Look, Miami doesn’t exactly have the reputation of being an inexpensive city. While having a bit of money can get you a long way as far as experiencing all that the Magic City has to offer, there’s also plenty of affordable activities for you to enjoy when your wallet’s feeling a bit worn out. We want you to get more bang for your buck the next time you make plans, so we’ve compiled a list of the best things to do in Miami for $20 and under. Like, actually! Although if you’re looking for completely free things to do in Miami, click here.
Read on to discover some of the best budget-friendly things to do in the city:
1. Spend a day at one of Miami’s splendid parks and gardens
One of the upsides of living here are the plentiful parks that make for a perfect day out in nature. Whether you’re planning to make it to Amelia Earhart Park, Matheson Hammock or, heck, you want to drive out to Delray Beach to explore Morikami Japanese Gardens, these make for an ideal spot to set up a picnic, catch the sunset or get active. Discover more of the best parks and gardens around Miami here, most of which come at a small fee or are entirely free!
2. Stroll around a museum
Miami is a city filled with art and we’ve got enough museums to prove it. The Pérez Art Museum is packed to the brim with modern and contemporary artwork, The Bass Museum of Art is home to works by many world-famous artists, HistoryMiami Museum offers a glimpse of city history and the Museum of Graffiti is the world’s only museum dedicated exclusively to the art form. Not only are a lot of our museums great for any budget; many are either free to the public during select dates or simply offer free admission all the time!
3. Catch a Marlins game
A day at the ballpark is a whole lot of fun with friends or the entire family, and if you happen to root for the Miami Marlins, there’s plenty of discounts to choose from! Many single game tickets at LoanDepot Park start for as low as $8, and all summer-long, tickets during weekday games are only $5. Special offers also include $1 Kids Tickets, complimentary tickets for fans 65 years or older for Senior Days and one smash burger and craft beer with your ticket for Burger & Beer Friday presented by Cerveceria la Tropical.
📍 LoanDepot Park. 501 Marlins Way, Miami, FL 33125
4. Explore a farmers’ market
There’s nothing quite like spending the day moseying and browsing through fresh produce stands, loading up on baked goods and checking out artisanal products at our local farmers’ market. Find a list of the city’s best farmer’s markets here.
5. Wild out at the zoo for $15 Mondays
Visiting Zoo Miami is a fun year-round activity, and in case you missed it, their $15 Mondays are back! Every Monday until September 30, 2024, the zoo offers $15 admission. Home to more than 2,500 animals from primates to giraffes, elephants, flamingos, reptiles, and more, there’s no better place to spend if you’re an animal lover. This ticket offer can only be purchased online.
6. Indulge in $5 beers and $9 sake bombs at Shōjō’s Dojo
It’s not every day you come across a sake brewery and bar, but at Shōjō’s Dojo — the city’s first — you can get drinks at an affordable price regardless of it being happy hour! As an every day special, you can get your hands on $5 beers (just ask the bartender which ones) and $9 sake bombs. Cheers!
7. Spice up your Taco Tuesday with $1.85 tacos
Taco Tuesday should never break the bank, but did you know that México1810 Taqueria offers a deal like no other? Every Tuesday, enjoy soft and crispy rolled tacos for $1.85 each that you can prepare how you’d like! You can check out their weekly deals on social media, which often include two-for-one margaritas all day or free frijoles when ordering five or more tacos.
8. Join Sweat Records for a listening party
Music lovers, listen up! Like many record shops throughout the country, Sweat Records often holds in-store listening parties for new albums, which allows fans to listen ahead of their release. While you hang around and listen with friends and fellow fans, there’s often exclusive giveaways and merch offered throughout the event. Keep an eye out for the next listening party on their socials!
9. Enjoy the best Miami hiking
Believe it or not, Miami is home to a number of great hiking opportunities, whether you opt for the extensive trails leading into the heart of the Everglades or the more city-centric paths of Matheson Hammock Park. Get a taste of the great outdoors at these locations, which all provide excellent hiking experiences for any skill level.
10. Catch a spectacular laser light show
If you’re up for something different, the Philip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science launches its Laser Evenings every month, which is full of lasers, music and fun! These captivating shows, from rock to pop or even reggaeton and K-pop, transform the 67-foot planetarium into a vibrant spectacle. Tickets are $15 per adult and $12 per child, with $8 flat rate parking starting at 6 p.m. at the museum garage.
11. Find serenity at these free and donation-based yoga classes
Time to get your zen on! Thankfully, Miami has a number of yoga classes that won’t break the bank if you’re looking to get your stretch on. Find the best community yoga classes here and kick off your own yoga journey!