4 Best Miami Tours for Food, Art and Culture

With all those art deco buildings around, you’ll want to find out as much about their history as you can. Enter Miami’s Design District, which offers free guided tours of public art, architecture and any temporary art exhibitions they’re involved with. Expert guide Thom Wheeler Castillo, who has prided himself on working within the community to bridge the gap between the artists and those who enjoy art, will no doubt have all the answers you’re looking for. The district offers weekly and monthly tours, and there’s a maximum of 10 people allowed, so book early. The Design District’s Institute of Contemporary Art is also free of charge seven days a week, so sit in the garden and admire the sculptures, or head downstairs for its permanent collections.

On the last Friday of each month, the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami hosts live outdoor music from 7pm until 10pm. The events are hugely popular with top-class acts, and you only need to give a donation of your choosing when entering. Previous visitors have enjoyed listening to the likes of Carlos Gomez and the Jazz Leaders, as well as Batuke Samba Funk.

If you love performing arts and architecture, you’ll need to take a free backstage tour of the Adrienne Arsht Center, where you’ll learn about past performers, the architecture and history of these popular stages. The hour-long adventure starts in the lobby of the Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House and takes place every Saturday and Monday at noon.

No trip to Miami would be complete without enjoying the food. There are plenty of Cuban influences and food markets that you could visit, but Kendall Village Farmers Market is ideal and has live music. There are various seasonal foods on offer, and it has a family-friendly atmosphere. Aside from food, there are also local craft vendors where you’ll be able to find some perfect souvenirs.