A zoo to interact with the animals, airboat ride through the swamps and a new wakeboard complex, among other activities to alternate with the beach and keep the children happy.
For children, a visit to Orlando and its magical parks can hardly compete with other destinations. However, Miami, in addition to white sand beaches and warm waters, offers a large billboard of attractions to enjoy with the family, which can be alternated with walks through South Beach and visits to shopping centers, all without Mickey Mouse sticking his ears. Because it is known, children usually have a decisive role in the choice of the holiday destination and in many of the activities that are carried out on the trip. A list with some proposals to keep the kids happy.
JUNGLE ISLAND, THE BOUTIQUE ZOO
Hooney, the Burmese python several meters long, gently embraces me. I hold it tight with my hands, without feeling the disgust and impression I always had on reptiles. Then I will feed a cappuccino monkey in the mouth as if it were a baby and play with lemurs, which will jump and walk through my head.
These are some of the experiences that are lived in the exclusive Go Wild tour offered by Jungle Island, a boutique zoo, small, with covered walkways and many trees, almost jungle, to protect from the sun and animals that are seen in steps and even with which you can interact.
Those who do not want to spend $ 300 to play with these exotic animals as if they were domestic can tour the grounds as in any zoo and pay only for a special encounter, such as entering to see kangaroos or feeding giant tortoises.
“The star of the zoo is the liger, a cross between tiger and lion. This is the largest cat in the world, it has the Guinness record: there are only 30, “says Felipe García, guide and veterinarian as we tour the park. The liger rests in the distance. White tigers in another sector are restlessly waiting for food. It is fortunate to see them with their eyes open because they sleep 18 hours a day.
A little further are the orangutans: “Jake, Pina and Connie usually play with an iPad to the memotest and drink water from a glass,” they explain while they make monerías.
And the list of animals goes on: there are 450 species that are seen very closely. Many birds from the five continents, leopard, a serpentarium, reptiles and variety of monkeys and other exotic species. In the amphitheater there are also bird shows, with condors and owls flying over the heads of the spectators. Miami regulars will remember the old Parrot Island that was in the south of the city. 10 years ago, that park dedicated to birds moved to downtown Miami, between Downtown and Miami Beach, to have more space and especially more animals. And so came the exotics. In a few years they will add adventure activities, such as zip lining.
A suggestion: go with a bathing suit because on one side you have a beach with water inflatables to have fun and extend the visit a little more, which can quietly last between five and six hours.
Admission is $35 for adults and $27 for children. Open every day, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail. www.jungleisland.com
Another option: Miami Zoo. It’s in South Miami, an hour’s drive away. It is much bigger (more than 100 hectares), with more animals, but also more tiring for the children. You can see lions, giraffes, elephants, gorillas, among others. Avoid very hot days, although there are water games to cool off. You can rent bicycles to tour it. Admission: US$ 18 adults and US$ 14 children under 13 years old. Open from 10 to 17. 1 Zoo Boulevard 12400 SW 152 Street. www.zoomiami.org
THE BOYS’ MUSEUM
If it rains heavily or it’s hot that melts the asphalt, the Children’s Museum can be a savior. In the area of the museums, very close to the brand new Pérez Art Museum and Jungle Island, and a few blocks from Bayside, is a world of interactive games for children up to 10 years old. Parents can sit down to rest, while children are responsible for trying everything, most of the educational activities.
Two little brothers of 7 and 8 years old run into the supermarket, one chooses to be a cashier, while the other does the shopping (meats, fruits, vegetables and others in plastic version), pays and goes to karaoke. There they can sing and dance.
Then they will go to the castle of dreams, to steer a large cruise sponsored by Carnival, to build a building and to play firefighters among other rooms of the 14 offered by the museum for children. It has a large sector with teachers to release the artistic vein and plays are also presented. Now, the temporary exhibition is about pirates and very soonEl Wizard of Oz will appear. Admission costs US$ 18 for both adults and children. On the third Friday of each month access is free. 980 MacArthur Causeway, Miami. www.miamichildrensmuseum.org
WAKEBOARD
For intrepid kids (and parents), Miami offers a new proposition: Aktions Parks. Opened last March, the complex on a lagoon in Amelia Earhart Park is ready to start and perfect wakeboarding. An outing with a lot of adrenaline reserved for those who like action.
In this case you do not need a boat from which to hang. It consists of a system of Rixen Cableways pulleys, designed in Germany, from which skiers grab to cover two circuits.
It is not necessary to be an expert much less. It has a kind of pulley school for beginners, where you can fall and get out of the water a thousand times without risks.
You can start with the kneeboard, a board on which you kneel or directly on the wakeboard, to slide on the warm waters of the lagoon. Depending on the abilities of each child, from the age of 6 they can already try balance. The instructor controls the speed of the movement and adapts it to each one. Then yes, you can move on to the two circuits of the lagoon. There is already another similar park, from the same owners, in Orlando.
The two-hour pass costs $34; 4 hours, 44, and full day, $54. Equipment rental, apart. For beginners, $59, with a private instructor and four-hour pass. In addition, we must add the rental of equipment (US $ 14). Open every day, from 10 to 20. In winter, until 18. 401 E 65 Street, Hialeah. www.aktionparks.com/miami
CROCODILES IN SIGHT
A classic for the kids is the visit to one of the farms in the Everglades, the large swampy area of southern Florida, just over an hour south of Miami. There the proposal is to sail in the typical airboats at full speed through the swamps and have face-to-face meetings with the alligators, the kings of the region. Very similar to crocodiles, but with some differences: they are wider and shorter, and the teeth do not protrude when they keep their mouths closed.
Everglades Alligator Farm is one of the theme park farms with shows, animal exhibits and airboat rides, the most fun in the park.
The airboats are a kind of boat with a large propeller behind that carry at full speed through the swamps (with shower included) without getting bogged down.
During the navigation you first see alligators of all sizes everywhere (be careful not to fall or stick out an arm, there are more than 400 specimens only in that area!) and also make turns as in an amusement park.
Then the shows with the reptiles about their habits, and you can even grab them for the photo. They are frozen like a stone. You can also feed them at 12 and 15.
Rates: airboat ride and access to shows, adults, US$ 23; boys, 15.50 (from 4 to 11 years old).
Alligator Farm is at 40351 SW 192 Ave. Florida City. Hours: every day, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.everglades.com
Another option: in addition to the farms you can visit the Everglades National Park, where you can see loose crocodiles without bars. A good alternative is to cycle it and reach the observation tower at the southern tip. Admission: $10 per car or family; US$ 5 cyclists or walkers.
SHOPPING DAY
Although for mom and dad the inevitable day of shopping may be the best plan, for the boys it could become a punishment.
To keep them happy between coat racks and fitting rooms you can alternate with games and toy stores.
In the Dolphin Mall there is a Toys R Us Express, the large toy store chain where you can find everything they want. De express does not have much, it is big enough to devote a good time. There’s also another larger Toys R Us across from the International Mall, a couple of blocks from the Dolphin.
In the Bayside Marketplace, among the clothing and trinket stores two years ago opened a large Disney Store that sells everything about the princesses, the Avengers and other characters of the Disney world. There are toys, clothing, costumes and even school supplies. Also a sector to play. Another place to buy toys is Midtown’s Target supermarket, with several gondolas.
Techies, in addition to shopping malls, can visit the Best Buy on South Beach (Alton and 5th Street).
MIAMI SEAQUARIUM
A small aquarium compared to Sea World, but good alternative for those who do not go to Orlando. There are also orca and dolphin shows. One of the attractions of the aquarium is the possibility of swimming with dolphins. It costs from US$ 150 for adults and US$ 110 for children from 5 to 9 years old (includes entrance to the park). Individual admission costs US$ 42 for seniors and US$ 32 for minors. It is in Key Virginia, Miami Dade. www.miamiseaquarium.com
NO BURGERS
To take a break from burgers, the Bubba Gump chain, themed restaurants inspired by the movie Forrest Gump, is a fun and healthy option.
In Miami it has a branch in the Bayside, steps from the bay and shops. Nicely decorated with quotes from the movie and a shop with Forrest souvenirs. All in a playful atmosphere, which children will enjoy even if they have not seen the movie that starred Tom Hanks in 1994 or know very well who it is.
“What three sports does Forrest play in the movie? If they don’t respond, I won’t bring them the menu,” asks the waiter. Then he will return with another trivia about the presidents Forrest meets in the movie and about the name of his best friend. For those who respond well, give souvenirs.
Here, of course, the stars are shrimp, prepared in every imagined way. They also offer a children’s menu. Dishes between 10 and 20 dollars. www.bubbagump.com
GOLF MONSTERS
For those who already play or to start them in the sport, the Trump National Doral welcomes the boys. The luxury resort, owned by businessman Donal Trump, offers classes for boys and also the possibility of playing in its four courses, including the legendary Blue Monster. The advantage is that children under 15 play for free together with an adult who pays the green fee. The resort, remodeled to new and recently reopened, is in the Doral area. www.trumphotelcollection.com/miami
ART AND PART
The Pérez Art Museum Miami became, two years ago that it moved to the new building, one of the obligatory visits of the artistic circuit. On the second Saturday of each month admission is free and also that day artistic activities are organized to share with the family, between 13 and 16.
FREE OPTIONS
Amelia Earhart Park. For a picnic day is one of the most traditional parks in Hialeah. There is an old farm where you can feed the animals. Also games for boys. 401 East 65th Street, Hialeah, FL. Free admission from Monday to Friday. Weekends, US$ 7 per car.
Pinecrest Gardens. In the heart of Miami, in the park you can feed the fish, see pink flamingos, touch the farm animals and feed them. There is also a play area and a special section with water jets to cool off. 11000 Red Road, Pinecrest. Free admission.
DISCOUNTED TICKETS
During the summer, until September 30, you can purchase the Summer Savings Pass, with unlimited admission to Zoo Miami, Miami Seaquarium, Lion Country Safari and Science Museum. It costs US$ 56 for adults and 46 for children from 3 to 12 years old.
