By: Shayne Benowitz
Dive into Miami’s vast pool of arts and cultural experiences without breaking the bank.
Miami has a wealth of arts and cultural experiences—and they’re easy to discover on a budget. From the gallery scene to the symphony orchestra and free museum admission, here’s the best way to get a taste for arts and culture in Miami on a budget.
Miami's neighborhoods offer plenty of free art-gazing, like in the Wynwood Art District
Art Walks & Gallery Scene By Neighborhood
Wynwood
There’s an art walk or gallery crawl held in almost every neighborhood in Miami on a set date every month. It’s a great way to get a taste of the local art scene in a festive atmosphere. The Wynwood Art Walk, which takes place on the second Saturday of every month, is one of the most popular. Cruise the streets of this arts district and take in the kaleidoscopic street art, starting with Wynwood Walls.
Design District
The second Saturday festivities extend north to the Design District, which is home to the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami, galleries and world-class private art collections. There’s also an impressive public art program and a wide variety of free activities every week, from yoga to symphony concerts. Take advantage of the free guided public art and architecture tours held regularly here.
Little Haiti
Many of the galleries that put Wynwood on the map have dispersed to Little Haiti. Don’t miss Nina Johnson, Spinello Projects, Emerson Dorsch and Yeelen Gallery. On the third Friday of every month, the Little Haiti Cultural Center hosts Sounds of Little Haiti, an open house party filled with authentic Haitian art, music and food.
Little Havana
In Little Havana, Viernes Culturales takes over Calle Ocho on the third Friday of every month for a carnival-like atmosphere with food vendors, live music and galleries open late. Don’t miss the free walking tour starting at 7 p.m. from the historic Tower Theater led by Miami historian Dr. Paul George. The artist studios at the Futurama Building are also a must-see.
Many museums offer free admission specials, like the Institute of Contemporary Art
Institutions with Free Admission & Free Museum Days
Many of Miami’s most fascinating museums offer free admission year round or on certain days of the month. The Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami in the Design District offers free admission as a service to the community. The 37,500-square-foot museum is housed inside an ultra-modern building designed by a Spanish architecture firm, with an impressive sculpture garden. It’s a must-visit spot for any cultural tourist in town. Also in the Design District, the De La Cruz Collection is one of Miami’s world-class private art collections. Admission is always free.
The Freedom Tower is one of the most iconic buildings in Downtown Miami’s skyline. Considered the Ellis Island of the South, it’s where Cuban refugees were processed upon arrival to the United States in the 1960s and ‘70s. Modeled after Seville, Spain’s Giralda Cathedral bell tower, the ornamental Mediterranean Revival façade stands out among Downtown Miami’s modern glass skyscrapers. Today, it’s home to Miami Dade College’s Museum of Art + Design with a permanent exhibit on the Cuban diaspora, as well as many thought-provoking temporary exhibitions. Admission is $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and military, $5 for students, and children under 12 enter for free.
While the landmark Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) typically charges $16 for adult admission, children under six, active military and Florida K-12 educators always get in for free. You can also plan your visit during the Second Saturday and First Thursday free admission promotions each month.
The Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum is housed on the campus of Florida International University. It showcases art across cultures and offers free admission. The Wolfsonian- FIU is another FIU institution. Located in South Beach, away from the campus, it offers free admission every Friday during extended hours from 6 to 9 p.m., as well as a free public tour every Friday at 6 p.m. This is often paired with special programming.
Visit Frost Museum of Science for great views of Maurice A. Ferré Park
Art Parks
Maurice A. Ferré Park (formerly Museum Park) anchors both PAMM and the neighboring Phillip and Patricia Frost Science Museum, overlooking Biscayne Bay for a picturesque way to experience both institutions. Take a stroll through the park and explore the sculptures and public art installations.
In South Beach, the New World Symphony’s Soundscape Park provides an incredible cultural experience with its Wallcast Concert series and movie screenings. The landmark building designed by star architect Frank Gehry features a 7,000-square-foot wall where symphony performances are simulcast for free for the audience to enjoy under the stars It also screens movies on Wednesday evenings from October through May, making it the perfect opportunity to pack a picnic under the stars.
Stop by the Books & Books at the Adrienne Arsht Center for dynamic literary programming
Literary Touchstones
Miami is home to one of the country’s top indie bookstores, Books & Books. With outposts in South Beach, Coral Gables and in Downtown Miami at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, the bookstore hosts author events and readings almost every night of the week. Founder Mitchell Kaplan is also responsible for the Miami Book Fair, which is held every November.
Another alternative for the literary set is Bookleggers Library, a non-profit mobile library for the community that throws events and parties at various locations, like bars and museums, throughout the year. They encourage patrons to bring books to exchange and allow everyone to take home one book for free, charging $2 for each additional book.