Contrary to popular belief, Miami Beach isn't just a high dollar party town for celebrities and club kids, and in case you're thinking about a family-friendly vacation to South Florida, we have some tips for you that will make your planning go a little smoother.

For starters, we'll show you a number of South Beach hotels that can accommodate you and your kids in suites or adjoining rooms, then we'll travel around the city to check out hot spots your kids will surely love. We'll poke into some of Miami Beach's best kitchens to see if they have a kid considerate menu and finally we'll even wade into a few swimming pools to determine if the knee-high set might enjoy a few hours splashing safely in the sun.

The second Marriott facility on South Beach is the Marriott Courtyard at 1530 Washington Avenue. This hotel is two blocks from the ocean and much closer to the pedestrian mall Lincoln Road and the Miami Beach Convention Center. This smaller property offers family travelers the option of connecting guest rooms or 4 suites with a separate living area with a pull out couch. While there are no children's programs available, the rooftop pool offers visitors a bird's eye view of the city below.

The stroller set will find access to the nearby shops and cafes of Washington Avenue and Espanola Way a real convenience.

Our advice to parents is, "Get Ready To Relax!" We've done all the leg work to make sure you can stretch out and enjoy a few days in Miami on foot or out on the road. We've started in the heart of South Beach, the area between South Pointe Park at 1st Street and the open-air pedestrian mall Lincoln Road just 17 blocks to the north. The city can be easily navigated on foot or utilizing our 25 cent "South Beach Local" bus line which provides access to all of the area's attractions for an attractive price.

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Your first South Beach decision is choosing a family friendly hotel. While most of the older, restored Art Deco properties are charming and authentic, the rooms tend to be smaller and the resort amenities nonexistent. For parents with little ones in tow, the beach-front resorts along Collins Avenue offer the best of all worlds. Some hotels will even take the kids off your hands for a while so you can spend some vacation time recapturing that honeymoon tingle that faded away once you traded up to a mini-van.

The top of the line resort without question is the ocean-front Ritz-Carlton South Beach at One Lincoln Road. Families can opt for two adjoining rooms or one-bedroom suites with optional kid-friendly roll away beds. The Ritz-Carlton South Beach also features an in-house children's program called "Ritz Kids" - a supervised full or half-day session of beach and poolside activities for guests age 5 to 12. If you need a little adult alone time, you can drop the tykes at the Kids Camp at 9am with a swimsuit and some sunscreen and rely upon the trained supervisors to engage the happy campers in shell finding, face painting, arts & crafts and so much more. The full day session ends at 4pm and includes a kid-delicious lunch for $85. Half-day sessions are also available from 9am-noon and 1pm- 4pm for $42.50. If you're planning a big night out, the hotel will also provide a supervised kid's dinner and playtime from 6pm-9pm Fridays and Saturdays. To add to the temptation, the spa at the Ritz offers couples massages, and world-renowned chef David Bouley recently opened his brand new Evolution Restaurant at the hotel.

One block away and also family-focused is the Loews Miami Beach Hotel at 1601 Collins Avenue. While the hotel has recently closed its Kid's Camp to build a luxurious new spa, they still make children (and pets) a priority. From the moment you check in, your kids are welcomed with an age appropriate gift. Guests who reserve one of the special pet-friendly rooms also receive a pet bowl and treat at the front desk along with a dog walking map and a list of local services including grooming and veterinary information. The hotel promises to update travelers about organized kids programs in early 2007.

Meanwhile, it's a great help to travel weary parents to know that connecting rooms are available as well as junior suites with a pull out couch to suit the kids in the living room. There are eleven ocean-front tower suites featuring over 750 square feet of living space, which can accommodate 2 rollaway beds in the area, adjoining the king-sized bedroom. Older kids have the option of borrowing portable DVD players, raiding a stash of age-appropriate movies and signing out Game Boys at the front desk too.

Loews features five different family dining options from the award winning Emeril's New Orleans style cuisine, to the American steak house Preston's and the more casual Nautilus pool-side grill and SoBe coffee bar. All restaurants provide kid's menus and offer individual table-side personal DVD players to keep kids happy while their parents dine. Loews fitness program includes both indoor and beach-front training options as well as a KidsFit class for youngsters interested in health and nutrition.

At the southern end of Ocean Drive, the South Beach Marriott at 161 Ocean Drive offers families the option of a pull out couch for kids staying in their parent's one bedroom suite. There are only 8 such rooms available at this ocean-front property, but no adjoining rooms on site. Newly renovated guest-rooms feature 32 inch flat panel televisions with WebTV and high speed internet access for $12.95. There are no organized children's programs available at this time, but the hotel has an activities center with movies and Game Boys available for rent. One feature this Marriott has that no other hotel on the ocean can boast? Starbucks! Right downstairs.

The Hilton Hotels include the moderately priced Doubletree Surfcomber at 1717 Collins Avenue. Four suites on site at this very popular destination are both ocean front and city view and are often booked well in advance. The Doubletree's location is just north of the hubbub of Ocean Drive and a 2 block walk to the Miami Beach Convention Center.

The second Hilton-family property on South Beach is the Hilton Grand Vacations Club at 1430 Ocean Drive. This jewel box classic Art Deco renovation is located at the northern end of Ocean Drive, just across the street from Lummus Park and the ocean. An all suite property, this 52 room hotel feels quite intimate in scale. Families can select from a one bedroom option suitable for 4 people, or a two bedroom suite with a pull out couch in the living room area that suits up to six. Because this hotel is a smaller, 3 level conversion, there is no hotel pool, just a Jacuzzi-style hot tub at the roof level sun deck.

Once you've decided which hotel fits your family and your budget, it's your option to hire a rental car and venture out on the highways of South Florida or to spend a few days enjoying the area on foot. South Beach has so many interesting places to play and dine; most people leave the driving to taxis and busses. You simply need to decide if this trip will involve a few quiet days enjoying each other in the sun and surf, or if you're the sort of family that's happier "On the Go..."

The streets of South Beach are stroller-friendly and easy to navigate on foot most of the time. You can pile your luggage into a taxi at the airport and not see the inside of a car again until it's time to head back home. Cabs offer a flat fee to South Beach so the entire family can transfer from the airport for just under $40. The shops, cafes and bars in the area south of 21st Street are simple to sort out and you'll soon find all you need to make the trip a relaxing escape.

Your plan of action for a vacation without a rental car might include a morning walk on the strand called Lummus Park, which runs along the beach on Ocean Drive. This tropical green space attracts the area's bike and in-line skate enthusiasts so proceed with caution.

Start your day at the Front Porch Café at 14th and Ocean and treat the kids to an al fresco breakfast that will please even the most finicky eater. If you decide you'd like to try a tropical bike ride or you think you can still get up and running on skates, stop by the Miami Beach Bicycle Center at 601 Fifth Street or check out Fritz's Skate Shop at 730 Lincoln Road. Get the gang rolling along the Art Deco wonder that is Ocean Drive and then take a break and check out the beach a while. Be certain to pop some cool drinks into your beach bag and always remember to keep everyone protected with a healthy dose of sunscreen.

Later in the day, you'll find that Lincoln Road is a wonderful place to spend time with the family. This open-air pedestrian mall offers a full range of dining and shopping options from the most familiar mall stores to the more esoteric galleries and antique shops. On Sundays in the fall, you can check out the Farmer's Green Market stalls featuring local produce and tropical plants. There are crafts on sale and even a balloon-twisting clown to entertain the kids. On alternate Sundays at the west side of the mall, the Lincoln Road Antique and Flea Market gets going well before dawn and offers a wealth of vintage treasures until 5pm. Even if your suitcases are already filled to the brim, you'll find that people watching on the Mall is an inexpensive way to spend a few hours soaking up a little local color.

Best dining options for a busy family on Lincoln Mall include Segafredo Café at 1040 Lincoln at the Lenox Avenue intersection. After a busy stroll to the western end of promenade, choose from an eclectic collection of overstuffed chairs and tiny café tables set up around a sparkling fountain. Settle in for a quick drink, a strong espresso and a few panini sandwiches to fortify your brood. This hang out for exhausted local shoppers and savvy tourists is a hub of activity day and night. Your kids will meet new friends and discover the tiny pampered dogs everyone brings to South Beach. You'll get a chance to rest you tired dogs as well and sample the light bites on the menu or a reasonably priced cocktail from the full bar. There's always music playing and enough activity to keep everyone distracted while you catch your second wind.

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