Miami Seaquarium: South Florida's largest marine aquarium is home to killer whale Lolita and dolphin superstar Flipper. This 38-acre facility holds more than 10,000 creatures of the sea. www.miamiseaquarium.com

Parrot Jungle and Gardens: This unique bird sanctuary has more than 1100 birds, including parrots and macaws. Enjoy the spectacular bird shows, petting zoo, plus ape, alligator, and giant tortoise exhibits.
www.parrotjungle.com

Monkey Jungle: Escape on a jungle safari, explore the wilds of South America and Asia, and delve into a tropical Amazonian rain forest teeming with hundreds of exotic monkeys.
www.monkeyjungle.com

Everglades Safari Park: Located in the heart of the Florida Everglades, the Safari Park includes a 30 minute airboat ride, 15 minute alligator show, a hike along the Jungle Trail to the Alligator Farm with over 400 American Alligators, and a visit to the replica of an ancient Indian Village.
www.evergladessafaripark.com

Miami Museum of Science and Space Transit Planetarium: The Museum features over 140 hands-on exhibits illustrating principles of physics, electricity, light, sound, and health. The outdoor Wildlife Center rehabilitates injured birds and reptiles and displays over 175 live animals. See one of several rotating shows in the Planetarium Dome.
www.miamisci.org

Miami Beach, South Beach, and Key Biscayne: Miami's beaches rank among the nation's finest. Soak in the sun, participate in water sports such as windsurfing and sail boarding, or take advantage of the bicycle trails and boardwalks.