The best things to do in Miami when it rains, because of course it is

This massive 50,000-square-foot space in Allapattah is dedicated to the production of experiential mediums—and it’s pretty incredible. In the Miami space, find an immersive environment by stage designer Es Devlin, a transcendent digital experience by Japanese art collective teamLab and an extrasensory light-based work by American artist James Turrell. On view through August 2023, Pulse Topology by Mexican-Canadian artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer consists of 3,000 suspended light bulbs, each of which glimmers to the heartbeat of different participants.

Miami’s popular waterfront science museum appeals to just about every curious member of the family, boasting an aquarium, live animals and cool interactive exhibits. The shining Frost facility will give you your money’s worth (or score free admission with your Miami-Dade library card if you’re lucky). It’s entertaining and informative from the ground floor all the way to the rooftop. Get your mind blown in the planetarium and don’t forget to pet a stingray before you leave.

You made the trip to Wynwood to see the street art and a little rain shouldn’t stand in the way of that. So head indoors to the Museum of Graffiti, a small but soulful institution with a permanent collection that tracks the history of tagging, from its genesis in 1970s New York to its ascendance as a respected global art form. They even offer graffiti workshops where ponchos and gloves are provided and guests are encouraged to get dirty.

Like heaven for book-lovers, Books & Books is a superb independent, well-stocked store with bestsellers, small publishers, gorgeous coffee table gifts and reliably excellent staff recommendations. The Gables location is the one to pick for a rainy day reading session (but the Coconut Grove outpost is a fine option, too). Its cozy areas include a room for antiquarian rarities and another for kids’ books. There’s also a tasty café and regular author readings and signings.

The ICA is a sleek museum showcasing three floors of spectacular contemporary art plus a lush sculpture garden in the heart of the Design District. Exhibits have shown work from big names like Judy Chicago as well as important local artists. Museums and rainy days are a natural fit. Plus, the insane Museum Garage (itself a piece of art) is right across the street, so you won’t have to walk in the rain. Oh, and admission to this museum is free.

The largest mall in Miami, with both indoor and covered outdoor areas, is a killer place to spend a rainy afternoon. Shop around at the two-level Zara or browse fancy watches and designer handbags (the mall boasts more than 300 luxury stores and shopper favorites). Then, eat at Shake Shack and tons more choices in Aventura’s massive food court to end all food courts. In the mood for a seated affair? Options like Pubbelly, Tap 42 and Motek are great for steering clear of chains like the Cheesecake Factory (though they have that, too).

Kendall Ice Arena is Miami’s largest indoor ice-skating rink where you can pretend, for a brief time, that winter exists! If it’s an awful day outside, why not hit the ice for a change of atmosphere? Seriously, when’s the last time you skated? Pop in, rent a pair and swish around to music from a live DJ. Alternatively, skip the chilly vibes and head to Super Wheels where you can don your quad skates for a more old-school vibe. In South Beach, Basement Miami is a nightclub under the Edition hotel with its own mini ice rink and bowling lanes.

Order a cold brew or natural wine on top, pick up a funky periodical from the library and settle into a spot by the window at this hip North Miami wine and book shop with the coziest indoor cafe space. If you get hungry, snacks like marinated olives, tinned mussels and fresh baked bread and butter will make the whole rainy moment feel perfectly Parisian. Outside, a covered area with a pool table occasionally hosts movie nights and artisan markets.

With a collection of works from such artists as Robert Rauschenberg, James Rosenquist, Frank Stella and Ana Mendieta, not to mention some high-caliber traveling exhibitions, this relatively young museum perched on Biscayne Bay makes for a fine respite from the rain. Current exhibitions include LOVE IS CALLING by Yayoi Kusama, the largest and most immersive kaleidoscopic environment of the art star's career; along with Leandro Erlich's "Liminal," featuring the disorientingly beautiful Swimming Pool.

This golf range for the 21st century features private bays for you and up to eight of your buds, as well as full service from the bar and kitchen. Rain usually dampens sports, but at Topgolf, the weather isn’t a factor. The covered range allows you to hit no matter the moisture. Plus, you can order a bucket of spiked Arnold Palmer. The more you drink, the less you care about sucking.

CMX is the super luxurious movie theater inside the equally luxurious Brickell City Centre. It ain’t easy to beat Netflix and chill these days. But CMX gives you plenty of reason to leave the house with its full bar and tasty food, plus super comfortable plush recliners. If you’d rather support a local business, catch a limited-run flick at the indie theater O Cinema Miami Beach, or pop over to Coral Gables Art Cinema for the latest Almodóvar release.

Miami’s favorite record store, Sweat is a local treasure where music lovers of all types gather to dig through the racks of new and used vinyls and nerd-out over a cold brew. Aside from the intrinsic awesomeness of supporting your local record store, Sweat has a fantastic selection and great atmosphere. Other local record shops to check out include Technique, Found Sound and Lucky Records.

Don and Mera Rubell’s prized private art collection is housed in this former warehouse in Allapattah, where hundreds of their over 7,000 contemporary works are on display. From Basquiat and Warhol to Koons and Sherman, the 20th century’s seminal artists all have a home here. Once you’re tired of browsing (though we can’t imagine feeling that way ourselves), head to the museum’s splashy Basque restaurant, Leku for an equally arty spread.

An architecturally impressive open-air mall that invites nature in while protecting you from the elements, Brickell City Centre offers a wide selection of brand name and boutique stores and lots of great dining options. Its innovative “climate ribbon” roof structure was engineered to keep shoppers cool by trapping natural breeze and funneling it through the Centre’s multi-tiered walkways. When it rains, the ribbon creates a truly unique atmosphere, capturing the air’s cool, damp feeling while somehow keeping you dry.

One builds up a decent amount of energy being trapped inside during a storm. An indoor trampoline park that is as fun as it sounds, Sky Zone has locations in Doral and Cutler Bay and offers fitness classes, dodgeball, SkySlam basketball and a free-for-all open jump. Is there any better way to release such energy than going absolutely mad in a room full of trampolines? We think not.

It’s young, but South Florida does have a past, and a lively one at that. Tracing the history of the region, from early Indians to rafting Cubans, HistoryMiami succeeds in educating while entertaining. Brush up on your Miami history by learning about the Whitman family, who founded hotels as well as the Bal Harbour Shops, the African diaspora and South Florida’s folkloric traditions and so much more.

Bowling is a heck of a rainy day activity, and Kings—a big, funky bowling alley in Doral—is probably the most impressive facility Miami has. Bowling not your thing? Book one of the private karaoke rooms, order a couple of cocktails and sing your heart out. Plus, you can snack on wings and burgers as well as some drinks from the rum lounge.

You’re on the beach and it’s raining—why the hell not stop at the Deuce? An infamous dive that’s charmingly out of character for the area, “eclectic” doesn’t begin to describe the mix of South Beach denizens who gather here nightly. Mac’s Club Deuce attracts the motliest, coolest, scariest crowd of any bar in Miami. (Late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain often touted his love of the place.) For anyone who ever fancied a bit part in a Charles Bukowski story, this dive bar would be the right place to audition.

iFly is an indoor flight chamber that blasts you into the air and simulates the feeling of free-falling, sort of like sky diving. You’ll have an instructor by your side and the whole experience, including the pre-flight training, will last just under two hours. It’s a really cool—and totally out of the ordinary—way to turn a crappy day into an amazing, adrenaline-packed one.

Relaxation and the gentle sounds of rolling rain and thunder go hand in hand. From the moment you drop off your car at the valet to your walk down into the cavernous spa and every second in between, you’ll be safe from the elements here. The massive upscale spa inside the luxurious Fontainebleau Miami Beach boasts co-ed plunge pools, rain showers, saunas and 30 private treatment rooms across 40,000 square feet. And should the day clear up you’ll have the opportunity to lounge by the hotel pool as spa guests receive access to the hotel’s public amenities.

This digital art gallery is a decidedly 21st-century experience: All the art here is projected and most of it is interactive, so not only will you get to see it but you’ll also become part of it. “MAGENTAVERSE,” the current exhibition, explores the boundless sights, sounds, feelings and inspirations of the Pantone Color of the Year 2023, Viva Magenta. You may find yourself doing a TikTok dance in front of one of the interactive screens.

Who doesn’t want to let it rip on a go-kart, no stop signs or traffic jams in sight? Xtreme Action Park is a sweet indoor arcade and race track with go-karts that can reach 45mph. Race sessions are eight minutes long and all you need to bring are closed-toe shoes, a driver’s license or another form of ID. If you just want to watch your buddies crash, don’t worry. There’s a full bar and dining options here, too.

This popular local brewery is located near the airport in Doral. The Tank’s sprawling taproom is all indoors and filled with plenty of games, making it a great space to pass the time during a storm. With long rows of communal seating and couches on which to kick back, the vibe is at once industrial and homey, an accurate reflection of the Doral neighborhood it calls home. Other fun local breweries with large indoor taprooms include Unbranded in the Leah Arts District and Funky Buddha in Oakland Park.