4 Essential Tips For The Best Miami Family Vacation

The fall season is upon us and winter is just right around the corner. You may be dreading the cold and dismal fall and winter months, and thinking of packing up the family for a fun in the sun Miami beach vacation.

This is certainly not uncommon. Every year snowbirds flock to Miami and surrounding areas. And really why not? Flights are relatively cheap, depending on where you are coming from, and a few weeks of soaking up vitamin D on the beach can have mood lifting qualities.

This vacation sounds relaxing, but what if you have a partner and pack of kids you will need to bring along. Vacationing with your family can be a bit stressful, especially when you hotel bedroom is full of sand.

However, it doesn’t need to be.The following can serve as your playbook to having the best Miami family vacation ever. Let’s dive in!

1. Don’t Book A Rental Car

This essential tip for the best family vacation is an important one. It can save you hundreds of dollars, and help keep your sanity when it comes to driving in traffic with kids for hours on end.

There are a few reasons to skip the rental car for your trip to Miami. One is the traffic. Traffic in Miami is not fun, especially with kids. The Miami locals will admit that the driving aptitude is pretty bad and dodging traffic can be difficult while listening to your GPS directions. Add in bored backseat kiddos and stress levels can rise.

Another reason to skip the rental car is parking. Parking in Miami is a million dollar business for the city. Fees are high and parking is somewhat limited on the weekends. If you plan on driving to the everglades or the Florida Keys, you can simply rent a car for specific driving adventures.

2. Think About Location When Booking Accommodations

The number of accommodations in Miami is endless. From downtown to Miami Beach, there are tons of options, but not all are created equal. To have the best Miami Family vacation, you want to think about location and do a bit of research. This will cut down on travel time from place-to-place, and ensure you are in the area that will maximize family fun.

For example, if you and your family are heading to Miami to enjoy the beaches, be sure you are close to said beaches. There are a lot of hotels in the area that say they are close to the beach, but they are a bit of a walk from them. Downtown Miami does not have beaches, so if beach is what the family wants, Miami Beach is a better choice.

When traveling as a family, it can be difficult to find a big enough hotel room. One of the best parts about Miami as a family vacation destination is that there are a lot of affordable luxury condos and Miami south beach vacation rentals.

3. Be Sure To Explore Miami

Miami has a lot more to offer than just the white sand beach and beautiful turquoise water. The coolest part about visiting as a family is the different cultures, arts, and food ready to be explored, enjoyed, and eaten.

A short Uber drive from Miami Beach will transport you to places like Little Havana. This Cuban-centric neighborhood has some of the most vibrant culture and delicious food in Miami. If you like coffee, this is a must-go destination, because Cuban coffee is delicious and packs quite a punch.

For a more trendy art scene walk around the Wynwood area to see exceptional graffiti art, and the new generation of Miami. Places like the Wynwood Walls is a great photo opportunity for the kids, and stop by a local restaurant that is eco-friendly.

4. Save Money By Not Tipping

You and your family will be out and about eating at fun and tasty restaurants daily, but in many cases you can save money by not tipping. How much is a dinner out for the family? Probably pretty expensive and expect that bill to be about $20 to $30 more in Miami.

Not tipping does seem kind of harsh, but it is not what you think. Most restaurants in Miami will add a 15 percent to 20 percent gratuity, commonly called “service charge” to your bill after the state tax even.

Check the bill and examine it closely. If there is a service charge, or some other large charge, it is probably the tip, so you can skip tipping more. Unless the service was amazing, than have at it and leave as much tip as you want.

Have The Best Miami Family Vacation

The above four tips are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to family vacationing in Miami. They are, however, a few of the most important that can ease the potential stress of traveling as a family, as well as save you money. Do you have Miami vacation tips? We want to hear them.