There is more to Miami than just endless sunshine, pristine beaches & epic nightlife. Miami infact has always been a center for art, culture, history, and science. It is home to many exclusive and diverse museums. Be sure to take a little break from the sun and sand, Visit some of the Museums below to discover Miami’s rich history of art & culture that has been attracting top minds around the world.

Patricia & Phillip Frost Museum of Science

The Patricia & Phillip Frost Museum of Science offers an opportunity for discovery, learning, and fun for all ages. Topics in the museum range from zoology to cultural heritage – and everything in between. The museum’s mission is to inspire people of all ages to enjoy science and technology to better understand ourselves and our world.

Catch a show at the Planetarium and explore space and astronomy or learn about animal rehabilitation in the Wildlife Center. The MSM features interactive exhibits, laser music shows, a wildlife rehabilitation center, a state-of-the-art planetarium, and South Florida’s largest natural history collection.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
This United States National Historic Landmark is a unique getaway from the hustle and bustle of Miami. Vizcaya is a European-style estate built by a wealthy American industrialist in the early 20th century that’s home to 34 immaculately decorated rooms, over 2,500 pieces of art, ten acres of European-inspired formal gardens, a collection of over 2,000 orchids, and 25 acres of endangered primary growth forests.

Outside the Main House, you’ll enjoy lush subtropical forests, a magnificent fountain, foliage-lined walkways, several gardens that are home to numerous statues, and stunning views of Biscayne Bay.
Vizcaya has served as host to some of the world’s most renowned dignitaries such as Queen Elizabeth II, Pope John Paul II, and President Ronald Reagan. Step into America’s Gilded Age at Vizcaya and you may never want to leave.

Miami Children’s Museum

The Miami Children’s Museum is one of the best of its kind. It’s a fun-filled interactive environment that invites kids, parents, and visitors of all ages to play and learn together. All of the exhibits emphasize arts, culture, community, communication, imagination, and creativity. Visitors will see the 2-story Sandcastle of Dreams, a real recording studio, and climb the 30-foot rock wall called Mt. MiChiMu.Plus, the museum offers daily programs, seasonal classes and camps, learning material, and the KidSmart gift shop. You can even grab lunch at the on-site restaurant.

Jewish Museum of Florida
Sometimes called the “jewel of South Beach”, The Jewish Museum of Florida is housed in a meticulously restored, former synagogue that housed Miami Beach’s first Jewish Congregation.
The 1936 Art Deco building features nearly 80 stained glass windows, a copper dome, chandeliers, and other iconic Miami Art Deco features.

The museum’s core exhibit is MOSAIC: Jewish Life in Florida, which tells the story of 250 years of Jewish history in the state. Through photographs, artifacts, and historical documents, learn how Jews maintained their traditions and communities as they contributed to the growth of Florida.
Complete your experience by catching an educational film, picking up a souvenir in the museum store, or grabbing a snack at Bessie’s Bistro.

Coral Castle Museum
The Coral Castle Museum is home to one of the world’s most mysterious accomplishments.
Edward Leedskalnin single-handedly created an impressive sculpture garden from over 1,100 tons of coral rock, a process that took nearly 30 years to complete from 1923 – 1951. To this day, no one knows how Ed created the Coral Castle at a time when there were no modern construction conveniences, he claimed to say that he knew “the secret of the pyramids” and when he died, the secret died with him.

Museum of Discovery and Science
Spend a day exploring hundreds of action-packed interactive exhibits at the educational and entertaining Museum of Discover and Science. Visitors can take a ride on the Everglades Airboat Adventure, feel hurricane force winds in the Storm Center, dig for fossils alongside a giant megalodon shark, observe the playful antics of river otters, see sharks up-close, hang out with bats and a 12-foot snake, take a simulated trip to Mars, and more.

Museum of Contemporary Art

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) is dedicated to making contemporary art accessible through the collection, preservation, and exhibition of the best contemporary art and its art historical influences with the belief that art education enriches the cultural life of the community.
The MOCA is known for its provocative and innovative exhibitions and has over 600 works by emerging and established U.S. and international artists on permanent exhibition. Unique temporary exhibits constantly offer fresh approaches to examining contemporary art.

The Wolfsonian-FIU Museum
The Wolfsonian is a modern-era design museum in the heart of the Art Deco District in Miami Beach. The Wolfsonian impressively diverse collection is comprised of graphic, industrial, and architectural design, furniture and decorative arts, paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, photographs, and more. Visitors will enjoy exploring the museum’s exhibitions that discuss art’s role in society and among individuals.

Gold Coast Railroad Museum
This unique museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, exhibition, and operation of historic railroad cars and equipment. Some of the most celebrated pieces in the collection are the “Ferdinand Magellan,” the private railroad car built for President Franklin Roosevelt and the Florida East Coast Railway locomotive #153, the engine that pulled the rescue train out of Marathon, Florida after the 1935 hurricane.

The museum also offers train rides and a comprehensive model train exhibit. Kids will especially enjoy playing on the interactive Thomas the Tank Engine tables. Before you leave, pick up a one-of-a-kind souvenir at the museum store.

HistoryMiami
At the Historical Museum of Southern Florida, you’ll explore the rich history and dynamic present of South Florida and the Caribbean. The museum’s collections range from maritime artifacts to technology and home furnishings to archeological findings. Discover 10,000 years of history as you journey through the permanent exhibition, Tropical Dreams: A People’s History of South Florida. Be sure to check out current temporary exhibits that frequently highlight topics such as aviation, teen culture, souvenir maps, and more.

A visit to the museum includes access to the museum’s Research Center, where you will find over one million photographs, drawings, and documents. HistoryMiami also offers all types of tours from historic boat voyages to themed walking excursions that will make your trip to Miami un-forgettable.

The Rubell Family Collection
The Rubell Family Collection (RFC) is one of the world’s largest private art collections housed in a 45,00 square foot repurposed Drug Enforcement Agency confiscated goods facility. The ever-expanding collection houses works by artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Damien Hirst, Jeff koons, Cindy Sherman, Kara Walker, and Andy Warhol. The RFC keeps their offerings exiting by actively finding and showcasing temporary exhibits from emerging artists at the forefront of contemporary art.

Anyone with an interest in the contemporary art scene will appreciate how the RFC fits the “Miami model” idea of creating new, independent forms of public institutions from private collections and how RFC actively enriches the Miami art community.

Bass Museum of Art
Housed in one of the historic buildings of the Art Deco District, the Bass Museum of Art boasts a collection with work from 4 continents and a span of 500 years. These celebrated collections and ever-changing contemporary exhibits fulfill the museum’s mission to “inspire and educate by exploring the connections between our historical collections and contemporary art”. The museum also showcases a signature collection of monumental 19th century tapestries and altarpieces that is a must see for any art-lover or history buff.

In 2002, the museum was expanded to include a media center, terrace, and museum shop. The Bass now proudly features educational programs, film series, lectures, and live performances.