Best Arts and Culture Places in Miami

"The Perez Art Museum Miami is also a contemporary art museum and contains around 2000 artworks. The collection consists of several objects from the 20th century and more recent art coming from several parts of Europe, Africa, and America. Not only will you find paintings here, but also sculptures, photographs, and other types of works."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user B137 used under CC BY-SA 3.0. Before the debut of this institution in 1984, there was no contemporary art museum in Miami. Perez Art Museum of Miami was established to fill this broad gap."

"You can either face the ocean or go to the hanging garden section. The landscape and terrace are green and fresh. It's probably the most Instagrammed location in Miami."

"Aspiring artists will love this collection of huge, brightly-colored murals located in Miami's former warehouse district. Pro tip: visit the murals during the day in order to avoid the rowdy crowds and don't forget to give your child a camera to document their favorite art. A post shared by Giorgia Bovone (@giorgia_bo) on Feb 1, 2017 at 11:36am PST"

"Wynwood is a hip neighborhood just north of downtown that features a beautiful fenced enclosure of some of the freshest art available. Wynwood Walls are a group of several building facades regularly painted by commissioned artists. No matter if this is the first or 100th trip to Miami, there is always something new to photograph and see."

"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."

"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."

"Miami may feel like a party all the time, but there are plenty of museums and institutions around to give the kids a bit of education on your trip. The HistoryMiami Museum is the largest history museum in Florida and is conveniently located in downtown Miami — and it is definitely worth checking out. This Smithsonian Affiliate is home to some great local exhibits including the “Miami International Airport: A Hub for History,” “Tropical Dream: A People’s History of South Florida,” and more."

"The HistoryMiami Museum is the largest museum in Florida (and thus also Miami). Here you'll learn about the history of the city through various collections and exhibitions. Items of the collection on display here are, among several other types, visual materials, archives and manuscripts, and archaeological artifacts."

"South Florida – a land of escaped slaves, guerrilla Native Americans, gangsters, land grabbers, pirates, tourists, drug dealers and alligators – has a special history, and it takes a special kind of museum to... Top ChoiceMuseum in Downtown Miami"

"In 2009, Frances Trombly and Leyden Rodriguez-Casanova recognized their fellow local creatives needed an experimental, artist-run project space. Rather than launching a venture with a solely commercial focus, the pair established Dimensions Variable in Downtown Miami – a showcase for new work by emerging and established artists. Despite the space moving quite a few times, the gallery has certainly earned its stripes, showing work by names such as Jamilah Sabur, Lynne Golob Gelfman and Magnus Sigurdarson."

"Originally hailing from Argentina, Dot Fiftyone directors Alfredo Guzman and Isaac Perelman opened their gallery in 2003 to showcase emerging and established artists working primarily in Latin America. Their roster ranges from the most recognizable names in Latin America, such as Juan José Cambre and Eduardo Capilla, to prominent artists working in Miami, like Gonzalo Fuenmayor and Michelle Weinberg. Located in a quiet strip in Little River, Dot Fiftyone primarily exhibits painting and photography."

"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."

"A former Drug Enforcement Agency warehouse, the Rubell Family Collection located in Wynwood proves to be anything but conventional. Spanning 40,000-square-feet, the museum tailors the whole first floor as the “New Shamans” exhibit, which features the work of artists who hail from South America. While the downstairs transports you into an enriching world that addresses environmental, social and political concerns, the museum’s “High Anxiety: New Acquisitions” is more therapeutic: the exhibit uses art to channel and understand everyday nerves and stresses."

"WynwoodThe Rubell family, whose name has been synonymous with art and philanthropy in Miami for decades, has renovated a 100,000-square-foot industrial space west of Wynwood to showcase its massive collection. The family prides itself on finding great artists early in their careers, and visiting the museum you’ll find stuff from Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Jeff Koons, Rashid Johnson, and others from long before the world knew their names. The private collection is beyond impressive, with 7,200 works from more than 1,000 artists."

"Restaurants Bakeries Design District. Miami’s late-night purveyor of gooey, made-to-order, donut-sized cookies is holding strong as one of the city’s best dessert delivery. It used to be that only FIU college students and people living nearby had access to these dank treats but thanks to a second store in the Miami Design District, nearly everyone can get their hands on these."

"It’s business as usual at both locations with the entire menu available. Keeping it trendy, Night Owl will also feature specials like cookies inspired by Tiger King along with a Wake ‘n Bacon cookie, a chocolate chip cookie topped with creamy dulce de leche and dipped in candied bacon. View this post on Instagram"

"It’s a flavorful explosion of guava, Maria cookies (crunchy tea biscuits), white chocolate chips and a cream cheese frosting—and when we say it’ll keep you full for hours, we mean it. 10534 SW Eighth St.; 786-360-5011 or nightowlcookieco.com. Courtesy of My Ceviche"

"This place has occupied its tiny little storefront on Sunset Drive for decades. Their milkshakes are so thick you can barely get them through a straw, and their chocolate malt shake is as classic as it gets. No fancy machines, no exotic flavors, just some of the best classic ice cream around, with generous scoops."

"This family owned ice cream shop is just off Sunset and has the best ice cream in Miami. Bold statement, I know, but I speak the truth. And, they don’t just stop at ice cream, their cookie cups happen to be the greatest of all time."

"A South Dade mainstay, this ever-popular ice cream stand has been serving homemade ice cream, cookies, and other sweets to the crowds for close to 30 years. Order online for in-store pick up."

"South BeachWhat you're getting: Mint Chocolate CookieNot only does this fudge cookie with bright green mint chips in it recreate your favorite flavor of ice cream in a cookie, you can actually get ice cream between two of them, and have it delivered to your house until 3am."

"Relax in our cozy lobby bar, Drift, featuring seasonal cocktails and small bites. Enjoy the perfect evening on the couch with good company."

"Brickell's first Pop Up Bar, Better Days, takes a fresh look at craft cocktails & beers within an American kitsch paradise and packages it alongside our eclectic throwback sensibilities and back-to-basics bar model... Address:75 SE 6th St Ste 103, Miami, FL 33131"

"Sure, once upon a time Better Days called itself a "pop-up" bar, but this laid-back watering hole has become a permanent go-to spot for the Brickell crowd serving up unique, handcrafted cocktails in a very un-Brickell like setting."

"Techno and house music are all well and good, but sometimes you need a bit more flavor. El Patio — which New Times readers chose in 2019 as the Best Latin Club in Miami — can help. Co-owner Nicolas Hoyos imported furniture from his Colombian homeland to perfect the outdoor venue’s homespun vibe."