19 Unique Indoor Activities In Dallas To Try Next Time It Rains (2024)

As a resident of Dallas, you’ve got an array of indoor activities to keep you busy and entertained anytime the weather is less than stellar. We’ve assembled a list of the top 19 indoor activities in Dallas that are worth checking out next time it rains. Just keep reading for all the details!

1. Explore the massive collection at the Dallas Museum of Art

The Dallas Museum of Art is one of the biggest museums of its kind in the United States, with ancient and contemporary art from all around the world on display. It’s easy to spend an entire rainy day enjoying this indoor activity in Dallas!

2. Or visit the Crow Museum of Asian Art

Already spent time at the Dallas Museum of Art? Then visit the lesser-known Crow Museum to focus more specifically on Asian art. As a bonus, it’s also completely free to visit!

3. Throw a spontaneous party at a Dallas venue courtesy of Peerspace

Modern and Industrial Small Event Studio Space in Addison Circle
Source: Peerspace

Plan a last-minute party and invite a bunch of friends for a fun indoor activity in Dallas! Especially if you’re a social, extroverted person, throwing a spontaneous party is one of the best ways to turn a boring rainy day into a memorable, fun experience.

And what about the venue, you might be asking? If you can’t host it at home (or would simply prefer not to), not to worry. You have tons of great alternatives at your fingertips thanks to Peerspace, the largest online marketplace for event venues and other hourly rentals.

Here are several great examples of the hundreds of fabulous Dallas venues (more than 340, to be exact!) that you’ll find on Peerspace:

  • This incredible sky lounge with Dallas views combines a casual, cozy vibe with tasteful, modern elegance in a way that makes it easy to imagine throwing a last-minute party here! The views of the surrounding Dallas/Fort Worth area are beyond stunning, and it’s also got lots of practical amenities that’ll make your party that much easier: comfortable couches and club chairs that can be arranged however you’d like, a kitchen with fridge, oven, stovetop, dishwasher, and other necessities, three (!) large HD televisions, decorative accent lighting, and more, all in a private space. 
  • Find the home away from home you’ve been seeking for your party at this modern, elegant, and spacious house in Old East Dallas. The roughly 2,200-square-foot home is ideal for smaller gatherings, with a max capacity of 20 people at a time. It also has three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, a well-equipped chef’s kitchen, and a two-car private garage for use. Also convenient is the fact that the home is centrally located near Uptown, Downtown, Deep Ellum, and M-Street.
  • This classy and vibrant art gallery located in the Design District is an awesome choice if you’re hoping to throw a larger party with as many as 100 guests! Known as Daum Gallery, it contains 2,025 square feet of open space, including two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and a lounge area. Most importantly, the walls are decorated with beautiful contemporary artworks, which provide amazing decor (and any of which you and your guests could purchase, if you happen to fall in love with a particular piece). 
  • This modern and industrial event studio space in Addison Circle is a good fit for gatherings of up to 45 guests, and it’s a simple yet versatile venue that you can customize with decor and rearrange to your heart’s desire. It comes with five 6′ folding tables and 30 chairs included in your rental, and the space is quite affordable at a rental price of $115 per hour.

Ready to start searching Peerspace for Dallas party venues yourself? Once you’ve submitted an initial search, make sure to filter your results based on the aspects that are the biggest priorities for your party (such as price per hour, number of attendees, party date/time, etc.). 

One tip to keep in mind:

Since you’re throwing a spontaneous rainy day party, we’re guessing you probably don’t have much time to plan it. That’s why we’d recommend filtering your search results to only show spaces that can be instantly booked—to do so, simply click the “More filters” button at the top of your search results page and check off the box next to “Instant Book.”

4. Step into the future at Sandbox VR

Cyberpunk Party Ideas
Source: Peerspace

Have you ever watched Stark Trek and wished that you could try out the Holodeck for yourself? If so, visit Sandbox VR Dallas for a truly immersive virtual reality experience. It’s one of the only indoor activities in Dallas that’s designed to emulate the Holodeck to a T!

5. Enjoy major self-care at one of Dallas’s best spas

Chic & Modern Hair Salon
Source: Peerspace

You deserve to take time to unwind and pamper yourself, and a trip to the spa on a rainy day is one of the most effective ways to do that. Here’s a list of the best spas in Dallas courtesy of Paper City Magazine to help you decide which one to visit.

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6. See an unusual exhibit at the Adrian E. Flatt, M.D., Hand Collection

The Adran E. Flatt Hand Collection is one of the more unusual indoor activities in Dallas that we’re going to suggest. It’s certainly unique, and it’s worth visiting for those with an interest in history as well as in medicine! It’s a collection of more than a hundred cast bronze hands, all of which have their own unique vibe and many of which are from famous people (examples include Abraham Lincoln, Louis Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Mickey Mantle). Since it’s free to visit, it’s a great option if you’re on a budget.

7. See a movie at the Texas Theatre

The Texas Theatre is an important part of history—it’s the location where Lee Harvey Oswald was found and taken into custody after he assassinated President JFK. It’s even on the National Register of Historic Places. If you’re interested in history and love going to the movies, be sure to check it out!

8. Educate yourself at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science

Love science? Then check out the Perot Museum’s list of upcoming exhibits and films to see if there’s anything that piques your interest!

9. Attend a live performance of the Dallas Symphony

Have you ever seen a full orchestra perform live? Attend one of their upcoming concerts to turn your rainy day into a thrilling and transportive experience.

10. Experience the history of flight at the Frontiers of Flight Museum

Check out real, historic airplanes from eras spanning the 20s and 30s all the way to the modern era of high-tech jets and rocket ships at the Frontiers of Flight Museum.

11. Come face to face with amazing ocean life at the Dallas World Aquarium

The usual aquarium suspects like sharks, stingrays, and other impressive denizens of the deep dwell at the Dallas World Aquarium. But here, you’ll also find exotic birds, giant river otters, sloths, and more in their rainforest exhibit. Indoor activities in Dallas like this are basically like a trip to the zoo and to the aquarium, all in one visit. We especially recommend it as a fabulous way to keep kids busy and entertained while they learn about biology and learn more about awesome animals of all kinds.

12. Treat yourself to a shopping spree at the North Park Center

If you love luxury shopping, the North Park Center is a dream destination. It boasts over 200 stores and restaurants including Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Macy’s, and Dillard’s. It’s ranked as one of the top five shopping centers in the U.S. for a reason!

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13. Take a class at the Dallas Circus Center

If the rain spoiled your outdoor workout plans, book a class at the Dallas Circus Center for a fun alternative that’ll get your blood pumping.

14. View the gorgeous stained glass at Cathedral Santuario de Guadalupe

Cathedral Guadalupe is a Catholic church with stunning architectural features, especially its stained glass.

15. Entertain kids with a show at the Dallas Children’s Theater

If you’re looking to keep kids busy on a rainy day, check out what’s coming up soon at the Dallas Children’s Theater.

16. Sip a tasty craft beer at Pegasus City Brewery

Conveniently located in downtown Dallas, Pegasus City Brewery is praised for its welcoming atmosphere as much as its delicious beers.

17. Appreciate Art Deco architecture at the Hall of State

Fans of historic Art Deco architecture will appreciate this incredible building, which was built in 1936 for the Centennial Exposition.

18. Sample drinks and arcade games at Cidercade Dallas

You can’t beat paying only $12 to play as many games as you want. Especially among their selection of more than 140!

19. Browse vintage clothing, oddities, and more at Dolly Python Vintage

Dolly Python’s 3,800 square feet of space contain vintage clothing as well as collectibles, taxidermy, animal skeletons, vinyl, posters, folk art, old books, and so much more. It’s like visiting an incredibly unique museum where you can purchase any of the items on display for yourself.

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