Family-Friendly Fun for a Rainy Day in Miami and Fort Lauderdale
You’ve arrived with your family in South Florida prepared to spend plenty of time outdoors with the kids. Expecting sunny skies during your pool and beach time, you're met instead with rain, wind and stormy weather. Time to alter your plans and find some fun, indoor entertainment. Here are a few activities to consider.
K1 Speed
Feel the need for speed? Head to K1 Speed indoor go-kart racing in Hollywood, located just minutes from downtown Fort Lauderdale. Here, you’ll reach speeds of up to 45 mph in your solo-riding electric go-kart. That means hugging tight corners and racing down straightaways on your way to the finish line.There can be up to 12 other drivers on the track at once, so precision driving and sharp skills are keys to reaching the checkered flag first. One session at $19.99 lasts approximately 10 minutes and includes a helmet. Worked up an appetite? The family can stay a while and grab lunch at the concession, let the kids play video games, shoot a game of pool and snap a selfie by the display of racing memorabilia.
Helmeted racer speeds down the track on his way to the checkered flag. (©Andrew Ressa/Flickr)X-treme Rock Climbing Center
Given that Florida is devoid of mountains, we make do with indoor rock climbing for some family fun. Prepare yourself for an ultimate test of fitness and strength at X-treme Rock Climbing Center in the southern part of Miami. The massive indoor space features 14,000 square feet of climbing paths tailored for beginners, intermediate level and expert climbers. Nationally-certified route setters regularly switch things up, so if you come more than once it could be a new experience. Billed as one of the country’s top rock-climbing facilities, the rocking soundtrack will keep you motivated to reach the top. They have free Wi-Fi and yoga classes, too. X-treme is located close to the Florida Turnpike.
Mountain climbing is a fierce workout but this climber only has his sights on making it to the top. (Courtesy X-treme Rock Climbing Center)Strike Miami
Pick one of 34 lanes to let that bowling ball rip on its way to a strike. At Strike Miami the lanes glow-in-the-dark and the décor is elegant and sophisticated just like the food and cocktails served in the lounge. Menu options include avocado hummus and carnitas and Baja fish tacos. Pair the non-traditional alley fare with a Speakeasy Sangria or Forbidden Fruit cocktail. You can also try your hand at bocce or rack ‘em up for a few rounds of pool. Of course no bowling alley is complete without a sports bar for die-hard beer drinkers. Located at Dolphin Mall near the Florida Turnpike.
Bowlers play at the 34-lane Strike Miami where neon lights add a purplish glow to the lanes. (Courtesy Strike Miami)Monster Mini Golf
This indoor glow-in-the-dark miniature golf course offers the perfect opportunity to break out the day-glo. The monster-themed (hence the name), 18-hole course is easy enough for kids but challenging enough for adults too. You’ll enter the course “at your own risk” through a cemetery sign. At each hole you’re greeted by scary characters like the grim reaper, Frankenstein, Dracula, a scary clown and an evil tree reminiscent of the ones in the classic “Wizard of Oz” film. The day wouldn’t be complete without arcade games, of which there are plenty. Monster Mini Golf Course has locations in Miramar and Coral Springs, both west of I-75 in Broward County.
Monster Mini Golf is an 18-hole, spooky activity for kids and adults. (Courtesy Monster Mini Golf)Dave & Buster’s
Just a bit north from the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport is Dave & Buster’s. This indoor gaming venue in the Oakwood Plaza, offers games for the entire family. They recently introduced the Million Dollar Midway with a Star Wars Battle Pod game. Or you can stick to the classics like Pac-Man, skeeball and air hockey. They also have enough basketball hoops to start a serious shootout competition. Want to watch your hometown team in action? More than 15 HDTV screens are available to watch the big game, while you relax with a brew and bar snacks.
Players are fiercely focused on hitting their target and declaring victory. (Courtesy Dave & Buster's)Sky Zone and Monkey Joe’s
Bouncing sky high indoors might seem impossible. However, with a trampoline venue in Miami and indoor inflatable playground in Sunrise, it’s a very real possibility. Sky Zone in Doral (near Miami International Airport) is the only place you’ll find the Foam Zone, where you jump from a trampoline and dive into a pit filled with 10,000 foam cubes. While at Monkey Joe’s near Sawgrass Mills in Sunrise off I-595, it’s wall-to-wall multi-colored inflatable bounce houses. Open to kids 12 and under they feature slides and obstacle courses. Toddlers can play in their own secure Mini Monkey Zone.
Wall-to-wall bounce houses at Monkey Joe's near Sawgrass Mills make a day of fun jumping, flips and fun. (Courtesy Monkey Joe's)Laser Quest
Laser Quest is tailor-made for the sci-fi fans that want to channel their intergalactic warrior. Located in the City of Sunrise where BB&T Center and Sawgrass Mills are located, west of Fort Lauderdale, the venue offers indoor fun for the whole family. Hardcore laser taggers should opt for the 30-minute Ironman Game. With a multi-level arena, players experience something new around every corner, with swirling fog and energetic music to keep the heart racing. For an altogether different encounter, step into the Key Quest Experience. Here, you work as a team and use logic, knowledge, communication and ultimately teamwork skills, to escape a puzzle-themed mysterious room. Complimentary lockers are provided to all Key Quest Experience players.
Players aim at each other in the multi-level course lit up in colorful neon. (Courtesy Laser Quest)