Nine Beach Activities You Can Do When It Rains

You"ve spent months planning your trip to the beach. You found the perfect hotel room at a great price, rented a cute, little rental car, and picked out your carefully selected wardrobe for a week of fun! You're prepared for some great outdoor beach activities!

Unfortunately, even with all that planning, there's one thing you couldn't control. The weather! As soon as you arrive at your luxurious beachside hotel and catch your first glimpse of the ocean's waves, you see them ominously approaching you in the distance. RAIN CLOUDS! Your idyllic beach trip has been ruined by none other than garden variety rain. You check the local papers and see nothing but wet weather ahead. Your dreams of summer fun and outdoor beach activities are dashed before you even slip into that $120 red two piece.

What do you do with yourself for seven rainy days at the beach?

Don't turn around and head home just yet! There are lots of fun beach activities you and your travel mates can take part in rain or shine.

Here are some ideas for rainy day beach activities:

1.Plan a day at the beach game arcade.

Most beaches have a game arcade within walking distance. So grab your umbrella and head down there for an afternoon of fun. You've probably forgotten how entertaining it can be to play those old fashioned arcade games such as pinball and simulated race car driving. Who knows maybe they'll even have a Space Invaders game available! Get some popcorn with extra butter (who's thinking health at the beach). And enjoy the afternoon.

2. Get pampered

Many hotels and beach resorts have a spa facility on the premises. Why not sign up for a relaxing massage or even a full day of "the full treatment"? You'll be so calm and stress free, the rain will no longer bother you.

3. .Head to the nearest ice cream parlor.

Most beaches have an ice cream store nearby. Try to find one with an old fashioned theme. Sit at the counter and have a real ice cream soda, a rich chocolate milkshake, or a decadent banana split. Eat slowly while you gaze out at the rain. The rain won't seem so bad after all!

4. Head for the indoor pool.

Many beach hotels have an indoor pool. You may have to forgo the tan, but you can still have fun splashing around in the water and get some exercise at the same time.

5. Shop for antiques and art.

You're in a new environment where there are probably lots of unique antique shops and art galleries. Get out the hotel yellow pages and chart your shopping course. Find some stores off the beaten path where you'll be less likely to find souvenirs and items designed for tourists. You may
come upon some real treasures you can't get in your area!

6. Go bowling.

Most beach areas will have a bowling alley nearby. Bowling can be loads of fun, particularly it you haven't played in awhile. Bowl a few games, then head for the snack bar and order a chili dog with all the fixings. It's a great way to forget about the rain!

7. Head to the local theater.

Check with your hotel concierge to find out where the nearest theater is and what's playing. Get a cup of popcorn with extra butter and relax in the cool theater, munching away to your heart's content. Forget about all the fat and calories in movie theater popcorn for once. After all, you're at the beach and it's raining.

8. Take a beach treasure walk.

If it's not raining too hard and there's no threat of a thunder storm, take a walk along the beach. See what treasures have been washed up on the shore. Collect pieces of beach glass and seashells to take home to use in craft projects. Relax and savor the clean, sweet smell of fresh rain.

Rain doesn't have to ruin your beach vacation! There are lots of fun things you can do indoors and still have a grand time. So if the rain clouds head in your direction, give some of these beach activities a try!