By: Kara Franker
How to do Miami on the cheap.
Miami’s exotic restaurants, five-star hotels, upscale spas, luxury shopping destinations and touted nightclubs put it on the map as a must-experience for jet-setters and celebrities. But there’s another side to Miami that’s fun, family-oriented and so affordable—in fact, it’s free. From beaches to outdoor yoga in the park to art and cultural events, you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy what Miami has to offer. Consider these free (and nearly free) activities during your stay.
Free Art Walks
Nearly every week there’s an art walk somewhere in Miami. Home of Art Basel Miami Beach and countless other art fairs, Miami’s artistic community is rich and diverse, encompassing a variety of collections, ranging from avant-garde, contemporary, street art and historical pieces from artists around the globe and notable locals.
The biggest and most popular art walk is the second Saturday of the month in Wynwood. The Wynwood Art Walk includes gallery visits and features late hours for local boutiques. Venture to the neighborhood any day of the week to explore the street art museum on a self-guided tour. Colorful murals are painted on the sides of former warehouses-turned-studios, inspirational messages are on the sidewalks, even the crosswalks in Wynwood have an artistic element. And don’t miss Wynwood Walls, home to curated graffiti, which makes a great starting point.
Another notable art walk is Viernes Culturales (Cultural Fridays) on Calle Ocho, where Miami’s colorful Cuban community shows off its exuberant cultural exports in music, art and food. A fun and free event for the whole family, the event takes place on the third Friday of every month along SW 13th and SW 17th Avenues in Little Havana. Local art galleries stay open late for the event.
For a serene walk through the City Beautiful, head to the First Friday Gallery Night on the first Friday of every month. Sponsored by the Coral Gables Gallery Association, local art galleries keep their doors open late and offer refreshments. Stroll through the Miracle or hop on the free trolley to get from gallery to gallery in Coral Gables.
In South Beach on Ocean Drive, you’ve seen those iconic, brightly-colored buildings with defined style in plenty of movies and magazines. That is why Art Deco architecture is an important part of Miami’s history. Head to the Miami Design Preservation League’s Art Deco Welcome Center located at 1001 Ocean Drive and pick up a guide so you can embark on your own free self-guided tour. Or book one of the daily ticketed tours ($25 per person) and learn about all of the Art Deco, Mediterranean Revival and Miami Modern (MiMo) styles found in the historic district.
Free Museum Admission
Craving more art? Miami has a host of museums brimming with art and culture, many of which offer free days. In Downtown, the waterfront Peréz Art Museum Miami (PAMM) is Miami’s flagship art museum featuring modern and contemporary works. Admission is free every first Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Also located in Downtown, HistoryMiami offers free family fun days on the second Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Browse the historic and cultural exhibits in the museum; hosted activities for the kids start at noon.
Thanks to the support of Baptist Health South Florida, every third Friday of each month, visitors can roam the Miami Children’s Museum free of charge. Located on an island between Downtown and Miami Beach, the museum offers interactive exhibits, programs and learning materials related to art and culture.
In Miami Beach, The Bass, a contemporary art museum, offers free admission on the last Sunday of every month. Kids 12 and under are always free and youth admission (ages 13-18) is only $5 per person. Also on Miami Beach, The Wolfsonian-FIU Museum, admission is free every Friday after 6:00 p.m.
Free Yoga and Workouts
Looking for another way to get in shape under the Miami sky or need to get in a good stretch? Free yoga and workout opportunities abound. Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation and Coca-Cola Troops for Fitness Program offer free once-a-month personal training classes taught by veterans at a state-of-the-art outdoor Fitness Zone area at Gwen Cherry Park.
Hosted by the Bayfront Park Management Trust, take a class at the Tina Hills Pavilion at Bayfront Park in Downtown Miami every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. There are also free classes at Maurice A. Ferré Park on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
There are lots of options to take free yoga classes up and down Miami Beach. North Miami Beach Yoga Studio hosts three free classes at three locations including the North Shore Park Bandshell (Monday and Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.), Collins Park at The Bass (Monday and Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.) and South Pointe Park (Tuesday and Thursday at 6:00 p.m.).
Once per month on a Saturday, Jackson Health System hosts free yoga mornings on the lawn at the New World Center’s SoundScape Park in South Beach.
Both of the Athleta stores in Coral Gables (Merrick Park) and Miami Beach (Lincoln Road) host free yoga and Pilates classes on Sundays.
In Coconut Grove, take a free yoga class from Dharma Studio in Peacock Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:00 p.m., or at the Mayfair Hotel & Spa rooftop on Saturdays at 8:00 a.m.
Free Concerts & Movies
Want to catch a flick with the family or see a free performance by the New World Symphony? Head to SoundScape at New World Center on select Wednesday nights for free movies on the lawn. Take in a classic while enjoying the architecture of Frank Gehry in the 2.5-acre public park. Soundscape Cinema Series takes place at 8:00 p.m., rain or shine, at 17th Street and Washington Avenue. Additionally, the park hosts free WALLCAST Concerts, Presented by Citi.
Free Trains & Trolleys
When heading from point A to point B for free fun in Miami, consider the free Metromover. From Downtown to Brickell to Bayside, this shuttle will take you to the doorstop of restaurants, shops and art centers. It runs in loops and is a great way to get around without your own transportation.
Or take one of the many free trolleys in Miami. Whether you’re in Downtown, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Miami Beach, Coral Gables or Doral, there are plenty of attractions you can check out. Feel free to jump on and off as many times as you need. For more info, see How to Use Miami’s Trolley System.
Free Beach Day
Miami’s main attraction is its ideal weather, which is always free. The beaches of Key Biscayne, a residential island off of mainland Miami, cost a minimal fee to park, but are guaranteed to be very clean and incredibly beautiful. Crandon Park Beach is a three-mile, lagoon-style beach with walking and biking trails, beach volleyball nets, shelters for shade and barbecue grills available for the ideal beach day. An even more remote beach on Key Biscayne is at the tip of the island, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, with fishing and an historic lighthouse. Check out all of our beaches in Miami to find the perfect one for you.