Rain Or Shine: Indoor Activities In Jacksonville, FL

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If there’s one thing Jacksonville, FL is known for, it’s sunny days in Orange Park or Ponte Vedra Beach. But what happens if your Jacksonville day trip just happens to fall on a rainy weekend?

Fear not, because this historical little slice of FL has much to offer indoor activity enthusiasts. Read on for our top seven picks for things that you can do in Jacksonville even if it’s raining.

1. Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens

Admission: $10 for regular entry (students, military service people, and children may qualify for free entry)

What’s the best thing to do on a rainy day? The answer: immerse yourself in culture.

The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens is the Jacksonville destination to beat when it comes to historical art and gorgeous displays. Settled on the banks of the St. Johns River, this museum has lots to offer even during thunderstorms and inclement weather. It offers plenty of exhibits for people of all ages to experience, and you don’t have to worry about getting drenched in the rain.

The Jacksonville museum has equally interesting permanent collections, with many pieces dating anywhere from 2100 BCE to the twenty-first century! It’s no wonder Cummer Museum is one of the most popular places to go in Jacksonville, FL.

2. Ripley’s Believe It Or Not

Admission: $20

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not may not be as popular as it once was, but it remains a mainstay among the types of people that enjoy something a little more unconventional.

If you’ve never been to a Ripley’s museum, the Jacksonville, FL location is genuinely one-of-a-kind. Like many other businesses and attractions in the area, this kooky experience is housed in a beautifully preserved historical building.

Visitors have the choice to enter Ripley’s museum as part of a larger tour group for detailed information, but that’s not the only way to experience its weird and fun attractions. You can also head to this St. Augustine destination for a slower-paced stroll with your kids or partner.

3. Amelia Island Museum Of History

Admission: $10 for adults and $5 for kids

Who knew Florida had so much history to share? The Amelia Island Museum Of History is one of many historical places in the area, but it offers a unique blend of education and ghost tours to all who dare enter.

Built inside the former Nassau County Jail, this Jacksonville, FL haunt covers a long stretch of history from the Timucuan Indians through its occupation. The museum also has an ever-changing roster of exhibits on the menu, so be sure to check out their website beforehand.

That aside, what really brings this unique educational experience home is its interactive kids’ sections and Friday night ghostly tours. Spooky fun for the whole family!

4. Lightner Museum

Admission: $17 for adults, $14 for seniors, and $10 for children

Something you may have noticed about many Jacksonville locations on our list is lots of them were given a second chance at life. The Lightner Museum was formerly known as the Alcazar Hotel, which used to be a part of a chain of grand resorts in 1880s St. Augustine, Florida.

Today, the museum hosts many types of cultural activities for its visitors while also being a premier destination for 19th-20th century fine art in the United States. Lightner Museum has received some of the most consistently positive ratings among the attractions in the area, and many visitors describe it as “taking a step back in time.”

So if you’re looking for some fun yet educational activities on a rainy day, make sure the Lightner Museum is on your list of things to do!

5. Museum Of Science And History

Admission: $15 for adults and $12 for children, seniors, students, and teachers

The Museum of Science and History is a great place to head on a rainy day for kids of all ages. There are so many things to play with + fun and educational activities to occupy your little ones for hours on end. You could search far and wide, but there’s only one place you can walk through a giant lifelike mouth in Jacksonville, FL!

But a museum doesn’t get consistently high ratings just for providing a run-of-the-mill experience. This wonderful interactive adventure has an extensive menu of things to do, from live animal shows, short classes, to even a space for birthday parties in Florida!

6. Alhambra Dinner Theater

Admission: Roughly $35 per person

Step aside, movie theaters of Jacksonville, FL – dinner theater is here to stay. Along the scenic Beach Blvd stands the Alhambra Dinner Theater, where visitors can dine with the stars.

If you like musical theater and a little bit of fun with your food, you’ll feel right at home at Alhambra Dinner Theater. The place’s facade hasn’t changed much since it first opened its doors in 1967, which makes it feel like a slice of Hollywood nestled on Beach Blvd!

If you need something to do on a rainy day in Jacksonville, FL, don’t forget to stop by Alhambra to catch a show.

7. Jacksonville, FL Brewery Crawl

Admission: Depends on which breweries you visit

Here’s something many people might not know about Jacksonville, FL: it’s home to dozens of breweries!

We recommend taking a tour of the Jax Ale Trail, which features dozens of options from Budweiser plants to smaller craft breweries. Each little slice of ale-addled heaven has its own shop where visitors can pick their poison and bring home a little piece of Jackson, FL, wherever they go!

The best part? You can stay as long or as short as you want – you can even leave for a bit to go bowling or see a movie nearby!

Final Thoughts

There is so much to do in Jacksonville, FL, even with it’s absolutely pouring outside! From musical theater to art shows and ghost tours, there’s something for everyone out there. Each of these attractions is worth your time – that’s the OutCoast guarantee.

For more fun things to explore in Jacksonville, visit our First Coast Regional Page. If you’re up for venturing outside of Jacksonville, there are an endless number of things to do in St. Augustine on a rainy day.

***Disclaimer: There is a good chance that this post contains affiliate or sponsor links. If you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you (for which we are extremely grateful).

Also, while we do our best to highlight LGBTQ-friendly destinations and businesses, info provided is based solely on personal experience and recommendations by community partners. We hope that nobody experiences discrimination or homophobia while visiting Florida, but we make no guarantees. Please inform us if you experience discrmation or homophobia while visiting any destination so we can make updates to our recommendations.

Rachel Covello

Rachel Covello is an award-winning speaker, writer, diversity consultant, and LGBT advocate. She was the Founder of LGBT Equality Alliance, a Chester County, PA nonprofit organization. She is currently the Publisher of OutCoast.com and Producer of the OutCoast TV YouTube Channel, both of which highlight LGBTQ welcoming destinations in Florida.

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