Are you looking for the best places to hang out indoors in Destin? Here’s a list of our favorite indoor things to do in Destin, Florida that the whole family will enjoy! Of course, Destin beaches are amazing and there are plenty of outdoor things to do. My favorites are bike riding, taking a dolphin cruise, and building sand castles with our kids.
But, sometimes you need an indoor option – maybe for rain or if you need a break from the sun! Whether you love a little Destin history or marine life, you enjoy science, or you want to play some fun games, we have you covered with tons of great indoor activities in the Destin area.
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is an amazing educational and interactive marine aquarium, open 7 days a week, in all weather conditions. Well known for their amazing bottlenose dolphins, visitors will learn more about dolphins and all sorts of marine animals! Our family’s favorites include the seals, sea turtles, and sea lions.
There are plenty of animal exhibits, training demonstrations, and animal chats going on daily. You can also check out the animal encounters. These experiences have an additional fee but are a great way to learn more about your favorite animals with a trained expert. You can even eat at Gulfarium, in their cafe called Dive-In Eatery.
The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is located at 1010 Miracle Strip Parkway SE Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548. They are open daily from 9:00 AM-5:30 PM with the last admission allowed at 4:30 PM. Check their website for the latest show info, along with ticket pricing.
Emerald Coast Science Center
If you and your family love science, then the Emerald Coast Science Center is the perfect place to visit! Located at 31 SW Memorial Parkway in Fort Walton Beach, the Science Center offers exhibits about dinosaurs, robotics, engineering, color and light, space, ecosystems, and animals! They actually are home to over 35 exotic animals as well!
It is a smaller science center, so families can probably spend about 1 to 3 hours there. Perfect to add to your list of rainy-day activities in northwest Florida! They are currently open Wednesday to Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM. Check their website for the latest info on current exhibits and events!
Indian Temple Mound Museum
The Indian Temple Mound Museum is a small museum located in downtown Fort Walton Beach. This museum features exhibits about Native American life in the Florida panhandle. Visitors can find over 1,000 artifacts and prehistoric ceramics in the museum. Check the website for the most updated hours and admission prices. If you love history, this is a great thing to add to your list of indoor things to do in Destin, Florida.
Fat Daddy’s Arcade
Do your kids love arcade games? Fat Daddy’s Arcade offers loads of arcade games, prize games, basketball hoops, and interactive games. The entire family can play and work together to win prizes. You can purchase point cards for each person to choose their favorite games to play. All of our kids ask to play arcade games on a family vacation, so it’s a popular choice on a rainy day.
The parade is open from 11 AM – 9 PM every day of the week! If you love go-karts, Fat Daddy’s also has a track location. The Track offers five go-kart tracks, two mini golf courses, blaster boats, and bumper cars. Of course, these are best on sunny days!
Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone
Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone is massive and filled with loads to do! If you have a rainy day at the beach, check out their arcade as a great activity option. With over 16,00 square feet of space with over 65 arcade games, there is plenty to do on your family vacation.
You can also check out the go-karts, bumper boats, adventure golf course, laser tag, virtual reality experience, 4D show, ropes course, and more! Wild Willy’s is open daily from noon-9 PM.
You can purchase experiences a la carte or you can purchase a package deal. The packages include an indoor package which includes laser tag, 4D experience, virtual reality, and arcade points for $49.99. The outdoor package features 18 holes of golf, a ropes course, bumper boats, and go-karts for $49.99. The indoor and outdoor package which includes both sections runs $89.99 per person. There is a 10% discount for military and public safety workers.
Wild Willy’s is a local favorite, so be sure to check it out when you are in the Destin area. It’s a unique experience and the perfect way to spend the day in Destin, Florida!
Hurricane Lanes
Bowling is always one of the best things to do on a rainy day at the beach. You can find plenty of great options in the Destin, Panama City Beach, and Miramar Beach areas. Hurricane Lanes Destin Bowling is located at 34876 Emerald Coast Parkway and features 26 bowling lanes, pool tables, an arcade, and ping pong. Rupert’s Sports Bar and the Strikezone Cafe are great options for food and beverages while you are there!
You can find bowling food standards like burgers, quesadillas, nachos, wings, and pizza for food options. Hurricane Lanes Bowling is open from 11 AM-Midnight on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. They have late night hours from 11 AM – 2 AM on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Pricing for kids under the age of 10 is $4.50 per game. Those over 10 cost $5.25 per game. Shoe rentals are around $4 per person.
Silver Sands Premium Outlets
If you have a rainy day at the beach or just need a break from the sun and sand, be sure to check out Silver Sands Premium Outlets. This is a Simon property that includes plenty of your favorites like Adidas, American Eagle, Coach, Disney Outlet, Gap, J. Crew, LOFT, Old Navy, and North Face.
Dining options include Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Haagan Dazs, Pino Gelato, and Rocky Mountain Chocolate. Silver Sands is located at 10562 Emerald Coast Pkwy W. in Destin. The outlet is open from 11 AM – 8 PM daily.
Grand Boulevard
The Grand Boulevard is also a great option for some fantastic shopping! Stores include Anthropologie, Chico’s, Kendra Scott, Lilly Pulitzer, Lululemon, Pottery Barn, and Vineyard Vines. You will also find three hotels at Grand Boulevard, including Courtyard by Marriott, Hyatt Place, and Residence Inn.
You can find lots of restaurants, including Another Broken Egg Cafe, Black Bear Bread Company, Cantina Laredo, Emeril’s Coastal, Fleming’s Steakhouse, Jimmy John’s, P.F. Chang’s, and Starbucks! Grand Boulevard is located at 585 Grand Blvd, Miramar Beach, FL 32550, and most stores are open daily from 10 AM to 9 PM (check the website for particular store hours.)
Movie Theater
Need some indoor things to do in Destin, Florida? Of course, a movie theater is a great spot at the beach on a rainy day! You will find several options in the Destin area. The AMC Destin Commons 14 offers stadium seating and reserved seating options. If you enjoy the IMAX experience and Dolby surround sound, this can be the theater for you. Also, check out Discount Tuesdays and Discount Matinees for the best deals!
If you are in the Grand Boulevard area, check out the AMC Classic Boulevard 10 Cinema. This is a beautiful, newer theater with 10 screens right in the midst of the great shopping area outlined above. You can also find Discount Tuesdays and Discount Matinees at this AMC location! Classic Boulevard 10 Cinema is located at 465 Grand Boulevard, Miramar Beach, 32550.
Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl and Grill
Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl and Grill is filled with family fun-add it to your list of indoor things to do in Destin Florida! These locations are owned by Bass Pro Shops and feature 12 bowling lanes with an underwater theme and a huge dining menu. Are your kids’ fans of marine animals? They will love the huge saltwater aquarium filled with tropical fish looking over the restaurant.
The bowling balls are even themed to the underwater motif! Bowling balls are decorated as octopus, mermaids, and camouflage. Every member of your family will find one they love!
You can find their complete menu and pricing online. Monday to Thursday rates are $39 per hour with shoe rentals at $4.50. Friday to Sunday rates are $42.00 an hour with shoe rentals at $4.50 as well. Seating and service are first come, first served. An awesome arcade has also been added to the Destin location, so there are plenty of great options for fun here!
Urban Air Adventure Park
Do the kids need to burn off some energy? Take them to Urban Air Adventure Park! Kids will discover the Sky Rider, Ropes Course, and Indoor Playground in the Adventure Hub. They can practice climbing the wall on the Climbing Hill, practice flips on the Drop Zone, play some laser tag in the laser maze, or take on the ropes course and climbing wall. Of course, there are loads of trampolines and warrior courses to explore! Plenty of great options for a great time in Destin here!
Rainforest Black Light Golf
Do you love golf courses and need an indoor putt-putt option? Try Rainforest Black Light Golf! Located in Miramar Beach and Panama City Beach, Rainforest offers an arcade and a rainforest-themed 18-hole mini-golf experience with black lights! Check out their website for the latest pricing and hours!
I hope this list of indoor things to do in Destin, Florida helps you plan your next rainy-day adventure at the beach! Keep reading for more fun travel tips for families and sign up for my free newsletter down below.
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