Next time it rains, you don’t have to sit inside and stare sadly out the window, wishing the sun would come out. There are plenty of fun things to do while it’s raining, you just have to know where to look! For the next rainy day, here are 10 fun things to do in Iowa!

1. Go indoor rock climbing
Iowa State University Office of Admissions/Flickr
Don't let the rain spoil your adventure, try indoor rock climbing! There are several places to do this, some favorites are: Climb Iowa in Grimes, Walnut Creek Indoor Climbing Gym in Kelly, or State Gym on campus at Iowa State University.
2. Visit the aquarium
Alan Light/Flickr
Visiting an aquarium is the perfect thing to do on a rainy day! Check out the aquarium at the National Mississippi River Museum in Dubuque.
3. Go for a swim at an indoor waterpark
bridgesbayres0rt/Flickr
Don't let the rain stop you from going swimming - Iowa has plenty of indoor waterparks, built just for that purpose! Check out Bridges Bay Resort in Okoboji, the Wasserbahn Waterpark in Williamsburg, or Grand Harbor in Dubuque, to name a few.
4. Sip wine and paint with your friends
Tim Carter/Flickr
What better way to get your creative juices flowing than with a little wine and good company? Check out Pinot's Palette in Des Moines, Creative Spirits in Okoboji, or Brush and Barrel in Coralville.
5. Get some air at a trampoline park
House of Air/Flickr
This is a great place to take the kids to have an awesome time when they can't go outside to play. Check out Sky Zone in Des Moines or Cedar Rapids, or AirFX Trampoline Park in Hiawatha.
6. Get lost in a book at your local library or bookstore
liz west/Flickr
On the next rainy day, grab a coffee and head to your local library, or your favorite bookstore, and get lost in a good book. It seems like the best reading always happens on rainy days!
7. Admire the art at your nearest art museum
Steve Tatum/Flickr
What better way to spend a rainy day than wandering around a museum, admiring the brilliant beauty of the art? Check out Figge Museum in Davenport, or the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art.
8. Take a tour of a historic house, and learn a little about the past
SD Dirk/Flickr
The Mathias Ham house in Dubuque (shown above) is the perfect place to do this. Another favorite spot is the Salisbury House in Des Moines.
9. Challenge your friends to a bowling match
Rodrigo Tejeda/Flickr
Next time the forecast shows rain, gather up your friends and head to your local bowling alley. Spend the day knocking down pins, playing vintage arcade games, and shooting pool.
10. Sip some delicious beer at a local brewery
Yelp Inc./Flickr
A rainy day can be a great excuse to finally visit that brewery you've been meaning to go to. Madhouse Brewery in Des Moines, Backpocket Brewery in Coralville, and Big Grove Brewery in Solon are all must-visit spots.

Rainy days don’t seem quite so bad anymore! What are some of your favorite things to do when it rains?

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