Calendar-Specific Open Houses
Freedom Tower / MOAD Family Day — Free Monthly
Miami's Cuban Exile Memorial and Art Museum — Free Family Programming
Freedom Tower — Miami's landmark Cuban exile memorial and home to the Museum of Art and Design (MOAD) — hosts free monthly family days with art-making, storytelling, and community events rooted in Miami's history.
Freedom Tower is one of Miami's most historically significant buildings. Built in 1925 as the home of the Miami News, it became the processing center for Cuban refugees during the 1960s exodus — earning it the name 'Ellis Island of the South.' Today it houses the Museum of Art and Design (MOAD), operated by Miami Dade College. The monthly family days open the building to the public at no charge, with programming that connects Miami's history to contemporary art and community life. The building itself — a Mediterranean Revival tower on Biscayne Boulevard — is worth visiting for the architecture alone.
Insider Essentials
- CostFree. No ticket required for Family Day programming.
- ScheduleMonthly — check the MOAD calendar for specific dates. Family Day programming typically includes art-making workshops, storytelling, and community events.
- LocationFreedom Tower / Museum of Art and Design (MOAD), 600 Biscayne Blvd, Downtown Miami. Free Metromover: College/Bayside stop (Inner Loop).
Insider Hacks
How to make the most of this resource.
What's Inside
Freedom Tower holds both historical significance and active contemporary programming:
- The building:The tower's exterior and lobby are architectural landmarks. The Mediterranean Revival design and its history as the Cuban refugee processing center make it one of Miami's most meaningful public spaces.
- MOAD exhibitions:The Museum of Art and Design presents rotating contemporary art exhibitions with a focus on the Americas, the Caribbean, and the African diaspora — themes deeply connected to Miami's identity.
- Family programming:Family Day workshops are designed for all ages. Art-making activities connect to the current exhibitions and to Miami's cultural history.
Getting There
- Metromover:The free Metromover Inner Loop stops at College/Bayside — a 2-minute walk from Freedom Tower. Board at any Downtown station.
- Bayside Marketplace:Freedom Tower is a 5-minute walk from Bayside Marketplace on Biscayne Bay. Combine a Family Day visit with a waterfront afternoon.