3-Day Family-Friendly Miami: Beaches, Hands-on Museums & Wildlife
A relaxed, stroller-friendly 3-day plan for families with young children. Built with easy transfers, nap/snack breaks, interactive museums, safe beaches and playgrounds. Best visited in February (Winter) for mild temperatures and lower humidity.
Highlights
- Hands-on play at Miami Children's Museum
- Interactive exhibits & aquarium at Frost Science
- Shaded playgrounds and splash features at South Pointe Park
- Family beach time at Crandon Park (Key Biscayne)
- Animal encounters at Jungle Island
- Stroller-friendly downtown walks and Bayfront Park
Itinerary
Day 1
Settle into Miami Beach, gentle waterfront play, and an afternoon of tactile exploration at the Miami Children's Museum. Built-in nap/buffer time and easy evening strolling on Lincoln Road.
South Pointe Park: Playground, Splash Areas & Waterfront Walk
Start the morning at South Pointe Park's large playground, open green lawns and gentle waterfront promenade — stroller-friendly paths and a small splash area to cool off.
Tips from local experts:
- Arrive when the park opens to find shaded picnic spots and avoid midday sun; playgrounds have benches nearby for caregivers.
- Stroller hack: the promenade is paved and smooth — keep a light blanket for sandy shoes and use the nearby restrooms with changing tables (look for family restroom signs).
- Parking: street parking fills later; there is a paid lot nearby (South Pointe Park Parking) — load/unload children near the playground entrance to minimize walking.
Lunch at Big Pink — relaxed, kid-friendly menu
Casual, large-portion American diner with a kid-friendly menu and high chairs; perfect for refueling after playground time.
Tips from local experts:
- Big Pink is popular — request a booth for family comfort and ask for a high chair when you arrive.
- Menu is flexible for picky eaters and often can accommodate simple allergy swaps; staff are used to families.
- If the lines look long, order to-go and sit on the nearby grassy area or beach promenade for a picnic-style meal.
Hotel rest / nap / change (recommended family hotel)
Built-in quiet time for naps, changing diapers, or regrouping after travel. Recommended family hotel with kid facilities listed — use your hotel or one below as reference.
Tips from local experts:
- If you haven't booked, Loews Miami Beach Hotel has family rooms, stroller-friendly elevators and on-site changing facilities.
- Use this window for a calm snack and sunscreen re-application for the afternoon activity.
- Keep a small travel kit (wipes, sanitizer, a spare outfit) in an easy-to-reach place to minimize unpacking during naps.
Miami Children's Museum — hands-on exhibits for toddlers & early elementary
Interactive exhibits designed for kids (ideal for ages 1–10): water play, pretend grocery store, climbing features and art stations. Stroller-friendly circulation and family restrooms.
Tips from local experts:
- Best to hit the messy/wet exhibits first (water play) and bring a change of clothes for younger kids; there are family restrooms with changing tables.
- Arrive 10–15 minutes before any scheduled shows or storytimes — those sessions often have limited seating and are quieter for younger visitors.
- Strollers are allowed but crowded rooms can be tight; a lightweight stroller that folds easily is helpful when exhibits get busy.
Early dinner at Shake Shack (Lincoln Road) and Lincoln Road stroll
Child-friendly burger spot with quick service and a kids menu followed by a stroller-friendly pedestrian stroll along Lincoln Road — casual end to day one.
Tips from local experts:
- Shake Shack moves quickly — great for kids who need dinner earlier; request high chairs and allergen info if needed.
- Lincoln Road's pedestrian promenade is stroller-friendly; evenings are lively but avoid peak tourist hours for a quieter walk.
- If a meltdown occurs, several benches and small side parks are nearby for a calm break; restrooms are available in adjacent shops.
Leisurely Lincoln Road stroll (post-dinner)
Short, low-key walk after dinner — window shopping, gelato stops, and easy sidewalks for strollers.
Tips from local experts:
- Plan a gelato stop (many shops on Lincoln Road) — easy way to extend the evening without much walking.
- If younger children are sleepy, pick a bench near a fountain or shaded area to let them rest while adults finish strolling.
- Lincoln Road has public restrooms and family-friendly cafes if quick needs arise.
Day 2
Museum Park day: Frost Science for hands-on science, lunch at the museum café, an art museum visit, then a calm Bayfront Park playtime and a relaxed evening in Coconut Grove.
Frost Science — aquarium, planetarium & interactive exhibits
Engaging science center with touch tanks, a kid-friendly aquarium and an accessible planetarium. Ideal for ages 2–12 with plenty of hands-on stations.
Tips from local experts:
- Plan to arrive at opening to avoid lines for the aquarium touch tanks and secure seats for the planetarium show; the building is fully stroller-accessible.
- Verde café inside the museum is allergy-aware and offers simple children's plates; eating early avoids the lunch rush.
- Use the museum's family restroom facilities between exhibits (there are dedicated changing tables) and carry a lightweight foldable stroller for tighter galleries.
Lunch at Verde (Frost Science café) — quick, kid-friendly options
On-site museum restaurant with flexible children's options and convenient seating so you can return to exhibits quickly if needed.
Tips from local experts:
- Verde often offers a kids plate; request ingredient details if your child has allergies — staff are used to accommodating families.
- High chairs are available; seating near the windows gives kids a view of Museum Park and space to move after eating.
- If the indoor space is full, there are shaded outdoor benches on Museum Park where kids can stretch their legs.
Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) — outdoor sculpture and family-friendly programs
Modern art museum with outdoor spaces and kid-friendly activities (ideal for ages 4+); calm galleries and shady terraces to decompress between sights.
Tips from local experts:
- PAMM has family backpacks and activity guides for kids; ask at the desk for age-appropriate art activities.
- Use the shady outdoor terraces for snacks and calming time — great if a child needs a quieter space away from galleries.
- The museum is stroller-accessible and has family restrooms with changing tables — plan on shorter gallery visits for little attention spans.
Bayfront Park playground & short Metromover ride
Relaxed late-afternoon playtime at Bayfront Park's playground followed by a free short Metromover loop — easy, stroller-accessible transit that kids enjoy.
Tips from local experts:
- The Bayfront playground has shaded equipment and benches; bring water and a sunhat for children during winter's sunny afternoons.
- Metromover stations are elevator-equipped (Bayfront Park Station), making it easy to roll strollers on for a brief, fun ride.
- If children get fussy after museums, the lawn has space to run and comfortable spots for a calming snack break.
Dinner & early evening in Coconut Grove — GreenStreet Cafe
Family-friendly outdoor cafe with a casual kids menu and a lively but not overwhelming atmosphere; nearby Peacock Park offers a final playground stop if energy allows.
Tips from local experts:
- GreenStreet Cafe has a children’s menu and high chairs; outdoor seating lets kids watch the passing cyclists and families.
- Combine dinner with a quick stop at Peacock Park (short walk) if kids need one last play before bedtime.
- Coconut Grove streets are stroller-friendly but note limited street parking — allow extra time to park or use a short rideshare.
Day 3
Animal encounters and a beach day: morning at Jungle Island, a relaxed transfer to Key Biscayne for Crandon Park beach time, and a waterfront dinner to finish.
Jungle Island — animal encounters & bird shows (best for ages 3+)
Interactive wildlife park with bird shows, animal encounters and shaded pathways — compact and easier to manage than a full zoo, with seating and family restrooms.
Tips from local experts:
- Check the daily schedule for bird and animal shows when you arrive; shows are short and ideal for short attention spans.
- Bring sunscreen and a hat; many viewing areas are outdoors but shaded seating is available near the main stages.
- Stroller note: pathways are paved but can get crowded near shows — consider a lightweight stroller or a child carrier for short periods.
Transfer to Key Biscayne + relaxed lunch en route / light snack
Short scenic drive over the Rickenbacker Causeway to Key Biscayne — take time to stop for a casual snack and prepare beach gear for an afternoon of sand and calm water.
Tips from local experts:
- Pack beach toys and a small sun shelter; Crandon Park has shaded picnic areas but limited shady sand spots near the shore.
- There is a small store near the park entrance for forgotten items (sunscreen, hats, extra diapers), but it can be pricier — plan ahead.
- Traffic on the causeway can build around midday; leave Jungle Island no later than 11:30 to arrive relaxed for a lunchtime break.
Crandon Park Beach & family-friendly shoreline (Key Biscayne)
Shallow water, lifeguards on duty (seasonal), shaded picnic spots, and a large playground — ideal for paddling toddlers and relaxed family beach time.
Tips from local experts:
- Use the boardwalk and paved paths for stroller access to the beach entry point; the playground and picnic areas are a short walk from parking.
- Bring a shade tent for little ones and reapply reef-safe sunscreen frequently — winter sun can still be strong in Miami.
- There are restrooms and changing areas near the main beach entrance; aim to arrive earlier in the afternoon for more shade and fewer crowds.
Late afternoon dinner at Rusty Pelican (waterfront) — easy end to the trip
Waterfront restaurant with room for strollers and large windows; kids’ options and quick service make it a comfortable final meal before heading home.
Tips from local experts:
- Request a waterside table early (it’s popular); the views are calming for kids and provide a low-key end to the day.
- Rusty Pelican is family-friendly earlier in the evening; ask about children’s portion sizes and allergen accommodations.
- Parking at Virginia Key/Rusty Pelican area can be limited — allow a 10–15 minute buffer for finding a spot or use rideshare.
