Enjoy Miami and Have Fun in South Florida on a Budget!

Fun Free and Deeply Discounted Cultural Activities, Low Cost Dining, Inexpensive Entertainment, Cheap Event Tickets, Complimentary Happy Hour Buffets, etc.

and Much More!

Miami .. and South Florida... doesn't have to be expensive... if you know where to go and what to do. We have assembled some wonderful ways to enjoy life in South Florida without it costing a fortune.

Miami Event Guide

Also see

Ft. Lauderdale Event Guide

Palm Beaches Event Guide

South Florida Offers Happy Hours ... many with Complimentary Buffets

Miami New Times Happy Hours A wonderful searchable database by area and day.

Cafe Tabac Complimentray buffet served during Happy Hour, Fridays, 5 to 7.

Doraku is a sushi restaurant on Miami Beach with some interesting special events... "Roll Your Own Sushi" on 1st Wednesdays, sake tasting on last Thursdays, and Happy Hours M-F 4-7 p.m. According to the buzz at SouthFlorida.com "... During happy hour on Fridays, it's feast, not famine, with a complimentary buffet... "

Paquito's Happy Hour Friday's 4 to 7 Live Latin music and complimentary buffet.

Quench Happy hour every Friday 5 to 9 p.m. One complimentary cocktail to reserved guests. $100 free bar tab to largest group.

Happy Hours For the Art Aficionado...

Miami Art Museum's JAM at MAM "Join us every third Thursday from 5 – 8:30pm for MAM’s Happy Hour with an Artful Twist... draws a loyal crowd of young professionals, artists, and other 21 to 41 year-olds who share a curiosity about art and Miami’s growing art scene. Enjoy a drink from the donation bar and munch on gourmet snacks while you listen to the sounds of local DJs. Come check out the art as well as the scene.Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and Djs spinning laid back grooves... " MAM members free; Non-members $5

Museum of Contemporary Art "Jazz at MoCA" Free outdoor concerts on the last Friday of every month. Galleries open by donation. North Miami. Other free and low cost events

LoweDown Happy Hour at the Lowe Art Museum on the University of Miami Campus on the first Thursdays of each month. According to SouthFlorida.com LoweDown Happy Hour features live jazz, light fare and complimentary cocktails courtesy of Bacardi... plus a guided tour of the current art exhibit with free admission.

Volunteering is a Great Way to Gain Free Entry into Posh and Wonderful Places.. and to Meet Kindred Spirits Who Are Interested in the Same Things You Are!

Here are just some of the wonderful volunteer opportunities available in Miami's Cultural Community:

Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens The typical admission for an adult is $20... and well worth it. Yearly memberships start at $50. But if you are willing to volunteer your time for 3-4 hours a week, you can spend those hours surrounded by the lush beauty that is Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens

Lowe Art Museum Docent Program.

Miami City Ballet Flexible volunteering hours.

Miami Metro Zoo "... volunteers are an essential part of Metrozoo's growth and its work to provide a safe haven for endangered and threatened animals. They are a dedicated and fun-loving group of people who take pride in helping Miami Metrozoo achieve its missions of education, conservation, research, and entertainment. Among the ranks you will find animal lovers, students, homemakers, professional men and women, retirees, and others... "

Miami Museum of Science and Planetarium "... Upon completion of 150 hours volunteers will receive a complimentary Family Membership good for two adults and all children in the household under the age of 18." The Museum also offers several free or low cost special interest clubs. This is another great way to meet like-minded new friends. BTW, after 4:30 p.m., ticket prices ... which include admission to all facets of museum including planetarium... are $2 cheaper.

Discount Tickets

Actor's Playhouse Has $15 student tickets subject to availability. Also $12 "Theatre for Young Audiences" tickets. School field trips at deep discounts.

Coconut Grove Playhouse Same day tickets, subject to availability, $15 off. Student tickets $15. Particpates with E-Tix Club

Maximum Dance Company Students $12 at door subject to availability.

Miami Art Museum Free on Sundays and Second Saturdays. Free to students with ID> Second Saturdays are FREE for families.

Museum of Contemporary Art - North Miami Tuesdays are by donation.

Festivals and Fairs Are Free... or Almost Free!

Art Deco Weekend Festival

Art MIami This is an annual art fair held each January at the Miami Beach Convention Center featuring 125 participating galleries from 26 countries . "... A new initiative in 2006 will be Free-day Friday and the Opening Night Bash. Designed to provide accessibility to all art enthusiasts, Art Miami will open its doors at 2pm on Friday, January 6, with free admission. From 7-10pm on Friday night, the free celebration continues with the official opening night of the fair."

Coconut Grove Arts Festival "... is one of the nation's premier outdoor fine arts festivals. Celebrating its 43rd anniversary in 2006, the Festival attracts over a 150,000 people annually to view the works of over 330 of the finest artists and craftsmen in the world... offers visitors the opportunity to meet and talk with exhibiting artists, sample fine cuisine, enjoy live entertainment, take a walk through history, and, for the kids, create their own works of art...." $5 admission - 3 day pass $12. Children 12 and under, Miami-Dade Transit Golden Passport and Patriot Passport members are FREE. Apply to volunteer to gain free admission

Miami Book Fair Students and Volunteers are free. Advance tickets $5.

Miami RiverDay Free. Free riverboat tours and water taxis. Coincides with Earth Day (March). Live music. Artists and craftspeople.

South Miami Art Festival

Free Concerts

Chopin Foundation of the United States Free Concerts.

Jazz AT MOCA "The popular Jazz at MOCA series presents free outdoor concerts on the last Friday of every month." Museum admission at that time "by donation".

Interesting Accommodations

Miami River Inn "Miami's Only Bed and Breakfast" Built between 1906 and 1910, the inn was restored to its original splendor in the late 1980's and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Inn has four cottages with a total of 40 rooms, each uniquely decorated with antiques and period pieces. Guests can occupy a first floor room with a porch that opens to the garden area or choose a room on the second or third floors with a view of the Miami River and downtown Miami to the east. Rates from $69 to $199 depending on dates and accommodations.

More Ways to Live Large for Less:

Free VOIP  Talk for FREE over your broadband Internet connection using your regular phone.

Free Payday Loans  Get paid tomorrow instead of Friday. Your 1st loan is FREE.

Free Credit Report  Buying a new car or a home? Then you MUST check your credit report.

Free Laptop Computer  No kidding... there IS a way that folks are getting a laptop for FREE!

Free Satellite TV Installation  Get TV in 4 rooms for less than you're paying for cable.

Free Car  Learn how some folks are driving a car for free. Fascinating!