Introduction
South Florida is home to a plethora of artistic, cultural, and historical museums. Here are six of the best ones to visit during your next visit.
This renowned museum occupies the old Coral Gables police and fire station. Inside, you’ll find an impressive collection of contemporary art from emerging American artists.
What are South Florida Museums
In a state known for its sunny beaches and vibrant culture, Florida is also home to jaw-dropping museums. From archaeological sites to modern art, these cultural centers offer the perfect place to escape the heat of a South Florida summer. Plus, you’ll learn something new in the process!
If you’re in the mood to learn more about Florida’s Native people, check out The Indian Temple Mound Museum. Here, you’ll find hundreds of artifacts that illustrate the lives of early inhabitants through pottery and other tools. You’ll also learn more about the state’s flora and fauna and how Native people connect to nature in their everyday lives.
The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is the place to be for science lovers. Dedicated to the exploration of natural sciences and technology, this museum houses many different exhibits and an AutoNation IMAX 3D theatre. In fact, it’s the most-visited museum in Florida, attracting more than one million visitors every year! This family-friendly museum has several expansions, including the recently opened 34,000-square-foot EcoDiscovery Center. Located in Davie, this museum is about a 10-minute drive or 20-minute walk from AMLI Sawgrass Village and AMLI Toscana Place. You’ll find a wide range of interactive learning experiences here, such as an aquarium and a colorful physics playground!
Exploring museums in South Florida
The Institute of Contemporary Art at Miami Dade College boasts an incredible collection that includes work by prominent contemporary artists from around the globe. This acclaimed museum, just a 10-minute drive from AMLI Sawgrass Village and AMLI Toscana Place, is a cultural destination for art lovers of all ages. The museum also houses an art school, art institute, enrichment center for artistically inclined teenagers, and public library.
Another must-visit is the Frost Museum of Science, a state-of-the-art facility with an array of impressive exhibits. Get up close and personal with Florida wildlife in an enlarged hall that showcases the creatures’ smallest details or visit a recreated Calusa mound to learn how local tribes used this sacred site as a gathering place for religious ceremonies, political negotiations, and even burial grounds.
South Florida museums offer a variety of experiences, so it’s important to pick one that aligns with your interests. You can often save money by becoming a member of a museum, which comes with benefits like discounted admission and invitations to members-only events. To learn more, check the website of each museum for membership options and pricing. The Museum of Fine Arts, Miami, for example, offers free admission to all visitors on the last Sunday of each month.
Best museums in South Florida
A tropical hub for culture and creation, Florida has jaw-dropping museums showcasing everything from art to science to history. Whether you want to get lost in a museum of stained glass or learn about Florida’s natural history, there’s something for everyone at these top-rated South Florida museums.
The Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach is one of the most popular arts and culture museums in the state. It features an array of exhibitions from modern art to African-American and Cuban art. It’s also a short 10-minute drive from AMLI Sawgrass Village and AMLI Toscana Place.
Broward County’s science museum may not have the sexy rooftop of Miami’s Frost, but it does offer an IMAX theater and popcorn! The museum has been expanding recently, with a 34,000-square-foot EcoDiscovery Center that opened in 2011 and has the best dinosaur fossil exhibit in the state. The museum also lets visitors take an airboat ride through a mocked-up Everglades, see cute otters doing their thing, and pose inside a shark mouth for the perfect Instagram photo.
Located in the Coral Gables police and fire station, this museum celebrates George Merrick’s vision of creating the first planned city in America. It’s filled with original costumes, train cars, and a full model of the Ringling Circus in its heyday. This museum is a must-see for any true circus buff.
