Even during the rainy season, the skies often clear after a few minutes of downpour, allowing us to get back to playing outside. But if the wet weather persists or if you’re looking for inside things to do, we'd like to offer a few suggestions:
Visit a Museum
The Military Heritage Museum has a mission to “promote an understanding and respect for the rich military heritage of the United States and the sacrifices made by our country’s veterans, living and dead, emphasizing that freedom is not free.” Thousands of military artifacts, dating back to the Spanish-American War to current conflicts, are on display. The museum is made possible by the more than 75 volunteers, most of whom are veterans, who give their time.
Enjoy a Leisurely Lunch
Not that you need an excuse, but a rainy day is the perfect time to enjoy a nice, long lunch. You'll find myriad independent restaurants in the area, with tasty cuisine of all kinds, from light and healthy to indulgent.
A major benefit of a waterfront restaurant is watching the storm, and knowing just when you can get back to outdoor adventures.
Escape the Room or Smash and Splatter!
The Escape Ventures Port Charlotte provides a family-friendly indoor adventure. It takes teamwork to solve one of these themed mysteries in less than an hour, which is great for family bonding.
Perfect for anyone looking to expend some energy and/or unleash some creativity, Smash It Shatter & Splatter Rooms offers two ways to express yourself: shatter objects with a sledgehammer (yes, really!) or splatter paint literally everywhere! If you've got littles with you, please note that the Shatter room is for 8 years old and up, while the Splatter room can accommodate ages 3 and up.
Go Bowling or Gaming
Don’t worry if you don’t know how or haven't done it in years, bowling is, well, a ball! Bowland and Treasure Lanes (both in Port Charlotte) are both newly renovated and ready for some strikes.
Kidstar Park in Port Charlotte is open Friday through Sunday and features a vintage arcade, go-karts for both kids and adults, a gigantic play wall, snack bar, and so much more!
Golf in Comfort
Work on your game and have a blast even when the weather isn't cooperating at Go4Golf. Play some of the great courses of the world on their state-of-the-art simulators, in temperature-controlled comfort. Have drinks, hit some balls, and relax!
Browse Galleries
Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach is home to a lot of creativity. An inside day is a great time to get into some of the galleries to browse artwork and speak with artists. Visit Hatch Gallery in Port Charlotte or stroll through Sea Grape Gallery, Artisan Atelier, and Visual Art Center Punta Gorda.
Shop, Grab a Bite, Tap a Toe
Whether you're shopping for yourself or others, or just browsing, the many unique shops at Fishermen's Village are always fascinating. You'll probably also run into some great live music and are almost guaranteed a spectacular sunset, rain or shine.
We hope this short list of "indoor" things to do is as fun for you as playing outside is!
