Miami here we come!
Josh, Anya and I are headed to Miami to visit my lovely ex-boss Sheril (who just retired after over 25 years at Avon Products) and her family this Thursday-Monday. We’ll be staying with them in Miramar and will have a car. Any tips on things to do in the general vicinity that a two year old will enjoy? (We don’t want to go to Disney.)
We were supposed to go last January but after Anya was hospitalized for severe dehydration after her stomach virus, we decided an airplane trip was not in her best interest!
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January 7th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
There’s lots to do in Miami for kids. Metro Zoo, though far south, is a great place to spend the day, so many animals to see and a monorail to boot. In the same area, there’s an amazing train museum, forgot the name, but it was great. Miami Children’s Museum is right next door to Parrot Jungle Island which is another great place to take the kids. Crandon Park and its beaches are a lot of fun along Key Biscayne. In Miramar which is in Broward County there are a lot of county parks, just go to their website to take a look.
January 7th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
I second the previous post about things to do in the area. There is also Wannado City. It’s pretty cool and let’s the kids try out different professions. I think she would have fun! I would definitely hit up a beach since you’ll be in FL! Have fun! The weather is really warm!!!
January 7th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Well, there is lots of stuff besides just Disney, you can go to the beach, go to the malls there, or go get a massage as well.
January 7th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
And, if mom and dad would like something to do…there is Seminole Paradise at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino…lots of restaurants, shopping, clubs…a great place!! It’s in Hollywood…about 15 minutes from Miramar. Fort Lauderdale beach is nice, if you wanna go to a mall…Aventura in North Miami is GREAT!! And there is Sawgrass too…that is where Wannado city is. The Museum of Discovery and Science in Ft Lauderdale is also great and they have an IMAX theater too.
January 7th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
disney is way too far anyway…
a few years ago my cousin, her husband, and two kids (a 3 month old and a 3 year old) were in miami. they are from connecticut, and her husband golfed all the time. she was going crazy being around just the kids and talking baby talk for days on end. she offered to fly me out from houston to not only help her with the kids, but also offer another adult presence in the house. well, to make a long story short, we did a lot of kid friendly things, and one of my favorites was this place called monkey jungle.
January 7th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Definitely hit the beach up–the weather here has been lovely this week and I believe the seas are pretty calm. My girls love it when we go
Monkey Jungle is cool, as is Parrot Jungle–and I’d even recommend going on an airboat ride in the Everglades (out off of I-75, aka Alligator Alley, about 20 minutes or so north of western Miramar). If an airboat ride isn’t your thing, there’s access to Everglades National Park down in Miami, where you can go on an elevated walkway/rent bikes/guided ranger tram tour/etc. known as Shark Valley (no sharks). Check out their website at http://www.nps.gov/archive/ever/visit/activ-sv.htm
If you’re wanting to do some shopping, I’d recommend Sawgrass Mills as it’s an outlet so prices are fairly reasonable. Like others have said, Wannado City is there, and there’s a Rainforest Cafe, whose food is so-so, but kids love the atmosphere. There’s also a small train ride in the mall (I forget in which section though as there are several, I think it’s by Burlington Coat Factory but not sure)…. I can probably think of some other stuff too but have gone on too long already.
Have a safe trip!
P.S. MetroZoo in Miami (way south) is nice but for kids, I’d really recommend Dreher Park Zoo in West Palm Beach instead (about the same distance as MetroZoo but just in the opposite direction). I’ve been to both and think Dreher Park is definitely more kid-friendly (with a neat fountain Anya can run/play in so bring a swimsuit, towel, and change of clothes if you go) with a free carousel and lots of neat exhibits. It’s also got lots of foliage so you stay pretty cool for the most part. Enjoy!
January 7th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
monkey jungle is awesome for that age- my two girls loved it when they were toddlers- make sure to go there- it is so worth it and is a hoot!!
January 7th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
If you want to head up to West Palm, the Zoo is great and then there’s Lion Country Safari (closer to the Turnpike than 95). Also the Morikami Japanese Gardens and Butterfly World. You can also head down to the keys-some of the first few have some great spots for swimming, great parks, etc.
Have fun!
January 7th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Ft. Lauderdale has a Young at Art Children’s Museum very close to where you are staying. Also, check out Museum of Discover and Science also in east Ft. Lauderdale.
Miami has the Miami Museum of Science & Planetarium as well as the Miami Children’s Museum across from the aforementioned Parrot Jungle.
But you must check out http://www.southflorida.com/sfparenting/ for all the possibilities and calendars.
Have a great time!
January 7th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
If you head down south to Miami, I believe there is a Pirate Ship cruise for kids right near Parrot Jungle. Also, for a spectacular beach, skip Key Biscayne and head down US1 to Matheson Hammock Park (Off Old Cutler). It’s a beautiful lagoon surrounded by ocean with views of South Beach, Key Biscayne, the Grove, etc on a clear day. Perfect for kids.
Ugh, this post is making me miss Miami so much! Have fun!
January 7th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
The Ringling Bros circus is in town (Miami) right now thru next week at the American Airlines Arena. I just saw it yesterday with the kids and it was fantastic!
Sawgrass mills is a wonderful outlet mall that also has a place called Wanado city where the kids can dress up and pretend to have real jobs as whatever, different months are different themes.
If you’re going to drive the hour and half north to West Palm Beach make sure your friend has a SunPass as the tolls can get quite expensive. Lion Country Safari is a great animal park, however it gets HOT!
The Miami Seaquariam is like a smaller SeaWorld that the kids love. The dolphins are great!
Make sure to go to Joe’s Stone Crabs for dinner if you’re a seafood fan. The BEST seafood in the world, plus after you can walk it off on the beach.
Enjoy the beaches and relax, and yes if you want to have an adults night out, go to north miami (biscayne bay blvd) or a girls day out go to Bal Harbour shops – it’s the Rodeo of Miami.
January 7th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
My Husband, two year old, and I just got back yesterday from a two week vacation to Ft. Lauderdale to visit family. We were told by many that Wannado City was a little too old for a two year old so we skipped that one. We went to the Miami Seaqaurium (which is very far south, however, on I-95 it does go by quite fast). We also went to Young at Art, a fantastic children’s museum in Plantation. My son’s favorite was Lion Country Safari, which is quite aways north, but we thought definitely worth it! You get to drive through a zoo as if it was a safari and then there is a small amusement park wirh several rides suitable for a toddler.
There is also an excellent park called Sugar Sand park off of Palmetto Park Road and Military trail ( in Boca Raton) that we loved! Have a great time!
January 7th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
The Miami Seaquarium is my favorite place down there!
January 7th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
I agree with the previous posts. However, Miramar is not in Miami – it’s in Broward county and about 30 minutes away from Miami. Bring a map!
January 7th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
If ur going to miami, please please please go to the Miami Seaquarium! I grew up in fort lauderdale and when i was little, we had tons of field trips to the Seaquarium! I loved it! They even had a meet and greet at the time so u could touch dolphins and manatees… It’s in key Biscayne but it is def worth the drive! And alot to see! I see others have posted this too! fun people think alike!
January 7th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
I suggest the Miami Children’s Museum and Parrot Jungle.As someone mentioned before, the circus is in town.
January 7th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
If you head up to the West Palm area there is a Playmobil Fun Park. All the Playmobil you can think of and very cheap to get in. My son had a good time there when he was eighteen months. Also, Royal Palm Beach has a small water park that’s a good fit for a toddler.
January 7th, 2008 at 11:40 pm
I live in Pembroke Pines which is 5 minutes from Miramar, in a neighborhood brimming with kids!! I asked a couple of the moms if they had any cheap and interesting ideas and this is what I got:
If you’re looking for something outdoors, fun, and extremely inexpensive there is always CB Smith park, on the corner of Pines Blvd and Flamingo Road. Lots of playground space and open air to enjoy, since the weather is especially nice right now!
For a movie night out, with or without Anya, there’s always Muvico Paradise 24 (Sheridan Street West and 1-75). Its Egyptian themed with a special daycare area if mom and dad want to see a more mature film. The care area has computers, tvs, and loads of activities.
If you’re interested in the outdoors, Flamingo Gardens is beautiful. Lots of trees and sweeping landscapes as well as animals. (www.flamingogardens.com)
The beach can be a little overrated, unless you’re a fan (I’m not, so of course I live here!!)
I would also recommend the Young at Art museum (http://www.youngatartmuseum.org/)
These are all in Broward County. While Miami has its draws, I know that travellers often don’t like to travel much further than where they are.
Also, the local libraries have lots of individual events. The one closest to Miramar is likely the Walter C. Young branch in Pembroke Pines. You can call them at 954-437-2635 to see if they have any special reading/storybook events going on.
Hope this helps and enjoy sunny South Florida!!
PS – If you’re planning on seeing the Everglades I HIGHLY recommend taking 1-75 N (Alligator Alley) to Billie Swamp Safari. I’ve been going there since I was nine-years-old and I still love the place soooo much! Plus, not many other places offer gator on their menu!!
January 7th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
I was in Miami last January! Whenever I visit my family in the Boca area I go to the Gumbo Limbo environmental complex. It’s a nature center geared towards kids and families. If you’re willing to take a drive (during naptime perhaps) it’s definitely worth it. It’s like a little jungle right on the water. There’s a tower that just clears the tree line and the view of the ocean from up there is stunning. Check out their website- http://gumbolimbo.org/
January 8th, 2008 at 11:35 am
When my father was down there on business, my favorite two haunts from the age of 2-4 were Lion Country Safari – where you get to ride through the animals like a real “mini-safari,” and Monkey Jungle. I SO wanted to bring an animal home with me. My sister who lived down there for many years said that she would include the zoo, and if you want to lather Anya up in sunscreen, then possibly the beach under an umbrella. (Personally, I get burned more in South Beach than I do on any of the Hawaiian islands which I just returned from.) There is always the Everglades, but considering how high alligators jump and the fact that I have forgotten when mating season is, that might be a good trip when she is about 8-9…lol Have a blast! And I hope you decide to do Disney one day. I don’t know any child from the age of two on that has not enjoyed a trip down there. My nephew who just turned 3 LOVES Disney and can’t wait to go back – then again he lives 2 hours away and has a season pass. Welcome to Sunny Florida!