What to do on a Rainy Day in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Alabama – Indoor Activities
The weather in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach can change pretty quickly. Some days are fabulous with blue skies and not a drop a rain but it’s also pretty common to get afternoon thunderstorms. Bad weather can range from just being a little drizzly and overcast to strong hurricanes. Rainfalls can be intense.
It’s not a bad idea to have a back up plan for some indoor activities if your day at the beach is differed by little bit of rain or even a bad sunburn.
Full Indoor Activities those those really Bad Weather Days
The Factory
The Factory is an indoor trampoline park located north of the bridge in Gulf Shores. There are toddler areas and areas that are fun for older kids. Our kids really like the Ninja area. There are also other fun things including a climbing wall, flight simulator and batting cages.
Watch a movie
There are 2 movie complexes on the island. They are AMC Classic at the Warf and CMX Cinemas Pinnacle 14 at Pelican Place just north of the bridge in Gulf Shores. Both show new movies and can host sporting events as well.
Escape Room
There are several different choices for escape rooms in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Escape rooms are generally 60 minute interactive adventures where people decipher and find clues in order to escape the room.
The Escape rooms in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are:
XIT Escape Room Pelican Point
Breakout Games Orange Beach
Naval Air Station in Pensacola
NAS in Pensacola is our go-to bad weather day trip but since 2020 the museum has required visitors have a DOD ID or escort. Please see the NAS Pensacola Museum website for more information.. The museum is huge. there are plenty of things to interact with for the kids including a small playground, and it’s free. Every time we go we learn about and find something new.
Go to a Spa
I can’t think of a better way to spend a stormy day then at a spa. Booking a spa day may take some pre-planning but if you just want to stop by and get a manicure and pedicure then you should be able to find a good place.
Museums
Gulf Shores Museum
This small but mighty museum that offers a glimpse in to the world of “Old Gulf Shores” makes a great little stop. It will only take a few minutes to see all of the exhibits but staff is also nearby if you have questions.
Orange Beach Indian and Sea Museum
The Orange Beach Indian and Sea Museum is located in a schoolhouse from 1910 that was relocated near city hall in 1999. This free museum focuses on Native American History and early Orange Beach history including fishing and early local life.
Foley Train Depot
The Foley Train Depot has both indoor and outdoor spaces including a small train that tours the block. The museum has a model railroad and lots of railroad memorabilia. There is even a whistle the kids can pull up front.
Gulf State Park Nature Center
The Gulf States Park Nature Center has several fun interactive exhibits that focus on wildlife in the area. The educational nature programs are great for kids and enjoyable for adults as well. Check out the calendar for the best programs.
Sea, Sand and Stars Nature and Science Center
Sea, Sand and Stars is located behind the Orange Beach Elementary School. It features a large aquarium, touch tank, boardwalk, outdoor classrooms, planetarium and other educational activities. The facility is generally open in the Summer for tours. Calling ahead is recommended as well as a $5 donation.
Swift-Coles Museum
The Swift-Coles Historical home in Bon Secour has self-guided tours for $10. The original home was build in 1882 and added on to through the years. Today it is a total of 6000 square feet. The home is now on the National Register of Historic Places
Go Bowling
Gulf Bowl
Gulf Bowl in Foley is a very nice bowling alley with Laser Tag, Arcade, and High Ropes Courses. There are 16 lanes and it’s very clean and family friendly. It’s a great place to spend a super rainy day.
Art Galleries
Gulf Coast Arts Alliance
The Gulf Coast Arts Alliance Gallery is in the waterway village district of Gulf Shores. They also have classes and camps.
Coastal Arts Center and Hot Shop – Waterfront Park
The Coastal Arts Center is a beautiful, new waterfront complex along the bay side of Orange Beach. The art center displays local artists work (and has a fabulous staircase). There is also a glass blowing hot shop where you can watch artists make masterpieces.
Track Arcade and Adventure Park
The Track in Gulf Shores has an indoor arcade area where kids and kid-like adults can spend time some fun time. If the weather is not so bad the there are mini-golf, bumper boats, small amusement park rides and go-cart tracks too. If the weather is good and your wanting a larger adventure there is bungee jumping and an adventure swing.
Adventure Island – Arcade and Adventure Park
Adventure Island in Orange Beach also has a nice indoor arcade areas for rainy day as well as several outdoor activities for better weather days. Adventure island also has min-golf, bumper boats, lazer tag, paddle boats and other activities.
Waterville
Waterville’s main feature is it’s water park but it also has an arcade, go carts, virtual reality and mini-golf.
Outer Limits Game room
Outer limits game room at the Warf has several virtual reality games options. If you can’t be outside, you can at least feel like you are.
Fat Daddy’s
Fat Daddy’s is the largest arcade on the island. There are over 80 games including new and classic games.
Clash E-sports Center at OWA
Clash’s is a video game center at OWA featuring gaming consoles and virtual reality.
Arena Next Level – Lazer tag
The Arena Next Level is located on the second floor of the Warf and has several indoor activities including lazer tag.
Adventure Island
Adventure Island has many indoor activities including lazer tag
Visit a Recreation Center
Bodenhamer Center
The Bodenhamer Center in Gulf Shores features a indoor pool (not open during thunder storms), basketball court, games area and fitness area. Day passes are available for purchase.
Orange Beach Recreation Center
The Orange Beach Recreation Center is on Canal Road has gymnasiums and fitness areas. The non-member day pass if $5 per person per day.
Civil Axe Throwing
If you’re looking for an unique experience (and may be a little anger release) then Civil Ax Throwing at the Warf may be your perfect rainy day activity.
If the weather is not so bad – Cloudy Days in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
Go shopping
Most of the shopping in the area is in outdoor complexes. The Warf in Orange Beach and Tanger Outlets in Foley are both great choices but you will be outside (although under awnings typically) after you park and between shops. We also love stopping by Souvenir City and some of the other beach shops.
Mini-Golf
Pirates Island
Pirate’s Island is my favorite mini-golf on the Island. It’s just north of the bridge on hwy 59. There are 2 main courses and each has a lot of fun obstacles.
Tiki’s Mini-Golf and Bike Shake – near the Zoo
This mini-golf is a classic Gulf Shores stop. It’s cute, simple enough to keep the kids entertained thoughout the game.
Shrimpy’s Mini Golf and Ice Cream
This newer mini-golf is located near Mikee’s Seafood and very close to the beach. As a bonus – there’s ice cream too.
Other Mini-Golf: Track, Adventure Island, and Waterville
Go-carts
Track/Adventure Island
If the weather is grumpy but not electric the Track and Adventure Island both have a lot of activities to keep you busy including go-carts
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo featured on Animal Planet’s Little Zoo that Could is a wonderful little zoo with several opportunities for animal interactions. It has recently moved to a dryer location north of the Hwy 59 bridge. The zoo usually takes us about an hour for a quick run through, 2 if you stop more and sometimes longer if you make frequent stops or add animal interactions. For a cloudy and drizzly day the zoo is a great choice.
Alligator Alley
Alligator Alley is all outdoors so it’s not a good choice for a really bad weather day but it is a good choice for a day that’s too hot or just cloudy and drizzling. It’s a fun and unique experience.
OWA
Owa is an amusement park complex in Foley. There are roller coasters, other rides and several entertainment options. This would not be a good choice for lightening days but would be a fun option on cloudy days.
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We’re a family of 5 (Physician Assistant mom, IT project manager dad and 3 kids ages 3,6,10) taking a gap year from normal life to travel. For blog posts, locations, and more information on how we did it and how you can to click here.
