When we dream about our vacations, most of us visualize ourselves basking in endless days of sunshine as we go about the activities we’ve planned: taking long, leisurely strolls in a new place; spending carefree days lounging on the beach; and enjoying relaxing cups of coffee at sidewalk cafes. So, it’s only natural to feel resentful and a little depressed when you check the weather forecast and see that rain is predicted for large chunks of your holiday. Great.
However, bad weather doesn’t need to ruin your vacation. Yes, rain can derail the best-laid travel plans, but it also forces you to step out of the tourist mindset and find other things to do – things which might give you a greater insight into the local way of life. So rain can actually be a good way of forcing us to stop bolting from one sight to the next and just relax.
With that in mind, how can you while away the hours when the weather refuses to cooperate? Here are top 12 ideas for how to spend a rainy day:
1. Do something where you were going to get wet anyway.
So you’d been planning to go to the beach? Go anyway – as long as the water is a manageable temperature, swimming in the rain is actually a really fun experience.
2. See a movie.
Yes, the movie itself is a key part of deciding to go out to the theater on rainy day. Think of a movie you wanted to watch for a while. Here is your time! Enjoy and have fun. Don’t Forget the Popcorn! There you have it! Perfect day!
AMC theatre in the Destin Commons shopping center has 14 screens and offers IMAX and RealD 3D showings. Check the website for movie show times and prices.
Boulevard 10 in Miramar Beach, in the Grand Boulevard Shopping Center, features ten screens including the highlighted state of the art “BIGD” auditorium and the Ovation Dining Club. The Ovation Dining Club experience allows you to enjoy a full service dinner menu, beer, wine and refreshments while watching a leading Hollywood movie sitting in a comfortable leather seat. You must be 21 for the Ovation Dining Club Theatre. The “BIGD” auditorium includes a wall-to-wall screen measuring 60 feet wide and nearly three stories tall, the latest in surround sound and DIGITAL projection of both 2-D and 3-D features.
3. Go to the supermarket.
I love visiting local supermarkets and seeing all the products that are different from what I’m used to or just downright weird. Some supermarkets hand out samples so you can try interesting things you maybe wouldn’t want to shell out for at a restaurant. You can also gather up a bunch of items for a picnic (there’s nothing wrong with an indoor picnic if the weather doesn’t clear up!) or a late night snack.
The Fresh Market
4495 Commons Dr W Destin, FL 32541
Inviting…comfortable…convenient. Fresh Market evokes different responses for every customer. Maybe it’s the daily sampling and the opportunity to warm up with a cup of coffee while you shop. Or maybe the great service the butcher provides each time you hand-select your meat and seafood. Fresh Market is a unique Destin grocery store
Winn Dixie
69 Poinciana Blvd, Miramar Beach, FL, 32550
Winn-Dixie operates grocery stores throughout the southeastern U.S. under the Winn-Dixie, Winn-Dixie Marketplace and SaveRite banners. For over 80 years, the Winn-Dixie name has stood for real quality and value.
Modica Market
109 Central Square Seaside, FL 32459
Modica Market, a family-owned and operated gourmet and specialty grocery market, has served the town of Seaside for over 15 years. Sarah and Charles Modica began the business more than 50 years ago in Alabama. In 1988, the Modicas moved to Seaside to open Modica Market, now one of the country’s leading gourmet markets.
4. Enjoy restaurants.
You have to eat anyway, but when it’s raining, try to seek out restaurants where you can make an experience out of the meal (click here for more information about restaurants in the area). It might be someplace with a fabulous view, a restaurant where you can interact with the chefs or watch the meal being made, or one that has a dance or musical performance to accompany your dinner
5. Hang out with locals.
Nightlife. It doesn’t matter if it is raining or pouring, nightlife here will always brighten the mood. Find out where residents like to congregate and head there. I’ve had lots of fun interactions with locals because I chose to frequent the pub where residents hang out rather than the one where the tourists go.
Coyote Ugly Saloon, located in HarborWalk Village, offers live concerts and DJs on Friday and Saturday.
The Swamp brings concerts featuring national bands and artists. It is located directly on The Boardwalk! When the sun goes down, turn up the heat at this amazing nightclub,
McGuire’s Irish Pub opens daily 11 am – approximately 2 am. Besides awesome food, including burgers, steaks, seafood and typical Irish pub food, they offer live entertainment.
Hurricane Lanes is Destin’s only bowling center, featuring 26 Lanes, Cabana Cafe, Rupert’s Sports Bar, 12 pool tables and an arcade
Nightown is Destin’s hottest nightclub for the 18 and up scene. It is the only place in Destin where you can enjoy luxury VIP access areas with bottle service, a spacious dance floor and 7 bars. Whatever your taste in music is, Nightown offers it all.
6. Use the opportunity to relax.
Who says you have to pack every minute of your vacation with activities? As I mentioned earlier, the problem is that most of us do over-schedule our holidays and then come home exhausted. Take the bad weather as a chance to settle back with a good book or your journal, or hit up a cozy coffee shop and just be.
7. Go to a spa.
When it is raining outside, and the weather isn’t its sunny self, this is the best time to relax indoors and enjoy some pampering. Emerald Coast has several places to go on a rainy day for relaxation. Inside the Hilton is the Serenity by the Sea Spa. This is a full service salon and state of the art fitness center providing guests with amenities and treatments to suit every need, including a separate private men’s and women’s lounge area. You do not have to be a guest at the hotel to use the spa.
8. Watch the rain.
Find a great vantage point where you can sit back and just watch the rain thundering down. The stormier the weather, the more fun this is!
9. Museums.
For those that would like to learn more about Destin and the Emerald Coast, a visit to the Destin History and Fishing Museum will show you what life was like before the arrival of electricity and before all the condos were built. The family can learn about the types of fish they might catch in the area and see vintage photos and rods and reels.
10. Visit Fudpuckers. (three favorite “F” words: Food, Fun and Friends)
Fudpuckers is a lot of fun! – there is a lot to see and it’s casual as well, plus the Destin location has Gator Beach. It’s also centrally located next to Fat Daddy’s Pizza. Pizza, Ice Cream, and an arcade make for a great rainy day activity should the weather be uncooperative during your stay. So if you want to really pack in the fun, you can do it all at once! Everyone should try this place at least once. They have excellent burgers and you can even try a taste of alligator, but the best part about Fudpucker’s is its fun atmosphere!
11. Blast Arcade & Laser Maze
Blast Arcade & Laser Maze is an indoor amusement facility and arcade that features a variety of games. Among its attractions are skee ball, video games, shooting gallery, and laser maze. Blast Arcade and Laser Maze is an exciting, fun filled Family Entertainment Center located in the Village in Miramar Beach. They offer family fun and activities that will surely have the entire family coming back for more. Their Arcade has over 60 redemption and video games that you can collect tickets for great prizes.
Put on your best Tom Cruise imitation and try to navigate thru our amazing Laser Maze. And, don’t forget to visit Rootin Tootin in our Blast’ Em Shootin Gallery.
12. Go shopping.
Shoppers and Foodies love this area. There is no shortage for either and a rainy day allows for both!
Silver Sands Premium Outlets offers 110 designer and name brand outlet stores including Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Coach, Gymboree and Polo Ralph Laurent to name a few.
Grand Boulevard at Sandestin is a town center offering specialty shopping, world-class restaurants, a park, professional offices and lodging in a beautiful, pedestrian-friendly setting. Inside the shops you will find everything from amazing glass art at the Fusion Art Glass Gallery to golf and tennis clothing and accessories at Brooks Brothers Country Club. The exclusive boutique style shops and many nationally recognized shops offer something for the whole family.
Destin Commons is a beautiful shopping center with restaurants and a movie theater. Destin Commons offers a plenty options for shopping and dining.
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