Known for beaches, parties and pastels, South Florida isn’t getting the love it deserves for its cultural institutions. The region is chock full of art (both street and classic varieties), not to mention science museums that rival the best in the country. From newly minted favorites like Frost Science Museum and The Bass to long (long) time establishments like Vizcaya, we think one of the best ways to experience Miami, Boca Raton and everything in between is at a museum. Here are 15 museums in South Florida every kid should visit at least once:
1. Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
World Red Eye
Where: 1101 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL
In 2017, the Frost Museum of Science reopened to curious Miami families with floors of STEM activities and interactive exhibits. The museum is built around a three-level indoor and outdoor aquarium that takes visitors from the surface to the depths of South Florida’s aquatic ecosystems. The top level includes a stingray touch tank, as well as sharks swimming about, and by the time you get to the bottom level, you can look up through an oculus lens to the creatures swimming above. Plus, there’s the whole rest of the museum to explore, including a planetarium and an amazingly interactive River of Grass exhibit, which includes a hi-tech, indoor virtual Everglades. Read our complete guide here.
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Robin Hill
Where: 1103 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL
Every parent worries that bringing kids to the art museum will prove seriously problematic. But at The PAMM, there are a number of special days centered specifically around children. On Second Saturdays, families are invited for free admission and art-making workshops perfect for youngsters. And on every fourth Saturday, little ones ages three to give can come in for story time and age-based art activities. The outdoor sculpture garden is gorgeous, and grown ups will love experiencing a bit of culture. Because The PAMM is a contemporary museum, the pieces seem to be of more interest to children anyway as many of them include light, sound and video work. Read our complete guide here.
Miami Children’s Museum
Where: 980 MacArthur Causeway, Miami, FL
If you’re going to take your little ones anywhere in Miami, without a doubt it must be to the Miami Children’s Museum. This 56,000-square foot building houses more fun than you ever thought possible. Let your kids dictate the tunes at the brand new Music Makers Studio. Dive deep into the the world of sea creatures at the Ocean Odyssey or the Sea and Me exhibits. Get lost in the Castle of Dreams or climb high at Mt. MiChiMu. Your kids will love all the interactive, educational and inspirational exhibits, and you’ll love the nap time that comes after a visit. Read our complete guide here.
Young at Art Museum
Where: 751 Southwest 121st Avenue, Davie, FL
This Fort Lauderdale museum is focused on embracing all types of art, so you’ll be doing more than cut and paste work here. Every exhibit allows kids to explore the hidden art in their surroundings, whether it’s the great outdoors or the art of global cultures. Make giant bubbles, pretend to ride an eerily authentic NYC subway train or get lost in the tunnel playscape while learning about magnetic fields. There’s even a whole exhibit just for the four and under set. The price is a bit hefty for a family of four, but you can pack lunch or dine at their healthy in-house restaurant to make a whole day of it! It’s not hard to pass several hours here, we promise.
5. HistoryMiami
HistoryMiami
Where: 101 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL
While visiting a history museum might not be the first idea your kids comes up with, they will certainly enjoy visiting this one. Visitors will learn about Miami’s past via a number of interactive exhibitions at this Smithsonian affiliate museum. You should really try to come on HistoryMiami’s Second Saturdays, when admission is free for families and activities like crafts, story times and special tours are planned for younger guests.
6. The Boca Raton Children’s Museum
Discover The Palm Beaches
Where: 498 Crawford Blvd, Boca Raton, FL
Kids can put on a show at the puppet stage, or go shopping for groceries at the market. There is lots of opportunity for pretend play here, with the enormous collection of costumes. Outside the museum, there is a pirate ship and fort for climbing and captain-ing. Parents can get together for lunch under one of the gumbo-limbo trees while the kids re-enact Pirates of the Caribbean. There are also programs to inspire kids every day of the week including Sensory Arts, Imagination Playground and Inspiration Station, which introduces the littlest creators to watercolors, charcoal and sculpture arts.
7. The Boca Raton Museum of Art
Discover The Palm Beaches
Where: 501 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, FL
This Boca Raton landmark may have been a favorite of yours pre-baby. But this museum also offers family memberships and an impressive array traveling exhibits including the likes of Andy Warhol and Helena Rubenstein. Now that you’re a parent, bring the kids for ARTful Adventure Sundays, when art educators will teach and engage kids with a lesson and craft. Have a more serious artist on your hands? There’s an entire art school connected to the museum, and kids can start as young as five.
8. Museum of Discovery and Science
Where: 401 Southwest 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL
It’s hard to imagine spending a day indoors in South Florida, but the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science is not only worth it, your kids will praise you endlessly for bringing them. The numerous large aquariums with everything from fish and playful otters to baby alligators will delight the animal lovers. For history buffs, the Prehistoric Florida area features a giant 50-foot Megalodon, a live dig pit, a saber-toothed cat and an Imperial Mammoth. Adventure seekers won’t be bored after taking a ride on the Everglades Airboat Adventure. And if you really need to stretch things out, the IMAX theater is always a treat!
9. South Florida Science Center and Aquarium
Discover The Palm Beaches
Where: 4801 Dreher Trail N, West Palm Beach, FL
This science center in West Palm Beach has undergone some recent renovations making it more exciting to visit than ever. Inside, watch some of Florida’s most beautiful native fish species swimming in the 10,000 gallon Aquariums of the Atlantic, see a show in the planetarium and learn about the Everglades ecosystem. There’s a new 18-hole miniature golf Conservation Course, as well as a Discovery Center and playground especially for the six and under bunch. Nanotechnology, outer space, climate change and conservation exhibits are just a few of the things you can learn about here. Camps, early childhood classes, free coding classes and a robotics team are all available for those who want to learn even more.
10. The Bass
Zachary Balber/The Bass
Where: 2100 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL
This newly reopened Miami art museum is a manageable size for families, and chock full of accessible exhibits for little artists. The Bass Babies weekly art class for ages two to four offers creativity and hands-on art activities. The class is only $5 for members and requires no commitment. As children get older, they can participate in a variety of portfolio workshops and weekly classes that further their artistic skills across a range of mediums. The museum’s free, monthly Family Days (held the last Sunday of the month) are are also a can’t-miss. Don’t skip a visit to the outdoor terrace, aka the perfect place for restless kids to blow off a little steam before delving back into the world of art! Read our complete guide here.
Vizcaya
Where: 3251 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL
While a historic mansion might not strike you as a great place for children, you’d be surprised how many Miami families report having a blast here with their kids. If you’ve got younger little ones, you’ll want to keep them close (the museum itself is filled with more than 2,500 pieces of art and historic furnishings) so as not to touch anything. But once outside, they’ll love exploring the 25 acres of garden, including hedge mazes and beautiful views of Biscayne Bay.
12. The Children’s Science Explorium
Sugar Sand Park
Where: 300 South Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL
Where: Located conveniently for Boca Raton families, the Children’s Science Explorium is 4,000-square-feet of hands-on scientific fun. Along with their semi-permanent exhibits pertaining to all aspects of the physical sciences, the Explorium also hosts traveling exhibits about the human body, outer space, natural disasters and much more. There are once-a-month Science Squad classes that tackle a different topic each month, camps during every school break, free weekend science programming including demos, science stories and activities at the Science Playground—and that’s just scratching the surface.,
13. Gold Coast Railroad Museum
Where: 12450 S.W. 152nd Street, Miami, FL
With more than 40 historic rail cars on site (some of which are available for rides), plus play areas for the toddlers in your bunch, both kids and adults will find themselves with plenty to do here. Start your visit with a self-guided tour. First, check out the beautifully preserved passenger and freight cars located underneath the hangar. Children will enjoy climbing aboard each and exploring them from end to end. The piece-de-resistance though, which older kids may appreciate, is the Ferdinand Magellan, the gorgeous presidential rail car that once served President Franklin D. Roosevelt and is now listed as a National Historic Landmark! A room full of train tables entertain youngsters (no surprise there) and annual events like Day Out with Thomas and the Polar Express rides are something you won’t find anywhere else. Read our complete guide here.
14. Deering Estate
Elisa Rolle
Where: 16701 SW 72nd Ave, Miami, FL
Deering Estate is certainly one of Miami’s most understated attractions. This beautiful indoor/outdoor space in Palmetto Bay is great for kids of all ages thanks to its wide, expansive (444 acres) park-like feel. Visitors can tour two historic homes on the grounds, where the collection of fine and decorative arts of Charles Deering are on display. But unlike most museums, you can also take canoe tours to the nearby mangrove-covered island, go on butterfly walks and nature hikes, too. School vacation camps and the Saturday morning Discover @ Deering program (offered the first Saturday of the month) are guaranteed to get your kids interested in this gem of Florida history and ecology.
15. Institute of Contemporary Art
Sonja Garnitschnig
Where: 61 NE 41st St, Miami, FL
Re-opened to the public at the end of 2017, this contemporary art museum is right at home in Miami’s Design District. While the city may have a lot of options for contemporary art viewing, we love any chance to jump start a convo with our littles about creativity, especially in a building as gorgeous as this one. Large scale sculptures, a 15,000-square-foot garden, curious installations and work by local artists will all be on view here as part of both permanent and rotating exhibits. The third Sunday of every month is a free family day (though admission is always free!), complete with performances and art making activities just for pint-sized art lovers.
