5 Artsy Things to Do in Miami That Aren't Eating or Drinking
Welcome back to episode 4 of my interview series, What do you do in Miami when you're not eating or drinking? After chatting with photographer David Gary Lloyd in episode 1, Sebastian of Turn Back the Clock Shop in episode 2, and muralist Didi in Little Havana for episode 3, I sat down with museum educator Grace Torres (@museumparty). We filmed our conversation at Artisans Playhouse in Hialeah to talk through her favorite creative spots around town.
Grace works in museum education, so she thinks about culture and community all day long. Her picks focus on hands-on art spaces, local reading rooms, and shops that put their proceeds toward real community support. If you need plans that do not revolve around sitting at another restaurant table, save this list for your next free weekend, or send it to a friend who loves exploring creative neighborhoods.
Therapia by Aroma
Therapia by Aroma is an aromatherapy and perfume workshop brand with roots in Homestead farm country. Today, you can find them inside Cauley Square Historic Village in South Miami-Dade.
22400 Old Dixie Hwy, Goulds.
They make custom handcrafted perfumes, soaps, and skincare products. Cauley Square itself sits right off US-1 in Goulds, shaded by old trees and historic cottages. Stopping here gives you a quiet escape from city traffic where you can browse custom scents and stock up on handcrafted soap.
Bakehouse Art Complex
Bakehouse Art Complex sits in Wynwood, housed inside a former bakery building. It operates as one of Miami's longest-running non-profits supporting local working artists.
561 NW 32nd St, Wynwood.
The organization provides affordable studio spaces to painters, sculptors, and multidisciplinary makers. That mission helps keep artists living and working right here in Miami despite rising studio costs. You can walk through the campus, see public gallery exhibitions, and check out what local studio residents are producing across different mediums.
Roots Bookstore & Market
Roots Bookstore & Market is a cozy, Black-owned community space located in Liberty City.
6610 NW 15th Ave, Liberty City.
The shelves carry both used and new books, giving you a curated selection of titles to flip through in a warm room. It functions as a gathering place for neighbors and readers who want a dedicated literary stop outside of traditional commercial corridors. It is an easy place to spend an hour picking out your next read while directly supporting an independent local bookstore.
Artisans Playhouse
Artisans Playhouse is a community art space in Hialeah, and it happens to be where Grace and I filmed this episode.
2456 W 8th Ct, Hialeah.
If you like making things with your hands, this space offers crafting workshops, pottery, painting, and craft nights. They also host BYOM creative nights, which stands for Bring Your Own Materials. You pack up whatever project you have sitting on your dining room table, bring your supplies, and work alongside other creative people in an open room.
Dragonfly Thrift Boutique
Dragonfly Thrift Boutique is a shop for a cause located right on the edge of South Miami.
5815 SW 68th St, South Miami.
The store carries women's fashion, furniture, and home accessories. Every purchase helps fund LEAP (Ladies Empowerment & Action Program). LEAP works with women transitioning out of incarceration by providing housing, mentors, and paid retail jobs directly at the boutique. You get to hunt for furniture or clothing while knowing the revenue funds stable employment and reentry support.
How to Plan Your Creative Day Out
Miami is spread out, so grouping these stops by geography saves you hours in traffic.
If you want a northern route, start in Liberty City at Roots Bookstore & Market to browse books in the morning. Head west into Hialeah to catch an open session or crafting workshop at Artisans Playhouse, then cut down to Wynwood to tour the exhibitions at Bakehouse Art Complex.
If you prefer heading south, start at Dragonfly Thrift Boutique in South Miami to look through furniture and fashion pieces. From there, take US-1 straight south to Goulds and spend the rest of the afternoon walking through Cauley Square Historic Village to visit Therapia by Aroma.
FAQ
What are some artsy things to do in Miami that aren't eating or drinking?
You can visit working artist studios at Bakehouse Art Complex in Wynwood, take a hands-on crafting or pottery workshop at Artisans Playhouse in Hialeah, or browse new and used titles at Roots Bookstore & Market in Liberty City.
Where can I find pottery and crafting workshops in Miami?
Artisans Playhouse in Hialeah hosts crafting workshops, pottery, painting nights, and Bring Your Own Materials (BYOM) sessions where you can work on personal art projects in a communal setting.
Which Miami thrift stores give back to the local community?
Dragonfly Thrift Boutique in South Miami donates its proceeds to LEAP (Ladies Empowerment & Action Program). The sales fund housing, mentors, and paid retail jobs for women transitioning out of incarceration.
Grab a friend, pick one of these spots, and enjoy a creative side of South Florida. See you around town.