Free things to do in Miami?

The beach is an obvious one.  Another is just visiting the Art Deco District all along Collins Ave (Beach adjacent road) - start at around 14th st - 20th, and you'll find all the historical hotels such as the National Hotel, the Sagamore, The Art Hotel, the Delano Hotel.  They are very unique to Miami and they each have a unique style.  Also, cool to visit is the new Pérez Art Museum Miami http://www.pamm.org/ which is in Downtown Miami overlooking Biscayne Bay, across from Miami Beach.  It's been very popular with the locals, people like to spend the day there.  Also, if you really want to do the local thing, you have to visit the Wynwood Walls It's an arts district of Miami, close to the Design District where all the walls have amazing street art and there are cool bars and laid back restaurants, as well as small galleries.  I would stay away from Bayside Marketplace - it's very touristy (cruise drop off sort of place).

Have a great time!

It depends on when you are going, but here are a few options:

• 2nd Saturday of the month, check out Art Walk in Wynwood, Miami's artistic neighborhood. On this night, all the galleries stay open late, there's DJs, food trucks and lots of bars to try.
• On the 1st Thursday of the month, the Pérez Art Museum Miami entrance is free. It's also open late (9 pm) so you can walk around, and then have dinner at their beautiful restaurant, Verde. 
• On Wednesdays at 8 pm, there are free movies at the park projected at the New World Symphony in South Beach. Bring your picnic basket, a blanket, and enjoy! Movie schedule here.

Catherine, you will have an amazing time in Miami. if you like museums check out the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) near Downtown Miami and also look up Art Walk which is hosted in Wynwood (very close to downtown) one weekend a month. If you need help getting around I am willing to show you our city. Good Luck and have fun! enjoy!

Hello Catherine; I live in Miami, this is not "el cheapo¨ city, but it is not too bad either. Go to South Beach, but do not eat there, it is bad and expensive. Have a drink there at night only. Fun and young people. Go to Bayside Marketplace, by the sea. Lots of nice restaurants and free music, Latin music many times. "Airlines Arena" has a lot of life shows od all kind. Then you have new beautiful theaters for music, opera, ballet and many more. Here...there are no too many museums unfortunately, some are in Miami Beach. This is "Cuban´s country" so, be prepared to listen Spanish everywhere. I hope you got a bit of help. Rent a car. Ciao!

If you have transportation check out the Deering Estate in Palmetto Bay (about 15 miles south of downtown Miami). It is right on the ocean and is very sedate with some walking trails. Also about 7 miles north of that on Old Cutler Road are the Fairchild Tropical Gardens. Both places charge admission but I don't think it is more than $12.00. If it was November or later I would also suggest going out to Shark Valley Visitors Center in the Everglades, before then the mosquitos are bad.

Check Miami.com for free and cheap things to do the weekend you visit. 

But yes, South Beach, Bayside Marketplace to grab lunch, shop and there's always music to dance. 

You can catch the Metro over across the street, a small free train, that will take you around from Miami theatres, AmericanAirlines Arenahome of the Miami Heat, all the way to Brickell with lots of restaurants, latin bars. It's a nice ride with great viesw to take pictures.

People watching is Miamians favorite sport. Go to Lincoln Road Mall, Miracle Mile, South MiamiThe Falls and finally Dadeland Mall. You can't go wrong!!!

Checkout www.meetup.com or www.eventbrite.com for local free events. You will find multiple things to do and hopefully one that you will like. Also check Miami News Time (a free newspaper you can find almost anywhere in Miami) for underground events/shows.

You need to go to South Beach, Downtown Miami and Bayside Marketplace. You can take beautiful pictures if you go to this places by bike. 

Hello Catherine. I wont miss to visit Bayside Marketplace, pretty nice place located in Downtown Miami just in front of Biscayne Bay. Another nice places just to walk around are Coconut Grove (Florida), Lincoln Road and South Beach. If you want to walk by the beach and enjoy gorgeous sunsets, I will suggest the Miami Beach area.

Hope this helps!!!