From architecture and nightlife to art, history and design, you’ll find a walking tour of Miami for you. Here are picks for the top six for visitors and locals alike, at an accessible price point and sometimes free! Check them out.
By Ralph de la Portilla
As a tourism professional for more than two decades, I’ve seen people from all over the world appreciate our city in ways that many locals, myself included, can easily take for granted. In fact, I can confidently say that it’s mostly outsiders that keep my love for the Magic City intact. To be sure, Miami is the city that both torments and tantalizes me, but I get to see it through the perspective of others, keeping it all “fresh” time and time again.
What a privilege!
Occasionally, however, I’m surprised to encounter locals coming along on excursions I’ve performed, and I must say, I’m always surprised by the feedback: “I’ve lived here for more than 30 years and never knew about…” or “Born and raised and I learned something amazing and new!”
Whether you’re traveling to Miami and are looking for a tip on the best local tours without sifting through the endless clutter of ads on a web search, or you’re a native wanting to rediscover your home turf, you’ll want to bookmark this page and explore the following offerings.
Miami Design Preservation League
The good folks at the MDPL know their stuff. Located in the heart of the Art Deco District in Miami Beach, this nonprofit organization has been dedicated to preserving and promoting the island city’s unique architectural styles. Beyond architecture, though, their tours also delve into cultural, social, and environmental conditions that are sure to pique anyone’s sensibilities and curiosities.
I’ve taken a few walks with them over the years, and I can affirm that these are true subject matter experts on all things Miami Beach. Enough can’t be said, really, on how the guides are all well-versed on all things Miami Modern (MiMo) and Art Deco.
They also have private tour options for groups and themed walks, spanning Mediterranean Revival Architecture strolls to Jewish Miami Beach tours, and even LGBTQ-themed presentations. Their main tour is the Art Deco Walking Tour and it runs 90 minutes to two hours for $40.
Visit their Art Deco Wecome Center and view some of the incredible exhibits inside their museum, and you’ve got yourself an unforgettable half-day experience guaranteed.
1001 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139
HistoryMiami Museum
Yes, it’s our historical museum in Miami, nestled in the heart of the Downtown District, but they also offer tours throughout the city.Of course, the museum is certainly worth visiting, with its year round exhibits featuring our earliest inhabitants, the Tequesta tribe, and the first pioneer settlers in the years leading up to the incorporation of the city in 1896. But with the built-in knowledge of its expert staff, this local institution merits annual visits to the museum and attendance of their marvelous tours.
Helmed by resident historian, Dr Paul George, the offering of tours are quite extensive, and whereas most of the experiences are walking tours, they also feature excursions on boats and by motorcoach.
Notable tours consist of their Miami Beach History & Deco, Historic Coral Gables Walking Tour, Historic Downtown Miami Walking Tour, their annual Spooktacular City Of Miami Cemetery Walking Tour (around Halloween), and the Little Havana History & Culture Walk.
Most recently they featured Little Haiti in a two-hour presentation winding past Haitian businesses, creole cooking and lots of unique artwork. It included the Little Haiti Cultural Center’s art galleries and Caribbean Marketplace. It was $35 for non-Members of the museum but also included a complimentary Family Pass to the museum (and most of the aforementioned excursions do, as well).
Tours are seasonal, however, so be sure to check the Events Calendar often for schedules and pricing for each tour.
HistoryMiami Museum
101 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33130
Viernes Culturales/Cultural Fridays
Who doesn’t love something that’s free?! And that’s not the only good news about these monthly tours: They’re (mostly) led by Miami native and legendary historian, Dr Paul George (Yep, same gentleman from the Museum! Oh, I occasionally do them, as well, whenever Dr George is unavailable)!
Dr Paul George is Miami’s encyclopedia, and his tours vary month to month—sometimes he’ll take participants into the residential neighborhoods on either side of the Tamiami Trail to view historic bungalow homes, others will focus on the main drag lined with vibrant colors and blaring live music.
Viernes Culturales/Cultural Fridays is a monthly open house featuring the world renowned thoroughfare colloquially nicknamed Calle Ocho. It happens every third Thursday of every month.
Several businesses stay open well into the evening hours, along with many of the art galleries, eateries, cigar factories, and other attractions that have become synonymous with Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood.
The free tours are roughly 75 minutes long starting in front of the Tower Theater (SW 15th AV & SW 8th ST) and ending at a colorful art incubator space known as Futurama (1637 SW 8th ST), with a complimentary cocktail waiting for you there!
Viernes Culturales/Cultural Fridays
1637 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33135
Wynwood Art Walk Tours
If you’re a local and you think you know everything about Miami’s Wynwood Art District, I’m telling you right now—you don’t. Look, it’s impossible to know everything about Wynwood because it’s always changing, evolving, with each passing season. It’s just the very (fleeting) nature of both, street art and graffiti art (yes, there’s a difference between the two).
But, if you’re part of the ensemble of characters at Wynwood Art Walk Tours, well then, you’re an exception. One of their senior guides, Mr Lance Durham, taught me everything I know about the area, and I can only scratch the surface of this extraordinary Miami enclave.
Not all of it is by foot, of course, as the team needs to ferry guests around this expansive neighborhood via golf carts, adeptly narrated with vivid descriptions about several of the large-scale murals and the artists who made them all come to life.
The stories are spectacular and breathtaking. Urban renewal through art as you’ve never experienced it before.
Tour duration is around 75 minutes and the price is $45.
Wynwood Art Walk Tours
413 NW 27th Street, Miami, FL 33127
Miami Center for Architecture & Design
The Miami Center for Architecture & Design is an intriguing offering to explore. There’s certainly no shortage of buildings to talk about in America’s city with the third tallest skyline in the nation. A walk in any direction will reveal the different historic building booms with its disparate styles, from pre-1920s all the way into the present day.
Our friends at Miami CAD have a monthly tour listed on their website, and it’s billed as being guided by an actual architect (or architecture enthusiast)!
Whether you’re an architecture aficionado yourself or a history buff, this walk is up your alley.
I have a really good feeling about this one, so please do everything in your power to attend. Ticket prices hover around $20 ($15 for Students & Seniors).
They’re partnered with the Miami Downtown Development Authority and do boast exhibits, but they’re temporarily housed in Coral Gables, so be sure to call ahead and pay special mind to the published meeting location for their tours.
Miami Center for Architecture & Design
2800 Ponce de Leon #1300, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Miami Design District Art Tours
Pinch me, I’m dreaming! Could it be that there is yet another free tour in Miami?! Well, it appears that the official associates of the Miami Design District offer public art tours, and that’s something to get excited about.
The Miami Design District originally featured many interior decorator showrooms, and while there are still a few of those in the area, it has transitioned into a showcase for over 170 haute couture brands. Not to mention a couple of Michelin Star restaurants.
Their official tour is free, and they describe it as an exploration of “the history of the art and architecture that characterize the neighborhood. We will visit outdoor installations and murals including Buckminster Fuller Fly’s Eye Dome, Nicole Nomsa Moyo’s Pearl Jam, Virgil Abloh’s Dollar a Gallon, Alteronce Gumby’s Living the Dream, and more.”
That description alone has me sold. The announced running time of the walk is one hour, and it appears it’s happening twice a month.
Miami Design District Art Tours
Palm Court
140 NE 39th Street, Miami, FL 33137
So, again, if you’re on a brief jaunt of Miami, or you’ve been living here all your life, those six outfits are sure fire winners to get your in-depth exploration credentials of the Magic City.Oh, and always remember to tip your guide, please. Generally speaking, a guide gratuity should be between 10% and 15% of the price of the tour. It’s just the right thing to do.
Ralph de la Portilla is a Miami tourism professional having guided over 3,000 tours for more than 50,000 participants in a span of 21 years. He lives in Little Havana with his three children.
Ralph@MagicCityA.com
2 Responses
These suggestions are WONDERFUL. YOU are wonderful. Thank you.
Fantastic! Thank you!