Photo: ofelia duran
Photo: Eliana Rocca
Photo: Chaim Appeldorfer
Waterways Shoppes
★4.2(716 reviews)$Shopping
🕑 1.5-2.5 hours👶 Best for ages 2-10. Toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy the playground areas and watching weekend performers, while older elementary-aged kids appreciate the gelato shops and family-friendly restaurant variety.🧡 Saved by 19 families
About
Waterways Shoppes offers a relaxed outdoor shopping and dining experience perfect for families looking to combine a meal, sweet treat, and playtime. The walkable layout makes it easy to navigate with strollers, and the playground areas give kids a chance to burn energy between stops. Weekend entertainment adds an extra layer of fun, making it more than just a typical shopping center.
Highlights
- ✓Playground areas for active play between shopping or dining
- ✓Multiple gelato and dessert shops for sweet treats
- ✓Weekend live entertainment and family events
- ✓Variety of family-friendly restaurants in one location
- ✓Stroller-friendly walkable layout
Pro Tips
- 1.Visit on weekend mornings to catch the live entertainment while the crowds are still light and temperatures are cooler
- 2.Park near the playground area if you have young children to make quick breaks easier
- 3.Bring a change of clothes if kids tend to get messy at playgrounds, especially during South Florida's humid months
- 4.Check their social media before visiting for special weekend events and entertainment schedules
- 5.The gelato shops make great bribes for good behavior while parents browse
Best Time to Visit
Weekday late afternoons (4-6 PM) or weekend mornings are ideal. You'll avoid peak shopping crowds while still enjoying pleasant weather for the outdoor spaces. Weekends offer bonus entertainment, but expect more families.
What to Know
This is an outdoor center, so prepare for South Florida weather with sunscreen and water. Most dining options are casual and kid-friendly with various price points. Parking is free and plentiful.
Seasonal Notes
Best during Florida's cooler months (November-April) when outdoor walking is most comfortable. Summer visits are still enjoyable but plan for early morning or evening to avoid peak heat. Holiday seasons often feature special decorations and events.
Nearby Eats
Since Waterways Shoppes has multiple family dining options on-site, you'll find everything from casual chains to gelato shops within the center itself,no need to venture elsewhere for meals or snacks.
More Activities Near Aventura
Shopping
Aventura Mall
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Aventura Mall transforms the shopping experience into a family adventure with its impressive array of kid-focused attractions. Beyond the stores, children can enjoy a colorful carousel, challenging climbing walls, an engaging playground, and fascinating interactive art installations scattered throughout the mall,making it a destination where parents can shop while kids are genuinely entertained.
Sports
Gulfstream Park Racing
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Gulfstream Park Racing in Hallandale Beach offers much more than just horse racing for families visiting the Aventura area. This entertainment complex features a vibrant outdoor village with family-friendly dining options, an arcade to keep kids entertained, and weekend activities that make it a surprisingly fun destination for families looking for something different to do together.
Theater
Aventura Arts & Cultural Center
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The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is a modern, professional theater venue that brings world-class entertainment to families in South Florida. With a carefully curated lineup of children's performances, family-friendly concerts, and cultural events throughout the year, this beautifully appointed theater offers an excellent introduction to live performing arts in a comfortable, welcoming environment that's designed with young audiences in mind.
Park
Founders Park
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Founders Park is Aventura's premier family destination, offering a perfect blend of water play, playgrounds, and scenic Intracoastal waterway views. This well-maintained waterfront park combines active play areas with peaceful picnic spots, making it ideal for everything from quick playground visits to full-day family outings along the water.