Yet, there is something romantic about a rainy day, especially in New York City. From the stunning fog that buries the skyline, to little raindrops that fall onto your windowsill. Just because the weather isn’t on your side doesn’t mean there aren’t things to do! So, here are 25 of our favorite rainy day activities you can do to enjoy NYC when the weather’s a little disagreeable!
1-8. Explore New York’s many museums
NYC is known for it’s incredible museums and exceptional art exhibits! From science museums to history museums, and everything in between, you can spend hours at one of the countless institutions across NYC. Heck, some of them are even free! Check out some of our favorites below and purchase tickets now.
- The Museum of Failure
- The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
- Museum of the City of New York
- Whitney Museum of American Art
- Superfunland at the Museum of Sex
- Titanic: The Exhibition
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- The Museum of Natural History
9-10. Go indoor golfing
You may think as golfing is an outdoor sport, but you can definitely still play indoors when it’s raining! Get some reps in at the heated and weather protected driving range at Chelsea Piers, or challenge your friends and family to a game of mini golf at Swingers in Midtown. Either spot is perfect to grab some food and drinks while practicing your swing!
- Chelsea Piers, 59 Chelsea Piers
- Swinger’s, 35 W 29th St
11. See a movie
Nothing is quite like going to see a brand new movie when it’s dreary and gross out. Snuggling up with a box of popcorn and a large soda just hits different when it’s raining! Plus, depending on where you go in the city, you can even try out luxurious spots with recliners, full food menus, and a whole lot more. Make your next movies plan and buy your ticket here.
12-17. Grab a cocktail at a secret speakeasy
There are endless hidden gems to discover in New York City, you just have to know where to look. From back rooms that were actually around in the 1920’s to hidden doors inside bodega’s, here are some of our favorite spaces we think everyone has to try at least once. Here’s our list:
- The Office of Mr. Moto, East Village
- The Woo Woo, Times Square
- Attaboy, Lower East Side (ranked no. 1 bar in North America)
- Pine & Polk, SoHo
- SAINT, East Village
- Paper Planes, Lower East Side
18. Hide away with a book in the New York Public Library
When its cold and rainy out, there’s nothing better to do than curl up with a good book! And what better place to hide out than the New York Public Library? The Fifth Ave flagship’s beautiful Rose Reading Room provides the perfect spot to curl up and take in the gorgeous art and architecture.
Where: 476 5th Ave
19. Head to this indoor adventure park in Brooklyn
Williamsburg’s Area 53 has always been known for paintball, but they also opened an incredible indoor adventure park in the massive warehouse next door! Located at 616 Scholes Street, the venue’s 40,o00-square-foot Indoor Adventure Park first opened back in May. It looks like the ultimate space for a fun date, hangout with friends, or even company get-together because it has practically EVERY fun activity you could be looking for…Oh — and you can enjoy it no matter what the weather is! Read more here.
20-24. Get work done at a coffee shop
Or await your always dreamed of meet-cute to happen as you sip on your latte! Either way cozy inside from the rain (at limited capacity of course) and try some of the best java the city has to offer! here are a few of our suggestions, but you can read the full list here.
- Intelligentsia, Chelsea
- Astoria Coffee, Astoria
- Ground Support, SoHo
- Hi-Collar, East Village
- Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Greenwich Village or Flatiron
25. Check out a Broadway play
Broadway’s 41 official theaters across NYC are begging to be explored (at least for a few hours on a rainy day). Taking in one of these jaw-dropping productions that happens only here in New York is something you won’t find elsewhere. The best part is that there are so many to choose from, so there’s something bound to interest you. Check out all of the best Broadway plays coming this year here.
26. Check out a sports game
If you’re a sports fan, be sure to check out one of NYC’s teams if it’s rainy. Of course, Madison Square Garden hosts the New York Knicks, New York Rangers and lots of college games, plus the Barclays Center, who hosts the Brooklyn Nets, New York Liberty, Harlem Globetrotters, and a whole lot more! You may be able to see some of your favorite players while you’re in town.
27. Catch a comedy show
NYC attracts some of the largest comedians around, especially since many even started their careers right here in the city! Whether you’re looking for some laughs at the world famous Comedy Cellar, or nestle into a hole in the wall comedy show, you’re sure to find something near you! Check out our favorite comedy clubs in NYC here.
28-30. Eat your way through NYC’s yummy food halls
We have the best food in the world…and that’s a fact! Especially at our food markets, where congregations of different vendors serve their delectable creations on the daily, how could you say no? From Chinese food to sweet treats, these different food halls are stacked to the brim with whatever you may be craving that day! Check out some of our favorites below:
- Chelsea Market, Chelsea
- Urban Hawker, Midtown
- UrbanSpace, Union Square