Miami-Dade County

Seaquarium has joined these vanished Miami theme parks. Do you remember them?

By Miami Herald Archives
One of the rides at Pirates World in Dania Beach.
One of the rides at Pirates World in Dania Beach. Miami Herald File

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The end of the Seaquarium

A Miami landmark, once a star attraction but recently a troubled theme park, is making way for redevelopment.

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Now that we can speak about the Miami Seaquarium in past tense — it was a theme park before its recent closing — let’s look back at other old South Florida attractions.

See the snakes at the Serpentarium? Get soaked on the log flume or see a concert at Pirates World? Take in a bird show at Parrot Jungle?

MORE: The life and times of the Miami Seaquarium: Star attraction to troubled landmark

Let’s flip through the photos in the Miami Herald archives to remember:

Wannado City

This indoor theme park, opened in 2004 and closed in 2011 at Sawgrass Mills mall, was themed around careers.

Wannado City in at the Sawgrass Mills mall in Sunrise.
Wannado City in at the Sawgrass Mills mall in Sunrise. Joe Rimkus Jr. 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

Pirates World

This Dania Beach theme park, opened in 1967 and closed in 1967, had a log flume and a skyride and featured rock concerts on stage.

A greeter at Pirates World.
A greeter at Pirates World. Miami Herald File
Pirates World
Pirates World

Six Flags Atlantis

This Hollywood water park, opened in 1983 and closed in 1992, featured slides and pools.

Six Flags Atlantis in Hollywood
Six Flags Atlantis in Hollywood Miami Herald File

Blockbuster Golf and Games

This Sunrise attraction, opened in 1984 and closed in 2000, was owned by the video store company and featured arcade games and water rides.

The bumper boat rides at Blockbuster Golf and Games.
The bumper boat rides at Blockbuster Golf and Games. Miami Herald File

Tropical Panorama

This Northeast Miami-Dade theme park, opened in 1955 and closed by 1960, featured animals and rides.

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

Parrot Jungle

The Pinecrest park, opened in 1936 and moved to Watson Island in 2002 as Jungle Island, featured trained bird shows and educational programs.

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
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
Parrot Jungle
Parrot Jungle
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

Miami Serpentarium

The South Miami-Dade roadside attraction, opened in 1947 and closed in 1984, was owned and run by snake expert Bill Haast.

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
The front facade of the Serpentarium in 1977.
The front facade of the Serpentarium in 1977. Joe Rimkus, Jr. Miami Herald File
The last days of the Serpentarium in 1984.
The last days of the Serpentarium in 1984. Rick McCawley 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

Crandon Park Zoo

The original zoo opened in 1948 and moved to South Miami-Dade in 1980 as Metrozoo and then Zoo Miami.

The mini train at Crandon Park Zoo
The mini train at Crandon Park Zoo MiamiHerald File / 1948
Donna Foster age 14 of Miami Scouts feeding a Langur from South East Asia.
Donna Foster age 14 of Miami Scouts feeding a Langur from South East Asia. Roy Bartley Miami Herald
Ignoring a “Do not Feet the Giraffes” sign, zoo keeper Michele MacMillan, 22, feeds two of the long-necked creatures some of their favorite food, palm leaves, Miss MacMillan, who is employed as a zoo keeper at the Crandon Park Zoo on Key Biscayne, is one of the people that can break the rule of the sign and feed the animals.
Ignoring a “Do not Feet the Giraffes” sign, zoo keeper Michele MacMillan, 22, feeds two of the long-necked creatures some of their favorite food, palm leaves, Miss MacMillan, who is employed as a zoo keeper at the Crandon Park Zoo on Key Biscayne, is one of the people that can break the rule of the sign and feed the animals. Miami Herald File / 1970 AP Wirephoto

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The end of the Seaquarium

A Miami landmark, once a star attraction but recently a troubled theme park, is making way for redevelopment.

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