Summer means longer days and more hours to fill with activities—yay! But let us not forget where we are. In the 305, summer-y things like drinking on a Miami rooftop sometimes mean financing your cocktail, plus fun things to do with kids in Miami don’t always come cheap. We have good news, though: you might not need that second mortgage, after all, to do cool stuff this season. Several ’hoods are opening their parks, sharing their sidewalks and giving locals room to have a blast without spending a dime this season. Here, the best free things to do in Miami in summer. Mark your calendars—the next three months will be gone before you know it.
Take your pooch, or other leashed animal, to Green Street Café for drinks every third Wednesday of the month. Humans get to enjoy specials on booze while pets enjoy being outside and having new things to sniff. June 20, July 18, Aug 15, Sep 19 5:30–7:30pm
Don’t blow a nice day cooped up in a dark theater. The Barnacle Historic Park in Coconut Grove plays your favorite flicks from 2018 and 2017, such as Black Panther and Coco, on the last Friday of each month this summer. Gates open at 8pm and admission to the park is just $2. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets and a picnic. June 22, July 27, Aug 4, Sep 28 at 8pm
You’re probably used to ogling the art already there but this summer Vizcaya Museum & Gardens invites you to create your own. Led by New York-based Processional Arts Workshop (PAW) artists Sophia Michahelles and Alex Kahn, the free classes are open to children 8 years old and above and teach various artistic disciplines, including wire working and papier-mâché. Online registration is required.
Hand over your summer planning to Española Way. The charming South Beach strip has a jam-packed season of free programming that includes opera alongside Hosteria Romana on Wednesdays at 8:30pm; salsa lessons at Havana 1957 on Thursdays at 7pm; flamenco dancing at Tapas & Tintos on Fridays at 7:30 and 8:30pm; and free yoga at 9:30am and Brazilian dancing at 8pm on Saturdays. Just show up and enjoy.
You and your family won’t need to spend on a dime on admission to HistoryMiami. The Downtown museum offers free admission for all Miami-Dade County students and their families (up to four people total). The special runs through August 19 and includes bonus surprises. Following each visit, children receive a stamp in their passport and, once they’ve collected four stamps, can pick a prize from a special treasure box
The 1 Hotel South Beach’s rooftop pool party welcomes locals to lounge by the pool every Sunday from noon to 6pm this summer. Expect fresh-pressed juice cocktails, DJ tunes and fabulous views of Miami Beach. RSVP is required.
Friday night at the track looks a little different this summer. Throughout June, July and August, Gulfstream caps off a day of Thoroughbred horse racing with a free concert in its Sport of Kings Theater. Shows include every genre from rock to disco to funk, there’s even a happy hour that features drink and food specials from 7 to 8pm.
Part of Giralda Plaza's season-long event series, this weekly workout is open to everyone. Pilates ProWorks teaches a free Pilates class at 9am, followed by a boot camp-style session led by Burn Boot Camp at 10am. Fitness on the Plaza takes place every week, weather permitting. 100 Giralda Ave
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