Christmas Vacation in Miami & South Florida: Indoors

 
Have fun and learn at the same time during a visit to the Miami Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

1. Miami Children's Museum - Miami

Miami Children's Museum provides immersive learning opportunities that promote the love of learning through play. Programs emphasize core early childhood concepts in ways that promote lifelong learners while having fun. Until January 1, 2024 there is a Winter Wonderland exhibit where you can learn about cooler climates and the characteristics of snow while gliding and twirling in the indoor sock skating rink.

2. The Museum of Discovery and Science - Fort Lauderdale

With daily special events and explorations this museum offers something for the science and animal lover as well as, children who want to explore. Enjoy animal encounters, storytimes, hands-on science exhibits about space, weather, ecoscapes, IMAX movies, and more.

3. Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum Of Science - Miami

Spend the Christmas vacation in a world of science! Learn about ecosystems, the human body and mind, flight and the frontier of innovation and technology, and more. The museum exhibits cater to all ages, making it a great place for the whole family.

Christmas Vacation in Miami & South Florida: Animals

4. Zoo Miami - Miami

Zoo Miami is an all-day activity with almost 750 acres, 4 miles of walkways, and more than 2,500 animals. The zoo also offers up close animal encounters and feedings for an additional charge. Don't forget your bathing suit so you can enjoy water play areas.

5. Palm Beach Zoo - West Palm Beach

This zoo allows guests to see hundreds of animals as well as play in the interactive nature area and explore the Everglades Center. For an additional fee, families can participate in animal feedings and animal experiences.

6. Flamingo Gardens - Davie

With over 60 acres of gardens and wildlife, guests can explore one of the oldest botanical gardens in Florida. Flamingo Gardens features a wildlife sanctuary with black bears, bobcats, otters, hawks, and flamingos. Activities include a tram tour and wildlife encounters.

7. Butterfly World - Coconut Creek

Walk through three acres of butterfly aviaries, botanical gardens, and a working butterfly farm and research center, including tropical birds and an interactive lorikeet encounter.

8. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden - Coral Gables

Enjoy a stroll through Fairchild's magical gardens complete with butterfly greenhouse, aquatic exhibits, rare and tropical flowers and plants, and a children's garden. Holiday events include NightGarden, an illuminated magical fairyland; and A Very Merry Garden, with Santa's reindeer hiding among the property.

9. Miami Seaquarium - Miami

This seaquarium shows off marine mammals, including dolphins, sea lions, manatees, as well as sea turtles, penguins, and rays. Learn about wildlife rescue and marine animal care at the Conservation Outpost, and get in the water with dolphins at Dolphin Harbor.

 
Get close to the animals at Lion Country Safari. Photo by Jackie Jones, for Mommy Poppins.

10. Lion Country Safari - Loxahatchee

This drive-thru safari allows you to see herds of animals roaming in wide-open, naturalistic habitats without leaving the comfort of your own car. The safari preserve is divided into seven main habitats. After the safari, get out of the car and enjoy the adventure park with rides, animal encounters, water playground, and petting zoo.

11. Jungle Island - Miami

Combining the beauty of Miami's tropical landscape with a jungle full of animals from around the globe, this location features a ropes course high in the tree tops, animal encounters, and a replica of the Everglades habitats for guests to explore.

12. Daggerwing Nature Center - Boca Raton

Learn about Boca's local wildlife and plantlife at Daggerwing Nature Center, set within the beautiful Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park. Standout features include a butterfly garden, exhibit hall, and elevated boardwalk with two trails and an observation tower.

Christmas Vacation in Miami & South Florida: Outdoors

13. Sugar Sand Park - Boca Raton

Sugar Sand Park features a carousel, walking nature trails, science playground with slides, swings, and sensory wall as well as a Children's Science Explorium designed for kids ages 5-12. 

14. Beaches

Enjoy a leisurely beach day with your kids. The beaches offer everything from opportunities to fish, kayak, mini golf, surfing or surfing lessons, boat tours, horseback riding, tubing, and snorkeling. 

15. Everglades Tour

Airboat rides are one of the top attractions in South Florida. These private airboat tours show riders native species to the Everglades, including alligators, reptiles, birds, and turtles. 

Christmas Vacation in Miami & South Florida: Indoors

 
Take Christmas vacation to another level with a game of bumper ice at Boca Ice. Photo courtesy of @boca_ice

16. Ice Skating and Bumper Ice

Ice skating, bumper ice, free skating, tubing, and indoor alpine skiing are offered throughout South Florida. Check out these fun places: Boca Ice, Pines Ice Arena, Palm Beach Skate Zone, and Panthers Ice Den.

17. Trampoline Parks

Jump to your heart's content at awesome indoor trampoline parks, regardless of weather. Great spots include Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park, Launch Trampoline Park, Off The Wall, Xtreme Action Park

18. Go-Karts

If your kids love going fast, head out to K1 Speed in Hollywood and Boomers! in Boca Raton. Besides racing on the course, many go-kart parks have additional attractions like laser tag, arcades, and more.

19. Bowling

Go with a reliable source of fun at a local bowling alley. For example, Bowlero features bowling, sports bar, an arcade, as well as black lights and HD video walls.

 
Could we BE any more excited for The Friends Experience this month in Miami?! Photo courtesy of Fever Productions

Christmas Vacation in Miami & South Florida: Special Events

20. Funbox Bounce House - Plantation

Funbox is the world's biggest bounce park, featuring a mountain challenge, battle beam, gumball gallop, obstacle course, ninja course, and more at Broward Mall. This bounce park is open until January 21, 2024.

21. Snow Carnival - Miami

With over 350 tons of real snow, festive attractions, and holiday-themed fun, Snow Carnival is the ultimate winter retreat! Explore snowy pathways, meet joyful characters, and capture memories in a winter wonderland setting.

22. The Wonderland Rink at Las Olas Park - Fort Lauderdale

The 4,000-square-foot Wonderland Rink brings the thrill of ice skating under blue skies and palm trees.

23. Santa’s Enchanted Forest - Miami

Miami's seasonal theme park opens only for the holidays with more than 100 rides, shows, and attractions, plus Santa Claus visits, Christmas karaoke, and plenty of holiday lights.

24. Luminosa: A Festival of Lights - Miami

Transport kids to Luminosa, a lush jungle illuminated with breathtaking, larger-than-life lanterns. Traverse through hundreds of artistic lanterns highlighting the spirit of Miami with an ambiance and vibe found nowhere else in the world!

25. The FRIENDS Experience: The One in Miami - Aventura

The FRIENDS™ Experience: The One in Miami offers fans of the popular television show, FRIENDS, an interactive experience featuring several nostalgia-packed rooms, activations and re-created sets.

Enjoy your winter break, wherever you spend it, and a happy new year from everyone here at Mommy Poppins!