Rainy day activities for the whole family at the Jersey Shore

Rain put a damper on your beach day?

Don’t let it get you down; there is plenty to do on a rainy day at the Shore.

From arcades and escape rooms to mini golf and rollerskating, here are more than two dozen ways to fill your day with fun.

Arcades

Adventure Crossing, Jackson

This indoor and outdoor sports complex is home to virtual golf bays, axe throwing, arcade games and virtual reality simulators for racecars, fighter jets and helicopters. There’s a sports bar and grill on site, too. (An indoor driving range is currently closed for repairs.) 515 Monmouth Road, Jackson; 732-426-5492, thedomenj.com.

Dave & Buster’s, Freehold Township

Dave & Buster’s, which opened last year on the lower level of Freehold Raceway Mall, is more than 40,000 square feet of rainy-day entertainment. The venue has more than 100 arcade games, a sports bar, and a kitchen serving a full menu of cheeseburgers, salads, chicken wings and more. The cost of arcade chips starts at $10 for 100. 3710 Route 9, Freehold Township; 732-410-8400, daveandbusters.com.

Fantasy Island Amusement Park, Beach Haven

This Long Beach Island arcade is home to more than 12,000 square feet of games, including classics like Skee-Ball and crane games and new games like Wizard of Oz, Willy Wonka and Lane Master Bowling. And don’t worry about keeping track of tickets: A digital card system tallies your points. 50 North Bay Ave., Beach Haven; 609-492-4000, fantasyislandlbi.com.

iPlay America, Freehold Township

There is no shortage of activities at iPlay, a massive indoor venue with arcade games, boardwalk rides (including a mini Ferris wheel), a two-level laser tag arena, bumper cars, go-kart racing and more. It is fun for both kids and adults — there are Topgolf bays, too — and when you get hungry, visit The Bistro for brunch, lunch, dinner, dessert and live music. Ride passes cost between $19.99 and $69.99; pay-as-you go arcade credits start at $10 for 20. 110 Schanck Road, Freehold Township; 732-577-8200, iplayamerica.com.

Jenkinson’s, Point Pleasant Beach

Jenkinson’s Boardwalk has all the bells and whistles, including four arcades: South Arcade, Pavilion Arcade, Frank’s Fun Center, and the South Beach Arcade. All offer a variety of attractions, including video games, slot machines, basketball and crane games. jenkinsons.com.

Mainland Adventure Park, Stafford

Beach day on Long Beach Island rained out? Head over the causeway to Mainland, which has an arcade with pinball, Hot Wheels racing games, Nerf-themed games, prize games, basketball, air hockey and more. When you’ve had your fill of fun, go inside for dinner, and be sure to return when the weather’s nice to race a go-kart, visit the beer garden and lounge around a fire pit. 151 Route 72, Manahawkin section of Stafford; 609-481-6100, themainlandnj.com.

Silverball Retro Arcade, Asbury Park

This iconic arcade on the city’s boardwalk is more than 7,000 square feet of fun, including pinball games, basketball games, air hockey and a crowd favorite: Skee-Ball. There is also food available at the cafe, including thin-crust pizza, Nathan’s Hot Dogs, soft pretzels, ice cream and more. Admission ranges from $17.50 for an hour of play to $25 for a full day. 1000 Ocean Ave N., Asbury Park; 732-774-4994, silverballmuseum.com.

Yestercades, Red Bank

Like Silverball, this arcade is pay one price, play as much as you like, featuring retro games that are nostalgic for adults and fun for young players. Try arcade games like Pac-Man and Street Fighter, and pinball games including Terminator, Twilight Zone, and Pokémon, a new addition. Admission costs $9.95 for an hourly pass or $27.95 for a daily pass. 80 Broad St., Red Bank; 732-383-7873, yestercades.com.

Escape rooms

Amazing Escape Room, Freehold Borough

This location has half a dozen themed rooms from which to choose: “The Wizard’s Apprentice,” “File X,” “Cabin in the Jungle,” “The Great Train Heist,” “Dirty Money” and “Curse of the Gold Skull.” Admission costs $33 per person. 2 Monmouth Ave., Freehold Borough; 732-333-0448, amazingescaperoom.com.

East Coast Escape Room, Toms River

There are three games available at this escape room — “Pier Pressure,” “Sweet Tooth Candy Shoppe” and “Dreamcatcher” — and when it comes to hints, players can choose between the “Competitive” level (up to five hints) and “For Fun” (unlimited hints). Admission costs $30 per person. 1747 Hooper Ave., Toms River; 732-864-1200, eastcoastescaperoom.com.

Escape the Puzzle, Long Branch

Children 6 and younger play for free at this facility, where players can choose from 10 themed rooms. Games include “Society of Secrets,” “Witches Brew,” “3 Keys: A Steampunk Adventure” and “Animal Kingdom.” Admission costs $35 per person. 473 Broadway, Long Branch; 732-995-9004 escapethepuzzle.com.

Solve it Sherlock Escape Rooms, Neptune

This escape room features five themed games: “Pirates of the Golden Skull,” “The Magician’s Secret,” “Legend of the Pines,” “Sacred Stones” and “Nautilus Rising.” Admission costs $34.95 per person. 708 Route 35, Neptune; 732-455-1616, solveitsherlockescape.com.

More indoor fun

A Cup of Literature, Asbury Park

Craving a quiet day? Check out A Cup of Literature, a coffee shop that is also a bookstore and fitness studio. Sip a literary themed drink — “A Study in Salt and Chocolate,” a mocha with sea salt maple cold foam, is delicious — while reading a book from the shop’s shelves. Then you can take a yoga, sculpt, mat Pilates or barre class. 704 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park; 732-896-2230, acupofliteraturellc.com

Bell Works, Holmdel

This “metroburb,” as it is known, is two million square feet of retail, lifestyle and office spaces, making it the perfect place to pass the time on a rainy (or too hot) day. Bell Works is home to Escapology, an escape room; Oasis VRX, a virtual reality gaming center; and Swing Loose indoor golf, plus the Holmdel Library and a variety of fitness centers. Visitors can also shop for clothes, flowers, jewelry and more; visit farmers and makers markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays; and dine at a host of restaurants. 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel; 732-490-7175, escapology.com.

ClimbZone, Howell

Towering bookshelves, skyscrapers and dinosaur skeletons challenge climbers to make it to the top at ClimbZone, where the brightly decorated climbing walls are ranked by difficulty. The facility also has a ropes course, soft play area and arcade games. Admission ranges from $21.99 to $42. 5369 Route 9, Howell; 732-813-8300, climbzone.us/howell. Another option is The Gravity Vault, a rock-climbing venue with locations in Brick and Middletown; gravityvault.com.

Color Me Mine, Toms River

Channel your inner artist at this paint-your-own-pottery studio, where bookings are made in 1.5-hour time slots. The shop’s calendar is filled with themed days, including Family Day, Date Night and Adults Night Out. Admission costs $10, plus the price of the ceramic piece you choose. 1877 Hooper Ave., Toms River; 732-864-9300, colormemine.com.

Fun Bags Cornhole Lounge, Toms River

Cornhole isn’t just for backyard barbecues anymore. Fun Bags Cornhole offers an indoor space to play the game, plus Pong, darts, and occasional line-dancing lessons. And you can bring your own snacks, as outside food and drinks are permitted. Admission costs $15 per hour for children and $19 for adults. 452 Route 37 E., Toms River; 732-908-2990, funbagscornhole.com.

Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Point Pleasant Beach

The residents of Jenkinson’s Aquarium don’t mind getting wet, and you’ll love to watch them swim and bob. Marvel at the sharks, laugh at playful penguins, get up close and personal with a sloth, and watch seals eat their lunch. Looking for more? Book an hourlong behind-the-scenes tour. Admission costs range from $14 to $19; tours cost $25 per child and $40 per adult. 300 Ocean Ave., Point Pleasant Beach; 732-899-1212, jenkinsons.com/aquarium.

JR’s QBall Billiards, Toms River

Old-school pool halls are few and far between these days, but JR’s QBall Billiards is still going strong. The hall has about a dozen tables that are kept in great shape, and if there’s a wait, you can watch others play from an elevated waiting area. There are plenty of cues if you don’t have your own, plus snacks and a digital jukebox. 1501 Route 37 E., Toms River; 732-270-8200. Other options include Side Pocket Billiards in Howell, Sticks & Stones Billiards in Brick and Players Billiards in Eatontown.

Monmouth Museum, Middletown

This 15,000-square-foot cultural center is one of the largest independent museums in New Jersey, according to its website, and comprises a variety of spaces: the Main Gallery, Nilson Gallery, a STEAM wing that’s home to Innovation Lab, Green Arts Studio, Garrett Reisman Center for Air & Space, Fleischner Media Center and Paleo Lab, the Meyer Art & Nature Area, and more. There is a children’s play and educational exhibit area, too. Admission costs $15; children younger than 2 are admitted free of charge. 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft section of Middletown; 732-747-2266, monmouthmuseum.org. Other museums include Insectropolis in Toms River; Tuckerton Seaport & Baymen’s Museum in Tuckerton; New Jersey Maritime Museum, InfoAge Science and History Museums in Wall; John F. Peto Museum and Studio in Middletown; and The Paranormal Museum in Asbury Park.

Monster Mini Golf, Eatontown

Mini golf meets blacklights, music and glow-in-the-dark decor at this indoor course, which also has arcade and virtual reality games. Admission costs $13 to $42. 749 Hope Road; 732-544-2200, monsterminigolf.com.

Nicol New Jersey, Oceanport

Pickleball courts are popping up at public parks, but on rainy days, head to an indoor court. Nicol New Jersey offers a trio of racket sports: pickleball, squash and padel. Open play is available and all levels are welcome. 850 Oceanport Ave., Oceanport; playatnicol.com. Other options include Jersey Pickleball Club in Holmdel, The Pickleball Center at the Atlantic Club in Manasquan, Freehold Athletic Club in Freehold Township, One Love Pickleball in Ocean Township, Pickleball HQ in Aberdeen and The Picklr in the Manahawkin section of Stafford.

Pier Pins, Long Branch

This 8,000-square-foot upscale entertainment lounge has four full-sized bowling lanes, pool tables, simulated sports bays, and table games including air hockey and ping pong. There’s also a full-service bar with lounge seating, handcrafted cocktails, and bar bites curated by Pier Village’s Salt Steakhouse. 20 Melrose Terrace, Long Branch; 732-813-7467, pierpins.com.

Robert J. Novins Planetarium, Toms River

Moms and dads will enjoy the quiet and kids can learn to spot the constellations at the planetarium, which hosts themed presentations, sky talks and laser shows — including ones for Taylor Swift and Bon Jovi fans. Admission costs between $10 and $12. 1 College Drive; 732-255-0343, ocean.edu/planetarium.

Taste & Technique, Fair Haven

Bring your appetite to cooking class at Taste & Technique, where the summer calendar includes lessons on barbecue, Italian food, Greek food, sushi, Latin cuisine, macaroons, and mozzarella cheese. Classes cost between $80 and $100. Kids’ classes are offered too; the cost ranges from $60 to $75. 560 River Road, Fair Haven; 732-741-2665, tasteandtechniquenj.com. Other options include Chef It Up in Toms River, Soule’ Culinary and Art Studio in Point Pleasant and Young Chefs Academy in Marlboro.

United Skates of America, Jackson

Lace up your skates and channel your inner teen at the roller rink, which underwent an extensive renovation in 2023. It has glow-in-the-dark murals, a light show, a new game room and prize shop, and a revamped cafe. Admission starts at $7; skate rental costs $6. 2270 W. County Line Road; 732-363-2222, unitedskates.com/jackson.

This article contains information from a previously published story.

Tamara Walker contributed to this story.

Sarah Griesemer joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2003 and has been writing all things food since 2014. Send restaurant tips to [email protected], follow on Instagram at Jersey Shore Eats and subscribe to her weekly newsletter.