Things to Do in Greater Fort Lauderdale on a Rainy Day

When the weather turns gray, Pompano Beach still delivers plenty of ways to fill the day. Start the day by grabbing a vanilla latte or iced matcha at How You Brewin Coffee Company, a cozy coffeehouse serving breakfast sandwiches and pastries. Then take a quick stroll to the new Jellyfish Museum, one of Pompano Beach’s newest additions. Inside, little ones and adults will enjoy viewing various jellyfish species from oceans around the world.

Later, satisfy your sweet tooth with a scoop from Kilwins Ice Cream, challenge friends to a game at Topgolf Pompano Beach or spend the evening at Harrah’s Pompano Beach, where gaming, live entertainment, restaurants and bars make it easy to stay entertained long after the rain passes.

Looking for rainy day activities in Dania Beach? Start at MAD Arts, where immersive digital installations and larger-than-life projections make it easy to lose track of the weather outside. Spend an afternoon exploring the two-story museum, which features 50,000 square feet of indoor exhibition space along with an outdoor sculpture garden.

For a slower pace, stop by My Mama’s Books, Records & Cafe, a bookstore, record shop and neighborhood cafe rolled into one. Browse shelves of new and used books, flip through crates of vinyl, catch live music and enjoy a homemade muffin or slice of quiche.

No visit to Dania Beach is complete without a stop at Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor & Restaurant, a local institution that’s worth the trip, rain or shine. Locals and visitors alike come for the retro penny candy, oversized portions and signature ice cream creations, including The Original Kitchen Sink. Served in an actual sink, the 4-pound dessert has become the restaurant’s most iconic menu item.

After dessert, keep the fun going at Puttshack in Dania Pointe, where tech-infused mini-golf courses and automatic scoring put a modern spin on the classic game.

As evening rolls in, try your luck at Dania Beach Casino or catch a stand-up performance at  Fort Lauderdale Improv, where nationally touring comedians regularly take the stage.

Rainy weather is the perfect excuse to explore Fort Lauderdale’s museums and indoor attractions. Start at the Museum of Discovery and Science, a favorite for families with interactive exhibits and hands-on experiences, or browse more than 6,000 works spanning centuries at NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale. Before heading out, check the schedule at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, where you’ll find everything from Broadway productions and concerts to comedy shows and opera performances.

For food, drinks and entertainment under one roof, spend an afternoon at Sistrunk Marketplace. Grab a bite from one of its many food vendors, catch up with friends or sign up for a hands-on cooking class. While you’re there, test your aim at Chops + Hops, the marketplace’s axe-throwing venue, or head to Strokes ’n Drivers to play a round on its indoor golf simulators or settle in to watch the big game.

Just around the corner, Glitch Bar blends retro nostalgia with nightlife, offering vintage arcade games, pinball machines, DJs on weekends and regular trivia nights. Families and thrill seekers alike can also spend hours at Xtreme Action Park, home to bowling, a ropes course, roller skating and a half-mile indoor go-kart track.

For a rainy day experience unlike any other, reserve a table at the iconic Wreck Bar inside B Ocean Resort Fort Lauderdale. The historic, shipwreck-themed lounge is famous for its live underwater mermaid performances, with shows ranging from family-friendly brunch entertainment to late-night aqua burlesque for adults.

When rain clouds roll into Hollywood, head indoors to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. home to some of the area's biggest entertainment venues. The iconic guitar-shaped resort is home to Hard Rock Live, where the lineup includes concerts, comedy shows and nationally touring performers. While you're there, stop by Play Sporting Lounge, an interactive venue featuring 25 screens and immersive games ranging from golf and baseball simulations to zombie dodgeball.

Art lovers should make time for the Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts (WMODA), which showcases an impressive collection of glass and ceramic works from around the world. Wander through galleries filled with colorful Chihuly pieces, intricate Venetian glass, fine porcelain, pottery and Art Deco-era masterpieces.

Looking to add a little adrenaline to your rainy day itinerary? Trade the beach for the track at K1 Speed, where high-speed electric go-karts let visitors of all skill levels put the pedal to the metal on an indoor course.

Sunrise is packed with indoor entertainment, making it an easy choice for a rainy day. Spend the afternoon at Sawgrass Mills, one of the largest outlet shopping destinations in the country, with more than 350 stores, Epic Athletic Club's indoor pickleball and padel courts, and Rainforest Cafe all under one roof.

Next door, The Colonnade Outlets offer luxury shopping with brands like Bottega Veneta and Christian Louboutin.

Round out the day at Amerant Bank Arena, home of the Florida Panthers and a year-round lineup of concerts, family shows and major touring events.