A rainy day in Sedona feels like a personal offense when you drove four hours to see red rocks. The good news: there are solid indoor options, and some of them are genuinely excellent. Here's the full list so you can stop doom-scrolling and just pick one.
Sedona gets surprise afternoon monsoon storms in summer and occasional winter rain that makes hiking inadvisable. Plan for one indoor backup day per trip and you'll never be stuck.
Best Indoor Museums and Cultural Spots
The Science Vortex (4.9 stars) — Cottonwood, 20 min from Sedona
A hands-on children's science museum where kids run actual experiments — not just look at exhibits. Near-perfect 4.9-star rating reflects how well the programming engages young scientists. Family admission runs $20–$40. Limited hours — call before driving out.
Highlands Center for Natural History (4.8 stars) — Prescott, ~45 min
Has both indoor exhibits and covered outdoor trails. Kids get hands-on with native wildlife, plants, and geology. The discovery room lets children handle real specimens. Family of four: $30–$50. Budget 1.5–2.5 hours.
Sedona Heritage Museum (4.6 stars) — In Sedona
A 1930s homestead with indoor exhibits on Sedona's agricultural and Hollywood filming history. About $20–$30 for a family of four (adults ~$7, kids under 12 often free or discounted). Realistic time: 1–1.5 hours. Combine with a walk around the Jordan Road area if the rain clears.
Sedona Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center (4.6 stars)
Free. Staff who actually know what's open and what's worth doing. Clean restrooms. 20–40 minutes max — use it as a planning stop, not a destination.
Entertainment Venues
Zclaw Arcade (5.0 stars) — West Sedona
The best rainy day option in Sedona proper. Boutique arcade with excellent claw machines and ticket redemption games, perfect 5.0 rating. Budget $20–$50 for a family of four. Open Thursday–Sunday, noon to 7pm. Don't make a special trip without checking hours first.
Superplay (5.0 stars)
Bowling, laser tag, go-karts, mini golf, arcade — all under one roof. A family of four spends $70–$120 depending on which activities you choose. Plan 2–4 hours. This is the option that fills an entire rainy afternoon without anyone getting bored.
Slick City Action Park (4.9 stars)
Massive indoor slide park with multi-story slides, tube slides, and foam obstacle courses. Individual passes run $20–$35, family packages $80–$130. Plan 2–3 hours. Big kids 8 and up get the most out of it.
Levitate Adventure Park (4.6 stars) — Flagstaff, ~45 min
Interconnected trampolines, foam pits, dodgeball courts, and ninja warrior obstacles in Flagstaff. Family of four: $60–$100 for 1-hour sessions. Bring your own grip socks or pay ~$3 on site. Book online for slight discounts.
In The Game Prescott Valley (4.2 stars) — Prescott Valley, ~45 min
Classic arcade and entertainment center with redemption games and ticket prizes. Family of four: $60–$100. Set a per-kid game card budget before entering — it adds up fast.
Venues Worth the Drive (45–90 min)
Some of the best rainy day options require leaving Sedona. Here's what's worth the drive.
Children's Museum Tucson (4.7 stars) — Tucson, ~2 hours
Multiple floors of hands-on exhibits in a renovated Carnegie Library building. Adults ~$10, children ~$9, under 1 free — family of four $40–$60. Plan 2–3 hours. Only worth the drive if you're already headed toward Tucson for another reason.
Verde Canyon Railroad (4.7 stars) — Clarkdale, ~25 min
The train runs rain or shine through a remote canyon with no road access. Kids see canyon walls, the Verde River, and possibly bald eagles (December–March). A 4-hour round trip; family of four $100–$200 depending on car class. Book in advance; bring snacks.
Makutu's Island (4.4 stars) — Gilbert, ~2 hours
Tropical-themed indoor playground with multi-level climbing structures and a dedicated toddler area. Family of four: $50–$80. Good for ages 1–8.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Arizona (4.3 stars) — Tempe, ~2 hours
Build zones, 4D movies, and LEGO everything. Family of four: $80–$130 online (much less than door prices). Only for dedicated LEGO fans — it's a smaller venue.
Free or Low-Cost Indoor Options
- Sedona Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center — Free. Warm, dry, restrooms, staff who can redirect your plans.
- Mall time — Not glamorous, but Cottonwood has a mall with restaurants and stores. Good for a few hours when nothing else appeals.
- Hotel pool — If your property has an indoor or heated pool, rainy days are the best time to use it. Usually free with the room.
Quick Picks by Age Group
Toddlers (under 4): - Makutu's Island — dedicated toddler area, $50–$80 - Park Collective in Prescott Valley — indoor play space, $20–$40
Big Kids (ages 6–12): - Slick City Action Park — multi-story indoor slides, $80–$130 - Superplay — full entertainment complex, $70–$120 - The Science Vortex — hands-on experiments, $20–$40
Teens: - Levitate Adventure Park — trampolines and ninja courses, $60–$100 - Verde Canyon Railroad — genuinely impressive scenery, $100–$200
Bottom Line
For a rainy day in Sedona itself, Zclaw Arcade is the only strong option right in town (and only open Thursday–Sunday). Superplay and Slick City Action Park are worth driving 30–45 minutes for. If the weather forecast shows multiple rainy days, plan one of those drives — it's better than spending a whole day in a small arcade.