Freedom Tower Miami

In 2025, Miami’s first skyscraper celebrated its 100th anniversary. To mark the milestone, Miami Dade College created immersive multimedia exhibitions that bring the Freedom Tower’s history to life, from its early days as the Miami Daily News headquarters to its powerful legacy as the Cuban Refugee Center, where hundreds of thousands of Cuban exiles were welcomed to the United States.

The Freedom Tower is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and is closed for holidays and special events. Timed tickets are required and should be purchased in advance to ensure entry.

Group rates and educational tours are available for groups of up to 60 guests. 

Visitors to the Freedom Tower may park for free at MDC's parking garage at 500 NE Second Avenue. Please note the garage is closed on Sundays at which time visitors may park in MDC's Parking Lot 1, located on the south side of the Freedom Tower. 

On view through May 10, 2026:

Belkis Ayón and Carlos Alfonzo: Odyssey

The visual languages favored by Belkis Ayón (b.1967, Havana, Cuba–d.1999, Havana, Cuba) and Carlos Alfonzo (b.1950, Havana, Cuba 1950–d. Miami, USA,1991) present layers of meaning. Both artists take a powerful approach to image making. Although their styles differ, works by the artists find connection in myths and spirituality. An expressive and dominant style of storytelling informs their work; each one expressing an endless narrative or journey.

Ayón and Alfonzo both witnessed violence and oppression in their lives while experiencing scarcity and lack of freedom in their birth country of Cuba. Ayón and Alfonzo navigated their art in different ways, but they were both critically acclaimed during their lifetimes. Their works continue to influence generations of artists and impact the ways in which contemporary art evolves. Odyssey provides new context to the works on view, uncovering each layer of meaning as an entry point to a transformative journey.

Permanent exhibitions include:

Libertad
Spanning the first and second floors, this sweeping permanent exhibition immerses visitors in Miami’s story as a city shaped by resilience and opportunity. Through digital installations, community testimonials, and historic artifacts, Libertad highlights the journeys of those who found refuge and built new lives in the Magic City. A centerpiece, El Refugio in Context, offers an intimate look at the Freedom Tower’s role as a Cuban Refugee Center in the 1960s and ’70s through first-person narratives and archival footage. The reimagined Knight Skylight Gallery has also been transformed into a luminous space featuring rotating art exhibitions, sound and light installations, and interactive storytelling.

Languages of Migration
Located in the Kislak Center, this permanent exhibition explores how communication, migration, and identity evolve across time and place. Drawing from the Kislak Collection, donated by the Kislak Family Foundation, Languages of Migration pairs rare pre-Columbian and colonial-era works with contemporary art. Visitors will find 17th- and 18th-century maps, books, and prints alongside modern works by artists including Harold Mendez, Julie Buffalohead, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Edouard Duval-Carrié, and Pepe Mar. A newly developed study center offers opportunities for hands-on engagement and deeper insight into how language, memory, and cultural traditions are preserved and reinterpreted across generations.

Unidad: The World’s Game

Created by the FIFA Museum, this exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the world's most beloved sport, showcasing its ability to unite billions of people across countries and time. Historic memorabilia, hands-on activities, and interactive installations provide a glimpse into defining moments that have shaped the evolution of the game. Presented in partnership with MDC, the exhibition links the global passion for soccer to Miami's vibrant culture.