HistoryMiami Museum, now called Museum of Miami, is a history museum in downtown Miami at the Miami-Dade Cultural Center. Its core exhibition follows more than 10,000 years of South Florida history, making the museum a focused stop for learning about the region’s past.
- Location: 101 West Flagler Street, on the plaza level of the Miami-Dade Cultural Center.
- Core exhibition: “Tropical Dreams: A People’s History of South Florida.”
- Getting there: Government Center Station is across from the museum.
- Parking: The nearest garage is the Miami-Dade Cultural Center Garage.
What the museum covers
Museum of Miami’s core exhibition, “Tropical Dreams: A People’s History of South Florida,” traces more than 10,000 years of the region’s history. The institution holds more than 40,000 artifacts and over 2 million images related to Miami’s past, giving the museum a broad collection to draw on.
The organization began in 1940 as the Historical Association of Southern Florida and took the name HistoryMiami in 2010. Its official website identifies it as a Smithsonian Affiliate; it joined the Smithsonian Institution Affiliations Program in July 2011.
Check exhibitions and opening hours
The museum presents temporary exhibitions each year on subjects important to the community, alongside its core exhibition. Its exhibition listings have included “History and Ourselves,” the Folklife Gallery and the Whitman Family Gallery.
“History and Ourselves” has featured objects including a Cuban refugee raft, the B from the original Burdines store sign, a Seminole dugout canoe and a Spitz Projector. Exhibition lineups can change, so check the museum’s current visitor information before planning around a particular display.
Opening hours can also change; check the official site before you go. The institution’s current name is Museum of Miami, though some older official pages and visitor materials still use HistoryMiami Museum.
Admission and visitor access
Visitors who park in the Miami-Dade Cultural Center Garage and have their parking validated pay a flat rate of $5. You can get validation at the museum’s Visitor Services desk. Because parking details may change, confirm them with the museum before your visit.
From the garage, take the south elevator to the second-floor exit, then use the covered, elevated footbridge to reach the Miami-Dade Cultural Plaza. The plaza can also be reached by stairs, ramp or elevator, and drop-offs are possible on W Flagler Street.
The accessible-parking options are the Cultural Center Garage and a street-level lot on NW 1st Avenue between NW 1st Street and Flagler Street. A state permit is required to use the street-level accessible parking.
How do you get to HistoryMiami Museum in downtown Miami?
The museum is across from Government Center Station, and its address is 101 West Flagler Street, on the plaza level of the Miami-Dade Cultural Center. For the trip between Miami Beach and downtown, this guide to Miami Beach public transport can help you plan that leg.
If you’re planning an art stop in downtown Miami, Pérez Art Museum Miami is another museum to put on your itinerary.
If you’re driving, the nearest garage is the Miami-Dade Cultural Center Garage at 50 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami, Florida 33128.
HistoryMiami Museum is about a 7-minute drive from a four-star hotel in Miami Beach (about 2.4 miles away).
FAQs
What is HistoryMiami Museum called now?
Its current name is Museum of Miami. Some older official pages and visitor materials still use HistoryMiami Museum.
What is the museum’s main exhibition?
“Tropical Dreams: A People’s History of South Florida” covers more than 10,000 years of the region’s history.
Where can you park for the museum?
The nearest garage is the Miami-Dade Cultural Center Garage. The accessible-parking options also include a street-level lot on NW 1st Avenue; a state permit is required there.
Is the museum accessible from Government Center Station?
The museum is across from Government Center Station. Its plaza can be reached by stairs, ramp or elevator.