Located within the sunshine state, most people visit Destin, Florida for the beautiful beach and outdoor activities. However, we do get a decent amount of rain here. Sometimes it’s a storm that quickly passes, but we can also have gray, drizzly days. If you’re planning a vacation and see rain in the forecast, don’t worry, there are a lot of indoor activities! Personally, I prefer a lot of these indoor activities when it’s really hot outside, too. From breweries and coffee shops to arcades and museums, there are a lot of indoor things to do in Destin. Here are 30+ ideas for your next rainy (or sweltering hot) day:
Food & Drinks
Cozy up with a book and your favorite drink at one of these coffee shops. East Pass Coffee Co and Maas in Destin are two of my go-to spots.
Eat at a locally owned restaurant. There are so many wonderful places to enjoy a delicious meal. Skip the chains and tourist traps and dine like a local at these hot spots.
Visit a brewery. There are several breweries and taprooms in Destin and on 30A where you can enjoy locally brewed beer. My husband and I love sharing flights so that we can sample several flavors. Grayton Beer and Idyll Hounds are a couple of our favorites, but here are a few more to check out! If you prefer hard seltzer over beer, check out Palm Folly!
City Food Hall Destin (located at Destin Commons) features a diverse lineup of local chef-driven concepts. It’s like an upscale food court with a central bar and about 10 eateries, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy! It also features Top Golf Swing Suites and special events for added fun.
RadBar is a lively spot in Fort Walton Beach where you can play arcade and console games while enjoying craft beers. You pay $10 at the door and get unlimited games (no quarters or tokens required!). They have everything from classic pinball games to Nintendo Wii. All ages are allowed until 9pm, then it’s 18+.
Fudpucker’s is a family-friendly restaurant that features multiple dining rooms, games, and attractions, including live gators. Gator Beach is an alligator park where guests can feed the alligators (there are over 100!) and take pictures with them. They also offer shows and tours. Kids will love it and it’s free!
Axes & Ice Cream. This hangout spot features axe throwing, mini-basketball, 6 TVs, and ring toss games. You can also enjoy hand-dipped ice cream, which you can enjoy on a cone or try a unique donut and cookie ice cream sandwich! And don’t forget to BYOB (beer or wine only, no hard liquor).
educational
Emerald Coast Science Center. Located in Fort Walton Beach, this hands-on science discovery center features various exhibits and special events. Kids can look at reptiles, try a robotic arm, learn about dinosaur fossils, play with the large LEGO cube and more. There are also outdoor activities such as a tree house, turtle, “dino dig,” swings, and Florida-themed trail just to name a few.
Destin History & Fishing Museum. Learn about the early pioneers from the 1830s and the history of the fishing industry. Exhibits include the Destin Fishing Rodeo Gallery, Diving in Destin, and over 100 wall mounts of fish caught in Destin waters.
The Gulfarium. This marine adventure park features a variety of animal encounters, such as dolphins, reptiles, gators, stingrays, seals and more. There are some outdoor exhibits, but you can still enjoy quite a bit inside.
Games and Arcades
Escape Room. There are several escape rooms in the area, but Escapology is the only one I can personally vouch for. I’ve done several rooms here and always have a great time! Up to 8 people can play and you’ll be challenged to find clues, solve puzzles, and unlock doors that will free you from the room.
Rainforest Black Light Golf & Arcade. Play a round of 18 holes at this indoor miniature golf course or enjoy some games at the arcade.
Thrills Laser Tag & Arcade offers endless fun for all ages! The “Temple of Doom” provides an interactive and immersive laser tag experience with two levels and a competitive action playground that will fight back (watch out for cobra pillars and more surprises!). And don’t forget about the arcade! It features over 70 games and a large selection of prizes.
Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone on Okaloosa Island is a family fun center with laser tag, a 4D movie theater, an arcade and more. There are several outdoor attractions as well such as two mini golf courses, go karts, bumper boats, ropes course, and bungee trampoline.
Fat Daddy’s Arcade. With more than 120 games and a recently renovated prize center, your kids will have a blast here.
Bowling
Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl and Grill. The underwater-themed bowling alley makes you feel like you’re bowling in the ocean. With hand-painted murals, fish hanging from the ceiling, custom balls and “dock” wooden lanes, you’ll enjoy a unique experience as you compete with your friends and family. When you work up an appetite, grab a bite to eat at the family-friendly grill or in the island-themed bar area.
Hurricane Lanes also offers bowling lanes in addition to an arcade, air hockey, pinball, pool tables, sports bar and cafe. It’s right next door to Club LA, so you can see if a concert or show is happening!
Entertainment
See a movie at AMC Destin Commons or Boulevard 10 in Grand Boulevard. Both of these theaters are located within outdoor shopping centers, so you can check out the stores and restaurants after the movie.
physical activities
Urban Air. This indoor trampoline and adventure park is a great way to let your kid burn off some energy. Attractions include climbing walls, laser tag, virtual reality, ropes course, various trampolines and more.
Fort Sk8 is an indoor family fun center in Fort Walton Beach that boasts a roller skating rink, arcade, softplay playground, and an ice cream shop.
Rock Out Climbing Gym is a family-friendly bouldering facility where everyone over the age of 3 can get climbing!
Take a yoga class at Roast’d. This boutique yoga studio (and plant based cafe) boasts a full schedule complete with hot yoga, unheated yoga, workshops, trainings, and more led by experienced teachers. Then enjoy locally roasted Destin Coffee and vegan breakfast/lunch items such as acai bowls, smoothies, juices, desserts and baked goods.
There are also a variety of other fitness studios such as Club Pilates, Pure Barre, and CrossFit Destin.
Self care
Pamper yourself at Beachside Beauty. Treat your skin to a Hydrafacial, relax with a massage or get a classic mani/pedi. With a beautiful atmosphere and talented team, Beachside Beauty is dedicated to helping you become the best version of yourself!
Enjoy a spa day at The Henderson. Located within the beach resort, The Henderson Spa offers a Himalayan salt suite, massages, facials, pedicures, manicures and more luxurious treatments. You’ll leave this blissful oasis feeling relaxed and serene.
ArtS & Crafts
The Shard Shop is a make-your-own-art boutique in Grayton Beach. They offer daily classes in ShardWorx®, art made with glass and resin. Classes are about an hour long and are suitable for all skill levels ages 6+.
Rock Paper Scissors 30A in Grayton Beach is a must-try for kids! During Open Studio Hours, they have a variety of walk-in projects available to make. They don’t take reservations, you simply walk in, pick a project and they will set you up with supplies and instructions. There’s something for every age and most projects take 30 minutes to an hour to complete. They also offer take home kits that are created and packed in their studio and paired with YouTube instructional videos.
