With an uptick in stuff to do citywide over the past few years, there are plenty of interesting ways to spend a day inside. And we're not just talking Netflix and chill. Especially with our unpredictable weather — one day it's smoldering-hot, the next breezy and beautiful, and the next raining buckets — it's a good idea to always have an indoor backup plan. Here are ten of our favorite ways to spend a wet afternoon. Take notes — the rainy season has just begun.
10. Hit the trampolines at Sky Zone
Trampolines are arguably the height of human innovation. Because, seriously, what's better than bouncing up and down, doing flips, and ignoring gravity? At Sky Zone, you can get creative with an open jump, dive into the Foam Zone, dunk like LeBron, play Ultimate Dodgeball, or burn some
9. Hang with pups and kitties at the Humane Society of Greater Miami
Visiting a no-kill shelter is a win-win. Not only do you get to spend some quality time with adorable, adoptable pups and kitties (and potentially take one home), but also you don't have to worry about their well-being. At Greater Miami Humane Society, all animals are safe from euthanasia. They're taken care of till they find a home. So spend a rainy day giving them some much-needed socialization: rubbing bellies, throwing balls, and generally making life a little brighter for the best inhabitants of Planet Earth.
8. Make some beautiful baubles at Jewelry Creations Workshop
Like sparkly stuff? Have some excess creative energy? Funnel it into making some Etsy-worthy accessories. Jewelry Creations Workshop offers three-hour classes schooling students on how to make pendants, rings, wire-working, beading, stone setting, chains, and other items — so you can re-create your fave glittery bauble worn by Queen Bey. Weekday classes run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2 to 5 p.m., and 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday classes run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. Tuition prices vary.
7. Take a tour at Wynwood Brewing
Ever wondered how water and hops transform into the life-affirming liquid we call beer? Take a tour of Wynwood's all-star, family-run brewery. The experts will teach you all about the fermentation and packaging process, from milling to mashing to boiling and beyond. Tours run every Saturday and Sunday at 1 and 5 p.m. For $10 a pop, the experience includes a 16-ounce pour of beer, plus a commemorative glass to add to your collection.
6. Snag some samples at Costco
Whether you're in need of an eight-pound jar of mustard or a 12-pack of toothpaste, a visit to your neighborhood Costco is an excellent way to kill some rainy-day time — and fill your stomach. This megastore is famous for its sample smorgasbord. Visit on a weekend afternoon and skip lunch while snacking on various edibles, served by staffers in hairnets and plastic gloves. You can also shop for patio furniture, kitchen appliances, and bargain-priced electronics. Beats the mall. Getting in is free — with a Costco membership card, of course.
5. Visit the Tropical Conservatory at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.
Fairchild might not seem like the best place to spend a rainy day — given that 80 percent of the onsite attractions are outdoors — but there are some nooks that are perfect for taking cover during a downpour. The Tropical Plant Conservatory, for instance, is jam-packed with fabulous flora horticulturists have collected from around the world. Then there's the Butterfly Garden, an oasis of fluttery bugs. It stays open during a sprinkling but closes during heavy rain.
4. Shoot some arrows at Straight Forward Archery Academy.
Archery is the ultimate athletic throwback. People were in some pretty killer shape in the time of Robin Hood. So there must be something substantial to shooting arrows (at inanimate targets). Opt for a private class at Straight Forward Archery Academy, where they'll teach you proper form and technique for a perfect Katniss-style shot. Private lessons run one hour and cost $52 per person — with up to four people per class.
3. Book a plant-based cooking class with Pamela Wasabi
Lack of culinary skill is a common excuse for the veg-curious: "I'd totally go vegan, but I'm clueless in the kitchen." Well, a rainy day is as good a time as any to up your plant-strong game. Pamela Wasabi, blogger, designer, and all-star chef, offers private lessons. She'll teach you to make
2. Curl up with a good read at Books & Books
Rainy days were made for reading. A downpour is a perfect opportunity to catch up on the intellectual tomes you've been dying to skim. Of course, trashy novels are also an option — we don't judge. Books & Books has all kinds of options in stock. Buy one and get comfy on a cozy chair or grab a beverage from the café. You might meet Mr. or Ms. Right — a bookstore is, after all, a pretty good place to vet candidates. As John Waters once said: "If you go home with somebody and they don't have books, don't fuck 'em!"
1. Play laser tag at Action Town Family Fun Center
What better way to wile away a rainy day than by shooting your friends with a beam of monochromatic light? Gather the gang and go head-to-head in what's dubbed Area 51 — the city's largest indoor laser tag arena. It's complete with adrenaline-pumping music and glow-in-the-dark obstacles. One game costs $9.95 per person, two games $18.95, three games $24.95, and unlimited play for four hours costs $50.
