What’s better than a day at the museum? A free museum day!
If you’ve got a big family, admission costs can add up quickly. And what happens when your visit gets cut short by an unexpected meltdown from a little one? Fortunately, the Miami and Fort Lauderdale areas are home to fantastic museums and parks that offer free admission on select days, whether it’s monthly or even weekly.
We’ve rounded up the best options to make planning easy. We’ve also included free weekly storytimes, monthly craft workshops, STEM programs, and family-friendly concert series you’ll want to add to your calendar. Looking for even more budget-friendly fun? Check out our South Florida & Miami Free Activities Guide.
So grab the grandparents, meet up with friends, and finally visit that spot you’ve always meant to explore—all without spending a dime. And if the day ends in a meltdown? Hey, at least it didn’t cost you anything.
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Free Museum Days and Free Admission Days in Miami and South Florida
First Thursday of the month
Visitors enjoy free museum admission on every first Thursday of the month as part of the Sunny Days and Starry Nights program. The event also features all-day happy hour in the Museum Cafe. Read More
Weekly on Saturday
The Jewish Museum of Florida offers free admission on Saturdays. Housed in two historic Art Deco buildings, the museum preserves and interprets Florida's Jewish history from 1763 through today. Read More
Last Sunday of the month
Enjoy free admission and art activities for kids and caregivers on the last Sunday of every month for Family Day. Read More
Second Saturday of the month
Walk through history for free at this museum on the historic site of the old police and fire station in Coral Gables, where visitors explore the former jail cells and courtroom. The museum celebrates Coral Gables’ past and culture. Read More
Second Saturday of the month
Family Fun Day offers free admission and kids activities all day on the second Saturday of the month at the museum, which teaches and tells the stories of Miami. Each month features a different theme. Read More
First Saturdays of the month
First Saturdays are free at the Gold Coast Railroad Museum. Go on a train ride, or just check out the vintage rail cars, model train displays, and Thomas the Tank Engine play tables for little ones. Read More
Third Thursday of the month
Visitors enjoy free admission at The Bass Museum of Art monthly on Third Thursdays from 6 to 9pm. Additonally, Miami Beach and Surfside residents enjoy FREE admission year-round. Read More
Weekly, Wednesday - Sunday
Admission to the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami is free Wednesdays. through Sundays, 11am-6pm. Visit at noon to attend a daily free tour. Family Sundays are offered select weeks, welcoming children of all abilities to engage in contemporary art through a variety of adapted activities connecting to the museum’s exhibitions. Read More
Second Saturday of the month
Visit the Perez Art Museum Miami for free family fun days every second Saturday of the month. The day includes family-friendly tours and chances for children to create their own art. Read More
Weekly on Saturday
The Observatory is open for public viewings on Saturday evenings starting at sunset, hosted by the South Florida Amateur Astronomers Association. Read More
Free STEM and Nature Events for Kids in Miami and South Florida
Daily
View manatees up close during manatee season at this 16,000-square-foot center that features engaging, hands-on exhibits for visitors to learn about these threatened and unique creatures. Read More
Weekly on Fridays
Enjoy free animal encounters at Green Cay Nature Center each Friday, no reservation required. Encounters take place in the main exhibit hall. Read More
Weekly, Thursdays & Saturdays
A Green Cay naturalist leads a free animal feeding presentation for all ages, no reservation required. Kids get to watch the animal eat and learn about it at this weekly Feed and Talk. Read More
Fridays through Sundays
Broward's only island park is a nature-oriented refuge rich in both regional history, flora and fauna. It is located on the Intracoastal Waterway and accessible only by boat. A free shuttle runs from the mainland every hour from 10am to 3pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Read More
Monthly on select Mondays
The Science Explorium at Sugar Sand Park hosts a monthly telescope night in the Camino parking lot behind the Explorium (weather permitting). Read More
First Saturday of the month
Heal the Planet leads guided tours through Snyder Park, where families get to know the ecosystem and wild plants native to the area. The nature tour goes through the tropical hardwood hammocks of the park, the Tropical Regenerative Garden, Butterfly Garden, Food Forest, and Wetland Boardwalk Trail. Read More
Daily
Visitors are invited to view a daily sea turtle feeding with an educational presentation about resident green sea turtles Captain and Cane. The Marine Environmental Education Center focuses on protecting the oceans and sea turtles with exhibits and a saltwater pool, where you can watch rescued sea turtles swim and eat. Read More
First Saturday of the month
On the first Saturday of each month, the Sugar Sand Park Science Explorium adjusts the lights and sounds throughout, creating a sensory-modified setting for all kids to have an opportunity to explore the venue in a way that makes them most comfortable. Read More
Third Saturday and Sunday of the month
Join the Explorium staff and dig a little deeper into some exciting scientific principles. Spark your curiosity during these free 30-minute interactive demonstrations. Engaging explanations combine with audience participation to create an enjoyable learning experience for everyone. Read More
Select Wednesdays and Saturdays
Heal the Planet offers free Young SEEDs in the Park workshops for children ages 5 to 12. Sessions include gardening, food demos, yoga, breathwork, mindfulness exercises, and more. Read More
Free Concert and Movie Series for Kids in South Florida
Seasonally
Bring your own chairs and blankets, and come early to get a good seat at this free, outdoor, family-friendly movie night shown on a two-story inflatable screen. Read More
First Friday of each month
This monthly, free family event takes place at Centennial Park and Amphitheater and features a different band every month, plus food trucks and an array of activities for children. Read More
Select days year round
This free live outdoor venue is both picturesque and casual with its oceanside location. Favorite local bands play nightly from Wednesday to Sunday. Read More
Weekly, Friday-Sunday
Gulfstream Park’s Music in the Park series features a collection of local performers, with weekly duos, trios, and DJ’s performing outside Friday through Sunday nights at the Village Center Stage. Read More
Monthly on select Fridays
Families can enjoy a fun-filled outdoor movie night at downtown Palm Beach Gardens. Read More
Second Friday of most months
The West Palm Beach waterfront transforms into a theater under the stars for family-friendly movies, featuring both classic films and newer flicks for you to enjoy. Read More
Wednesdays, October through May
Gather under the stars at SoundScape Park for Miami Beach’s favorite outdoor cinema series. Presented by the City of Miami Beach, the Soundscape Cinema Series returns for its 15th edition to enrich and connect the community through the art of cinema. Read More
Third Sunday of select months
Sunday on the Waterfront is a free, family-friendly concert series that takes place on the third Sunday of the each month on the West Palm Beach waterfront. It’s a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon in South Florida. Read More
Third Friday of each month
This free arts and music festival typically takes place on the third Friday of each month on Calle Ocho, in the heart of Little Havana. Read More
Free Storytimes and Craft Events for Kids in South Florida
Weekly on Saturday
Every Saturday, Barnes & Noble hosts an upbeat storytime featuring seasonal stories. Read More
Weekly on Saturday
Little ones ages 5 and younger can enjoy a class with fun stories, music and movement, songs, and rhymes. Read More
First Saturday of select months
The Frank welcomes families to enjoy a free storytime and self-led art activity. Stop by the front desk for an exhibition-specific scavenger hunt and enjoy exploring the gallery with your family. Read More
First Saturday of the month
Enjoy a free hands-on workshop at which you and your child make something to take home. Read More
Third Saturday of the month
Bring your mini-DIYers for a workshop hosted by the Red Vest experts monthly. Kids can build something to take home with them. Read More
Weekly on Saturday
Enjoy playing and learning while listening to a science-inspired story every Saturday morning with the staff at the park. Read More