Miami weekend day trips?

Question

We are in town and trying to figure out day trips on Saturday and Sunday (otherwise we will end up in South Beach again, which is fine, but nothing new). Would you:

- Go to Everglades, even if your young kids might find it boring (they've seen wild animals before)

- Go to Popstroke in Del Ray (they are into mini golf) even though it's expensive

- Try Islamorada or Key Largo (unsure what to do there)

- Do local things like Vizcaya, Fruit & Spice, or Frost Museum?

- Your other ideas?

Thanks, kids are 6 and 9 year old boys. I would appreciate any feedback!

Answer

Great question — you’ve already named a nice mix of options. With two boys aged 6 and 9 you’ll want a balance of short active experiences (to burn energy) and one “bigger” outing that doesn’t turn into a long, boring drive. Below I’ve broken down each option you listed with practical pros/cons, kid-fit, and a suggested way to use Saturday vs Sunday so you get variety without overdoing travel.

Everglades (airboat / visitor centers / short boardwalks) — If the kids like a bit of noisy excitement and animal spotting, an airboat ride is high-energy and memorable (gators, wide vistas). However, some parts of the Everglades can be subtle and slow-paced — kids who’ve already seen wildlife may be less dazzled by long observation walks. To make it a win: choose an airboat operator that includes a short, guided show or alligator viewing, keep the visit to a single morning or afternoon (not a full day), and combine with a playground or ice-cream stop on the way back.

Kid fit: good if they like speed/noise (airboat) and short thrills; less good for long interpretive hikes.
Time cost: plan for half a day if you limit to an airboat + visitor center/boardwalk.

PopStroke (Delray Beach) — mini golf + food — PopStroke is a polished, family-friendly mini-golf + dining venue. It’s fun for kids who love mini-golf, but it’s premium-priced and — crucially — in Delray Beach (north of Miami), so it’s a longer drive than local options. If your kids are mini-golf obsessed and you don’t mind the drive/cost, it’s a solid option for an active, low-stress afternoon. Otherwise, consider closer mini-golf courses or a local park with a splash pad.

Kid fit: excellent if they love mini-golf and you want a relaxed, contained activity.
Cost/drive: higher cost + longer drive from Miami — better as a chosen “treat” than a default plan.

Islamorada or Key Largo (Florida Keys day trip) — The Keys offer water-based activities (snorkeling, glass-bottom boats, shallow beaches, small marine attractions). Key Largo’s John Pennekamp and its glass-bottom boat/snorkel options are classic family picks; Islamorada has family parks, shallow swimming areas, and small attractions like Theater of the Sea (animal shows and interactions). Both are lovely if your family enjoys marine life, boat trips, or a beach day that’s different from South Beach — but they are full-day commitments because of the drive. If you try this, plan for either a half-day boat experience (glass-bottom or shallow snorkeling that is kid-appropriate) plus a relaxed lunch/park time.

Kid fit: great for kids who like boats, fish, and easy snorkeling (or just seeing fish from a glass-bottom boat).
Cost/drive: moderate to long drive; best as a full-day excursion starting early.

Vizcaya, Fruit & Spice Park, Frost Science (local cultural/science options) — These are all strong local, lower-travel options that let you vary pace. Vizcaya’s gardens are beautiful and can be fun for short exploration (older kids enjoy the grounds more than a long interior house tour). Fruit & Spice Park (Homestead) is a small, shady park where kids can see exotic fruit trees and usually enjoy tasting/smelling different plants — it’s compact and kid-friendly. Frost Science (museum + aquarium + planetarium) is usually the highest “wow” factor for 6–9 year olds because of hands-on exhibits and an aquarium; it’s easy to fill a half to a full day there and it’s convenient from central Miami.

Kid fit: Frost Science = top pick for sustained kid engagement; Fruit & Spice = good for curious kids who like exploring; Vizcaya = pleasant shorter visit, better paired with a park or playground.
Time/cost: Frost can be a half/full day and is ticketed; Fruit & Spice Park is relatively inexpensive and compact.

Other family-friendly ideas worth considering — A few quick hits you can fit into a weekend without long drives:

Zoo Miami — big, outdoor zoo with animal encounters and lots of walking (good if you want animals but don’t want the Everglades’ travel/pace).
Miami Children’s Museum — hands-on, great for younger kids and easy to time-limit to 2–3 hours.
Jungle Island — animal shows and interactive experiences (good if they want close animal interactions without a long drive).
Bill Baggs/Cape Florida State Park — quieter beach with a lighthouse climb (shorter and calmer than South Beach).

Suggested Saturday / Sunday pairings (two sample plans)

Option A — Low travel + one highlight day
- Saturday: Frost Science (museum + aquarium + planetarium show) — big indoor day that will reliably engage both kids.
- Sunday: Shorter outdoor option — Fruit & Spice Park in the morning (easy, shady, educational), then a relaxed afternoon at Bill Baggs or a local playground/beach.
Option B — Adventure + local culture
- Saturday: Everglades airboat half-day (morning) — pick a short airboat tour and a boardwalk stop so kids get the thrill without boredom.
- Sunday: Vizcaya + Miami Children’s Museum or Jungle Island — mix beautiful grounds with a hands-on museum or animal attraction.
Option C — If you want the Keys
- Pick either Key Largo (glass-bottom boat / Pennekamp snorkeling) or Islamorada (Theater of the Sea, beaches, small parks), and dedicate a full day — start early and plan only one major activity so travel doesn’t dominate the day.

Practical tips

Start early for any full-day trips (Keys or Everglades) to avoid midday heat and traffic.
For airboat rides and Keys boat/snorkel trips, check minimum age/height rules and book early — they can sell out on weekends.
Mix an indoor “wow” (Frost Science, children’s museum) with an outdoor “move around” activity — that keeps 6–9 year olds happier than two long passive outings in a row.
If budget is a concern, Fruit & Spice Park and Vizcaya gardens are lower cost than premium attractions or Keys boat tours.

Bottom line / my short recommendation — If you want a safe bet that keeps both boys entertained: do Frost Science (big indoor, high engagement) plus one shorter outdoor activity (Fruit & Spice Park, Vizcaya grounds, or a beach with a playground). If you want one memorable “adventure” day and don’t mind a full day of travel, choose either a morning Everglades airboat or a Key Largo/Islamorada marine trip — but don’t try to squeeze both Keys + Everglades in one weekend.

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