Photo by Dawn Ashley
Fort Lauderdale is a fun Florida city to visit, but every day isn’t always clear skies and sunshine. It’s possible you’ll have some rainy days during your stay but don’t let that dampen your spirits because there’s more to a vacation here than just going to the beach, swimming and fishing.
Fort Lauderdale is well equipped to keep tourists entertained during those rainy days, and these four indoor spots are where we suggest you go to have fun and stay dry.
Museum of Discovery and Science
401 SW Second St.
Hours: 10 a.m. — 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 12 p.m. — 6 p.m. Sundays
The Museum of Discovery and Science is the perfect learning center for young scientists, but there’s also a mix of things to see and do making it enjoyable for visitors of every age. This museum is two floors worth of discovery and exploring. See sharks, pet alligators, take a simulated trip to the moon, test your pilot flying skills in a cockpit simulator and find out more about science and Florida through interactive exhibits. And don’t forget to buy your tickets to watch a film at AutoNation IMAX 3D Theater — the biggest screen in South Florida standing at five stories high.
Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale
1 E Las Olas Blvd.
Hours: 11 a.m. — 5 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday and Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. — 8 p.m. Thursdays, 12 p.m. — 5 p.m. Sundays. Closed Mondays.
At the center of the city’s arts district is the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale. Check out its permanent collection of more than 6,000 works of art, including the largest collection of art by American painter William Glackens, as well as its particular focus with photography through the Foto Fort Lauderdale initiative. The museum has various exhibitions coming and going and also offers events for visitors to get involved with, like lectures, art classes and art workshops, year-round.
Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum
1527 SW 1st Ave.
Hours: 9 a.m. — 3 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call for Saturday-Sunday hours.
Inside the Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum you’ll find 22 Packard Motor Co. cars on display. These cars date back to the early 1900s, and all of them are in full working order. Besides these classic automobiles, there are thousands of memorabilia pieces and a gallery dedicated to President Roosevelt. It’s a cool way to see and learn about American history and engineering during the 1900s up to the 1940s.
International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum
1 Hall of Fame Dr.
Hours: 9 a.m. — 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. — 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Aquatic memorabilia, collections of Olympic medals and tributes to American presidents who were swimmers are just some of the things at the International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum. Inside this wave-shaped building are also various exhibits and displays showing the history of aquatic sports, recognizing the standout moments in each sport and telling stories of some of the greatest swimmers, synchronized swimmers, divers and water polo athletes in the world.
So if the clouds set in and the raindrops start falling, don’t worry about your vacation being ruined. These museums are such good indoor entertainment that you won’t even remember it’s raining outside. Find Fort Lauderdale hotels for your stay.
