The city of Miami has a wide cultural offer. It has it all, including a select group of places ideal for art, history, and science lovers.
There are around 20 museums designed for all tastes, including spaces dedicated to the display of urban art, the exhibition of unprecedented sculptural works, and interactive rooms designed for children, where you can delve into a brief chapter of art history.
So, if you want to enjoy a series of unique proposals, keep reading to see our selection of museums that you can’t miss when visiting Miami.
Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) brings you a transgressive proposal
Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Miami, founded in 1979 by artists from Los Angeles, holds the title of the second most important museum in the United States, after MOCA in New York.
It has an extensive collection with more than 7,000 works of art, including both representative pieces of contemporary art and multiple exhibits of emerging artists.
Its mission has been to preserve all its collections and actively promote all artistic programs and activities in order to seem more attractive to new generations.
It is worth mentioning that its permanent collections showcase the bold proposals of the Serbian artist Marina Abramovic, as well as experimental pieces by the controversial avant-garde composer John Cage, famous for his unusual sound work named 4’33”.
We know you’re dying to see these exhibits, but first, you need to know about the entrance fees, right? Well, this may sound too good to be true, but the general admission ticket is free. Now, before visiting, please make sure to double-check this information on their website, in case something changes:
- Location: 770 NE 125th St, North Miami, FL 33161.
- General admission: Free.
- Special exhibits: Monday closed / Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. / Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. / Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Cost of admission(approximate): General admission USD 18 / Seniors and students USD 10 / Children under 12 years old free admission.
Wynwood Walls, the unusual Graffiti Museum
This unique museum holds the title of “the world’s first graffiti museum”, and displays the artistic productions of hundreds of graffiti artists from Miami and the world.
This place will captivate you with street art exhibits on walls that have been altered in a clever way, outdoor spaces with colorful murals, and thousands of artifacts with dazzling designs. You will have the opportunity to see up close a series of vibrant and potentially creative displays.
You will also find other pieces that are not exhibited in an orthodox way like in an art gallery, instead, they take over less conventional spaces, such as subway trains or public parks. These works portray important historical events related especially to urban culture and the reality of immigrant communities.
If you are interested in visiting this museum, you will need this information:
- Location: 2520 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33127.
- General admission: Free.
- Hours of operation: Monday to Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. / Fridays and Saturdays 10:30 a.m. until midnight / Sundays: 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Miami Children’s Museum: imagine, create, and play with your little ones
The Miami Children’s Museum (MCM) is a non-profit educational institution founded in 1983, located on Watson Island in front of the city’s harbor on Biscayne Bay.
If you have children, visiting this museum is a must. It offers an inclusive environment full of fun and new experiences for the whole family. It has many interactive rooms, galleries, and centers with exceptional educational resources, where your kids will be able to exploit their imagination and learn while they play.
On top of that, the museum offers seasonal camps and classes, and even customized packages for your kids’ birthday parties.
Here’s some of the information you need to plan your visit, please make sure to check out the ticket prices directly on the museum’s website.
- Location: 980 MacArthur Causeway, Miami, FL 33132.
- Hours of operation: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Coral Castle, an interesting museum to explore with your significant other
This mysterious garden, sculpted on giant coral rocks, was built over the course of 28 years (between 1923 and 1951) and is located at 28655 South Dixie Highway, about 45 minutes from Miami.
The creator of this impressive sculptural work was Edward Leedskalnin, who carved the pieces with his own hands using a set of tools made from automobile parts.
Legend has it that this eccentric open-air museum, comparable to the mysterious megalithic complex of Stonehenge, was born as a product of a breakup with his fiancée.
If you are interested in the history behind this museum which is perfect to have a special romantic date, keep in mind the following information (and double check it on the museum’s official website):
- Location: 28655 South Dixie Highway, Homestead, FL 33033.
- Hours of operation: Thursday to Sunday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. / Closed Monday to Wednesday.
- Cost of admission (approximate): Adults (from age 13 and up) USD 18 / Children (ages 7 to 12) USD 8 / Children (under age 6) free admission.
The Wolfsonian: discover hundreds of curious objects
The Wolfsonian-FIU Museum located at the heart of the Art Deco District in South Beach was founded in 1986 and is focused on the design arts of the late 19th and early 20th century.
It is part of the Florida International University and is housed in a sturdy white-fronted art deco building at 1001 Washington Avenue.
You can walk up the stairs of the Wolfsonian to find unique contemporary art collections, including design pieces, books, furniture, sculptures, advertising posters, and decorative arts in general.
Besides that, the museum exhibits many curious objects, including a braille manuscript copy of Adolf Hitler’s book ‘My Struggle’, as well as thousands of artifacts that show the social, political, and technological changes that humanity has experienced.
Certainly, the Wolfsonian collection invites visitors to reflect on lots of topics, such as the spaces they have lived in, and the relationships between individuals and the objects that have crossed their personal history.
Here’s everything you need to know to visit the museum, please double-check this information on their official website:
- Location: 1001 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139.
- Hours of operation: Wednesday to Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. / Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Cost of admission (approximate): Adults USD 12 / Children(from age 7 to 18) USD 8 / Children (under age 6) free admission.
Museum of Illusions: challenge your senses in one of the best museums in Miami
The Museum of Illusions
Take a break from the real world and have some family fun at the Museum of Illusions in Miami.
There, you can get up close and personal with more than 40 mind-blowing exhibits in interactive spaces designed to challenge all your senses.
The spectacular 3D optical illusions, films, and visual displays will transport you to a world full of wit and irreverence.
Defy the laws of gravity, meet your own miniature version, and overcome a series of obstacles in its interactive spaces.
By the way, don’t forget to bring your camera to take amazing pictures in all the exhibition halls that will blow your mind.
If you want to book your visit in advance, you can do so at the official website of this world-famous museum. In any case, here’s the information on schedules and pricing:
- Location: 536 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139.
- Hours of operation: Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. / Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Wings Over Miami, South Florida’s flying museum
The Miami Aviation Museum, founded in 1986 by the aerobatic pilot Kermit Weeks, is located at Kendall Tamiami Airport in southwest Miami.
Today, it has a hangar displaying nearly 20 classic aircraft and historic military aircraft, including Warbirds and Yakovlev Yak, which operated during World War II.
Among its most contemporary gems is the outstanding Grumman F-14 Tomcat supersonic fighter.
Besides all that, you can have access to a small library full of books related to the aeronautical field and find beautiful miniature replicas of any aircraft model in the gift shop.
So, if you want to learn more about aviation, keep this information in mind:
- Location: 14710 SW 128th Street, Miami, FL 33186.
- Hours of operation: Wednesday to Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. / Closed Monday and Tuesday.
- Cost of admission: Adults USD 10 / Seniors(over 60) USD 7 / Children (under 12) USD 6.
Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) offers you an introspective experience
Jorge M. Pérez
Founded in 1984 as the Fine Arts Center, the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) is a popular contemporary art museum.
The museum’s collection displays approximately 1,800 objects from the Americas, Europe, and Africa, including paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, structures, and photographs. Besides their permanent collections exhibiting pieces by contemporary artists such as Cuban painter Wifredo Lam, Mexican muralist Diego Rivera and Colombian artist Beatriz Gonzalez.
Likewise, you’ll get the chance to observe the dazzling work of the irreverent American artist Jean Michel Basquiat, who created pieces with a unique style, endowed with an enormous capacity to translate the concerns of an era that still remains in force.
Here’s the information we found regarding schedules and prices. Make sure to check their website to confirm this and to make a reservation if you want to:
- Location: 103 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132.
- Hours of operation: Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. / Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. / Tuesday and Wednesday closed.
- Cost of admission: Adults USD 16 / Seniors, students, and children(from age 7 to 18) USD 12 / Children(under age 6) free admission.
Miami Museum Map
Discover Miami’s rich cultural diversity using our museum map, which will guide you through a fascinating variety of exhibits on art, history, science, and much more.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions tourists ask the most about museums in Miami:
What are the free museum days in Miami?
Admission is free every second Saturday of the month or every last Sunday of the month all day long. And of course, depends on each museum’s working hours.
What museums in Miami can I visit with children?
The most fun museums in Miami to visit with your little ones are:
- Miami Children’s Museum.
- The Museum of Illusions.
- Museum of Science.
What are the best museums in Miami to visit in groups?
The best museums in Miami to enjoy with your friend group are:
- Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA).
- Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.
- Wynwood Walls.
- Miami Design District.
Our fascinating tour of some of Miami’s most amazing museums has come to an end. Hopefully, we’ll get more opportunities to enjoy new cultural experiences together. See you soon!
