When people first think of Miami, snorkeling is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. Yet, because Miami is boasts some of the best beaches, it is quite possible for find some exciting snorkeling destinations in the area.
The Half Moon
Although the Miami Beach area lacks coral reefs, there are some man-made ocean habitats that attract an abundance of marine life in the shallows near this busy tourist mecca. The Half Moon was a two-masted racing schooner that sank in 1930 off the shores of Key Biscayne. The ship remains in its watery grave, embedded in white sand in no more than 10 feet of water. The remains of the boat make a happy home for many reef fish, sponges, and coral. At high or low tide, the ship makes a popular diving and snorkeling spot for visitors to the Miami area looking to get their flippers wet.
Snorkel the Bar
Want to combine your passions for drinking and snorkeling? The Jose Cuervo Margarita Bar may be the most unusual snorkeling site in South Florida. The 10,000-pound concrete bar was made especially for a Jose Cuervo promotion and then donated to the artificial reef program in Miami. The bar was sunk during the “Sinko de Mayo Festival” in 2000 and remains just offshore in Miami Beach for divers and snorkelers to share with the barfly reef fish who now call it home. Head 150 yards southeast of the Second Street lifeguard station to find the bar.
Biscayne National Park
Biscayne National Park, which is just south of the city, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts that is a nice change of pace from the hectic city scene. This laid-back park has a shallow reef that is excellent for snorkeling and diving. The park’s underwater ecosystem is home to corals, reef fish, and manatees. Visitors may also see crocodiles sunning themselves and butterflies and birds fluttering through the air. Snorkeling is an excellent way to see the reef, and the water is shallow enough for those of all skill levels and ages. The park is open 24 hours a day all year, but check the weather before heading out, especially from June to November, which is hurricane season.
Crandon Park
Miami Dade Eco Adventures holds various tours around Key Biscayne and the Bear Cut Preserve from Crandon Park. The kayak and snorkel tour since it is an excellent way to get away from the shore and see the area’s marine life. Take a kayak tour of Bear Cut, then hop into the water with a mask, snorkel, and fins and see spotted eagle rays, sea stars and more. Tickets for this tour are available at the Crandon Park Visitor and Nature Center in Key Biscayne.
Are you and your family planning a trip to Miami? If you and your children are looking to spend some time outdoors, Miami has a wealth of wonderful parks that offer something for everyone in your family. From plenty of green space to play games with your kids to water-based activities, a day in the park is not only an easy way to entertain your young ones, but a cost-effective activity to partake in during your stay. Below we have compiled a list of 10 great parks for you and your kids to enjoy!
David T. Kennedy Park
The lush green space at the park can be used for sports, exercise, and all kinds of outdoor games. There is also free yoga during the weekends, a dog park for pet-enthusiasts, a bike trail where you can rent bikes, and an exercise course with calisthenic equipment.
Matheson Hammock Park
Matheson Hammock Park is undoubtedly the most popular marina and boat ramp, which makes it ideal for families interested in water activities. It also has an artificial atoll pool, which is a great way to expose small children to the beach.
Crandon Park boasts two miles of beautiful white-sand beaches that are free to enjoy. This is an ideal location for families because there is plenty of low-cost parking, numerous cabanas, and plenty of barbecues that you can use for a cookout.
Bill Sadowski Park
This park is a bird-watchers paradise. If you wish to expose your children to some of the tropical birds that inhabit South Beach, this park is the perfect place to instill an appreciation for wildlife. The park also organizes regular birdwatching tours and nature walks for visitors.
Oleta River State Recreation Area
Oleta River State Park
Since Oleta is Florida’s largest urban park, it offers an unprecedented wealth of activities. It has off-road biking trails for novices and enthusiasts; kayaking opportunities through mangroves during the day and through the bay in the evenings when there’s a full moon; and cabins and camp spaces for true outdoorsmen wishing to stay overnight on the premises.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
At Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, you and your children can tour the Cape Florida Lighthouse, the oldest building in South Florida; try your hand at shoreline fishing or ocean kayaking or enjoy a picnic underneath one of many covered pavilions available to rent.
Amelia Earhart Park
This park provides a wonderful area for families interested in activities such as wakeboarding, soccer, riding ponies, and hayrides. The park also boasts a 91-acre lake, so there’s also a place to rent kayaks and paddle boats if you and your children are feeling especially energetic.
Biscayne National Underwater Park
Biscayne is not your typical marine park. With approximately 95 percent of the park covered by water, visitors will need a boat to tour the premises—encompassing meandering creeks, shallow lagoons and mangrove areas that are perfect for exploring. The remaining five percent of park life happens at the visitor center, which hosts photography exhibits, lectures, and events for children.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
This park prides itself on its unique religious relic — a 4,000-pound statue of Jesus approximately 25 feet underwater. The park is also home to beautiful coral reefs, including the Coral Reef Theater, a reconstruction of a living patch reef enclosed in an aquarium. To see it all without getting wet, book one of the daily glass-bottomed boat tours for you and your children.
Barnacle Historic State Park
This history-centered park offers a glimpse into what frontier life was like in the area at the turn of the 20th century. You and your children can enjoy an educational tour of the former home of Coconut Grove pioneer Ralph Middleton Munroe and explore the grounds he so meticulously preserved.
Meta Title: Children-Friendly Miami Parks
Meta Description: Are you and your family planning a trip to Miami? If you and your children are looking for spend some time outdoors, Miami has a wealth of wonderful parks that offer something for everyone your family. From plenty of green space to play games with your kids to water-based activities, a day in the park is not only an easy way to entertain your young ones, but a free, cost-effective activity to partake in during your stay. Below we have compiled a list of 10 great parks for you and your kids to enjoy!
Alt. Tags: Miami Parks
To receive a high-quality experience, sometimes you must be willing to spend a little extra. This notion is certainly true when dining out in South Beach. When you go to one of the top-rated restaurants in the area, you are not only paying for an exceptional meal, but the exquisite restaurant decor, the chance to dine among an elite crowd, and the high rents. If you want to indulge yourself during your stay in South Beach, below are three highly acclaimed restaurants in the area that will not disappoint you.
Joe’s Stone Crab
This is the premiere destination to try Miami’s succulent Stone Crabs. Once you taste these crabs, you will have a delicious, albeit costly, new craving. The restaurant provides a variety of menu options for tasting the crabs but ordering a la carte means you will pay roughly $50 for six Stone Crabs. The restaurant also serves a wide variety of seafood dishes, such as lobster mac and cheese, jumbo crab cakes, salmon with a lobster Newburg sauce, and seafood fra diavolo. Make sure to arrive early because there is usually a long wait for this restaurant.
Casa Tua
Casa Tua, which translates to mean “Your House,” has carefully created an ambiance to make guests feel like they are in the comforts of an Italian home. The restaurant features an open kitchen, a communal table, an outdoor courtyard, and a welcoming dining room, which is decorated with nostalgic pictures and books. Of course, this Italian-inspired ambiance comes at a rather steep cost. Most appetizers (from tuna tartar to burrata) cost around $20 and their traditional Italian pasta dishes span from $22 to $28. The main courses, which primarily include a variety of meat and fish options, range from $40 to $50. The food, however, is so exceptional, that even the high prices will not deter you from ordering dessert.
Nobu
Dining at Nobu may put a rather large dent in your bank account, but the fish is so fresh and innovatively prepared, that it is worth the hefty bill. Some of their standout dishes include their lobster shitake salad ($40), their yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno ($27), their tenderloin of beef ($46), and their king crab leg with wasabi glaze ($38). Since the restaurant also boasts an extensive sushi selection, no seafood lover can resist this restaurant.
August is an exciting time to visit South Beach in Miami. Throughout the month there will be a wealth of events, ranging from food festivals to performances by some of the biggest names in pop culture. Below we have compiled a list of the top events happening in August 2018 to ensure your stay in South Beach is action-packed and memorable.
Are you a foodie? Then South Beach promises not to disappoint. Miami Spice, for instance, is an event that occurs throughout the month of August where select restaurants offer guests three-course, prix-fixe menus for great prices (brunch: $23, lunch $23, and dinner $39). Exceptional food at exceptional prices. Another popular event is the South Beach Mango Festival. August is mango season in Miami and what better way to celebrate than by eating delicious mangoes? The event will take place on August 5th at Lummus Park at 12th Street and will feature live music, cooking classes, a mango eating contest, and plenty of mango-inspired dishes.
In addition to the many food offers in Miami, make sure you get to experience the amazing performances by the popular artists showcasing their latest hits. At the American Airlines Arena in downtown Miami, you can catch performances by Kesha and Macklemore, Janet Jackson, and Shakira. Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift will also be performing in Miami at the Hard Rock Stadium in August.
If you are looking to experience some cultural activities, August is a great time to do so. The International Ballet Festival of Miami, which runs from July 28th through August 19th, will showcase more than 20 ballet companies from around the world and over 100 skilled dancers. At the African Diaspora Dance and Drum Festival of Florida (August 3rd through 5th), you can enjoy African and Caribbean dance, as well as drum and music workshops. This festival is ideal for everyone in the family as the event will also feature festivities such as African folklore storytelling, face painting, drum circles, and more. Furthermore, the IFE-ILE Afro-Cuban Dance Festival (August 12th through 18th) allows guests to celebrate Afro-Cuban tradition and culture at the three-day IFE-ILE Afro-Cuban Dance Festival. Activities include a children’s camp, academic conference and dance presentations at the Koubek Center.
With all these activities occurring throughout the month of August, you certainly will not be lacking things to do during your South Beach vacation.
Finding a restaurant that the whole family can enjoy is a notoriously difficult task. Luckily, South Beach offers such a wide variety of food options that you will be sure to please even the pickiest eater in your family. From playing-it-safe chain restaurants to exciting new fusion restaurants, South Beach has it all!
Casual and Convenient Dining
For a casual night out in South Beach, Big Pink never fails to delight its customers. The restaurant is also praised for its fun, lively atmosphere and large portions offered at affordable prices. With classics like homemade potato chips, large gourmet burgers, an all-day breakfast menu, and a very affordable kids menu, this is a great place for families to dine.
If you are looking for a family-friendly pizza joint, Piola is the place to try. Open for both lunch and dinner, this warm space with colorful light fixtures has classics the kids will love and options for adults with more expansive culinary tastes. Choose anything from pizza pies topped with ricotta and smoked salmon or ones doused with arugula and mozzarella.
Another option is David’s Cafe in South Beach. It’s been a mainstay Cuban restaurant in Miami Beach for decades. The food is great and you get the feel of a family restaurant (which is hard to find in South Beach these days)… and they also serve the best Cuban coffee you’ll find in Miami Beach!
Authentic International Cuisines
The delicious fare at Randazzo’s Little Italy pays homage to old-school Italian cuisine. With red-checkered tablecloths and family-style dining, the casual interior makes for a comfortable experience while gorging on large plates of spaghetti with homemade tomato gravy, veal piccata with parmesan and a traditional cannoli for dessert.
Family-owned Rincón Argentino is a staple in the city, mixing Italian fare with Argentinean cuisine. Offering delicious cuts of steak, homemade pasta and great service, this charming space with exposed brick interior offers an inviting and authentic experience in both its Kendall and Coral Gables locations.
Unique Finds
You and your family can enjoy a hearty brunch at Peacock Garden Café in Coconut Grove. The quaint interior with walls lined in vintage photographs is cute, but nothing beats the shady outdoor terrace with fringed umbrellas and birdcage chandeliers. Enjoy sipping on refreshing mint lemonade while feasting on lobster omelets and pecan waffles.
Tourists and locals alike can enjoy the social style and family-friendly ambiance inside Little Havana’s Casa Juancho Restaurant. This authentic Spanish restaurant with a rustic interior of brick walls and red tiles make it feel more like a space found in Spain rather than Miami. Paella is the main focus here while the nightly live music acts come in second.
Chain Restaurants
The highly popular Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. has a fisherman boat-theme that attracts so many South Beach families. Based on the movie classic Forrest Gump, this national chain might be known for its shrimp served any way but offers plenty of other fresh seafood and American plates too, like sandwiches, burgers, pasta and skewers.
Sushi Maki is a local sushi franchise that sports a colorful interior and unique menu with items like sushi tacos and chicken fingers disguised as Dragon Tails. Not only will the kids enjoy the playful finger food, but the whole family can appreciate the relaxed ambiance that rarely has much of a wait. A solid beer and sake selection is offered for those looking for adult beverages, while the bubble tea, a fruity Asian drink with surprise tapioca bubbles inside, is great for anyone in the family.
Lime Fresh Mexican Grill is a fast-casual mini Mexican chain originated in Miami Beach and has since branched out throughout Miami. Focusing on fresh ingredients and friendly service offers quality eats. Choose from guacamole, burritos, tacos, and quesadillas—with kid-sized versions offered for less than $5. There’s also the signature homemade salsa bar and imported beer and wines for the adults.
From an interactive and educational day at the science museum to soaking up some sun at the beach, South Beach Miami is a great place to vacation with the entire family. To help you make your family trip as action-packed and memorable as possible, we have suggested a list of activities that will keep everyone happy.
The newly opened Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science in downtown Miami’s Museum Park is one of the only science museums to boast both a planetarium and an aquarium. This means hours of exploration through the 250,000 square-foot campus that also features rooftop terraces for stargazing and urban farming, as well as six floors of fascinating exhibitions. Your family will be dazzled by the 500,000 gallon Gulf Stream aquarium with its resident hammerhead sharks and devil rays, as well as by the Frost Planetarium as it whisks you away to another galaxy using cutting-edge 8K technology.
For parents with younger children, head to the Miami Children’s Museum located on Watson Island on the MacArthur Causeway, just east of downtown. Here, your kids can create their own masterpieces at All About Art, Sketch Aquarium and Music Makers Studio, flex their math and science muscles at Bank, Construction Zone, and My Green Home and let their imagination run wild at Castle of Dreams and Ocean Odyssey exhibitions.
You can delve into Miami’s unique history at the HistoryMiami Museum. Best of all, admission is free on the second Saturday of each month from 10 am to 5 pm, with activities starting at 12 pm until 4 pm. Children and adults have the opportunity to learn about Miami’s communities and the past through exhibitions, art, and even city tours offered by the museum. You can also take part in a community mural activity, enjoy music, or listen to storytelling about Miami’s vibrant history and culture.
With its miles of pristine shoreline, South Beach gives you endless options for how to spend your day. Surfside and Sunny Isles Beach provide pristine conditions in a relaxed atmosphere perfect for young families. For active, adventurous families, consider Oleta River State Park Beach, Matheson Hammock Beach or Crandon Park Beach where activities like kayaking, canoeing, and kiteboarding are popular. If you have teenagers, they’ll love the vibe and excitement of South Beach and the Art Deco District near Ocean Drive.
Everglades National Park is one of the most unique ecosystems in the world with 1.5 million acres of subtropical wetlands, composed of sawgrass prairies, hardwood hammocks, and saltwater marshes—not to mention the fearsome Florida alligator. The best way to experience all of this up close and personal is on an airboat ride zooming through what’s often referred to as the “river of grass.”
Another great way to spend your day outdoors is at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. Here, you can walk through nature paths and discover sculpture gardens, butterflies, and hummingbirds amidst native and tropical plants. With more than 3,400 species on display, you’ll spy palms, cycads, orchids and so much more through the various gardens and exhibitions divided between the Uplands and Lowlands ecosystems.
If you have animal lovers in your family, make sure you visit Zoo Miami, where you can see more than 3,000 animals are on view across 340-acres. It’s a fun attraction for the whole family with open-air exhibitions dedicated to animal habitats from around the world, including Florida’s Everglades, the Amazon, Africa, Australia and Asia. You’ll spot amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles as they roam freely in a habitat mimicking their native lands. You’ll also have the chance to feed animals, watch a wildlife show and ride through the zoo on a monorail or tram.
Lastly, make sure you get a chance to hike through America’s first national preserve, Big Cypress National Preserve. This free attraction offers canoeing, kayaking, bike riding down the Everglades’ crafted scenic paths or coming close to manatees, eagles, and other wildlife throughout our mangroves and swamplands. This magical preserve is a vast place to explore and promises to be a wonderful time for the whole family.
Take your art-loving family to Wynwood where you can discover world-class street art at the one-of-a-kind, Wynwood Walls. This outdoor museum showcases murals by internationally renowned artists like Shepard Fairey, Retna, Kenny Shcarf and Maya Hayuk. Fuel up with lunch at the adjacent Wynwood Kitchen & Bar specializing in contemporary pan-Latin and Spanish tapas. An outdoor seat on the terrace places you directly in the museum where you can soak up the art over a delicious meal in a casual setting.
The Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) is home to Miami’s premiere contemporary art collection. The museum’s grounds—with their fun swinging chairs, benches, stadium seating and site-specific installations—are as alluring as the art collection itself. PAMM is perfect to explore in an afternoon without fatiguing the youngest members of your family. It’s also home to Verde restaurant for a casual lunch with beautiful views of Biscayne Bay.
For the fashionistas in your family, don’t skip Miami’s newest luxury shopping development in the heart of Brickell. Anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue, Brickell City Centre is home to all your favorite brands. There is also a wonderful variety of food options and is home to CMX luxury movie theater where you can enjoy a gourmet meal in a reclining chair while watching the latest blockbuster.
Most hotels are family friendly in one way or another, but certainly, some are more convenient than others. SJH South Beach is not big (don’t you hate having to cover big distances in huge resorts when traveling with your little one?), includes breakfast, has a pool and beach amenities ideal for your family. Our rates are also very competitive!
Is there anything better than a beach date? Before you answer that, you might want to check out some of these gorgeous beaches around Miami. Whether you’re trying to woo a special someone or rekindle old love, these beaches will seduce you with their romantic charm.
Surfside
Sleepy Surfside oozes with beach town vibe. It’s almost nostalgic: a neighborhood where everyone knows everyone, life slows to a crawl and the mania of downtown Miami is a distant whir. It’s also the perfect spot for a quiet, romantic escape from the world. It’s almost like taking a trip into a 70s summertime beach flick. Time stands still here, and it’s easy to fall in love all over again in Surfside.
21st–45th Street Beach
Everyone can probably agree that while South Beach has its charm, but it’s not exactly the best spot for a romantic stroll. Instead, opt for the nearby stretch of beach running from 21st Street up to around 45. This area is much quieter, and a better pick for romance. During the day it can still get a bit noisy, but the late afternoon lull is pure bliss.
Another slice of idyllic innocence, Bill Braggs offers a wide beach overlooked by a historic lighthouse. Like Surfside, it feels like you’re a world away – even though it’s only just a short trip across the bridge to Key Biscayne. It’s just a stone’s throw away, and a great spot for a romantic Sunday afternoon outing.
South Pointe Park Pier
South Pointe was made for nurturing young love. This quiet point at the end of Miami Beach is a great spot for a romantic beach-side date. Grab a bag of crab claws from Joe’s Takeaway, and settle down in the picnic area for stunning views and a mellow vibe. Afterward, take a walk along the beach, or just sit back and watch the cruise ships come in.
Matheson Hammock Park Beach
An artificial atoll pool, Matheson Hammock has good looks and a chilled vibe, and the sunset is not to be missed. However, the real drawcard here are the perfectly still waters, completely free from the surf. The surface is like a mirror of water and offers effortless, lazy drifting. All you need are a few inflatables, the love of your life and a few hours to whittle away on the water.
Bal Harbor
Just north of Surfside, Bal Harbour is decadence to the extreme. Locals say there are more millionaires per capita here than anywhere else in the country – and that’s not particularly hard to believe. Not only that, but there’s a good reason Miami’s upper crust chose Bal Harbor to live. Turquoise waters and flawless white sand make for a backdrop that’s almost too picture perfect to be real. So if you’re looking to impress someone, make a beeline to Bal Harbor.
Under the MacArthur Causeway
A bit of a local secret, Watson Island’s MacArthur Causeway is a rumbling morass of traffic for most of the day. However, unbeknownst to passersby, beneath the causeway, there’s a small area with views of the Miami skyline to die for. Come here at night to see the twinkling lights of the city from afar. If you get a clear night it’s even better.
– bright neon colors, beautifully painted lifeguard houses, beach umbrellas, tall palm trees, and thoroughfares riddled with convertibles. There are different Miami’s that can capture the attention of many persons – the South Beach of stylish new hotels and restaurants, or the South Beach of yesteryear, of pastel Art Deco buildings, museums and monuments. Indeed, Miami can be whatever you’d like it to be, which is what makes it such a natural getaway.
Reviewing Miami’s neighborhoods is a great way to understand exactly what you wish to pursue your vacation. The infamous South Beach is ripe with trendy restaurants, bars for all budgets, and fashionable shops: the harmonious trinity of Miami’s fervor. The Art Deco District lives within South Beach, and it brims with glorious architecture and colorful personalities. Dance clubs and live music abound, inviting all to stay awake to greet the sun.
Don’t be fooled by Miami’s thirst to stay awake – mornings and afternoons can be just as unforgettable in the city. Waterskiing, indulgent spas, world-renowned art museums, and never-ending beach strips are perfect for relaxing amid miles of white sand. Lummus Park on Ocean Drive offers beach volleyball and a playground, while South Pointe Park has interactive water features, a “tot lot” playground, and an observation deck. There’s no need to leave the beach for lunch, though there are plenty of waterfront restaurants. Simply pick up food at a nearby deli or grocery store, like Art Deco supermarket, before you unfurl your beach blanket.
Choose your own adventure.
Start in Miami…
2 oz. espresso · 1-2 oz. milk · A stainless steel pitcher · Steam Wand
Relax, and sip your drink slowly to enjoy the delicious, rich flavor of your Cortado.
Be careful: enough of these cool guys, and you’ll be singing in Spanish in no time!
Thanks too for the ingredients.