There are all kinds of things that make Florida a terrific vacation destination. Some of the more obvious ones require good weather. Visiting Florida is all about the beaches and theme parks, right? But the problem is that there is a pretty significant rainy season in Florida that could render outdoor activities out of the question for days at a time. Not to worry, though. Believe it or not, there are plenty of indoor activities in Florida that you can enjoy while you’re waiting for the state’s sun and blue skies to show themselves again. If you’re planning a trip to Florida, keep these great destinations in mind for rainy days.
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Kennedy Space Center in Orlando. Rain or shine, the Kennedy Space Center is a can’t-miss destination in Orlando. This museum is interactive and entertaining, and if you aren’t interested in space travel when you get there, you will be by the time you leave. Some of the highlights include the shuttle start simulator and the Hubble Space Telescope IMAX movie. As kind of a bonus feature, the grounds at Kennedy Space Center are also a wildlife and nature reserve. If you want to see a real Florida alligator, you don’t have to trek out to the everglades; odds are that you can catch a glimpse of one at the Kennedy Space Center.
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Visit a Florida Lighthouse. There are 30 lighthouses in the state of Florida, and some of them are even still active. Many are open to the public and offer tours. The Saint Augustine Lighthouse, located in the oldest city in Florida, was built in 1871 and is still active today. You can climb the tower and visit the Saint Augustine Lighthouse Museum. The lighthouse is open everyday from 9am to 6pm and charges only a small fee for admission. Another popular active lighthouse is the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse in the city of Ponce Inlet. This lighthouse also offers the chance to climb the tower and has a museum and gift shop to visit.
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Go to a Rodeo. In Davie, Florida, the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds offers a weekly Jackpot Rodeo on Wednesday nights. You can watch calf roping, barrel racing, and team roping for the very reasonable price of $4 per ticket. The Rodeo Grounds also holds larger rodeos periodically throughout the year. Take in a whole day of rodeo activities for $20 per adult and $10 for child, or $18 and $8 if you pick up tickets in advance. This is definitely a fun and family friendly way to spend a rainy day or evening.
- Shopping: From outlet to upscale malls, Florida is full of shopping options.
- Indoor attractions such as museums, Disney Quest, Ice Skaing, I-max theatres, bowling alleys and even indoor skydiving.
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Don’t write off the amusement parks on rainy days either. In some cases, the actual rain is short lived, and you can grab a great spot in line for a ride while other visitors run for shelter. Rain in Florida is to be expected, but it doesn’t have to dampen your vacation. Take an umbrella or pancho and enjoy your day.
