South Beach For Families

Coming to Miami with kids? South Beach is a family-friendly destination that they’ll rave about long after the trip ends. Think: long beach days in the sun and splashing in calm waters, oceanfront cafes with kid-approved menus and shady parks with playgrounds and spots for family picnics. Museums, tours, concerts and movies under the stars offer fun ways to experience the cultural side of South Beach, too.

Beach Fun For All Ages

If you’re a kid in Miami, hanging out at the beach is pretty much a requirement. And South Beach, which runs from 1st Street/South Pointe Drive to 23rd Street/Dade Boulevard, is a parent’s dream thanks to wide stretches of soft white sand, plentiful lifeguards who stand watch from colorful towers and calm, shallow waters for easy wading and dips.

South Beach is also home to beaches and oceanfront parks like South Pointe Park, where families can find places to splash and play, along with plenty of shade and covered seating. There’s the South Pointe Pier, waterfront walking paths, towering art sculptures, a bark park and a cafe with juice and snacks. A splash pad will help everyone keep cool, and the whole family will enjoy watching the cruise ships coming and going from the port.

Even if you’re not staying at a hotel on South Beach, beach chairs and cabanas are available to rent from Boucher Brothers (look for their bright blue umbrellas) or South Beach Cabana Club on 17th Street, and watersports like kayaks, paddle boards and jet skis can be checked out from BouYah Watersports in Lummus Park. And if you want hotel access without staying, look for hotels who partner with ResortPass for day passes.

Exploring Ocean Drive

Ocean Drive in South Beach is an iconic street that’s famously starred in movies, and its historic Art Deco buildings’ architecture and vibrant colors are sure to capture kids’ attention. If they’re old enough (and their attention span is long enough), it’s worth joining the daily Art Deco Walking Tour.

Start a competitive game of beach volleyball along the strip at Lummus Park – or the kids may enjoy seeing all the buff locals working out at gym on “Muscle Beach.” The street is lined with cafes with sidewalk seating, many of which offer kid-friendly menus. Favorites include La Trattoria for pasta or pizza, Oh! Mexico, Ocean7 Café for a breakfast extravaganza and The Alley for pizza.

Parks and Outdoor Activities

With open green spaces at breezy beachside parks, South Beach offers the chance for kids to play and run carefree. Aside from South Pointe Park and Lummus Park, which offer public restrooms, playgrounds and recreation for all ages, families can walk along the palm-lined (and stroller-friendly) Beachwalk path that weaves along the ocean, or rent a Citi Bike at the Ocean Drive and 7th Street station to pedal along the designated bike path. Unlimited Biking also offers bike trailers for families. The park also hosts various special events every year like Art Deco Weekend and outdoor concerts.

The Miami Beach Botanical Garden offers free admission and is another place for a beautiful stroll. The lush urban enclave boasts a collection of rare native specimens, a Japanese garden and family-friendly programming like jazz evenings and Mommy and Me yoga throughout the year.

Nestled along the bayfront in South Beach’s Sunset Harbour enclave, Maurice Gibb Memorial Park features a modern, music-themed playground with beautiful views of the marina. The park has restrooms, green space to run around and lots shade, and kids will enjoy checking out all the boats dotting the waterscape. Manatees will occasionally hang out along the docks, and the newly launched Miami Water Taxi departs from this location, too.

Family-Friendly Attractions

Families visiting South Beach can move beyond the typical beach day and delve into fun activities. Nurture your child’s love of music at the New World Symphony, with free outdoor WALLCAST concerts in Soundscape Park from October to May. Families love spreading out blankets to watch the classical concerts, and even family-friendly movies on select Wednesday nights.

Pedestrian-only Lincoln Road is also a haven for families, with green spaces to play, street performers, sidewalk restaurants and cafes, and regular activities like the Sunday Lincoln Road Farmers Market. The promenade is also dotted with a revolving roster of playful artwork that ranges from fantastical sculptures of animals to cute inflatables.

The Bass, a contemporary art museum, makes art accessible to little ones with its Art Outside exhibition, a collection of colorful interactive sculptures and murals sprinkled around Collins Park and South Beach. They also offer free Family Days on the last Sunday of each month.

Family-Friendly Dining

Lincoln Road is a top pick for South Beach restaurants with kid-friendly dining, thanks to its casual outdoor setting lined with al fresco restaurants. Picky children will always find something to eat at the Lincoln Eatery with 16 different eateries, and Cuban favorite Havana 1957 has a popular kids’ menu.

For families who never tire of pizza, there are solid spots in South Beach, like MisterO1, Lucali and La LeGGenda Pizzeria for authentic Neapolitan pies. And for the burger crowd, Le Rond near South Pointe Park will impress both adults and kids with their gourmet burgers, fries and milkshakes.

If you’re looking for a sugar high, and an ambiance that will make your child’s eyes pop at the flower walls and Instagrammable décor, the Sugar Factory on Espanola Way never misses. The menu includes chicken tenders, wings, sandwiches, burgers and over-the-top desserts like the King Kong Sundae.

Local Tips

Getting around South Beach is easy with plenty of paid public parking, from garages to open lots. While most people choose to walk the area, there is a free South Beach Trolley and stations for bike rentals. And if you want a free ride on the water, there’s try the new water taxi that connects Miami Beach and Downtown Miami, with a scenic ride on Biscayne Bay.

For the best weather, plan your visit from October to May, which offers Miami Attraction & Museum Months. The off-season summer months can be more affordable and deliver locally loved deals like Miami Spice with discounted menus.