The Perfect Week in Florida with Little Kids
Between sea turtles, science museums, and beachfront pools toddlers love, Florida surprised me—in the best way.
My mother, son and I started in the Florida Keys and worked our way up to Miami Beach, creating the kind of relaxed-yet-adventurous multi-generational family adventure week I wish I could bottle up.
Here’s how it all went down:
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📍Day 1: Arrive in Key Largo and Unwind at Playa Largo Resort & Spa
We checked into Playa Largo Resort & Spa and were welcomed with a great room for families with two beds, easy beach access, and a family-friendly pool setup. It’s upscale without being uptight, and everything—from dining to the floating cabanas—is steps away.
It’s on a lovely beach with lots of shallow water access that’s great for toddlers, and they have a kids club!
Their Sol by the sea restaurant also serves up fresh seafood, salads, and more!
Our toddler had space to roam and we had space to breathe. A solid start.
📍Day 2: Coral Reefs, Beach Eats & a Sunset Cruise
We kicked off the day at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the nation’s first undersea park, with calm beach waters and fish sightings in their aquarium.
For those who love snorkeling, standup paddle boarding (SUP), and kayaking, the magic of the park is under the water! They also offer glass bottom boat tours.
Lunch at Bayside Grille served ocean views with fresh, easygoing fare. You can boat up on their dock, or an hour case drive up and enjoy the cornhole and giant yellow beach chair. I highly recommend the mahi-mahi with the key lime beurre blanc sauce.
Then it was back to Playa Largo Resort & Spa for pool time and enjoying the extensive shallow water on the beach right in front of the resort which only went up to my toddler’s waist. It was absolutely perfect for him and it was so warm!
They also have a lovely spa with a steam room (I got the relaxing waves massage!) and a cute little kids club!
Dinner at Sol by the Sea delivered coastal charm and fresh seafood in a relaxed beachy setting. We wrapped the day with a peaceful sunset cruise from Pirates Cove Watersports—a toddler-friendly boat ride that felt like the perfect exhale.
The water is calm and shallow on a fairly large boat. It’s mostly shallow bay so there’s not much chance of big waves, but there are chances of dolphin sightings!
Additional Info:
- John Pennekamp State Park is open 8 AM to sunset; admission is $8 per vehicle + $0.50 per extra person
- Glass-bottom boat tours (~$50/adult, $17/child) and rentals available on-site.
- Pirates Cove sunset cruises usually depart ~6:45 PM, with check-in 15 minutes early. Rates vary—book directly.
📍Day 3: Sea Turtles + Salt & Ash in the Middle Keys
After spending time in Key Largo, we made a short drive to our second Florida Keys destination, and checked-in at Hawks Cay Resort, where our room came with steps right out to the pool and the saltwater lagoon was just the right depth for little ones.
A visit to The Turtle Hospital in Marathon gave us an up-close look at sea turtle rescue and rehab—interactive, inspiring, and age-appropriate even for toddlers (and mamas and grandmas alike!)
Dinner at Salt + Ash inside Hawks Cay felt like a grown-up treat for my mom and I, but still had a nice kids menu for the little ones. It’s MICHELIN Guide–level, but still welcoming to families. The food was delicious across the board, and though upscale, we saw plenty of other families there. Best of all, it doesn’t require driving anywhere as it’s right at the resort!
Additional Info:
- Turtle Hospital tours are guided 90 minute educational programs that run daily rain or shine starting every half hour beginning at 9am with the last program starting at 4pm. Tickets cost $35 per adult and $17.50 per child.
📍Day 4: Gators, Smoothies & Arrival in Miami Beach
On the way to Miami, we stopped for an airboat ride and gator show at Everglades Alligator Farm—a thrilling, safe way to see Florida wildlife up close.
I had always wanted to try an airboat ride—they’re iconic in the Everglades, amiright? What I didn’t expect was for my toddler to be into the idea too. Kids of any age can go, provided they wear the headphones as it can get loud, and a life jacket. It’s a short ride but with twists and turns which made it fun and the length was just right for us too!
Then we swung by Robert Is Here, a famous fruit stand and mini petting zoo. Smoothies, giant avocados, and goats? It was a hit. Absolutely get the key lime milkshake!
We checked into The Palms Hotel & Spa, our Miami home base. The eco-friendly vibe, beachfront access, and peaceful energy made it feel like a retreat. For dinner, we stayed onsite at Essensia, their farm-to-table restaurant with beautifully prepared dishes and lots of kid-friendly options.
Additional Info:
- Everglades Alligator Farm operates roughly 9 AM–5:30 PM, with airboat rides priced at about $39/adult, $29/child (4–11) and kids under four enter and ride for free.
- Robert Is Here is open daily around 9 AM–6 PM with no admission fee.
📍Day 5: Aquariums, Museums & Science Magic
We did the ultimate toddler-friendly Miami combo: the Miami Children’s Museum, with play stations, pretend markets, and musical zones. Followed by the Frost Science Museum, where we touched stingrays, explored the aquarium, and wandered the rooftop with sweeping city views. The museum also has a planetarium and cafeteria. We stayed right up until nap time.
For dinner, we headed to the chic AVIV which is located at 1 Hotel Miami. It’s walking distance from the Palms and a must-do. This was a highlight of our culinary journey in Florida. James Beard–winning chef Michael Solomonov delivered everything we love in a family meal: beautiful setting, sophisticated flavors, allergy-aware staff, and an atmosphere where kids aren’t just tolerated—they’re welcomed. The pita and dips alone would’ve been worth the visit.
Note this is a middle eastern concept restaurant that doesn’t have a kids menu. My kiddo happily eats whatever we’re eating and loved the phyllo-wrapped halloumi and grouper main course.
Additional Info:
- Miami Children’s Museum is open 10 AM–6 PM, with general admission $26/adult & child, Florida residents $18, infants free .
- Frost Science Museum is open daily 10 AM–6 PM, with admission at $29.95/adult, $24.95/child (4–11); children under 4 free.
📍Day 6: Botanical Gardens, Cuban Eats & Dinner at News Café
On our last full day we strolled through Miami Beach Botanical Garden, a peaceful oasis just minutes from the beach. We popped over to Lincoln Road Mall for lunch at Havana 1957, where our son devoured rice and beans and we soaked up the old-Havana-inspired atmosphere.
We soaked up one final beach walk in South Beach at those iconic colorful lifeguard towers and along the Art Deco district on Ocean Drive, perfect for people-watching and a breezy outdoor dinner at News Café South Beach. This South Beach icon has been lovingly restored and still offers great food and relaxed vibes. It was the perfect slow goodbye.
Just note that things can get a little rowdy in South Beach in the evening, so opt to visit earlier in the day if you’d prefer more laid back vibes.
Additional Info:
- Botanical Garden is open 9 AM–5 PM, admission free.
- Lincoln Road is open day-to-night, shops/food vary but generally 10 AM–10 PM, free entry.
📍Day 7: Pool sendoff
On our last morning, we enjoyed the pool and white sand beach at The Palms Resort & Spa before making our way to the airport for our flight home.
If you have a bit more time, consider Tidal Cove, a large water park that has areas for toddlers. Note it’s a meaningful drive from the airport.
✨ Why We Loved This Trip
- Perfect multi-generational trip: Each of us found something to love on this vacation.
- Luxury without the stress: Every hotel felt polished and practical for kids.
- Built-in adventure: Nature, boats, museums, animals—something exciting every day.
- Flexible pacing: No flights or long hauls between stops, and plenty of downtime baked in.
This Florida week was a reminder: you don’t have to go far—or spend a fortune—to feel like you’re truly getting away. And when luxury meets ease like this? That’s the sweet spot.
