FAQs: South Florida Region

What are the top five activities for your teen near/in South Florida?

South Florida offers a mix of outdoor and indoor adventures and cultural activities for endless entertainment. From water sports to art scenes, there’s something for everyone. 

1. Lion County Safari: This drive-through safari park allows you to observe animals in a natural setting. See lions, giraffes, zebras, rhinos, and other African animals in this “cageless zoo,” and then visit Safari World, a walk-through amusement park with even more animals.
2. Gumbo Limbo Nature Center: This 20-acre coastal preserve is situated on a barrier island and surrounded by a tropical hardwood hammock. The center is actively involved in protecting sea turtles. Enjoy a walk on the boardwalk through the coastal forest and explore the butterfly garden. Climb Jacob’s Outlook for a bird’s-eye view of the barrier island.
3. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden: Wander through 83 acres of gardens and exhibits or enjoy the International Mango Festival, International Chocolate Festival and annual orchid and butterfly festivals hosted by this research and conservation facility dedicated to preserving biodiversity.
4. Red Reef Park: Walk the boardwalk, play a little golf, swim, or snorkel — one of the park’s most popular attractions. A reef area near shore is accessible for snorkelers of all skill levels. 
5. Bayview Park: Love outdoor sports? Besides a playground, this park has lighted athletic fields, tennis and basketball courts, and access to several nearby attractions like the Venice of America Tour, an interactive pirate cruise, and an Everglades National Park Biologist-led adventure.
   

What are the top cultural activities for teens in South Florida?

The state’s rich cultural tapestry offers unique opportunities to explore diverse artistry and historical narratives. 

1. Mizner Park Amphitheater: This outdoor entertainment venue in the heart of a high-end shopping, dining, and entertainment district is the perfect place to enjoy a concert, festival, or many other live events it hosts.  
2. Little Havana: This vibrant neighborhood in Miami is home to the city’s Cuban community. Enjoy authentic Cuban cuisine, live Latin music, cigar-rolling demonstrations, cultural festivals, street art and murals, or try a game of dominos at Máximo Gómez Park (Domino Park).
3. The Bass: See international contemporary art at The Bass, housed in a historic Art Deco building from the 1930s. Its permanent collection includes European paintings and sculptures, textiles, and contemporary art. Sign up for studio art sessions, participate in a teen art exhibition, or apply to serve on The Bass Teen Board.
4. The Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM): The PAMM features a permanent collection of paintings, sculptures, photographs, and installations from the 20th and 21st centuries, as well as changing exhibits, backroom sessions, curator talks, and workshops.
5. Wynwood Walls: Explore large-scale murals created by talented street artists at this world-renowned outdoor street museum. You’ll see a range of artistic styles, from graffiti and realism to abstract and pop art.
6. Vizcaya Museum & Gardens: This villa, built between 1914 and 1922, is a designated National Historic Landmark offering a window into the Gilded Age and lifestyle of wealthy industrialists of that era. Tour the historic home, take an artist-led workshop, browse the farmers market hosted every Sunday, or try a yoga class.
   

What are the best South Florida outdoor activities for teens?

Year-round sunshine and abundant natural spaces, including numerous parks and miles of scenic trails, make South Florida an ideal playground for outdoor enthusiasts eager for watersports at the beach or curious about the Everglades or the underwater world.

1. Grapeland Water Park: This family-friendly waterpark features Miami pop artist Romero Britto’s colorful artwork. It includes waterslides, a lazy river, recreational pool, and more — the perfect solution for cooling off on a hot summer day.
2. Everglades Holiday Park: Take a narrated airboat ride through the Everglade and watch for alligators and native boards while learning about the largest river in the U.S. After your ride, enjoy a live alligator show featuring the Gator Boys Alligator Rescue team. 
3. Tree Tops Park: Love the outdoors? This park is for you. Bike, jog, or amble on the boardwalk through 23 acres of marsh and Pine Island Ridge. Go for a leisurely horseback ride on one of its extensive equestrian trails. Into birdwatching? The park is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, making it a prime spot for bird enthusiasts.
4. Adventure Water Sports: Spend a day on the water tubing or parasailing. Try a guided snorkeling tour of Florida’s underwater wildlife. Or try wakeboarding or water skiing (lessons available for beginners).  
5. Thriller Miami Speedboat Adventures: Imagine yourself a part of Miami Vice with a high-speed boat tour of Miami and the surrounding areas. You’ll see South Beach, Fisher Island, Star Island (home to many celebrities), the downtown Miami skyline, and Biscayne Bay.
   

What are the best South Florida indoor activities for teens?

When the sun grows too intense or a rainy day arrives, there’s plenty to see and do inside, too.

1. Fun Dimension Game Center: This entertainment venue has a variety of activities, including arcade games, laser tag, virtual reality, ropes courses, and more.
2. Dezerland Action Park: Similar to Fun Dimension, this indoor action park offers many different activities like go-karting, laser tag, VR, trampoline parks, bowling, and rock climbing. 
3. Superblue Miami: Superblue is an immersive art experience focused on large-scale, tech-driven installations. It’s experiential art engaging your senses and inviting you to become an active participant in the artwork. Past exhibits have featured artists like James Turrell and teamLab.
4. The Great Escape Room: Can you solve the mystery of Sherlock  Holmes’ library, Professor Moriarity’s game room, or the president’s bunker? You and your team have an hour to decipher codes, find hidden objects, connect clues, and escape. 
5. Off the Wall Davie: Play dodgeball and try other trampoline-based activities, test your agility and strength on a ninja warrior course, try to get a turkey in bowling, or challenge your team to an epic laser tag battle.
   

What are the best South Florida restaurants for teens?

Foodies will find no shortage of culinary delights, from trendy eateries to classic comfort food spots. 

1. Kings Dining & Entertainment: Combine a tasty meal with bowling, billiards, arcade games, and shuffleboard in this upscale, retro restaurant/entertainment venue.
2. Boatyard: A popular waterfront dining destination along the Intercoastal Waterway, watch boats pass by as you enjoy its fresh seafood and lively atmosphere. The restaurant emphasizes locally sourced ingredients. 
3. Tucci’s Pizza: Tucci’s specializes in Neopolitan pizza, known for its thin crust, simple ingredients, and quick cooking time in a wood-fired oven. 
4. Craft Miami: Tucked in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood, this restaurant serves American cuisine and features items considered “comfort food” or “pub fare,” but with a modern twist.
5.  Jaxson’s: A South Florida landmark for decades, Jaxson’s is best known for its large portions and old-fashioned atmosphere. Whether you just want ice cream or a whole meal, the menu has something to tempt everyone’s tastebuds.
   

What are the best South Florida museums for families?

South Florida’s museums offer engaging experiences for families of all ages, including younger children, making them a perfect destination for a day of learning fun and creative play.

1. Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science: The Frost Science Museum has many exhibits, including a multi-level aquarium and planetarium. The North Wing features exhibits on the Everglades, human body, and flight. The West Wing includes the museum’s special exhibition spaces.
2. Gold Coast Railroad Museum (GCRM): Founded in 1957, the GCRM is home to 40+ historic rail cars and features a model railroad room, Thomas the Tank Engine play tables, a Naval Air Station Richmond exhibit, and many rail equipment displays. 
3. Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS): Designed to make STEM accessible and enjoyable, MODS covers various scientific topics, including the Florida ecosystems, space and astronomy, human anatomy and health, paleontology and fossils, and physics and mechanics. You may even participate in a live animal encounter, conduct an experiment, or explore simulated environments.
4. Miami Children’s Museum: This museum emphasizes hands-on, interactive exhibits encouraging children to explore, discover, and learn through play. Key highlights include themed exhibits (supermarket, bank, TV studio, construction zone, art studio), theater and performances, and educational programs, workshops, and classes for children and families.
5. Young at Art Museum (YAA): YAA focuses on fostering creativity and artistic expression through interactive art experiences, educational programs, and multi-sensory exhibits featuring painting and drawing, sculpture and ceramics, digital art and technology, environmental art, and cultural arts.