From beaches to museums, great ways to spend the day
Published: June 28, 2022
From its aqua blue beaches and thrilling waterparks to its tropical attractions and open-play spaces, spots for family fun in South Florida are seemingly endless. Below are the stomping grounds that received the most votes from South Florida Family Life readers.
Family Fun
Favorite Beach
Broward: Hollywood Beach
This laid-back, family-friendly cousin of flashier beachfronts to its north and south has something that they don’t: the Broadwalk. Its two-plus miles of brick-paved, beachside promenade boasts over 50 eateries, 30 shops, three parks, three resorts and a free weekly live music series. It’s perfect for jogging, bicycling, roller-blading or just strolling while enjoying the ocean air and retro Florida ambience.
954-924-2936
http://www.floridashollywood.org
Miami-Dade: Key Biscayne
No surprise winner here. Key Biscayne is home to not one but two major beachside parks: Crandon Park, featuring everything from white sand dunes to a mangrove boardwalk to a renowned tennis center; and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, repeatedly selected as one of the best beaches in the country and home to a lighthouse built in 1825 that’s still the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade.
305-361-5207
Palm Beach: Delray Beach
Close to the action on Atlantic Avenue are the wide, sandy shores of Delray Municipal Beach, with its large gazebo and chair and cabana rentals. To its south are two distinct seaside experiences. Anchor Park offers six volleyball pits, Hobie Wave rentals, surfing lessons and snorkeling excursions to an offshore shipwreck. However, if you prefer some shade and serenity, Atlantic Dunes Park’s green canopy, wooden walkway and covered observation platform are for you.
561-243-7352
Favorite Local Adventure
Broward: Flamingo Gardens
One of the region’s first tourist attractions, this one-time citrus orchard doesn’t need thrill rides to delight. It’s like a theme park of nature, encompassing within its 60 acres the largest collection of Florida native wildlife and one of South Florida’s last natural jungle growths. Wildlife encounter shows and narrated tram tours give you an up-close look at over 3,000 species of native and exotic plants and trees, as well as 90 species of birds and animals — including alligators, bobcats, black bear, and, of course, flamingos.
3750 S. Flamingo Rd., Davie’
954-473-2955
http://www.flamingogardens.org
Miami-Dade: Zoo Miami
A distinctive ecosystem, Zoo Miami is the only subtropical zoo in the United States. The climate makes it hospitable to a wide variety of species from Asia, Australia and Africa — from African elephants to koala bears to Komodo dragons — a mix not found in any other zoo in the country. There are also special exhibits, a Kids Zone and rides like a Wildlife Carousel. Splash pads cool things down along its three miles of paths and family-sized Safari Cycle rentals help you see it all. Several dining options are available, including the zoo’s first indoor restaurant.
12400 SW 152 St., Miami
305-251-0400
Palm Beach: Lion Country Safari
Calling itself the first cageless zoo in the country, this two-pronged theme park has been taking visitors on safaris from the comfort of their cars since 1967. But it also offers adventures on foot, too. Its Safari World Adventure Park features animal encounters, a petting zoo, kiddie rides, a water park, mini golf, paddle boats, a giant slide, and tours on the Safari Queen Pontoon Boat.
2003 Lion Country Safari Rd., Loxahatchee
561-793-1084
http://www.lioncountrysafari.com
Favorite Local Museum
Broward: Museum of Discovery & Science
In its 30th year, this downtown monument to the credo that learning is fun is as much an experience as a museum. Nearly 20 permanent exhibits include an outdoor Science Park, a high-tech makerspace, cockpit simulators, an otter habitat, a science theater and an IMAX theater. Regular touring exhibits add to the fun — like the one there through Sept. 6, “Dinosaurs in Motion: Where Art & Science Meet.” MODS has the kiddies covered, too, with a Discovery Center and an Early Childhood Learning Lab, both for the 6-and-under set. Oh, and did we mention… dinosaurs?
401 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale
954-467-6637
Miami-Dade: Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
A trip to this immersive museum is like a trip to outer space via its Planetarium, a dive into the Gulf Stream at its Aquarium, an expedition inside your body in its MeLaβ, and with its “Mammoths: Ice Age Giants” exhibit, a voyage back in time. There are also explorations into the “Power of Science” and into the story of flight — from feathered dinos to space travel — in “Feathers to the Stars.” Have a nice trip.
1101 Biscayne Blvd., Miami
305-434-9600
Palm Beach: Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
A little bit of the Far East right here in South Florida, this center for Japanese arts and culture houses over 7,000 art objects and artifacts. Its three exhibition galleries, theater and authentic tea house feature rotating exhibitions, tea ceremonies and educational outreach programs. Plus, traditional festivals are held annually. Modeled after a Japanese villa, its original building presents an exhibit on the Yamato Colony, a Japanese farming community established here a century ago.
4000 Morikami Park Rd., Delray Beach
561-495-0233
Favorite Place to Swim & Splash
Broward: Paradise Cove at C.B. Smith Park
One of the county’s largest water parks, Paradise Cove is a splasher’s Shangri-La. Its Paradise Pipeline features four corkscrewing, five-story-high water slides. There are two interactive water playgrounds with smaller slides: Parrot’s Point for the 5-and-under set, and Sharky’s Lagoon for all ages. And when you want a break from all the splashing, you can meander down the Crazy Creek tube ride. Some areas have been closed, so be sure to check before you go.
900 N. Flamingo Rd., Pembroke Pines
954-357-8115
Miami-Dade: Venetian Pool
In pool-happy South Florida — or pretty much anywhere in the country — you’ll likely not find another pool like the Venetian. Not only was it created in 1923 from a coral rock quarry and embellished with the original coral rock, it’s filled (and drained daily, in season) with 820,000 gallons of spring water from an underground aquifer. There are waterfalls, grottos, porticos and two scenic lookout towers. To jump in, you need a ticket (www.playgables.com) and you must be at least 3 years old and 38 inches tall.
2701 de Soto Blvd., Coral Gables
305-460-5600
Palm Beach: Rapids Water Park
Pretty much any kind of wet and wild fun to be had can be found at South Florida’s largest water park. There are 42 slides and attractions — Thrill Rides, Family Rides and Kid Rides — including high-speed water racers, giant drop slides, a FlowRider, a lazy river, a wave pool and a water obstacle course. The kiddies have their own Splish Splash Lagoon and smaller slides. Located just north of West Palm Beach, the park offers plenty of food and beverage options. Lockers and season passes are available.
6566 N. Military Trail, Riviera Beach
561-848-6272
http://www.rapidswaterpark.com
Favorite Park or Playground
Broward: C.B. Smith Park
This south county park is nearly 300 acres of family fun — wet or dry. Beyond its Paradise Cove water park, one of Broward’s most diverse playgrounds is also home to a lakeside campground with 83 full-hookup sites, a family golfing center with a lighted driving range, miniature golf, batting cages, a 10-court tennis complex and picnic areas aplenty. And much more. Its 22,500-capacity concert site hosts the KISS Country Chili Cook-off each year.
900 N. Flamingo Rd., Pembroke Pines
954-357-8115
Miami-Dade: Tropical Park
This urban oasis is a real mixed bag of amenities and activities, some of which are rarely found at county parks. The 275-acre site is a runner’s paradise with miles of paved trails as well as the track at Tropical Park Stadium. Also, echoing the park’s former incarnation as a race track is the Ronald Reagan Equestrian Center, which hosts dozens of shows a year. Also, there are the Muhammad Ali Boxing Center, the Southwest Community Farmers’ Market every Saturday, four lakes for paddle-boating or fishing, and a 2-acre dog park.
7900 SW 40th St., Miami
305-553-3161
http://www.miamidade.gov/parks
Palm Beach: Sugar Sand Park
This is one park made as much for the great indoors as the great outdoors. The Children’s Science Explorium, located in the Community Center, brings the physical sciences alive for kids 5- to 12-years-old with hands-on exhibits, camps and programs (plus a Science Playground just outside). Also in the center, the 155-seat Willow Theatre is a showcase for family-friendly productions. And for the athletically minded, there’s the 14,000-square-foot Field House gymnasium. But there’s plenty of fresh-air fun to be had too, at nature trails, sports fields, and a hockey rink. And — a carousel!
300 S. Military Trail, Boca Raton
561-347-3900
Favorite South Florida Attraction
Broward: Butterfly World
There’s a special joy in catching the wonder on your child’s face when a butterfly flutters down and alights on his or her arm. That little miracle happens all the time at the world’s largest butterfly park, home to 20,000 of the most enchanting flying insects from around the globe. Beyond the open-air butterfly aviaries, butterfly museum and butterfly farm, there are free-flight aviaries for hundreds of exotic birds and hummingbirds, an interactive lorikeet encounter and even a Bug Zoo.
3600 W. Sample Rd., Coconut Creek
954-977-4400
Miami-Dade: Zoo Miami
Think of an animal — any animal — and it’s a good bet it’s here among the over 3,000 mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles that call Florida’s largest zoo home. Speaking of which, it’s a homey habitat for its over 500 species: The zoo’s tropical, open-air exhibits replicate the animals’ natural habitats and allow species that live side-by-side in the wild to be grouped together here. At 750 acres, Zoo Miami is the country’s fifth-largest zoo, but families can still have an intimate experience with several animal feedings (including a rhino!) and a tortoise encounter.
12400 SW 152 St., Miami
305-251-0400
Palm Beach: Lion Country Safari
Lion Country Safari was doing drive-thru long before it became the pandemic M.O. Meandering through the four-mile preserve west of West Palm Beach, you can observe up-close — and sometimes have to stop for — free-roaming giraffes, zebras and rhinoceroses, as well as lions and chimpanzees on barrier islands or behind fences. And if gawking through your car windows at over 1,000 animals isn’t enough, you can stretch your legs at Safari World Adventure Park, which offers animal displays and encounters, rides and more.
2003 Lion Country Safari Rd., Loxahatchee
561-793-1084
