25 Amazingly Fun Things to do in Miami for Teens
Did you know that there are so many things to do in Miami for teens? And not just the beach! This South Florida city is known for its hopping nightlife, and a lot of the city can feel off-limits to young people. However, Magic City is a great place for the whole family, with something for everyone. If your family’s headed to South Florida, keep reading for what I think are the best things to do with teens in Miami!
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Where to Stay in Miami
There are several family-friendly hotels in Miami we recommend:
- Loews Miami Beach – beachfront hotel, perfect for walking to shopping and restaurants
- Acqualina Resort & Spa – generous-sized rooms, very family-friendly, located on Sunny Isles Beach
- JW Marriott Miami Turnberry – massive property, close to a mall, access to golf courses and an on-site waterpark
- 1 Hotel South Beach – has a private beach with cabanas, several restaurants on property, close to Ocean Drive
Best Things to do in Miami with Teens
1. Little Havana
To understand the vibrant heart of Miami, a must-do is a visit to Little Havana. This historic neighborhood is the center of the city’s Cuban community.
Take a walking tour of Calle Ocho where you’ll try distinctly Cuban food, visit a cigar factory, and see street art. You’ll also get to visit Domino Park and soak up the ambiance of this gem of a neighborhood.
2. Thriller Miami Speedboat or Jet Boat Miami
I don’t think there’s any better way to see downtown Miami than from the water. You don’t need to take a typical boat tour when you’re traveling with teens.
Zip around Biscayne Bay on a speedboat tour that will leave your heart racing! Two great companies are Thriller Miami Speedboat and Jet Boat Miami. The tour operators are really entertaining. Just prepare to get wet as they twist and spin the boats, going at high speeds around turns!
3. Wynwood Walls and the Museum of Graffiti
Another hidden treasure of Miami is the hip neighborhood of Wynwood. The entire neighborhood (especially along NW 2nd Avenue) is filled with vibrant street art, as well as great restaurants, bars, and boutiques.
I recommend visiting Wynwood Walls with teens where you can see indoor and outdoor exhibits with dozens of murals in one place. There’s also the Museum of Graffiti, which often offers graffiti classes to visitors!
4. Miami Duck Boat
Switch gears with a Duck Boat tour of South Beach. See the biggest sights in Miami by both land and water on this special boat that drives straight into the bay!
The guides are a lot of fun. There’s music, jokes, and all of the iconic landmarks of Miami. It’s really one of the best things to do in Miami for teens who like to let loose and have a good laugh.
5. Rent Bikes and Explore Miami Beaches’
There are roughly 10 miles of bike trails from South Pointe Park to Bal Harbour Pier and plenty of opportunities to rent a bike along the way!
Take the family on a scenic bike ride for a great way to get to know beachfront Miami. CitiBike has rentals all along the beaches for just a few dollars for 30 minutes. Another option is to take a vintage street bike for the day from South Florida Trikke.
6. Jet Ski Tour in Biscayne Bay
Another cool way to see Miami from the water is by jet ski! Take a jet ski tour of Biscayne Bay while you look out for dolphins and take pictures of the stunning Miami skyline.
The whole family will have fun jetting around Miami Harbor. Anyone 18 and up can ride a jet ski alone, while kids 10 to 18 can ride as a passenger. Even if you’re new to jet skis, the operators will help you feel comfortable on the water.
7. Miami Wheel
Head to Bayfront Park for a breathtaking ride in the Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel. At sunset or after dark, it’s a dreamy way to see the beautiful city lights from almost 200 feet in the air.
Sit in the air-conditioned glass gondolas with views of both the downtown area and the water of the bay. If you’re comfortable with heights, the 15-minute ride makes quite the memory. Afterward, spend time exploring the shops and restaurants at Bayside Marketplace.
8. Miami Seaplane Tours
See the city from a perspective you normally don’t get to see with a seaplane tour of Miami. This type of private tour is great for a family of three.
You’ll take off from the water and hear interesting facts about Miami from your well-versed tour guide.
A seaplane is a great way to see a lot of the city at once, with overhead views of Coconut Grove, South Beach, and the million-dollar mansions of Biscayne Bay along the way.
9. Relax at South Beach
One of the top things to do in Miami with teens is soaking up the sun on the beautiful beaches of south Miami, but that’s just the beginning of what the neighborhood of South Beach has to offer!
Take a stroll down Espanola Way, check out the art deco buildings of South Beach, or hang out in Lummus Park. There’s also great shopping on Lincoln Street, or you can enjoy a fine-dining experience at Gianni’s in the historic Versace Mansion.
10. Take an Airboat Tour of the Everglades
For a truly unique experience, head to Sawgrass Recreation Park outside of Fort Lauderdale for an airboat tour.
Teens will have a great time zooming around the grassy waters in an airboat going 40 miles an hour! Your guide will give you interesting facts about the Everglades and point out wildlife like turtles and alligators along the way. This 2-hour airboat tour also includes admission to the park’s animal exhibit.
11. Artech House
For more indoor fun, visit Miami’s Artech House location. Just like it sounds, Artech is an immersive experience that combines art and technology.
There are 2 floors with different themed exhibits in each room. Walk through the various multi-sensory art installations and see work by the biggest local and international creators.
12. Miami Waterparks and Pools
One of the most fun things to do with kids of all ages in Miami is checking out the different water parks and public pools. If you get tired of salt water, both Grapeland Water Park and Rapids Water Park have splash pads, pools, and water slides.
Another option is to head to Coral Gables where teens can feel glamorous at the stunning Venetian Pool, with all of its waterfalls and palm trees!
13. Hand Feed a Spider Monkey at Monkey Jungle
Florida has some of the most fascinating wildlife parks where you can close to local animals that you can’t find anywhere else in the United States!
Monkey Jungle is a century-old animal habitat. Take a tour of the park and attend shows where you’ll learn about gorillas, monkeys, and parrots. You’ll even have a chance to interact with the animals and offer them a treat.
14. Check Out a Sporting Event
Miami is a great spot for sports lovers with outstanding teams like the Miami Marlins MLB team. See them play at LoanDepot Park.
If you’re a fan of basketball, catch a Miami Heat game at FTX Arena. But everyone knows that in the South, football is king! So visit the Hard Rock Stadium for a Miami Dolphins home game.
15. Lion Country Safari
There are many things to do in Miami for teens interested in local wildlife. Lion Country Safari is a 600-acre drive-through safari park where you get the chance to see lions, zebras, and more.
This is an unforgettable opportunity to see wildlife in the closest thing to their natural habitat. There’s also an adventure park, restaurants, and shops, or you can pay for premium experiences like VIP tours or a children’s petting zoo.
16. FunDimension
Located in Wynwood, FunDimension is a great family alternative to Miami’s nightlife! Spend the afternoon in the 15,000-square-foot complex playing laser tag, bumper cars, and more. There’s a climbing wall and a video game room as well.
When you’re hungry, head to The Galley for pizza. For adults, there are beer, wine, and coffee, so everyone can relax and have a fun time.
17. Everglades Alligator Farm
You won’t regret a visit to the Everglades Alligator Farm! In addition to airboat tours, they also have a variety of shows. Four times a day, you can attend free shows in the park that teach you all about alligators and their life at the farm.
Watch the feeding time show or for an additional fee, you can actually feed the alligators yourself! There are also exhibits of other reptiles, and insects too.
18. Frost Museum of Science
You could easily spend a full day at the Frost Museum of Science and not go through all the exhibits! This science museum is fun for all ages, with hands-on and interactive exhibits across many fields. The massive aquarium is a must-see.
Teens can also learn how technology is used to advance science, see the latest discoveries about dinosaurs, and watch a show in the planetarium.
19. Coral Castle Museum
There’s no place quite like the Coral Castle Museum in South Miami. It’s a fascinating stone sculpture garden made by an eccentric artist over 28 years, and no one knows how he did it!
For a small fee, you can walk through the sculpture garden and see the unusual creations, and there’s a free audio tour.
20. Superblue Miami
Superblue Miami is similar to Artech House, but it’s locally based, and it’s much bigger. For art lovers in the family, Superblue is essentially a contemporary art museum of multi-sensory art installations that are meant to be felt and interpreted by the person experiencing them.
In one exhibit you’ll don a poncho and walk through a cloud! In another, you’ll work your way through a mirror labyrinth. Even the dining hall is an outdoor exhibit!
21. Pérez Art Museum Miami
One of the best art galleries in Miami is the Pérez Art Museum, next to the Frost Museum of Science. This contemporary and modern art museum has a large focus on Latin and African works, you’ll see moving exhibits that you can’t find anywhere else.
The creations are wildly diverse, and everything feels carefully curated. There’s also a restaurant onsite when you get hungry.
22. King’s Dining and Entertainment
Visit the King’s Dining and Entertainment location in Miami for a fun evening of food and games. It’s a beautiful, hip restaurant with a great ambiance, but there are also pool tables, bowling, arcade games, and more.
The food is delicious, there are alcoholic drinks for the adults, and the teens will have tons of fun, all without it feeling like a cheap kids’ play place!
23. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Miami has stunning architecture, and that includes the historic Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. This is a beautiful Gilded Age mansion built in 1914.
You can walk the sprawling gardens, go on an audio tour of the mansion, and learn about the unique mix of designs used. Be sure to keep an eye out for iguanas that live on the property.
24. Day trip to Key West
Yes, it takes about 3.5 hours to reach the tip of the Florida Keys, but if you’ve never been, it’s worth a visit. The southernmost tip of the United States offers opportunities for snorkeling, shopping, and epic sunsets.
Check out this Miami to Key West tour where someone else does the driving so you can enjoy your time taking in the scenery.
25. Day trip to Bimini, Bahamas
Yes, it is possible to visit another country on a day trip from Miami. Bimini in the Bahamas is a two-hour boat ride from Miami and the perfect escape. You can book a private tour or take the ferry. Just be sure to bring a passport if you plan to enjoy the island’s beaches or go diving.
Enjoy These Fun Activities with Teens in Miami
Miami is a unique experience, with a rich culture and layers of history. It’s a fun place to spend a warm winter vacation, and there are plenty of places to find things to do for the whole family in the greater Miami area. Whether you’re looking for local history, a thrill ride, or something you can only see in Florida, you’ll find it here. Trust me, you’ll find all kinds of different things to do in Miami for teens!