The long-awaited Miami World Center recently hosted a star-studded celebration to mark its grand opening in Downtown Miami, with a high-energy evening headlined by global superstar DJ Alesso and Shaggy, and a special performance of “God Bless the U.S.A.” by Grammy award-winning country artist Lee Greenwood.
The celebration featured remarks from Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, and Miami World Center’s development team, including Art Falcone, Nitin Motwani, and CIM Group’s Ryan Harter, who noted the project’s impact on Downtown Miami’s growth and revitalization over the last two decades.
But amid the retail shops and office space is a unique spot that sets World Center Miami apart from other mixed-use projects: the Museum of Ice Cream, the cherry on top of Miami’s latest shopping destination. Following successful pop-ups in 2017 and 2022, The Museum of Ice Cream's CEO, Mary Ellis Bunn, announced that the museum now has a permanent location in Miami.
The retro-inspired Creamliner at the Museum of Ice Cream.
The Museum of Ice Cream appeared in Miami Beach in 2017 as a limited-time pop-up, scheduled to last only two months. It created such high demand that its stay was extended several times, lasting a total of six months. In November 2022, it returned for one weekend as an ice cream paradise pop-up pool party at the adults-only boutique property, Hotel Greystone. The Miami venue will be the eighth location, joining the brand's other permanent locations in Austin, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York City, and Singapore.
The Miami World Center was selected as the permanent location for the Museum of Ice Cream due to the success of the museum's previous pop-up events in Miami, and the alignment of Miami World Center's vision with the Museum of Ice Cream's goals. The museum's co-founders are Bunn, an entrepreneur cited by Forbes’ 30 Under 30, and Manish Vora, previously CEO of the experience-tech venue, Lightbox, in New York City. They saw Miami as a prime location for expansion, particularly after the enthusiastic reception of their previous pop-ups in the Magic City.
The Museum of Ice Cream is designed to unleash one’s inner child. Venerating the love of ice cream, the museum offers games, sprinkles and, of course, unlimited ice cream. Designed to resemble a 1960s luxury airplane, the museum's two floors offer guests the discovery of the history of ice cream, various games, and interactive elements.
Sprinkle lovers can splash into the renowned sprinkle pool while floating in a layer of sprinkles inspired by the iconic Versace Mansion in South Beach. After the sprinkle pool, guests can explore the on-site cafe serving experimental and ice cream-infused cocktails, amazing ice cream products, and visit the gift shop for ice cream-inspired souvenirs.
Guests can play Rocket Pop Racers in the Carnival section of the Museum of Ice Cream.
There’s also a rainbow tunnel, rooms with oversized televisions, a sensory lab, the hall of freezers, a carnival area with games like Rocket Pop Racers, and lots of bananas. The sections are pink and peach and other ice cream-inspired hues, setting the scene for a whimsical adventure.
The Museum of Ice Cream is also available for private events, such as birthday parties, corporate events, fundraisers, and team building.
IF YOU GO
The Museum of Ice Cream
Word Center Miami
851 NE 1 Ave.
Miami