Ultimate Art Lover’s Guide To Miami

If you love art, you must experience it the Miami way. Vibrant murals that transform neighborhoods into open-air galleries. Fascinating museums that sit along the sparkling waters that make Miami famous. Mesmerizing dance, from ballet to salsa, and nationally acclaimed Broadway shows that will bring you to your feet. The art scene in Greater Miami & Miami Beach runs deep, fueled by an only-in-Miami creative spirit and shaped by diverse cultural influences. Here’s your ultimate art lover’s guide to Miami.

Creative Neighborhoods and Cultural Districts

• Wynwood Arts District: For incredible street art and galleries galore, head to Wynwood, a hub of murals and graffiti that splash across nearly every surface. Wynwood Walls, an outdoor museum featuring ever-changing murals, is the centerpiece. Another neighborhood highlight is the Museum of Graffiti, the world’s only museum dedicated to graffiti.
• Allapattah: Explore some of Miami’s biggest names in the art world in the burgeoning neighborhood of Allapattah, where you can explore El Espacio 23 art gallery and then hit two major art museums located directly across from each other: the Rubell Museum and Superblue, an immersive art experience.
• Historic Overtown: Dig deep into Miami’s Black history in Historic Overtown. Visit The Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater for exhibitions and shows, and stop for a meal at Red Rooster Overtown.
• Little Havana: Immerse yourself in Miami’s rich Cuban culture in Little Havana, strolling Calle Ocho (Southwest 8th Street) to sample authentic Cuban food and coffee. Watch locals playing dominoes in Domino Park or catch a show at the Tower Theater.

Art-Focused Hotels

• The Betsy - South Beach: Art is everywhere you look at The Betsy - South Beach on Ocean Drive in South Beach. Every inch of the boutique hotel’s walls is decked out in artwork, regularly curated by the family who owns the hotel, and the cultural calendar is packed with nightly jazz music. Digital art with light and sound is projected outside on The Betsy Orb, an egg-shaped structure that connects the hotel’s two buildings.
• Sagamore South Beach: Considered Miami’s “original art hotel,” Sagamore South Beach is a living art gallery that’s free to view for the public. Explore the sculpture garden and admire the art that covers the property from the staircases to the walls.
• Faena Miami Beach: Dripping in theatrics and maximalist interiors, Faena Miami Beach in Mid Beach flaunts standout art, including a 24-karat gold woolly mammoth sculpture by Damien Hirst and bold murals by Juan Gatti. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a bygone glam era at the Faena Theater, which presents cabaret shows and artistic productions.
• Arlo Wynwood Miami: If you want to sleep with the art in Wynwood, Arlo Wynwood Miami is draped in murals from its exterior walls to its elevators.

Must-Visit Museums

• Pérez Art Museum Miami: See contemporary art from the 20th and 21st centuries in a setting that fronts the sparkling waters of Biscayne Bay at the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) in Downtown Miami.
• The Bass: The Bass is a contemporary art museum showcasing mid-career and established artists’ work that reflects the international ethos of Miami Beach. Once you’ve finished inside, stroll through Collins Park and other areas of Miami Beach to see the museum’s interactive public art displays, Art Outside.
• Institute of Contemporary Art Miami: Located in the Miami Design District, the Institute of Contemporary Art Miami is a modern venue and sculpture garden that highlights innovative contemporary art with a permanent collection and rotating exhibits. The best part? Admission is free.
• Deering Estate: The Deering Estate in South Dade is a historic 444-acre landmark rich in natural beauty and cultural significance. Once the winter retreat of industrialist, philanthropist and art collector Charles Deering, the estate now showcases works from his collection.

Top Theater & Musical Performances

• Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County: With stunning architecture and perfect acoustics, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County sets the stage for everything from popular touring Broadway shows to local stage productions, classical music and much more.
• New World Symphony: With a prime location in South Beach, the New World Center offers the chance to see the New World Symphony perform classical favorites, including at free WALLCAST concerts projected on the exterior wall from May to October.
• Miami Beach Bandshell: If ocean breezes and live music are your idea of culture, head to the Miami Beach Bandshell. This outdoor venue in North Beach hosts concerts by a broad range of artists.

Public Art Highlights

• Miami Beach’s Art Deco District: Located between 5th and 23rd streets in Miami Beach, the Art Deco District is home to more than 800 historic gems that showcase the architectural styles of the 1920s and 1930s. Book a tour with the Miami Design Preservation League to learn more about the buildings’ history and design details.
• Art in Public Places: Headed in or out of Miami? Thanks to the Art in Public Places program, you’ll see compelling art at high-traffic places like Miami International Airport and PortMiami.
• Miami Design District: In the midst of the luxury boutiques of the Miami Design District, you’ll find an array of public art, from the facades of the Museum Garage to eye-catching sculptures like Buckminster Fuller’s futuristic Fly’s Eye Dome and bold murals.

Dance Performances in Miami

• Miami City Ballet: Considered one of the country’s top ballet companies, Miami City Ballet has been wowing audiences for 40 years. Dance aficionados can watch the graceful dancers perform classic and modern works at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.
• Learn to Salsa Dance: If the hypnotic music flowing from Miami establishments moves you, take a salsa lesson at the Miami Baila Dance Studio or historic Ball & Chain in Little Havana.

Art-inspired Restaurants and Experiences

• Torno Subito: At Torno Subito restaurant in the Miami Design District, dine under the web-like “Elastika” sculpture in the historic Moore Building while enjoying chef Massimo Bottura’s Italian cuisine.
• Verde: After perusing the Pérez Art Museum Miami, stop for lunch or an art break at the onsite Verde restaurant to soak up its bay views and indulge in dishes made with seasonal ingredients and often themed to match the museum’s latest exhibitions.
• Palapa: For a cultural trio of music, dining and drinks, book a night at the open-air Palapa in Upper Buena Vista to experience everything from jazz to cabaret shows and DJs.

Planning Tips for an Immersive Cultural Stay

• Check museum times and opening days before going.
• Plan your travels around the annual Miami Art Week in early December, when the art world converges here for Art Basel Miami Beach and an array of satellite art fairs. Book hotels and tickets to art fairs at least six months in advance.
• Purchase tickets to popular museums in advance.
• Carve out an art-filled day by bouncing between the Miami Design District and Wynwood, which are about a five-minute drive from each other.
• You can spend an easy half day in Downtown Miami, visiting the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science and Pérez Art Museum Miami, located next door to each other.
• Use public transportation to get around easily.