Saturday, July 12, 2008

Free Stuff Miami-Style

Let's face it – having fun in Miami can be a costly venture. But, like many cosmopolitan cities, Miami boasts a plethora of free activities. Always a thrifty bunny, I've scouted out some wallet-friendly deals perfect for these cash-strapped times.

Museums. Miami's cultural institutions are quite generous when it comes to waiving the regular admission fee on certain days of the week so you can get your art on and save some ducats. The Wolfsonian waives its $7 admission fee Fridays after 6pm. The Jewish Museum of Florida located in idyllic South of the Fifth neighborhood is free on Saturdays. And the Miami Art Museum doesn't charge admission on Second Saturdays and every Sunday.
Wolfsonian. 1001 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach 33139. 305.531.1001
Jewish Museum of Florida. 301 Washington Ave. Miami Beach, 33139. 305.672.5044
Miami Art Museum101 West Flagler Street. Miami, 33130. 305. 375. 3000

Yoga. It is relaxing and improves balance and posture. But at $20/class it can be a pricey piece of Zen pie. Fortunately the folks at Lululemon Athletica feel for the yogis out there and offer a free evening class (usually around 6pm) every Sunday at their South Beach showroom. You can also head out to Miami's Bayfront Park Monday and Wednesdays at 6pm and Saturdays at 9 am for a free class in the Tina Hills Pavilion overlooking Biscayne Bay.
Lululemon 826 Collins Ave, 2N. Miami Beach, FL 33139. 305. 673.8496
Bayfront Park. 301 North Biscayne Blvd. Miami 33132. 305.358.7550

Wine and assorted alcoholic bevvies. Yes! Free drinks – beer, cocktails, wine and spirits are complimentary every Second Saturday at Miami's Art and Design Night in both the Wynwood and Design District neighborhoods. Galleries, high-end furniture show rooms and private art collections throw open their doors and welcome the crowds with art and liquor and the occasional cheese platter. The drinks are free, but it's always polite to tip the servers.
Design District. NE 36th to NE 41st streets, west of Biscayne Blvd. Miami.
Wynwood. NW 19th to NW 36th streets, west of Biscayne Blvd. Miami.
P.S. - There's also MyOpenBarMiami for free drink listings all week long.

Author readings. Miami may not have the literary lineage of New York but we are still an attractive stop on any author's publicity book tour. Local bookworm mecca Books and Books hosts regular readings of famous and lesser-known authors on a virtually daily basis at their Coral Gables flagship and Lincoln Road and Bal Harbour branches. The readings are almost always free, but if you're looking for the author's autograph you should probably buy the book.
Books and Books. 265 Aragon Avenue. Coral Gables. 305.442.4408

Jazz. Every last Friday of the month the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami hosts free jazz concerts under the stars on their sprawling outdoor lawn. The concerts happen rain or shine and usually get going around 8pm. The museum galleries are also open by donation so you can catch some art with the music.
MOCA. 770 NE 123rd st. North Miami 33161. 305. 893.6211

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