What to do in Miami when it rains, from shopping and museums to spa days and live comedy

Located downstairs at the historic Gale South Beach, Medium Cool is one of the best bars in Miami right now, a spot that manages to feel intimate and under-the-radar despite being packed with lines out the door from Wednesday to Sunday. Late-night, booths spill over with beautiful people and DJs lure crowds to the cozy dancefloor. But evenings at Medium Cool are a different animal, offering a dimly lit, highly romantic respite from any weather outside its doors. The soundtrack is live jazz from 6 until 10pm as some of Miami’s finest players huddle over their instruments and Medium Cool’s laid-back bartenders shake up their award-winning cocktails. 

Time Out tip: There’s no cover charge and happy hour runs every day they’re open from 6 until 9pm, making this one of the best deals in Miami Beach—or anywhere in Miami.

The name stands for “Of Course I Still Love You,” which is what you’ll hopefully be saying to Miami, despite this rainy day it’s given you. Spend two hours learning the ins and outs of clay wheel-throwing and leave with your very own work of handmade art at OCISLY’s approachable pop-up classes. Currently, they’re in residence at Casa La Rubia, an O.G. Miami brewery in the heart of Wynwood—which means you can sip on beer, wine or cocktails while you get your hands dirty, and order snacks, too. Check the OCISLY website for the most up-to-date workshop schedule.

Time Out tip: All materials and tools are included with the ticket price, along with step-by-step instructions for all skill levels, aprons, and enough clay to attempt multiple pieces throughout the class. Food, drinks and optional firing of your pieces are not included in the ticket price. (At the end of the session, you’ll have the option to fire and finish any pieces for $10.) 

Have a meal, snack or extended sit-down with drinks in a chill and mildly stimulating atmosphere at The Citadel. The Little River food hall is home to some of the city’s best vendors, from burgers at USBS to wood-fired pizza at Stanzione and jerk-spiced Caribbean bowls at Manjay. It also has a full bar and plenty of space to sprawl out if you’re with a group or have little ones in tow. If you haven’t checked out The Citadel’s award-winning speakeasy, Bar Kaiju, consider this a great opportunity to do so (it’s located up on the mezzanine level). Sir Thrifty is on-site, too, with an assortment of vintage, kitsch and collectibles to peruse should you need to kill some more time.

Time Out tip: Other solid Miami food halls to check out include MIA Market in the Design District (home to a stellar, affordable omakase), 1-800-Lucky in Wynwood (Asian-themed with a record shop on-site) and Julia & Henry’s in Downtown (they recently opened a sprawling vintage market on the third level).

Though it was founded in Chicago, this luxurious boutique fitness complex is quickly making a name for itself in Miami with its three sleek studios under one roof offering a range of HIIT, heated mat pilates and yoga classes. Not only is this Wynwood gym beautiful, spotless and smartly designed, but Studio Three has also recruited some of the best instructors I’ve found in Miami. These are coaches who bring a positive energy, amazing playlists and expert adjustments and modifications to every challenging class. Plus, the locker rooms are stacked with amenities, from Dyson blow-drying stations to Malin + Goetz bath products and bags for storing your wet clothes.

Time Out tip: Studio Three is on ClassPass, so if you’re local or traveling, it’s super simple to sign up using points. Otherwise, a drop-in class here costs $34.

Thrifting is one of those activities that requires ample time and patience, which makes it a perfect plan for when you’re stuck inside. We’ve compiled a full guide to the best thrift shops and vintage shopping around Miami, but for a rainy day, take out the guesswork and head to Mids Market in Little River. This shop lands somewhere between a Goodwill Superstore and a consignment boutique, offering a curated selection of secondhand men’s and women’s clothing at prices that won’t break the bank. You’ll also find smaller sections of accessories, homewares and music, plus an alterations station with sewing machines to customize your items. Parking is free and abundant, and there are other fun spots to explore around the area once you’ve finished shopping. 

Time Out tip: Looking to declutter your closet? Bring in clothes that you’re ready to part with and receive $2 per item to shop the bins. (For example: Five items will earn you $10 in credit towards the bins.)

Mani-pedi, blow-out, massage—these are all worthwhile pivots when the weather has forced you to change your plans. I’m partial to a facial on a rainy day: the lighting is dim, the music is relaxing and the elements can’t really ruin the results (if anything, your skin will just be extra dewy!). Silver Mirror Facial Bar in Brickell is my go-to for an efficient, effective and personalized facial. The NYC-founded boutique offers 30 to 50-minute facials with a range of add-on services, including gua sha, microcurrents and dermaplaning. They also offer injectables, eyebrow threading, chemical peels and the latest Hydrafacial technology, should you want to go the extra mile.

Time Out tip: Silver Mirror has an additional Miami location in Coral Gables. Other tried-and-true Miami medspas to consider for a rainy day facial include Sana in Wynwood and Skn Elements in Little River.

This indie theater in the heart of Little Havana is one of Miami’s only spots to catch live, local comedy on a consistent basis. Themed nights run the gamut, from wild RuPaul’s watch parties and drag shows to raucous Dungeons and Dragons-inspired comedy adventures. There are improv showcases and stand-up open mic nights, plus the occasional major celebrity appearance. Parking is free and there’s no drink minimum, which makes this an especially enticing proposition (so long as it’s a Tuesday, Friday or Saturday night, when the Villain is open). And if you’re really not feeling the comedy, you can just pop over to the Magic 13 brewery nearby, where there’s usually some type of live programming happening, too.

Time Out tip: Budding comics with more than a rainy day’s worth of time to spare should check out Villain Theater’s classes, which cover everything from improv and standup basics to sketch comedy writing, scene work and team performance.

If it’s raining in Miami, there’s a good chance it’s the summertime—not exactly the height of theater season in these parts, but you can usually still find something great playing at the Arsht, Miami-Dade’s biggest performing arts venue in Downtown. From a philharmonic concert to a flamenco dance showcase, a gospel festival to a major Broadway musical, this summer’s programming offers a bit of something for everyone. 

Time Out tip: If the timing doesn’t work out for a show, you can still duck in to explore the beautiful venue and perhaps sit down at Teatro, the Arsht’s dramatic on-site restaurant. A two-course, prix fixe menu goes for $55 with à la carte drinks.

It’s hard to imagine anything cozier than being holed up in a bookstore during a thunderstorm, especially a bookstore as beautiful as Books & Books. Located in Coral Gables, the flagship of this local Miami purveyor boasts numerous rooms of floor-to-ceiling wood shelving lined with every genre you can think of. There are art books and coffee table tomes perfect for gifting, alongside classic and contemporary lit and an entire wall of notated staff picks. There’s a charming kids’ section, an indoor cafe and a covered wine bar outside, plus plenty of programming like coffee chats with local publishers and readings from visiting authors.

Time Out tip: Coral Gables Art Cinema, another excellent option for a rainy day activity, is just across the street.

While away your rainy day with a glass of something funky at Magie, Little River’s moody, vintage furniture-strewn wine bungalow with a second, equally as charming location in Coconut Grove. Magie specializes in low-intervention, natural and organic wine, stocking dozens of different bottles on its shelves and in its chilled coolers as well as fun, tapas-style snacks to complement, like charcuterie nachos, caviar-topped dino nuggets and more. 

Time Out tip: Magie works especially well for groups, since everyone orders from the counter and keeps their own running tab. This system also means you can get up and move around at your leisure, ideal for mingling and running into friends when you least expect. 

This adults-only hotel and spa is where the cool kids go to socialize and escape the chaos of the city. The Standard resides in a little sliver of mid-century-era paradise, tucked off the beaten path in Miami Beach, with a truly iconic pool that overlooks Biscayne Bay. Non-hotel guests can book a treatment at the spa—one of the best in a city of amazing spas—to gain full access to the hydrotherapy circuit, complete with a Turkish-style hammam, aroma steam room, hemlock sauna, ice room, Roman waterfall hot tub, arctic plunge and treatment baths. It’ll also get you access to that highly sought-after infinity pool. Though if it’s raining, you’re better off pulling up a chair at the Lido Bayside restaurant and watching the storm roll through.

Time Out tip: The lobby at The Standard is its own rainy-day adults' playground, with low-slung sofas, ping-pong, an adorable all-day cafe and a hidden speakeasy, Monterrey Bar, which is a sexy spot to disappear to for a couple of hours.

Miami’s popular waterfront science museum appeals to just about every curious member of the family, boasting an aquarium, live animals and cool interactive exhibits. The shining Frost facility will give you your money’s worth (or score free admission with your Miami-Dade library card if you’re lucky). It’s entertaining and informative from the ground floor all the way to the rooftop. Get your mind blown in the planetarium and don’t forget to pet a stingray before you leave.

Time Out tip: The museum’s newest permanent exhibit, "The Dig," is the region's only paleontology exhibition and research department, inviting visitors to step into the shoes of a real-life fossil hunter. Watch trained pros work in a real fossil prep lab, digitally try your hand at cleaning fossils, hear how a living dinosaur may have sounded and marvel at a life-size cast of the “Tufts-Love” T. rex skull—the most complete of its kind ever found.

This massive, immersive monument to our favorite frozen dessert spans two floors and more than 14,000 square feet of the fancy new Miami Worldcenter in Downtown. The fifth and newest MOIC location blends nostalgia and innovation to transport guests into a pastel-hued, sprinkle-coated wonderland designed for play, discovery and (what else?) selfies. Visitors of all ages will find 10 interactive, Miami-inspired installations, like the first-ever Cream Liner, a luxury airliner experience inspired by the ’60s and ’70s; The Hall of Freezers, a trippy exploratory room filled with dozens of mysterious refrigerator doors; and MOIC’s iconic sprinkle pool, which visitors of the 2017 pop-up in Miami Beach will remember.

Time Out tip: The full experience takes around one hour. Reserve your tickets in advance—earlier time slots are typically less crowded and since you’ll have to queue up outside, that means a shorter wait time in the rain. (There’s a covered area to wait, but you’ll want to bring an umbrella just in case).   

This massive 50,000-square-foot space in Allapattah is dedicated to showcasing legit experiential fine art mediums—and it’s pretty incredible. In the Miami space, find an immersive environment by stage designer Es Devlin, a transcendent digital experience by Japanese art collective teamLab and an extrasensory light-based work by American artist James Turrell. 

Time Out tip: Designed by the renowned London-based artist Yinka Ilori, the new Blue Café at Superblue offers a diverse selection of specialty coffee and tea drinks, including espresso, cappuccino, chai and matcha, alongside refreshing pressed juices and quick eats like empanadas, pastries, bowls and signature sandwiches.

It might be raining, but at Kaona Room, the sounds of lapping waves and island rhythms are never too far off. Whether you're seeking a complex cocktail crafted by bartending masters who turn spices and booze into an art form, or you just want a fun, fruity drink in a coconut shell to melt away your stress, this tiki bar hidden near Downtown delivers. Kaona Room feels special enough to bring your friends in town who are more impressed with details like flaming ice cubes and tableside cocktail carts than guest lists and booming bass.

Time Out tip: Get your fix of funky tropical vibes while sipping potent concoctions under faux thatch roofs with our full guide to the best tiki bars in Miami.

You made the trip to Wynwood to see the street art and a little rain shouldn’t stand in the way of that. So head indoors to the Museum of Graffiti, a small but soulful institution with a permanent collection that tracks the history of tagging, from its genesis in 1970s New York to its ascendance as a respected global art form. They even offer graffiti workshops where guests are encouraged to get dirty.

Time Out tip: Miami graffiti legend Jona Cerwinske flips the script on failure in Dog Ate My Homework, his new solo show on view through September 30th, 2025. Instrumental in Wynwood's genesis as a street art mecca, Cerwinske brings his signature black-and-white, super-detailed aesthetic to a playful, immersive exhibition that reimagines classic classroom excuses as bold, satirical masterpieces.

The ICA is a sleek museum showcasing three floors of spectacular contemporary art plus a lush sculpture garden in the heart of the Design District. Exhibits have showcased work from notable names like Judy Chicago, as well as important local artists. Museums and rainy days are a natural fit. Plus, the insane Museum Garage (itself a piece of art) is right across the street, so you won’t have to walk in the rain. Oh, and admission to this museum is free.

Time Out tip: Check out the landmark retrospective of Olga de Amaral, the visionary Colombian artist whose 60-year-plus career transformed textile and fiber art as it merged indigenous weaving with Bauhaus design and Modernist abstraction. On view through October 12th, the show invites viewers to step into a meditative “vertical forest” designed by award-winning architect Lina Ghotmeh, where Amaral’s tactile, light-absorbing works take center stage.

The largest mall in Miami, with both indoor and covered outdoor areas, is a killer place to spend a rainy afternoon. Shop around at the two-level Zara or browse fancy watches and designer handbags (the mall boasts more than 300 luxury stores and shopper favorites). Then, eat at Shake Shack and tons more choices in Aventura’s massive food court to end all food courts. In the mood for a seated affair? Options like Pubbelly, Tap 42 and Motek are great for steering clear of chains like the Cheesecake Factory (though they have that, too).

Time Out tip: Go on a self-guided “virtual” art walk through the mall to take in its art collection featuring more than 25 museum-caliber pieces by renowned local and international artists.

With a collection of works from such artists as Robert Rauschenberg, James Rosenquist, Frank Stella and Ana Mendieta, not to mention some high-caliber traveling exhibitions, this relatively young museum perched on Biscayne Bay makes for a fine respite from the rain. 

Time Out tip: With a brand new chef and menu, brunch is back at Verde, the waterfront restaurant perched on the PAMM’s sprawling terrace. If you were dreaming of a waterfront dining moment, don’t let the weather deter you—unless it’s a full-on squall, the covered patio is protected from the elements while still providing solid vibes and a spectacular views of the bay.

It might be raining, but Silverspot gives you plenty of reason to leave the house with its full bar and tasty food, plus super comfortable plush recliners and in-theatre premium service (the friendly servers will come right to your seat, deftly navigating the aisles as the lights go down so won’t miss a beat). If you’d rather support a local business, catch a limited-run flick at the indie theater O Cinema Miami Beach, or drive-in at the Nite Owl. We've got a full guide to the best movie theaters in Miami you can check out, too.

Time Out tip: Parking at the SE Financial is $10 with validation at Silverspot.

Established in 2005, Sweat is a local treasure where music lovers of all types gather to scour the racks of new and used vinyls, tapes and books and nerd out over a cold brew. Aside from the intrinsic awesomeness of supporting your local record store, Sweat has a fantastic selection and great atmosphere. Other local record shops to check out include Technique, Found Sound and Lucky Records.

Time Out tip: Sweat regularly hosts in-store events, from album listening parties to live performances. Check their Instagram for the latest.

Don and Mera Rubell’s prized private art collection is housed in this former warehouse in Allapattah, where hundreds of works from their massive collection are on display for the public to enjoy. From Basquiat and Warhol to Koons and Sherman, the 20th century’s seminal artists all have a home here. 

Time Out tip: Once you’re tired of browsing (though I can’t imagine feeling that way myself), head to the museum’s splashy all-day Italian joint, Jon & Vinny’s, a limited-time residency from the acclaimed Los Angeles original with stellar pizza and cocktails.

An architecturally impressive open-air mall that invites nature in while protecting you from the elements, Brickell City Centre offers a wide selection of brand-name and boutique stores and lots of great dining options. Its innovative “climate ribbon” roof structure was engineered to keep shoppers cool by trapping natural breeze and funneling it through the Centre’s multi-tiered walkways. When it rains, the ribbon creates a truly unique atmosphere, capturing the air’s cool, damp feeling while somehow keeping you dry.

Time Out tip: Curious to see what a rainy day in Miami looks like from 40 stories in the sky? Head to Sugar, the ultra-trendy rooftop lounge at the EAST hotel that’s part of the mall’s same mixed-use complex.

It’s young, but South Florida does have a past, and a lively one at that. Tracing the history of the region, from early Indians to rafting Cubans, HistoryMiami succeeds in educating while entertaining. Brush up on your Miami history by learning about the Whitman family, who founded hotels as well as the Bal Harbour Shops, the African diaspora, and South Florida’s folkloric traditions, and so much more.

Time Out tip: Admission is free on the second Saturday of each month, when HistoryMiami hosts themed activities for all ages from 10am to 4pm as part of its Free Family Fun Day programming

Bowling is a heck of a rainy-day activity, and the new Lucky Strike is one of the most impressive in town. The first and only bowling alley in Downtown Miami, this entertainment hub recently opened in the sleek Miami Worldcenter. You’ll find 28 state-of-the-art bowling lanes, an expansive arcade, a craft cocktail bar and a more intimate VIP area with six private bowling lanes and dedicated service. If your crew gets hungry, the food menu covers classics like chicken wings and tacos along with more sophisticated fare like Moroccan steak and Caribbean mahi-mahi. The massive arcade ensures there’s plenty to do once you’ve finished bowling. 

Time Out tip: Located near downtown attractions like the Kaseya Center and Brickell Avenue, this spot is conveniently situated and a great option for an indoor activity on rainy or sweltering summer days.

You’re on the beach and it’s raining—why the hell not stop at the Deuce? An infamous dive that’s charmingly out of character for the area, “eclectic” doesn’t begin to describe the mix of South Beach denizens who gather here nightly. Mac’s Club Deuce attracts the motliest, coolest, scariest crowd of any bar in Miami. (Late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain often touted his love of the place.) For anyone who ever fancied a bit part in a Charles Bukowski story, this dive bar would be the right place to audition.

Time Out tip: After more than 50 years in the business, this South Beach institution still packs in the locals (and celebs keeping a low profile) with an impossible-to-beat BOGO happy hour that runs every day from 8am (seriously) to 7pm.

Who doesn’t want to let it rip on a go-kart, no stop signs or traffic jams in sight? Xtreme Action Park is a sweet indoor arcade and race track with go-karts that can reach 45mph. Race sessions are eight minutes long and all you need to bring are closed-toe shoes, a driver’s license or another form of ID. 

Time Out tip: If you just want to watch your buddies crash, don’t worry. There’s a full bar and dining options here, too.