Your guide to family fun in Miami, Miami Beach and South Florida

Family Fun/Kids

Although Miami is a world-famous party spot for the beautiful people, it also has lots of fun geared toward kids and families. The Bill Graham Farm Village has a petting zoo, the restored antique carousel at Crandon Park is popular on weekends, and Wannadoo City at Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise offers kids the chance to let their imaginations loose - while parents relax in a separate adult lounge. Other great family-friendly choices are Metrozoo, Miami Seaquarium, Jungle Island and Monkey Jungle. Options that are also perfect for the occasional rainy day in Miami include the Miami Science Museum, Miami Children's Museum and the Historical Museum.

Bill Graham Farm Village

A re-created Miami-Dade County homestead combining features of pioneer farms from the turn of the century with modern additions such as an air-conditioned Country Store. The pony ring (open weekends only, must be 70 lbs. or less to ride) on the side of the barn is equipped with benches for parents to sit and rest while watching kids ride a pony, or drive an old tractor. Open 7 days, 9am-3pm weekdays; weekends 10am-4pm.

Boomers

This family ride park features batting cages, bowling, bumper boats, a game room, go-karts, laser tag, mini golf, a rock wall, a roller coaster and a snack bar. The adventurous will love the Sidewinder and Flame Thrower thrill rides! Open 7 days a week, including holidays.

Butterfly World

For 20 years, Butterfly World has offered the public the opportunity to be surrounded by these beautiful flying insects - up to 10,000 at a time from at least 50 different species. It is the largest butterfly park in the world! Also includes the largest free-flight hummingbird aviary in the US and a lorikeet encounter.

Crandon Park

Ride on the restored carousel by the sea at Crandon Park (weekends and certain holidays). The historic carousel is at the heart of the Family Amusement Center, which includes an old-fashioned outdoor roller rink, sea horse-shaped splash fountain and a host of marine play sculptures at the beachfront playground. The park's beautiful two-mile beach is consistently named among the top-ten beaches in the nation, celebrated for its pristine sand, calm water, winding promenade and convenient amenities. Open 8am-sunset. $5 per car.

Everglades Alligator Farm

Enjoy live alligator and snake shows, plus exciting airboat rides, at the closest Everglades experience to the Keys! Admission price includes airboat ride! Open 9am-6pm daily.

Everglades National Park

With 1.5 million acres of watery wilderness, Everglades National Park is the third largest national park in the lower 48 states of the U.S. This river of grass is home to wading birds, alligators, fish, turtles, snakes and other wildlife, including endangered species such as the manatee, the wood stork and the Florida panther. A good way to visit the Everglades is to walk the boardwalks and trails along the main park road and join in ranger-led events. There are multiple entrances to the park: see below. Biking, fishing and boating are popular park activities. Check at visitor centers for regulations and license information. At Flamingo and Everglades City, there are boat tours in addition to canoe rentals. Bike rentals are available at Shark Valley or bring your own to any entrance of the park. Camping sites are available at Long Pine Key (first come, first served) and Flamingo (reservations suggested between October-April). Admission is $10 per car at the main entrance (open 24 hours), or Shark Valley. $5/person fee for individuals 17 years of age or older when entering by foot, bicycle or motorcycle. Good for 7 consecutive days. There is no admission fee at the Everglades City Visitor Center. For more information, please call 305-242-7700, Mon.-Fri. 8am-4:30pm, or check the park's website: http://www.nps.gov/ever/

Entrances and Directions

Homestead: The Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center: 8am-5pm daily. Entrance located at 40001 Palm Road (344th St.), Homestead. 305-242-7700- Flamingo: The Flamingo Visitor Center: 9am-5:30pm Nov. to mid-April; until 4:30 the rest of the year, depending on staff. Enter park at Ernest F. Coe entrance and drive south 38 miles. 239-695-2945 for info.

Shark Valley: daily, 8:45am- 5:15pm (Dec.-April); until 6pm otherwise. The Visitor Center is open daily 9:15am to 5:15pm. Take the Florida Turnpike to SW 8th Street (also known as U.S. 41 and Tamiami Trail). Travel 25 miles west on U.S. 41 to signs marked Shark Valley. Tram schedule: December-April, 9am-4pm on the hour, every hour. May-December, 9:30am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm; Reservations: 305-221-8455. Everglades City/Gulf Coast Visitor Center: 9am-4:30pm daily; opens at 8am in winter. 5 miles south of Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail) on State Road 29. From Interstate 75 (Alligator Alley), take exit 80 (State Road 29) south and proceed 20 miles to Everglades City. No entrance fee. Hours subject to change.

Gold Coast Railroad Museum

Exhibits include the display of the Ferdinand Magellan, the private railroad car built for President Franklin Roosevelt, and other historic trains. Adults, $5; children under 12, $3; 3 and under are free. Real train rides on Saturday and Sunday for an additional fee.

Historical Museum of Southern Florida

Discover the past and present of South Florida and the Caribbean through permanent and changing exhibits. Visit the Research Center: prints, antique maps, books and over one million historic photographs. Free, year-round, cultural programs for all ages. Special walking, bike, coach and boat tours. Now Showing: Black Crossroads, a history of the African-American experience in Miami. Monday CLOSED, Tuesday - Friday, 10am-5pm, weekends, noon-5pm. Third Thursdays until 9 pm Adults, $8, children 6-12, $5; free for members and children under 6; Contribution Sundays.

Jungle Island

Jungle Island, Miami’s entertainment destination, is located on Watson Island, in the heart of the city, between Downtown Miami and South Beach. The multifaceted grounds host Miami’s newest theme park, home to the world’s most rare and incredible animals. Some of Jungle Island’s most famous animal residents include Mama Cass, the only tame Cassowary on the planet; Hercules the liger, who holds the Guinness Book of World Records title as the World’s Largest Cat; and Peanut and Pumpkin, only the third set of Orangutan twins to be born in captivity. Guests can also go behind the scenes at Jungle Island with an exclusive VIP Safari Tour in addition to seeing exciting animal shows.

For hands-on activities, visit our Red Kangaroos, Petting Farm Animals, and vibrant birds.Visit the friendly waters on La Playa, Jungle Island’s private beach. Relax under a shady umbrella and enjoy a tropical drink while the kids enjoy water slides and a swim zone.

For even more adventure, book an exclusive encounter with the animal residents from lemurs to penguins - and everything in between. Call (305) 400-7200 to find out more information or make reservations for our private VIP Safari Tours and animal encounters. Open daily 10am-6pm. Adults, $29.95; seniors 65+, $27.95; children ages 3-10, $23.95; children under 3, free; military personnel free and military families receive 15% off (both with proper ID); students receive 10% off (with proper ID).

New Audio Tours! Jungle Island is proud to announce the launch of guided audio tours in both English and Spanish. Launched in partnership with Tours that Talk, guests will be taken on an interactive and informative tour that provides an inside look into Jungle Island, bringing guests even closer to our lush jungle and incredible animal ambassadors. From flora to fauna, the audio tour takes visitors through the park with an in-depth explanation of what is happening around them.

Lion Country Safari

Spend the day on safari with more than 900 animals at Florida's only drive-through safari and walk-through amusement park. Animal displays and encounters, animal feeding experiences, six rides, water sprayground, food, shopping and more, Lion Country Safari offers a memorable experience for the whole family!

Miami Children's Museum

Play, learn, imagine, create. Explore 14 interactive, bilingual galleries filled with hundreds of exhibits including a supermarket, bank, hospital, two story sandcastle of dreams and a 32-foot rock climbing wall. MCM also offers daily arts and educational programming for the whole family, seasonal classes and camps, birthday parties, field trips and more. Coming June 26: Clifford the Big Red Dog! Members and children under 1 are free; adults and children, $12.

Miami Metrozoo

More than 1,000 animals from around the world including the rare and exotic. The zoo is open daily, including holidays, 9:30am-5:30pm (gates and ticket booth till 4pm). Adults $13.95(+tax); children 3-12 $9.95 (+tax); children under 3 are free; seniors 65+ and military personnel receive $1 off. Wheelchair and stroller rentals available. Free parking.

Miami Science Museum

Interactive, hands-on, permanent and traveling exhibits for all ages. The Wildlife Center has live animals and reptiles, and is a facility dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of injured birds of prey. The Planetarium features laser light shows every first Friday night of the month, plus daily multimedia shows.Adults $20, seniors and students with ID $18, children $13, children under 3 are free. Right now, check out the new CSI: Crime Scene Insects exhibit, showing all summer long!

Miami Seaquarium

A place where dolphins walk on water and a killer whale flies through the air. Where slithery moray eels lurk in coral reef caverns, and giant sharks patrol their territory. Where sea lions delight children of all ages and endangered sea turtles and manatees find a safe haven. Open daily 9:30am to 6pm (includes holidays), box office closes at 4:30pm. Shows continue throughout the day. General admission (ages 10 years and up) is $37.95 plus tax; children (3-9) are $27.95 plus tax; children under age 3 are free. Annual passes are available for an additional $9.95 per person.

Monkey Jungle

Escape on a jungle safari. Explore the wilds of South America, Asia and Africa. Witness crab-eating monkeys diving for treats. Delve into the lush, tropical Amazonian Rainforest filled with hundreds of exotic monkeys. Enjoy the antics at the Ape Encounter. Other adventures include Cameroon Forest, Parrots of the World, and Lemurs of Madagascar. Continuous shows. Open daily 9:30am-5pm (ticket office closes 4pm). $25.95 adults and $19.95 children ages 3-9, children under 3 are free. BRAND NEW: Rainforest Adventure offers a private tour and feeding of squirrel monkeys in a secluded area of the park. $89 per person.

The Playground Theatre

The Playground Theatre treats its audiences to productions that have love, magic, whimsy, and humor for children and adults.

Wannado City

Wannado City named the best Edutainment concept in the world is America's first indoor role-playing theme park where kids' wishes come true in a realistic and imaginative way. Aimed at the 3-14 year-olds, Wannado City recreates all the sites of a major city from the point of view of its Kidizens, with many real-play venues and career possibilities. At Wannado City, kids can do what they Wannado! Hours subject to change; call for more info.