OOF. We’ve all been there – on vacation, ready to sit on the beach the whole day, soaking up sun and watching the kids play. And then Mother Nature has other plans. If the thought of staying in your AirBnB while the kids climb the walls sounds unappetizing, check out 5 favorite things to do in Avalon NJ on a rainy day
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NAS Wildwood – one of our favorite things to do in Avalon NJ!
This spot is a favorite of my children whether it is raining or not, so it had to take the number 1 spot on my list. NAS Wildwood is a giant airplane hanger in Cape May, New Jersey; they have all sorts of helicopters and military memorabilia, and even a Coast Guard ship. You can enter many of the helicopters which leads to some pretty fun make believe games. If you time your visit right, you can visit Flight Deck Diner – right across the parking lot from NAS Wildwood – for breakfast before your visit or lunch after. One of our favorite things to do in Avalon NJ!
Pro tip: this is a hot spot for rainy days, so get here early when it first opens. They’re also dog friendly!
Indoor mini-golf on the Wildwood Boardwalk
I never thought about mini golf as an indoor activity, but on my search for rainy day activities several years ago, I stumbled upon Pirates of Wildwood Mini Golf on the Wildwood Boardwalk. Wear your brightest whites because there are black lights that’ll make ya glow. This particular spot is a bit on the smaller side, so not a great spot if you’re planning on bringing the entire extended family, but perfect for a family of four.
Pro tip: head to the arcades on the Wildwood Boardwalk when you’re done. We like the 25 cent claw machines at Gateway 26.
Wetlands Institute – a staple for kids when looking for things to do in Avalon NJ
The Wetlands Institute is a staple in Stone Harbor, New Jersey. You might’ve seen their ’turtle patrol’ cars driving up and down Stone Harbor Boulevard as you enter Stone Harbor! While there is a very large outdoor portion to the Wetlands that shouldn’t be missed, they do have a lovely indoor area complete with aquarium, lots of fun activities for children to learn about terrapins, local wildlife, and the wetlands, and great views of the surrounding land from the lookout tower.
When you’re done at the Wetlands Institute, head to download Stone Harbor to visit one of our favorite bookstores, Barrier Island Books & Art. There are lots of spots to grab lunch or a coffee to make a morning out of your trip! Barrier Island is one of our favorite things to do in Avalon NJ.
Catch a movie
SURE you could put a movie on at the house, but where’s the fun in that? With the addition of Cape Square in Cape May, NJ, there’s another option for movies in South Jersey when you’re at the shore. If you’re closer to Stone Harbor, head to Harbor Square movie theater. You can eat and drink in the theater which is always fun, but there’s always the option to grab dinner or lunch at one of the many restaurants that line 96th Street and the surrounding streets in Stone Harbor, NJ.
Alternatively, there’s the new Cape Square entertainment center in Rio Grande. Aside from the theaters, there are also arcade games and a variety of food options. There are a handful of restaurants in close to the theater, but we generally head into downtown Cape May for food or ice cream.
STRRIKKEEEE! Visit one of everyone’s things to do in Avalon NJ – bowling!
Who doesn’t like a (friendly? maybe not?) competitive game of bowling? We’ve tried out a bunch of bowling spots in the area, and have been pleasantly surprised with the experiences we’ve had. Some bowling allies, like Island Bowl Family Fun Center, open early on rain days to give more families a chance to escape their house.
Raindrops on the forecast? Check out 5 favorite things to do in Avalon NJ on a rainy day
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Awarded “Best Main Line Maternity Photographer” & “Best Main Line Newborn Photographer” by Main Line Parent
Veronika Paluch is an award-winning and highly sought after maternity, newborn, baby, and family photographer offering luxury, organic fine art portraits and an impeccable client experience. She specializes in documenting authentic connections and simple moments of children & families and the quiet beauty of motherhood. Stripping away all of the extras – the costumes, the props, the rigid posing – leaves room for her to capture classic, timeless images that showcase love & family connection.
Veronika serves clients in her beautiful natural light studio, as well as on location throughout the Greater Philadelphia area including the Main Line, Wayne, Plymouth Meeting, King of Prussia, Devon, Malvern, Paoli, Exton, West Chester, Swarthmore, Media, South Jersey, and Northern Delaware.
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