’s Museum

Miami Children’s Museum is a great place to start our day, as it opens at 10 a.m. and offers a variety of exhibits and activities for kids of all ages. We can explore the museum at our own pace, or join one of the guided tours or workshops that are offered throughout the day.

Some of the highlights of the museum include:

• Castle of Dreams: A two-story sandcastle with slides, tunnels and climbing walls.
• Meet Miami: A replica of Miami’s neighborhoods, where we can learn about the history, culture and diversity of the city.
• Bank of America Gallery: A space where we can create our own art using different materials and techniques.
• Health and wellness Center: An interactive area where we can learn about the human body, nutrition and fitness.
• Music Makers Studio: A musical playground where we can play instruments, sing songs and record our own tunes.

The museum also has a theater, a planetarium, a library, a gift shop and a cafe. We can bring our own food and eat at the outdoor picnic area, or buy lunch at the cafe, which serves sandwiches, salads, pizza and snacks.

The admission fee for the museum is $22 for adults and $15 for children (ages 1-12). We can buy tickets online or at the entrance. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Little Havana

After spending a few hours at the museum, we can head to Little Havana, a colorful and lively neighborhood that showcases the Cuban heritage of Miami. We can take a taxi, a bus or a car to get there, as it is only about 15 minutes away from the museum.

Little Havana is best explored on foot, as we can stroll along Calle Ocho (8th Street), the main street of the area. we will see many murals, monuments and landmarks that celebrate Cuban culture and history, such as:

• Domino Park: A public park where locals gather to play dominoes and chat.
• Tour Theater: A historic movie theater that shows films in Spanish and English.
• Bay of Pigs Museum: A museum that displays artifacts and memorabilia from the failed invasion of Cuba in 1961.
• Walk of Fame: A sidewalk that honors famous Cuban artists, musicians and celebrities.

Little Havana is also a great place to taste some authentic Cuban cuisine. We can find many restaurants, cafes and bakeries that serve traditional dishes like ropa vieja (shredded beef), arroz con pollo (chicken and rice), croquetas (fried ham rolls) and pastelitos (pastries). We can also try some Cuban specialties like cafecito (strong coffee), guarapo (sugarcane juice) and helado (ice cream).

Where to eat:

For dinner, we can choose from one of the many Cuban restaurants in Little Havana, or go back to our hotel if we prefer. Some of the most popular places to eat in Little Havana are:

• Versailles: A classic restaurant that serves Cuban food in an elegant setting.
• La Carreta: A casual restaurant that offers generous portions of Cuban dishes at affordable prices.
• El Exquisito: A cozy restaurant that specializes in seafood and vegetarian options.
• El Rey de las Fritas: A fast-food joint that sells fritas, which are burgers topped with shoestring fries.

Little Havana is a safe and friendly neighborhood, but it is always advisable to be aware of our surroundings and keep our valuables close. We can visit Little Havana anytime from morning to evening, but it is especially lively during festivals and events like Viernes Culturales (Cultural Fridays), Carnaval Miami and Calle Ocho Festival.

THANK YOU

This itinerary will help us make the most of our 3 day family visit to Miami with kids. You can have fun and learn at Miami Children’s Museum, and experience Cuban culture and cuisine at Little Havana. I am sure you will create some unforgettable memories with your loved ones.

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