Consider taking a break from the beach to visit one of these outstanding Miami museums.
The Magic City is more than just flashing lights and gorgeous beaches. Miami, with its cutting-edge arts scene and rich cultural legacy, is home to world-class museums that should be included on every trip to South Florida. From world-class contemporary art galleries to cutting-edge scientific organizations, you can find them all here. U.S. News has compiled a list of the best museums in Miami after weighing expert and user comments to help you choose which exhibit is best for you. Plan your journey by reading on.
(Note: The coronavirus outbreak may have an impact in some of the following places. There may be new regulations in place, such as mask requirements, reservation requirements, or capacity restrictions. Before departing, inquire with the local tourism bureaus, the U.S. Department of State, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
• Pérez Art Museum Miami
• HistoryMiami Museum
• Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
• Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
• The Bass Museum of Art
• Miami Children’s Museum
• Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami
• The Wolfsonian
• Wynwood Walls
• Museum of Graffiti
• Museum of Illusions
• World Erotic Art Museum
• Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum
• Jewish Museum of Florida
• Gold Coast Railroad Museum
Miami’s Pérez Art Museum
One of Florida’s top museums for modern and contemporary art, the Jorge M. Pérez Art Museum of Miami-Dade County (PAMM) was established in 1984. Visitors can take in breathtaking views of Biscayne Bay, a sculpture park, a waterfront café, and a large collection of contemporary and modern works of art from throughout the world. With an emphasis on art from Latin America, the Caribbean, and the African diaspora, the museum’s permanent collection includes almost 3,000 pieces. Pérez also hosts a number of rotating exhibitions throughout the year. On a first-come, first-served basis, the museum conducts regularly scheduled public tours that concentrate on various themes.
1103 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Florida 33132
Miami History Museum
History
The mission of Miami Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is to celebrate and preserve Miami’s colorful heritage. The museum’s Research Center, which is exclusively accessible by appointment, houses significant archival records, and its more than 37,000 historical objects include one of the country’s greatest collections of Pan American Airways memorabilia. Tropical Dreams: A People’s History of South Florida, the museum’s ongoing exhibit, traces the region’s fascinating history over more than 10,000 years. Additionally, during the year, a number of temporary exhibits change, including History Miami Museum provides kids’ activities, city tours, and a multitude of educational opportunities like talks, workshops, and panels. Recent visitors praised the museum’s educational exhibits and claimed that they provided them with a new perspective on the Magic City.
Location: 101 West Flagler Street, Miami, Florida 33130
Science Museum of the Phillip and Patricia Frost
The 250,000 square foot Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, close to the Pérez Art Museum Miami, is located in downtown Miami’s sizable Maurice A. Ferré Park. Visitors laud the museum for its engaging displays and family-friendly activities. On its site, which includes a three-story aquarium and a cutting-edge Frost Planetarium, the museum hosts exhibitions on the solar system, human biology, physics, aviation, and other topics. The aquarium, museum exhibits, live demonstrations, and one planetarium show are all included in the admission price.
1101 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, Florida 33132
Gardens and Museum at Vizcaya
The extravagant Vizcaya Museum and Gardens are located in Miami’s posh Coconut Grove area and front Biscayne Bay. This magnificent house in the Mediterranean style was constructed for businessman James Deering as a getaway home in the early 20th century, and it attracts throngs of visitors every year for good reason. Vizcaya is known for its distinctive art collection and sizable exhibit of exquisite Italian furniture, and it boasts lovely grounds and the grandiose Main House. For a modest price, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens provide guided tours of the Main House, the gardens, and Vizcaya Village. There are several events held all year round, including a regular Sunday farmers market. Please take note that online reservations are required for all museum visits.
In Miami, Florida 33129, at 3251 S. Miami Ave.
The Bass Art Museum
The Bass Museum of Art is one of the many world-class attractions in eclectic Miami Beach that shouldn’t be missed. Although the museum features some permanent pieces, The Bass is best recognized for its constantly-changing collection of installations by contemporary artists. Visitors may also benefit from The Bass’ Creativity Center, which offers a variety of programming for people of all ages, from art workshops to family events, in addition to the many galleries. Recent visitors praised the stunning art deco building, the carefully organized exhibitions, and the friendly, informed personnel. In addition, The Bass is just a half-mile from the Miami Beach Boardwalk, making it the perfect choice for those who want to venture off the beach. Check the museum’s schedule in advance as it does occasionally close for special occasions.
In Miami Beach, Florida 33139, at 2100 Collins Avenue
Children’s Museum of Miami
The Miami Children’s Museum has you covered if you’re seeking for a rainy-day activity the whole family will love. This top children’s facility on Watson Island occupies approximately 57,000 square feet and has 17 galleries, a gift shop, an auditorium that occasionally offers kid-friendly programs, and more for visitors to explore. It’s actually one of the biggest kids’ museums in the country. Children can participate in activities in a kids’ art gallery, multisensory area, building zone, music studio, playground outdoors, virtual aquarium, and more. Recent visitors praised the vast range of interactive displays and praised the location as a fantastic spot to keep kids occupied for a few hours. Online ticket purchases are required for admission to the Miami Children’s Museum.
In Miami, Florida 33132, at 980 MacArthur Causeway.
Miami’s Institute of Contemporary Art
The Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami, which is situated in the Miami Design District, aspires to promote the work of regional, up-and-coming, and underappreciated contemporary artists in order to encourage creativity and community. The museum’s free public activities and frequently changing exhibits promote creativity and imagination. The Institute of Contemporary Art is worth a visit if you’re in the area or searching for an interesting place to escape the Florida heat, according to recent visitors who praised the tiny, cozy ambiance. Although there is no payment for entry, recent visitors advise booking timed tickets in advance.
Miami, Florida 33137, 61 NE 41st St.
The Wolfson Museum
One of the biggest university art collections in the nation is housed at Florida International University’s The Wolfsonian, a museum, library, and research facility located in the heart of South Beach. More than 200,000 relics from the 1850s to 1950s are on display in the museum, ranging from crucial war propaganda to commonplace home items that shed light on the era. Although the United States, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands account for a large portion of this enormous collection, it also includes pieces from Latin America, Asia, and Africa. The Wolfsonian-FIU occasionally offers events, like summertime live music shows.
In Miami Beach, Florida 33139, at 1001 Washington Avenue.
W n d o o r s
One of Miami’s main attractions, as well as one of Florida’s most Instagrammable locations, is the Wynwood Walls open-air museum. This outdoor street art piece, known for its distinctive and vibrant graffiti, began being sprayed on the sides of vacant warehouses in the Wynwood neighborhood in 2009. Since it opened, hundreds of artists from around the world have decorated more than 80,000 square feet of walls. The Wynwood Doors, 15 metal roll-down gates that have been transformed into a creative canvas space, are now a part of the Wynwood Walls, which have expanded to encompass the area close by. Visitors gush about the breathtaking exhibits and claim that even the most anti-art visitor would find something to like here. The admission fee can be combined with a 50-minute guided tour to find out more about some of the murals and their creators.
In Miami, Florida 33127, at 266 NW 26th St.
Collection of Graffiti
In 2019, Miami’s Museum of Graffiti relocated to Wynwood, and its emphasis on the evolution of street art serves as a helpful backdrop for the nearby Wynwood Walls. This museum explains how the graffiti art trend spread to many cities across the world. In addition to a fine art gallery, a gift store, and indoor and outdoor exhibition space, the Museum of Graffiti also has works that date back to the 1970s. While some visitors wished the space had been bigger, many were delighted by the museum’s insightful and well-thought-out exhibits. The museum strives to educate the public about the significance of graffiti as an art form and shed light on its historical, political, and cultural foundations in addition to showcasing a variety of outstanding painters. Children’s drawing classes and weekly introductory graffiti sessions are also available at the Museum of Graffiti.
In Miami, Florida 33127, at 276 NW 26th St.
Collection of Illusions
Few people can claim to have conquered a dragon, ridden on a magic carpet, or ascended a skyscraper. You cannot do that either, but your Instagram followers don’t need to be aware of that. The Museum of Illusions, which is situated in the vibrant metropolis of Miami Beach, provides both adults and kids with an interactive optical experience. Pose in front of more than 40 3D illusions or go to the “Smash It!” room, where guests are invited to let off steam by hurling and shattering plates in a secure environment. With the help of markers, visitors (who must be 12 or older) can decorate three plates with any unwelcome energy they wish to discharge. Although ordinary entry to the Museum of Illusions does not include access to the “Smash It!” area, combo tickets and exclusive VIP packages are offered.
In Miami Beach, Florida 33139, at 536 Lincoln Road.
World Museum of Erotic Art
When renowned art collector Naomi Wilzig made the decision to convert her lifelong passion for collecting exquisite erotic art into a public gallery on the complexity of human sexuality, the World Erotic Art Museum (WEAM) first opened its doors in 2005. With more than 4,000 pieces, WEAM is one of the largest collections of erotic art in the world and is now the only museum in the United States dedicated to the subject. The artwork spans a wide range of cultures and artistic movements, including surrealism, realism, and art deco, and dates as far back as 300 B.C. Along with a comprehensive permanent collection, WEAM is renowned for hosting a number of changing exhibitions all year long.
In Miami Beach, Florida, 33139, at 1205 Washington Avenue
Phillip and Patricia Frost Art Museum
The Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum at Florida International University opened its doors in 2008, becoming one of South Florida’s largest academic art museums. This Smithsonian Affiliate museum houses a broad permanent collection of more than 6,000 items, with a focus on Latin American and American art from the 20th and 21st centuries. The museum also has an expanding collection of African and Asian artifacts on display. Additionally, the Frost Art Museum offers instructive gallery tours, seminars, and hands-on workshops for those who want to advance their education.
Miami, Florida 33199, 10975 SW 17th St.
Florida Jewish Museum
The Jewish Museum of Florida, which was founded in 1995, is the only organization of its kind devoted to preserving the more than 250 years of Jewish history and culture in Florida. It has an extensive collection of more than 100,000 pieces. The museum, which is housed in two formerly used synagogues and is a part of Florida International University, features a number of changing exhibits as well as the permanent display “MOSAIC: Jewish Life in Florida.” Recent visitors exclaimed how fascinating the South Beach Jewish walking tour was and how lovely the old structures were, with their 80 distinct stained-glass windows, marble bimah, and copper dome.
Miami Beach, Florida 33139, 301 Washington Ave.
Museum of the Gold Coast Railroad
The Gold Coast Railroad Museum in Miami is ideal for fans of trains because it has more than 40 classic rail cars and a ton of railroad memorabilia. Visit the Ferdinand Magellan, the only rail vehicle ever made especially for a president of the United States, or let the youngsters play at the Thomas the Tank Engine play areas. Periodically, train trips around the property are also provided for a modest cost. Recent visitors praised the intriguing exhibits and noted that both kids and adults might enjoy this place.
Miami, Florida 33177; 12450 SW 152nd St.