13 Free Things to Do in Miami

Miami is known for its arts, culture, Cuban heritage and hefty price tag. But it's more than possible to get a feel for the personality of the city without breaking the bank. These events are completely free of charge and most of them are family friendly. Depending on when you visit, you'll find plenty of free things to do in Miami such as guided bike tours, block parties, free museum days, gorgeous outdoor spaces and more.

When visiting large cities there’s no shortage of things to see and do, which can make planning feel overwhelming at times. If you’re planning a trip and not sure where to start, here we suggest some of the best free things in Miami.

1. Miami Beach Culture Crawl

• Location: Washington Ave. and a few other locations in Miami Beach
• Type of Activity: Museums, Film, Music, Art and More
• Time to Spend: 2-3 hours

The third Thursday of every month from 6-9 p.m. institutions all over Miami Beach open their doors, offering up a wealth of cultural experiences. A free trolley connects the stops along the route, which include the New World Symphony, the Jewish Museum of Florida, the Bass and Miami Beach Botanical Gardens, to name a few. Whether you're in it for music, street art, or a free film screening, you'll likely find it somewhere along the route. And unless you stop for dinner while you're exploring, every stop and the experiences along the way are completely free.

2. The Underline Community Events

• Location: Below the Miami Metro, from the Miami River south to 13th Street
• Type of Activity: Fitness Classes, Art Exhibits, Tours
• Time to Spend: 1-3 hours

The Underline is a public park offering more than your average playground equipment. Sprawling 10 miles from 13th Street to the Miami River directly underneath the elevated metro line, the Underline offers urban gyms, running/walking paths, public art exhibits and gardens featuring native plants and stones. The Underline typically has a full calendar of community events, as well, from free outdoor concerts to fitness classes and guided tours.

3. Miami Beach Botanical Garden

• Location: 2000 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
• Type of Activity: Outdoor Garden and Art Displays
• Time to Spend: 2-3 hours

The Miami Beach Botanical Garden spans a lush 3 acres in the heart of Miami. Here, you'll take in a huge variety of exotic tropical plants, otherworldly art displays and meticulously landscaped gardens that feel like a refreshing escape from the glitz and sparkle of Miami Beach. General admission to the Miami Beach Botanical Garden is always free and an array of free community events, from yoga to jazz, offer something for just about everyone.

4. Second Saturdays at Pérez Art Museum

• Location: 1103 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
• Type of Activity: Art Museum
• Time to Spend: 2+ hours

The Pérez Art Museum has an internationally-acclaimed collection of contemporary artwork--and you can enjoy it for free on the second Saturday of every month. PAMM incorporates immersive and interactive displays that will make you feel like you've entered another world. You could spend the entire day here and kids and teens will also find a lot to love as they explore.

5. Miami Institute of Contemporary Art

• Location: 61 NE 41st St, Miami, FL 33137
• Type of Activity: Art Museum
• Time to Spend: 2+ hours

The Miami Institute of Contemporary Art is free to explore, but it is recommended to reserve timed tickets ahead of the time you plan to visit. One of the most popular free things to do in Miami, the Institute of Contemporary Art isn't large, but it packs a punch. You'll find a little bit of everything here: an outdoor sculpture area, multiple galleries featuring the work of contemporary artists and free guided tours of the exhibits. At times, they even offer free activities for kids on site.

6. Viernes Culturales in Little Havana

• Location: Calle Ocho, mostly between 13th and 17th Avenues
• Type of Activity: Music, Food, Dance
• Time to Spend: 2+ hours

The third Friday of every month, Little Havana bumps to life for Viernes Culturales--essentially, a huge block party/night market. There's no entry fee, though you'll likely want to indulge in a cafecito or a plate of spicy, flavorful specialties served up by local vendors. Expect live music, a free walking tour, or just strolling through the neighborhood to soak up the atmosphere.

7. Critical Mass

• Location: Downtown Miami
• Type of Activity: Guided Bike Ride
• Time to Spend: 1+ hour

Critical Mass is a large, guided group bike ride touring some of the most scenic areas of the city. It's one of the highlights of Miami's cycling scene and offers something for everyone--including the opportunity to discover new favorite routes on two wheels. It's totally free to drop in, though you'll need to bring your own bike and helmet (there are plenty of rental places around if you're traveling without your own).

8. SoundScape Cinema Series

• Location: 400 17th St, Miami Beach, FL 33139
• Type of Activity: Open-Air Movie and Concert Screenings
• Time to Spend: 2-3 hours

From May through October, you can enjoy a free movie or concert in the park each week, projected onto the side of the New World Center. The park becomes an alfresco theater with a 7,000 square foot screen--a truly impressive to watch a family favorite movie or to take in a concert by the New World Symphony. The events are completely free; bring a picnic blanket and a snack and settle in to enjoy the show.

9. Latin Dance Lessons at Ball & Chain

• Location: 1513 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135
• Type of Activity: Latin Dance
• Time to Spend: 2+ hours

Ball & Chain is an iconic Little Havana nightclub that started in the 1930's; it's still something of a Miami institution. And you can enjoy a pro bono Latin dance class here at 9pm most weeknights, taught by a rotation of local dance professionals. The lessons are free and relatively short, but you might be tempted by the BOGO mojitos served during happy hour.

10. Jazz Concerts at the Museum of Contemporary Art

• Location: 770 NE 125th St, North Miami, FL 33161
• Type of Activity: Concert
• Time to Spend: 2-3 hours

Miami, perhaps unsurprisingly, is home to its own unique jazz scene--complete with a free monthly concert. The Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami hosts free jazz concerts on the green, rain or shine, the last Friday of every month. Admission to the museum itself is by donation on jazz night, so take some time to explore the exhibits while you're there.

11. Family Fun Days at History Miami

• Location: 101 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL, 33130
• Type of Activity: Interactive Museum
• Time to Spend: 2-3 hours

Have kids or teens in tow? History Miami is always a fun place to visit, but it's only free on Family Fun Days, typically the second Saturday of each month. On Family Fun Day, you'll enjoy a slew of kid-friendly activities that let you experience history hands-on. You'll also get free access to all the exhibits in the museum.

12. Free Outdoor Yoga Classes Around Miami

• Location: Varies
• Type of Activity: Health and Fitness
• Time to Spend: ~1 hour

If you’re looking for some soothing exercise you'll find a variety of free yoga classes around town. FP Movement offers free guided yoga classes at CocoWalk, while 3rd Street Yoga offers both sunrise and sunset yoga classes every day of the week. On Saturdays, you'll find a free Hatha yoga class at Legion Park and if you're feeling adventurous on Sundays, you could try out acro-yoga at South Pointe Park. It turns out that Miami is quite a bendy city, so you'll find plenty of options, no matter when you're visiting.

13. Gold Coast Railroad Museum

• Location: 12450 SW 152nd St, Miami, FL 33177
• Type of Activity: Museum
• Time to Spend: 1-2 hours

You don't have to be a train buff to enjoy the Gold Coast Railroad Museum, which offers free admission inside the station on the first Saturday of each month. You'll get to walk around numerous historic train cars, learn about the history of railroading on the Gold Coast and even get to see inside the Ferdinand Magellan armored presidential train car. A small museum with a big impact, this is a great stop for those who enjoy history, trains, or both.

These are just a few of the top Miami free things; chances are good you'll find more during your visit. From gorgeous outdoor spaces to museums and free events, Miami really does have a little of everything--even for those who are on a budget.

Planning Your Trip to Miami 

When thinking of the best time to visit Miami it’s important to know that AAA members can access perks and take advances for vacation planning such as getting the best discounts on hotels, rental cars and entertainment tickets.