Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Miami-Dade County

"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."

"Not far from that is the superb Pérez Art Museum. I highly recommend the guided architecture tour. It's free, it takes about half and hour, and it gives you a great explanation of the architects' work. It's stunning, a beautiful mix between green and concrete."

"One of the most photographed locations in Miami, Wynwood Walls is a collection of murals and paintings laid out over an open courtyard. Artist-led tours are available, but it’s free to simply explore on your own. What invariably bowls people over is the sheer exuberant colors and commanding presence of the murals, which only tend to be around for less than a year before they are painted over."

"But Wynwood Walls is a total classic of the Miami art scene and a definite must-have on your list of Miami Instagram shots. Whether you choose to capture the murals by themselves or set them up as background to your next selfie, these gorgeous murals are bound to elevate and totally Miami-fy your feed."

"Admittedly, I was a bit hesitant when we first arrived in Wynwood. After parking in an enormous lot of an industrial-looking area, I found myself wondering where all the “pretty stuff” was. It was honestly a bit overwhelming."

"A free contemporary arts museum, the ICA sits in the midst of the Design District and hosts a good range of contemporary exhibitions alongside its permanent collection pieces. The building, designed in 2017 by Aranguren & Gallegos architects, is especially beautiful, with its sharp geometric lines and large windows overlooking the back garden."

"The privately funded luxury collection of Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz finally got a name as the de la Cruz Collection in Miami, designed by John Marquette. The de la Cruz art museum, established in 2009, has been the home of the art-lovers for more than three decades, and now they have opened it for the public to encourage the free flow of artistic thoughts in the neighborhood. Covering an area of 30,000 square feet, the gallery is stuffed with contemporary art exhibits and also organizes lectures, summer workshops, and scholarships for students at DASH and NWSA."

"Arrive at the de la Cruz Collection ready to learn and explore the expanses of the visual arts. The museum, owned by Cuba natives Carlos and Rosa de la Cruz, is rife with thought-provoking exhibits like the current “Progressive Praxis,” which delves into the implications of technology on contemporary art. The de la Cruz Collection is pleasing to both visitors’ artistic curiosities and their wallets--admission is completely free of charge!"

"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."

"The Rubells, comfortably sitting at the summit of Miami’s collecting elite, are able to propel young artists to the top of the art world by grace of purchasing their work at the right time (see the case of Oscar Murillo). Their Rubell Museum includes pieces by contemporary art giants including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Jeff Koons, Yayoi Kusama, Cindy Sherman and Kara Walker. Originally established in 1964 in New York, Mera and Don Rubell now exhibit to the Miami public in a 100,000-square-foot space in the Allapattah area of Miami, designed by the buzzed-about Selldorf Architects."

"It was the talk of the town during Art Basel 2020, and not without reason. The Rubells' new museum in Allapattah is by far the best permanent collection of art in South Florida, showcasing the family's vast collection of contemporary art from the '60s onward. You'll find work by Jeff Koons, Sterling Ruby, and Kehinde Wiley and a shrine-like gallery for Keith Haring."

"Originally established in New York City in 1964, this Miami art museum was moved to a former DEA confiscation center by Jason and Jennifer Rubell in 1993. One of the world’s largest privation collections, the Rubell Family Collection features works from Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Jeff Koons, Kara Walker, and Jean-Michel Basquiat."

"Portland-based ice cream shop, Salt & Straw, and Miami favorites, The Salty Donut, are teaming up to make this Valentine’s Day extra sweet with a not-to-be-missed collab. The two nationally-recognized brands have co-created a Valentine’s Day pint pack including five (5) exclusive, limited-time flavors that make the perfectly indulgent gift to show love to a partner, friends, family or yourself!. Available for national shipping through Salt & Straw’s website only, the specialty pack will launch on February 1 and be priced at $65 + shipping."

"Located on always-bustling Calle Ocho in historic Little Havana, this longtime red-and-white donut shop is known for its light and fluffy glazed donuts, along with fancy and filled donuts in a variety of flavors. For a taste of Miami, indulge in the guava, très léchés or flan flavors; or revert to your childhood with whimsical donuts smothered in M&Ms or Fruity Pebbles, while kicking back with a coffee. Go ahead and splurge, we won’t tell anyone."

"Wedged onto Washington Ave between Fourth and Fifth Streets, La Locanda is a tiny hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant that serves an extensive menu of traditional Italian cuisine for lunch and dinner. Owned and operated by Francesco Cavalletti and Massimo Fortunato, their cozy 'little bambino' comfortably seats up to 60 guests, who tuck into delicious dishes such as ravioli stuffed with spinach and cheese in a light pink sauce, linguini with clams, veal scaloppini of the day, and a variety of gourmet pizzas. Desserts include Italian cheesecake, creme caramel, and homemade panna cotta, while an extensive list of fine wines is available to pair with the delicious fare."

"La Locanda is one of the Italian Restaurants in South Beach located on Washington Avenue. Owned by Francesco Cavalletti and Massimo Fortunato this 60 seat trattoria source their ingredients from local farmer and has been serving up delicious and affordable homemade Italian food since 2003. Appetizers on the menu include mini meatballs with rich tomato sauce, fresh mussels, or the large assortment of pizzas like La Locanda with shaved parmesan, arugula, cherry tomatoes and parma ham."

"La Locanda is one of the Italian Restaurants in South Beach on Washington Avenue. The owners Francesco Cavalletti and Massimo Fortunato opened this 60 seat trattoria as a place you can eat a delicious meal in a casual settings. They try to source most of their ingredients from local farms."

"James Beard Foundation Award-winner Michael Schwartz is one of Miami’s most-coveted chefs. Whatever he touches turns delicious, including pizza at Harry’s Pizzeria, farm-to-table gastropub fare on a cruise ship, sushi, breakfast food and plenty of other concepts, including his beloved namesake, Michael’s Genuine. Set within the SLS Brickell, Schwartz’s Fi’lia specializes in vivacious Italian, including pies, house-made pastas, comforting mains (think: chicken parm and wood-grilled leg of lamb) as well as a tableside Caesar for which servers grill fresh bread for croutons."

"Many tourists mark this restaurant as the best Italian restaurant in Miami, and for good reason. Fi’lia invites its visitors to taste authentic Italian pizza from a wood-fired oven or pamper themselves with stracciatella with truffle honey. You will plunge into a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere, and the friendly staff will help you choose a dish based on your preferences."

"Italians are known for their stellar wood-fired pizzas, and Fi’lia is no exception. Starters like the stracciatella with truffle honey or the meatballs with whipped ricotta are great to open the appetite. Pies like spicy soppressatta or cauliflower and fontina cheese are hits, or opt for spaghetti carbonara or the wood-grilled sirloin skirt steak."

"The Barnacle Historic State Park is home to the oldest house in Miami|© William Silver / Shutterstock. Also in Coconut Grove, this fairly small park tops our list for having the oldest house in its original location in Miami. Visitors can tour the 1891 home, The Barnacle, to learn about the frontier life during the “Era of the Bay” at a time when all travel to the city was done by boat."

"3485 Main Hwy This historic Florida State Park is located in the Coconut Grove neighborhood and spans about 5 acres. Dade County’s oldest home resides on this five-acre site that overlooks the scenic Biscayne Bay. It was built by Commodore Ralph Middleton Munroe in 1891."