Top 15 Things To Do Indoors When It Rains In Tampa, Florida - Updated 2024

Salim
Contributing Writer
Updated
| 5 min read

Tampa is a bustling city situated on Tampa Bay along the Golf Coast of Florida. This city is regarded as a major business hub in the region and also features lots of cultural offerings, museums, prominent attractions to see and exciting things to experience. This city is also affected by the blazing sun and high humidity which abounds in Florida. Because of this, it rains heavily at unexpected times during the summer, that you may feel like the period is denying you all the fun that this bustling city has in store for you. This article will guide you through fascinating things to do and catch some fun. Check out the best things to do indoors when it rains in Tampa, Florida, especially during the rainy summer. To extend your enjoyment, there are several hotels in the city, with some being near casinos.

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1. Enjoy indoor skydiving at iFLY Tampa

The iFLY Tampa is the first indoor skydiving center in the region with over 12 branches across the country. The avenue features a mechanism, powered by four electric fans that propel participants and supports them in the 4.3-m (14-ft) vertical wind tunnel. If you are a newbie, you will get guidance from an International Body-flight Association Instructor. The flight packages feature goggles, helmet and a jumpsuit for your safety. The mission of this enterprise is to give a flight experience for individuals of ages three and above although you may be required to consult your physician first if you suffer from specific injuries or illness.

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2. Explore Tampa Museum of Art

Tampa Museum of Art
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Chan Bliss used under CC BY-SA 2.0

For those who love art, Tampa Museum of Art is the best thing to do indoors on a rainy day! With a wide array of sculptures, paintings, and images, you can explore for hours and be lost in the artistry of the plethora of works that the museum showcases. In addition to the museum’s permanent collection, Tampa Museum of Art frequently brings in exhibitions of traveling artwork as well as showcases pieces on loan from other museums. Make sure to visit the artwork in this wonderful museum in the heart of Tampa and take in its waterfront views of Hillsborough River!

Tampa Museum of Art

Address: 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza Tampa, Fl 33602

Website: Tampa Museum of Art

Opening hours: Mon - Wed & Fri: 10am - 5pm; Thu: 10am - 7pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 4pm

Price: 15 USD

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3. Explore the The Florida Aquarium

The Florida Aquarium is run by a nonprofit organization and is one of the top aquaria in the US, featuring a striking 23226 sqm (250,000 sq ft) of marine and land wildlife from all over the world to be explored. See the Madagascar exhibit providing a look into the nearby Indian Ocean coral reef, and the Island’s various geographies and unique wildlife or see and even touch the creatures that reside in the deeper water and the bay with the marine life exhibit. With all these exhibits, this aquarium can even be a romantic place to go on a date with that special someone. Also, do not miss the exciting experience in the simulated wetlands where you get face to with circumspect Burmese pythons or the playful otters.

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4. Discover history at Henry B. Plant Museum

Henry B. Plant Museum
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user DanTD used under CC BY-SA 4.0

A national historic landmark, the former Tampa Bay Hotel has served as the Tampa Municipal Museum since 1933 and was later renamed the Henry B. Plant Museum in 1974. Aiming to shed light on the Gilded Age and Henrey Bradley Plant’s contributions to Florida’s development, the Henry B. Plant Museum boasts numerous artifacts from the late 1800s and is decorated with much of its original furnishing. Entry to the Henry B. Plant Museum features a self-guided audio tour throughout the museum and makes for a perfect indoor activity to learn about the history of Tampa Bay during a rainy day.

Henry B. Plant Museum

Address: 401 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33606, United States

Website: Henry B. Plant Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 10 USD

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5. Hit a few balls at TopGolf

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


While TopGolf is by no means indoors, if the weather is nice aside from the rain, TopGolf is a sure-fire way to have fun while staying dry! It even features overhangs that protect you from the rain. Either alone or with friends, a trip to TopGolf where there are a variety of gameplay styles, allows you to hit all the golf balls you desire as the bay is booked by the hour. Whether you are an expert or novice golfer, you are sure to have a great time at TopGolf. Consider grabbing an adult beverage and appetizer while you are there at this great attraction for when it is raining in Tampa!

TopGolf

Address: 10690 Palm River Road Tampa, FL 33619

Website: TopGolf

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 10am - 11pm; Fri - Sat: 10am - 12am

Price: 27 USD

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6. Attempt to escape a pirate ship

If you and your friends love adventure and thrill on a rainy day indoors, look no further than the Pirate Ship Escape Room experience located just down the road in Clearwater, FL. Designed to resemble a real shipwreck and based on real events (that have been slightly changed), this one-of-a-kind multiple-room escape experience is one you and your friends will enjoy traversing! An experience that promises to be completely immersive and challenging, it is sure to brighten your day when it is rainy outside!

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7. Play arcade games at QZar Laser Tag

Posted by Qzar Laser Tag on Monday, 4 March 2019

Your kids will love the QZar Laser Tag, a massive 604 sqm (6500 sq ft) arena located in the charming Egypt Lake-Leto. This location offers exciting, fun activities of individuals of all ages including prize and video arcade, laser tag, food court, and music. The laser tag battle may feature up to 40 players at a time and feature a variety of difficulty levels such as every-man-for-himself and the elimination battle. The food court offers chicken wings, nosh on pizza prepared in a traditional fashion where you or your kids can relax after a gaming season to renew your strengths. The venue is also an ideal destination for fundraisers, corporate events, reunions, and parties.

QZar Laser Tag

Address: 7807 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33614, USA

Website: QZar Laser Tag

Opening hours: Fri: 3pm - 12am; Sat: 10am - 12am; Sun: 12pm - 8pm (closed Mon - Thu)

Price: 9 USD onwards

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8. Prepare for a cooking class at Sur la Table

Posted by Sur La Table on Wednesday, 20 February 2019

Since its debut in 1972, the Sur la Table has been a great assistance to chefs of all skill level with hand on experience in the global dining scene with it love and passion for food, and their solid believe that food is the center of the home. Choose from the three types of the workshops offered including dinner at the chef’s table, Spanish tapas party, or the fresh pasta workshop and improve your cooking skills. Regardless of whether you a professional cook or you want to get your hands on basic cooking technique, this kitchen has something for everyone.

Sur la Table

Address: Hyde Park Village, 711 S Dakota Ave, Tampa, FL 33606, USA

Website: Sur la Table

Opening hours: 10am - 9pm (daily)

Price: 49 USD onwards

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9. Take your children to the Glazer Children's Museum

Posted by Glazer Children's Museum on Monday, 18 March 2019

Set as part of the Waterfront Arts District, the Glazer Children’s Museum is specially meant for kids and is situated in downtown Tampa. This museum is an innovative learning and interactive laboratory where children have fun as they explore and connect with the world around them to encourage their growth as lifelong leaders and learners. The massive 4924 sqm (53,000 sq ft) children’s museum features a myriad of special events, comprehensive programs, traveling and permanent exhibits.

Glazer Children's Museum

Address: 110 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa, FL 33602, USA

Website: Glazer Children’s Museum

Opening hours: Sat: 10am - 6pm; Sun: 1pm - 6pm; Mon - Fri: 10am - 5pm

Price: 10 USD onwards

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10. Go rock climbing at Vertical Ventures

@usaclimbing Youth & Collegiate #climbing Competition runs 2/15-2/28. Register on @kayaclimbing - Citizens #justforfun comp will be too.

Posted by Vertical Ventures St Pete on Tuesday, February 9, 2021

For over 20 years, Vertical Ventures has been an iconic climbing destination in the Bay area. The Vertical Ventures has two locations in Florida one in Tampa and the other in St. Petersburg. The Tampa’s location features 557 sqm (6000 sq ft) of space specially meant for climbing activities. This place welcomes both the professional boulderer and the newbie featuring treadwall, campus board, slackline, five Autobels, Freestanding Boulder, top rope courses for the first-timer and more to take your climbing skills to the next level.

Vertical Ventures

Address: 5402 Pioneer Park Blvd Suite E, Tampa, FL 33634, USA

Website: Vertical Ventures

Opening hours: Sat: 10am - 10pm; Sun: 10am - 6pm; Tue - Fri: 12pm - 10pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 35 USD onwards

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11. Enjoy painting and pottery at Painting with a Twist

Posted by Painting with a Twist on Sunday, 24 March 2019

Are you in love with the arts but you are not a professional artist? Then this casual and colorful atmosphere is for you featuring detail guidance from enthusiastic and local artists through your creating first beautiful piece. The Painting with a Twist is an art innovative studio located in South Tampa where professional artists can display their skills and novices can get valuable knowledge of painting. This fun destination welcomes only guests of 15 years and above but also holds family vacation and weekend classes where kids of 7 to 12 years of age can join in the fun.

Painting with a Twist

Address: 2821 S MacDill AveTampa, FL 33629

Website: Painting with a Twist

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 2pm - 7pm; Sat: 12pm - 10pm; Sun: 1pm - 5pm

Price: 35 USD onwards

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12. Learn about the past and history at Tampa Bay History Center

Posted by Tampa Bay History Center on Friday, 18 January 2019

The Tampa Bay History Center is situated along Tampa’s Riverwalk and boasts of a museum store featuring artworks and local crafts, and the Columbia Cafe, an iconic waterfront dining scene. This history center features exciting experiences on the heritage and history of the Tampa Bay Area. See amazing educational and fun exhibits of the individuals that refined the region’s history, Spanish conquistadors, and the first native inhabitants of the Bay area or immersive theater experiences in this museum open to all ages.

Tampa Bay History Center

Address: 801 Old Water St, Tampa, FL 33602, USA

Website: Tampa Bay History Center

Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)

Price: 11 USD onwards

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13. Practice your bowling skill at Pin Chasers

For over 60 years, the Pin Chasers, a family-owned enterprise has been a hub of entertainment, excellent dining option, and fun bowling experience. They have two locations in Tampa (in Hillsborough Avenue and Armenia Ave), providing ideal atmospheres for league bowling, family night out, birthday parties and other events. Get into those free bowling shoes offered in this avenue and enjoy 360-degree bowling services including late night and cyber night bowling, tournaments and bowling classes for all ages. Never go hungry with the snacks, light eats, breakfast and tasty drinks offered in this avenue.

Pin Chasers

Address: 5555 W Hillsborough AveTampa, FL 33634

Website: Pin Chasers

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 10am - 1am; Fri: 10am - 2:30am; Sat: 9am - 2:30am; Sun: 9am - 1am

Price: 7 USD onwards

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14. Catch a movie at AMC West Shore 14

Posted by Hemophilia Foundation of Greater Florida on Saturday, 16 March 2019

A unique cinema experience awaits you in the AMC West Shore located in the Westshore Plaza. The theater uses RealD 3D experience, a new viewing technology which allows you to watch films with incredible clarity and depth in a relaxed manner. The destination also features an adult-only MacGuffins Bar offering crafted cocktails, premium spirits, beer, and wine. When you sign for their membership, you will enjoy great discounts on Tuesday’s showtime tickets available on their official app, online or box office.

AMC West Shore 14

Address: 210 Westshore Plaza, Tampa, FL 33609, USA

Website: AMC West Shore 14

Opening hours: 1pm - 12am

Price: 10 USD

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15. Check out the hands-on exhibits at Museum of Science & Industry

The Museum of Science & Industry—referred to as MOSI—is an interactive center where you can discover the connections between science, tech, and innovation and have fun along the way. With a variety of exhibits that are sure to excite, MOSI will make a great stop. Featuring a planetarium, a simulated moonbase, a Jurassic-themed exhibit, as well as many others, this museum guarantees that kids will have a blast exploring and creating at the over 100 hands-on exhibits that this museum offers! Get your tickets ahead of time to get in even faster so that you have more time to explore this spectacular museum.

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Always be in the mood for some more fun

Wherever you wish to go on a vacation, nature will still take its course that may be advantageous or disadvantageous to your aim of travel. A rainy day while planning for your next activity is disappointing, but include your plan B activities in your schedule and have your best vacation in this city regardless of the weather condition. With so much stuff to do in the city, you may even get some date night ideas for that special someone. Finally, there are many hotels to book in and near Tampa, some have two bedrooms for families and big groups, some are pet-friendly so you can bring your furry friends, and some are beachfront for that luxurious touch.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Salim is a lover of adventure and creativity. He is fascinated with the beauty of nature and the great African arts and history. He has visited many of the waterfalls and museums in Nigeria and...Read more

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