National Public Gardens Day is Friday, May 6. If your mother likes gardens, taking her to see one might be a great Mother’s Day Gift. To visit most of the gardens, you’ll need to sign up in advance.

In and near Miami-Dade County, three gardens are participating, including one that is usually open only by appointment:

• Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables. Everyone gets $5 off admission so it’s $20 for adults, $13 for seniors 65 and up, and $7 for kids 6-17, and a 10% discount on memberships. Sign up here.
• Montgomery Botanical Center, 11901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables. Free guided tours at 9 a.m., and 1 p.m. Sign up here.

In celebration of National Bike Month and in support of alternative and green transportation, Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) will offer free admission to all visitors who arrive to the museum by bike throughout the month of May. To redeem free admission, visitors can post a photo of their ride to PAMM on social media with the hashtag #BikeToPAMM and tag @pamm (Twitter) or @pammpics (Instagram).

Free First Thursday: Cycle de Mayo: Thursday, May 5, 2016, 6-9pm

To kick off this month-long cycle-bration, PAMM will host Cycle de Mayo on Thursday, May 5 from 6-9pm. Cyclists can mix and mingle over Cinco de Mayo-inspired happy hour specials (available for purchase); create bike spoke cards with PAMM teaching artists; and enjoy live music on the museum’s waterfront terrace. Free bike valet will be provided and free bike checkups will be available on-site. Galleries will be open until 9pm, and event and museum admission is free.

Free first Thursdays is possible by Knight Foundation. Bike valet provided by Green Mobility Network. Free bike checkups for provided by Brickell Bikes. Yelp is the official check-in partner.

The Museum offers free admission to active and retired firefighters and their families. Did you know that the Coral Gables Museum was the Old Police and Fire Station? The building, which was constructed as a WPA project during the Great Depression, served as the home of the police and fire departments from 1939 through 1975. Today, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Explore the building through the “Our Building’s History” photography exhibit and cell phone audio tour.

Free for firefighters and their families!

Come join us this week at MCM and ignite the spark for reading in your child. Each day, discover a new book or author paired with fun activities for children 5 & under. Visit our Art Studio where you can create storybook illustrations with different characters.

Weekly schedule:

• Mini Mo Willems Monday: 10am-6pm
• Pete the Cat Tuesday: 1-6pm
• Where the Wild Things Are Wednesday: 1-6pm
• Cinco de Mayo Thursday: 1-6pm
• Dr. Seuss Friday: 1-6pm

Free with admission, click here for more info.

Miami Waterkeeper and Biscayne Nature Center present, Water Fest, a Waterkeeper Alliance SPLASH Series event, presented nationally by TOYOTA on April 30th, 1pm-5pm.
After a highly successful Big Float Event in September, Biscayne Nature Center and Miami Waterkeeper are again teaming up to celebrate clean water and beautiful beaches. Water Fest will offer paddleboarding and kayaking, food and drinks, volleyball, arts and crafts, and educational opportunities. Tickets include Lunch and for Adults over 21 2 Beers. Water Fest will bring together the community by hosting an eco-village with local environmental groups. We look forward to rallying Miami’s community around the beaches and waterways!

Save $5 by purchasing your tickets online below (tickets are also available at the door, but do not include an early-bird discount).

All ticket sales include a Miami Waterkeeper Starfish Membership (a $25 value) and a Biscayne Nature Center Membership (a $25 value)!

Join American Girl@ Our AG Memories

April 17; May 8; June 19

Available during bistro hours

You’ve had an exciting day, now commemorate it! Share entertaining conversation starters, create a special craft, take home exclusive activities, and best of all—make new memories with family and friends while you savor a delicious meal.

General Information
Tickets: $38 per person
(Please note, prepaid event reservations are non-exchangeable and non-refundable) (gratuity not included)
Reservations required; call toll-free 877-247-5223.
For girls ages 8 and up.

Target Free Third Friday
Friday, April 15th
3:00pm – 9:00pm
Thanks to the generosity of Target Corporation, visitors can roam the Museum free of charge, every third Friday of each month, from 3:00pm to 9:00pm. Due to the number of visitors on Target Free Third Fridays, we suggest leaving strollers at home.

Enjoy a day’s worth of Japanese-themed activities during our annual Japanese Spring Festival, where we celebrate Miami’s friendship with Japan.

Some of the featured activities include:
Taiko drumming performances by Fushu Daiko,
Ikebana classes, the Japanese Art of Flower arrangement (for both children and adults),
Authentic Japanese Tea Ceremony,
Children’s martial arts demonstration,
Anime-themed vendors and plant vendors,
AND MUCH MORE!
The event will be free and open to the public and it will start at 10AM.