If you are looking for budget friendly and free things to do in Miami, you have come to the right place! Miami makes the list as one of the top vacation spots for people visiting the sunshine state. It is the biggest city in the state of Florida, and comes with a plethora of things to do. But what if you are on a budget? View our list below of places to stop that are free and low cost. At the bottom of the page, you’ll find a map of the locations.
1. Amelia Earhart Park – Free parking Mon-Fri, $8 on weekends
Enjoy a plethora of activities a Amelia Earhart park. For the kids, play at a treehouse style playground & turf soccer fields. On site is a free farm village, a replica of the historical farms that used to occupy much of Miami. You can pet some of the animals and pony rides are $3. Also at the park if you have dogs, your pups can enjoy the giant and cost-free 5-acre bark park!
For biking, you’ll find several miles of mountain biking trails at this park. The trails are fast and have a good flow with jumps and technical features. It is also beginner friendly, as there are bypasses for some of the tougher obstacles.
Lastly, there are five lakes at the park, making a fantastic spot for the Miami Watersports Complex. While this is most definitely not a budget friendly spot at the park, it is worth a mention.
2. Bayfront Park & Riverwalk – FREE
Bayfront Park is an urban park located on the beautiful Biscayne Bay. It spans 32 acres and has great views of the bay and the city skyline. There are two playgrounds for kids including a splashpad. Enjoy free yoga on Mondays and Thursdays offered with Bayfront park yoga. There is also an amphitheater that often hosts concerts and events.
Enjoy walking? Take a stroll on the 1-Mile Riverwalk, a pedestrian walkway that goes along the north side of the river and Biscayne Bay. If riding is more your style, you can ride the 4.4 mile free Metromover at the park to take a tour of the surrounding areas.
3. Bill Baggs State Park at Key Biscayne – $8 per car
Another great spot in the Miami area is a barrier island positioned just across the bay from Miami that is known for its lush sand and clear waters. Key Biscayne has beautiful beaches, nature preserves, and restaurants with great views. This island has two budget-friendly parks: Crandon Park and Bill Baggs State Park. For an admission fee of $8 per car you can check out the Cape Florida Lighthouse, the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade county at Bill Baggs State Park. (please note the lighthouse are is under construction in 2024, so please check the website first). Snorkel in the shallow mangrove areas here or if you head about 100ft offshore from the Key Biscayne Beach Club, there is an artificial reef offshore.
Into biking? Catch the Rickenbacker Trail. This paved path will take you all the way to I-95!
4. Institute of Contemporary Art – FREE
Visit the ICA in Miami without a fee and enjoy both indoor and outdoor exhibits in their sculpture garden. You do need to reserve a ticket, and can do so on their website, that way you can guarantee entry. At 12pm daily they have a guided tour of the museum (also free). If you have children, on Sundays they have a free workshop for kids to complete an art project. Again, also free, you just need to sign up online.
5. Miami Beach Botanical Garden – FREE
Take a stroll through the grounds of Miami Beach Botanical Garden. With free admission and a relaxing atmosphere, you can’t go wrong! Enjoy the koi pond, Japanese garden, or relax on the big lawn space. The majority of the gardens is wheelchair accessible as well and they have free Wi-Fi!
For parking, metered parking is available along 19th Street directly in front of the Garden and in an adjacent lot between Meridian Avenue and Convention Center Drive. Convenient parking garages are located on 17th & 18th Streets at a lower hourly rate. City of Miami Beach rates: $4 per hour street and surface parking lots, $2 per hour in the parking garages and $1 per hour for registered Miami Beach residents.
While visiting the gardens, there are also two other free nearby stops in the same area. You can visit Pride Park to take a walk or use some of their new exercise equipment. In addition, you can visit the Holocaust Memorial on the other side of the street, where you’ll find sculptures dedicated to the memory of the lives lost.
6. South Point Park & Pier – FREE
Visit this green space at the tip of Miami on the beachside. At this park, enjoy the splashpad, playground, and dog park. Into walking and biking? There are a few winding trails through the park with pretty views of both the ocean and downtown Miami. If you’re looking to spend a day at the beach, this is a popular and fun spot. You can snorkel on the beach side of the pier near the rocks as well. At the tip of the park you’ll find a 450-ft pier that is free to use for sightseeing, walking, or fishing. This is an excellent spot to watch the sunrise or the cruise ships coming into the Port of Miami.
7. Everglades National Park – Fees Vary
While it’s a bit of a drive from Miami, it’s worth a mention if you’re on vacation and willing to travel that you should make a stop at the biggest national park in Florida. While there is normally a fee for admission, there are some fee free days during the year that you can visit without a pass.
- January 15: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- April 20: Start of National Park Week
- June 19: Juneteenth
- August 4: Great American Outdoors Day
- September 28: National Public Lands Day
- November 11: Veterans Day
If you do take a trip out to the Everglades, we recommend you check out the Shark Valley Trail – a smoothly paved 15 mile loop inside Everglades National Park. You will see alligators, turtles, spoonbills.
8. Soundscape Park – FREE
Last on our free things to do in Miami list, enjoy an outdoor movie or concert at Soundscapes Park. Grab your lawn chair and check out what’s playing on the City of Miami Beach’s current Cinema Series schedule. The lawn can accommodate hundreds of people, and there are restrooms onsite. It’s also along the bus route for easy transportation. They do not allow pets though, so leave your furry friends at home.
Would you rather catch a concert instead of a movie? The New World Symphony presents WALLCAST® concerts, which are live projections of concerts occurring inside the hall, free to the public. Please see their schedule for more information.
That’s a wrap on all the free things to do in Miami. For more in the area, check out our page on Boca Raton.