Miami's history museum downtown (formerly HistoryMiami), with free sensory backpacks and loaner headphones at the Visitor Services Desk, sensory maps and a social narrative to read ahead, free admission for visitors with disabilities and their caregiver, and Sensory-Friendly Time mornings with lower noise.
Wednesday to Sunday, 12 pm to 5 pm; closed Monday and Tuesday. Entry is not allowed after 4:30 pm. Closed on these holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday, President's Day, Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Labor Day, Columbus Day/Indigenous People's Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. Sensory-Friendly Time mornings are on the date cards.
“Sensory backpacks are available at each Visitor Services Desk and are free to checkout during your visit to the museum.”
“A limited number of noise-reducing headphones are available at the Visitor Services Desk in either building on a first-come, first-served basis.”
“Lower noise. A gentler space. Sensory-Friendly Time is designed for families of children, teenagers, and young adults who are neurodiverse, on the autism spectrum, have sensory processing and/or cognitive accommodation needs.”
Each sensory backpack has noise-reducing headphones, fidget toys, a weighted wrap, emotion cards, a sound map and more. The museum's backpack flyer lists headphones, two fidget toys, an activity, a book, a weighted plush toy, emotion cards, a social narrative and sunglasses. Leave a photo ID at the desk while you use a backpack or headphones, and return them before you leave.
The museum is recognized as an autism-friendly partner by the Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD) at the University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University.
The social narrative, My Visit to the Museum of Miami, walks through the garage, the footbridge, the ticket line, the wristband, both buildings and returning what you borrowed. It also says a child who can't wear a wristband can ask a trusted adult to hold it.
The museum also runs Sensory Sundays for families of children, teens and young adults with disabilities who are neurodiverse, on the autism spectrum, or have sensory processing or cognitive disabilities, with required registration. Watch the museum's calendar for the next date; for help registering, call 305-375-1305 or email accessibility@museumofmiami.org.
The ticket line (may be crowded and noisy)not stated
The elevator (a loud “DING” before the doors open)not stated
Admission: adults $15, seniors and students (with ID) $10, children 6 to 12 $8, children under 6 free, members free. Visitors with disabilities and their accompanying caregiver are free (individuals or groups of 9 or less; groups of 10 or more request a group reservation). A paid Personal Care Attendant who comes with a visitor with a disability gets complimentary admission; ask at the Visitor Services desk. These prices and discounts apply to groups of 9 or less.
Always free: SNAP EBT participants (up to four people per card), Miami-Dade County employees, teachers (must register for free membership), and active-duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The Miami-Dade Public Library System Museum Pass is not valid for special events, and discounts, promotions and parking validation might not be available during special events and short run exhibitions.
Tickets: entry is only guaranteed for the date you bought, and refunds, resale, exchanges and transfers are not permitted. Children and youth 17 and under must always be with an adult. Wear your wristband; you may be asked to show it when you leave and come back in.
Parking: Miami-Dade Cultural Center Garage, 50 NW 2nd Ave. Take the south elevator to the second floor exit and follow the covered footbridge to the Cultural Plaza. With validation at the Visitor Services desk, parking is a flat $5; validation is not offered during special events or limited-run exhibitions. The museum is across from Government Center Station (Metrorail and Metromover). The street-level elevator at Government Center leading to the Cultural Plaza is temporarily out of service due to maintenance.
Entrances: the North Building has automatic sliding doors in the center, and the South Building has a power-assist door on the far left. Both buildings have elevators, and the South Building has more restrooms downstairs.
Bags and food: small backpacks are allowed but must be worn on your front or carried in your hand; large bags, backpacks and luggage are not allowed and cannot be checked. Water is allowed in a secure bottle but not in the galleries. Other food and drink is not allowed, except for medical reasons. Strollers and front-facing baby carriers are welcome, but some exhibitions do not allow strollers, and jogging strollers, oversized strollers and wagons are not allowed. Noisemakers are not allowed, except assistive-listening devices.
Seating and access: portable stools are in both buildings. A limited number of wheelchairs can be borrowed at the Visitor Services Desk in either building, first come, first served, with a photo ID. Large print handouts and a 25-minute phone audio tour of Tropical Dreams are at the Visitor Services desk.
Disability accommodations: call 305-375-1601 or email accessibility@museumofmiami.org, at least two weeks ahead if you can. TTY users can call 711 (Florida Relay Service). Other questions: 305-375-1305 during business hours.
