Greater Miami & Miami Beach has a cultural side that is on full display at museums across the destination. Whether you're interested in art, history, science or a hands-on interactive experience perfect for the whole family, Miami has plenty to offer.
Downtown Miami is home to the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) and the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science. The PAMM is dedicated to contemporary art of the Americas from the 20th and 21st centuries, housed inside a captivating space inspired by Biscayne Bay’s iconic Stiltsville homes. Frost Science is home to a 500,000-gallon aquarium and a state-of-the-art planetarium with plenty of hands-on exhibits.
In the Miami Design District, the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami (ICA) highlights local, emerging and under-recognized artists. Admission is always free. The nearby Haitian Heritage Museum explores Haiti’s rich culture and history through art, artifacts, music and film. Dedicated to modern art, The Bass is situated in South Beach and has a captivating public art display. On the campus of Florida International University in Westchester, the broad collection at the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum FIU includes contemporary art from Latin America and the Caribbean.
At HistoryMiami Museum, the permanent exhibition, “Tropical Dreams: A History of South Florida,” offers fascinating insight into local history. You can also visit The Wolfsonian-FIU, the Jewish Museum of Florida and the Coral Gables Museum for interesting exhibits on culture and history. The Black Police Precinct & Courthouse Museum provides a glimpse into the lives of Black police officers in Historic Overtown during segregation.
For hands-on fun with the whole family, the Miami Children’s Museum is home to interactive exhibits, including a two-story sandcastle of dreams, while the Gold Coast Railroad Museum in South Dade allows you to climb inside a railroad car while learning about Miami’s locomotive history. For one of the most picturesque museum experiences in Miami, pay a visit to Vizcaya Museum and Gardens overlooking Biscayne Bay in Coconut Grove. This stunning and historic estate will transport you to the Gilded Age.