Hard Rock Stadium – Free Activities

After attending a game at Hard Rock Stadium in the Florida sunshine, visitors may want to see more of what the area has to offer. The problem is, attending an NFL game can be a bit pricey. Between tickets, parking, food, drinks, and some merch, you can spend a pretty penny for the entire experience. If you’re someone from out of town, paying for a hotel room adds another cost to consider.

Luckily, nearby cities Hollywood and Miami are filled with free activities, and only 30 minutes away from Hard Rock Cafe.

The guide below outlines some of the best, no-cost activities within a 30-minute drive of Hard Rock Stadium. Beachfront views, amazing art, live music, and immersion in different cultures await you. So make the most of your trip to Hard Rock Stadium by seeing everything the area has to offer.

 

Miami Gardens

Sunshine State Arch

The most well-known attraction in Miami Gardens is the Sunshine State Arch. The famous Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, inspired this National Historic Site. The Sunshine State Arch was created to withstand 200 mile per hour winds, which is especially important during South Florida’s hurricane season.

Even though the Sunshine State Arch was built in 1964, it remains in excellent condition and has not needed any major alterations. The arch is such an essential part of Miami Gardens that the city included it in their official town seal. Check out the Sunshine State Arch, which is located just 10 minutes away from Hard Rock Stadium.

 

Rolling Oaks Park

A trip to the local community park is a classic, free activity when visiting a new place. Rolling Oaks Park is a scenic park filled with large oak trees providing plenty of shade, as well as a playground, basketball court, and tennis court. Visitors regularly comment on the safety of the park, which makes it the perfect spot for families. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to attend the monthly Food Truck Invasion event.

After experiencing the exuberant energy of a game at Hard Rock Stadium, a visit to Rolling Oaks Park may be exactly what you need. You’ll be there in just six minutes.

 

Haulover Park

Hard Rock Stadium is not only a perfect place for sports fans, but beach-goers as well. Visit the waterfront, family-friendly Haulover Park, conveniently located 30 minutes away.

The beach at Haulover Park is regularly filled with families relaxing on the white sand and jumping into the warm aquamarine water. Visitors pack their own picnics and eat in the pavilion or take advantage of the delicious food trucks. There’s even a designated area for dogs. Haulover Park is known to be a safe area, with lifeguards and well-trained volunteers patrolling year-round

In addition, Haulover Park regularly hosts events, such as a colorful kite festival. The best part is that all these relaxing warm-weather activities won’t cost you a dime!

 

Hollywood

A short drive east of Hard Rock Stadium will bring you to the city of Hollywood, Florida. Developer Joseph Young founded the city in the 1920s with the intention to create a “dream city” and national destination. Since then, visitors from all over have enjoyed everything Hollywood has to offer.

This beachside city contains history, art, shopping, and outdoor activities to entertain everyone. It’s the perfect place to explore once your event at Hard Rock Stadium is finished, and can be fully experienced without spending any money.

 

Hollywood Boardwalk

At the bustling Hollywood Boardwalk, you can spend a few hours without spending money. People watch from a boardwalk bar, window shop at the plentiful stores, go for a stroll in the sand, or stay active by riding a bike in the designated lanes. There are also lots of delicious restaurants along the boardwalk if you’ve worked up an appetite. Whatever you choose to do, the entire boardwalk has a great view of the bright blue ocean.

The Hollywood Boardwalk is an incredibly popular destination best enjoyed on a sunny day. Guests recommend the Hollywood Boardwalk for its safety, cleanliness, and energetic atmosphere. Visit this popular destination just 30 minutes away from Hard Rock Stadium.

 

Historic Downtown Hollywood, Florida

The city of Hollywood has been around for approximately a century, so there are many historic sites for visitors to see in their Historic Downtown. One highly recommended activity is a self-guided tour around the city’s historic downtown area, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Free, downloadable maps are available on Hollywood’s website, making this a convenient activity. There are 50 historic locations throughout the downtown area, providing many interesting stops along the way.

While taking your self-guided walking tour, make sure you keep an eye out for the colorful murals scattered throughout town. This display of public art was made possible by the Hollywood Mural Project, whose mission is to beautify the area via exceptional yet accessible art for all to admire. There are more than two dozen murals throughout downtown Hollywood, and artists add new pieces regularly. You can download the Hollywood Mural Project’s free map, which shows the location of murals conveniently clustered around Hollywood Boulevard.

Hollywood’s historic downtown also hosts festivals, street markets, and various entertainment acts throughout the year. This active area is located less than 30 minutes from Hard Rock Stadium.

 

Miami

Hard Rock Stadium is only minutes away from the second-most visited city in Florida. Miami is an oceanfront city filled with restaurants, culture, art, and beach life. You’d be remiss to not visit this city when attending an event at the Hard Rock Stadium.

You can have an incredible weekend in Miami and save money by taking part in some of the free activities listed below.

 

Wynwood Walls

One of the most iconic and Instagram-worthy destinations in Miami is Wynwood Walls. This collection of murals, founded in 2009, is one of the country’s most prominent displays of street art. Wynwood Walls features murals by more than 50 artists from 16 different countries, and is always adding new pieces.

Wynwood Walls founder Tony Goldman wanted to revitalize and attract visitors to Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood, and saw the numerous warehouse buildings as blank canvases. Street art has not always been celebrated as a true art form, which was something Goldman wanted to change. Since its inception, Wynwood Walls has covered over 80,000 square feet of bare wall with professional artwork.

The art at Wynwood Walls has become so famous that murals have seeped into the surrounding neighborhood. While exploring the area’s adorable shops and restaurants, you never know when a colorful mural will be right around the corner.

The best part about this famous Miami destination is that there is no fee to enter. Because of this, community members and tourists alike can admire the display of public art. This Miami must-see is less than 30 minutes from Hard Rock Stadium.

 

Little Havana

With Cuba only an hour away, it makes sense that Miami has its own slice of Havana. The city’s robust Cuban population created the vibrant Little Havana neighborhood with a Latin American energy that’s worth a visit.

There are many art galleries, busy restaurants, and experiences that are reminiscent of life in Latin America. One of the best attractions in Little Havana is Cubaocho. This community center and art gallery hybrid is free to enter and has enough attractions to occupy any visitor. Cubaocho features a cigar bar, live music, dancing, life performances, and a collection of Cuban art dating back to the 1800s.

Along the streets of Little Havana are delicious cafes serving freshly made Latin American fare out of walk-up windows. Grab a snack and head over to Maximo Gomez Park, known as “Domino Park,” where locals spend hours playing dominos in the warm sunshine.

If you’re lucky, you’ll be in the city for one of Little Havana’s Viernes Culturales, or “Cultural Fridays.” A nonprofit organization holds these energetic events to celebrate art, music, and Latin culture. These free festivals bring even more vivacity to Little Havana.

Little Havana also contains the Latin Walk of Fame and the Cuban Memorial Boulevard, both of which commemorate significant Cubans and Latin Americans throughout history.

 

Institute of Contemporary Art Miami

When visiting incredible museums around the country, you can almost always expect to pay an admission fee. That’s why a visit to the Institute of Contemporary Art Miami, or ICA Miami, is such an attractive destination: admission to the museum is always free.

ICA Miami’s mission is to fuel appreciation for modern art by making it easily accessible. The three floors of the museum feature the work of “local, emerging, and under-recognized artists.” In addition, ICA Miami frequently holds new exhibitions, educational programs, and rotating collections.

Open your mind to view modern art in the form of photography, painting, and experiential art. You can also bask in the sunny Florida atmosphere by exploring the beautiful outdoor sculpture garden.

So if you’re interested in experiencing art on a budget, ICA Miami is the destination for you. Check out some world-class art without charge, approximately 25 minutes from Hard Rock Stadium.

 

Bayfront Park

Bayfront Park in Miami has the perfect balance of gorgeous ocean scenery and a bright, modern city skyline. As you take a leisurely walk along the ocean, you can simultaneously see boats on the crystal water and towering skyscrapers.

In addition, Bayfront Park contains the large Pepper Fountain, the perfect place to sit down and watch the bay. You may be lucky enough to spot some dolphins jumping through the water.

This bright and lively location has held many concerts and events, and continues to offer a packed schedule of activities such as “America’s Birthday Bash” on Independence Day and free yoga four days a week.