Many of you feeling the bite of winter are dreaming of warmer pastures, and there may be no better destination for fun in the sun than Miami, Florida. Yet, while this southern city has a lot to offer in the way of beaches, shopping and restaurants, what are travelers with kids in tow supposed to do? Vacationers who rent luxury villas in the area may want to pack the kids into their rental car and head down to Zoo Miami to enjoy a day of family fun.

Since 1980, the Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens, more colloquially known as Zoo Miami, has been South Florida's premier destination for animal lovers. With more than 2,000 animals and wealth of unique plantlife from around the world, there is sure to be something to excite vacationers of all ages.

As the nation's only tropical zoo, the facility boasts a wealth of exotic animals typically found in warmer regions, including kangaroos, hippos, snakes, monkeys, birds and more. The zoo also offers educational classes where children and adults can learn about some of the animals they will see on the grounds.

After a day spent at Zoo Miami, good luck getting the kids to calm down when you return to your vacation villa rentals. They'll likely be too excited by all of the creatures they've seen to go to bed.