Best 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."

"This museum offers an array of exhibitions on South Florida's history, with Family Fun Days (think crafts, music, and storytelling) on the second Saturday of each month. But older kids will also like the off-site historical tours, including art walks of Miami neighborhoods, cruises of North Biscayne Bay, or even a "moon cruise" on the Miami River."

"HistoryMiami Museum, formerly known as the Historical Museum of Southern Florida, was founded in 1940 and is the largest history museum in the state of Florida. The museum offers the community, its residents and visitors meaningful ways to connect with the rich past as well as the ever-evolving future of the region and its diverse inhabitants."

"Gathering, preserving, and celebrating Miami's history through exhibitions, city tours, collections and publications is the Historical Museum of Southern Florida.[Learn more]"

"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!"

"The original Homestead Town Hall was built more than a century ago and has been converted into a museum boasting one of the area’s most complete collections of historic memorabilia related to the town. The items on display include vintage photographs, historical documents, and other unique tidbits of local interest; there’s even an old fire engine that was retired long ago. The Homestead Historic Town Hall Museum is located on North Krome Avenue and doesn’t get a lot of foot traffic, so it’s quite possible that visitors will have the place to themselves."

"Pay a visit with your little ones to the Miami’s Children Museum, which offers interactive exhibits and learning materials related to arts, literacy, culture, community and communication. The museum is for sure one of the top fun museums in Miami for families, as it has also been awarded in the past as “Best Museum in Miami” by the Miami New Times and the “Best Children’s Museum” by South Florida Parenting Magazine. Families tend to enjoy this museum, as it is an “institution” where they can play, learn, imagine and create all together."

"This popular weekend spot is one of America’s largest kids’ museums – and every inch of the space is dedicated to teaching youngsters about the world around them. With 14 galleries spread over two floors, there’s an exhibit to spark every type of tot’s imagination ($22/adult). Find out more about Miami Children’s Museum"

"This Miami art museum is a centerpiece of the University of Miami, and is home to a variety of Native American, ancient Egyptian, Renaissance and Baroque, Asian, and European originals. The Lowe is the oldest art museum in Miami, which originally opened in 1950 as an art display across the classrooms in the building. Originally established through a gift by Joe and Emily Lowe, this stunning 17,500-piece collection includes paintings from Claude Monet, African sculptures from 500 BCE, Asian costumes, medieval manuscripts, and The Samuel H. Kress collection."

"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."

"This is a good bet for car campers, just west of Royal Palm Visitor Center. It has 108 sites, available on a first-come basis (no reservations)."

"Hop aboard for a fun 90-minute sightseeing cruise that takes you past waterfront mansions, Port Miami, Fisher Island and other highlights. See captivating views of the Miami skyline while enjoying beverages and light snacks."

"Few American parks can claim to front such a lovely stretch of turquoise (Biscayne Bay), but Miamians are lucky like that. Notable park features are two performance venues: the Klipsch Amphitheater, which boasts excellent views over Biscayne Bay and is a good spot for live-music shows, and the smaller 200-seat (lawn seating can accommodate 800 more) Tina Hills Pavilion, which hosts free springtime performances."

"I actually found this parish when I google searched on Miami Perpetual Adoration. It came up as the closest parish to Coconut Grove. The masses are mostly… read more »"

"Though tennis was born as the "sport of kings," paupers are entitled to a place to work on their forehand. In a region littered with pay-to-play courts that require reservations, it's nice to know there are four free tennis courts at Polo Park where you can squeeze in some sets even if all you've got is a racquet and some balls. The well-maintained mid-Beach tennis facility operates on an egalitarian first come, first serve (see what we did there?) policy."

"Entirely hidden from the nearby Rickenbacker Causeway, Alice Wainwright Park is a simple waterfront park with swaying palms on a tree-lined residential street, with the added feature of Coral Gables' magnificent cliffs."