While South Beach is a well-known hotspot where adults fill upscale restaurants, shops and bars, the area offers plenty of fun for families, too. It’s easily walkable, has fascinating places to explore and offers cultural activities for all ages.

Family Beach Activities

Miles of sandy shoreline and blue ocean waters make the beach one of South Beach’s main attractions. Whether you lounge by the pool at an oceanfront hotel or pack up your bags for a day on the beach, plenty of family bonding time awaits.

Want to set up on the sand for the day? Beach chairs and umbrellas are available to rent all along the beach, or you can splurge and rent a beach cabana at a Miami Beach hotel. A popular spot for families is Lummus Park, which runs along Ocean Drive from 5th to 15th streets. Here you’ll find restrooms, a playground, grassy areas, volleyball nets and plenty of room to bike, skateboard or rollerblade.

When you need a break from the sun, stop by the Art Deco Welcome Center at 10th Street to get the kids acquainted with what Art Deco is all about and even take a tour. Maps and brochures will help you discover other nearby attractions and experiences as well.

Lincoln road — Lincoln Road is a must-see on South Beach.

Outdoor Dining for Families

South Beach offers plenty of outdoor restaurants and cafes you can enjoy as a family worry-free. Kids feel less confined when they’re dining outside, and you won't have to be as concerned about their noise level.

Lincoln Road is a must-see on South Beach. This outdoor mall has plenty of shaded cafés, cool shops, people-watching and pampered pooches. Lincoln Eatery food hall offers more than a dozen spots serving up everything from tacos and sushi to deli fare.

Also on Lincoln Road, The Café at Books & Books has an appealing kids’ menu, along with a great bookstore for picking up some new reads. Burgers, fries, hot dogs and grilled cheese will quell hunger pangs at local crowd-pleaser Shake Shack. For delicious ice cream, head to The Frieze, which boasts all-natural ingredients as well as non-dairy options.

In the evening, take a stroll along Española Way. This shaded block is closed to traffic and lined with charming Spanish Mediterranean Revival buildings. Embrace Española’s lively atmosphere where the notorious gangster, Al Capone, used to gamble with his pals at the 1920s-era The Esme Hotel on the corner of Washington Avenue.

Bass Museum — Marvel at modern art at The Bass museum.

Culture for All Ages

The Bass museum regularly exhibits cutting-edge contemporary pieces, and its manageable size makes it easy to get through in an hour or so for a pleasant and child-friendly cultural experience.

Housed in two Art Deco synagogues, the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU explores Jewish art and culture. Docent-led tours illuminate the saga of the lovingly restored buildings and recount the history of the Jewish community in Miami Beach. It’s also not a huge facility, so a visit here doesn’t tire little legs and feet.

If classical music, movies and picnicking are your thing, catch the New World Center’s free outdoor “Wallcast” concerts and movies. The bougainvillea-shaded lawn is a big draw – and a perfect spot for an Instagram post!

Play and learn at Miami Children's Museum.

Kid-Friendly Attractions

For stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and Downtown Miami, with cruise ships sailing out to sea, head to South Pointe Park. The park has family-friendly walking trails, a playground and a splash park for the little ones. The only caveat is that there’s limited parking.

For a larger space to play and swim, the 36-acre Flamingo Park offers aquatic facilities, courts and fields, plus a playground for kids.