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While there are many outdoor activities in and around Ft. Lauderdale, sometimes they aren't the best options. If it's raining or the weather just isn't excellent for outdoor activities, consider checking out some of the great attractions around the city that don't rely on good weather. Stranahan House Museum If you're interested in history, make sure to take the time to visit the Stranahan House Museum at 335 Southeast 6th Ave. This is the oldest house in Ft. Lauderdale and shows how life was in the early 1900s. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is just $12 for adults, $11 for seniors, and $7 for students. Stranahan House Museum offers educational programs and hosts events throughout the year as well. There are no self-guided tours, but professionally guided tours are available daily. Museum of Discovery and Science When you want to get out with the kids, take a trip to the Museum of Discovery and Science. From animal exhibits to hands-on activities, you can easily spend hours exploring here. Kids interested in weather can learn all about the weather patterns at the Storm Center, and those who like flight should check out the aviation station. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets to the museum exhibits are $15 for adults, $14 for seniors, and $13 for children 2-12 or for members of the military. NSU Art Museum Get a little culture in your life when you visit the NSU Art Museum. This museum features modern art and includes over 6,000 pieces. In addition to the permanent collection, there are exhibits that rotate out regularly, allowing you to get a new experience every time you visit. Hours vary throughout the week, so make sure you check before you go. Explore the museum for $12 for adults, $8 for military members or seniors, $5 for students, and free for children younger than 12. In addition to the exhibits, the NSU Art Museum hosts several events and galas throughout the year. Some of these are recurring events, such as the Free First Thursday Starry Nights, allow you free entrance to the museum on the first Thursday of the month. Laser Quest If you're in the mood for an adventure, check out Laser Quest. Here you can play laser tag with your friends, family, or even against strangers. Make sure to wear comfortable clothing and come with enough energy to take out your enemies. You can even book events such as birthday parties, corporate groups, and more. Laser Quest offers pizza and drinks, so you can even make a whole day out of your laser tag adventure. When you're looking for something fun to do in Ft. Lauderdale, you don't have to look hard. There are great attractions, activities, and events going on all over the city. While it's great to get outside and explore the outdoors, rainy days offer an ideal opportunity to see what else the community has to offer.

When you visit Fort Lauderdale, there are plenty of activities available for all ages that don't cost a cent. Be sure to add some of these spots to your to-do list and enjoy all that this area of Florida has to offer. 1. Deerfield Island Park Situated on 53.3 acres of land, the beautiful park has plenty to see and do. When you arrive, take the complimentary shuttle to the park and be sure to enjoy the views of the surrounding Intracoastal Waterway. Once you arrive, spend some time hiking the trails, viewing wildlife sightings, fishing at one of the various designated areas, picnicking at the available tables, and taking photographs from the observation deck. This spot is free for visitors and gives a beautiful view of the natural surroundings of Fort Lauderdale. more 2. Stonewall Street Festival This event is one of the most popular Pride festivals in the country, with guests coming from around the world to participate. It is held annually each June, with activities for all, including a parade, food and drink booths, and live music. The festival celebrates diversity and welcomes participants from all walks of life. 3. Live Music There are several locations that host live bands throughout the year, so if you are looking to enjoy local music, check out some of these spots. Every Friday evening at Fort Lauderdale beach is live music night, with free admission for guests. You can also attend outdoor music performances for free at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea on Friday evenings during the winter and spring months. Hollywood hosts live music performances on most Saturday evenings, as does the Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach. 4. Kid-Friendly Activities If you are looking for activities that the whole family will enjoy, check out the ArtsPark in Hollywood, where you can watch children's movies for free. Lawn seating is available, so bring blankets and/or camp chairs. The same location also hosts Funtastic Fridays for Kids throughout much of the year, from 5 to 8 p.m. each week. It is a top social event for families in the area, with face painters, bounce houses, and more. 5. Outdoor Festivals Many Fort Lauderdale locals and visitors enjoy attending free festivals, held throughout the year. Wicked Wilton is held around Halloween each year at Wilton Park, with donations going toward The Pride Center. The event hosts a massive costume contest with plenty of prizes in a variety of categories. Another fun activity for guests of all ages is the annual Las Alos Art Festival, which is going on for its 29th year in a row. It is scheduled for October 22 and 23 and showcases art from talented painters, sculptors, and other artists from around the country, including locals from the Fort Lauderdale area. The Winterfest Boat Parade is also held around the holiday season, with lit-up boats on display along the Intracoastal Waterway. Free activities make going out and experiencing new things possible, even for those who don't have a large entertainment budget available.

Florida spring and summer rainstorms got you down? Take these months of poor beach weather and use them to check out some of the coolest indoor things to do around Ft. Lauderdale. With these five ideas, anybody can have a good time. more Funderdome This indoor playground is a great place for parents to bring kids and let them work off some energy on rock climbing walls, zip line platforms, slides, laser maze, and much more. The cafeteria even offers healthy choices along with traditional kids' menu fare. Parents of toddlers can safely watch little ones in an enclosed toddler play area, and Funderdome has free Wi-Fi and TVs. Funderdome also holds occasional classes, and it's especially good for parties. Bonnet House Museum & Gardens Though Bonnet House can be a tourist hotspot in good weather, on a rainy day it's perfect for a calm excursion through the museum. Not only was the area one of the first sites of Spanish contact with the Americas, but the Bonnet House site also contains artifacts of the Tequesta people, dating back to 2,000 B.C. The owner was a skilled artist and art collector, and you'll find many amazing paintings by him and other great artists in the hallways. Xtreme Action Park This huge indoor park is suited to adults and older children. Get some chocolatey goodness at the Hershey's shake shop, go bowling, ride go-carts, or show off your arcade skills. This park already has a new restaurant and sports bar. It's also begun major expansions to its rope course as well as nearly doubled the size of the arcade and the number of games within. If you visit once and enjoy it, return on a rainy day later in the year, and you may see some brand new attractions. The Classic Gateway Theater If what's typically on offer at IMAX or traditional theaters just doesn't interest you, check out this cozy, historic venue. It plays independent films in several genres, and many were featured in the Sundance Film Festival. If you like all kinds of movies but hate large, noisy theaters, visit Classic Gateway to see select major blockbuster films. Don't forget to grab some snacks and a drink at the Mod Wine Lounge before the show. Laser Quest If you want to play laser tag, this is a great spot for adults and kids alike. The course is top-notch and uses water-based fog for atmosphere and stealth. Play an intense game, and then have pizza delivered to you as you check the score rankings. Laser Quest also has an arcade with various activities. Be sure to try the escape the room challenges, or Key Quest. In a Key Quest challenge, your group is locked in a themed room, and you have to solve puzzles and find the key while still getting out within the time limit. The next time you find yourself lounging in front of the TV on a rainy day, get up, gather some gung-ho friends or family, and have a day to remember in Ft Lauderdale.

Fort Lauderdale has so much to do that it's often better to plan a fun day with multiple activities than just a single visit. Consider these four day trip ideas based on some of the most interesting tours and places in the city, and add your own personal touch. Duck Tours and Las Olas Boulevard The Duck Tours amphibious vehicles go from the city into Biscayne Bay and back again. The tours pass along Las Olas Boulevard, where guests can see the many museums, shops, restaurants, and important buildings in this historic area before hitting the water and passing the mansions at Millionaires Row. Throughout the tour, your upbeat and entertaining Ducktainer will tell you about the area and history. This 90-minute tour leaves you with plenty of time to explore any of the places on Las Olas Boulevard that caught your eye. more Cycle Party Pub Crawl Want to mix a few drinks with some exercise? Cycle Party trips start with a relaxing drink by the pool. Next, you'll hop in a 15-person covered quadricycle and go from bar to bar across town. Be sure to dress for the beach, as you'll be exploring some of the most popular local spots along the shore. Your tour guide will steer as you provide the power, but don't worry, as a full group makes locomotion very easy. Once you finish the trip, hit the beach or the pub you liked the best. Everglades Airboat Tour Miami Tour Company leads this full-day adventure, and the company will pick you up and drop you off in Fort Lauderdale. The first highlight is a guided airboat ride through the Everglades National Park, a wild and uniquely Floridian natural wonder full of thick sawgrass and the occasional alligator. Later, the tour heads to Miami for three hours at Bayside Marketplace, a good place for a meal and a souvenir or two. Then it's back to Fort Lauderdale. The company offers several full-day, half-day, and shorter trips, with relatively small groups to allow the friendly guides to get to know everyone. Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum Want to visit Fort Lauderdale without a pricey guided tour? This nostalgic and inexpensive museum is full of brilliantly restored vehicles from 1900 to the 1940s. The museum also has an exhibit on Franklin Delano Roosevelt with footage, audiotapes, and various memorabilia. It's conveniently located in the city, so you can plan any sort of trip you want around it. On a sunny day, also consider visiting the nearby Snyder Park, a pleasant nature spot with two lakes. Expect a lot of pooches at the park, or bring your own. These four day trips are either right within Fort Lauderdale or start in the city and explore nearby hotspots. The best part is that they're just the beginning. Look closer, and you'll find numerous guided trips that cater to different interests and offer various price points. Take some time to explore the city, and you'll see why Fort Lauderdale is known as the Venice of America.