20 Awesome Free Things to Do in Miami
Miami is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Florida. It is famous for its diverse culture, amazing climate, vibrant urban life, the arts scene, and its outstanding restaurants. It is an excellent city to visit for people of all ages and it will suit people with various vacation preferences. There are lots of things to see and do during a stay in Miami, including many activities for those who have a limited budget. If you are trying to keep the cost of your stay in Miami to a minimum, here are 20 amazing free things to do in Miami.
1. Spend a Day at the Beach
Miami has a stunning coastline that stretches for 825 miles with many amazing beaches. According to Free Tours by Foot, one of the best beaches to visit is South Beach, which the locals refer to as SoBe. This four-mile strip of the coastline is one of the most famous beaches in the world. Head to the beach along the electric neon-lit Ocean Drive near Lummus Park. The beach is great for relaxing, taking a stroll, paddling, people-watching, or trying some watersports.
2. Take an Art Tour
This city is an amazing place for art enthusiasts. If architecture is something in which you are interested, then take a walk through the South Beach neighborhood as this has the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the world. If you prefer street art, then go to Wynwood. This was once a garment manufacturing district that had gone into decline. However, the funky art has completely transformed the district into a vibrant space. While taking your self-guided tour through Wynwood Art District, you can also spend time in the many cafes, galleries, boutiques, and breweries in the area.
3. Ride the Metromover
The Metromover is a free mode of transport that runs through the greater downtown area of Miami. It first started running in 1986, and it now transports more than 40,000 passengers around the city daily. Not only is the Metromover a fantastic way to get around the city for free, but it is always a free way to see the sights of downtown Miami.
4. Enjoy a Yoga Class at Bayfront Park
There are various places around Miami that hold yoga sessions for free. This is a great way to relax and unwind during your trip. One of the best places to visit to enjoy a free yoga session is Bayfront Park. The sessions are held at the Tiny Hills Pavilion in the park. After your yoga session, you can take a stroll around the 32-acre public park, which is in downtown Miami and overlooks Biscayne Bay,
5. Explore Everglades National Park
Florida is famous for the Everglades, so this is something that you should not miss during a trip to Miami. The Everglades National Park is 1.5 million acres of wetlands that is home to a wide range of wildlife. Although there are hundreds of species to spot, some you should look out for include the American alligator, the leatherback turtle, and the West Indian manatee. There are many free tours of the Everglades National Park available, or you can take along some money for a hovercraft or boat tour. If you drive to the park, there is a cost per vehicle to enter.
6. Visit the Museum of Art and Design
There are some outstanding museums and art galleries in Miami. One of the most popular choices for both tourists and locals alike is The Miami Dade College Museum of Art and Design. This venue showcases artwork by artists and designers from the college’s eight campuses. While some of these are emerging artists, others are already recognized. The first-floor permanent exhibition is a collection of Cuban artifacts. These came to the United States in the 1960s with Cuban refugees. There are many other permanent and temporary exhibitions to admire.
7. Have Fun at the Splash Pad at South Pointe Park
While the warm weather of Miami is one of its greatest attractions, sometimes you may need to cool off. This is also something the kids will love if you are traveling as a family. The Splash Pad is an outdoor playground in South Pointe Park that shoots out water jets and sprays while you play. There is plenty more to discover at the park, so you can always take along a picnic and spend the whole day there.
8. Tour the Biltmore Hotel
If you are traveling on a budget, there are probably not many opportunities to enjoy a luxurious experience. However, a trip to the Biltmore Hotel can rectify this situation. The Biltmore Hotel is a National Historic Landmark that was built in 1926. This luxurious hotel is set in 150-acres of tropical landscape. It has one of the largest pools on the East Coast of the United States, and boast a fitness center, spa, tennis courts, and a five-star restaurant. You can get a free guided tour of the hotel on a Sunday afternoon when you can learn about the hotel’s history and architecture.
9. Go to the Institute of Contemporary Art
Another great place to visit for art enthusiasts is the Institute of Contemporary Art. Located in the Miami Art District, this museum is free to enter, and it exhibits some of the most innovative art of modern times. The museum boasts both local and international artwork. If you want a private guided tour of the museum, just let them know two weeks before your visit.
10. Hike at the Bear Cut Nature Trail
Although the city is full of amazing attractions, it is sometimes nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of the urban environment and take in nature. A wonderful place to do this is at Bear Cut Nature Preserve. This is one of the prettiest spots in Miami, and it is possible to imagine you are miles from the buzz of the city. The waterfront trail stretches for 3.5-miles, and you can cycle or walk along the pretty pathway, which ends against the backdrop of the city.
11. Climb the Cape Florida Lighthouse at Key Biscayne
The views from Miami across the Atlantic Ocean are spectacular. Similarly, the Miami skyline is pretty impressive. To enjoy both, the Cape Florida Lighthouse at Key Biscayne is an excellent place to visit. The lighthouse is located within the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park and was a former working lighthouse that guided mariners since the 1800ss. There are 109 steps to climb to the top of the lighthouse, where you can enjoy incredible panoramic views of the ocean and Miami. The only cost associated with visiting the lighthouse and the park is for parking.
12. Go to the Miami Children’s Museum
If you are traveling with children, the best free attraction to visit in the city is the Miami Children’s Museum. This educational and interactive institution is free to enter on set days each month, and the kids will have an amazing time. They can enjoy a variety of interactive experiences based on communication, community, art, and culture. Throughout each month, there are many special events and classes hosted at the museum, although some of these will cost money. You will find Miami Children’s Museum on MacArthur Causeway.
13. Visit Earth n Us Farm
Another great day out for all the family is Earth n Us Farm. Founded in 1977 by Ray Chasser, this farm was intended as a space for him to live with his family sustainably. Now, families can visit this fun learning space to learn how to respect the Earth and to care for animals and each other. Some of the animals you can meet include goats, ostriches, cockatoo birds, and roosters. For a fee, you can also spend the night on the farm in a treehouse.
14. Watch an Outdoor Movie
When the weather is good, an excellent form of evening entertainment is an outdoor movie. Head to the New World Symphony building at SoundScape Park. There, you can enjoy the symphony playing one of their outdoor concerts or you can watch a free movie which is projected onto the front wall of the performance hall. To make the experience even more special, take along a picnic and a picnic blanket.
15. Enjoy Live Music at Bayside Marketplace
Music lovers will adore spending time at the Bayside Marketplace as this is one of the best venues for live music in the city. This is where some of the best shops, restaurants, and bars are located, and it is also a good spot for people-watching. You will also find the Marina Stage, where there are live daily concerts. These range from pop to funk and from Brazilian to Latin tunes.
16. Eat Tacos for Free
While there are many attractions that are free or that have specific days for free entry, scoring some free food is usually more difficult. Taco fans are in luck when visiting Miami as they can eat tacos for free. Every Tuesday night, Wood Tavern gives away free tacos to anyone who has bought a drink from the bar. They are some of the best tacos in the city so you will have to wait in a queue to get your free food.
17. Catch a Comedy Show
In terms of evening entertainment, a comedy show is a fun way to spend an evening during your vacation. There are various venues that host free comedy shows throughout the month. For example, Yo Space and Gallery has a Just Tip the Comedy Show event on the first Sunday of every month, while Concrete Beach Brewery has a free comedy show called The Last Call Comedy Show on the last Tuesday of each month. Another great venue is 305 Brews, which hosts Miami Comedy Mondays weekly. It makes sense to take along some cash when you go to these free events so that you can enjoy a refreshing drink from the bar.
18. Hang Out at Canvas Miami
The Arts & Entertainment District, which is also Known as Canvas Miami, is an excellent place to hang out if you want to enjoy free events. This cool downtown space hosts something almost every day. Examples of the things going on here include flea markets, rooftop concerts, and movies under the stars. No matter when you visit, there is almost always something going on for you to enjoy.
19. Listen to Free Music in a Pineapple
If you are a music fan, then one of the best places to enjoy some free music is at the Ball & Chain. This is a historic jazz club that has been restored to become one of the best bars in Miami. This bar hosts more than 80 hours of free concerts every week. These concerts are held in the back patio bandshell, which is in the shape of a pineapple cut in half.
20. Take a Salsa Class
Salsa is almost a tradition in Miami and it is something that most people who live there enjoy. To get a true experience of Miami during your vacation, you can enjoy a free salsa session at the Bluewater rooftop café at the InterContinental Miami. Every Friday, this venue hosts a salsa event, with live music, salsa instructors, and an amazing vibe. If you take along some money, you can also enjoy a drink at the bar and a cigar from the on-site cigar roller.
