Miami With a Stroller: What Works & What’s a Hassle

Traveling with a stroller in Miami can be both rewarding and challenging. The city offers plenty of family-friendly attractions, but the infrastructure and transit options sometimes require extra planning. If you’re visiting Miami with a little one in tow, here’s a comprehensive guide to what works, what’s a hassle, and how to make your trip as smooth as possible.

🚆 Getting Around Miami With a Stroller

Miami’s transit system includes buses, the Metrorail, and Metromover, but not all options are stroller-friendly.

• Metrorail: Stations generally have elevators and ramps, making them accessible for strollers. The trains have enough space to accommodate strollers, but during rush hours, it can get crowded. Some rail cars have designated areas for large items like strollers.
• Metromover: This free downtown loop is mostly accessible, but some stations have only escalators, which complicates stroller access. Plan to use stations with elevators. Strollers are allowed as long as they don’t block aisles or doors.
• Buses: Most buses are equipped with ramps and space for strollers. However, strollers must be folded, children removed, and placed away from aisles and doors for safety. Buses often get crowded during rush hours, so riding mid-morning or early afternoon is usually easier with a stroller.
• Rideshares and taxis: Convenient but not always equipped with car seats. If safety is a priority, bring a portable car seat or use rideshare options that allow you to bring your own.

🏛️ Museums and Attractions: Stroller Accessibility

Miami offers a variety of museums and attractions that are generally stroller-friendly, but some experiences require a bit more preparation.

• Miami Children’s Museum: Designed for families, it’s fully accessible with wide pathways and stroller-friendly exhibits. Sensory bags are available to help children with sensory needs, and there’s a Snoezelen Multi-Sensory Room for kids who need a calmer environment.
• Frost Science (Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science): Elevators and ramps make it accessible, but expect crowds on weekends. Strollers are allowed throughout most of the museum but not inside the planetarium. The museum offers family restrooms with changing tables on multiple floors, sensory backpacks containing noise-reducing earmuffs, toys, and a social story at a kiosk, as well as a Mamava nursing pod (a private lactation space) for feeding or pumping.
• Vizcaya Museum and Gardens: Beautiful gardens and historic estate, though some uneven paths and stairs mean it’s easier with a lightweight stroller.
• Miami Seaquarium: Mostly accessible, but outdoor walking paths can be hot and sunny. Bring sun protection for your child.
• Zoo Miami (see our Miami Seaquarium vs. Zoo Miami comparison): Very stroller-friendly with paved paths and shaded areas, but the zoo is large, so be prepared for a lot of walking.

🚗 Parking Permits and Regulations

If you’re driving in Miami with a stroller and young children, parking near attractions can be a concern.

• Residential parking permits are required in some neighborhoods, but tourists typically won’t need one unless staying in residential areas.
• Many museums and attractions offer parking lots or garages; check their websites for rates and availability.
• Metered street parking is common downtown and in tourist areas, but watch for time limits and payment requirements.
• Some parking garages have elevators that make stroller access easier.
• Miami-Dade offers a Baby Stroller Parking Permit for $37, valid until one month before your child’s 3rd birthday (about 35 months). Replacement permits cost $15. This permit is required to use the two designated stroller-parking spots in the Frost Science garage, giving parents more convenient access.

🍼 Practical Considerations for Families

• Heat and humidity: Miami stays warm and humid most of the year, so plan around the heat. Dress your child in lightweight clothing, stay hydrated, and schedule outdoor activities for cooler parts of the day.
• Sun protection: Use hats, sunscreen, and stroller covers or umbrellas to shield your child from the sun.
• Restroom access: Most major attractions have family restrooms with changing tables, but public restrooms outside of these can be limited.
• Crowds: Weekends and holidays can be busy, so plan visits to popular spots during weekdays or early mornings.

🌦️ Sidewalks & Terrain

• Downtown and Brickell areas have stroller-friendly sidewalks with ramps and curb cuts, making navigation easier.
• Older neighborhoods like Little Havana and Coconut Grove feature cracked pavement, puddles after rain, and narrow sidewalks that can be challenging with a stroller.

🎒 Gear Tips for Miami Stroller Travel

• Choose a lightweight, compact stroller for easier navigation on sidewalks and public transit.
• Compact or umbrella strollers are best for transit use due to their foldability and maneuverability.
• Jogging strollers are ideal for Zoo Miami’s paved and shaded paths.
• Double strollers can be difficult to use in places like the Paradox Museum, which has small elevators and narrow hallways, as well as on narrow sidewalks.
• A stroller with good sunshade is essential due to Miami’s strong sun.
• Consider a stroller fan attachment or portable misting fan for hot days.
• Bring a backpack diaper bag instead of a stroller organizer to keep your hands free.
• Waterproof covers and umbrellas are highly recommended since sudden downpours are common in Miami.

📍 Sample Itineraries

Half-Day Downtown Stroller-Friendly Tour

• Start at the Miami Children’s Museum.
• Walk or take the Metromover to Bayfront Park.
• Enjoy a shaded picnic and playground time.
• Visit the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM, also covered in our Best Day Trips from Miami) for a stroller-friendly cultural experience.

Full-Day Zoo and Science Adventure

• Morning at Zoo Miami, taking advantage of shaded paths and animal shows.
• Lunch at the zoo’s cafes.
• Afternoon at Frost Science, exploring the aquarium and planetarium.

🏆 Verdict: Is Miami Good for Strollers?

Miami can be a great city to explore with a stroller if you plan ahead. The city offers many accessible attractions and transit options, but the heat, crowds, and some uneven sidewalks present challenges. With the right gear and itinerary, families can enjoy a rewarding trip without too much hassle.

Miami isn’t always effortless with a stroller, but with compact gear, smart timing, and a few parent hacks, you’ll discover the city is more welcoming than it looks at first glance.

---