Your Kid-Friendly Guide to Downtown Miami

Downtown Miami is a vibrant destination for families seeking fun, food and culture on any visit to Greater Miami and Miami Beach. Whether you're spending the day exploring interactive museums, relaxing in outdoor parks or cruising around Biscayne Bay, there’s no shortage of family-friendly activities to enjoy.

And when it’s time to refuel, the destination’s growing list of kid-approved restaurants makes it easy to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Downtown Miami with kids.

Explore Interactive Museums

For an engaging and educational experience that both kids and grown-ups will love, Downtown Miami has plenty of museums to choose from.

Start at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, which boasts a planetarium with a nearly 360-degree virtual experience, as well as a three-level aquarium with multiple exhibits representing different ecosystems. Kids will especially appreciate the Florida Bay Touch Experience, which allows them to pet gentle stingrays in shallow water.

Miami Children’s Museum is another treat, with 14 hands-on exhibits that invite kids to activate their imaginations as they shop in a mini-supermarket, hop in a firetruck or navigate a pretend cruise ship. Art lovers will appreciate the works at Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), but be sure to check their calendar for workshops and other kid-friendly programming for youngsters.

Families can also head to Museum of Miami, a Smithsonian Affiliate cultural institution, for a glimpse into the city’s past and present. Visitors can enjoy exhibits like “Tropical Dreams: A People's History of South Florida,” which is on permanent display.

Have Fun in the Great Outdoors

Even in the middle of a big city, you’ll find several green spaces to enjoy some fresh air and family adventures in Downtown Miami.

Bordered by views of Biscayne Bay on one side and towering skyscrapers on the other, Bayfront Park is the ideal place to spend a relaxing afternoon. Enjoy a picnic in the spacious lawn area, let the kids run wild on the playground or stroll along the waterfront admiring skyline views toward PortMiami and Miami Beach.

Another beauty is Maurice A. Ferré Park, which also overlooks Biscayne Bay from its extended waterfront promenade. Home to PAMM and the Frost Museum of Science, you can easily combine a trip to this park with a visit to either of these museums.

Waterfront Entertainment At Bayside Marketplace

Keep the waterfront fun going at Bayside Marketplace, an outdoor plaza that’s a hub of nonstop entertainment. Family members of all ages will love the Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel, featuring panoramic views of the Downtown Miami skyline and Biscayne Bay.

There are dozens of shops to keep you busy, from Bath & Body Works to Build-A-Bear, and when you’ve worked up an appetite, kid-friendly restaurants like Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. or Hard Rock Cafe welcome the whole family to refuel with options for every palate.

You can also hop on several boat tours from Bayside, like the adrenaline-pumping Thriller Miami Speedboat Adventures or the calmer Island Queen Cruises and Tours. Add live music performances to the vibrant atmosphere, and you’ll find the perfect blend of fun and relaxation for the whole family.

Bayside is also located next door to the Kaseya Center, making it the ideal place to start or end your evening when there’s a sporting event or concert at the arena.

Family-Friendly Restaurants In Downtown Miami

Beyond Bayside, Downtown Miami has a variety of family-friendly dining options that cater to all tastes and ages.

The multi-level Julia & Henry’s food hall is a standout choice. With over 20 eateries ranging from flavorful ramen and melt-in-your-mouth BBQ to pizza, burgers and more, families can eat together while everyone still gets their pick of which cuisine to enjoy.

Other casual eateries worth checking out are El Primo Red Tacos for authentic Mexican dishes and Eleventh Street Pizza, which serves classic pies for the family’s picky eaters, along with more creatively topped options. For a more elevated family meal, CASA NEOS offers Mediterranean cuisine with views of the Miami River.

Catch A Show Or A Movie

Miami’s arts scene is booming, and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is at the heart of it all. Home to the Ziff Ballet Opera House, John S. and James L. Knight Concert Center and Carnival Studio Theater, there’s always something happening at the Adrienne Arsht Center.

There’s the latest Broadway musicals, mesmerizing performances by the Miami City Ballet, delightful tunes from the New World Symphony and show-stopping vocals from the Florida Grand Opera. Be sure to check the calendar to snag your tickets in advance.

If the family is in the mood for a movie, head to Silverspot Cinema, a luxury theater with fully reclining seats, chef-crafted menus and a great selection of family-friendly films. Silverspot has all the ingredients you need for a cozy movie night with the kids.