In this section you will find the 20 most interesting museums to visit in the city of Miami. We have included museums of all kinds: art, private galleries, botanical gardens and other museums curious about cars, for children, or graffiti.
20 MUSEUMS TO VISIT IN MIAMI
Miami, although it may not seem like it, is a city with a great cultural offer. Beyond the beaches and beach clubs, in Miami there are many museums that can be visited. Even if you are planning your trip with the intention of enjoying the beaches, we recommend you visit one of the museums in Miami. A good way to do this is to take advantage of a rainy day to allocate it to museums and galleries.
Below you will find a list with a wide variety of museums (20 museums in total), in which you will surely find one of your interest. At the bottom of the page you will find an interactive map with all the museums marked so you can easily locate them.
In this list we are going to present the most typical museums: the LOWE or the Perez Art Museum Miami, and others that flee from conventional museums. For example, the walls of Wynwood (street art) that can be surprising and interesting.
We also take this opportunity to recommend a visit to the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens where you can enjoy an idyllic setting. If you travel to Miami with children, do not hesitate to visit the Science Museum, a center where the little ones will surely enjoy.
MIAMI MUSEUM GUIDE
Wynwood Walls
We want to start the list of museums in Miami by the Wynwood Walls (very close to the Design District), which is actually an outdoor exhibition of murals and graffiti. If you do not like traditional museums and you like the modern scene, this is your place. In addition to the colorful walls (some famous graffiti artists have works here), the whole area is surrounded by pubs and bars where you can have a drink. It is an ideal place to get out of the routine of beaches and shopping in Miami.
Miami Science Museum
The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science in Miami, has recently changed location to offer an exciting journey through animal life and science through an aquarium and planetarium that uses the latest technology (with a dome 20 meters wide and 3D). This is a very interesting museum to visit with children in Miami, although it can be equally fun for adults.
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
The largest mansion in Florida built in 1916, was the winter home of millionaire James Deering, whose intention was to recreate a replica of an Italian mansion of the sixteenth century. Its luxurious rooms present a mixture of styles ranging from Renaissance to Neoclassical. The gardens of the house are a real gem. More about the Vizcaya Museum and its gardens here.
Perez Art Museum Miami
The Perez Art Museum Miami is a spectacle, both inside and out. It is the most important contemporary art museum in Miami and offers large-scale exhibitions. The building and its hanging garden, the work of important Swiss architects, is not wasted. The building also has a restaurant, and a magnificent terrace with spectacular views, and a long path to walk on. Highly recommended!
City of Miami Black Police Precinct & Courthouse Museum
This is a rare and very little known museum in Miami. The building is the only known structure in the United States that functioned as an independent police station and municipal court for black police officers. The history of the place is surprising as well as the original material that is still preserved. The venue serves as an icon in the history of the African-American movement in Miami.
MOCA Museum of Contemporary Art
This is a small museum of contemporary art consisting of one room (although this is quite spacious). The MOCA exhibits interesting and quality works, however, it is a bit far from the main tourist attractions of Miami. Admission costs around $5.
LOWE Art Museum
Located on the main campus of the University of Miami at Coral Gables, the Lowe Art Museum is the oldest accredited visual arts institution in Miami-Dade County. It offers a wide collection of works from different times and places. A good museum to visit if you travel to Coral Gables.
The Wolfsonian
Located in the heart of the design district, The Wolfsonian exhibits an amazing collection of objects mainly from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The museum emphasizes the role it plays in design, expressing ideas, creating desires, and shaping identities. Very interesting exhibition of posters and political propaganda.
De la Cruz Collection Contemporary Art Space
It is a fairly large museum (3 floors) full of contemporary art and large-format works that are part of De la Cruz’s private collection. If you like contemporary art it is a must, in addition, the visit is completely free.
Coral Gables Merrick House
The childhood home of George E. Merrick, founder and promoter of the City of Coral Gables. This historic landmark was originally started as a wooden house from 1899, and was refurbished in 1907. The house has subsequently been restored and filled with artistic pieces, furniture and personal treasures belonging to the Merrick family.
Miami Beach Botanical Garden
A small botanical garden that can be explored in less than half an hour. It is located next to the Holocaust Memorial (also very interesting to visit). In the place you can see turtles, butterflies, water fountains and a Japanese garden. It is a place of rest and peace, perfect for relaxing.
Miami Auto Museum at the Dezer Collection
If you are a fan of the world of cars, you can not miss the Miami Auto Museum, located north of Miami. The largest automobile museum in America with 1,200 vehicles: a beautiful Duesenberg, the first Corvette model as well as cars used in Hollywood movies. Here you can see original vehicles of James Bond, the famous Batmobile or the Ghostbusters.
Frost Museum of Art
An AAM and Smithsonian accredited museum, recognized for its growing collection of twentieth and twenty-first century American art in addition to Latino art. It has innovative exhibitions, and an exceptional children’s play area. The museum is the repository of more than 6,000 works of art.
Gold Coast Railroad Museum
This is another one of Miami’s different museums. It houses a collection of historic carriages and memorabilia related to the world of trains. The permanent exhibition features Ferdinand Magellan’s presidential car, known as the Pullman, which was used by former presidents Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower and Reagan. Ideal to visit with the little ones.
Miami Children’s Museum
This museum is great to go with the kids, is an acceptable size, and is great fun to have a fun time with the family. Children can interact in several themed rooms. However, it is a fairly old museum and perhaps lacks some more innovative attractions.
Jewish Museum of Florida
It collects, preserves, and interprets the Jewish experience in Florida from 1763 to the present. The centerpiece of the museum is the “MOSAIC: Jewish Life in Florida” exhibit, along with special exhibits offered throughout the year. The museum is housed in a former art deco synagogue.
Miami Institute of Contemporary Art
This museum has a unique environment where works of modern and contemporary art are exhibited. Admission is free and is located in Miami’s Design District. It’s a small space, but it serves as a platform for new and established artists from Miami and the world.
The Bass
Located in Miami Beach, it is ideal for a rainy day. Its permanent collection spans more than 500 years and has works from all four continents. There are also avant-garde works by contemporary artists.
World Erotic Art Museum
The Museum of Erotic Art, located in South Beach, displays a fascinating private collection of erotic art. It also has an extensive collection of erotic toys, paintings and artifacts from different times and places in the world. They even have a collection of erotic objects from Africa and China.
Wings Over Miami
Located at Miami Executive Airport, Wings Over Miami serves as a tribute to pioneering aviators in military and civil aviation. The museum aims to tell the story of aviation, the scientific basis of flight, and the many challenges aircraft designers faced.
MAP OF MIAMI MUSEUMS
Here you have the interactive map with all the museums of Miami mentioned in this article. Use the zoom to navigate the map or zoom in to see the legend.
You can expand the map of museums by clicking here.
