Family-Friendly Things to Do in South Beach | Sagamore South Beach

South Beach has a well-deserved reputation as a glamorous, cosmopolitan destination, but it is also a fantastic place for families. Miami Beach and the wider Miami area offer an amazing range of kid-friendly attractions. From world-class science museums and hands-on children's exhibits to wild Everglades adventures and cultural experiences designed to spark young imaginations, there is plenty to keep every member of the family engaged and entertained. Here is a guide to the best family-friendly things to do in and around South Beach this summer.

Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science

The Frost Museum of Science, located in downtown Miami's Museum Park, is one of the finest science museums in the Southeast and great for families. The museum is home to a stunning four-story aquarium, a planetarium, and interactive science galleries covering topics from the wonders of the Everglades ecosystem to the frontiers of space exploration. The aquarium's Gulf Stream tank allows visitors to look up through a transparent dome as sharks, rays, and hundreds of fish circle overhead. The planetarium hosts regular immersive shows that captivate children and adults in equal measure.

Miami Children's Museum

Located on Watson Island, just off the MacArthur Causeway between Miami and Miami Beach, the Miami Children's Museum is a dedicated wonderland for younger visitors. The museum features dozens of interactive exhibits designed to encourage creativity, curiosity, and learning through play. Children can anchor a mock news broadcast, operate a miniature supermarket, explore a giant sandcastle structure, and engage with installations about art and world cultures. The museum is designed for children up to age 12, and the exhibits are thoughtfully crafted to appeal to a wide range of ages and interests.

Perez Art Museum Miami

The Perez Art Museum Miami, known as PAMM, sits on the edge of Biscayne Bay in Museum Park and combines a world-class collection with a visually stunning architectural setting. PAMM runs a dedicated family programming series that includes art-making workshops, guided gallery tours designed specifically for children, and special events tied to current exhibitions. The museum's outdoor terrace, shaded by a remarkable canopy of hanging gardens overlooking the bay, is a favorite gathering spot for families. Admission is free for children under 6, making this an accessible cultural experience that pairs beautifully with a visit to the nearby Frost Science Museum.

Zoo Miami

Zoo Miami is the largest zoo in Florida and among the very best in the country. The zoo places animals in open, naturalistic habitats that reflect their wild environments, giving children an up-close look at creatures from around the world in settings that feel wonderfully authentic. The zoo is home to more than 3,000 animals across hundreds of species, including African elephants, Komodo dragons, giraffes, orangutans, and Florida's own native wildlife. The Wings of Asia aviary is a particular highlight, where brilliantly colored birds fly freely around visitors. A tram tour is a great option for younger children, allowing families to take in the entire zoo without tiring little legs before the day is done.

An Everglades Airboat Adventure

For an outdoor adventure the whole family will talk about for years, an Everglades airboat tour is hard to beat. The Florida Everglades, one of the world's most unique ecosystems, is less than an hour's drive from South Beach. Airboat tours glide across the vast "river of grass" at exhilarating speed, threading through sawgrass prairies and cypress forests while expert guides point out alligators, bald eagles, and a remarkable variety of wading birds. Many tour operators include wildlife demonstrations and narrated walks through the hammock landscape as part of the experience. It is a combination of thrills, education, and genuine natural wonder that families of all ages consistently rate as a trip highlight.

Jungle Island

Located on Watson Island, Jungle Island is a family-friendly attraction that brings together exotic birds, primates, reptiles, and interactive animal encounters in a lush tropical setting. Children can hold parrots and macaws, meet curious lemurs, and come face-to-face with a variety of reptiles that spark genuine fascination in younger visitors. Jungle Island also features a water play area and shaded walking paths through beautifully landscaped grounds. The park is designed to appeal to families with children of all ages, and the staff members are enthusiastic and knowledgeable about every animal in their care. It makes for a fun, educational half-day outing that is easy to pair with a stop at Watson Island's Miami Children's Museum.

Lincoln Road and the Bass Museum of Art

Lincoln Road, the beloved pedestrian promenade that stretches through the heart of Miami Beach, is a wonderful place to spend a family afternoon. The wide, tree-lined boulevard is filled with outdoor cafes, live street performers, and public art installations that give the experience a festive, cultural energy. The Bass Museum of Art, located just steps from Lincoln Road on Park Avenue, regularly hosts family-friendly programming including hands-on art workshops and guided gallery tours tailored for children. Admission is free for children under 6. Finishing the afternoon with ice cream or a casual meal at one of the outdoor restaurants along Lincoln Road is a ritual that families return to again and again.

Lummus Park Playground

For families with younger children who simply want to run, climb, and play, the playground at Lummus Park along Ocean Drive is a wonderful spot. Set between the iconic Art Deco architecture and the beach, the park features well-maintained play equipment in a shaded area that is perfectly suited for younger kids. The central location makes it easy to combine a morning of playground fun with a stroll along Ocean Drive and an afternoon on the nearby beach, creating a full, relaxed family day without ever needing to venture far from the hotel.

Artistic Family Hotel in Miami

South Beach is a destination with something genuinely special for every family, and The Sagamore South Beach puts you right in the heart of it all. The boutique oceanfront hotel offers spacious suites, family-friendly amenities, and a prime location just steps from the beach and within easy reach of Miami's most beloved attractions. Book your family stay at Miami’s original “Art Hotel” and start planning an unforgettable summer getaway.