Explore Indoor Things to Do on Alabama’s Beaches
During your stay on Alabama’s Beaches, you may be looking for something to do on a rainy day or seeking a refreshing respite from the sun. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach offer much more than sugar-white sand beaches and clear Gulf waters.
Learn more about some of the best Gulf Shores and Orange Beach indoor activities below to plan your ideal itinerary. From challenging your family to arcade games, discovering the local history, crafting a piece of art, or learning about native wildlife, there are plenty of indoor activities in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach to add to your list of things to do.
Arcades, Indoor Play & Family Fun
Looking for a family-friendly activity that doesn't involve being outdoors? There are still plenty of things to do away from the beach.
Arcades
Visit Fat Daddy's Arcade in Orange Beach for classic arcade games and prize redemption that the whole family can enjoy. For even more indoor fun, Waterville’s arcade features dozens of games, TopGolf Swing Suites, and bowling lanes.
Energy Burning Fun
Families looking for active indoor kids’ activities can jump over to The Factory in Gulf Shores for high-energy trampoline play and dodgeball, or head to Arena the Next Level at The Wharf in Orange Beach for thrilling laser tag and bazooka ball battles.
Escape Rooms
Rally the family together and test your skills at Breakout Games at The Wharf or Waterville’s Escape House. Both local escape rooms will have your crew working alongside each other to search for clues, solve puzzles, and find hidden objects.
More Indoor Activities
Gulf Shores Museum
The Gulf Shores Museum offers free admission to a historic beach home, where friendly guides host engaging exhibits, educational lectures, and documentary films that detail local history.
Orange Beach History Museum
The Orange Beach History Museum details the city’s unique history through artifacts, photographs, and exhibits pertaining to the area’s Native American heritage, vibrant fishing community, and transformation from a small coastal village into a beach destination. Admission is free.
Gulf State Park Nature Center
The Gulf State Park’s Nature Center is a living museum filled with native plants and wildlife found along Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Turtles, snakes, and several bird species inside the center act as the park’s animal ambassadors. The Nature Center hosts free educational programs and live animal encounters throughout the week.
Learning Campus
The Learning Campus is another fantastic spot to learn about the area’s unique biodiversity. Situated right next to Woodside Restaurant, this Gulf State Park facility offers unique eco-art classes and hands-on sessions covering a range of topics for all ages.
Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab
To explore the local ecosystem, take a day trip to the Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, formerly known as the Estuarium. The aquarium features over 100 coastal species, 31 interactive aquariums, touch tanks, exhibits, hands-on activities, and expert marine educators to answer your questions. It stands as the premier aquarium experience for visitors of all ages looking to learn about Mobile Bay and coastal habitats. Visitors can hop aboard the Mobile Bay Ferry in Fort Morgan to conveniently reach Dauphin Island.
Gulf Coast Arts Alliance Gallery & Gift Shop
The Gulf Coast Arts Alliance in Gulf Shores showcases works from over 50 regional artists, alongside several cozy art shops nestled throughout Alabama’s Beaches. It’s free to browse the incredible artwork inside this local art gallery.
Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach
Another great way to spend the day indoors is to learn a new skill. There are ample opportunities to take art classes in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. The Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach offers opportunities to view and create art, including glass blowing classes at The Hot Shop and pottery lessons at The Clay Studio. Visitors can also browse original artwork and handcrafted pieces created by regional artists inside the center.
Tee Off
Tee Off at The Wharf is the ideal place to practice your swing while avoiding the sun. Powered by TopGolf, Tee Off offers a variety of simulation games in its high-end Swing Suites. The venue also serves food and drinks, so you can sip and snack while you play.
Spas & Studios
There’s no better way to relax on vacation than with a spa treatment. One of the best indoor things to do for adults is visiting a local spa in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. If you’re looking to keep up with your fitness goals while on vacation, book a class with Functional Fitness or MVMT Pilates & Wellness Studio.
Outer Limits VR Game Room
Experience the thrill of an amusement park ride in the comfort of air conditioning at Outer Limits VR Game Room. The interactive, state-of-the-art virtual games at this unique arcade offer unforgettable, fully immersive experiences.
Plan Your Indoor Day
Rain or shine, you'll always have a good time at Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Check the events calendar for indoor events, performances, workshops and other activities happening during your stay. Request a vacation guide to find out what else the area has to offer and plan your Gulf Coast vacation today!
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Find All Indoor Things to Do on Alabama’s Beaches
Discover all the fantastic indoor attractions and activities in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Check out each one for more details on hours, location, and admission.
National Naval Aviation Museum
Get hands-on with history at the National Naval Aviation Museum, where adventure awaits around every corner! Take control in our...
Functional Fitness
Functional Fitness is a family owned and operated training studio that offers one-on-one personal training, group training, group classes, and...
Baldwin County Heritage Museum
We represent the grassroots of our society by providing a place for visitors to experience the heritage and share the...
The Blacksmith Experience
We offer short, hands-on Knife Making and Ax Making classes—most completed in about 4 hours. It’s the perfect activity for...
Arena the Next Level
Come experience the thrills and exhilaration at Arena the Next Level! Located at The Wharf in Orange Beach, we are...
Outer Limits VR Game Room
Outer Limits gives you the unimaginable experience of VR gaming along with the full thrill rides of each game. Explore...
The Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab
The Alabama Aquarium, formerly known as the Estuarium, will give you a hands-on learning experience exploring the habitats of coastal...
Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
This public research and education facility encompasses over 9,000 acres of protected estuarine habitats around the Weeks Bay area. The...
Conde Charlotte Museum
What was once the site of Mobile’s first jail, now stands the “Gateway to Mobile’s History.” This Federal-style home reflects...
Wisdom Harbour Studios and General Store
Andy Andrews, New York Times Bestselling Author, as well as the Gulf Coast’s favorite resident author, invites you to visit...
Mobile Carnival Museum
Immerse yourself in the rich history and traditions of carnival. See firsthand the intricate designs and artistry of majestic crowns...
Foley Art Center
For almost 50 years, The Foley Art Center has served the Gulf Coast area with our cultural enrichment programs in...
Gulf Bowl
This family-owned and operated attraction has been providing fun since 1959. We are a 35,000 square foot family entertainment center...
Swift-Coles Historic Home
Swift-Coles Historic Home is a beautiful historic site opened to the public for historic tours as well as a premiere...
