Miami Museums

Visitors will not be disappointed in the number of Miami museums available with exhibits providing interesting historical, cultural, scientific, intriguing, and educational information. Many of the best museums in Miami are open year-round, with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas, providing visitors with the opportunity of seeing exceptional permanent collections of artwork, no matter when they visit.

Miami museums are a perfect place to spend the day learning about the history and culture of the city. Through pictures, paintings, photographs, decorative and industrial objects, and artifacts, you can piece together the fabric that created Miami into the metropolitan city it is today. Along with historical memorabilia, Miami museums also feature work by budding artists using a variety of styles and media to express their visions of the local landscape, culture, and atmosphere.

The Latin American Art Museum houses an impressive contemporary collection of 300 pieces of art, with examples of painting, ceramics, and sculptures created by artists of Latin and Hispanic descent. Established in 1991, this free Miami museum has scheduled exhibits throughout the year and is an excellent option to include on the list of attractions to visit during a Miami vacation.

Along with being one of the best museums in Miami, the Holocaust Memorial is both inspirational and educational. This unforgettable site provides a glimpse into the not-so-distant past, as visitors take a self-guided walk through gardens, architecture, statues, and sculptures created specifically to emphasize the experience of the Jewish people and others killed during the Holocaust.

A stellar museum in Miami is the Bass Museum of Art, which exhibits a fine arts collection and is housed in the public library building from the 1930s. The library was the first public building in Miami and placed on the National Register in 1978. Visitors interested in art should consider the Miami Museum of Art, which showcases a permanent collection of work in oil, acrylic, ink, paper, wood, and metal pieces and features artwork by upcoming artists in scheduled exhibits. Another excellent museum in Miami is the Lowe Art Museum, located on the University of Miami campus. Their permanent exhibits include an impressive collection of works of art from America, Europe, Africa, and Asia displayed throughout the year.

One of the best museums in Miami for young visitors is the Children's Museum, which is an exciting place for visitors of any age to explore. The museum has multiple galleries, interactive activities for all ages and a rock wall for older kids to climb. Facilities include a gift shop and restaurant. Another of the best museums in Miami for families to visit is the Science Museum, featuring interactive wildlife shows, hands-on programs where visitors can touch lizards and snakes, the Falcon Batchelor Bird of Prey Center for bird rehabilitation, a planetarium, and an observatory for stargazing and laser shows.

Another museum in Miami located in the heart of the city and within walking distance of the Art Deco district and other major attractions is the Wolfsonian Museum, part of the Florida International University. The museum's large inventory includes books, paintings, prints, industrial art, furniture, and decorative art covering the years 1885 to 1945. The Wolfsonian offers free admission from 6 pm until 9 pm each Friday.