I had been to Miami seven times before we took our kids. We flew down for five days and we decided to stay outside of South Beach. Though I had been to beautiful resorts, beaches, and amazing restaurants along Ocean Drive, my favorite part of Miami is the authentic side. The cherished memories I wanted to share with my own kids were the nature and culture that makes Miami so unique. We got plenty of beach and resort swimming in as well, but the kids really appreciated the nature, food, and music of Miami.

On our family trips, we try to prioritize natural settings and hiking when we can. We wanted to give Everglade National Park a try, and honestly, I wasn’t expecting to see a single alligator. We drove and parked at Shark Valley Visitor Center and we opted out of the tram ride and said yes to a two mile hike. As we started on the path, we saw alligators on all sides relaxing in the swamp! We counted 30! total. They were right next to us, and after we passed a few, we realized they were content and we could safely view them from the path with confidence. We also saw various species of birds, plants, and flowers. The visitor center gave the kids wonderful information and the kids left with souvenirs and their first gator spotting experience!

Another must do is the authentic side of Miami-the Cuban culture. South Beach will have restaurants, clubs, and trinkets unique to Miami, but many people stay on South Beach, enjoying their resort, and go out locally for fine dining. The lesser done side of Miami are the quiet corners of Cuban Diners especially in Little Havana. Some diners have been around since the 1970’s. They contain espresso counters (even walk up windows), pastries, Cuban food plates. Little Havana is a community with rich cultural heritage and colorful street art. In this vibrant area, you can hear sounds of salsa, rumba, and watch as locals gather to play games in Domino Park. It offers a taste of Cuba and a chance to be on a trail less traveled when on a Miami Beach vacation.

Check out more lesser traveled locations with kids under Creative Travel.

Be sure to follow me on Instagram @BeyondtheUsualTrail and DM me with any questions.

Get out there,

Meghan