This summer, don’t let the kids utter the words, “I’m bored.”
A day at the museum doesn’t mean standing around quietly staring at stagnant art in galleries — South Florida is home to many unique spots that cater to every interest, passion and whimsy. From mega-exhibits where experiential art comes alive to places that celebrate everything from Cuban history to women and even selfies, we’ve rounded up eight museums where learning and family fun mingle.
Superblue Miami
Step inside this 50,000-square-foot warehouse in Miami’s burgeoning Allapattah neighborhood to have your mind blown by large-scale experiential art. We won’t give away all the surprises, but you’ll wander through immersive experiences like “Forest of Us,” a blinding maze of reflective mirrors by Es Devlin, and an enchanting room by teamLab where floors and walls come alive with digital images of vibrant flowers and waterfalls that grow and flow with your movements. An additional $12 ticket will get you into teamLab’s “Massless Clouds Between Sculpture and Life” experience, where you'll slip on a poncho and step into a huge room filled with floor-to-ceiling soapy clouds and literally become part of the unending cloud formations. Adults can learn about the artists and interactive installations by engaging knowledgeable staff or perusing informative placards, while young children will simply enjoy the happy scenes. You could hit two museums in one day, as the lauded Rubell Museum is located directly across the street. 1101 NW 23rd St., Miami; 786.697.3405; superblue.com
The Social Hub
If your family loves to strike a pose, this new interactive selfie museum on the third floor of Brickell City Centre is your Instagram-worthy playground. Miami content creator Kenny Daniels is the mastermind behind The Social Hub, a 3,500-square-foot fantasy land of 20 themed stations meant for cool photo ops. Snapping pictures is easy as guests simply slip their smart phone into an LED ring light (hello, perfect lighting), and, thanks to a remote, are able to move around the station to capture the perfect shot. Expect backdrops like vibrant flower walls, a powder room with a makeup vanity and an antique bathtub filled with “bubble” balls, a velvet throne fit for royalty and an even a bank vault where you can shoot money out of a faux gun. And because no one wants to be photographed in the same outfit twice, there are dressing rooms for outfit changes. 701 S. Miami Ave., Miami; 786.803.8308; thesocialhubmiami.com
Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
Nature, history, art and maybe even a wild monkey playing hide-and-seek in the trees — this 101-year-old subtropical estate and historic house museum in Fort Lauderdale has it all. Spreading across 35 acres, guests can take a self-guided audio tour of the former winter retreat of the Birch-Bartlett family which still showcases its original furnishings and personal treasures. The Bartletts were highly artistic, dabbling in both the creation of art as well as collecting. Art lovers will enjoy viewing the paintings and whimsical sculptures of animals that are sprinkled throughout the airy home. Explore the seashell museum lined with gems from the sea, pop into the orchid house to ogle at prized orchids, stroll the winding nature trails and lush gardens, or simply sit by the lily pad-covered lake. Take advantage of the “Family Summer Special” where kids under 17 get in free with the purchase of an adult ticket through Sept. 5. When you’re done, walk across the street to soak up the sun on Fort Lauderdale Beach. 900 N. Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale; 954.563.5393; bonnethouse.org
Museum of Illusions Miami
From teetering on the edge of a skyscraper and dashing across a bridge above hot lava, to taunting a toothy alligator, your kids can do all the things you’d never let them do in real life at the Museum of Illusions. This South Beach museum is all about taking wow-worthy photos with 40-plus, 3D-illusions inspired by cartoons, art, current events and movies — and a way for the entire family to show off their acting skills. Kids (and adults) can let their imaginations run wild by “flying” on a magic carpet, scoring an impossible basketball dunk or even saving the family from impending danger, like a lethal cobra bite or a fall from a skyscraper. Look for the camera symbol on the floor to snag the perfect illusion angle; and if you can’t decide how to pose, a framed photo near the illusion offers inspiration. Blow off some steam in the “Smash It!” room, where kids ages 12 and up can decorate and then smash plates against a wall. 536 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 305.604.5000; miaillusions.com
American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora
For a museum with a big heart and purpose, the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora, located near Miami’s Little Havana, spotlights the history, culture and contributions of the Cuban exile community. While the museum has featured renowned artists like painter Luis Cruz Azaceta and sculptor Roberto Estopinan, the summer’s must-see exhibit is “Operation Pedro Pan,” which offers an in-depth look at the harrowing journeys of the 14,000 unaccompanied children who left Cuba for the United States from 1960 to 1962. Curated by museum director Carmen Valdivia — who was one of the “Pedro Pan” kids — you’ll wander six rooms to experience moving exhibits like a recreation of the “fishbowl,” a glass-enclosed room where kids said goodbye to their parents, along with private letters and a wall showcasing where the children were sent. Tours are led by “Pedro Pan” children, so expect emotional narratives about their inspiring personal experiences. 1200 Coral Way, Miami; 305.529.5400; thecuban.org
Museum of Graffiti
Want to be the “cool” parents? Take the kids to the only museum in the world that explores graffiti’s edgy roots, its pioneer street artists and how graffiti has and continues to shape the art scene. Appropriately situated in Wynwood Arts District — Miami's mural mecca — you’ll move through indoor and outdoor settings bursting with vibrant paintings, photos and sculptures that date back to the graffiti’s humble beginnings in the 1970s as well as curated outdoor murals. Exhibitions change regularly and until mid-August, visitors can enjoy “Ancient Futurism” by Ras Terms, a Miami-born street artist who was one of the first to transform the walls of Wynwood with graffiti. With all that new knowledge, keep the tour going by strolling the neighborhood dotted with towering murals. 299 NW 25th St., Miami; 786.580.4678; museumofgraffiti.com
Frost Science Museum
No matter how many times you visit this museum and planetarium in Miami, you’ll always discover something new. This summer, it’s all about the “Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs” exhibit which presents a fascinating look at the largest reptiles that ever flew. Quick history lesson: they’re not birds or dinosaurs, but the first animals with backbones to fly. Visitors are treated to life-size models of the pre-historic animals suspended from above, glass cases filled with ancient fossils and interactive experiences like virtual flight labs which simulate flying and hunting like a pterosaur. When you’re done, explore the three-level aquarium for touch tanks and catch a glimpse of the oculus, a 31-foot wide, 13.5-inch thick acrylic lens meant for spying on the sharks and rays that circle above. Join live science demonstrations and take in a planetarium show. 1101 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; 305.434.9600; frostscience.org
Womanish
Gal pals, mother-daughter duos and father-daughter dates are highly encouraged at this brand-new spot in Wynwood celebrating women. While on the surface it may look like another great place to snap selfies and play in interactive spaces, the exhibit’s core purpose is to prompt conversations on important topics like inclusivity, equality, women empowerment and mental health. Expect a wonderland of 15 themed enclaves splashed with pop art and murals by female artists. Highlights include “Vanish,” where you’ll navigate through a dizzying mirror maze; “Fleurish,” featuring walls covered in gorgeous flowers; and “Childish,” which, true to its name, is filled with playful experiences meant to unleash your inner child. Look for messaging throughout on everything from body image to censorship and celebrating culture. 317 NW 28th St., Miami; tickets.wearewomanish.com/miami O