Getty Images
Miami is filled with exciting adventures, neighborhoods and cultural landmarks, and if you’re planning a vacation there you may be worried about overspending. Many vacations to top cities can make a mark on your wallet, but there are plenty of exciting things to do in Miami that happen to be free of charge.
From public parks and art to Miami’s trademark beaches, you can fill your time in Miami with exciting things to do without spending a dime. Here are some of our favorite free things to do in Miami that will make you feel like you got the most out of your trip.
Take Advantage of Free Transportation
Parking can be quite expensive in Miami, and it can be tough to travel around the city without a car. There are plenty of walkable areas, especially in neighborhoods like Little Havana, Little Haiti, Downtown Miami or Miami Beach, but in order to get from one to the other you’ll want to use some kind of transportation. Luckily, the city of Miami offers free rides via the Miami Trolley. It stops by neighborhoods such as Wynwood, Overtown, Liberty City and many others, and it arrives every 15-45 minutes. That said, some areas don’t have trolleys running on the weekends or holidays, so it’s a good idea to check the schedule before arriving in Miami.
Spend a Day at the Beach
Miami is known for its multitude of sprawling beaches, many of which are open to the public and free to access. Miami Beach, the city’s trademark beach, is located just east of downtown and is a necessary stop on your Miami trip. (It’s also near Española Way, a pedestrian-only street that’s taking a picturesque and magical walk — for free.) Another must-visit beach is South Beach, which houses the iconic Art Deco Historic District. If you’re looking for a spot with peace and quiet, the North Shore Beach is an ideal option.
One thing to consider when planning for your beach trip is paying for parking. Many of the beaches will charge you between $4 and $9 an hour for parking, and the enforcement is strict. So, to save money, consider taking the trolley — or, if you’re staying in a nearby neighborhood, you can simply walk to the beach.
Visit a Museum
Miami has multiple museums that feature history, art and science, but many of them can be on the pricey side. However, there are some Miami museums that either have no entrance fee or have special days where you can get in for free. One such museum is the Lowe Art Museum. In conjunction with the University of Miami, this museum features stunning art from Africa, Asia, South America, the Ancient Mediterranean and more. Between Little Haiti and the Wynwood neighborhood, you’ll find the Institute of Contemporary Art Miami, which has free admission all year long.
The Peréz Art Museum Miami, also called PAMM, features artwork from Latin American, African, Caribbean and Miami-based artists, as well as a mesmerizing sculpture garden. While entrance to this museum will normally cost you around $18, they open their doors for free on the second Saturday of every month. Similarly, the HistoryMiami Museum, which highlights the political and social history of Miami, offers free entry on the second Saturday of every month as well. If you plan your trip right, you can take advantage of the free entry at both HistoryMiami and PAMM on the same Saturday.
Go On an Art Walk
Because of an ordinance in 1995, two percent of the city of Miami is required to be allotted for public art. This means there is beautiful artwork to see all over the city for free. The Miami-Dade area has over 1,000 works of art in public spaces, thanks to Art In Public Places, which began in 1973. This is like a scavenger hunt, with public pieces sprinkled all throughout Miami made by artists from around the world. The Maurice A. Ferré Park boasts the longest waterfront promenade in Miami, and it has a public outdoor sculpture walkway that currently features 52 oversized, vibrantly-colored cat and dog sculptures made of aluminum. The Wynwood Art District is home to various murals and art galleries, and Miami Beach has self-guided arts and culture tours that are free on the Experience Miami Beach tour app, available on both Apple and Android.
Of course, Miami’s art scene would be nothing without its vast opportunities for artists, and one spot that elevates artists-in-training and up-and-comers is Fountainhead Arts. This residency program has brought hundreds of artists from around the world, giving them a space to showcase their work and become a part of the Miami community. Fountainhead has monthly open houses that give the public an opportunity to meet the artists in residence and experience their work. These are open to the public, but you will have to reserve your spot and plan ahead.
Take a Stroll Down Ocean Drive
Running down the length of Miami Beach, Ocean Drive is one of Miami’s most popular roads and is full of Miami’s iconic art deco architecture. Walking down Ocean Drive, you’ll be able to see nearly 800 buildings in the Art Deco Historic District. Between 5th Street and 23rd Street you’ll see the bulk of Miami’s famous architecture, including the Colony Hotel, the Villa Casa Casuarina (which was originally Gianni Versace’s mansion) and the Celino South Beach Hotel, which was a hot spot for the rich and famous. Lummus Park is also located on Ocean Drive, and it features an outdoor gym area and paths for biking and walking.
Visit the Botanical Gardens
Located in Miami Beach, the Miami Beach Botanical Garden features a koi pond, a Japanese garden, an edible garden filled with things like papaya and pomegranate trees, a banyan lawn and more. Many of Florida’s native species are featured here, and you can enter completely free of charge. It’s also close to another free attraction, the Holocaust Memorial, a large and striking remembrance of those who lost their lives in the Holocaust.
Not far from the Miami Beach Botanical Garden is the Ichimura Miami Japanese Garden, which is a small garden with a koi pond. It’s the perfect place to stop and meditate or relax after visiting Jungle Island or the Miami Children’s Museum. The garden also holds various events like authentic Japanese tea ceremonies, theater events and ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) demonstrations.
Hang Out at the Park
Miami is filled with green public spaces that are free to access. Located south of Downtown Miami, Peacock Park is equipped with a basketball court, soccer fields, a playground and a softball field. It’s also near the Kampong National Tropical Botanical Garden and the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, so you can make it a relaxing stop after or before stopping by those attractions. If you’re sticking around the downtown area, we recommend stopping by South Pointe Park, which has direct access to the beach as well as walking paths, playgrounds and areas to cook out. You can also go fishing at the South Pointe Pier or launch off to go kayaking.
Originally built over the old Naval Air Station, Amelia Earhart Park is a great spot to cool down since it has a wakeboard park for various watersports. It also has plenty of facilities for sports, including a disc golf course and volleyball courts, along with a petting zoo and farm village. Best of all, parking at Amelia Earhart Park is free during the week.
Enjoy Music and Dancing
Every last Friday of the month, the Museum of Contemporary Art Miami has free live jazz music in the MOCA Plaza starting at 8 p.m. Over in Little Havana, the restaurant and bar Ball & Chain features live music almost every night, and it also has free bachata classes at 9 p.m. most nights. The Corner in Park West has free jazz every Tuesday night, and bars and restaurants such as The Gibson Room and Lagniappe feature plenty of live music most nights. El Salón at the Esme has DJs on the weekends, and Medium Cool features jazz every Wednesday and Sunday.
Take a Yoga Class
Miami has plenty of opportunities for free yoga that is open to the public. Collins Park hosts free yoga at 6 p.m. on Mondays, and on Wednesdays you can attend a free class at The Bass, an art deco building that also features artwork that’s worth checking out. Additionally, there’s free yoga at Bayfront Park at 6 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays and at Lummus Park on Sundays at 10 a.m. If you want to take a dip in the ocean after your yoga class, head to 3rd Street Beach for free yoga at 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. (appropriately named “sunrise and sunset yoga”). Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Miami Beach Bandshell, you’ll find free yoga at 6 p.m.
This story was originally published June 3, 2024, 4:00 PM.
