Rainy Day Activities
Don't let a little rain dampen your shore vacation. The Jersey Shore has plenty of indoor entertainment options—from pinball museums to aquariums—that'll keep the whole family happy until the sun comes back.
Top Picks for Rainy Days
Silverball Museum
asbury park
600+ playable pinball machines and classic arcades. One price, unlimited play all day.
- ✓600+ playable machines
- ✓Unlimited play admission
- ✓Spans 90 years of gaming
Cape May County Park & Zoo
cape may court house
Top-rated FREE zoo with 550+ animals. Lions, giraffes, and more on 85 acres.
- ✓FREE admission
- ✓550+ animals
- ✓250 species
Arcades & Gaming
Classic arcades, pinball, and gaming fun
Silverball Museum
Asbury Park • 2-4 hours
600+ playable pinball machines and classic arcades. One price, unlimited play all day.
- ✓600+ playable machines
- ✓Unlimited play admission
- ✓Spans 90 years of gaming
- ✓On Asbury Park boardwalk
Pricing
Lucky Snake Arcade
Atlantic City • 2-4 hours
America's largest arcade bar. 300+ games, 100,000 sq ft on the AC boardwalk.
- ✓America's largest arcade bar
- ✓300+ games
- ✓100,000 sq ft
- ✓Boardwalk location
Pricing
Museums & Exhibits
History, art, and interactive exhibits
Twin Lights Historic Site
highlands • 1-2 hours
Unique twin-towered lighthouse with NYC views. Site of first US Fresnel lens.
- ✓Unique twin-tower design
- ✓First US Fresnel lens
- ✓Marconi wireless demonstration site
- ✓NYC skyline views
Pricing
Silverball Museum
Asbury Park • 2-4 hours
600+ playable pinball machines and classic arcades. One price, unlimited play all day.
- ✓600+ playable machines
- ✓Unlimited play admission
- ✓Spans 90 years of gaming
- ✓On Asbury Park boardwalk
Pricing
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Atlantic City • 1-2 hours
Museum of oddities and interactive exhibits on the Atlantic City boardwalk.
- ✓Hundreds of oddities
- ✓Interactive exhibits
- ✓Boardwalk location
Pricing
The Wetlands Institute
Stone Harbor • 1-2 hours
Coastal conservation center with aquariums, marsh trails, and terrapin research.
- ✓Terrapin conservation
- ✓Marsh observation tower
- ✓Educational programs
- ✓Coastal wetlands focus
Pricing
Aquariums
Marine life exhibits and touch tanks
Jenkinson's Boardwalk
Point Pleasant Beach • 3-5 hours
Family-friendly boardwalk with aquarium, rides, mini-golf, and 90+ years of tradition.
- ✓Family-owned since 1928
- ✓Touch tank aquarium
- ✓Free summer concerts
- ✓Classic boardwalk atmosphere
Pricing
Atlantic City Aquarium
Atlantic City • 1-2 hours
Intimate aquarium at Gardner's Basin with sharks, touch tanks, and marine exhibits.
- ✓Sharks and sea turtles
- ✓Interactive touch tanks
- ✓Family-friendly pricing
- ✓Away from casino crowds
Pricing
Nature Centers & Zoos
Wildlife education and animal encounters
Cape May County Park & Zoo
cape may court house • 2-4 hours
Top-rated FREE zoo with 550+ animals. Lions, giraffes, and more on 85 acres.
- ✓FREE admission
- ✓550+ animals
- ✓250 species
- ✓Consistently top-rated
Pricing
Cape May County Park & Zoo
cape may court house • 2-4 hours
Top-rated FREE zoo with 550+ animals. Lions, giraffes, and more on 85 acres.
- ✓FREE admission
- ✓550+ animals
- ✓250 species
- ✓Consistently top-rated
Pricing
The Wetlands Institute
Stone Harbor • 1-2 hours
Coastal conservation center with aquariums, marsh trails, and terrapin research.
- ✓Terrapin conservation
- ✓Marsh observation tower
- ✓Educational programs
- ✓Coastal wetlands focus
Pricing
Free Indoor Activities
No-cost options for budget-friendly fun
Twin Lights Historic Site
highlands • 1-2 hours
Unique twin-towered lighthouse with NYC views. Site of first US Fresnel lens.
- ✓Unique twin-tower design
- ✓First US Fresnel lens
- ✓Marconi wireless demonstration site
- ✓NYC skyline views
Pricing
Cape May County Park & Zoo
cape may court house • 2-4 hours
Top-rated FREE zoo with 550+ animals. Lions, giraffes, and more on 85 acres.
- ✓FREE admission
- ✓550+ animals
- ✓250 species
- ✓Consistently top-rated
Pricing
More Rainy Day Ideas
🎬 Movie Theaters
Catch a matinee at local theaters in Ocean City, Wildwood, or Atlantic City. Many beachside theaters show first-run films and offer air conditioning.
🛍️ Outlet Shopping
The Walk at Atlantic City and Ocean City boardwalk shops offer retail therapy. Many stores extend hours during rainy days.
🎰 Casinos (21+)
Atlantic City's casinos offer entertainment beyond gaming—restaurants, shows, spas, and shopping.
🍕 Cooking Classes
Some shore towns offer cooking classes featuring local seafood and Italian cuisine. Check local restaurants for schedules.
🍺 Brewery Tours
Several craft breweries operate near the shore. Cape May Brewing and Tuckahoe Brewing offer tours and tastings.
🧩 Escape Rooms
Test your problem-solving skills at escape rooms in Wildwood, Ocean City, and other shore towns. Fun for groups and families with older kids.
Rainy Day Tips
Check the Forecast
Coastal storms often pass quickly. A morning shower may clear to afternoon sun. Check hourly forecasts before canceling beach plans entirely.
Plan Indoor Time Anyway
Even on sunny days, midday can be too hot for the beach. Indoor breaks during peak sun (11am-3pm) can prevent sunburn and heat exhaustion.
Beat the Crowds
Everyone has the same idea on rainy days. Arrive early at popular attractions or consider less-crowded alternatives.
Embrace the Weather
A rainy boardwalk walk or stormy beach view can be atmospheric. Pack a light rain jacket and enjoy a different side of the shore.
Plan Your Shore Vacation
Rain or shine, the Jersey Shore has something for everyone.