Best Museums in Three Lakes

"DowntownMiami’s largest art museum is as much a showcase of architectural mastery as any other art form, where large rooms, rounded walls, and hanging gardens with more than 54,000 plants give it an aesthetic like no other art museum in the world. The view’s not bad either, where you’ll catch glimpses of Biscayne Bay in between showcases of contemporary art from throughout Latin America and the world. The museum is also home to Verde, which we’ll humbly call the best museum restaurant in America even without its breezy bayside terrace.Know before you go: PAMM is currently only open 2-9 pm on Thursday, and 11 am - 6 pm Friday through Sunday."

"Once upon a time, Miami's place for modern art downtown was known as the Miami Art Museum. It was a well-sized museum adjacent to the Government Center and was a mish mash of contemporary and modern art from around the world. But in 2013, the former MAM outgrew its old home and was transported to a waterfront lot that, in conjunction with the soon-to-be-open Patricia and Phillip Frost Science Museum, would become Museum Park."

"In the midst of rusted warehouses and concrete blah, there's a pastel-and-graffiti explosion of urban art. Wynwood Walls is a collection of murals and paintings laid out over an open courtyard that invariably bowls people over with its sheer color profile and unexpected location. What’s on offer tends to change with the coming and going of major arts events such as Art Basel, but it's always interesting stuff."

"2520 NW 2nd Ave, This is also a huge stop for Instagrammers!. This neighborhood showcases vibrant and colorful murals on the walls of many of the buildings. Get lost in the art and stay for the great restaurants and shopping."

"In the midst of rusted warehouses and concrete blah, there's a pastel-and-graffiti explosion of urban art. Wynwood Walls is a collection of murals and paintings laid out over an open courtyard that invariably..."

"These are just some of the artists whose work can be found in the impressive collection at the Institute of Contemporary Art–"a space committed to the advancement of 20th and 21st-century art in Miami and beyond. The ICA three-story building features numerous rotating exhibitions, complete with an outdoor sculpture garden. But what sets the ICA apart (aside from their free admission, which is huge for a Miami museum to offer) are their public programs–"which are also free to the community. From lectures to symposiums, panel discussions to film screenings, plus multiple educational youth programs, the ICA truly is a space where all artistic thought is welcomed and nurtured. Recommended for Free Things to Do because: Free museum tours are held on Sundays and are the perfect way to spend an afternoon learning about history and architecture."

"Art lovers won’t want to skip a visit to the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) in Miami. This free museum is located in the Miami Design District and is focused on fostering the exchange of art and ideas through the Miami region and beyond. With exhibitions from local, emerging, and under-recognized artists, this is the place to visit if you want to support the arts."

"HistoryMiami doesn't sound like the name of a historical museum, which is exactly what organizers and board members had in mind. The less-bulky name signified a new direction for what was previously called the Historical Museum of Southern Florida. Today, the museum, which actually began as a historical association in 1940 (George Merrick and Marjory Stoneman Douglas were members) continues to offer the exhibits that were developed throughout the previous decades, along with new ones."

"Don’t let the museum’s rather plain Mediterranean-style building and courtyard fool you: Inside, HistoryMiami paints a colorful portrait of how the city transformed itself from a mosquito-filled swampland to one of the country’s most vibrant urban areas. Located in Miami’s downtown, the museum is not one you’ll likely stumble upon while wandering the city—which is a good thing if you prefer quieter spaces ($10/adult). Find out more: https://www.historymiami.org/"

"Situated inside the University of Miami, this long-standing museum is a favorite for UM students and the Coral Gables community. The Lowe is home to a well-rounded collection of art from the Italian Renaissance, Baroque, Greco-Roman, and Spanish Old Masters, among others. The museum also holds a sizeable assortment of Native American, African, and Asian art and antiquities."

"Miami's reputation on the international art scene tends to focus on the new. The Magic City is the place where, once a year, collectors from around the world come to scope out the cutting edge of contemporary art. But what about the old?"

"The privately funded luxury collection of Rosa and Carlos de la Cruz finally got a name as the de la Cruz Collection in Miami, designed by John Marquette. The de la Cruz art museum, established in 2009, has been the home of the art-lovers for more than three decades, and now they have opened it for the public to encourage the free flow of artistic thoughts in the neighborhood. Covering an area of 30,000 square feet, the gallery is stuffed with contemporary art exhibits and also organizes lectures, summer workshops, and scholarships for students at DASH and NWSA."

"Arrive at the de la Cruz Collection ready to learn and explore the expanses of the visual arts. The museum, owned by Cuba natives Carlos and Rosa de la Cruz, is rife with thought-provoking exhibits like the current “Progressive Praxis,” which delves into the implications of technology on contemporary art. The de la Cruz Collection is pleasing to both visitors’ artistic curiosities and their wallets--admission is completely free of charge!"

"At Miami Children’s Museum, kids can wander through more than 14 interactive and bilingual galleries here. The Sea & Me, Ocean Odyssey, the Health & Wellness Center and the Supermarket are just a few of the stimulating spots where children can have a good time while learning about the world around them. A full calendar of exhibits and special events adds to the fun."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user qwesy qwesy used under CC BY 3.0. You may have visited many kids’ museums with your young ones, but this is not like the traditional ones you have seen before. It features an interactive playground for children and aims to help them attain their maximum potential."

"The food and seating options are endless – making it the best spot to work on South Beach. Make sure you visit the one on 7th, since 17th is in the midst of a tourism central. If you’re craving something sweet, try one of their blended coffee shakes!"

"From Business: Fresh and innovative sandwiches, salads, soups, sweets and more. Specialty coffee is ground from the world's finest beans and prepared by expert baristi."

"The chocolate brigadeiro cake at Sagrado Cafe is an indulgent combination of moist layers of chocolate cake and brigadeiros, Brazil's signature truffle. Thanks to sweetened condensed milk in the truffle mixture, the cake remains moist despite the absence of frosting. To add to the richness, mini brigadeiros top the whole thing ($8 to $69 depending upon the size)."

"With an enchanted garden atmosphere, this Brazilian café in downtown Miami is a great place for family bonding time. Kids' meals ($14) start with a sharable warm basket of gluten-free cheese bread and a choice of soda or juice. Then it's on to their own plate of chicken Milanese, served with a side of rice, fries, or mac 'n' cheese."

"Italian , Bakery/Cafe"

"Cafe/Bakery , Italian"

"Restaurants Ice cream parlors Design District. Pastry chef Soraya Caraccioli-Kilgore’s playful dessert spot sells vibrant unicorn cakes, rich chocolate bark and soft-serve in unexpected flavors. Her ice cream, in varieties such as matcha and berry rhubarb, is already pretty special yet she always finds a way to kick it up a notch with add-ons like edible glitter, gold leaf, gold dust, cotton candy and fancy sprinkles—and we’re all the more grateful for it."

"Soraya Kilgore — best known as the pastry chef at restaurants like Brava and Alter — is the woman behind this palace of sweets in Miami's Design District. MadLab Creamery isn't just about the ice cream, however. This spot also entices young and old to create their own sweet-treat work of art via more than 30 toppings, including edible glitter, tufts of pink cotton candy, golden-sheet sprinkles, even a macaroon or two."

"If you are really looking to treat yourself, head to Chez Bon Bon after dinner. Order an espresso or special drink like The Mochaâ€"made with espresso, steamed milk, and ghiradelli chocolate. This patisserie makes everything from scratch. From the hand-rolled chocolate croissants to cakes, macaroons, marshmallows, and 28 flavors of gelato."

"Restaurants Miami Beach. Find this upscale patisserie in the lobby of the Fontainebleau resort. Whether you’re on vacation or just pretending, you can indulge in gourmet chocolates, specialty cakes and pastries almost too pretty to eat."