Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in City Center

"Though the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAAM) has long been one of the city’s most popular modern art museums, it’s become an even bigger player on the Miami art scene since its relocation to the Biscayne Bayfront in 2013. As if the Herzog & de Meuron-designed building weren’t impressive enough, inside the massive 200,000-square-foot museum is everything from kinetic sculptures to replica boats and an outdoor sculpture garden that has become a magnet for Instagrammers ($16/adult). The museum is now close during the pandemic, but you are invited to do a great virtual tour at the official website."

"Showcasing the best contemporary art of the 20th and 21st centuries while also reflecting the multitude of nationalities that call Miami home – that’s the aim of the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). The Pérez Art Museum is an absolute staple in modern art in the US alone, providing a deeply visceral experience through sight, sound and touch. Since 2016, it’s estimated that over 2,000 works live in the PAMM’s permanent collection."

"Located at 1103 Biscayne Blvd. downtown, the art museum and art gallery is the highest-rated art gallery in Miami, boasting four stars out of 342 reviews on Yelp."

"Miami’s Wynwood Wallsare among the most popular, and colourful, outdoor attractions in the city. Vibrant street art and graffiti-style murals cover more than 80,000 square feet of wall space. Inspire your budding young artists with an exploration of this former warehouse district now known for its funky, eclectic, and very ‘gram-worthy, works of art."

"Our last day was spent at the creative Wynwood Walls art exhibit. Beautiful mosaics are spread across a few blocks on streets and on buildings, even on the sidewalks!"

"Teach kiddos about contemporary art and get outside at the same time by perusing the city’s colorful and creative murals."

"It's difficult to name a better place to see incredible art for free. Since it moved into its current digs in the Design District, the Institute of Contemporary Art Miami (ICA) has put on one blockbuster exhibition after another, celebrating contemporary masters such as Judy Chicago, Larry Bell, and Ettore Sottsass alongside underappreciated black and Latin artists such as Paulo Nazareth and Purvis Young. Thanks to its great taste and no entry fee, the ICA is the Miami museum that commands repeat visits."

"North MiamiSouth Florida’s original contemporary art museum has been around since 1981, but moved into its spacious new digs in 1996. The North Miami facility regularly plays host to free jazz concerts in its breezy MOCA plaza courtyard, and features provocative rotating exhibits from up-and-coming young artists. Though the concerts are virtual for the time being, the exhibits are still open and ready for visitors."

"Located in North Miami, MOCA was founded in 1981 in an effort to bring contemporary art to an underserved population. This art museum in Miami blends the works of newly discovered artists with the beauty and history of the masters. MOCA has 8-10 exhibits throughout the year, and approximately 600 permanent works."

"Situated inside the University of Miami, this long-standing museum is a favorite for UM students and the Coral Gables community. The Lowe is home to a well-rounded collection of art from the Italian Renaissance, Baroque, Greco-Roman, and Spanish Old Masters, among others. The museum also holds a sizeable assortment of Native American, African, and Asian art and antiquities."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user 8ABL used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Formerly known as University of Miami Art Gallery, Lowe Art Museum is the first professional art exhibition spot in the city. It was established in 1950 and housed within Merrick Classroom Building of the institute."

"Experience fine art, live music and all things Cuban at the eclectic and elegant Cuba Ocho gallery cum nightclub in Little Havana. Located on Calle Ocho, Cuba Ocho is a sensory experience. Antiques fill the large entertainment space; elegant sofas and a mix of intimate seating invites you to enjoy whatever live band is playing on stage. There’s a lovely bar in the front of the house, with a New Orleans-style courtyard and fountain beyond."

"Cubaocho is for most the best place for live music in Miami. Fine Art Gallery with the largest Cuban Art Collection from 1800 to 1956, In Cubaocho you can find a collection of cigars and the largest collection of Rum with around 482 bottles of different brands. it was voted # 1 Tourist visitor in..."

"Over in Little Havana, check out Cubaocho Museum & Performing Arts Center, which has earned four stars out of 96 reviews on Yelp. You can find the art museum and bar at 1465 S.W. Eighth St., Suite 106."

"Founded to give Broward County kids more access to art education, Young at Art (YAA) is much more than just a children's museum. Since moving into its current home — a custom-built, LEED-certified building in Davie with its own Broward County Library branch — YAA has been able to attract serious, professional artists to exhibit there by challenging them to design with kids in mind. That means, unlike other museums, the art must be touchable."

"New Times isn't crazy about this spot's side practice of selling fine art for profit out of a gallery space on the premises, but the Museum of Graffiti, which opened last year during Art Basel, is still one of Miami's most exciting new art attractions. As the name implies, the Wynwood museum specializes in street art and artists, and it delves into the history of graffiti, its practitioners, and the subculture that grew around it. It's a serious, eye-opening consideration of a long-maligned and frequently outlawed art form that deserves much more respect than it gets."

"Standing at the confluence of graffiti culture in Miami, the Museum of Graffiti is a worthwhile experience of understanding the history of graffiti through decades. Established in the 1970s, this is the first Graffiti museum in the world encouraging the new art form which took shape in the local neighborhoods of the United States when children started to paint and put their names on the walls. Not only will you live the essence of a different art form but you see the interior and exterior exhibitions with exotic works, sculptures, and drawings of more than 5 decades."

"Brunch doesn’t have to mean heavenly amounts of cured pork and eggs six different ways. For a carb-ier, sugar-focused alternative, no place tops his beloved outpost from master pastry chef Antonio Bachour. In addition to the usual croissants and macarons, the lengthier weekend menu also includes guava and cheese pancakes, challah French toast, and a Spanish scramble, all showcasing the same detailed deliciousness as their sweet counterparts.How to order: Reservations available via Bachour’s website"

"Pastry mastermind Antonio Bachour is known for posting downright drool-worthy shots of his desserts to 900,000 followers (and counting)—and now you can get in on the action by visiting one of his namesake bakery and restaurant locations in Coral Gables, Miami Beach and Doral. (P.S. You’re going to want to get a few pastries for the road after you’re done photoshooting.). 2020 Salzedo St. Coral Gables; antoniobachour.com/restaurant-antonio-bachour"

"Besides serving expert-level breakfast, lunch and brunch fare, pastry mastermind Antonio Bachour specializes in downright gorgeous and delicious pastries at Bachour Bakery, which includes outposts in Doral, Miami Beach and Coral Gables. No matter which location you visit, the sweets selection will likely be too pretty to eat. But don’t let that stop you—just look at how tasty everything looks."

"Joanna’s is a chic marketplace-café-bakery located between South Miami and Dadeland. Their motto – “Eat dessert first” – captures the bakery’s focus on fine pastries and freshly baked bread. For those who don’t have a sweet tooth, this 25-year-old establishment also offers a variety of sandwiches and hot foods, presented in front of a detailed chalk wall."

"This Pinecrest staple is more than just a market with specialty goods — there’s also a thriving bakery and cafe inside. Breads from the stone oven are available early each morning, as well as plenty of breakfast breads and pastries. Grab a dozen bagels or muffins on the way to a meeting or a dinner party to be a guaranteed hit."

"As a traditional Frenchman, I have certain basic human needs when traveling: the love of beautiful woman, cigarettes, and a good croissant in the morning..."

"This Italian style eatery has an assortment of meat and cheese breakfast sandwiches in the morning and pizza for lunch and dinner. We came for breakfast and were enamored with the fresh baked bread here. I hear the pizza and especially the crust are even better and definitely worth coming here later in the day."

"One of my favourite places to eat in South Beach which was ultra affordable was Andrix Cafe. We ended up having lunch here a couple of times in the 4 days we stayed in South Beach. Andrix Cafe has super yummy pizza and drinks available as well as free Wifi."

"Restaurants Cuban West Little Havana. Versailles—the famous Cuban bakery that needs no introduction—has a bakery next door to its buzzing restaurant, where a steady stream of Miamians buys pastelitos pretty much all day. Taking a break from the sugar?"

"Because honestly, where else would you get a guava pastelito that tastes this good?. 3555 SW Eighth St.; 305-444-0240 or versaillesrestaurant.com. Photo courtesy of True Loaf"

"Das Orange Blossom würdigt sein Erbe, indem es ein warmes und einladendes soziales Ambiente schafft, ein Nachbarschaftstreff, wo Sie marktfrische, neue amerikanische Speisen genießen und diese mit einem Cocktail nach Art des Hauses abrunden. Wir bieten nur die frischesten Zutaten, die wir direkt...Mehr"

"Finally, there's Orange Blossom, a City Center favorite with four stars out of 539 reviews. Stop by 2000 Collins Ave., Suite 7, for cocktails and New American breakfast fare next time you're in the mood."

"Back in Coral Gables we have yet another French bistro for you to add to your daily rotation. Frenchie’s Diner has been serving up the classic lunch and dinner staples every day but Sunday and Monday. This charming locale has everything you want from a neighborhood Brasserie–from a low-key diner atmosphere, an owner that knows you by name, and solid comfort food that never fails."

"Restaurants French Coral Gables"

"Nestled between the motels along Biscayne Blvd., you’ll find Blue Collar serving comfort food with a twist. Whether you’re in the mood for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, your tastebuds will be singing by the end of any meal here. Make sure not to leave without trying their chocolate cake (trust me)."

"Heath Bar bread pudding and a rotating selection of cakes are what’s curbing sweet tooth craving at MiMo’s Blue Collar. Call ahead to ask what’s available. Rumor has it, the dessert menu is a bit bigger if the order is placed for takeout versus delivery."