“New Yorkers are inclined to assume it will never rain, and certainly not on New Yorkers.”
-Brooks Atkinson
While there is no shortage of things to do in New York City, some things become a bit less enjoyable in the rain. I certainly wouldn’t want to be standing on the Top of the Rock(efeller Center) getting soaked and windblown. So, take it from a local, here are the best things to do in NYC on a rainy day.
New York’s climate is often humid, and that makes for plentiful rain all year. While New York isn’t known for its rain like Seattle or London, we get our fair share of precipitation. In fact, I always keep an umbrella in my backpack when I’m out and about the city (just in case).
If you’re worried Mother Nature might thwart your plans, fear not! Whether you are spending a weekend in NYC or looking for rainy day date ideas, there are plenty of indoor things to do in New York City. You can stay nice and dry while still enjoying the best of the Big Apple.
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Things to Do in NYC on a Rainy Day
Go to a Museum
One of the most common things to do in NYC on a rainy day is go to a museum. While this might seem like a boring suggestion, I promise it doesn’t have to be.
There are over 170 museums in all the boroughs of New York combined. Odds are you can probably find one that sounds interesting to you. You could hit one of the classics, like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or try one off the beaten path, like the Museum of Sex. (Yep, it’s a real place.)
Here are some examples of museums to visit in NYC on a rainy day:
Art Museums in NYC
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) (book your entry ticket here)
- Whitney Museum of American Art
Museums in NYC for History Buffs
- American Museum of Natural History (book your entry ticket here)
- Lower East Side Tenement Museum
- New York Historical Society
Museums for Trains, Planes, and Boats
- New York Transit Museum
- Intrepid Museum
- South Street Seaport Museum
- SPYSCAPE Spy Museum
Museums for the Performing Arts
- Museum of Broadway (book your entry ticket here)
- Louis Armstrong House
- New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Pro Tip: Check your desired museum’s website for ticket info. Some museums offer days of free entry, pay-what-you-can, and/or a discount for New York residents.
See a Play or Musical
When my dad came to visit recently, one of our rainy day activities in New York City was seeing Spamalot on Broadway. Not only can you escape from the elements when you enter a theater, but you can also escape from real life for a few hours.
Seeing a show is one of the best things to do in NYC on any day, but especially if it’s raining. Many Broadway and Off-Broadway shows have matinee performances on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Maybe by the time you get out of an afternoon show the rain will have stopped!
Shows in New York tend to be a bit pricey. However, there are ways to get discounted tickets, even day-of tickets.
Here are several ways to score discounted tickets in NYC on a rainy day:
- Rush Tickets: Many theaters will hold a certain number of “rush tickets” to be sold the day-of. Get to the box office about an hour before it opens, and you will most likely be rewarded with tickets that cost around $40 each.
- TodayTix: With this ticketing app you don’t even have to leave the safety of your apartment or hotel. Just select the show, date, and time of the show you want to see.
- TKTS: This discounted ticket booth is located right in Times Square. Available tickets vary from day to day, so pick your top three shows to see and try your luck.
Take a Class
If you’re looking for something a little different to do in NYC on a rainy day, why not try a new hobby? There are countless beginner classes in the city for all kinds of interests. One of the most beautiful things about New York is that there is something for everyone.
If you’re looking for rainy-day date ideas in NYC, learning a new skill together can be a fun alternative to just going out for food or drinks.
Food and Drink Classes for a Rainy Day in NYC
- Learn to make signature New York bagels at the Bagel Market (make your reservation here).
- Discover delicious wine and cheese pairings and why they go together at Murray’s Cheese.
- Step into a New York speakeasy and make your own Prohibition cocktails (book your spot here).
Arts & Crafts Classes for a Rainy Day in NYC
- Try your hand at painting (and BYOB) at Paint & Sip Studio New York.
- Take a turn at the pottery wheel at one of the four locations of Pottery Studio 1.
- Enter your Grandma Era and learn Knitting 101 at Brooklyn Craft Company.
Sporty Classes for a Rainy Day in NYC
- Channel your inner Legolas at Gotham Archery with a beginner archery lesson.
- Take an Intro to Climbing class at Brooklyn Boulders.
- Put on your dancing shoes and take a beginning swing dance class at NYC Swings.
Attend a Game
It’s hard to imagine a giant sports arena sitting in the middle of Manhattan, but that’s exactly where Madison Square Garden is. Known as “The World’s Most Famous Arena,” MSG, or The Garden, it can be found right on 34th Street. One of the best things to do on a rainy day in NYC is going to a game at MSG.
MSG is home to the New York basketball team, the Knicks, and the hockey team, the New York Rangers. During the NBA and NHL seasons, The Garden hosts games for both teams…sometimes on the same day! MSG will also host events like college basketball, boxing, wrestling, and even bull-riding contests.
Alternatively, if you’re in Brooklyn, you could go to Barclays Center, which is home to the Brooklyn Nets basketball team. Like MSG, Barclays will also host college basketball games and other sporting events.
Even if you’re not a sports fan, going to a game in NYC can be a lot of fun. During commercial breaks, they include amusing contests and performances to keep you entertained. I had a great time recently watching a Rangers game with my dad.
Catch a Movie
Another one of my favorite things to do in NYC on a rainy day is to head to a movie theater. It’s a classic option, but with New York being New York, there are lots of cinemas to choose from.
If you want to catch current releases, there are AMCs and Regal Cinemas throughout the city, with movie times starting as early as 9:15 am and going as late as 11:45 pm.
You can combine dinner and a movie and go to one of the Alamo Drafthouse or Nitehawk Cinema locations. Your drinks and food are served right to your seat, so you can sit back and relax. These theaters tend to show both current hits and cult classics.
Alternatively, you could go to one of New York’s independent movie theaters, like the IFC Center, Film Forum, or Angelika Film Center. These places show a little bit of everything- from indie, silent, and foreign language films to the annual collection of Oscar-nominated shorts.
Get Cozy at a Book Bar
One of my favorite things to do inside in New York City on a cold, dreary day is to settle in at a cozy bar. NYC has a surprising number of bars that have real wood-burning fireplaces, which are a great way to dry off from the rain.
The city also has quite a few book bars. You can browse and purchase books for sale, then grab a seat at the bar to enjoy a coffee or glass of wine, while diving into one of those books.
Some of my favorite cozy bars to visit in NYC on a rainy day are:
- Black Mountain Wine House (Brooklyn): This cozy spot has a real fireplace and an amazing wine selection.
- Book Club (Manhattan): Half bookstore/half bar, you can find your next read here and get comfy.
- Union Hall (Brooklyn): This spot feels like a gentleman’s study, full of cushy leather seats and bookshelves.
For a full list, check out my 7 Cozy Bars in NYC for Book Lovers post here!
Go Bowling
No matter your age, one of the best things to do in New York on a rainy day is to try your skills at a bowling alley. Whether you’re any good or not, it doesn’t matter; at least you’re warm and dry.
Much like going to the movies, going bowling in New York City doesn’t have to be your run-of-the-mill experience. Some bowling alleys combine bowling with a bar, with live music or dance events. Bowling is another great option for rainy day date ideas in NYC.
Some places to go bowling in NYC are:
- The Gutter NYC (Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens): With vintage vibes and craft beers, you’ll forget this bowling alley is in NYC.
- Frames Bowling Lounge (Manhattan): Conveniently located near Times Square, Frames also has billiards and ping pong tables.
- Brooklyn Bowl (Brooklyn): This establishment is a music venue that just happens to also offer bowling during the day.
Try Mini Golfing Indoors
If you’re looking for fun date ideas when it’s raining in NYC, might I suggest mini golfing? You can chat and challenge each other, without having to brave the elements.
Several indoor mini golfing spots in the city make it as fun as it was when you were a kid. (Plus now you can add adult beverages if you so choose.)
Check out these indoor miniature golf courses in NYC to visit on a rainy day:
- Swingers (Manhattan): This vintage-y English golf “club” has the option of three different courses, plus cocktail bars and food truck vendors throughout.
- Shipwrecked (Brooklyn): This mini golf course was originally an outdoor course in Maryland. All 18 holes were transported to Red Hook, Brooklyn, where it is living a new life as a family-friendly themed amusement. (There’s also an arcade!)
- Puttery (Manhattan): The newest indoor mini golf location in the city has two course options: the Lodge or the Museum, with corresponding cocktail and food menus.
I hope this post has given you some ideas for indoor things to do in NYC on a rainy day! New York is such a big city, there is plenty to see and do, no matter the weather.
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