Enjoy our list of budget friendly and free museums in Florida! Unless otherwise listed, admission to the museum is free. If a museum has a fee ($12 or less) the fee is noted next to the name of the museum. Some of these locations have weird or alternating hours, so please always verify the admission price, and the opening schedule of the museum. We have tried to include a link with each museum’s title, if that particular place has a website.
At the top under the table of contents is an interactive map of ALL the budget friendly and free museums in Florida. Please utilize the map to find something close to you, and the table of contents will help navigate through the various areas of Florida. Enjoy!
Map of Free Museums in Florida
Pan Handle
If you’re planning a trip to Pensacola and the surrounding areas, you’ll find a plethora of museums to keep yourself busy. I highly recommend doing the National Naval Aviation Museum and the West Florida Railroad Museum. In addition, if you have the time and the funds to purchase the Historic Pensacola Ticket, that would also be worth your while.
Pensacola Area
- Historic Pensacola: Admission: Provides entrance to the Pensacola Museum of Art, the Pensacola Museum of History, the Pensacola Children’s Museum, and the museums of Historic Pensacola Village for seven (7) days from the date of presentation at a service desk. Tickets may be purchased online or at one of our service desks in the Tivoli High House Shop, the Pensacola Museum of History, the Pensacola Children’s Museum, or the Pensacola Museum of Art. Adults: $12, kids: $7 for a 7 day ticket.
- National Naval Aviation Museum: 1750 Radford Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32508
- Native Paths Cultural Heritage Museum: 3300 Beloved Path Pensacola FL 32507
- West Florida Railroad Museum: 5003 Henry St, Milton FL 32570
Baker
- Baker Block Museum: 1307 State Road 4. & FL-189 Baker FL 32531
- Air Force Armament Museum: 100 Museum Dr, Eglin AFB FL 32524
Fort Walton Beach
- Heritage Park & Cultural Centers Museums: (Indian Temple Mound Museum, Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum, Garnier Post Office Museum, Fort Walton Temple Mound, and the Civil War Exhibit Building) Admission includes all 4 museums. Adults: $5 Kids 4-17: $3 Kids 3 & Under: Free
- Walton County Heritage Museum: 1140 Circle Drive, Defuniak Springs FL 32435
Panama City
- Bay County Historical Museum: 133 Harrison Ave. Panama City FL 32401
Apalachicola
- Raney House Museum: 128 Market St. Apalachicola FL 32320
- Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum: 1873 Hwy 98 W, Carrabelle FL 32322
Tallahassee
- Florida Historic Capitol Museum, 400 S Monroe St, Tallahassee, FL 32399
- Mission San Louis Living History Museum, 2100 West Tennessee Street Tallahassee, FL 32304, Admission: Kids 6/Under: Free Kids 6-17: $2 Adults: $5 Seniors(65+): $3
- Goodwood Museum and Garden, 1600 Miccosukee Rd Tallahassee, FL 32308. The grounds here are always free, admission to the museum is $12 or adults, and $6 for kids 6-12
- The Grove Museum, 902 N Monroe St, Tallahassee, FL 32303
North Florida
The north Florida area consists of Jacksonville, Lake City, and Gainesville in addition to the surrounding areas. Most of the museums you’ll find in this area are in Jacksonville, but there are some other sprinkled in as well. The Kingsley Plantation is a classic that you won’t want to skip!
Jacksonville
- West Nassau Museum of History, 45383 Dixie Ave Callahan FL 32011
- Museum of Southern History, 4304 Herschel St, Jacksonville FL 32210, Admission: Adults $3, Kids 16 and under Free
- Kingsley Plantation, 11676 Palmetto Ave, Jacksonville FL 32226
- Beaches Museum, 381 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville FL 32250
Middleburg & Green Cove Springs
- Military Museum of North Florida, 1 Bunker Ave Green Cove Springs FL 32043
- Camp Blanding Museum, 5629 SR 16 West, Building 340, Starke FL, 32091
- Clay County Historical Society and Railroad Museum, 915 Walnut St, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
- Penney Farms Museum, 4100 Clark Avenue Penney Farms, FL 32079, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
Gainesville
- Florida Museum of Natural History, 3215 Hull Rd, Gainesville, FL 32611
- Matheson History Museum, 513 East University Ave. Gainesville FL 32601
Other North Florida Museums
- Treasures of Madison County Museum, 200 SW Range Ave Madison FL 32340
- Suwannee County Historical Commission & Museum, 208 Ohio Ave N, Live Oak FL 32064
- High Springs Museum, 23760 NW 18th Ave High Springs FL 32643
- Columbia County Historical Museum, 157 SE Hernando Ave, Lake City FL, 32025
Central Florida
Next, enjoy several free museums in the central Florida area. This area spans Orlando and all the communities east of Orlando along the space and the treasure coast. The Ponce De Leon Lighthouse museum is a bit of a drive, but worth it. There are also a few nice beaches in this area. For the history buffs, both the Museum of Seminole County History and the Osceola Welcome Center & Museum would be good choices. If gems and rocks are your interest, you’ll want to check out the Gillespie Museum at Stetson University in Deland.
Daytona Area
- Ormond Art Museum & Garden, 78 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach FL 32176, Admission: $2 Donation
- Veterans Museum & Education Center, 302 Vermont Ave Daytona Beach FL 32118
- Southeast Museum of Photography, 1200 W International Speedway Blvd Daytona Beach FL 32114
- Ponce De Leon Lighthouse Museum, 4931 S Peninsula Dr, Ponce Inlet, FL 32127, Admission: $6.95 per person
Deland Area
- Deland Naval Air Station Museum, 910 Biscayne Blvd, DeLand, FL 32724
- Gillespie Museum, 234 E Michigan Ave Deland FL 32734
- Deland Memorial Museum, 230 N Stone St Deland FL 32720
- African American Museum of the Arts, 325 S Clara Ave, DeLand, FL 32720
Ocala Area
- Silver River Museum & Environmental Education Center, 1445 NE 58th Ave Ocala FL 34470, Admission: $2 per person, kids under 6 free
- Marion County Museum of History, 307 SE 26th Terrace, Ocala FL, 34471, Admission: $3 per person kids under 13 free
- Cedar Key Museum State Park, 12231 S.W. 166th Court, Cedar Key FL 32625, Admission: Children 5 and younger are free, $2 per person
Sandford
- Sanford Museum, 520 E First St, Sanford FL 32772
- Goldsboro Museum, 1211 Historic Goldsboro Dr Sanford FL 32771
- Lake Mary Museum, 158 N Country Club Rd Lake Mary FL 32746
- Museum of Geneva History, 165 1st St, Geneva, FL 32732
- Bradley McIntyre House Museum Tours, 130 W Warren Ave, Longwood, FL 32750, $5 a person
Orlando Area
- Museum of Seminole County History, 300 Eslinger Way Sanford Fl 32773, Admission: $3 adults, $1 children 4+ /Students/Seniors/Military
- Lake County Historical Museum, 317 W Main St Tavares FL 32778
- Leesburg Historical Museum,111 S Sixth St Leesburg FL
- Rollins Museum of Art, 1000 Holt Ave Box 2765, Winter Park, FL 32789
- Orlando Fire Museum, 814 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL 32803
- Central Florida Railroad Museum , 101 S Boyd St, Winter Garden, FL 34787
- Osceola County Welcome Center and Museum, 4155 W Vine St, Kissimmee, FL 34741
- Avon Park Depot Museum, 3 N Museum Ave, Avon Park, FL 33825
Cocoa Area
- Cape Canaveral Space Force Museum, 191 Museum Cir, Cape Canaveral, FL 32925
- Sands Space History Center, 100 Spaceport Way Building 90328, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
- Liberty Bell Memorial Museum, 1601 Oak St, Melbourne, FL 32901
- Brevard Museum of History and Natural Sciences, 2201 Michigan Ave, Cocoa, FL 32926
Vero Beach/Ft. Pierce
- Sebastian Fishing Museum, 9700 S Hwy A1A, Vero Beach, FL 32963
- McLarty Treasure Museum, 9700 S Hwy A1A, Vero Beach, FL 32963, Admission 0-5 Free 6+ $2
- Hallstrom House Pineapple Plantation 1701-1723 Old Dixie Hwy SW, Vero Beach, FL 32962
- St. Lucie County Aquarium, 420 Seaway Dr., Fort Pierce, FL 34949, adults $4.25, kids & seniors $3.25
- St Lucie County Regional History Center, 414 Seaway Dr., Fort Pierce, FL 34949, $3 admission
- Manatee Observation & Education Center, 480 N Indian River Dr., Fort Pierce, FL 34950, $3 admission
Stuart/Port St. Lucie
- Military Sea Services Museum 1402 Roseland Ave, Sebring, FL 33870
- Road to Victory Military Museum, 319 E Stypmann Blvd, Stuart, FL 34994
- Treasure Coast Model Railroad 273 SW Becker Rd, Port St. Lucie, FL 34953
South Florida
Below is the list for the south Florida region contains all of the budget friendly and free museums in Florida from Jupiter to Miami. Choose from a variety of locations that showcase everything from art to history. Note: Parking may or may not be free for some of these locations as they are in busy metropolitan areas.
West Palm/Lake Worth
- Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum 300 N Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
- Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame, 9011 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth, FL 33467
- Lake Worth Historical Museum, 14 Lake Ave, Lake Worth, FL 33460
Boca Raton & Pompano Beach
- Children’s Science Explorium 300 S Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL 33486
- Coral Springs Museum of Art 2855A Coral Springs Dr. Coral Springs, FL 33065
- FAU Fogelman Sports Museum, 777 Glades Rd, Boca Raton, FL 33431
Fort Lauderdale
- Plantation Historical Museum 511 N Fig Tree Ln, Plantation, FL 33317
- Fort Lauderdale Fire & Safety Museum 1022 W Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
- The Craig and Barbara Weiner Holocaust Museum of South Florida Alvin Sherman Library, 3100 Ray Ferrero Jr Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314
- Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum 4000 W Perimeter Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
Miami
- Institute of Contemporary Art 61 NE 41st St Miami FL 33137
- Nader Art Museum 62 Ne 27th ST Miami FL 33137
- Lowe Art Museum 1301 Stanford Dr. Miami, FL 33146
- The Wolfsonian-FIU 1001 Washington Ave, Miami Beach FL 33139 : Florida residents are free, Children under 6 are free, Fridays 6-9pm every week are free
Florida Keys
- Hellings Curry Museum 319 Duval St, Key West, FL 33040
- Marathon Air Museum 9850 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050
- West Martello Tower and Key West Garden Club, 1100 Atlantic Blvd, Key West, FL 33040
- Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, 35 Quay Rd, Key West, FL 33040
Gulf Coast
You will find more free museums in Florida on Florida’s Gulf Coast! This section of our list starts near Tampa and Lakeland and runs south all the way to Naples.
Tampa Area
- Tarpon Springs Historical Train Depot Museum 160 E Tarpon Ave, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
- Tampa Firefighters Museum 720 E Zack St, Tampa, FL 33602
- Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art 600 E Klosterman Rd, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
- USF Contemporary Art Museum 3821 USF Holly Drive, Tampa, FL 33620
- Penny Lane Beatles Museum 730 Broadway 2nd Floor, Dunedin, FL 34698
Lakeland & Bartow
- Polk Museum of Art 800 E Palmetto St, Lakeland, FL 33801
- Historic L B Brown House Museum 470 S L.B. Brown Ave, Bartow, FL 33830
- Polk County History Center & Genealogical Library, 100 E Main St, Bartow, FL 33830
- Mulberry Phosphate Museum, 101 SE 1st St, Mulberry, FL 33860
- Bartow Airbase History Museum, 5993 Airport Blvd, Bartow, FL 33830
- Luster African American Heritage Museum, 585 E Summerlin St, Bartow, FL 33830
- Fort Meade Museum, 1 Tecumseh Ave, Fort Meade, FL 33841
St. Pete Area
- Heritage Village 11909 125th St, Largo, FL 33774 Admission: Free(requires registration)
- Morean Arts Center, 719 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
- Gulf Beaches Historical Museum, 115 10th Ave, St Pete Beach, FL 33706
- Tampa Bay Discovery Center, 700 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, adults: $8, kids $3, senior $6
- Clearwater Historical Society Museum & Cultural Center, 610 S Fort Harrison, Clearwater, FL 33756
- Safety Harbor Museum and Cultural Center, 329 S Bayshore Blvd, Safety Harbor, FL 34695, $5 adults & kids over 4
- Indian Rocks Historical Museum, 203 4th Ave N, Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785
Bradenton/Sarasota Area
- Family Heritage House Museum, Library & Learning Center, Bld. 3, 5840 26th St W, Bradenton, FL
- Manatee Village Historic Park, 1404 Manatee Avenue East (SR 64), Bradenton, FL 34208
- Manatee County Agricultural Museum 1015 6th St W, Palmetto, FL 34221
- Florida Maritime Museum 4415 119th St W, Cortez, FL 34215
Fort Myers Area
- Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St, Fort Myers, FL 33901 (They do have ticketed events, but entry to the art center is free)
- Southwest Florida Military Museum, 4125 Cleveland Ave #1755, Fort Myers, Florida 33901 (in the Edison Mall)
- Railroad Museum of Southwest Florida, 7330 Gladiolus Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33907, $5 a person for train rides
- Museum of the Islands, 5728 Sesame Dr, Bokeelia, FL 33922, $3 adults, $1 children
- Immokalee Pioneer Museum 1215 Roberts Ave W, Immokalee, FL 34142
Naples & South
- The Naples Museum of Military History, 580 Terminal Dr, Naples, FL 34104
- Collier Museum at Government Center, 3331 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, FL 34112
- Marco Island Historical Museum, 180 S Heathwood Dr, Marco Island, FL 34145
- Naples Depot Museum, 1051 5th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102
- Museum of The Everglades 105 Broadway Ave W, Everglades City FL 34139
Thanks for checking out our list of budget friendly and free museums in Florida! If you spot one that we missed, please reach out and let us know. Also, stay tuned for another listing of museums that are have free admission on certain days of the week.
Looking for more? Check out our list of free bike trails in Florida or free splash pads in Florida.