Best of Miami 2016 Preview: Best Museum

Every year, New Times spends countless hours treading through all sorts of paths to find the best our city has to offer. We've narrowed down Miami's most noteworthy places, people, and things, from hidden gems in strip malls to glowing establishments in plain sight. 

The 29th edition of our annual Best of Miami issue hits newsstands Thursday, June 16. In this edition, our staff has chosen more than 300 winners, from the finest restaurants to the most notable new bars and clubs around the Magic City. We'll also reveal the winners of our Readers' Poll, where thousands of votes were cast for Miami's favorite spots. 

But before the full list is released, here's a preview of one of our choices. 

Best Museum
The Wolfsonian-FIU
1001 Washington Ave.
Miami Beach 33139 
305-531-1001
wolfsonian.org

Before a certain developer got a museum on the bay named after him, and before Miami's 1 percent broke from a certain city to form its own art institution, there was the Wolfsonian-FIU. Founded in 1986 and opened to the public in 1995, the museum focuses on the role of design from the 1850s to the 1950s thanks to the Mitchell Wolfson Jr. Collection of Decorative and Propaganda Arts. Housed in the fortress-like building that is the former home of the Washington Storage Company, the museum is a beacon of culture in an area better known for late-night partying and barely-there swimwear. With 30 years under its belt, the space continues putting on some of the best programming, including 2015's "Philodendron: From Pan-Latin Exotic to American Modern," which examined beloved South Florida greenery as an icon in design. The Wolfsonian is open daily except Wednesday, and admission costs $10 (members get in free). A complimentary tour of the collection begins at 6 p.m. every Friday — it's highly recommended if you want the museum's knowledgeable staff to put the works into context.

Readers' choice: Pérez Art Museum Miami

Best of Miami 2016
A full list of the 2016 winners will be announced on Tuesday, June 14, and the complete issue will be available on newsstands Thursday, June 16. Celebrate with us at the Best of Miami Launch Party at the Rusty Pelican on Thursday, June 16. Tickets cost $45. Visit microapp.miaminewtimes.com/bestofparty/2016/.