21 Unique Indoor Activities In Phoenix To Try Next Time It Rains
- Date: December 19, 2024
- Topic: Events
- Contributors: Written by Peerspace StaffEdited by Alexis Shiraki
Source: Peerspace
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Event venues on Peerspace typically cost $60 — $220 per hour.
Rain isn’t common in Phoenix, AZ but when it does come, it pours! The monsoon rains are the perfect time to head inside and explore the indoor activities Phoenix has to offer. Fortunately, Arizona’s largest city has amenities on par with any major US city.
From international fine dining to world-class museums, you’re sure to have a good time when the rains visit. We at Peerspace also recommend browsing our collection of event venues if your rainy day planning needs to be extra special. From birthday dinners to movie nights, you’ll find Phoenix event venue rentals here that are flexible and filled with amenities!
1. Explore ancient cultures and visit the Pueblo Grande Museum
There are few archaeological sites in the US that are as conveniently located in a major metro area as the Pueblo Grande Museum (S’edav Va’aki Museum). The site contains a Hohokam Indian mound, a museum, and reconstructed dwellings that give you an immersive look at life in the region centuries ago.
2. Get your wellness on and book a private yoga class
Rainy days are a perfect opportunity for lovers of yoga and other movement arts to work on their craft. Instead of joining a crowded class, you’ll get way more benefits from working with a personal instructor, though!
All that you need is a yoga class venue that you can book through Peerspace, like a private yoga studio in Scottsdale. Walls lined with Himalayan salt release purifying ions into the air while you practice your asanas in this cork-floored wellness-centered space!
3. Check out the Arizona Science Center for all-ages fun
Lovers of education indoor activities in Phoenix will have a great experience at the Arizona Science Center! The Science Center mixes seasonal programs and special events with an incredible collection of permanent exhibits. You can explore outer space, desert geology, and human biology in just a couple of hours here!
4. Take incredible photos at Butterfly Wonderland
What better indoor activity in Phoenix could there be than visiting the rainforest in the heart of the desert? Butterfly Wonderland lets you do just that; as the largest butterfly conservatory in the country, you can wander among 60 different species in an open-air glass garden. Butterfly Wonderland also has educational opportunities like movies and exhibits where guests can learn about butterfly life cycles, conservation efforts, and more.
Check out these sick Instagram location ideas in Phoenix to discover some amazing content creation spots!
5. Hit the lanes and go bowling at Fat Cats
“All Out Fun” is the motto of Fat Cats, a local bowling alley + restaurant combo with a lot to do indoors! Fat Cats started out in Salt Lake City and has since become a go-to fun venue for cities throughout the West, including Phoenix. Fat Cats is more than just a bowling alley, however. You’ll also find movies showing, a video game arcade, and an indoor neon miniature golf course!
6. Get tickets to The SEA LIFE Aquarium Arizona
Tempe is home to the SEA LIFE Aquarium, home to the only 360° ocean tunnel in the state! Touch tidal pool creatures at the Interactive Touch Pool and see rescue animals that are being rehabilitated or are too injured to return to the wild. The Aquarium is also an incredible educational institution, filled with exhibits that bring the distant ocean to the heart of the desert!
7. Go bargain hunting at the Brass Armadillo Antique Mall
Antique stores aren’t just for lovers of flea markets or bargain hunters. Check out Phoenix’s Brass Armadillo, an antique mall chain found in multiple Mid and Southwestern cities. Whether you’re looking for old license plates, vintage shot glasses, retro video games, or something more, you’re sure to find it here!
8. Enjoy comedy with the Drunk Shakespeare Performance in Phoenix
The comedy scene in Phoenix is world-class, with everything from famous standup comics to open-mic performances happening nightly. Drunk Shakespeare offers something even more off the wall; each comic takes five shots before coming up on stage to perform part of a Shakespearean play. Many of their special events involve a drink or two for the audience as well!
9. Host a movie night with friends in your very own theater
Movie nights are fun for all ages, any time of the year. If you want an unforgettable screening party or movie night, then you’ll need a venue with the right amount of space and amenities for the evening. Instead of renting an Airbnb, which has banned events, consider booking a private movie theater with Peerspace. We have plenty of great spaces for a movie night, like this Camelback Mountain mansion with a private screening room and popcorn machine!
10. Discover creativity and culture at the Phoenix Art Museum
There’s no better repository of multidisciplinary art than the Phoenix Art Museum. You’ll find original works by Georgia O’Keeffe, Monet, Diego Rivera, and other prominent artists here. The museum is also free to see but accepts tickets on a donation basis several times per year, making it an affordable way to get cultured on a rainy day!
11. Build things at the LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona
Are you looking for family-friendly indoor activities in Phoenix to explore? Why not bring the kids to the LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona! There are over a million LEGO bricks set into sculptures, educational features, play areas, and more. You’ll also have a 4-D cinema, coffee shop, and store to explore during your visit.
12. See a magic show with the Carnival of Illusion
Sleight of hand magic isn’t just for kids! The Carnival of Illusion is a monthly show happening in Phoenix at the Wrigley Mansion and the Renaissance Phoenix downtown. The performers have been featured on the Las Vegas Strip, Penn & Teller’s Fool Us, Broadway, and other venues. Making the Carnival a perfect rainy day, date night, or birthday outing for adults!
13. Band together to bust out of an escape room
Escape rooms are live-action puzzles where you follow a storyline and find clues to escape the venue before time is up! Themes come in all kinds of flavors, including Dorothy & The Wizard of Oz, mystery thriller, and science fiction action adventures. You might be working with a group of strangers to get out or you can bring a group for an unforgettable rainy day outing!
14. Have a combat adventure with Arizona Tactical Adventures
From tactical training to group combat games, Arizona Tactical Adventures offers a more realistic experience than any laser tag arena. They offer multiple adventure zones throughout Phoenix, indoor and outdoor, to explore. Everything you need, from tactical clothing to weapons, is also included!
15. Show off your artistic skills at a local art studio
For all the artists out there, your ideal indoor activities in Phoenix may include sitting before a canvas, painting your next masterpiece. We think this is a perfect rainy day activity, and made even better when you use Peerspace to book an art studio to ensure a bespoke experience.
One of our favorites is Bubbly Brush in Tempe, an inviting local painting studio that can provide you with canvas, paint, and an inspiring atmosphere. Not only that, but the host also provides karaoke equipment, in case you and your guests feel like belting out some choice numbers!
16. Enjoy cocktails and rum at UnderTow
Sometimes you want a venue that has a little more to offer than just drinks. When you do, check out UnderTow, a nautical-themed bar decked out to look like a turn-of-the-century clipper ship! The interactive nature of the experience goes beyond the decor, with drink menus reflecting the journey the ship is on.
17. Relax with a luxury spa day
There are few better indoor activities in Phoenix than a spa day during a rainstorm. You can enjoy a single day at a luxury spa where talented staff will see to your tired body. Or you can take several days to explore a spa resort, where you can enjoy swimming, golf, fine dining, and other activities on the grounds.
Start your wellness journey at the Tierra Luna Spa, part of the Biltmore Hotel & Resort complex. With multiple pools, villas for rent, and fine dining on-site, you’ll never want to leave after your stay!
Party planning? Then you need to see these awesome party rental options near Phoenix next!
18. Delight your taste buds by checking out a new restaurant
Phoenix has some of the best dining options in the state, as befitting Arizona’s largest city. From Vietnamese to Native American, you’ll find something to please every palate in the Valley of the Sun! Why not try Taco Guild, a gourmet taco restaurant set inside a 19th-century former church? You’ll find vegetarian and vegan options, along with an excellent selection of mezcal and tequila!
19. Brush up on your knowledge and explore the Musical Instrument Museum
Phoenix has not only the usual art and science museums that most major cities have. It also has some fascinating niche museums and one of our favorites is the Musical Instrument Museum! Check out their collection of nearly 8,000 instruments from around 200 different countries. You’ll see instruments that were owned by world-famous artists, learn about music history, and even get to play a few tunes of your own during your visit.
20. Practice your free throws at a private indoor basketball court
If you feel like breaking a sweat but want to keep the action confined to the indoors, then we have the perfect solution for you. Why not book a few hours at this industrial indoor basketball court in Tempe and play a few rounds of your favorite basketball games with friends? It’s a full wood basketball court that invites you to host your special events (and friendly competitions!) on its premises.
21. Go shopping and dining at Scottsdale Fashion Square
Scottsdale Fashion Square is a shopping experience like no other! You’ll find luxury brands like Neiman Marcus, Apple, Nordstrom, and others in this 2 million square foot mall. It’s the largest mall in Arizona and one of the top 30 largest in the nation. Besides fashion stores, you’ll also find a variety of sit-down restaurants to enjoy.
Indoor activities in Phoenix: conclusion
As you can see, The Silicon Desert has plenty to satisfy locals looking to escape the rain (or sun) and head indoors. Whether you’re interested in combat tactical games, comedy, or shopping, Phoenix is sure to put a smile on your face. You can make the day even more memorable by booking a special event venue where you won’t have to share indoor fun with the general public. Peerspace has hundreds of venues for rent throughout Phoenix for any kind of indoor fun!
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