Miami Museums

(Miami, Florida - FL, USA)

The city of Miami may well be known for its beaches and nightlife, but is also gaining something of a reputation for its plentiful museums. Concentrating on a wide variety of different subject matters, including everything from police and railway heritage, to wildlife, religion and the history of Southern Florida, the museums of Miami certainly do add a dose of culture.

Close to the Dade County Courthouse, the downtown MiamiHistory is especially notable and stands on West Flagler Street, where exhibits span some 12,000 years' worth of history. Also of note is the Deering Estate Environmental Center on Southwest 72nd Avenue, and the Florida Pioneer complex on Krome Avenue.

MiamiHistory

Address: Miami-Dade Cultural Center, 101 West Flagler Street, Miami, Florida FL, 33130, USA.
Tel: +1 305 375 1492
Located downtown, MiamiHistory (formerly the Historical Museum of Southern Florida) uses traditional and state-of-the-art exhibitions and installations to chronicle to lives of the people that played an important part in the history of South Florida. With a number of interactive displays, such as an old streetcar, there are exhibits depicting Miami and the surrounding areas many years before Europe was aware of the existence of this 'New World'. One of the museum's most popular exhibits recounts the unusual influence that railroads had in bringing the city and the rest of South Florida into the American cultural mainstream.
Open hours: Tuesday to Friday - 10:00 to 17:00, Saturday and Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors and children between six and 12 years old, children six years old and under are free

Gold Coast Railroad Museum

Address: 12450 Southwest 152nd Street, Miami, Florida FL, 33177-1402, USA
Tel: +1 305 253 0063
The Gold Coast Railroad Museum is one of Miami's most popular and impressive. Home to around 30 large, retired locomotives, the Gold Coast Railroad attraction features many trains and carriages of important historical significance. Of particular interest is the Ferdinand Magellan, a 1928 Pullman sleeping car redesigned in 1942 for President Franklin Roosevelt, with 3-inch bullet resistant glass and an observation lounge, which is now actually designated as a national historic landmark. A train ride is included in the price of admission.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 16:00, Saturday and Sunday - 11:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children up to 12 years old, children two years old and under are free

Florida Pioneer Museum

Address: 826 North Krome Avenue, Florida City, Florida FL, 33034, USA
Tel: +1 305 246 9531
Situated between North-West 8th and 9th Streets, the Florida Pioneer Museum is a small and informative museum of local pioneer and Indian artifacts. The building itself is a good example of early South Dade architecture, featuring a shady verandah, peaked roof, attic area and dormer windows. Built in 1904 as a house for the Florida East Coast Railroad station agent, the Florida Pioneer building was moved to this site in 1964.
Open hours: November to April, Wednesday and Saturday - 13:00 to 17:00, May to October, by appointment only
Admission: free

Arch Creek Park and Museum

Address: 1855 Northeast 135th Street, North Miami, Florida FL, 33181, USA
Tel: +1 305 944 6111
Arch Creek Park can be found in the North Miami Beach district and is a small park, full of wildlife, native plants and interesting nature trails. One of the main attractions at Arch Creek Park is the museum itself, which is an impressive nature center, full of historic artifacts from the area. Picnic areas are available close by and there are often special events in the park.
Open hours: Wednesday to Sunday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Wings Over Miami Museum

Address: 14710 Southwest 128th Street, Miami, Florida FL, 33196, USA
Tel: +1 305 233 5197
Formerly the location of the Weeks Air Museum collection, which has since relocated away from Miami, the Wings Over Miami Museum includes a number of planes in perfect flying condition, Cold War jets, vintage aircraft and military trainers.
Open hours: Wednesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors and children under 12 years old

Deering Estate at Cutler

Address: 16701 Southwest 72nd Avenue, Miami, Florida FL, 33157, USA
Tel: +1 305 235 1668
Located in South Miami, close to Biscayne Bay, the Deering Estate is a wildlife haven covering more than 400 acres and is full of native plants and animals. The Deering Estate is also home to the city's Environmental Center, which is an interesting museum with many exhibits about the area.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children between the age of four and 14 years old

Jewish Museum of Florida

Address: 301 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida FL, 33139, USA
Tel: +1 305 672 5044
Originally the first synagogue in the Miami Beach district, in South Miami, the Jewish Museum of Florida celebrates over 200 years of Judaism in South Florida. There are many permanent exhibitions at this venue, featuring a number of interesting religious artifacts.
Admission: charge, discount rates available for senior and children, children six years old and under are free, Saturdays are free
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Address: 3251 South Miami Avenue, Miami, Florida FL, 33129, USA
Tel: +1 305 250 9133
This United States National Historic Landmark was once the home of James Deering. Visitors are able to view many of the furniture and antiques collected by the businessman.
Admission: charge, discount rates available for senior and children, children six years old and under are free, Saturdays are free
Open hours: Wednesday to Monday - 09:30 to 16:30