20 Fun Things to Do in NYC When it Rains

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New York City is one of the most exciting cities in the world, and as locals to the area, it has always felt like our backyard. But even we know that a rainy day in the city can throw a wrench in your plans, especially if you had an outdoor itinerary in mind. If you’re wondering what to do in NYC when it rains, we’ve got you covered.

We’ve spent more time in New York than we can count, and honestly some of our favorite city memories have happened on gray, drizzly days. The restaurants feel cozier, the museums are buzzing, and the city takes on a completely different kind of energy when the weather turns.

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or New York is basically your backyard like it is ours, this guide covers 15 of the best things to do in NYC when it rains, for every type of traveler and every kind of budget.

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Things to Do in NYC When it Rains: The Basics

Before diving into the activities, here are a few things worth knowing about rain in New York City so you can plan accordingly and not get caught off guard.

🌧 Does it Rain a Lot in NYC?

New York City gets a pretty solid amount of rainfall spread throughout the year, with no real dry season to speak of. Unlike some destinations where rain is concentrated in specific months, NYC can get hit with a rainy day pretty much any time of year. Spring tends to be the wettest season, and summer afternoon thunderstorms are very common, but honestly you should always be prepared for rain no matter when you visit.

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☔️ Is There Anything to Do in NYC When it Rains?

Absolutely, and plenty of it. New York City is one of the few destinations in the world where a rainy day barely slows you down. The city has some of the best museums, restaurants, markets, and indoor experiences anywhere on the planet, and many of them are actually more enjoyable when you’re escaping the rain. A rainy day in NYC is really just an excuse to slow down and experience the city in a different way.

Things to Do in NYC When it Rains

Ready to make the most of a rainy day in the city? Here are some of the best things to do in NYC when it rains, for every type of traveler and every kind of budget!

1. 🏛 Spend a Day at One of NYC’s World Class Museums

New York City has some of the best museums in the entire world, and a rainy day in NYC is honestly the perfect excuse to finally dedicate a proper chunk of time to one. Just keep in mind that museums get noticeably busier on rainy days since every other tourist in the city has the same idea. Arrive early or book tickets in advance to skip the lines.

Here are some of the top museums to check out in the city:

2. 🍦 Explore One of NYC’s Experiential Museums

If traditional museums are not really your thing, New York City has a whole other category that is equal parts fun, interactive, and incredibly photogenic. These are not your typical quiet gallery spaces. Think sprinkle pools, optical illusions, and exhibits you can actually touch, hear, and play in.

3. 🌀 Step Inside an Immersive Exhibition

New York City has become one of the leading destinations in the world for immersive art and exhibition experiences, and they are absolutely perfect for a rainy day. These are the kinds of experiences that are genuinely hard to find anywhere else, and come and go with the seasons.

While there are plenty of pop-up exhibitions to look forward to, two places that typically have some of the best immersive exhibitions are Artechouse in Chelsea, and Genesis House, which is also nearby.

4. 🎨 Gallery Hop Around the City

Beyond the big museums, New York City is packed with world class art galleries, many of which are completely free to enter. Chelsea is the undisputed hub for gallery hopping, with dozens of incredible spaces packed into just a few blocks.

The Lower East Side and Bushwick in Brooklyn are also great for discovering emerging artists and more experimental work. A rainy afternoon spent wandering from gallery to gallery with a coffee in hand is one of the most underrated things to do in NYC when it rains, and it won’t cost you a thing.

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5. 🎭 Catch a Broadway Show

There are very few better ways to spend a rainy afternoon or evening in New York City than experiencing Broadway theater. New York is the theater capital of the world, and whether you are into big flashy musicals, intimate dramas, or star-studded revivals, there is always something incredible playing.

Tickets can be pricey if booked far in advance, but the TKTS booth in Times Square sells same-day discounted tickets for a wide range of shows, which is perfect if you wake up to rain and need a last minute plan.

6. 😂 See a Live Comedy Show

New York City is one of the greatest cities in the world for live comedy, and a rainy evening is the perfect time to take advantage of it. The Comedy Cellar in the West Village is probably the most famous, known for surprise drop-ins from some of the biggest names in comedy.

Gotham Comedy Club and the New York Comedy Club are also great options with shows running most nights of the week. It is affordable, hilarious, and one of those experiences that feels distinctly and wonderfully New York.

7. ☕️ Cafe Hop Around the City

New York City has an incredible cafe scene, and a rainy day is the best possible excuse to slow down and work your way through some of the best ones.

From cozy neighborhood spots to cafes that double as flower shops, you could spend an entire rainy day in NYC just cafe hopping. Each neighborhood has its own vibe, so let the rain guide you from one to the next.

👉🏻 Coming soon: our favorite cafes in NYC

8. 🍜 Graze Through an Iconic NYC Food Hall

New York City’s food halls are some of the best in the world, and they are an ideal rainy day activity in NYC for anyone who wants to eat well without committing to a single spot. Graze your way through a few stalls, grab a drink, and let the rain do its thing outside.

Here are a few popular food halls in NYC you can check out:

9. 🛍 Go Shopping

New York City is one of the best shopping destinations on the planet, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to finally dedicate some real time to it. From the luxury boutiques of Fifth Avenue and the vintage stores of the East Village to the indie shops of Williamsburg and the massive department stores of Midtown, there is something for every taste and every budget.

SoHo is particularly great for a rainy day since the shops are close together and easy to duck in and out of without getting completely soaked.

10. 🧖🏻‍♀️ Treat Yourself to a Spa Day

A gray rainy day in the city is honestly the perfect excuse to book a spa treatment and do absolutely nothing for a few hours. New York City has some incredible options, and Aire Ancient Baths in SoHo is at the top of our list.

It is a stunning subterranean bathhouse inspired by ancient Roman, Greek, and Ottoman bathing rituals, with thermal pools, aromatherapy baths, and candlelit cave-like spaces that feel completely removed from the chaos of the city above. Bathhouse in Brooklyn is another fantastic option with a more modern vibe. Either way, a spa day in NYC when it rains is an absolute treat.

11. 🏙 Head Up to an Observation Deck

This might sound like an odd choice for a rainy day, but hear us out. Several of NYC’s observation decks have incredible indoor experiences that are worth doing regardless of the weather. On a moody overcast day the city skyline takes on a dramatic look that is honestly worth seeing.

Here are a few of our favorite observatories in NYC:

12. 🎰 Wander Through Chelsea Market

Chelsea Market is one of our favorite indoor destinations in all of New York City, and it is an absolute perfect rainy day activity. The sprawling indoor food hall and market sits inside a stunning former Nabisco factory building and is packed with food vendors, restaurants, specialty shops, and even art installations.

You could easily spend two to three hours here between eating, browsing, and exploring. It is also conveniently located right next to the High Line, which you can save for when the weather clears up.

13. 🎶 Catch a Live Music Show

New York City is one of the greatest music cities in the world, and on any given night there are hundreds of live performances happening across the five boroughs. From intimate jazz clubs in the West Village like the legendary Village Vanguard, to live music bars in Brooklyn and bigger venue shows, a rainy night in NYC is the perfect time to catch some live music.

Check local listings on the day and you will almost always find something great happening somewhere in the city.

14. 🍸 Hunt Down a Speakeasy or Themed Bar

New York City has some of the most creative and unique bars in the world, and a rainy evening is the perfect time to discover them.

The city is full of hidden speakeasies, elaborate themed cocktail bars, and cozy neighborhood spots that feel made for a gray day.

Our personal favorite is UES, which is an ice-cream looking shop that leads to an underground speakeasy with Sex & the City vibes.

15. 📚 Browse a Bookstore or Library

New York City has some of the most beloved independent bookstores in the country, and browsing them on a rainy day in NYC is one of those simple pleasures that never gets old. Most of these stores have cozy reading nooks and attached cafes, making them the perfect place to while away a few hours when it is miserable outside.

Alternatively, exploring the libraries in the city is an equally rewarding activity. The NYC Public Library is a must, and the Morgan Library is another gem.

16. 👨‍🍳 Take a Cooking Class

New York City has an incredible range of cooking classes for every level and every cuisine, and they make for one of the most fun and social things to do in NYC when it rains. Whether you want to learn how to make fresh pasta, perfect your knife skills, or dive into a specific cuisine, there is a class for it in New York. It is a great option for couples, groups of friends, or solo travelers looking to meet people.

17. 🎨 Try a Paint and Sip

Paint and sip studios have taken off in a big way in New York City, and they are a perfect rainy day activity for any group. You don’t need to have any artistic ability whatsoever, and that is one of the things that makes it so fun.

Grab a glass of wine, follow along with the instructor, and see what happens. It is cute, creative, and always a good laugh.

18. 🔨 Join a Workshop

Rainy days are the perfect excuse to learn something new, and New York has no shortage of creative workshops where you walk in a beginner and walk out with something you actually made. Here are some of the best:

19. 🔐 Do an Escape Room

Escape rooms are one of the best things to do in NYC when it rains, especially if you are traveling with a group. New York City has some of the most elaborate and well designed escape rooms in the country, with themes ranging from thriller mysteries to full theatrical productions.

Escape the Room NYC and Komnata Quest are both highly rated options, and if you really want to go all out, Accomplice New York takes the concept to the streets with a live action mystery experience that is unlike anything else.

Make sure to book in advance as the best rooms fill up fast, especially on rainy weekends!

20. 🌆 Take Creative Rainy Photos

Hear us out on this one. Some of the most magical moments in New York City happen in the rain. The reflections on the wet streets, the steam rising from the subway grates, the quieter sidewalks, and the moody skyline all make for an incredibly cinematic experience.

Grab a good umbrella, wear waterproof shoes, and get creative with your camera. Some of our favorite NYC memories have happened on rainy days when we decided to go for it anyway.

Check out our guide to 16 favorite Instagrammable places in NYC because honestly, a rainy New York City is one of the most photogenic versions of the city there is, and is a great way to get crowded places to yourself!

What to Do in NYC When it Rains: Final Tips & What’s Next

Now you know exactly what to do in NYC when it rains, and hopefully it has shown you that a rainy day in New York is really not something to stress about. If anything, it is an opportunity to experience the city in a completely different way than most tourists do.

⭐️ A Few Final Tips Before You Go:

Whether you are a first time visitor or a regular, New York City in the rain has a magic that can be appreciated. Embrace it, plan ahead, and you will have an incredible time no matter what the weather throws at you.

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👀 What’s Next?

Now that you know all of the fun things to do in NYC in spring, here are some other guides to help you plan your trip:

So are you ready to enjoy all of the fun things to do in NYC when it rains? We hope this guide has helped you see that no matter what the weather is like, the city can still be enjoyed immensely.

Looking for more info about visiting New York City? Don’t miss out on our other New York travel guides! Also, make sure to join to our newsletter so you can get updates on our most recent articles each week, along with exclusive discounts on our shop.

Ready to start planning the most epic trip to NYC? We can help! As locals, we love designing customized New York itineraries and also can take care of all of the stressful travel arrangements. To learn more, take a look at our travel planning packages.

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