Summer in Florida is more than blinding sunshine and humidity; there’s seemingly endless rain at times, too. Making outdoor plans can be difficult when those ominous gray clouds can roll in at the drop of a hat. Here are some things to do when you don’t want to end up stuck in the house on those days with the dreaded "scattered thunderstorms" on the forecast.
24 ways to make the most of a rainy day in Orlando
By Orlando Weekly Staff on Sat, Jun 24, 2017 at 1:19 am
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Get over your fear of heights at Aiguille
Aiguille Rock Climbing | 999 Charles St., Longwood | 407-332-1430Climbing up a rock wall isn't that much easier just because it's indoors. Give bouldering a try, or climb around on a shorter wall like you're Spider-Man.
Photo via bbossque/Instagram
Head to Orlando Brewing for a tour of the brewery
Orlando Brewing | 1301 Atlanta Ave. | 407-872-1117See where the magic happens with a free tour of the brewery, then swing by the taproom to try one of the 20-something drinks they’re slingin’.
Photo via orlando_brewing/Instagram
Get competitive with your friends at the WhirlyDome
WhirlyDome | 6464 International Drive | 407-212-3030Step up your mad bumper-car skills with a match of Whirlyball, a basketball/hockey-esque game you play in a tiny car. Make the game interesting by having losers pay for drinks after.
Photo via whirlydome/Instagram
Go to the Sea Life Aquarium
Orlando Sea Life Aquarium | 8449 International Drive | 866-622-0607Walking next to a shark in the 360-degree ocean tunnel gives this place a wow factor whether you’re 9 or 99 years old. You can also pop in for daily talks about the Indian Ocean, stingrays, and more.
Photo via belbarrueco/Instagram
Go crate-digging at Rock & Roll Heaven
Rock N Roll Heaven | 1814 N. Orange Ave. | 407-896-1952Orlando has plenty of places to find rare vintage or brand-new vinyl (besides R&R Heaven, there's Park Ave CDs, Uncle Tony's Donut Shoppe and East-West Music, just for a start). But this Ivanhood mainstay could keep you busy for hours flipping albums while you sit out a thunderstorm.
Photo via lemonymoringa/Instagram
Jump around in a trampoline park
Sky Zone Orlando | 2510 S. Highway 27, Clermont | 352-404-4134Whether you’re 5 or 55 years old, there’s nothing like getting your heart pumping on a trampoline. Bounce on the wall-to-wall trampolines, dive into the “foam zone,” or even play a game or two of Ultimate Dodgeball with your buds.
Photo via Sky Zone Orlando
Surprisingly, rainy days are usually the best times to go to theme parks
If you don’t mind braving some raindrops, it’s easier to navigate the parks because, well, barely anyone else tries to when rain is in the forecast. Most of the attractions are inside anyway, so you might as well grab a poncho and hop in the shorter lines.
Photo via orlandobrothas/Instagram
Remind yourself why science is totally awesome at WonderWorks
WonderWorks Orlando | 9067 International Drive | 407-351-8800This topsy-turvy building houses science experiments ranging from a hurricane simulator where you’ll be gusted with 74mph winds to a simulator where you can land the Space Shuttle Discovery on an airstrip.
Photo via aldho/Instagram
Lose hours of your life playing video games at Player 1
Player 1 Video Game Bar | 8562 Palm Parkway | 407-504-7521Instead of sitting at home like a loser on a rainy day, prove to the rest of the gaming community that you're a master at Mario Kart, the king of Call of Duty or a pinball power player.
Photo via cindymimi13/Instagram
Shoot free pool at Sportstown Billiards
Sportstown Billiards | 2414 E. Robinson St. | 407-894-6258Perfect your trick shot on Sportstown's dime. Head into this local staple before 4 p.m. and shoot pool for free, or just chill out in the gaming room, which is kind of like a hipster version of Dave and Busters.
Photo via alistairpaulm/Instagram
Visit the Semoran Skateway
Semoran Skateway | 2670 Cassel Creek Blvd | 407-834-9106Boogie on down to the Skateway, lace up those skates and glide--or stumble, if you’re a bit of a beginner--around the rink.
Photo via Google Maps
Laugh until it hurts at SAK Comedy Lab
SAK Comedy Lab | 29 S. Orange Ave. | 407-648-0001Throw out some outrageous suggestions and watch the comics at SAK turn "man in yellow hat" and "minty toothpaste" into a side-splitting song or scene.
Photo via sakcomedylab/Instagram
Gaze long and hard at some modern art at OMA
Orlando Museum of Art | 2416 N. Mills Ave. | 407-896-4231Contemplate the postmodern vision of the creative masterminds collected in this year's Florida Prize exhibition – or spend the day sneaking Snapchats with the art, no judgment.
Photo via Orlando Museum of Art/Facebook
Try one of Orlando’s best restaurants, chosen by you
Sometimes, the best way to combat the boredom of being stuck inside on a rainy day is by eating. So why not check out the winners of our Best of Orlando readers Poll? From Best Bakery to Best Wings, they're all here.
Photo via Valhalla Bakery/Facebook
Catch a matinee and grab lunch at Enzian Theater
Enzian Theater | 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland | 407-629-0054Skip the crowded, Slushee-sticky floors of the mall movie theater and enjoy a matinee at the Enzian, where you can order a real meal and you won't have to fight a stranger for cup-holder dominance.
Photo via Enzian Theater/Facebook
Shop 'til you drop at East End Market
East End Market | 3201 Corrine Drive | 321-236-3316Why spend hours trudging through an overcrowded mall when you can sample artisanal cheeses, fresh baked bread or coffee roasted daily. And there’s a ton of independent retailers that make finding that unique gift a breeze.
Photo via eastendmkt/Instagram
Check out one of Orlando’s brunch spots serving bottomless mimosas
Brunch with friends is always a good time, but especially so when mimosas are added to the equation. Believe it or not, there are quite a few restaurants around town that offer bottomless mimosas, so you might as well spend a rainy afternoon with your feet up, a mimosa in hand and a few more on standby.
Photo via Ace Cafe/Facebook
Peg your friends and leave a bruise at Orlando Paintball
Orlando Paintball | 7215 Rose Ave. | 407-294-0694It's never not fun. Even pacifists can't help but unlock their inner predator when thrown into a game of paintball.
Photo via Orlando Paintball/Facebook
Pretend to be a meteorologist at the Orlando Science Center
Orlando Science Center | 777 E. Princeton St. | 407-514-2000If you’ve ever wanted to be a meteorologist, you can hit the WFTV Severe Weather Center 9 Experience to try your hand without all the years of formal training. Learn weather basics, check out the current conditions on the radar, and even drop your own forecast if you think you can handle it.
Photo via Orlando Science Center
Take in the floor show at Mango's
Mango's Tropical Cafe Orlando | 8126 International Drive | 407-673-4422Get an eyeful of Mango's feather-costumed "world-famous" showgirls plus salsa, samba and hip-hop dancers while downing dinner and drinks; you may even get asked to join the conga line.
Photo via mangosorlando/Instagram
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