Look for far-flung planets, experience hurricanes and be wowed by light shows at Miami Science Museum and Planetarium.
This small but perfectly formed museum makes for a great day out for all the family. You can sneak some education into the kids without them realising, and there are plenty of interesting activities for the young at heart, too.
The museum and planetarium are spread throughout several buildings, and the entry price includes admission to all exhibitions and demonstrations, planetarium shows and a wildlife centre. Throughout the day, there are opportunities to turn your body into a human yoyo and rocket three metres up in the air – maybe have your lunch after rather than before! Both kids and adults will be awed by the power of hurricanes in the hurricane simulator. The wind whips through at nearly 130 kph, taking your breath with it.
In the Heart Zone, bust some moves on the dance floor which you will literally make light up – this is the only dance floor in the world where the lights are powered by energy from dancers.
Another popular show is Legends of the Night Sky in the planetarium. Based on Greek mythology, you'll be gripped by the laser imagery, and you'll also learn how to find the constellations mentioned in the sky. If you're in Miami on the first Friday of the month, enjoy a free Planetarium Star Show (7 p.m.) and rooftop observatory viewing (8.30 p.m. – 10 p.m.) though this part is weather permitting.)
In 2015, the museum will move to a new 250 million US dollar state-of-the-art facility and become the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science in the heart of downtown Miami. Currently, the museum and planetarium are found in the Vizcaya complex just south of downtown Miami and are open every day, except Christmas and Thanksgiving. You can reach the complex by public transport on Metrorail - exit at Vizcaya Station.
