Miami-Dade County

Remember these South Florida attractions and thrill rides? Take a look

By Miami Herald Archives
The Hurricane rollercoaster at Boomers from I-95 between Stirling and Griffin roads in Dania Beach.
The Hurricane rollercoaster at Boomers from I-95 between Stirling and Griffin roads in Dania Beach. Miami Herald File

As Walt Disney World and Universal keep on expanding in Florida, let’s take a moment to remember old theme parks and attractions in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

Remember Pirates World and Six Flags Atlantis? Been to Blockbuster Golf & Games and Boomers? Tropical Panorama? The Miami Serpentarium?

Now, they’re all gone, replaced by housing complexes and stores.

What killed them?

Take your pick: struggling finances, valuable real estate, a change in customer tastes.

Six Flags Atlantis was razed for Oakwood Plaza in Hollywood. And Dania Pointe is opening in phases on the former home of Boomers and the landmark wooden roller-coaster just off I-95.

South Florida still has a handful of theme parks: Seaquarium, Lion Country Safari, Zoo Miami (previously at Crandon Park), Jungle Island (previously Parrot Jungle), Coral Castle. But if you mention the word “theme park” today, you’re likely talking about those in Central Florida.

Let’s look back at South Florida’s lost theme parks with old photos from the Miami Herald archives:

Serpentarium

The front facade of the Serpentarium in 1977.
The front facade of the Serpentarium in 1977. Joe Rimkus, Jr. Miami Herald File
The iconic Serpentarium cobra broke apart in 1984 as it was being moved to a new home at South Miami High School.
The iconic Serpentarium cobra broke apart in 1984 as it was being moved to a new home at South Miami High School. Bruce Gilbert Miami Herald File
Snake expert Bill Haast watches warily as a deadly four-foot Indian cobra snake raises its hooded head at the Miami Serpentarium in 1976.
Snake expert Bill Haast watches warily as a deadly four-foot Indian cobra snake raises its hooded head at the Miami Serpentarium in 1976. Miami Herald File
The last days of the Serpentarium in 1984.
The last days of the Serpentarium in 1984. Rick McCawley Miami Herald File
Serpentarium owner Bill Haast is careful about all of his snakes, even the gigantic King Cobra replica that is got new gold skin in 1968 by painter Harry Maucione high atop the laboratory and tourist attraction.
Serpentarium owner Bill Haast is careful about all of his snakes, even the gigantic King Cobra replica that is got new gold skin in 1968 by painter Harry Maucione high atop the laboratory and tourist attraction. Bob East Miami Herald File

Tropical Panorama

Tropical Panorama theme park was open in the 1950s at Biscayne Boulevard at 185th Street in Northeast Miami-Dade, now Aventura.
Tropical Panorama theme park was open in the 1950s at Biscayne Boulevard at 185th Street in Northeast Miami-Dade, now Aventura. Miami Herald File
One of Tropical Panorama’s porpoise trainers, Norman Santini, puts a student porpoise through his paces. The tourist attraction featuring trained porpoises.
One of Tropical Panorama’s porpoise trainers, Norman Santini, puts a student porpoise through his paces. The tourist attraction featuring trained porpoises. Miami Herald File
Tropical Panorama’s multicolored macaws.
Tropical Panorama’s multicolored macaws. Miami Herald File
Overhead view of Tropical Panorama at Biscayne Boulevard and 185th Street, showing flamingo pool, with other attractions in the background. The theme park was open in the 1950s.
Overhead view of Tropical Panorama at Biscayne Boulevard and 185th Street, showing flamingo pool, with other attractions in the background. The theme park was open in the 1950s. Miami Herald File

Pirates World

Pirates World
Pirates World
A greeter at Pirates World.
A greeter at Pirates World. Miami Herald File
One of the rides at Pirates World in Dania Beach.
One of the rides at Pirates World in Dania Beach. Miami Herald File

Parrot Jungle

A Parrot Jungle resident takes to the bicycle. parrot Jungle was in Pinecrest. The attraction, now called Jungle Island, is on the MacArthur Causeway and the original site is now a city park.
A Parrot Jungle resident takes to the bicycle. parrot Jungle was in Pinecrest. The attraction, now called Jungle Island, is on the MacArthur Causeway and the original site is now a city park. Miami Herald File
Hourly shows of trained birds were a feature at Parrot Jungle in Pinecrest.
Hourly shows of trained birds were a feature at Parrot Jungle in Pinecrest. Miami Herald File
Parrot Jungle
Parrot Jungle
An old Parrot Jungle billboard on South Dixie Highway was itself a landmark.
An old Parrot Jungle billboard on South Dixie Highway was itself a landmark. Al Diaz Miami Herald File

Crandon Park Zoo

A new train engine for Crandon Park Zoo is unloaded from a truck. The engine is a replica of an old “iron horse.”
A new train engine for Crandon Park Zoo is unloaded from a truck. The engine is a replica of an old “iron horse.” Doug Kennedy Miami Herald File / 1968
The mini train at Crandon Park Zoo
The mini train at Crandon Park Zoo MiamiHerald File / 1948

Wannado City

Wannado City in at the Sawgrass Mills mall in Sunrise.
Wannado City in at the Sawgrass Mills mall in Sunrise. JOE RIMKUS Miami Herald File
A retired DC-9 is moved into Wannado City at Sawgrass Mills mall in Sunrise.
A retired DC-9 is moved into Wannado City at Sawgrass Mills mall in Sunrise. MARSHA HALPER Miami Herald File
In 2004, opening day at Wannado City theme park at Sawgrass Mills mall. Kids played out roles as firefighters, doctors, airplane pilots and chefs.
In 2004, opening day at Wannado City theme park at Sawgrass Mills mall. Kids played out roles as firefighters, doctors, airplane pilots and chefs. Bob Eighmie Miami Herald File

This story was originally published June 11, 2025 at 11:03 AM.

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