Miami vacation with 1 year old
Miami beach vacation is the most popular vacation destination in Florida. The city has a tropical climate, with an average temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. Miami beach is a great place to spend your holiday if you are looking to relax and enjoy some time away from home.
Miami beach is known for its beautiful beaches, which attract thousands of tourists each year. The city has some of the best hotels in Florida, and there are plenty of activities for visitors to enjoy. The city also has many museums and art galleries that offer cultural entertainment for vacationers who want something more than just sunbathing on a beautiful beach.
If you’re looking for a vacation spot that’s as beautiful as it is relaxing, look no further than Miami Beach. With its white sand beaches and warm, clear waters, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to paradise. And when you’re not taking in the scenery, you can enjoy all the activities Miami has to offer—from boating and snorkeling to shopping and dining out with friends.
Miami vacation with 1 year old
Where to stay – Miami With Kids…
Miami Beach would be my pick for a home base in Miami. While South Beach proper runs only a few blocks at the southernmost tip, Miami Beach extends for many many blocks. Too many for me to walk entirely in both directions – but there’s a convenient bus service that runs straight up and down Collins Avenue. It also could not be easier to get to Miami Beach from Miami International Airport. I considered a cab (around $40 with tip) but ended up taking the Miami Beach Airport Express Flyer (Route 150) that runs every 30 minutes from MIA to Miami Beach/South Beach. The transfers to and from the airport were by far the easiest and least expensive airport commutes I’ve done – one-way fare is $2.35 (exact change, please!) Even if you choose to stay further North, it’s so easy to access South Beach and use those hotel savings for the Mall of the Americas
Miami is very diverse, and so are your options for lodging. In researching accommodations, In Miami, you’re spoiled for choice between enormous resorts and independent condo rentals, and every conceivable option in between, with many decent rooms for under $200.00/night. I found awesome discounts ranging from 42% to 51% less than other online booking sites.
The rates and accommodations were great, with lots of choices for families with little ones. The Loews South Beach, was 44% off, and the Courtyard by Marriott Miami Beach was 42% off – a great value and right on the beach. The luxurious James Royal Palm, located steps from Ocean Drive, was a whopping 51% less than the closest offer.
With the rates and properties I saw on their site, I’ll be adding TravelPony to the roster of websites I explore before booking a trip.
Where to eat – Miami With Kids…
The Cuban culture is hopping in Miami, and the warm Latin flavour infuses most local food. Now this is the USA, so of course there are your usual suspects of fast food, as well as dependable chain restaurants.
There’s a Whole Foods in South Beach, as well as three Publix locations.
A stand-out for me was David’s Cafe in South Beach – I enjoyed a fantastic, traditional Cuban sandwich and cafe con leche while watching Telenovelas with the staff. It was awesome.
Lifeguard huts on Miami Beach
What to do – Miami With Kids…
The Beach! Different areas of the beach are better than others for little ones, but Miami Beach, be it North or South, is pretty awesome. The stretch in front of the Soho Beach House is pretty incredible, especially if you’re lucky enough to be staying there. A stroll along the Miami Beach Boardwalk, that stretches for four miles from end to end, allows little ones to trot around relatively safely while you stroll along.
However, if you can tear yourselves away from the sand and the sea, there are a couple of places that caught my eye, pretty conveniently located in between Miami and South Beach.
Miami Children’s Museum –
One of the largest children’s museums in the United States, the Miami Children’s Museum, affectionately known as MiChiMu, is over 50,000 square feet of interactive and bilingual exhibits aimed at kids up to 8 years of age (and their families, of course!) MiChiMu is open daily, and admission is $16 (children under twelve months are free).
Jungle Island –
The original Parrot Island was one of the first tourist attractions in the Miami area, and now the 22 artificial fertilizer-and-pesticide-free acres is home to a variety of animals and birds – most notably Hercules, a 900-pound liger, that is a cross between a lion and a tiger. Children 2 and under are free, Adult admission is $34.95 +tax, seniors are $32.95 + tax, and kids 3-10 are $26.95 + tax and stroller rentals are available. Jungle Island is open daily throughout the year.