Is South Beach Miami Good for Families? Local Travel Guide
A lot of travelers wonder if South Beach, Miami, is good for families — and the question makes sense. This part of the city is well-known for being the center of wild spring break escapades and having a lively nightlife/bar scene.
But South Beach is great for families, especially if you know how to plan your trip.
I’ve been living in Miami/Miami Beach for nearly 10 years, and I often visit South Beach with my godsons. There are definitely plenty of fun activities you can take advantage of if you’re visiting with younger kids or teens, and there are tons of good restaurants and hotels you can enjoy during your time here.
Is Miami South Beach kid-friendly?
South Beach, Miami, is kid-friendly if you know where to go. While South Beach has a reputation for being a party town, there are definitely ways you can have a family vacation down here. For example, you can:
- Visit during the summer months when it’s low season for tourists.
- Stay on the west side of Miami Beach or in SoFi (South of Fifth).
- Take advantage of family days at museums, like The Bass.
- Go to family beaches like the ones north of Lincoln Road.
What is South Beach, Miami famous for?
South Beach, Miami, is famous for its beautiful beaches, Art Deco architecture and lively atmosphere. Here you’ll also find a gorgeous Boardwalk that spans the length of Miami Beach, and there are plenty of good restaurants around here, too. These are some of the most famous things you can find in South Beach:
- Miami Beach – Miles of white, sandy coastline on the Atlantic Ocean
- Lummus Park – Muscle Beach workout equipment and playgrounds
- Lincoln Road – A long, pedestrian-friendly outdoor shopping mall
- Española Way – A Mediterranean-style street with restaurants
- South Pointe Park – A beautiful park with walking paths
- Bass Museum – Contemporary art museum
What do kids do in Miami Beach?
There are plenty of things for kids to do in Miami Beach. Whenever I come here with my godsons, we always find plenty of activities to enjoy. Whether you’re craving a day outdoors or a fun cultural excursion, here are some of the top things to do in Miami Beach with kids:
- Hit the beach. Miami Beach stretches from North to South Beach. While the liveliest stretches of sand are on South Beach, I prefer having family events in North Beach near Oceanside Park between 78th and 87th Street.
- Explore the Boardwalk. The Miami Beach Boardwalk is nine miles long, and it’s great for walking, biking and roller skating. I learned how to skateboard on the Boardwalk when I lived on Miami Beach, and it’s a fun place to spend time with your kids — especially if you rent a Citi bike.
- Visit local parks. There are tons of parks in South Beach. Some of them are popular, like Lummus and South Pointe, but my favorite park is Flamingo Park. It’s located in the heart of South Beach, and it’s in a residential neighborhood. On the western side of Miami Beach near the Venetian Causeway, you can also visit Maurice Gibb Memorial Park, which has water fountains and a playground.
How to spend a day in South Beach?
Morning: Things to Do in South Beach Miami with Kids
Begin your day in South Beach by getting some sunshine. Head to the beach, check out the colorful lifeguard towers and play in the water with your little ones or teens before it gets too crowded. If you’re an early riser, this is also a gorgeous place to watch the sunrise while sipping coffee on the cool, white sand.
From there, grab some breakfast at one of the outdoor cafes on Ocean Drive and admire the Art Deco buildings lining the street. This is also a good time to visit the famous Lummus Park and check out the playground and workout equipment there, if you’re feeling particularly active.
Afternoon: What to Do in South Beach Today
Depending on your kids’ energy levels and your travel preferences, you have a few different options for what you can do next. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, rent a bike and cruise along the Boardwalk. If you start around 14th Street, it’s only about a mile to South Pointe Park, where you’ll find a playground and great ocean views.
Alternatively, you can head up to Lincoln Road near 17th Street. This outdoor shopping mall is open daily, but I especially like coming here with the kids on Sunday because it transforms into a farmer’s market. If you’re new to the tropics, it’s a great place to try local fruit, juices and smoothies. Mango and pineapple flavors are always my favorites!
Like a Local: If it’s super hot during your day in South Beach, you can always duck into The Bass for some AC. Here, you’ll also find fun, colorful contemporary art exhibits that are usually pretty kid-friendly.
Evening: What to Do in South Beach for Families at Night
Wrap up your incredible day in South Beach by grabbing dinner on Española Way then catching a show nearby. South Beach has a lively arts and entertainment scene, so there are often free or low-cost productions you can watch that are suitable kids.
At different points throughout the year, you can attend a free WALLCAST classical music performance at Soundscape Park. The Soundscape Cinema Series also shows movies for free here each Wednesday night at 8 PM.
For a fun family outing, you can also attend the Rooftop Cinema Club and watch a classic movie together. Kids are welcome to screenings before 6 PM Monday – Thursday and before 4:30 PM on Fridays, weekends and holidays.
Unusual Things to Do in Miami Beach with Kids
There are plenty of surprising or unusual things to do in Miami Beach with kids. I’ve spent years living on Miami Beach and travel here frequently with my teens. These are some of the most unique activities I recommend trying whether it’s your first time in South Beach or your fifteenth:
- See the wild cats and kittens on the North Beach Boardwalk.
- Take a pirate boat tour from Bayside Marketplace.
- View curious everyday objects at The Wolfsonian.
- Catch a show at the Miami Beach Bandshell.
- Explore the Miami Beach Botanical Garden.
- Ice skate at the Scott Rakow Youth Center.
- Visit the Holocaust Memorial.
Miami Beach Family-Friendly Hotels
There are plenty of family-friendly hotels in Miami Beach. Here are some of the most popular ones divided by budget:
- Budget – The Fifth Hotel (South Beach), Hotel Bellezza (South Beach)
- Moderate – The Palms Hotel & Spa (South Beach), Eden Roc (Mid Beach)
- Luxury – Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club (Surfside), Loews Miami Beach Hotel (South Beach)
Kid-Friendly South Beach Restaurants
There are plenty of kid-friendly restaurants on South Beach. In general, you’ll want to look for places that have outdoor seating. Ocean Drive, Lincoln Road and Española Way have good options for these types of restaurants. Here are some of my favorite kid-friendly restaurants on South Beach:
- Havana 1957 – Cuban (brunch, lunch, dinner) on Lincoln Road, Española Way and Ocean Drive
- The Lobster Shack – Seafood (lunch, dinner) in SoFi and Lincoln Road
- Sugar Factory – Dessert (brunch, lunch, dinner) on Española Way
- Tapelia – Spanish (lunch, dinner) on Lincoln Road
- Big Pink – American (breakfast, lunch, dinner) in SoFi
Family-Friendly Areas in Miami for Vacation
Besides South Beach, there are plenty of family-friendly areas you can stay in Miami for vacation. Here are some of my favorites:
- Downtown – Close to Frost Science Museum and Bayside Marketplace
- Brickell – Close to Brickell City Centre and Mary Brickell Village
- Wynwood – Close to Wynwood Walls and Museum of Graffiti
- Coconut Grove – Close to CocoWalk and Vyzcaya Museum
- North Beach – Close to the beach and Aventura
Conclusion
South Beach is a great Florida travel destination for families, and there are plenty of things you can see and do in the area. From hanging out at the beach to exploring unique attractions in the area, it’s easy to have a fun, family-friendly vacation in Miami’s South Beach.
Next Steps
Ready to start planning your Miami Beach vacation? Download this free budget planner to help you keep track of your costs while you book.
