Best Museums In Miami

In a metropolitan city as large and diverse as Miami, an emphasis is definitely put on educating and providing culture to the masses - most especially through local museums. Miami has museums focused on science, art, children, education, architecture and more. The best museums in Miami represent a variety of topics.

Miami Science Museum

3280 South Miami Avenue
Miami, FL 33129
(305) 646-4200
www.miamisci.org

A staple on the elementary school field trip scene, the Miami Science Museum was founded back in 1950. Since then, it has continuously expanded and nowadays consists of the main museum space and its rotating exhibits, a planetarium and a wildlife center. The planetarium offers a laser light show on the first Friday of the month, sometimes set to the music of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd or the Beatles. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; ticket prices include access to all areas of the museum.

Miami Children's Museum

980 Macarthur Causeway
Miami, FL 33132
(305) 373-5437
www.miamichildrensmuseum.org

The Miami Children's Museum is considered one of the best museums in Miami, even for adults. Located right on the causeway that takes you from downtown Miami to Miami Beach, the Miami Children's Museum regularly has story time and cooking classes - where parents and children can learn to cook healthy, simple recipes together. There are also programs for art, dance, yoga and language learning. The Miami Children's Museum hopes to help foster a love of learning through interactivity. Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

3251 South Miami Avenue
Miami, FL 33129
(305) 250-9133
www.vizcayamuseum.org

Vizcaya is a National Historic Landmark, built by an agricultural industrialist - James Deering - in 1916. The grounds consist of a gorgeous house built right on the water, 10 acres of gardens and a rockland hammock. Group tours of the grounds are offered in 10 different languages and private events and photo shoots are often scheduled here. Over the years, Vizcaya has been host to Queen Elizabeth II, President Ronald Reagan and the Summit of the Americas. Hours: Daily, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except for Tuesdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

The Wolfsonian - FIU

1001 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, Fla. 33139
(305) 531-1001
www.wolfsonian.org

The Wolfsonian is a museum associated with Florida International University and located in the art deco district of Miami Beach. Its aim is to show visitors the persuasive power of art and design - how art and design shape our experience as humans - through modern era objects. The Wolfsonian also offers classes and lectures, some of which are specifically for Florida International University students and others that are open to all. Hours: Daily, noon to 6 p.m., except for Wednesdays; Friday, hours are extended to 9 p.m.