Ten Fun Things to do on a Rainy Day in Destin
So you’re on vacation and your plans for the day have been washed away by rain. Yes, Florida is the sunshine state, but why let some gray clouds dampen your vacation spirit. Think of a rainy day as another opportunity to enjoy something a little more laid back, but just as fun! Here’s a list of TEN exciting activities to do on a rainy day in Destin.
Abrakadoodle – A little paint, some clay and a WHOLE lot of hands-on creativity is what this art center offers kids 20 months thru elementary school age. With art classes offered throughout the day, it’s the perfect place to get out of the weather and immersed in the fun!
Emerald Coast Science Center – Play an invisible harp. Use your hand as a battery. Feel the wind power of a category 5 hurricane! It’s all available to you to experience at the Science Center. Since it’s education wrapped in a whole lot of fun, your kids won’t even know they’re at a museum and learning new things about their world. With many hands-on exploratory exhibits, this is a great place for the whole family.
Gulfarium – No one likes getting wet in the rain, but jumping in the water to get up close and personal with bottlenose dolphins or stingrays is nothing but fun! With opportunities to have “discovery” adventures with turtles, penguins, gators and other reptiles, this aquarium is sure to become a vacation favorite. Not interested in an animal encounter? No problem. There are plenty of displays, exhibits and even shows that are included in your general admission.
Bowling – Available at Hurricane Lanes and Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl and Grill . Hurricane Lanes has 26 lanes, 12 pool tables and an arcade. With reasonable prices and bowling until midnight, there’s hours of fun waiting for you! Uncle Buck’s lanes will take you right to the beach with “dock” wooden lanes decorated with underwater scenery and custom bowling balls looking like mermaids, octopuses
and camouflage. Casual family dining is available as well as an island themed bar guaranteeing hours of indoor fun for everyone.
Ripley’s Believe it or Not Odditorium – Housed in a sinking Titanic boat in nearby Ft. Walton, this museum of quirky oddities and collections of unusual artifacts has a little something for everyone. Speed through Ripley’s impossible LaseRace or experience their 7D movie theater. With 13 galleries and many hands-on interactive exhibits, no doubt this could be one of the highlights of your Destin vacation.
Destin Commons – If spending the day searching for bargains is more your pleasure, then a rainy day in Destin is the perfect opportunity to enjoy shopping at Destin Commons’ 90+ stores. Offering the best in outlet shopping, dining and entertainment there’s hours of bargain-hunter nirvana waiting for you. With a miniature train offering rides for the kids and plenty of restaurants, there’s sure to be something to keep everyone happy.
Indian Temple Mound – Florida is rich in Native American history. With over 1,000 artifacts of clay, bone and shell as well as one of the finest collections of prehistoric ceramics in the Southeastern US, this museum is the perfect stop for anyone who has an interest in historical cultures and relics.
Destin History & Fishing Museum – If the thought of holding an antique split bamboo rod with an original Penn reel sets your heart racing or viewing trophy-winning game fish displayed as if they were swimming in the Gulf of Mexico makes you giddy with fishing fever, then this may just be the perfect place for you to spend a rainy afternoon. Marking its 10th anniversary this month with free admission, Destin History Museum with 5,500 square ft of exhibits is perfect for anglers of all ages.
Fired Up Seaside Paint-Your-Own Pottery – The perfect place to add some sunshine to a rainy day, this family-friendly art center allows you to pick your own piece of pottery and use your imagination to create a one-of-a-kind piece of art. Decorate a puppy in rainbows and flowers. Choose a dolphin as a memento of your vacation. Or put the baby’s handprints on a platter. The staff is super friendly and will offer idea books, stamps, stencils and plenty of encouragement. No reservations are needed and pieces finished by 2pm are generally ready for pickup within 24 hours.
Fat Daddy’s Arcade – Smiles, giggles and squeals of delight abound at this indoor arcade. Play skee ball and win tickets for prizes. Challenge your kids to a Guitar Hero showdown. Shoot basketball free throws or race each other on the digital racing course. There’s plenty of interactive games (and even some live alligators) for hours of entertainment for the whole family. Offering a great selection of food from pizza to sandwiches and salads, you won’t even need to go out in the rain when it’s time to feed the troops.
And if you’re looking for a day to relax, a rainy day might be the perfect opportunity to kick back and lounge on the comfy couches of your vacation rental, pour a glass of wine and enjoy a movie on the big screen television. Whatever you enjoy doing, there’s always something to do when the rain changes your outdoor plans in Destin.
