Does it feel like it’s been raining forever? Yes? That’s because it has. I can’t wait for this dreary weather to stop, seems we have had nothing but gray skies, wind and rain for the best part of three weeks now. It has rained on our parade several times, whether at a recent wedding or a planned – now cancelled – get away for Memorial Day weekend. Sigh. However, sitting around at home for three days is not an option. There are only so many movies one can watch and cakes one can bake (and eat) before condo claustrophobia sets in. In fact, I think it’s happening to me. Right now. Waaaaaaaah…
What to do, what to do?
Well, even in the so called Sunshine State, where everything is more or less centered on the outdoors and the beach, there are some rainy day options not too far from home. Sometimes it happens that two come together in one place, like the museums at Miami’s Museum Park for example.
There you will find a couple of great museums, the Frost Science Museum and the Perez Art Museum (also known as PAMM), as well as a nice park with waterfront to stroll around in if the rain ceases for a few moments. Conveniently, there is also a parking garage on site, so even if it is pouring down you don’t have to worry about getting soaked. One word of advice: don’t forget your wallet at home. Nothing is cheap in Miami…nuff said.
The Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)
As well as working in the museums sector for some years, I also spent several years as a curator in charge of a museum in the Channel Islands. That means I am not easy to please when it comes to museums, neither am I particularly keen on visiting them in the first place. Well, unless I know it’s going to be a good experience. Visiting museums or art galleries over here sometimes leaves me a little baffled, and this one was no different. Once we had walked around it all, I thought there just had to be more. Was that it? Did we just hand over $32 between the two of us (plus an outrageous parking fee), to look at a few sculptures and a handful of paintings?
Apparently, we did.
However, it would be unkind and unfair not to mention that we actually very much enjoyed what was there, well some of it anyways. It’s a little quirky, but then so is modern art, and there is a little something for everyone here. Not to forget the outside space which is beautiful, open and invites the visitor to linger, eat, drink and just enjoy the views. So all in all it doesn’t really make for a bad afternoon out.
The exhibits are “interesting”. When we were there, PAMM had a temporary exhibition all about football, or soccer as it is called over here. Not really my favorite subject, I must admit, but it was just ok with a few interesting exhibits. Some pieces of art such as this “painting” made almost entirely with fish hooks, are pretty artful and interesting:
Fish Hooks Make This Fab Piece Of Art
Perez Art Museum Details:
PAMM is located in the Miami Museums Park at 1103 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33132. There is a parking garage under the museum which makes it very convenient for bad weather or people with mobility problems. PAMM is open every day, except Wednesdays, from 10am-6pm and Thursdays from 10am-9pm. Check with them for holiday opening times. Admission prices at the time of writing: $16 for adults, $12 for children 7 years and older. Children under 7 years are free. You can find additional information about the museum, exhibitions and events here.
Probably My Favorite From PAMM
The Philip and Patricia Frost Science Museum
We didn’t actually make it here yet but it’s on my list, and I thought to include it as it is also situated in the museums park. Real museum lovers can do both in one day and perhaps have a little lunch/picnic break in the park if weather allows. Frost Science is divided into four buildings: a Planetarium, Aquarium, and a North and West Wing. Its displays focus on the science behind living systems, the solar system and universe, as well as the physics of flight, light and lasers, and human biology – amongst others. The Frost Science Museum is said to have many interactive exhibitions and unique shows, making it a great learning experience for children and adults. I’ll report back on it once we had a chance to go, but if you wanted to check out some reviews, you can find them here. They are mixed. And, it’s certainly not cheap. A family of 4 can be set back $100 in admission.
Frost Science Museum Details:
Frost Science Museum is also located at the Miami Museum Park at 1101 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33132. The parking garage on site serves both museums. The Frost Science Museum is open every day from 9:30am-5:30pm. Ticket prices are $29 for adults and $20 for children/youth from 3 years to 11 years old. Under 3 year old children are free. There is a slight reduction in price for Miami-Dade residents (15%).
Some Thoughts
If museums are not your thing, you might not want to spend over $200 for a day out with your family. All considered this is what the parking, admission fees for both museums and lunch (unless you bring it yourself) will probably cost you. On the other hand, if you are curious and love museums or are really at a loss for something to do in bad weather, why not give one or both museums a go. We did enjoy our afternoon there, and a little stroll in the park, although I can’t say there was anything very special about PAMM. It had some nice works of art that make you think, but it is not a museum I would go to time and time again. And then there was some art I guess I just don’t understand. But that is something we will all come across in any museum containing modern art. Some of it speaks to you, and some of it doesn’t. Even if it contains words…
The setting is definitely wonderful right on the waterfront and we had fun going for a quick stroll in the park. The weather was less than ideal, very windy and squalls of rain, but being close to the ocean is always nice even in less than ideal weather. We also spotted an old ship that was docked there.
They do have a great little patio/terrace area at the PAMM, which invites you to hang out, bring a book and just enjoy it. So all in all I found it worth visiting. Although I won’t be rushing back so soon, I might consider returning if they had a temporary exhibition that interested me. The setting and convenience do make for a nice afternoon out even (or especially) if the weather is iffy or bad.
Have you been to Frost Science Museum and care to share your experience? Please leave a comment 🙂