Fun Indoor Activities on Sanibel Island
Looking to beat the heat or escape a rainy afternoon? Don’t worry! There are plenty of fun indoor activities for you and your family to enjoy on Sanibel Island.
Shell Exploration at Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum
Photo from Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum
Visiting a shell museum is probably one of the most quintessential Sanibel attractions that you and your family will love exploring. Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum is the only accredited museum in the United States devoted solely to shells and mollusks. The museum boasts 30 permanent exhibits along with a number of temporary, rotating exhibits for guests to enjoy. Stare in wonder in the Great Hall of Shells, a display highlighting the museum’s collection of half a million shells. Go Beyond Shells in the museum’s newest addition, an aquarium gallery filled with living mollusks of 50 different species. The museum is open daily and tickets range from $8.95 – $23.95, children under 5 are free.
Creative Art Lesson & Workshop
Photo from Sissi Janku Art Gallery
Getting creative on a canvas with your family and others will be a perfect fit for both rainy and sunny days. Sissi Janku Art Studio is a great place to get a quick 2-hour art lesson in. You will be able to learn incredible painting techniques and get step-by-step instructions from artist and studio owner Sissi Janku. Learn different artistic concepts and express your creative ideas through painting, using acrylics on canvas. Check for upcoming class schedules to sign up.
Enjoying Unique Art Galleries and Performances
Photo from Watson MacRae Gallery
If you don’t want to get your hands dirty with paints, you can also walk around some of Sanibel Island’s art galleries and appreciate the incredible art on display. Discover new local artists and a rotating schedule of special exhibitions. There are a number of art galleries on Sanibel for you to choose from, including Hirdie Girdie Gallery, Watson MacRae Gallery, Tower Gallery, and many more.
Celebrate Community at BIG ARTS
Photo from BIG ARTS
BIG ARTS is one of the biggest art centers on Sanibel Island and their 2022 season, Celebration of Community, packed with unique films, nationally recognized performing artists, rewarding workshops, stimulating lectures and a beautiful series of gallery exhibits. Check out the calendar and discover what’s happening during your stay. BIG Arts is open Monday – Friday year round, with additional Saturday and Sunday hours seasonally. Classes and performances vary in price.
Show Your Love to the Animals at CROW Clinic
Photo from CROW Clinic
Each year, CROW cares for more than 5,000 wildlife patients including more than 200 species of sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife in its veterinary hospital, which is one of the nation’s leading rehabilitation facilities for native and migratory wildlife. Its Visitor Education Center offers guests a behind-the-scenes look into their animal care through live camera feeds, interactive displays and daily presentations by students, staff and volunteers. One of the fan-favorite features of CROW is its animal ambassadors. Lola the American Kestrel, Gigi the Virginia Opossum, Talon the Red-Tailed Hawk, and Mina the Great Horned Owl are all former rehab patients who now offer guests an up-close look as animal ambassadors. The clinic is open Monday – Saturday, January – June, and Monday – Friday, August – December, tickets are $7 – $12, children 3 and under and CROW members are free.
Enjoy Your Days Off the Beach at Sanibel’s Largest Shopping Mall
Photo from Periwinkle Place
If you are in need of the newest and latest trendy beach clothes, look no further than Periwinkle Place, the biggest shopping center on Sanibel Island. In addition to new items for your wardrobe, you can also find a variety of Sanibel Island souvenirs like sunglasses, accessories, jewelry, arts, furniture, and more.
Spend a Day at The Spa
The Kay Casperson Lifestyle Spa & Boutique, located right here at Sundial, is the perfect destination for a little indoor pampering and relaxation. The full-service spa offers services including massage, skincare, brows and lashes, waxing, hair, nails, and cosmetic applications. The spa is open 7 days a week and you can book your appointment by calling 239.395.6002.
Check out our current specials to book and save on your Sanibel Island getaway.
