8 Awesome Ideas for a Rainy Day

The summers along Florida's Gulf Coast are not without their fair share of rainy days. Lucky for us, summer storms tend to pass through quickly. However, if you want to plan something where you are sure to stay dry, we have eight suggestions ranging from the artistic to the athletic. See a Movie Head to any of your neighborhood cinemas and catch a summer blockbuster.  We loved watching Bryce Dallas run around Jurassic World in high heels. Or if adorable yellow guys are your thing, Minions opens July 10, and for an action-packed spy thriller, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation comes our July 31^st. Visit a Museum You certainly can’t go wrong visiting The Ringling. Beyond the permanent collection and special summer exhibitions, take the kids to see the Summer Circus Spectacular. Two performances a day of this onstage exhibition of circus artistry will entertain and delight while the rain keeps outdoor activities at a standstill. An Evening at the Theater There is certainly no lull in arts and culture during the summer months. Get thee to the Banyan Theater Company for three summer shows between June 25th and August 23rd (Actress Katherine Tanner in The Amish Project will not disappoint!). Venice Theatre will be hosting the Summer Cabaret Festival July 9^th – August 30^th. Also check out the summer seasons at Florida Studio Theatre and West Coast Black Theatre Troop. Practice your Perfect 300 Remember those days in your youth when you went bowling and couldn’t hit a single pin unless those gutter guards were in play? Well, now is the time to prove to little Tommy (and to yourself) that you can do it! Sarasota is home to both Sarasota Lanes  and AMF Gulf Gate; in Venice, practice your armswing at AMF Venice Lanes or Treasure Lanes in Port Charlotte. Visit their websites to discover summer specials! Go 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea or back to Hogwarts…at the Library! During a rain storm, there is nothing quite like opening a good book, sipping a cup of tea, and getting lost in a story. Whether Selby Public Library, Gulf Gate Library, or Englewood Public Library,  visit any number of libraries along our Gulf Coast. From stacks of books (the paper kind) to collections of CDs, DVDs, and free Wi-Fi, you are sure to discover something specific to spark your interest. And even better, you can check books out (trust me on this), take them home, and read them there.  Accio book! Jump for Joy Trampoline-Style Imagine all your wildest jumping dreams coming true in a 26,000 square foot indoor trampoline park. That’s right, located off University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park, Jumpin Fun Trampoline Park offers organized activities and a huge open jump area where you can make like a super-kangaroo to your heart’s content. Visit their website to learn more. U Can B at the UTC There’s no better place to hide from the rain than the shoe department at Saks Fifth Avenue. The new Mall at University Town Center is the ideal place to kill time on a cloudy day. Test tablets, phones, and computers at the new Microsoft store; or better yet, test new shades of lipstick at Sephora, like blueberry cherry or cloudy rose. That Stardust Melody A fun afternoon for the whole family, head to Startdust Skate Center in Sarasota for a mix of upbeat music, exercise, and roller skating. Check out their website for the skating schedule.   Do you have any tips on where to go for a rainy day? Let us know in the comments!