Top Five Miami Museums

Miami has a collection of very interesting museums that offer respite from the heat and a precious amount of time for your kids to relax. Before heading out, it's important to know which museums are worth your time and admission (although some of the best ones are free!!) Here are the top five Miami museums.

Miami Art Museum

The Miami Art Museum is the city's premier center for contemporary and modern art. Like the city itself, this museum is a fusion of American, Caribbean, and Latin American influences, with artwork representing each region. It has rapidly evolved into one of the south's more eclectic and cutting edge art museums, and it has collections by artists such as Beckmann, Fischl, and Rauschenberg. The Miami Art Museum has cemented its place amongst the top five Miami museums not only by including works by well known artists, but also by fostering the growth of local artists as well through dedicated exhibits. Admission to the Miami Art Museum costs less than $10, and it is free on the second Saturday of every month. Of course, expect a larger crowd than normal on those particular days.

Miami Children's Museum

There are few better places to take your kids for a few hours of fun and air conditioning than the Miami Children's Museum. Like other children's museums, the exhibits here are fun and interactive. The exhibits cover a variety of subjects, including health, the Everglades, the ocean, and financial responsibility. It also has Miami-specific exhibits, including a mock Port of Miami and the chance to set foot in the city's different neighborhoods. With a teddy bear workshop, rock climbing wall, and a recording studio, this top five Miami museum will entertain your kids for an entire afternoon. And, if you're lucky, maybe just tired enough to grant you an evening on the town sans children.

Jewish Museum of Florida

Florida has had a vibrant Jewish community for centuries, and the Jewish Museum of Florida documents this phenomenon throughout its history, from 1763 to present day. This is one of the best five Miami museums for its dedication to a unique aspect of local history, and its exhibits offer interesting insights to different parts of the Jewish Floridian experience. Some exhibits offer art done by the state's Jewish residents, while others document stories and time periods through photo collections and personal items. Admission is only $6 for single adults and $12 for families, and no admission is charged on Saturdays.

Bay of Pigs Museum

The Bay of Pigs Museum is another museum that focuses on a unique event and its effects on life in Miami. This top five Miami museum documents the impact of the failed Bay of Pigs Invasion on Miami's considerable Latin population, and how it affected the culture and daily life of the city. It also offers insight into how the Cuban Revolution impacted the city, as well.

Frost Art Museum

The Frost Art Museum is another of the best art museums in the city, and one of the overall top five Miami museums. It is located on the Florida International University's campus, and like the Miami Art Museum, it focuses on work created by Latin American, Caribbean, and American artists. The media represented at the Frost Art Museum are varied, and you'll find sculptures, paintings, and more.

While you're sightseeing, check out more Miami attractions.