19 Unique Indoor Activities In Dallas To Try Next Time It Rains
- Date: April 17, 2024
- Topic: Events
- Contributors: Written by Peerspace Staff

Source: Pixabay
Rainy days in Dallas are a frequent occurrence, but you don’t have to turn tail and hide at home if you intend on hanging out with friends. Why not explore some of the incredible indoor activities Dallas has to offer instead? From rock climbing to cooking classes, there are many ways to beat the weather in The Big D!
You can also plan your own special event, such as a photo shoot or a dinner party, by booking an event venue by the hour through Peerspace! As the nation’s leading online marketplace for venue rentals, you’ll find hundreds of listings in Dallas for a rainy day party, class, or get-together.
1. Head to the ice rink at Galleria Dallas Ice Skating Center
Whether you’re looking for an open skate session or private lessons with an instructor, the Galleria Ice Skating Center is a fun indoor activity in Dallas that everyone should try! Skate rentals are separate from admissions, but if you sign up for a course on more advanced lessons, you’ll get free skates!
2. Have a spa day
A rainy day is the perfect time to enjoy a day at the spa. Explore the latest skin treatments, steam rooms, whirlpool baths, and other luxuries at a resort or luxury spa. Dallas has dozens of luxurious spas to choose from; one of our favorites is The NOW Massage Parlor. The venue specializes in minimalist decor, natural materials, and canvas drapes to create more of a group retreat atmosphere!
3. Visit the Dallas World Aquarium
From tropical rainforests to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico, the Dallas World Aquarium explores aquatic habitats from all over the world! This former warehouse was transformed into a world-class aquarium in 1992 but it also has rainforest exhibits behind its doors.
4. Join an indoor climbing gym
Instead of trying to scale slick rocks in the rain check out an indoor climbing gym instead! Dallas is home to several climbing gyms where you can work with an instructor and learn the basics of belaying. Or you can get right into climbing if you already know the ropes! Most indoor climbing gyms offer memberships for the best rates alongside day passes for folks looking to try a facility for the first time!
5. Play dodgeball in Dallas
Dodgeball is fun for all ages and there are leagues you can join year-round! As one of the most fun indoor sports around, dodgeball is one of the few times it’s legal to aim for the opposing team. If you want to get a quick game on rather than join a team, check out any of the open play nights at the Heights and Granger Recreation Centers.
Looking for chic, elegant spaces to celebrate intimate events? Then you need to see our collection of beautiful baby shower event spaces in Dallas!
6. Go to Dave & Buster’s for food & games
Dave & Buster’s is the ultimate arcade, sports bar, and restaurant experience in Dallas! Whether you’re into VR games, basketball, or a UFC match, Dave & Buster’s is ready to accommodate your plans. While Dave & Buster’s is a national name brand now the very first location was opened in Dallas, making it a homegrown activity venue!
7. Create art & have drinks at Upstairs Circus
Upstairs Circus is one of the more unique indoor activities in Dallas to try on a rainy day! This space is both a crafts studio and a bar; you can choose from all kinds of craft projects like making wine bottle tumblers or mala bracelets. Then you can enjoy drinks alongside other artists while soliciting tips from the staff on fine-tuning your masterpiece!
8. See art at the Dallas Art Fair
The Dallas Art Fair is a yearly exhibition of local, national, and international artists from 90+ galleries covering multiple disciplines. It’s set at the Art District’s Fashion Industry Gallery and has been an ongoing event for nearly two decades!
9. Learn at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Museum lovers should check out the Perot Museum of Nature and Science on their next rainy day outing. Located next to the Dallas Art District, the Perot Museum explores science through exhibitions, interactive activities, films, and more. From dinosaurs to outer space, the Perot Museum’s 11 exhibit halls answer questions you didn’t even know you had about the world.
10. Try indoor axe throwing at Lone Star
Ax throwing isn’t just for burly dudes in flannel; anyone can try tossing an ax or three at Lone Star Axe Throwing! Coaches are close at hand to give you tips on sinking your ax properly. The venue also has a cocktail bar, classic arcade games, shuffleboard, and other ways to enjoy your rainy day indoors!
11. Explore a video game arcade

Video games don’t have to be an at-home activity; not when you can head to an arcade instead. Dallas has several arcades stocked with dozens of vintage and modern games. Arcade bars are even more popular, combining the best aspects of a gastropub and video game arcade. Cidercade is one of our favorites, offering unlimited games with each entry and an excellent selection of drinks and food.
12. Book a portrait shoot with a photographer

Looking for artistic indoor activities in Dallas that celebrate yourself? Why not book a photography session for an hour or two with a talented Dallas portrait photographer? As the nation’s leading online marketplace for space rentals, Peerspace has hundreds of photo studios to work in. Many offer multiple sets to match as many creative themes as possible, like this 10-set photo studio in Irving!
13. Bowl and dine at Punch Bowl Social
Punch Bowl Social is one of the best places to enjoy social games during a rainy day in Dallas. The venue offers bowling, darts, karaoke, board games, pool…There’s something to please any group here! And don’t forget about food and drinks; as a top-tier gastropub, Punch Bowl Social has a diverse menu to match its activity selection!
14. Take a cooking class at The Cookery Dallas
One of the best ways to upgrade your cooking skills is by signing up for a cooking class. The Cookery Dallas is one of the city’s most comprehensive culinary academies, offering classes exploring the flavors of Iberia, Mexico, Japan, and other food hotspots. You’ll also get to enjoy the food and drinks you prepare during the class, so bring your appetite!
Celebrate your love in style using our anniversary ideas in Dallas as your personal guide!
15. Explore new restaurants on a food tour of Dallas
Food tours can give even a lifelong local a new perspective on their hometown. Dallas is a leading food city in the country and you’ll find everything from Tex-Mex to Mediterranean on the menu here. To beat the rain, take the Uptown Eats! Trolley Food Tour for ten tastings at three different restaurants.
16. Take to the air at iFLY Fort Worth
You don’t have to jump out of an airplane to experience weightless free fall. Instead, you can take to the air indoors at iFLY Fort Worth, a facility using wind tunnels to mimic the feeling of falling from 12,000 feet high! Each first-time visitor goes through a training session so they understand the tech and gear before flying along with an instructor in a 12-foot high air tunnel!
17. Travel back in time at Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament
Lovers of Renaissance festivals will love this exciting indoor activity in Dallas! Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament only has one location in Texas and it’s right here. You’ll get a chance to watch a tournament of knights battle with swords before enjoying a four-course meal at a banquet table!
18. Enjoy an immersive gaming experience
Immersive Gamebox is a unique video game where you’re placed into one of several classic games or storylines. From Tetris to Squid Game, you’ll have 30 to 90 minutes to find clues and beat the challenges set in front of you as a group! While reservations are recommended, if you need a sudden venue swap for a rainy day outing, Immersive Gamebox is open to walk-ins!
19. Head to a tea salon for afternoon tea
If you’re more into tea than coffee then you’re in luck! Dallas has several tea parlors serving afternoon tea in the traditional English manner. That means china cups, sandwiches, scones, and other British delights, paired with imported English tea. If you’re undecided on which tea is the best, check out Heirloom Haul’s tea service, which includes several teas and sample snacks for a truly unique indoor activity in Dallas!
Indoor activities in Dallas: conclusion

Rainy days in Dallas are a chance to get to know the city even better! From educational exhibitions to medieval jousting tournaments, there’s nothing stopping you from having a good time indoors. You can make a rainy day even more special with a unique event rental for a family gathering, birthday, or bachelor party thanks to Peerspace. Our collection of Dallas special event venues can make any party plan a reality, no matter the weather!
Find unique event spaces in Dallas on Peerspace
Get together somewhere better
Book thousands of unique spaces directly from local hosts.
Explore SpacesShare your space and start earning
Join thousands of hosts renting their space for meetings, events, and photo shoots.
List Your Space