Sara Liss

While most people think of Miami as a beach city filled with parties and clubs, it's actually a great place for families and groups of all ages. Sure, we’ve got the usual family-focused museums and attractions, but we also have world-class immersive art experiences, the most beautiful pool in America and nature galore. Tracking down an activity that holds your child’s interest is easy in Miami, where kids are welcome in most places and there are plenty of wide open spaces to explore. The best things to do in Miami with kids are actually activities the whole family will enjoy—not just the little ones in the bunch. From visits to the best Miami attractions and spending the day getting splashed by marine life to day trips that put them face-to-face with wild animals, there’s plenty to keep children entertained. Rather than boring your kids with Miami tours or trekking to Orlando for the theme parks, treat them to one of these local experiences they’ll never forget.

In the mood for a warm breeze and a little sunshine on your face as you sip your drink? There's a Miami beach bar or waterfront gem for that. At these luxe hotel patios, bumping beach clubs and tropical dives, the booze flows and the sunset views reign supreme. Whether you’re seeking some romance, a lit bottomless brunch or a lively Miami happy hour before dinner, we have you covered. No matter the season, we’re free to sun on Miami’s best beaches, imbibe atop the city’s many rooftop bars and, maybe best of all, bear witness to its stunning sunsets from the best waterfront and beach bars in Miami. RECOMMENDED: The best waterfront restaurants in Miami

We know why you're here, and it means we have at least one important thing in common: an appreciation for a very good cocktail. Though the Magic City has no shortage of bars, from swanky rooftops to hidden speakeasies, it's not as easy as you might think to find the ones that go above and beyond, striving for precision and creativity with every pour. Aside from the drinks, a proper cocktail bar understands all the other elements, too: dim lighting, chilled-out music, a comfy place to kick back for a while. When executed correctly, the result always leaves us wanting more. Really, can anything compare to a freshly shaken or deftly swizzled cocktail sipped at a beautiful bar? We think not. When the day calls for something stiffer, these are the cocktail doctors we trust. RECOMMENDED: The best mojitos in Miami, a city rightfully obsessed with them

Ground zero for sporting resort wear, golfing and escaping those harsh northeastern winters, Palm Beach is the seasonal playground of America’s one percent. There’s a definite small-town feel to the 16-mile-long island dotted with opulent mansions and upscale retailers. It’s an entirely different experience across the narrow lagoon and over the three small bridges that connect Palm Beach and West Palm Beach—the urban, upper-middle-class sister city with a bustling restaurant scene and mega malls. Florida’s Gold Coast has plenty to keep you busy, and the best things to do in West Palm Beach and Palm Beach offer a mix of beachy charm, swanky extravagance and low-key entertainment. This list is curated, as always, but isn’t ranked—we just couldn't choose favorites. Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. Find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world.

Whether it’s sipping a mojito in Little Havana or clinking margaritas in South Beach, there are certain cocktail experiences every Miamian needs to have. The city’s quintessential tipples go beyond the boozy slushies you see tourists toting around (although those are fun, too!)—think thirst-quenching brews from a local brewery or even a classic drink from one of Miami’s oldest bars. While the city has no shortage of top-notch options, these are the bars you want to visit and the drinks you want to order for a true taste of the 305. 

This sprawling “eatertainment” hub consists of a two-story, 30,000-square-foot space that includes an Italian-American bistro, 12 bowling lanes, five indoor and outdoor bocce courts, various private event areas and a spectacular rooftop patio. Free and easy parking is available and there are weekly specials like daily happy hour from 3 to 6:30pm, weekend brunch and a kids menu that also includes vegan and gluten-free options. Unlike some bowling alleys where you have to flag down a waiter or go up to the bar to order, your lane has a dedicated server who will refresh drinks (think premium cocktails and a variety of beer on tap). You can also order snacks (pigs in a blanket, calamari, chicken wings and pizzas are popular starters), sandwiches and salads. Why kids love it: High-tech screens allow you to bowl games with avatars and selfies—and the very effective gutter guards ensure your kids will score, even if their aim is off. Why parents love it: The stylish decor feels like a high-end-lounge-meets-family-rec-room. And the extensive menu combined with attentive service means you won’t have to worry about feeding your kids while relaxing with a cocktail.

The first and only bowling alley in Downtown Miami, this entertainment hub recently opened in the sleek Miami Worldcenter. You’ll find 28 state-of-the-art bowling lanes, an expansive arcade, a craft cocktail bar and a more intimate VIP area with six private bowling lanes and dedicated service. If your crew gets hungry, the food menu covers classics like chicken wings and tacos along with more sophisticated fare like Moroccan steak and Caribbean mahi-mahi.  Why kids love it: The massive arcade ensures there’s plenty to do once you’ve finished bowling.  Why parents love it: Close to downtown attractions like the Kaseya Center and Brickell Avenue, this spot is conveniently located and a great option for an indoor activity on rainy or sweltering summer days.

A stylish spot for drop-in classes with your littles, this young, mom-owned business has already sprouted three locations throughout Miami-Dade, offering options from pregnancy to playtime with prenatal classes, mommy and me activities and enrichment for children up to age five. There’s also a retail boutique attached to each location with fashion finds perfect for your mini-me.  Why kids love it: With a range of classes including music, tumbling, ballet, cooking, art and jiu-jitsu, there’s something for any kid to get excited about.  Why parents love it: Parents feel welcome in the clean and upscale stores, and the locations also offer mini-camps during summer and school breaks, plus customizable birthday party packages.

As obsessed as we seem to be with dining trends—like our recent avalanche of omakase options—tasting-menu-only restaurants have yet to catch on here in Miami. But the advent of the Michelin guide and its penchant for awarding stars to this category of restaurants, where diners sign up for a series of courses at a fixed price, will no doubt inspire a wave of new, degustation-only eateries. They usually come with certain trappings of fine dining: precise service, a high price point and luxurious surroundings. And the Tambourine Room, a new concept at The Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, has all of the above. Conceived in collaboration with Chef Tristan Brandt, the 18-seat restaurant tucked away off the lobby is an intimate, dinner party-styled homage to the resort’s 1958 cocktail and conversation lounge of the same name. Tambourine Room is Brandt’s U.S. debut after running several Michelin-starred kitchens across Europe and Asia, including his own, recently awarded Epoca by Tristan Brandt. Since he won’t be here full-time, Brandt has installed Timo Steubing as Tambourine Room’s chef de cuisine. Photograph: Michael PisarriTambourine Room The restaurant offers two tasting menu experiences reminiscent of high-end dining in Europe: meticulous plates that honor seasonal, local ingredients. The focus here is on modern-classic French cuisine with Asian influences. From Wednesday through Sunday, the 6pm seating features a three-course tasting menu for $140, while the 8:30pm tasting me

The first thing you’ll notice upon entering Sofia is the pinkness of it all: From the flamingo pink, ’70s-inspired umbrellas that festoon tables in the outdoor courtyard to the rosy-hued banquettes in the main dining room, this girl loves to blush. Inhabiting the former Estefan Kitchen space, the Toronto-imported Italian eatery from INK Entertainment (Byblos, Amal) makes good use of its Design District location in the open-air Palm Court, the glowing Buckminster Fuller “Fly’s Eye Dome” looming in the background wherever you sit outside. These tables also edge ever-so-closely to Itamae, Sofia’s hip, Michelin-recognized neighbor. Courtyard seating is the way to go on a cool Miami night. Photograph: Brandon Barré PhotographySofia Design District Inside is a mirror-and-modern art fever dream, full of crimson fabrics, mirrored columns, custom Italian-imported Barovier & Toso glass chandeliers and art pieces by Marco Grassi and Mr. Brainwash. Despite all this opulence, the food is approachable and unfussy. The kitchen uses a tried-and-true approach, sprucing up midcentury Italian classics for 21st-century palates, with no wild or riffy deconstructions. When was the last time you were blown away by a truffle pizza? At Sofia, the perfectly-chewy crust gets topped with maitake mushroom, bufala mozzarella, potato crema, truffle pecorino, chives and shaved black truffle—a fine reason to chuck the Keto diet and be much happier for it. (And at $48, you ought to be blissfully satisfied w

Joia Beach breezed into the Miami dining scene in early 2020 and then of course was immediately closed for the lockdown. When they reopened after the shutdown, the al fresco haven on Watson Island (owned by the developers behind Jungle Island) was a runaway success, giving relocated New Yorkers and other pandemic refugees exactly what they needed and wanted: a gorgeous spot to sip rosé all day, feast on fresh seafood and bask in the unapologetic hedonism of Miami’s waterfront dining culture. The secluded venue has attracted A-list celebrities, including reggaeton star Maluma, Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade, Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr., Brazilian model Adriana Lima, rapper Flo Rida, and Emilio and Gloria Estefan. Upon arrival, guests enter through a long and winding pathway encompassed by lush jungle greenery, which seamlessly opens up onto Joia’s pristine beachfront area. Thatched roof tiki huts, nautical flourishes and luxurious daybeds overlooking the bay set the languorous tone. A live DJ holds court from day through the night as guests arrive via yacht and splash through the shallows to their tables in the sand. It is Tulum via the MacArthur Causeway and it is very appealing. Photograph: Courtesy Joia Beach The spectacular setting creates an idyllic backdrop for the highly accessible menu of Mediterranean dishes that lean heavily on influences from Greece and the Aegean islands. Are there a few things on there we’ve seen around town? Sure. The trio of Greek spr

The team behind downtown Miami’s beloved neighborhood bar Lost Boy Dry Goods have branched out to the restaurant business with Tropezón, an Andalusian gin and tapas restaurant on Española Way. The funky spot fits right in on the South Beach pedestrian mall with twinkling lights and a Mediterranean feel. On a recent Thursday night, a bustling crowd of both locals and tourists were tucking into Spanish tapas and gin-forward cocktails in the convivial space. Speaking of cocktails, start off with something that features gin, of course: there are more than 20 variations infused with tea, fruits, nuts and even cured meats. Negronis will satisfy here, as do whimsical G&T’s such as Blue Matcha Yuzu, and one made with local strawberries. The bar's extensive list of sherry, vermouth, and selection of classic Spanish cocktails accompany the gin drinks, which are sure to keep spirits snobs interested. Photograph: Courtesy Tropezon The name of the restaurant means "to stumble" in Spanish and the place takes inspiration from namesake Spanish village bars where old men play afternoon cards, and women converse over sips of sherry. Now open for dinner and late-night drinking, the indoor-outdoor space is dripping with old-world charm, from the old movie posters on the wooden walls to the legs of jamón hanging from the ceiling. Co-founders Randy Alonso and Chris Hudnall have said they want the place to evoke Andalusian cuisine and hospitality and that comes through on the menu with traditiona

Come to Poppet Project to get crafty (without having to clean up the mess). This is great for kids. There are various craft stations for them to bounce to and from: painting, molding and even making slime. 

At this Weston compound, find 40,000 square feet of trampolines, foam pits, arcade games, slackline, pizza and a bunch more to ensure your kids are nice and tired on the long ride home. 

This spot has earned a reputation as a popular after-work spot in Brickell—possibly thanks to the addictive guacamole (order the La Lupita version for some bonus roasted serrano) and slightly-tweaked renditions of favorites like shrimp and steak tacos with a creamy potato foam. But it probably has more to do with the $8 margaritas at happy hour and the outdoor patio which is always teeming with young Brickellites.

First came the craft concoctions, then the double-digit price tags, and now it’s outrageous drinking vessels blowing the doors off Miami’s cocktail scene, with tipples primed for your social media feed. Homemade bitters and artisanal shrubs make them taste divine, but playful cups and shareable bowls make these camera-ready specimens a delight to drink. Horned King cocktail at Pao by Paul Qui The rum-based unicorn cocktail—made with Bacardi Reserva Superior 8 Años rum, Luxardo Maraschino liqueur, passion fruit and lime, all topped off with a flaming shot of Hamilton 151 rum—pays homage to the $6 million Damien Hirst golden unicorn statue that lords over the restaurant’s dining room. Not a fan of rum? You can request any drink to be served in the stylish copper glass. A post shared by Pao (@paofaena) on Mar 28, 2018 at 4:48pm PDT Belvedere Bear at Rockwell Rockwell nightclub takes bottle service to a cheeky level with its giant metallic teddy bear festooned with sparklers, which is presented to those who order a magnum of Belvedere vodka. If you’re paying upward of $950 for drinks, you may as well get a souvenir out of it. A post shared by Rockwell Miami (@rockwellmiami) on Sep 25, 2017 at 2:46pm PDT Desert Daisy at Stubborn Seed This blooming cocktail, available at Top Chef winner Jeremy Ford’s restaurant, is literally as down-to-earth as it gets: a glass cylinder dusted with carrot and habanero (dubbed an “earth dome”) and filled with a tasty blend of Olmeca A