A Miami for kids special treat: Dylan's Candy Bar on South Beach

It's not exactly "news" that sugary candy isn't a health food! But if you're on a Miami family vacation, and visiting beautiful South Beach, it might be time to indulge in a special treat. I'm talking, of course, about the famous Dylan's Candy Bar on Lincoln Road. Dylan's Candy Bar is a company started by Dylan Lauren (Ralph Lauren's daughter) and it sells a delectable array of yummies, from malted milk balls (a personal favorite) to enormous lollipops.

(The selection at Dylan's Candy Bar on South Beach is mesmerizing. Photo by Laura Albritton.)

Let me confide something to you before we go any further: sure, the children in the store look excited, but do you know what? Every time I visit I see adults, full-fledged grow-ups, with eyes agog and acting as eager as, well, you guessed it...kids in a candy store!

(A Miami for Families favorite, even for the "grown-ups." Photo by Laura Albritton.)

There is something fabulously nostalgic about peering into the bins, as you clutch your plastic bag and try to make a decision. What looks most appealing?

(Those bins contain serious temptations! Photo by Laura Albritton.)

The store also serves desserts and for the adults, candy-infused cocktails. You can grab a table outside and people-watch on Lincoln Road, a chic pedestrian "mall" in Miami Beach's South Beach district. Or if you need a break from the tropical sun, sit inside and watch the shoppers peruse the aisles for gummy bears and bars of chocolate.

(The store entrance with outdoor seating. Photo by Laura Albritton.)

When my family goes to Lincoln Road for lunch and shopping at spots like Books & Books for a terrific read, we always make time to pop in Dylan's. And so far, we've yet to leave without buying at least a little something. Because you can purchase treats by the weight, you don't actually need to buy huge quantities of candy, simply enough to satisfy a sweet tooth. In terms of child-oriented fun on South Beach, this is one destination that is sure to be a big hit with the younger crowd.

For more tips about discovering Miami with children, check out my guidebook Miami for Families: A Vacation Guide for Parents and Kids, published by the University Press of Florida and available on Amazon.