A little city, a little sea, and a place close to our hearts.
MIAMI, FLORIDA25.76° N · 80.19° W
DAY 01
A plan, with room for a little spontaneity.
The itinerary
MIAMI + A 7-NIGHT CRUISE
Arrive before New Year. Sail January 3–10, 2027. Swipe or scroll through the arrival options and cruise days. Cruise schedule verified with NCL; Miami plans and excursions remain suggestions. See the full cruise route ↗
Places to explore
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Packing list
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THREE DAYS · EVERY GENERATION
Miami, with the whole crew.
One shared adventure. One good meal. Plenty of breathing room.
With kids, parents and grandparents, the best plan is one everyone can adapt. Keep the big moments together and let smaller groups follow their own pace in between.
A FLEXIBLE STARTING POINT
Three days. Room to improvise.
These are movable day plans, not confirmed reservations or fixed dates. Fit them around your arrival and New Year’s Eve; InterContinental Miami remains the planned, unbooked base.
My first pick is Frost Science. Add an easy waterfront outing and the Rusty Pelican meal; use the remaining options as swaps, not a checklist to complete.
01 / Downtown · Museum Park
Frost Science
Best all-round group outing
Aquarium, science exhibits and a planetarium give different ages several ways to enjoy one destination. Make this the main outing of a day rather than stacking another major attraction afterward.
Pace & group logistics
Allow 2–3 hours as a planning estimate; choose a shared arrival time, then explore in smaller family groups. Check planetarium admission and show arrangements with the ticket you buy.
Ask group sales about your party size and visit date. Review accessibility options with anyone who needs step-free routes, seating breaks or sensory accommodations.
Browse the waterfront, stop for a snack and let everyone settle into Miami. This works well when arrivals are staggered or some people need an early night.
Pace & group logistics
Allow 45–90 minutes and give people permission to turn back. Pick a precise meeting point instead of asking the entire group to stay in one line.
A nearby outing can still mean a lot of walking. Check the route from your hotel and use transport for anyone who prefers it; holiday crowds can slow progress.
Combine ocean views, a park stroll and playground time. Kids can burn energy while adults choose a shorter loop and a sitting break.
Pace & group logistics
Allow 1–2 hours plus transport. Make the park the destination; adding a full South Beach walking tour would make this a much longer day.
Outdoor and weather-dependent. Confirm current facilities, shade and drop-off arrangements. Keep active supervision around the waterfront and playground.
Pérez Art Museum Miami is a modern and contemporary art museum. It is an appealing alternative for the art lovers while other family groups choose nearby Frost Science.
Pace & group logistics
Allow 1–2 hours for a selective visit. Agree on a reunion time for lunch; nearby museums still require separate tickets and coordination.
Check holiday opening days and accessibility directly. Verde is a lunch option to inquire about, but a large table or terrace seating is not guaranteed.
Interactive, play-led exhibits make this a possible separate outing for families with younger children. Older kids and adults may prefer Frost Science or PAMM.
Pace & group logistics
Allow about 2 hours as a planning estimate. Split by interests, with an adult responsible for each child, and reunite for a meal.
Check current admission arrangements, supervision rules, group options and holiday hours before choosing it. Do not assume it will hold every age group’s attention equally.
Island Queen advertises a narrated 90-minute sightseeing cruise with views of the bay and Miami skyline. It offers a different perspective without a long city walk.
Pace & group logistics
Allow extra time for check-in and boarding beyond the 90-minute tour. Choose this instead of another major outing, especially with a full cruise ahead.
Ask about boarding steps, wheelchair access, bathrooms, sheltered seating and group availability for the exact boat. A seated tour does not automatically mean step-free access.
Suggested visit lengths and group fit are editorial estimates, not venue guarantees. An indoor option can still include exposed outdoor areas. Check holiday hours and access needs with each venue.
GOOD FOOD, LESS HERDING
The meals worth gathering for.
Start with Rusty Pelican for the family story, compare Toro Toro for convenience, and consider Havana Harry’s for a Cuban group meal. Keep at least one lunch flexible.
01 / Rickenbacker Causeway
Rusty Pelican
The meaningful group meal
Seafood and contemporary cuisine with skyline views, plus the chance to show the kids where the proposal happened. This is the meal I would organize first.
How I’d use it for our group
Try an early dinner or lunch request. Ask for a group arrangement that leaves time for the family story and a photo; an exact view or proposal spot cannot be promised.
Contact the events team with adult/child counts, menu needs, seating preference and budget. Ask about minimum spend, deposits, cancellation and holiday menus.
The hotel’s Pan-Latin restaurant makes a convenient candidate if the planned InterContinental stay goes ahead. A good option when transporting everyone is the main challenge.
How I’d use it for our group
Use for an early group dinner, subject to availability. Ask about children’s choices and the noise level for the seating area offered.
Request the private-dining team rather than relying on an online table search for a big party. A hotel location does not guarantee group seating or an all-ages holiday event.
A familiar seafood-focused chain option at Bayside, with an official group-events inquiry route. Practical when convenience matters more than a destination dining experience.
How I’d use it for our group
Pair with a waterfront wander. Confirm non-seafood and children’s choices from the current menu before choosing it for everyone.
Send a Miami-specific group inquiry. Confirm seating, timing and any event menu; proximity does not mean a large walk-in party will be seated quickly.
A contemporary casual restaurant with waterfront terrace dining at PAMM. A natural lunch candidate after a museum morning.
How I’d use it for our group
Best considered for a smaller subgroup or a prearranged group lunch. Ask whether dining requires museum admission for your visit.
Confirm holiday service hours and group capacity. Request indoor backup if booking outside, and do not assume the terrace will be comfortable in every weather.
A longstanding Cuban restaurant with sandwiches, croquettes, Cuban dishes and a bakery/café culture to explore. It adds a food-focused Miami outing.
How I’d use it for our group
Better as an optional smaller-group meal or snack stop unless a full-group arrangement is confirmed. Review the menu together and choose a few dishes to try.
Confirm seating and wait expectations directly. Do not build a tight schedule around a large unreserved table or assume it is beside the central Calle Ocho walking area.
No table, group space or holiday menu has been reserved. Request an all-in quote; standard menus may not apply on New Year’s Eve. Official restaurant links are included on every card.
MAKE THE GROUP PART EASY
A little coordination goes a long way.
One anchor per day
Choose one shared attraction and one shared meal. Leave a hotel break between them. A smaller group can add an outing without making it compulsory for everyone.
Transport by need
Compare a prearranged van or minibus with several cars after you know the headcount. Ask about child seats, step-free boarding, mobility-aid storage and a clear pickup location. Holiday traffic makes exact journey times unreliable.
Comfort is personal
Ask each family about walking tolerance, stroller or mobility-aid needs and preferred meal times. Request quieter seating and an indoor weather backup when useful. Do not assume every grandparent needs the same pace.
Make the reservation request count
Provide adults and children separately, children’s ages, dietary needs, preferred time and an all-in budget. Confirm one table versus several, service charges, deposits, cancellation terms and how payment will work.
Rainy-day and low-energy swaps
Swap the park for Frost Science or a selective PAMM visit, after checking opening hours and tickets. Families with younger children can consider the Children’s Museum. If everyone is tired, shorten the outing and keep the meal close to the hotel.
The evening before boarding
Keep dinner early and convenient, organize travel documents and carry-on essentials, and reconfirm the cruise terminal and assigned arrival window. Avoid a late, cross-city group outing before the January 3 sailing.
Venue research checked September 2026. Suggestions are based on official venue information linked above; holiday availability and the group’s requirements still need confirmation.
YOUR NEXT CHAPTER
A whole ship to fall in love with.
The January 3–10 route, four port guides, rides, dinner plans and real videos. Get to know Norwegian Aqua before you step aboard.
The place where the proposal happened. This time, a chance to share it with the kids.
A waterfront restaurant on the Rickenbacker Causeway, known for its Miami skyline views, seafood and contemporary cuisine with Latin influences. The setting makes it a meaningful stop even before the food arrives.
Keep this visit about the place and the story: enjoy the view, point out the spot, and let the kids see a little piece of where it all began.
