Tropical Storm Bertha Ruining Your Beach Plans? Here Are 10 Indoor Things to Do in Pensacola

Things To Do

Jul 21

Tropical Storm Bertha may be putting a damper on beach plans this week, but there are still plenty of ways to get out of the house and have fun around Pensacola.

Periods of heavy rain, gusty winds, dangerous surf and possible localized flooding are expected along portions of the northern Gulf Coast as Bertha moves west. The storm is expected to gradually weaken, but wet conditions could continue into Thursday morning.

When conditions are safe for travel, trade the beach for museums, virtual reality, bowling, axe throwing and other indoor activities around Pensacola.

Explore the National Naval Aviation Museum

The National Naval Aviation Museum is one of Pensacola’s best free attractions and an easy place to spend several hours indoors.

Visitors can explore historic aircraft, naval aviation exhibits, cockpit trainers and interactive attractions. The museum also has flight simulators and a 325 seat giant screen theater showing aviation films throughout the day.

Admission is free, and regular museum hours are daily from 9 AM to 4 PM. Public access to NAS Pensacola is available through the West Gate from 9 AM to 3 PM, and identification requirements apply.

Get Hands On at the Pensacola MESS Hall

The Pensacola MESS Hall turns science, engineering and math into hands on activities the entire family can explore together.

Instead of walking through traditional displays, visitors can build, experiment, solve problems and test different scientific concepts. It is especially well suited for families looking for something educational that still keeps children entertained.

Summer hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from 1 PM to 5 PM.

Spend the Day Museum Hopping Downtown

One Historic Pensacola admission ticket provides access to several indoor attractions, including the Pensacola Museum of History, Pensacola Children’s Museum, Pensacola Museum of Art and museums throughout Historic Pensacola Village.

The Museum of Commerce is another rainy day favorite. The indoor museum recreates an 1890s Pensacola streetscape with historic storefronts, horse drawn buggies and an antique trolley car.

Tickets remain valid for seven days, making it possible to spread the museums across several rainy afternoons. Most locations are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM, while select museums open Sunday from noon to 4 PM.

Try Virtual Reality on Pensacola Beach

Already staying on Pensacola Beach? The VReality offers a fully indoor family entertainment center on the second floor of the marina building at 655 Pensacola Beach Boulevard.

Activities include free roaming virtual reality arenas, racing simulators, virtual escape games, PC gaming stations and a 9D motion simulator. There is also a retro arcade featuring more than 300 classic games.

The experience is designed for visitors ages 6 through 96, and walk ins are welcome. Regular Pensacola Beach hours are Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM and Sunday from noon to 6 PM.

Burn Off Some Energy at Sky Zone

Sky Zone Pensacola is a solid option when the kids have been stuck inside and need somewhere to move.

The indoor park includes freestyle trampolines, a zip line, Ninja Warrior course, foam zone, trapeze, basketball attractions and a separate toddler area.

Sky Zone is also offering a summer promotion through July 31. Guests can buy one two hour jump ticket and receive a second ticket for 50 percent off using the promotional code PLUSONE50.

Throw Axes or Visit the Rage Room at Grizzly Axes

Grizzly Axes offers several indoor activities under one roof, including axe throwing, a rage room and the Messy Murals paint room.

Children ages 8 and older can participate in axe throwing, while the rage room is available for ages 12 and older. Messy Murals does not have a listed minimum age, making it an alternative for younger visitors. Closed toe shoes are required for axe throwing and the rage room.

The Pensacola location is open Monday through Thursday from 11 AM to 11 PM, Friday and Saturday until midnight and Sunday until 10 PM.

See Whether You Can Escape on Palafox

Escape on Palafox offers private escape room experiences in downtown Pensacola.

Each group has 60 minutes to search for clues, solve puzzles and crack codes before time runs out. Because each reservation is private, families and groups can complete the experience without being paired with strangers.

Its downtown location also makes it easy to add lunch or dinner before heading home.

Go Bowling

A stormy day is a good excuse to bring back a classic family outing.

DeLuna Lanes offers bowling throughout the week, along with late night cosmic bowling on Friday and Saturday. Its Thursday night special includes two hours of bowling and shoe rental for $10 per person, with a minimum of four people per lane.

Cordova Lanes offers bowling, pool, darts, pinball, cornhole, televisions, pizza and drinks. Weekday visitors should note that lanes are generally reserved for leagues from 5 PM to 9 PM Monday through Friday.

Play Indoor Golf at Bogey’s Golf Suites

Bogey’s Golf Suites allows guests to play golf without worrying about the wind or rain.

The indoor Full Swing simulators feature more than 55 golf courses, along with target games and more than 30 additional virtual sports and activities. Food and drinks can be ordered while playing, making it an option for families, couples or groups of friends.

Bogey’s is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 AM to 10 PM and Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 11 PM.

Catch a Movie at AMC Bayou 15

Sometimes the best rainy day plan is simply popcorn, a comfortable seat and a new movie.

AMC Bayou 15 is located on Bayou Boulevard and offers reserved seating with multiple screenings throughout the day. Showtimes vary, so reservations are recommended during busy summer afternoons.

Check Conditions Before Heading Out

Tropical storm conditions can change quickly, and local businesses may adjust their hours as weather moves through the area.

Before leaving home, check current conditions, road closures and updates from the individual attraction. Escambia County Emergency Management is the lead local authority for storm information in the Pensacola area.