Miami Beach, FL

Miami Beach, Florida Family Travel Destination

Miami Beach is a barrier island connected to the mainland by a series of bridges. For over a century, Miami Beach has been attracting families of sun worshippers and beach lovers with its miles of beautiful white sand beaches, a delightful playground on the Atlantic Ocean. Your family will find an endless number of attractions and activities to keep entertained during your Miami Beach family vacation. Your family will have a sense of familiarity as there have been many TV shows and movies filmed here and you never know which celebrity or jet-setter you’ll run into as Miami Beach is a popular destination for every avid tourist. Plan a fun filled, unforgettable family vacation in Miami Beach at a pleasantly affordable price.

Miami Beach History

Henry and Charles Lum purchased the small barrier island that would soon become Miami Beach in 1870. Their dream of developing a coconut plantation failed and the land was sold twice ending up in the possession of John Collins and his son-in-law Thomas Pancoast. Wanting to make the land productive agriculturally, the world’s longest wooden bridge was built from Miami, which would be the impetus for the incorporation of Miami Beach as a city in 1915. By the 1920’s small hotels began to be built along Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive. This building boom created the Art Deco District, now referred to as “South Beach” or “SoBe”. Miami Beach was a major training center for the Army Air Corps, during World War II. Many returning servicemen decided to make Miami Beach home after the war thus doubling the pre-war population. The 1959 takeover of Cuba by Fidel Castro brought many Cuban immigrants to Miami Beach and the South Florida area. With them they brought a cultural heritage that has thrived and added to the international appeal of Miami Beach. In the 1980’s and 1990’s a huge infusion of capital again reshaped the appearance of Miami Beach and the cultural mix. Today, more than one-half of Miami Beach’s population is foreign born.

Miami Beach Attractions

Where to start with things to see and do in Miami Beach may be difficult for the whole family to agree on. Miami Beach and greater metropolitan area boasts some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes, colorful architecture and cultural variety. A tour that will orient your family to the sights and sounds of Miami Beach might be a great way to start your Miami Beach family vacation. The variety of tours available will allow your family to find one that peaks their interest the most In Miami Beach. Get involved in an eco-adventure, historic tour and enjoy biking hiking, canoeing or snorkeling at the same time. The wackiest or perhaps the “quackiest” way to see Miami Beach is from a vesicle that resembles a duck, part of the fleet at Miami Duck Tours. The amphibious vehicle will take your family on an entertaining interactive excursion that just might be the highlight of your Miami Beach family vacation. Miami Beach’s tropical climate makes it a great place to see a wide variety of both tropical and non-tropical animals. There are family deals and discounts to take advantage of at parks such as Jungle Island, Miami Metro zoo, Miami Seaquarium, Monkey Jungle and Sea Grass Adventures. Something that is sure to win the hearts of all the family children is Steven Spielberg’s GameWorks where there are vintage arcade games, high-tech videos, virtual reality arenas and more. Leave your Miami Beach family friendly hotel for a day at the Miami Children’s Museum, an interactive place that encourages both imagination and creative play. The Amelia Earhart Park, which includes the Bill Graham Farm Village, makes a great change of pace for the family that needs a break from the sunrays. Enjoy picnicking, fishing or a pony ride when visiting this attraction, only a short drive from Miami Beach. One of the top ten beaches in the United States is located at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. Your family can enjoy a perfect day on over a mile of sandy beachfront, swimming, kayaking and biking. Then, take a break and climb the 109 steps to the top of the historic lighthouse built in 1825. After gazing out at the view of Miami Beach and Biscayne Bay descend to have a delicious family meal at one of the fine waterfront restaurants. Your family can do some bird watching or take fascinating a tour through a veritable rainforest without having to travel to the Amazon. For a prime opportunity to view countless impeccable artistic masterpieces, stop in at the Art Deco Welcome Center to begin strolling through the district where about 800 buildings constructed during the ‘20s, ‘30sand ‘40s all display the Art Deco architectural attributes. Along Ocean Drive, Collins and Washington Avenues of Miami Beach the impressive buildings have been restored and preserved and the entire district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. While visiting Miami Beach, consider scoring tickets to an exciting sporting event, such as baseball, basketball, football, ice hockey, polo and Jai Alai.

Miami Beach Shopping

If your family is tired of working on their tan or just wants to escape the heat, explore Miami Beach’s renowned shopping district. People from around the globe make a special stop in gorgeous Miami Beach just to buy all-American name brands such as Levi’s and Nike. Miami Beach and the city of Miami offer a grand selection of strip malls as well as megamalls such as the Aventura Mall and the Village of Merrick Park or more trendy places such as Bal Harbour Shops and the Bayside Marketplace. Along Miami Beach’s Biscayne Corridor, an emerging shopping area, your family will find one of a kind shops and boutiques, full of precious keepsakes and memorable souvenirs. It’s guaranteed your family will find something that catches their eye to serve as a reminder of a remarkable family adventure in stunning Miami Beach.

Miami Beach Dining

Dining in Miami Beach is an exquisite experience, full of countless tasty eateries featuring fare from all around the world. From 5-star restaurants owned by big name restaurateurs to ethnic specialties prepared in mom and pop hole in the walls, the flavors are as dynamic as the price range. If your family wants fresh seafood, don’t be discouraged by the outward appearance of the Miami Beach area seafood shacks as it’s likely you’ll find the freshest and best catch the ocean has to offer for a fraction of the cost. While Miami Beach is the place for trendy fusion cuisine combining Asian, French, Latin and American flavors, Little Havana is the place to go for authentic and delicious Cuban food. Since Miami Beach attracts many European tourists, be aware that the tip may already be added to your bill, as this is the common custom in Europe.

Miami Beach is a first class family destination, full of endless adventure, beautiful scenery and breathtaking sites. Book a family vacation to Miami Beach and enjoy a change of pace from a long cold winter to enjoy the beautiful year round sunshine Miami Beach has to offer.

LINKS

• Weather
• Tours
• Eco Adventures
• Miami Duck Tours
• Jungle Island
• Miami Metrozoo
• Miami Seaquarium
• Monkey Jungle
• Seagrass Adventure
• GameWorks
• Miami Children’s Museum
• Amelia Earhart Park
• Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
• Fairchild Tropic Botanic Garden
• Kampong
• Art Deco District
• Bayside Marketplace
• Village of Merrick Park
• Aventura Mall
• Bal Harbour Shops