Wynwood Walls

Wynwood Walls and the surrounding Wynwood Arts District comprise the largest concentration of street art in the world. What was once a neglected warehouse district has been transformed into an open-air museum where the walls of every building serve as canvases for internationally acclaimed street artists.

The Wynwood Walls proper is an enclosed courtyard featuring curated murals by invited artists -- names like Shepard Fairey, Retna, and Os Gemeos have contributed works. Admission is $12 per person (under 6 free). But the real magic extends well beyond the courtyard walls. The surrounding neighborhood has hundreds of murals covering entire building facades, and exploring them is completely free.

For families, Wynwood succeeds because it removes every barrier that makes traditional art museums challenging with kids. The art is outdoors, so there's no shushing. It's large-scale and colorful, so it holds attention naturally. Kids can run between murals, get up close, and interact with the art through photos. There's no prescribed path -- you wander and discover at your own pace.

The neighborhood has evolved into a full family destination with restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and shops lining the streets. Coyo Taco serves excellent tacos in a mural-covered courtyard. Salty Donut makes artisan doughnuts that kids devour. Zak the Baker has pastries and sandwiches. The food scene means you can combine art exploration with a meal and make a half-day of it.

Wynwood is ever-changing. Murals are painted over and replaced regularly, so repeat visits always reveal new work. Art Basel Miami Beach (early December) brings a surge of new installations and events to the neighborhood, though crowds are intense during that week.

For a first visit, a weekday morning provides the best combination of comfortable temperatures, thin crowds, and good light for photos.