The Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science (previously known as the Miami Science Museum and Miami Science Museum and Space Transit Planetarium) is Miami‘s premier science museum and the most prominent institution of its kind in the city. Let’s explore what you can expect from a visit.
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What is the Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science?
Founded in the 1950s, its new location on Biscayne Boulevard was inaugurated in 2017, and today the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is one of Miami’s most significant cultural attractions and a center of excellence for the study and dissemination of the sciences.
In addition to interactive exhibits and installations that allow you to experience science hands-on, the museum features a stunning 500.000 gallons aquarium and a 250-seat planetarium where you can enjoy awe-inspiring projections that will mesmerize you with the vastness and wonders of the universe.
Similar to the Pérez Art Museum, the Miami Science Museum is located within Miami’s Museum Park. Its headquarters consist of four expansive buildings:
1. The Aquarium, with three floors and a captivating 30 feet diameter lens that provides an underwater view of the fish, rays, and sharks.
2. The Frost Planetarium, with a 65 feet diameter dome-shaped screen, creating an immersive experience.
3. The North Wing and West Wing, housing permanent and temporary exhibitions, offices, a shop, and the Knight Learning Center with four classrooms for students.
Location and Directions
The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is located at 1101 Biscayne Boulevard in Miami and is situated within Maurice A. Ferré Park, next to the Perez Art Museum.
The museum is easily accessible by public transportation:
– The Museum Park stop on the Miami-Dade Metromover is just a short walk from the museum’s entrance.
– If you are coming from Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach, you can take the Brightline train and use the Brightline+ service to book a ticket to Miami Central Station. From there, you can take a private or shared Uber to reach the museum.
– The Biscayne Boulevard/NE 13 Street bus stop is served by bus routes 3, 93, 120, and S, and it is a 10-minute walk from the museum.
– The NE 13 Street and N Bayshore Drive bus stop is served by the S and M bus lines and is a 12-minute walk away.
– The Biscayne Boulevard/NE 10th Street stop allows you to reach the museum using the Miami Trolley.
For more information on the best ways to get around the city, I suggest reading our articles on the Metromover and getting around in Miami.
If you decide to drive your car to the museum, you can park in the museum’s parking lot. The cost is $15 per day.
Ticket and Hours
The standard ticket prices to access the Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science are as follows:
- $29.95 for adults from Monday to Thursday and $32.95 from Friday to Sunday.
- $22.95 for children aged 4 to 11 from Monday to Thursday and $24.95 from Friday to Sunday.
- Free admission for children under 3 years old and for members.
The ticket includes access to the museum’s exhibits, the aquarium, and the planetarium. I recommend booking your ticket directly on the museum’s website to ensure availability on your chosen day and time.
Tickets on the official website
The museum is open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Things to Do and Attractions
The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is a museum that, with a single ticket, allows you to discover everything in one day, from the life of the Everglades and the oceans to the cells of the human body and the universe that surrounds us, from dinosaurs to technological innovations.
The four buildings that make up the museum are divided into six levels, and you will have the opportunity to admire and interact with the installations on the various floors. In particular, I suggest exploring:
- The Power of Science exhibition, which showcases past achievements and breakthroughs by scientists and researchers, as well as the future of science in four major areas: the ocean, the environment, the human body, and the universe.
- Solar System & Beyond, featuring photos and renderings provided by NASA.
- Feathers to the Stars, which illustrates the history of flight, from animals that can fly to human inventions for flying in the sky and space. In this exhibition, you will also find a small wind tunnel replica and some NASA artifacts.
- River of Grass, an interactive exhibition focused on the Everglades, designed to capture children’s attention through stories about topics like biodiversity, narrated by entertaining animals.
- The Sun Spot, located on the museum’s rooftop, showcasing the benefits of solar energy and different methods for harnessing it effectively.
The museum is also renowned for the Frost Planetarium, one of the most advanced planetariums in the United States, with six 3D projectors, surround sound, 8K projections, and a screen that envelops you almost 360 degrees. Remember to arrive 15 minutes before the show starts, as once the doors are closed, entry is not allowed.
Finally, the stunning Aquarium will allow you to discover the aquatic wonders found in the seas of South Florida, from microorganisms on coral reefs to sharks swimming in the Gulf Stream. The building is divided into three levels: Vista showcases surface habitats like mangrove forests and the Everglades, Dive illustrates subtropical marine ecosystems, and Deep reveals the secrets of the ocean’s depths.
Where to Stay
The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is located north of Downtown Miami and enjoys a beautiful view of the coastline, overlooking the bay. The area is rich in things to do and is well connected to other neighborhoods in the city, some of which may be more picturesque and famous. It could be a good area to stay if you find a hotel or apartment in this part of the city.
I recommend taking a look at our article on where to stay in Miami for further advice and insights on both the areas and accommodation.
