Summer is upon us and so are those pesky afternoon showers. Where can I spend a rainy day near my St. Pete apartment?

Florida is well-known for afternoon rain showers throughout the summer season, and let's face it, they put a damper on spending the day at the beach. While the Tampa area might be famous for its beautiful beaches and balmy weather, there are plenty of fun indoor activities right around the corner from your St. Pete apartment to escape to when a midday shower decides to pop up.

Salvador Dali Museum

Located in downtown St. Petersburg right along the water is the Salvador Dali Museum. In this up and coming area you will find other museums, beaches, and local restaurants with delectable food. While the original Dali Museum opened in 1982, the building that you see today was opened in January of 2011. Shaped like a simple rectangle, this museum has 18-inch-thick hurricane proof walls and a large freeform glass bubble called the "enigma." The Enigma is made up of 1,062 pieces of glass and stands 75 feet tall at its highest point. A similar dome can be found at Dali's museum in Spain. The collection that calls this one of a kind museum home is made up of roughly 2,100 different works from all types of artistic mediums. This collection began in the early 1940s when a family began collecting pieces of Salvador Dali's artwork. In the mid-1970s the family donated their entire collection and thus started the museum that opened a few years later. Outside of the museum you can find the Avant-Garden. Here, you can experience the relationship between art, nature and math. This local treasure is just minutes from your St. Pete apartment, allowing you to enjoy the Museum's many unique artifacts with ease!

Museum of Science and Industry

A quick 30-minute drive from your St. Petersburg apartment, you'll find the Museum of Science and Industry, or MOSI for short. This museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. MOSI is home to more than 100 hands-on exhibits. Visitors can explore the solar system at the Saunders Planetarium, build a robot, and explore optical illusions all in one day at the museum! In a "Look Inside" you can even play a life-size game of Operation! Idea Zone has a different theme every month, so every time you visit the museum there will be something new to explore. For an additional $7 you can take on the Sky Trail Ropes Course. This 35-foot-high, multi-level structure has challenging feats for all ages. The ropes course is subject to weather conditions. There is always something going on at the museum. Science After Dark is an 18+ event where adults can channel their inner child. For more MOSI events, click here.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino offers so much more than just gambling. Of course, they have everything you would typically find in a casino: blackjack, slot machines, poker and Texas hold'em. Rock Spa & Salon is perfect for when you want to treat yourself. The spa offers waxing, facials, massages and more! The best part is it's just a short trip from your St. Petersburg apartment. There are eight different restaurants to choose from at the Hard Rock, two of them offer a fine dining experience. The casino also offers lounges with live music for your enjoyment.

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