19 Indoor Activities In Jacksonville, FL To Try Next Time It Rains (2024)

Jacksonville is one East Coast city that’s no stranger to rainy days. When the weather turns wet it’s time to head indoors. But that doesn’t mean the fun has to end. Not when The River City is home to some of the best indoor fun North Florida has to offer! As experts in special moments, we at Peerspace thought we’d introduce you to some of our favorite party venues in Jacksonville. These include breweries, bowling alleys, and even private venues for birthdays, weddings, and other special events. Which one of these spaces for indoor activities in Jacksonville, FL, is your favorite?

1. Check out a video game arcade

Arcades are the best place to be when it rains. You’ll be surrounded by dozens of classic games to choose from like pinball, Pac-man, and skeeball. Some are coin-op while others offer endless games with an entry pass. One of the top Jacksonville video game arcades is Arcade: Keg & Coin, open everyday from noon until evening. It’s an arcade bar with a full drink and food menu as well as all of your favorite nostalgic games, so bring your appetite along with a few friends!

2. Gather your friends and host a wine-tasting class

Romantic Bungalow with a Private Secluded Pool
Source: Peerspace

Are you looking for a more upscale indoor activity in Jacksonville, FL, for a rainy day gathering? Why not book a sommelier and host a wine tasting class? You’ll learn the ins and outs of each drink and have classic pairings to snack on. Sommeliers don’t have to come to your home, either. For a wine tasting special event, think about booking a space through us where you can include all of the amenities you like!

Peerspace is the nation’s leading online marketplace for event venues. In Jacksonville, we have beautiful spaces like this downtown bungalow, complete with a pool in a quiet neighborhood!

3. Visit The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is a lovely example of philanthropy, given its history. In 1985 local art-lover Nina Cummer donated her 60-piece art collection and riverfront home in order to create a new museum for the city. The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens has since grown to include over 5,000 pieces of art. Each visit offers something different, including exhibitions on botanical arrangements, paintings, and more.

4. See a play at Theatre Jacksonville

The Theatre Jacksonville is the city’s longest-running community theater; continuously operating since 1919! From educational classes to live performances the venue has something to offer all comers on a rainy day. Evening performances are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 pm, with matinees on Sunday at 2 pm!

5. Break free of an escape room

Escape rooms are all the rage these days. You have a set time to find clues, solve puzzles, and work your way free of the venue before time is up. You can visit an escape room alone or book a time slot for a group of friends celebrating a birthday, bachelorette, or other special event. The Escape Game Jacksonville is a local favorite, with five different rooms catering to varying skill levels. Themes like Gold Rush and Prison Break add to the flavor and ensure you’ll come back again to test your skills against the challenges they present!

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6. Race go-karts at K1 Speed

Looking for a more competitive indoor activity in Jacksonville, FL, to try? Race high-speed go-karts at K1 Speed! Their electric go-karts reach up to 45 MPH as you tear around the track, trying for the best time. When you need a break from the high-speed action visit the on-location restaurant for food and drinks!

7. Visit Latitude 360 for endless entertainment options

For a large birthday or bachelor party group, it’s a good idea to find a space where there’s something for everyone. Latitude 360 is one of Jacksonville’s top party destinations because they offer so much to do! You’ll find live comedy shows, luxury bowling with state of the art tech, a dine-in movie theater, and special events year-round. Latitude 360 also has a full menu with pizza, snacks, salads, and other delights!

8. Free fall at iFLY Indoor Skydiving

You don’t have to book a plane for a skydiving experience. Jacksonville is home to iFly, an indoor skydiving facility where a vertical wind tunnel recreates the experience at ground level. It’s all ages-fun and includes a flight suit and training so you’ll fly with total confidence.

9. Enjoy a dinner performance at the Alhambra Theatre

Dinner and a show have been a classic indoor activity in Jacksonville, FL, for decades. And there are few better venues than the Alhambra Theater! This dinner theater is the oldest in the nation and it has had a long time to perfect the art of evening dinner entertainment. Each meal is a three-course event with vegetarian options and drinks.

10. Learn at the Museum of Science and History

Jacksonville’s Museum of Science and History (MOSH) is a great family friendly, educational indoor activity! MOSH has a variety of core and rotating exhibits, including interactive touch tanks with local marine life, a science theater that explores STEM topics, and a Currents of Time exhibit that details the history of the region. From planetary science to human biology, MOSH is a fascinating place to explore on a rainy day in Jacksonville!

11. Have a shopping day at The Avenues Mall

Rainy days are the perfect time for a shopping spree! Why not head to The Avenues Mall for a little retail therapy? You’ll find national name brands like H&M and Forever 21 offering chic clothes alongside restaurants, electronics stores, and other brands. The Avenues Mall has a food court, video game arcade, theater, and children’s play area. Perfect for a shopping day or family outing! 

12. Reserve a private screening room for movie night

Modern Lounge with Pool Table & Games
Source: Peerspace

Cuddle up with your partner or gather some friends for a movie night! Jacksonville is home to some excellent movie theaters playing blockbuster favorites and offering the usual concessions.

But you can make a movie night so much better by reserving a screening room instead! We at Peerspace have several venues suitable for a movie night, like this modern lounge in Baymeadows. The flat screen TV and sofa are just part of the amenities included; you’ll also have a billiards table, dining tables, and a nearby coffee bar!

13. Enjoy a fine dining restaurant

Like any major city, Jacksonville has an excellent selection of restaurants to choose from. Why not explore a new cuisine with friends or potential boo? You can find Indian, Italian, Southern comfort food, and more in The River City. How about Restaurant Orsay, a French bistro with Southern American fusion influences? Seafood, charcuterie, wine, and salads are just a few of their specialties. Each dish is as much an artistic arrangement as it is a meal, providing a feast for the eyes and the stomach alike!

14. Book a cooking class with friends

Rainy days are a chance to learn new skills with your friends! Why not join a cooking class together? JAX Cooking Studio offers classes in French baked goods, wine and dining nights, dim sum specialties, and more! Each event runs 2-3 hours and you can buy tickets in advance. Cooking classes are a great way to brush up on your talents – plus you get to enjoy a home cooked meal with friends at the very end!

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15. Golf indoors at TopGolf

At first glance, golfing seems like an activity that’s going to be ruined by a rainy day. Fortunately, Jacksonville is home to TopGolf, an indoor facility with climate control, big screen TVs, food, beverages, and more! You can bring your own clubs or rent some here, with golfing bays available for play time by the hour.

16. Sing and drink at a karaoke club

Karaoke clubs are a fun indoor activity in Jacksonville, FL, no matter the weather! Sing to classic songs with a group of friends in a plush karaoke lounge, complete with sofas and a private machine. The best in the city is Nakama Anime Bar, with both private karaoke room rentals and an open mic. In between songs you can watch manga, try sake flights, and enjoy Japanese snacks without a passport!

17. Get spooked at the 13th Floor Haunted House

You don’t have to wait until Halloween for some haunted house fun! 13th Floor Haunted House is open year-round and is one of the top-five rated haunted houses in the country by USA Today. Each year offers something different, with multiple themed venues to explore. 13th Floor also has add-ons like mini escape rooms and airsoft zombie shooting games with live zombie actors! 

18. Go on a brewery tour

The River City has many breweries nearby where you can learn more about the art of beer brewing and sample what’s on tap. Brewery tours will take you and a group of your friends to multiple downtown breweries. Or you can plan your own trip to your favorite spots for a beer. Bold City Brewery is one of our favorites; a locally owned brewery with a laid back vibe!

19. Have a pampering spa day

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bdvcq8sH_qr

Why not stay indoors on a rainy day in Jacksonville, getting a massage, facial scrub, and a soak in a saltwater hot tub? Spa resorts are the best place to unwind and de-stress and Jacksonville has several worth looking at. For a truly luxurious experience check out Ponte Vedra Spa at the Ponte Vedra Inn. Situated on 3 acres of beachfront property, the Ponte Vedra Spa has over 100 different treatments you can enjoy alongside their full service menu.

Indoor activities in Jacksonville: conclusion

Downtown Sunlit Loft
Source: Peerspace

Whether it’s too rainy or too sunny, there’s always an indoor activity to explore in Jacksonville, FL! Bold City has options for everyone, be it a low-key dining experience, a horror-filled escape room adventure, or something else entirely. And if you have a plan for a different kind of indoor activity, think about making us at Peerspace a part of the party planning! We have party rooms stacked with amenities in Jacksonville and other nearby cities!

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