As much as we’d all like to have warm and sunny days every day of the year, that’s just not realistic. So if you’re looking for something fun to do on a rainy day, we’ve come up with a list to keep you having fun adventures all day long!

Museums
The Willmar Lakes Area has a variety of museums that highlight the unique history of the area, from Native American tribes to rural life on the plains to industrial ages of trucks, trains, and tractors. Here are a few of the museums that would be great options for a rainy day activity : Kandiyohi County Historical Society & Museum, Raymond Area Museum, and Schwanke’s Museum.

The Village Children’s Museum
Travelling with kids while in the area? Then make sure The Village Children’s Museum is on your list of places to visit! This indoor play space is dedicated to bringing play and learning to the cultural diversity of West Central Minnesota. Children will enjoy the wide variety of exhibits that’ll keep them engaged for hours all while learning and growing. The museum will bolster their natural curiosity with hands-on exploration and encourage brain development as they play with kids of different ages and cultures. Parents and grandparents alike will enjoy watching and playing alongside the kids during their visit. The Village is geared towards children birth-12 years.

B’s Chocolates
No one can visit the Willmar Lakes Area without stopping at the most delicious chocolate store in West Central Minnesota! The story of Dwight Barnes and how he started B’s Chocolates at the age of 56 is a unique and interesting tale that involves him apprenticing with the world-renowned chocolatier Hans Burie in Belgium. The current owner of B’s Chocolates continues Barnes’ legacy and technique of creating the most delicious chocolates by importing raw chocolate from Belgium, importing cocoa butter from France, using dairy cream and butter from Minnesota, and making homemade marzipan. In addition to all your nostalgic favorites – truffles, caramels, fruit creams, and the like – B’s chocolatiers hand paint few-of-a-kind masterpieces that go from small farm animals, dinosaurs, and roses all the way to the intercut champagne bottles, Thanksgiving turkeys and three-dimensional Christmas trees! And of course, no chocolate shopping experience is complete without a free sample of the chocolate!

Willmar Indoor Golf & Cages (WIG)
Rainy day? Head to Willmar Indoor Golf & Cages for a unique indoor experience the whole group can enjoy. Whether you’re looking to practice your swing, try out the golf simulators, or simply enjoy some friendly competition, there’s plenty to keep you entertained. Challenge your friends to a game of darts, cornhole or pool, or grab some food and a drink from the full bar while you hang out. With golf, games, food and drinks all under one roof, it’s easy to see why this is a favorite spot for indoor fun!

Alley on Ash
Alley on Ash is a family friendly business with a fun atmosphere. It’s a great place to relax and enjoy an afternoon or evening! They have eight lanes that have been updated to create an even more enjoyable league night or bowling experience. Don’t want to participate in the bowling, grab a table near the lanes and watch the action while enjoying delicious burgers, pizzas and variety of beers!

Artsy Fartsy
Unleash your inner artist by painting ceramics at Artsy Fartsy! Stop in during their open painting hours (check their Facebook page for a monthly schedule of hours) and select the ceramic piece that you would like to paint. Each piece is priced separately and includes the paint and supplies. Have fun creating your own personalized souvenir!

Breweries in the Area
The Willmar Lakes Area is home to three amazing breweries: Foxhole Brewhouse, Goat Ridge Brewing Co. and Intuition Brewing. Each one is family friendly and serves a veriety of food and beverages to meet your needs. They also host live music, trivia nights and other fun events throughout the year. Check out our Events Calendar to see what they have coming up.

Discover Local Shops
Rainy days are the perfect excuse to explore some of the Willmar Lakes Area’s unique local shops! From stylish finds and home décor to gifts, accessories and more, there are plenty of places to browse and discover something new. Check out Lucky Duck in New London, Urban Escape Boutique in Spicer, or Mainstream Boutique and Shoppe 14 in Willmar. You never know what unique treasures you might find!

Theatres
The Willmar Lakes Area is blessed with two community theatres, a college theatre and two movie theatres. What better way to enjoy a rainy day than by watching a production at The Barn Theatre or Ridgewater College Theatre, or taking in some live entertainment at the Little Theatre Auditorium. If you happen to come when they don’t have events going on, you can always enjoy one of the many new releases at Spicer Cinema 4 and Golden Ticket Cinemas Kandi 6.

Shining Light Entertainment
Shining Light Entertainment is a vibrant, all in one entertainment venue offering laser tag, blacklight mini golf, and axe throwing in a fun and welcoming space. Created to be a light in the community, Shining Light exists to provide a safe and positive place where kids and teens can have fun, connect with friends, and stay active, while adults enjoy exciting experiences of their own through axe throwing for guests ages 16 and up.

Rainy days in the Willmar Lakes Area don’t have to be dreary. From exploring local history and culture to indulging in the arts and literature, there’s a wealth of indoor activities to keep you entertained and inspired. So, the next time the skies open up, embrace the opportunity to discover the many charms that this beautiful region has to offer, even when the sun isn’t shining.