Miami is one of my favorite budget destinations because there are so many things to do for free, a rarity in a city with so much!
This city is known for its oceanside villas and modified bodies, so it’s surprising to learn that it’s also an ideal destination for budget travelers.
Look, I love luxury hotels, fine dining, and bottle service as much as the next middle-class American, but sometimes we have to budget now to travel more later.
There are plenty of totally free things to do in Miami, Florida, plus hostels and affordable lodging.
Here’s how to explore Miami on a budget:
Top Free Things To Do in Miami
Ocean Drive
Ocean Drive is everything you imagine Miami to be.
Palm trees and Art Deco architecture line the seafront, tanned and toned bodies cruise the cocktail bars, and tons of high-end shops with Latin music playing somewhere in the background.
A walk, drive, or tour down Ocean Drive is essential, especially if it’s your first time in the city.
Miami’s neighborhoods are all worth visiting, but this area is probably the most iconic. You can also take the official walking tour hosted by the Miami Design Preservation League at an affordable rate.
Hit the Beach
Miami is known for its turquoise waters and crushed white sand, and there are plenty of places to enjoy them both for free, both within the city’s limits and just a day trip away!
I recommend Crandon Park Beach (low key and less crowded than other beaches) or Lummus Park Beach (a hot spot for photoshoots and filming).
Money-Saving Tip:
Instead of overpaying for beach rentals, consider bringing your own snorkel gear. I like this trusty, inexpensive set on Amazon.
Wynwood Arts District
What was once a collection of warehouses has been transformed into a hip arts district known for having its own unique flair.
Wynwood is known for its street art, graffiti quotes, and vibrant murals, but somehow, it’s more than that- you don’t just see street art; you see through Miami’s cultural lens, her interpretation of the art world.
Snapping pics at Wynwood is an essential Miami activity, even if you’re not on a budget.
Note:
The second Saturday of every month is the Wynwood Art Walk, and the entire District morphs into a street party/arts festival, including pop-up art galleries, food trucks, and live music.
Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA)
The ICA is a free contemporary art museum in Miami’s Design District. The building is also gorgeous, with its sharp lines and generous windows overlooking the garden. Even if you don’t go inside, the ICA is a work of art in its own right.
Holocaust Memorial, Miami Beach
This memorial is a peaceful and shockingly artistic tribute to the 6 million souls who perished under Nazi rule.
Rectangular concrete slabs with sharp lines reference the harsh of structure Hitler’s regime.
This Holocaust Memorial is genuinely one of the most beautiful and creative memorials I’ve seen.
Calle Ocho & Little Havana
Cuban culture culminates in Little Havana. In the 1960s, many Cubans fled Castro’s regime and landed in one particular area of Miami. By 1977, the neighborhood was 85% percent Cuban.
Today, the residents, business owners, and artists of Little Havana are still predominantly of Cuban origin.
Little Havana is centered around Calle Ocho (Southwest Eighth Street), a vibrant place lined with Latin restaurants, fruit stands, cigar shops, and art galleries.
You’ll also find the famed Máximo Gómez Park (known as Domino Park), where locals gather over heated games of dominoes, and a Walk of Fame dedicated to Latin artists.
Foodies can take the Cuban Food Tour of Little Havana or try a cafe con leche at Versailles, one of the area’s top Cuban restaurants.
Little Haiti
Little Haiti is the soul of Miami’s Haitian community.
In Little Haiti, colorful Victorian architecture houses local Haitian-owned restaurants, bars, and a bookstore devoted to Haitian literature.
The Little Haiti Cultural Center is a gathering place with Haitian art, Caribbean music, and folk dancing.
Art Deco District
Miami’s Art Deco Historic District boasts pastel and vibrantly colored buildings, intricate interior details, and a century-old history that offers a glimpse into a forgotten era.
This area is perfect for adding some elegant backdrops to the ‘gram. The Art Deco Historic District is located on Miami Beach between 5th and 23rd, along Ocean Drive.
You can also take the official Art Deco walking tour hosted by the Miami Design Preservation League at an affordable rate.
Catch an Ocean Sunset
There’s nothing in the entire world like an ocean sunset.
Each sunset is unique to any other sunset that comes before or after.
South Pointe Park will give you a great view of the Miami skyline with your sunset. The beach at Bill Baggs Cape State Park faces westward, so you can watch the sun dip into the ocean if you get there at exactly the right time.
Where to Stay in Miami on a Budget
You might be surprised to learn that a city known for its expensive party habits and bottle service has many affordable lodging options!
The Best Hostels in Miami
- Bikini Hostel is known for its sociability and is excellent for an extroverted solo traveler looking to connect.
- Selina is reliably great all over the world, and the Selina Gold Dust in Miami has its own speakeasy!
- This hostel in South Beach is clean + cute.
Transit
The Metromover loops throughout the Downtown Miami and Brickell areas. It will take you straight to the doorstep of restaurants, shops, and museums.
Miami also has free Trolleys that run through:
- Miami Beach
- Downtown Miami/Brickell
- Coconut Grove
- Coral Gables
- Homestead
- Wynwood
- Doral
The Go Miami Pass
The Miami Go City Pass isn’t free but it will help you save money on Miami’s most popular attractions.
The pass has over 40 attractions and tours, including Salsa lessons, Jetboat, and Everglades excursions.
If you have few days, Visit the Everglades
Big Cypress in the Everglades is free, or the Everglades National Park is covered by your Parks pass.
I highly recommend an airboat tour; they’re incredibly fun and not like any other boat experience I’ve had!
Check-in
Did you find my guide to Miami on a budget helpful?
Let me know in the comments below 🙂
