18 best indoors activities in Palm Beach county

Eddie Ritz, Palm Beach Post
Updated ·8 min read

Has Palm Beach County's rainy weather put a damper on your weekend outdoor plans? Stressing about how to entertain your kids on a rainy afternoon?

Thankfully, Palm Beach County has plenty of fun indoor activities to keep the whole family busy.

Here's a roundup of fun activities you can do indoors around the county.

Richard and Pat Johnson History Museum

Located in the "unwrapped" and restored 1916 county courthouse, this museum is the leading source for county history. It features permanent People and Places galleries as well as temporary exhibits on a wide variety of topics to appeal to a diverse audience. Free, donations accepted. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Information: 300 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach. pbchistory.org

Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum is located in downtown West Palm Beach.
Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum is located in downtown West Palm Beach.

Must-try bucket list: 55 fun things to do in Palm Beach County

Norton Museum of Art

At the Norton Museum of Art, Saturdays through Sept. 4 are free admission for Palm Beach County residents.
At the Norton Museum of Art, Saturdays through Sept. 4 are free admission for Palm Beach County residents.

Founded in 1941, the Norton Museum of Art has over 8,200 works of art in the collection and is a wonderful place to get educated in art culture. In addition to its vast collection, the museum also offer art classes, workshops, lectures, conversations, film screenings, special performances and more. On Friday nights there's also the Art After Dark event.

Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $18 for adults, $15 for seniors ages 60 and older, and $5 for students with a valid ID. Children 12 and younger enter free. Active U.S. military free. Palm Beach County residents get in free on Saturdays through Sept. 4.

Information: 1450 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach; 561-832-5196

Cox Science Center & Aquarium

There are plenty of interesting things to learn at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach.
There are plenty of interesting things to learn at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach.

The Science Center is the perfect place for kids. Whether it's one of the exhibits, a laser concert, or a visit to their observatory or their 10,000-gallon Aquariums of the Atlantic (home to some of Florida’s most beautiful native fish), there is plenty to keep adults and children busy, and educate them.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Adults $20.95, seniors $18.95, ages 3 to 12 $16.95, members free.

Information: 4801 Dreher Trail N., West Palm Beach. 561-832-1988. coxsciencecenter.org

Rhythm & Hues

Free classes are held at the Mandel Public Library in downtown West Palm Beach and other locations in the county.
Free classes are held at the Mandel Public Library in downtown West Palm Beach and other locations in the county.

Let kids be creative and experience the arts, with no cleanup needed! the program offers dance, art, music, yoga, birthday parties for children 12 and under. Classes are held at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center in Palm Beach, at the Mandel Public Library in West Palm Beach, and other locations. Call or visit the website to sign up for classes or workshops.

Information: 7725 S. Dixie Highway, West Pam Beach. 561-216-1027. rhythmandhues.com

Launch

Open to all ages, Launch has trampolines, a ninja course, X-treme dodgeball, laser tag, a ropes course, climbing walls and more. If you're looking for something a bit less active, t arcade-style games.

In addition to indoor fun, they have a snack bar offering their Krave pizza, slushies, ice cream, fountain drinks and other snacks.

Ticket prices depend on number of experiences. The Loaded is for two experiences and costs $29, the Charged Up covers three experiences and is $36 and the Supercharged is $42 for four experiences. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, noon to 9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Information: 4340 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. 561-544-7924; launchtrampolinepark.com/westpalmbeach

Palm Beach Ice Works

Adult skater Michele Kelley and ice dancer and coach Temirlan Yerzhanov at Palm Beach Ice Works in West Palm Beach.
Adult skater Michele Kelley and ice dancer and coach Temirlan Yerzhanov at Palm Beach Ice Works in West Palm Beach.

The Olympic-size rink, Palm Beach Ice Works, is open to the public during select hours.

Admission is $15 and includes skate rental. You can also rent an ice scooter for $5 to assist skaters 3.5 feet tall or shorter. Public skate times change daily, call ahead or check website for availability.

Information: 1590 N. Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach. 561-656-4046; pbiw.org

Henry Morrison Flagler Museum

Visitors explore the Dining Room inside The Henry Morrison Flagler Museum in Palm Beach.
Visitors explore the Dining Room inside The Henry Morrison Flagler Museum in Palm Beach.

When it was completed in 1902, the New York Herald proclaimed that Whitehall, Henry Flagler's Gilded Age estate in Palm Beach, was "more wonderful than any palace in Europe, grander and more magnificent than any other private dwelling in the world."

Today, Whitehall is a National Historic Landmark and is open to the public as the Flagler Museum, offering self-guided tours, changing exhibitions, and special programs. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Adults (13 and older) $26, children (6 to 12) $13.

Information: 1 Whitehall Way, Palm Beach. 561-655-2833; flaglermuseum.us

Fun Depot

Fun Depot in Lake Worth Beach has over 200 games in their arcade area and will be adding a full service restaurant that will be called Cordial, along with a 20-lane bowling alley, on July 2.
Fun Depot in Lake Worth Beach has over 200 games in their arcade area and will be adding a full service restaurant that will be called Cordial, along with a 20-lane bowling alley, on July 2.

With over 200 arcade games and a 4,000-square-foot laser tag arena, this Lake Worth Beach amusement center is a great option for indoor fun. Additionally, the facility offers a full-service restaurant, Cordial, and a 20-lane bowling alley. Great option for large groups.

Check out Cordial eatery: Full service restaurant to open inside Lake Worth Beach's Fun Depot indoor center

Hours are 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; and 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Free admission, fees for activities.

Information: 2003 10th Ave. N., Lake Worth Beach. 561-547-0817; fundepot.com

Palm Beach Skate Zone

Another option for ice skating is Palm Beach Skate Zone, a three-rink, 75,000 square feet facility just off the Florida Turnpike. They have camps, hockey, classes and offer birthday party packages.

Information: 8125 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth Beach. 561-963-5900; pbskatezone.com

DEFY

With trampolines, dodgeball, a ninja course, parkour training, open jump, slides and more, this indoor sports park has got what high-flying kids crave. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. All day passes are $33.99 and 90-minute passes are $25.99. There are also monthly memberships available.

Information: 964 S. Congress Ave., Palm Springs. 561-234-4514; defy.com

Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park

Let your kids zip around Urban Air’s indoor adventure park for a cool respite on a summer day.
Let your kids zip around Urban Air’s indoor adventure park for a cool respite on a summer day.

This large-scale playground for families has trampolines, wall climbing, dodgeball, a ropes course, battle beam, tubes playground, virtual reality and more. Height requirements vary per attraction.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. Ticket prices based on attractions to be used and start at $25.99 for ages 6 and older, $15.99 5 and younger. Accompanying parents pay half price, and Ultra Air Socks are required $3.49.

Information: 10560 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington. 561-408-0809; urbanair.com

Schoolhouse Children's Museum and Learning Center

The center has two floors of hands-on, interactive exhibits and many other educational programs and is a great place to take smaller kids and toddlers. One of the exhibits gives kids a look at what life was like for Florida's early settlers and features child-size replicas of some the resources utilized. See the calendar for age-appropriate classes, dates, times and prices.

Hours 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. Children 1 and older and adults $6.50, seniors $5.50. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Information: 129 E. Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach. 561-742-6780; schoolhousemuseum.org

Silverball Museum

The Silverball Museum is interactive with classic pinball machines, arcade games and original Coney Island Skee-Ball machines.
The Silverball Museum is interactive with classic pinball machines, arcade games and original Coney Island Skee-Ball machines.

If you're thinking "from Soho down to Brighton, I must have played 'em all" well maybe you have, but in Delray Beach there's probably more than a few pinball machines you haven't. The Silverball Museum is interactive with classic pinball machines and arcade games that date as far back as the 1930s. Plus, there’s also original Coney Island Skee-Ball, shuffle boards and a restaurant with a full bar.

Hours are noon to midnight Sunday to Thursday; noon to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. All games are set to free play with an entry pass. The passes start at $15 for a one hour of play.

Information: 19 NE Third Ave., Delray Beach. 561-266-3294; silverballmuseum.com

IPIC Theaters

In addition to movies and being a great way to beat the South Florida heat, the IPIC Theater in Delray Beach has a full bar and restaurant.
In addition to movies and being a great way to beat the South Florida heat, the IPIC Theater in Delray Beach has a full bar and restaurant.

Experience movies in a dine-in cinema at two locations in the county, Delray Beach and Boca Raton. Watch the latest films and enjoy freshly-made gourmet food and signature drinks, delivered straight to your reclining seat. See theater websites for movie times and ticket prices.

Information: 25 SE Fourth Ave., Delray Beach. iPic Delray Beach ; 301 Plaza Real, Boca Raton. iPic Boca Raton (Mizner Park)

BOOMERS

Need to beat the heat and have some serious fun at the same time? Boomers Arcade Room can definitely fulfill those air-conditioned wishes.
Need to beat the heat and have some serious fun at the same time? Boomers Arcade Room can definitely fulfill those air-conditioned wishes.

Though they do have outdoor activities, let's focus on Boomers' indoor fun.

Enter a black-lit (air conditioned, thank God) battleground and wage mock war against the opposing teams during a laser tag session. Next enter the game room a play hundreds of video games and skill games including basketball, snowboarding, dance challenges and more.

Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday; noon to 10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. See website for ticket prices.

Information: 3100 Airport Road, Boca Raton. 561-347-1888; boomersparks.com

The Bulk Candy Store

John La Rosa (right, of Coral Springs) takes a cellphone photo of his children Ian and Ava in the tasting room at the end of a Candy Tour at Bulk Candy Store in 2019 in West Palm Beach.
John La Rosa (right, of Coral Springs) takes a cellphone photo of his children Ian and Ava in the tasting room at the end of a Candy Tour at Bulk Candy Store in 2019 in West Palm Beach.

If you're looking for an activity for the senses, taking a tour at the Bulk Candy Store in West Palm Beach could be your perfect rainy afternoon activity.

The big purple and yellow building near West Palm's airport offers free smells and a variety of vintage and international candies that you can sink your teeth into. Their tours cover the history and production of candy and their store has just about any candy you miss seeing in supermarket check-out aisles, from mars bars to candy cigarettes.

Information: The Bulk Candy Store is located at 235 N Jog Rd., West Palm Beach.

Escape rooms

Find the clues, solve the puzzles, and win your freedom back in one of the many escape rooms in Palm Beach County.
Find the clues, solve the puzzles, and win your freedom back in one of the many escape rooms in Palm Beach County.

You and your team are trapped in a room, with 60 minutes to escape. Find the clues, solve the puzzles, and win your freedom back! There are several rooms in the county, each with their own themes, and prices are generally in the $35-per-person range. Here are a few to choose from:

The Escape SoFlo: 10800 N. Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens; 561-318-8973

West Palm Beach Escape Rooms: 209 S. Olive Ave, West Palm Beach; 561-660-5120

Master Escape Room: 1700 North Dixie Hwy., Boca Raton; 561-571-5381

Bowling alleys

The Paragon Theaters at Delray Marketplace in unincorporated Palm Beach County offer a separate bowling alley dubbed Penny Lanes.
The Paragon Theaters at Delray Marketplace in unincorporated Palm Beach County offer a separate bowling alley dubbed Penny Lanes.

And of course there's that classic, so-retro-its-cool pastime, bowling. It's a great way to have some indoor competitive fun. Palm Beach County is graced with numerous bowling centers, including:

Bowlero Jupiter, 350 Maplewood Dr.; 561-743-9200

Greenacres Bowl, 6126 Lake Worth Road; 561-968-0100

AMF Boynton Beach Lanes, 1190 Boynton Beach Blvd.; 561-734-1500

Penny Lanes, 14775 Lyons Road, Delray Beach; 561-865-9487 (Note: This is connected to the Paragon move theater, for a double-shot of cool indoor activity)

Strikes At Boca, 21046 Commercial Trail; 561-368-2177

Strike 10 Bowling, 449 Plaza Real (in Mizner Park), Boca Raton; 561-300-6530

Palm Beach Post staffers Michelle Kelley and Lianna Norman contributed to this report. 

Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Best indoor activities near me: Bowling; museums in Palm Beach County