Miami Attractions

One of my favorite places to visit in Miami is Coconut Grove. This "walking village" is filled with boutiques, chain stores, restaurants, art galleries and theaters. Shop the tree-lined, brick-paved streets and then enjoy more al fresco dining options under twinkling white lights filling the trees. A completely different side of Miami, a bit more like Palm Beach.

Just 30 minutes from South Beach is a place for families to get up-close-and-personal with dolphins. For ages 5 and up, Dolphin Encounters give families a chance to "pet" dolphins and blow kisses while the dolphins do a few tricks to wow. For the older crowd (minimum height of 52 inches), Dolphin Swim Miami gives everyone a chance to swim with the dolphins -- oftentimes catching a ride by holding onto a dolphin's fin. As much as I've always wanted to swim with dolphins, I was a bit nervous in the beginning -- as I waited in the water, wondering from which direction the dolphins would pop up and then whoosh! Out they come to say hello. But they are so sweet and love hugs and it's well worth the visit.

When kids think of Florida, they think alligators and a visit to this farm is sure to give them plenty to see. Nearly 2,000 alligators and crocodiles reside in this farm, which also includes snakes and other wildlife.

Jungle Island visitors can stroll the 1.35 miles of winding trails, and enjoy the variety of special exhibits, tours, attractions and educational programs that are available. In this outdoor jungle-style park you'll see parrots, African penguins, a 900-pound liger (tiger/lion crossbred), condors, vultures and more. Exhibits and shows are offered 365 days per year, including a trained bird show, an exotic animal show and an animal show and tell.

For anyone wanting to experience Miami's Latin scene, hit Calle Ocho (8th Street) and check out its boutiques, Cuban restaurants and festivals. The Calle Ocho Festival, held every March, and Carnaval Miami, held February through March, are large street parties where families can feel like they've stepped onto the streets of Rio, San Juan or Havana. Music, Latin food, dominos contests, cigar rolling and anything else celebrating the Hispanic culture are featured.

Unique to Florida is the manatee, and at this 38-acre park, kids have a chance to view these gentle mammals, as well as dolphins, sea turtles, sea lions and killer whales putting on quite a show. Hourly shows are informative, but it's the airboat ride around the park the kids will really love. Eight different marine-life shows are presented daily -- but be sure to bring a change of clothes for the kids who just may get soaked in the front row seats!

When people think of Miami, it's most likely South Beach, where the Art Deco buildings in pastel pinks and blues run down Ocean Drive filled with throes of people dining al fresco and people watching. Masseratis, Lamborghinis and Ferraris, as well as souped up classic cars, all in vibrant colors, cruise down the street. Then the beach. Oh, the beach! A stretch of yellow sand that seems to go on forever, dotted with colorful guard stations and resting against the blue Atlantic Ocean. This beach is for everyone and while there certainly are the teeny-weeny bikini set, it's also filled with families. A playground offers another fun spot for kids, as well.