Although located in the Sunshine State, it’s good to have a few Miami rainy day activities in your backpacket. Although Miami only has an average of 107 rainy days per year, you may get unlucky and caught out when your sunshine vacation turns into a rainy Miami vacation. Alternatively, all that sun can get too much and you may want to try some ndoor activities in Miami Beach and Miami. Here are 15 great ideas for things to do in Miami when it rains (or when you just want some indoor time!).
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Miami Rainy Season
Miami weather is renowned for being fantastic, but its divine tropical climate has a few drawbacks, too.
The summer months are during hurricane season and prone to get a bit rainy with severe storms often raging in Miami, putting a damper on any beach plans you might have. The Miami rainy season kicks off in late May with strong winds and an increase in precipitation.
Miami is highly susceptible to hurricanes and the city averages a hurricane about once every six to eight years. Hot, humid, and wet conditions continue through to September, and October sees the highest average rainfall.
Storm clouds gather over the M-Domino sculpture in the city of Miami overlooking the Intercoastal Waterway.
By November, pleasant weather continues for several months. The weather is temperate but you do get bad weather days because after all it is winter in Florida. You may run into some little rain days where the weather clears up for part of the day and its beach time again.
We’ve been lucky with the weather in Miami in October and December with amazing weather. Likewise, one year we had great weather in February but our luck ran out this February 2022. Miami had a cold spell during our visit complete with several rainy and/or dreary days. Of course, right after we left Miami, the weather turned glorious again!
The best time of year to visit Miami is that sweet spot between March and May.
What To do in Miami When It Rains
There are plenty of things to do on a rainy day in Miami.
Rainy day activities in Miami include visiting some world class museums. If you don’t want to deal with crowds or other people, take a driving tour of Miami like our haunted driving tour of Miami.
There are plenty of Miami and Miami Beach indoor activities too. Examples of rainy day activities in Miami that you can do on a rainy Miami vacation with kids include malls, escape rooms, arcades and ice skating.
Museums
Perez Art Museum Miami
This contemporary art museum in Downtown Miami offers the perfect refuge for a rainy day in Miami. The museum houses art from the last 2 centuries and emphasizes Miami’s crucial location as a crossroad in the Americas. There are permanent exhibits as well as special exhibitions. You can also shop and dine at the museum after getting lost in the marvelous exhibits on show.
Address: 1103 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
A visit to PAMM is the answer to the question of what to do in Miami on a rainy day.
Whispering dishes in front of the Science Center show how sound waves work.
ICA Miami
The Institute of Contemporary Art Miami is another of the fantastic rainy day activities Miami offers. Surround yourself with art in all shapes and forms or participate in one of the many programs and events on their calendar.
They host regular talks from artists and performance art adds a whole other level to the Institute’s exhibits. There are family-friendly educational programs and this free-to-enter museum is a gentle introduction to Miami’s art scene for your family.
Address: 61 NE 41st St, Miami, FL 33137
Things to do in Miami on a rainy day include visiting the ICA museum.
HistoryMiami Museum
The south of Florida is a hive of historic activity due to its key placement between central America and the continental USA. HistoryMiami is one of the history museums that has captured this fascinating story through an ever-evolving exhibition of photos, artifacts, and art pieces.
The museum also hosts free family fun days celebrating art and heritage, as well as regular talks and tours.
Address: 101 W Flagler St, Miami, FL 33130
HistoryMiami has fascinating exhibits for a rainy Miami activity.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a former magnate’s estate turned museum located in the Coconut Grove section of Biscayne Bay. The 70 room villa was built between 1914-22 during Miami’s boom years and is a testament to the Gilded Age’s extravagance.
The gorgeous interior of this mansion is set among 50 acres with 10 of its acres devoted to Italian formal gardens. Even on a dreary day, the beauty of the gardens is plain to see.
Address: 3251 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33129
The beauty of the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens can’t be spoiled even on a dreary day in Miami.
Indoor Activities
There are plenty of other fun indoor activities in Miami that don’t involve art or culture. Things to do in Miami in the rain can include such varied activities as shopping, ice skating and laser tag.
Malls
There is no shame in being a mall rat on a Miami rainy day. Miami offers plenty of premier shopping experiences. Whether you are looking for luxury goods, convenient shopping, or outlet savings, Miami has it all.
Shopping in Miami is a must-do form of recreation. The first Miami shopping mall was opened in 1952 followed by a string of other malls including the one that has best survived from those days, Dadeland Mall built in 1962. Carrying on the tradition, the American Dream Mall which will be the largest mall in the USA is slated to open in 2026.
Opened in the 1980’s, Aventura Mall is just 15 miles north of the city and is the best indoor shopping destination in the south of the state. There are more than 300 shops selling luxury and midrange goods including Balenciaga, Hermes, Banana Republic, and more.
Bal Harbor Shops in North Miami Beach is another swanky shopping destination with stores like Chanel and Alexander McQueen often attracting some famous faces.
Sawgrass Mills is an unmissable outlet shopping experience as the biggest of its kind in the country. Roughly the size of 41 football fields, it’s nothing to joke about when it comes to a one-stop shopping and entertainment venue.
Addresses: Dadeland Mall (7535 N Kendall Dr, Miami, FL 33156); Aventura Mall (19501 Biscayne Blvd, Aventura, FL 33180); Bal Harbor Shops (9700 Collins Ave, Bal Harbour, FL 33154); Sawgrass Mills (12801 W Sunrise Blvd, Sunrise, FL 33323)
Escape Rooms
Escape rooms might just be one of the ultimate things to do in Miami in the rain. While you are stuck inside, wanting to get out, why not make a game out of it!
The city has many different escape room locations, each boasting a number of different rooms that will test your wits, logic, and strategic thinking. Escape rooms are plenty of fun for the whole family.
PanIQ escape room in Wynwood has 3 awesome rooms for people aged 12 and up and the Great Escape Room in Coral Gables puts you in a detective mystery. Fox in a Box in downtown Miami offers a scare a minute with their fear-inducing rooms.
Addresses: PanIQ (388 NW 27th St, Miami, FL 33127); Great Escape Room ( 2315 S Le Jeune Rd #200, Miami, FL 33134); Fox in a Box (28 SE 1st St, Miami, FL 33131)
Miami Seaquarium
Just because it’s raining, it doesn’t mean you have to forego anything ocean-related. Miami Seaquarium is a world-class aquarium with a string of spectacular exhibits and experiences. Take a dive into their massive 300,000-gallon tank for an underwater reef trek or only get your hands wet at their brand new touch pools, filled with cleaner fish, bamboo sharks, and invertebrates.
The aquarium has many educational exhibits that teach both young and old how to protect the oceans and foster a love and appreciation for the magical underwater world.
Address: 4400 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149
Family-friendly rainy day activities in Miami include visiting the Seaquarium.
Movie Theatres
On a dreary day, escape into the fantasy of a good movie. While there are movie theatres in the malls that show the latest blockbusters, for something a little different visit Olympia Theater in downtown Miami.
One of the oldest buildings in Miami, Olympia Theatre was built in 1926 as a silent movie theater. Now also part of Olympia Arts MIAMI, the center has musical performances, variety shows and art exhibits in addition to film screenings.
Address: Olympia Arts MIAMI, 153 E. Flagler St, Miami 33131
Kendall Ice Arena
Lean into the cold weather, and go ice skating as a family at Kendall Ice Arena. Public skating sessions are open to anyone. On Friday and Saturday nights, there is a DJ spinning tunes for your ice skating fun. Little kids can rent a seal push along to help them skate. Admission includes skate rental.
Address: 10355 Hammocks Blvd, Miami, FL 33196
Ice skating is one of the cool rainy day activities in Miami
FunDimension
FunDimension is a family entertainment center in the Wynwood district of Miami. Within a 15,000 square feet climate-controlled facility, you have an indoor playground, laser tag, bumper cars, rock climbing walls, 7D theater, virtual reality attractions and indoor arcade games. There’s also a family-friendly restaurant on site. Activities are priced separately but you can also get packages where you can enjoy different activities over a set period of time. There’s also no need for reservations which makes FunDimension a great spontaneous activity.
Address: 2129 NW 1st Ct, Miami, FL 33127
Arcade Odyssey
If you are travelling with teens, they will love Arcade Odyssey. Voted the best arcade bar in South Florida, it’s got new and classic arcade games. They will also be impressed with the selection of food and drink (bubble tea, Japanese mocha ice cream, and ramen).
Address: 12045 SW 117th Ave, Miami, FL 33186
Neighborhoods To Explore
Some neighbourhoods are just as much fun to explore on a rainy Miami day as a sunny day. You get a different more laid-back vibe and it’s a chill way to spend the entire day.
Downtown skyscrapers in rainy Miami.
Litle Havana
Always buzzing, Little Havana is a place where you can go and hang out. Sip a Cuban coffee and people watch on Calle Ocho. Listen to live music at the Ball & Chain. Visit the Cubaocho Museum or the Bay of Pigs Museum.
Miami Design District
The Miami Design District is another place that has great stores for shopping/browsing and cafes to hang out. There are independent art galleries to explore. The ICA Museum mentioned above is free to enter. Or, check out the Haitian Heritage Museum.
Tip! If you want easy access to Wynwood, Midtown Miami and the Miami Arts District but want a beach location, we suggest staying at the Confidante Miami Hotel.
Make it easy on yourself!
Check out the rates for your dates on Booking and Expedia!
Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say at Tripadvisor
Wynwood
Although a lot of the Wynwood art district attractions are outside, there are, however, several indoor attractions as well. The Goldman Arts Gallery, located within Wynwood Walls, is devoted to the world’s greatest street artists. Nearby there is also the Museum of Graffitti which is also an indoor space devoted to street art. And, definitely don’t miss the great restaurants and cafes that you can find in the Wynwood district.
With younger family members in tow, make sure to visit FunDimension, the family entertainment center, mentioned above. Or, with older kids, the PanIQ escape room, also mentioned above.
Miami rainy day activities include visiting Wynwood Walls and the Museum of Graffitti.
Lincoln Road South Beach
Although open to the elements, the pedestrianised Lincoln Road shops are fun to explore on a dreary day. When it rains, just pop into a store or a restaurant. There are a couple of hundred stores, art galleries, restaurants and cafes along this famous strip that covers about a mile in total. Your teen will love the Selfie Museum near Lincoln Road where they can instagram to their heart’s content as one of the fun indoor activities Miami Beach.
Other things to do in Miami Beach when it rains includes hanging out at restaurants like the candy store with the freak shakes at Sugar Factory. We would also suggest lunch at the famed Versace Mansion restaurant, Gianni’s, among what to do in Miami Beach when it rains. Lunch is in a sheltered covered area by the world-famous pool of the Casa Casuarina.
Indoor activities in Miami Beach include long leisurely meals.
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