Museum month spotlights Miami's cultural side

In case you hadn't noticed, it's getting hot in the Sunshine State — and it's not even summer.

That means it's the time of year to take your road trips indoors, with a stop at one of Florida's many interesting — and climate-controlled — museums.

In South Florida, it's easier to put that plan into action during May's Miami Museum Month, a collaborative promotional effort by the area's museums to make it more affordable to soak up the art, history and fun — as well as the air conditioning.

•Visitors buy one, get one free: As the name suggests, this deal is aimed at visitors from outside Greater Miami. Anyone with an ID that offers proof of residency outside Miami Dade County is eligible for the savings.

•Join one, see them all: Buy a membership at any participating museum to be eligible for free admission at other partner attractions during Miami Museum Month. With this offer, it's possible to save as much as $50.

Since it's inaugural year in 2009, Miami Museum Month has expanded to include 17 cultural attractions, including four newcomers in 2011: Ancient Spanish Monastery, Coral Gables Merrick House, Coral Gables Museum and Wings Over Miami Air Museum.

In addition, this year's lineup includes Art Center/South Florida, Bass Museum of Art, Black Police Precinct & Court House Museum, The Haitian Heritage Museum, HistoryMiami, Jewish Museum of Florida, Lowe Art Museum, Miami Art Museum, Miami Children's Museum, Miami Science Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, The Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum and the Wolfsonian-FIU.

Miami's was heralded on Vogue.com in January as a Destination of the Month for its wealth of art and culture.

The list of participating museums can be found at the event's website, miamimuseummonth.com, along with a calendar of events ranging from book clubs to happy-hour cultural performances.

Tell them to keep the air conditioning on high.