Fun Family Attractions and Thrill Rides

Sure, you and your crew could relax on the beach (and should) during your visit, but Greater Miami and Miami Beach has plenty on offer for thrill-seeking families, too. Spread throughout the destination, you’ll find things to do in Miami with teens that go beyond your standard arcades and scenic boat rides.

Parkour, trampoline walls, airboat rides, ninja training, extreme rock climbing and wakeboarding parks comprise just a smattering of the exciting adventures that await for you and your older children. An added bonus? These Miami attractions for families include theme parks and amusement parks, plus high-energy activities visitors of all ages will enjoy.

Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel

Take in breathtaking views of Downtown Miami and Miami Beach from more than 200 feet in the air. Perched on the waterfront at Bayside Marketplace, the iconic Skyviews Miami observation wheel features generously sized gondolas with floor-to-ceiling doors and windows with 360-degree views of the metropolis.

The air-conditioned gondolas fit eight guests and come in three different ticket categories. Spring for a First Class VIP ticket to enjoy the views from a private, glass-bottom gondola with leather bucket seats, a center table and a Google speaker that can connect to your phone and play your favorite playlist.

Thriller Miami Speedboat Adventures Tour

Book a 45-minute sightseeing tour with Thriller Miami Speedboat Adventures and explore destination from Biscayne Bay. Departing daily from Bayside Marketplace, Thriller Miami’s speedboats will whip you around Miami Vice-style, zooming past Miami Beach, the Art Deco District and the celebrity mansions on Star Island and Fisher Island at up to 40 miles per hour.

These catamaran cruises cover three times more “ground” than other sightseeing cruises in Miami, so have that camera ready when your guide points out where your favorite stars live.

Dezerland Park

With over 250,000 square feet of action-packed entertainment and activities, Dezerland Park in North Miami is the destination's largest indoor theme park. A favorite Miami attraction for teenagers, it has everything from go-kart racing, a roller skating rink and rock climbing to virtual reality and arcade games, a Ninja Warrior-style obstacle course and a 10,000-square-foot trampoline park with trampoline walls.

This amusement park in Miami also has age-appropriate activities for young kids, such as the “mini” ninja course, so bring the whole family and get your blood pumping.

Everglades National Park

If you don’t see the Everglades when you’re in Miami, did you even visit Miami? Start your exploration of Everglades National Park at the Everglades Safari Park, a popular attraction where you’ll learn about the importance of protecting the Everglades through immersive, fun-filled adventures and animal experiences.

See what we mean when you speed through swamps on a 30-minute airboat ride, catch an alligator show, hold a baby alligator, visit a reptile museum or wander down the Jungle Trail. Be sure to have your camera ready – the Everglades is filled with exotic birds, reptiles, fish and other critters.

Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park

Family-friendly Sky Zone is the world’s first indoor trampoline park, featuring everything from a freestyle jump area and a foam zone to trampoline SkySlam (basketball), Ultimate Dodgeball, SkyJoust, a ninja course, zip lining, a drop zone and a rope SkyLadder that forces you to use strength and balance to climb to the top and plant your flag. There are two locations in Miami: the original in Doral and another in Cutler Bay.

Miami Watersports Complex

Miami Watersports Complex in Hialeah is one of the largest cable wakeboard parks in the United States. Adventurers in Miami jump at the opportunity to go wakeboarding, waterskiing, wakeskating, wakesurfing, kneeboarding, boating, tubing and more.

First-timers can sign up for private or group lessons with skilled instructors. During the summer, Miami Watersports Complex hosts camps to give young wakeboarders a chance to learn the basics, try new tricks (if they have enough experience) and spend a fun-filled week on the water with other kids their age.

K1 Speed Miami Indoor Go-Kart Racing

If you’re looking for things to do in Miami with teens, check out K1 Speed Miami, an indoor go-kart racing facility in Medley. Bring the whole family and race each other – the karts are all 100 percent electric, so they accelerate faster, reach speeds of 45 miles per hour and don’t give off any exhaust fumes.

K1 Speed Miami is a safe, controlled racing environment where visitors don’t even have to worry about bad weather. Prospective drivers need to purchase an annual license and sign a waiver, both of which can be done onsite.

The Edge Rock Gym

A climbing institution since 1998, The Edge Rock Gym is a full-service rock-climbing center in Miami with indoor rock climbing, a youth rock-climbing program, a warm-up area, bouldering and a kilter board. The latter is an app-powered climbing wall where you choose your own route on a mobile app (they’re contributed by climbers of all skill levels, from all over the world) and watch as rock holds light up to guide you through the route.

This 14,000-square-foot gym has routes for children and beginners, as well as climbing obstacles, roofs and overhangs that challenge even the most experienced climbers.

FunDimension

FunDimension, the first and only family entertainment center in Wynwood, is a one-of-a-kind facility designed to be a place where families can relax, bond and have endless amounts of fun. Split into teams and compete in the 3,500-square-foot laser tag arena – complete with music, fog and LED lighting – where players rush from level to level to find key vantage points and “attack” their opponents.

After that, you can try bumper cars, duckpin bowling or axe throwing, play arcade or virtual reality games or go rock climbing. There is an inflatable obstacle course for young children and The Galley, a full restaurant and bar where parents can relax, dine, drink and watch sports on TV while their kids play.

SkateBird Miami

SkateBird Miami is a skateboarding and lifestyle park in Miami’s Upper East Side neighborhood that aims to bring people together through creativity, culture and movement. Visit this best-in-class skateboarding venue and try free skateboarding on custom ramps, take expert-led private or group classes or attend Skatebird Miami’s day or week-long camps.

A true cultural hub, it’s a great destination when you’re looking for things to do in Miami with kids. There’s a gaming lounge, the DJ Academy, a nail artist, a skate shop and one-of-a-kind community events. Hungry visitors can refuel at Skate Cafe, an onsite food hall with spots for pizza, smash burgers, Mediterranean bowls, coffee and drinks.