When rain closes the beaches, Sarasota and Bradenton still have plenty under a roof. The picks below are grouped by mood: a quiet museum or aquarium, something active with friends, a show or a movie, or a place for kids to run around. Each group offers a few choices, so the weather can lead somewhere different each time.
In this guide 12 sections
indoors, because rain is likely and it is 86°. Ordered for right now.
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
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The art museum at the Ringling in Sarasota, with indoor galleries of paintings and sculpture. The wider grounds are outdoors, while the galleries stay dry.
Mote Marine Laboratory
A marine science laboratory on City Island with a public aquarium. Some exhibits are outdoors, so the venue's site is the place to check what is open in the rain.
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature
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A Bradenton museum that combines science exhibits, a planetarium and an aquarium. It holds enough indoors to fill an afternoon.
Sarasota Art Museum
A contemporary art museum in downtown Sarasota. A quiet choice when the plan is to stay dry and take it slowly.
Arcade Monsters
An arcade with a floor of games for groups and families. Good for a spontaneous stop.
Escape Reality
An escape room venue where groups solve puzzles inside a themed room within a time limit. Sessions are booked by time slot.
Bowlero Gulf Gate
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A bowling alley in the Gulf Gate area. An easy group activity that rain does not affect.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Sarasota's large performing arts hall on the bayfront, hosting touring shows, concerts and more. The calendar decides what is on.
Florida Studio Theatre
A professional theater company in downtown Sarasota staging plays and other live performance. A seated evening that rain does not touch.
CMX CinéBistro Siesta Key
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A movie theater near Siesta Key that serves food and drinks to the seat. A film is a simple answer when the beach is off the table.
Kids Empire Bradenton
An indoor play center in Bradenton for climbing, sliding and burning off energy. A fully indoor option for restless kids.
Florida Railroad Museum
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A railroad museum in Parrish with vintage rail equipment. Which cars or rides run in wet weather depends on the day, so the museum's own site is the place to confirm.
Live right now in Sarasota
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Good to know
What is there to do in Sarasota when it rains?
Sarasota and Bradenton have art and science museums, an aquarium, arcades and bowling, escape rooms, theaters and indoor play spaces. This guide groups twelve of them by the kind of afternoon you want.
Are these places fully indoors?
Each pick is an indoor attraction, but some venues, such as Mote and the Ringling, also have outdoor areas. The venue's own site is the place to confirm what is open on a wet day.
Do I need to book ahead?
Escape rooms are booked by time slot, and theater and show tickets depend on the calendar. Museums, arcades and play centers set their own rules, so check each site.
Keep exploring near Sarasota
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