Nestled between Miami Lakes and Opa-locka, Hialeah is a charming city in Miami-Dade County known for its Cuban culture and cuisine. With a population of over 200,000, it’s the sixth-largest city in Florida and has plenty to see and do for families. From museums and gardens to racing and retail therapy, Hialeah offers entertainment options suitable for kids and adults alike. Read on for 12 fun things to do with family in this vibrant South Florida destination.
Explore the Art and History at Hialeah Park Racing & Casino
The centerpiece of Hialeah is the historic Hialeah Park Racing & Casino. Opened in 1925, it is known for its iconic flamingo fountain and lush gardens filled with royal palms and bougainvillea. Families can take a guided tour of the grounds to see the clubhouse interior and learn about the park’s glamorous history.
Check the schedule for quarter horse racing and allow kids to witness these majestic animals showing their speed. The casino also offers bilingual gaming. With its grand Mediterranean revival architecture, sculptures, and modern amenities blended with old-world charm, Hialeah Park is great for families interested in local culture.
Stroll through the Scenic Gardens
In addition to the gardens at Hialeah Park, families can also walk through the botanical bliss of Amelia Earhart Park. Spanning over 500 acres, this urban oasis has a large butterfly garden showcasing over 20 native species, along with blooming flowers, picnic pavilions, and a playground.
Kids can burn off some energy at the two-acre Bark Park specifically designed for dogs. For breathtaking views, venture through the Lagoon Trail or the Oak Hammock Trail surrounded by tall oaks dripping in Spanish moss. Pack a picnic or stop by the on-site Aerobar Cafe for refreshments after working up an appetite from all the garden strolling.
Learn Something New at Hialeah Libraries
The public libraries in Hialeah provide events and activities that make learning fun for kids while imparting new wisdom. Babies, toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy singing songs, listening to stories, and playing educational games at B.R.I.G.H.T. Babies Storytime and Toddler Tales Storytime.
School-age children can join the Majestic Palm Kids Book Club to read a new book each month and participate in related arts and crafts. Tweens and teens can attend workshops on arts, DIY projects, robotics and more. Libraries also provide familyboard game sessions, computer basics courses for parents needing to polish skills and summer reading programs with prizes to keep young minds sharp.
See Exotic Animals at Jungle Island
For an up-close look at some incredible wildlife, head to Jungle Island. Located just south of Hialeah, this interactive zoological park is home to a range of exotic animals including a liger (lion and tiger hybrid), lemurs, monkeys, macaws, alligators, crocodiles, giant tortoises and more. Kids go crazy for the crab-eating macaque monkey habitat where the primates run free on a Florida key-inspired setting.
Guests can feed the friendly macaques from the dock! Other highlights include the Tiger Valley exhibit with glass viewing for striped beasts, a petting zoo with goats, kangaroo encounters, an aviary trail where macaws may land on your shoulders and educational wildlife shows. It’s full of memorable moments for animal-loving families.
Attend a Show at Amelia Earhart Park
The Amelia Earhart Park Amphitheater regularly hosts concerts and events aimed at families and kids. From free Reggae in the Garden shows to Rock the Park festivals with local bands to the annual Hialeah Pizza Bake-Off, there are plenty of cool experiences.
Magic City Circus often pitches its red-and-white-striped big top tent at the park too. Kids are amazedby talented trapeze artists, fearless motorcycle high wire acts, jugglers, contortionists, clowns and more during these family-friendly interactive circuses. It’s conveniently located by the playground, walking trails and lake for a full day of amusement.
Go Skating at FLA Skate Arena
Got kids full of energy? Take them burning rubber at FLA Skate Arena, the largest skating rink facility in South Florida at 40,000 square feet. This indoor roller arena has a slick wood skating floor surrounding by flashing lights, arcade games, vending machines and booming music.
Kids and parents alike will have a blast skating or inline blading together. Reserve space for a birthday bash in one of the private party rooms. There are designated times for Tiny Tots to toddle on the rink lines-free. More experienced skaters can join Friday and Saturday evening sessions. Stop by the pro-shop for quality skate rentals to roll like a pro at FLA Skate Arena.
Explore the Children’s Section at Hialeah Public Library
Fuel young imagination at Barbara Jose Pena & Julio Robaina Children’s Section inside Hialeah Public Library. This kid-friendly area has computers loaded with educational games, picture books to pique curiosity, early reader fiction, bi-lingual stories, elementary chapter books, young adult novels and more. Librarians host regular toddler storytimes and clever STEM events for older kids plus summer reading activities.
Interactive play spaces like Igloo have child-size furniture, play kitchens, building blocks and interactive learning walls. Big kids can play educational video games or log computer time for research projects. Thoughtful quiet spaces provide cozy nooks for reading. It’s the perfect place to foster a love of learning.
Tour the Hialeah Park Racing and Casino Memorabilia Museum
For a deep dive into the history of Hialeah Park Racing & Casino, make time to peruse the Memorabilia Museum. This fascinating collection includes artifacts tracing the origins of Hialeah Park in the early 1920s through today. Vintage racing memorabilia includes saddles, silks, goggles and boots from legendary thoroughbreds that raced here like Seabiscuit, War Admiral and Citation.
Kids can learn about famous past horse owners like movie producer Harry Warner and Elizabeth Arden. Imagine the thrill of racing during Hialeah’s glamorous heydey. Historic photos and videos transport visitors back in time when Hollywood stars flocked here. Don’t miss the replica of Blazing Saddles, the first racehorse to win a Certificate of Merit in 1925.
Play Mini Golf at Tropical Park
For easygoing family fun, play a round of mini golf at Tropical Park. Conveniently located in the southern part of Hialeah, this public park has two 18-hole mini golf courses: Explorer Course and Discovery Course. The Explorer Course takes players through some of America’s most iconic locations from the Statue of Liberty to Golden Gate Bridge to Cape Canaveral rocket launch pads.
The Discovery Course is more fantastical with mining mountains, pirate ships, dinosaurs and waterfalls. Both courses feature ice cream stands for tasty treats after you play. The surrounding park also has batting cages, tennis courts, picnic areas for lunch, and a playground to extend the fun.
Get Competitive at Westland Mall
When kids need some indoor entertainment, head to Westland Mall, the largest shopping center in Hialeah. In addition to major retailers like Macy’s, JC Penney and Sears, the mall offers plenty of family activities. The TimeOut arcade is perfect for friendly competition with classic arcade machines, carnival style redemption games, billiards, bowling and more.
Try to win enough tickets for prizes! The Regal movie theater shows the latest blockbuster films and kid flicks on the big screen. Stop for a bite in their diners court or full-service restaurants. From shopping till you drop to gaming and movies, Westland Mall delivers protected rain-or-shine activities.
Splash Away a Hot Day at Amelia Earhart Park Family Aquatic Center
As Miami temps climb, cool off with water play at Amelia Earhart Park Family Aquatic Center. This family-oriented waterpark near Hialeah provides refreshing relief from summer’s sweltering heat. Make waves in the Olympic sized pool with 1-meter and 3-meter diving boards.
Glide down the Curly Slide twisting and turning like a rollercoaster or speed down three exhilarating flume slides: blue lightning, green thunder and red flash. TheTot Pool offers a zero-depth entry with splash features for tiny swimmers to enjoy. Play volleyball in the pool, lounge under palm trees or claim a shaded cabana. The bathhouse provides showers, locker rooms and a concession stand to refuel between adventures. With something for everyone, it’s the best place to chill in Hialeah.
Take an Airboat Ride Through the Everglades
No family trip to Miami is complete without venturing into the magnificent Everglades ecosystem. Fortunately, airboat tour companies like Gator Park Airboat Tours offer wetland expeditions just a short drive west of Hialeah. Groups climb aboard shallow-bottomed airboats capable of navigating the marshy “river of grass” landscape where land meets water.
Friendly captains educate kids about the natural habitat and its array of birds, plants and reptiles while thrilling them with high-speed spins. Along the ride route, you may spot alligators, turtles, herons, egrets, bald eagles and other native species. Airboat tours allow families to take in breathtaking wetlands vistas not visible from land. The tours depart daily out of the Gator Park gift shop where you can hold a baby alligator after. Delve into South Florida’s wild backyard on a wet and wild Everglades airboat adventure kids won’t soon forget!
Conclusion
With vibrant culture, numerous green spaces and no shortage of entertainment, Hialeah makes an ideal Florida destination for families. From horse racing history and interactive wildlife encounters to skating, shopping and strapping into waterslides, this Miami suburb delivers action-packed fun the whole family can enjoy together. Hialeah allows kids and parents to bond while learning something new, getting active outdoors or sampling a taste of Cuban flair.The family fun never slows down in this sundrenched South Florida city.