19 Indoor Activities In Fort Lauderdale To Try Next Time It Rains (2024)
- Date: May 31, 2024
- Topic: Events
- Contributors: Written by Peerspace Staff

Source: Peerspace
South Florida is a warm and sunny locale but rain does come for a visit sometimes. Fortunately, the list of indoor activities in Fort Lauderdale is one of the most generous in the nation! From food to festivities, the Venice of America doesn’t disappoint. We’ve collected not only some of the best indoor venues but also party space rentals for birthdays and other special events. After all, Peerspace is the nation’s leading online marketplace for party venues in Fort Lauderdale. So take a moment to browse our ideas of indoor venues in the region!
1. Discover a delicious new restaurant

Fort Lauderdale is an absolute gold mine for foodies! From house-made Italian pasta to Asian fusion cuisines, the city has attracted chefs from all over the world who are passionate about food and helping people discover something new. For something familiar yet elegant, check out Vitolo for classic New York-Italian cuisine. The restaurant’s original branch in NYC has served celebrities for years and is reputedly a favorite of Taylor Swift’s!
2. Immerse yourself in the Mad Arts Museum
Immersive art museums are all the rage now; guests get to not only appreciate the beauty of the installations but actively participate in sensory experiences. The Mad Arts Museum is Fort Lauderdale’s answer to Meow Wolf and other immersive art museums around the nation! They call themselves a “visionary playground,” and each installation offers a distinct vibe. Not to mention endless photo opportunities! This indoor activity in Fort Lauderdale is perfect for a fun, low-key first date!
3. Host a movie night with friends

Rainy days are the best time to have friends over for a movie night! Unlike a traditional theater, you can choose any film you like. And you can choose your own snacks, meals, or BYOB for the night. If your living room is too small for your guest list, why not book a private movie theater through Peerspace, the nation’s leading online marketplace for event venues? We have spaces like this unique theater and event space with theater seating, a projector screen, and other amenities!
4. Have endless fun at Xtreme Action Park
Do you have a large group to entertain with diverse interests? Entertainment centers are the best indoor activity in Fort Lauderdale for birthdays, bachelor parties, and other events. There’s something for everyone at Xtreme Action Park. Bowling, laser tag, go-kart racing, escape rooms, a restaurant and bar…It’s the perfect rainy day venue for a group!
5. Visit Old Florida Book Shop
Explore the library of over 50,000 books at the Old Florida Book Shop. It lives up to its name as the collection also includes antique books no longer in print, old maps, and ephemera. They have books hundreds of years old and both appraise and buy rare books from people. It’s one of the most unusual bookshops in South Florida.
Once the weather clears, utilize these fun luau party games perfect for your next outdoor gathering!
6. Take the kids to the Museum of Discovery and Science
The Museum of Discovery and Science (Mods) is one of the best children’s museums in Florida. It’s a wonderful, family-friendly indoor activity in Fort Lauderdale that gets kids learning, staying active, and eager to come back in the future. There are live animal encounters, STEM demonstrations, movies, and more to explore here. The IMAX 3D theater also has a mix of educational and action movies to enjoy!
7. Break free from an escape room
Live escape games give you and your group a chance to test your wits with puzzles and find clues in order to break free of the space in a set amount of time. Escape rooms are themed venues so you can choose from themes like graveyard, pirate ship, Western shootout, and more! One of our favorite spots in Fort Lauderdale is Escapology. They have six rooms for 8 people at a time to explore and challenge themselves!
8. Walk around the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
Historic homes are a nice place to escape the inevitable rain. And the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens is one of the most beautiful in South Florida. The estate was built in 1920 by Chicago-born artist Frederic Clay Bartlett. The Bonnet House is now a museum dedicated to the appreciation and preservation of art, as well as a celebration of the life story of the Bartlett family.
9. Laugh at Improv Comedy Club & Dinner Theater
A comedy routine is the best medicine to beat rainy day blues! Laugh along with some of the nation’s top talent at the Improv Comedy Club in Dania Beach. As a dinner theater venue, you can also enjoy the full menu the Improv Comedy Club offers. Steak, salmon, appetizers, and martinis are the perfect addition to a fun-filled evening of laughter!
10. Go indoor skydiving at iFly
Did you know that you don’t need an airplane to go skydiving? Not in Fort Lauderdale thanks to iFly! The iFly experience involves suiting up and free-falling inside a circular wind tunnel. You achieve weightlessness while still staying close to the ground, making it perfect for anyone afraid of heights. iFly is a fun way to enjoy a birthday, team building, or other special event with friends!
11. Gather your friends and host a potluck dinner

Bring your favorite people together for a dinner event the next time it rains. If you don’t want to wash dozens of pans, think about making it a potluck dinner! Once the sign-up sheet is filled, you can each enjoy the culinary talents of your friends. All that’s required is a venue large enough for your guest list!
Peerspace has some fantastic dinner venues in Fort Lauderdale to explore. Check out this dinner venue in Davie, a party rental space with seating for up to 50 guests!
12. Take a brewery tour

Fort Lauderdale has an excellent selection of craft breweries offering unique flavors on tap. Funky Buddha, Tarpon River Brewing, and Odd Breed Wild Ales are some of our favorites. Brewery tours take you behind the scenes to see how each brewery creates their best beers and how the brewery has contributed to the history of Fort Lauderdale. Along the way, you’ll get to enjoy samples as well!
13. Get a buzz by discovering a new coffee shop
Coffee shops are a great place to escape a sudden rain shower and enjoy a cup of joe! Some, like Ann’s Florist & Coffee Shop offer flowers and baked goods to go along with your coffee. Others stick to roasted beans, lattes, and coffee. If you want a whimsical experience to go along with the drink, head to Magnolia Caffee, run by a European couple who serve soup, kombucha, coffee, and sandwiches in a beautiful space!
14. Explore the History Fort Lauderdale Center
Fort Lauderdale has a rich history to go along with its modern amenities. Learn more about the city’s story at the History Fort Lauderdale Center. This local museum has been open since 1962 and has exhibits on local wildlife, the city’s Indigenous history, the stories of famous Floridians, and more. It’s one of the most educational indoor activities in Fort Lauderdale to enjoy on a rainy day outing!
15. Take an art class to expand your horizons
Brush up on your painting, writing, sculpting, or pottery skills the next time it rains with an art class! Fort Lauderdale is home to dozens of artists and organizations with master instructors who can teach you the finer points of brush strokes or photography lighting. Begin your search with Art Serve, which not only hosts classes but also community events, exhibitions, and workshops for local artists.
Planning a birthday bash for a loved one? Then you need to check out these awesome adult birthday party ideas next!
16. Enjoy a paint and sip class
Painting and wine are fun by themselves; imagine how wonderful they are together and with good company! Art and wine classes let you enjoy a few glasses of wine while painting alongside a talented professional painting instructor. They can be themed events like pet portraits or freestyle painting events where everyone does what they like. For a wine and beer-filled evening of painting, check out Strokes Art Bar in Ft. Lauderdale!
17. Shop at The Galleria Fort Lauderdale
There’s nothing like a little retail therapy when rain threatens to ruin an outing with friends! Head to The Galleria Fort Lauderdale where you’ll find national name brands like Apple, Banana Republic, and Macy’s to explore. Once you’ve picked up a few bags of new clothes or tech, head to the food court for sweet treats or a good meal!
18. Try Your Luck at the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood Casino
The Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood Casino features a comprehensive list of indoor activities to explore. If you want to stay multiple days the luxury hotel is a wonderful staycation destination. From there, explore the bars, lounges, live entertainment, casinos, and restaurant venues here. The fun never stops at the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood Casino!
19. Treat yourself to a pampering spa day
Unwind with a spa treatment where you can have a facial scrub, massage, or soak in a saltwater hot tub. Spas can be both outdoor and indoor venues, depending on your preferences. Have you seen the Rock Spa & Salon at the Hard Rock Hollywood Casino? This 42,000-square-foot space is dedicated to relaxation, including dipping pools, luxe treatments, a salon, and more!
Indoor activities in Fort Lauderdale: conclusion

Sometimes Fort Lauderdale’s abundant sunshine disappears for a few hours or days when the rain arrives. But that doesn’t mean that the fun has to stop. The city is home to some of the best indoor amenities South Florida has to offer.
And if you are planning your own special event, think about partnering with us at Peerspace! We specialize in helping people make lasting fun memories thanks to our collection of party venues in Fort Lauderdale and beyond!
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