Whether you’re looking to beat the heat or escape from an afternoon rain shower, there are plenty of fun indoor activities to experience in Miami. From museums to shopping and a world-class indie bookstore, you’ll enjoy getting out of the elements for an afternoon of indoor fun in Greater Miami & Miami Beach.

Don't miss the 31-foot oculus lens on the Gulf Stream Aquarium at Frost Museum of Science

Go to a Museum

Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) and the Phillip and Patricia Frost Science Museum share a campus known as Museum Park overlooking Biscayne Bay in Downtown Miami. If you’re an art buff, seek shelter from the weather at PAMM, with a thought-provoking contemporary collection focusing on international art of the 20th and 21st centuries from the perspective of the Americas. For science buffs, Frost Science is a remarkable hands-on, interactive museum with both a state-of-the-art planetarium and a 500,000-gallon open tank aquarium that spans three floors; spy hammerhead sharks, stingrays and mahi-mahi. For interactive fun, visit the Museum of Illusions to enter a world that is full of imagination. Over 40 3D illusions produce mind-blowing pictures that captivates the eye with awe. Imagine walking on the edge of a skyscraper, flying on a magic carpet, or even surviving on a lava bridge. The Museum of Illusions allows your creative mind to run wild with your imagination.

For more rainy-day museum inspiration, visit our museum guide.

Catch a Movie

When it comes to catching a flick while on vacation in Miami, take your pick from intimate art house cinemas to luxury theaters or traditional stadium cineplexes. At Brickell City Centre, the CMX luxury movie theater features cushy reclining chairs and a full-service cafe menu that includes adult beverages. For indie theaters, try Coral Gables Art Cinema, Tower Theater in Little Havana, or O Cinema Miami Beach. Lincoln Road is home to the 18-screen Regal South Beach, which boasts VIP theaters with reclining seats, a full menu, IMAX and 3-D.

Shopping at Dadeland Mall includes the largest Macy's in Florida

Go Shopping

While Brickell City Centre is technically an open-air mall, it’s covered by a “climate ribbon,” a new technology that keeps the mall’s corridors cool, while also providing rainy day coverage. The luxury mall is anchored by a Saks Fifth Avenue and Luna Park, which is open for takeout and delivery.

Indoor shopping malls include Aventura Mall, which is the largest mall in Florida, with more than 300 stores. It also boasts a slew of new restaurants, the Treats Food Hall and a 93-foot slide tower. There’s also Dadeland Mall with more than 185 stores, including the largest Macy's in Florida, with both a Macy’s Kids and Macy’s Home Gallery, as well as excellent dining options.

Browse the Bookshelves

There’s nothing like picking out your summer beach read on a rainy Miami day, especially when you find yourself at Books & Books. Founded by Mitchell Kaplan in 1982 in Coral Gables, Miami’s premier indie bookstore now has eight locations across Miami, including South Beach, Bal Harbour, Coconut Grove, Downtown Miami, Pinecrest and even Miami International Airport. It’s a joy to browse through their shelves, which span many genres, including new releases, travel and design, with a special children’s section. Many locations also boast a cafe to unwind with your new read.

Head to the Theater

Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is Miami’s bastion for the performing arts. It’s home to the Ziff Ballet Opera House, Knight Concert Hall and Carnival Studio Theater. Snag tickets to a touring Broadway production or for performances by local companies like Zoetic Stage, Miami City Ballet, New World Symphony and the Florida Grand Opera.

Go Bowling & Ice Skating

Bowling and ice skating? Believe it or not, you can actually do both under the same roof. Basement at The Miami Beach EDITION is a semi-subterranean nightclub with a four-lane bowling alley, an ice-skating rink, a dance club and multiple bars. It’s like a playground, but for adults. King’s Dining and Entertainment is a stylish and fun bowling alley, combining the time-honored pastime of knocking down pins with dining and nightlife at CityPlace Doral. For the largest ice-skating rink in Miami, head to Kendall Ice Arena where you can skate to tunes from a live DJ.

Play golf at Topgolf and bring the whole family

Play Golf

Come rain or shine, reserve a climate-controlled bay at Topgolf’s driving range and score points based on how close your microchipped ball comes to the target. This entertainment complex, with locations in Miami Gardens and Doral, is fun for the whole family with golf, gaming and a seasonal menu of tasty bites, including steak nachos with chimichurri, perfect for sharing. If you’re new to golf, you can take lessons. There’s also a KidZone with clinics and coaching available to the little ones.

Stay Sporty

There are plenty of ways to stay active indoors in Miami. Go rock climbing at The Edge Rock Gym or soar through the air at Sky Zone Miami or Planet Air Sports, where you can play dodge ball or basketball on trampolines.