Visit The New York Public Library
As one of the main attractions in New York City, the New York Public Library is an excellent thing to do in New York on a rainy day. The Schwartzman Building was dedicated on May 23, 1911, with over 1 million books and 75 miles of shelving put into place for its opening day. The New York Public Library is one of my favorite NYCs iconic Beaux-Arts style marble buildings. Dont miss the two marble lions outside the building which makes this building so recognizable.
Inside the library, there is so much more to explore. Spend hours inside by reading civil war battle maps, genealogical records and handwritten manuscripts of classic novels. It is not only stunningly beautiful inside the New York Public Library but also very educational. I actually come here quite a lot to write inside the Rose Main Reading Room. If you want, just sit down and take in the magical atmosphere.
Savor A Great Long Meal
One of the more delicious ways to kill time indoors with a group when its raining out is by indulging in a several-course tasting menu at a nice restaurant. Some of the more well known dining establishments in the city require reservations in advance to experience the tasting menus, but there are a handful of other great places that do accept walk-ins. It is still encouraged that you make a reservation, especially on popular nights out like Friday and Saturday, but Degustation in the East Village, Annisa in the West Village, Per Se in Hell’s Kitchen and The Eddy in the East Village will accommodate walk-ins whenever possible. The entire party will likely be required to participate, meaning each person in the group will have to order the tasting menu.
Degustations seven-course Chefs Tasting Menu includes dishes of Iberian, French and American influence. Annisa has inventive American cuisine offered in five- and seven-course Chefs Tasting Menus. Per Se has two nine-course tasting menus per day where no ingredient is used twice for parties that make reservations, but there is also a five-course chefs tasting menu available for walk-in guests seated in the salon. The Eddy melds flavors from around the world in its five-course tasting menu that varies nightly.
Enjoy A Spot Of Afternoon Tea
One of my all-time favorite things to do in NYC when it rains is enjoy afternoon tea with friends. There are quite a few tearooms in the city, so its easy to find a place that fits your budget. My two favorites are Alices Tea Cup and Bosie Tea Parlor, both of which are on the more affordable end of the spectrum. If doing a full afternoon tea, you can expect to pay $30+ wherever you go, but if you just want a pot of tea and a scone youll pay much less. If visiting during the work week, you likely dont need to make reservations. If visiting on the weekends, make a reservation no matter where youll be going, just to be safe.
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Its Raining During My Trip What To Do On A Rainy Day In Nyc
First of all, dont panic! NYC is a mecca of culture, entertainment, and endless things to do, even when its raining. Im sure a lot of planning went into your trip, and you werent necessarily expecting rain, but your trip is not ruined! Breath, read these tips and this list of best things to do in NYC when it rain, buy an I Love NY poncho, and enjoy your trip to NYC. Rain or shine, you will undoubtedly have a great time. And trust me, after one visit to New York City, you will want to plan a return trip anyway.
The Return Of A Legend
New York restaurants come and go, but Patsys Italian Restaurant is forever. The famed eaterywhich only has one location, right in the heart of Midtown Manhattanturns 77 this year and is only getting better. After a pandemic hiatus, the restaurant is back and better than ever. Chef Sal Scognamillo, owner and operator of Patsys Italian restaurant, is the third generation of Scognamillos to sit at the helm. The Scognamillo recipes at Patsys have remained largely unchanged. Dishes like the stuffed artichoke appetizer, eggplant parmigiana, and spaghetti and meatballs are as rich and flavorful as ever. Ingredients like meats and cheeses are sourced from other family businesses who have worked with Patsys throughout the years so every bite remains true to tradition. Patsys maintains a strong community of repeat customers who know theyll get exceptional cuisine that remains note-perfect year after year. Hours have just expanded to Tuesday through Sunday, 1-9pm. Reservations are available at 212-247-3491 during operating hours or by email at . COVID safety protocols including an air purification system, social distancing, and partitions between tables will be in effect.
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What To Do In New York City On A Rainy Day
When it starts raining, and we dont just mean a drizzle but a true downpour, New Yorkers venture inside just like anybody else would do. When youre visiting New York and the forecast suggests a downpour, you might have to adjust your schedule a bit. Luckily, New York City has plenty of indoor things to do!
To help you plan a day out in New York City on a rainy day, well highlight some of the best indoor activities in the city!
Museums
New York, being the massive city it is, offers some of the most famous and largest museums in the world. For a day out in rainy New York City, weve selected four museums that are all exciting and have enough exhibitions on display to last you at least a couple of hours!
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Museum of Modern Art
The MoMa is probably New Yorks second most famous museum. The museum of modern art contains not only paintings and sculptures, but also works of architecture, design and electronic media. Examples of highlights in the collection are The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh and Les Demoiselles dAvignon by Pablo Picasso.
Other famous artists included in the MoMa are Rousseau, Mondrian and Warhol. Admission to the MoMa is $25 for an adult, but every Friday after 4 pm the entrance to the MoMa is completely free!
- Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
- American Museum of Natural History
Shopping in Manhattan
Some of New York Citys best shops are just like museums, since you can spend an entire afternoon in them!
Eataly
How Will Rain Affect Your Us Open Tennis Tickets
It’s your worst nightmare. You trekked out to Flushing Meadows in Queens, New York, to see your favorite tennis players for the annual tournament in August and September, but the rain won’t go away.
Rain delays are not uncommon at the U.S. Open in Flushing Meadows, but to get completely rained out of a session is tough luck. The tournament staff makes every effort to let the show go on in case of wet weather, but if an all-day rain occurs, you might end up watching the Open next year.
If the weather looks bad on your scheduled U.S. Open day, go to Flushing Meadows regardless. It’s likely that the grounds crew will have tennis swinging. If it’s a real downpour, check the TV news and Open website for announcements. But don’t risk missing your day at the famed event because of a little moisture.
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Show Globes In Times Square
Walter Wlodarczyk for Times Square Alliance.
You can find a great photo op in the Theatre District as the Times Square Alliance welcomes back its holiday Show Globes. These life-size glass bubbles portray scenes inspired by Broadway smashes Aint Too ProudThe Life and Times of the Temptations, Dear Evan Hansen, The Lion King, and Wicked. You can check out the installation throughout the holiday season . Stick around the neighborhood and youll find holiday deals at shops, restaurants, and attractions.
Take A Tour Of Radio City
Radio City Music Hall is an art deco theater in midtown with quite a reputation thanks to the high kicking Rockettes.
If you want to take a peek behind the curtain, sign up for their 75-minute tour of the venue.
Youll get to hear the fascinating tale of the theaters history, check out the secret Roxy Suite, and even get a meet and greet with a Rockette!
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Go To An Ice Skating Rink
If rock climbing isnt for you, consider lacing up a pair of ice skates to take part in an activity thats long been a major part of NYC culture. There are several covered skating rinks in the city, as well as a few places where skating is held entirely indoors. At Riverbank State Park, skaters can cover their admission and the cost of skate rentals for well under $10 per person. Both engaging and economical, this is a fun way to make lasting memories, burn calories, and enjoy the great outdoors even when the weather isnt on your side.
New York City is also home to some excellent roller skating rinks, and they arent just the endless skate loop they used to be, either. Skaterobics in Brooklyn offers classes that teach you how to skate and roller dance classes for overachievers .
Fun Rainy Day Activities For Kids In Nyc
Museum of Ice Cream SoHo558 Broadway, New York, NY, 10012
Who doesnt like ice cream? Taking a tour of the Museum of Ice Cream is certain to dazzle your kids. Journey through 13 exhibits of colorful, multi-sensory installations while enjoying sweet treats. They are sure to be dazzled by the experience. The Museum of Ice Cream is open on Thursdays from 11:00 am to 5:30 pm and Friday through Sunday from 11:00 am to 6:15 pm. Admission is $39 per person. Be sure to make your reservation online.
Childrens Museum of Manhattan Upper West SideThe Tisch Building, 212 West 83rd Street, New York, NY 10024
The Childrens Museum of Manhattan is still open and offers exciting exhibits for children of all ages to enjoy. Explore their Superpowered Metropolis exhibit where they can pretend to be superheroes defending New York City. Discover and create masterpieces in their Inside Art exhibit.
Or, for your younger kids, check out their PlayWorks exhibit that has a giant talking dragon named Alphie who eats letters, sand area, a painting wall, and more! Also, they can go to the Adventures with Dora and Diego exhibit where they can learn about rain forest animals, build the walls of Rainbow bridge, or pretend to cook Latin American foods.
Admission is $15 for adults and $12 for children.
The Color Factory SoHo
251 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013
Sloomoo Institute SoHo
475 Broadway, New York, NY 10013
The Museum of Modern Art Midtown
11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019
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Tour The Morgan Library & Museum
Okay, I lied. The Morgan might be the most unique museum on this list! . The building that we now know as The Morgan Library & Museum were given to the public by financier J.P. Morgans son in 1924. The bulk of the items on display today were collected by J.P. Morgan himself, and they range from manuscripts to prints to ancient artifacts.
But the collection is only part of the reason to visit this museum the building itself is worth paying admission for! The library looks like something youd find in a medieval castle, complete with hanging wall tapestries and books guarded by metal grates. If possible, plan your visit when a walking tour is scheduled there are very few signs that describe the history of the building, so taking a docent-led tour is incredibly helpful.
The 15+ Best Indoor Activities In Nyc
5.12.19
Bad weather sucks, but that doesnt mean your trip to New York has to! Here are the best indoor activities in NYC, according to a local.
Waking up to blah weather your first day in a new city is the worst feeling. You spent so much time crafting the perfect itinerary and planned to see the city by foot, just like the locals do. But now it looks like itll start raining at any minute, and it turns out you planned for everything but the possibility of bad weather. Been there, done that!
I used to get so upset whenever the weather turned sour on vacation. Id feel like we had lost a day to bad weather, and Id get bent out of shape about our trip not being as perfect as I wanted it to be. I wont lie and say Ive learned to fully embrace unexpected bouts of rain on vacation, but after almost five years of solo travel I have learned to love cozying up indoors and taking things a bit slower.
If Im traveling during the spring or fall, instead of planning a strict itinerary Ill list a lot of activities Im interested in doing and group them together based on how close they are to each other and whether theyre indoors or outdoors. That way, when I wake up to pouring rain outside my window, I have a few backup plans for things to do when the weather is less than ideal.
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How To Pack For New York In December
You need a good winter coat! Most New Yorkers will wear down feather coats in the winter. In addition, bring hats, gloves and a scarf.
Wear layers! It is well worth it to bring base layers . Uniqlos heatech thermals are a good cheaper option.
Keep your feet warm and dry! If it rains or snows, streets may get wet, icy, and snowy for days. Winter boots are essential. As are good warm socks. Be aware when choosing boots, that the sidewalks are salted, to melt the ice. Salt may stain your leather boots!
Tour The New York Public Library
The New York Public Library is a great spot to visit on a rainy day in NYC. It is free to visit and an ideal spot for any book lover. Officially the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, but commonly referred to as the New York Public Library this library is in the Beaux-Arts style of architecture and has been opened to the public since 1911. Typically there are exhibits to visit and various rooms within the library to roam. Yet, dont miss a visit to the Rose Main Reading Room which is the most iconic spot in the library. Visiting the New York Public Library is one of the best free things to do in NYC.
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Drink At A Historic Bar
Why drink at a normal bar when you could drink at a historical one?
NYC has quite a few older bars still in operation. Youll absolutely want to hit up Fraunces Tavern, where George Washington downed a few pints.
Also, check out McSorelys Old Ale House. They still have a pair of Houdinis handcuffs attached to their bar!
White Horse Tavern is also a popular choice amongst the musical and literary history buffs. Famous imbibers include Dylan Thomas, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Bob Dylan, and Jim Morrison.
Visit Grand Central Station
Everyone should check out the starry ceiling of Grand Central Station at least once.
Besides the epic ceiling, the station itself is truly a work of art thats worth admiring. The Beaux-Arts detailing, vaulted ceilings, gorgeous light fixtures, and whispering wall are all truly must-see for anyone who admires architecture.
After youre done checking out the scenery, you can either hop on a train to another location, or grab a bite to eat at their famous oyster bar.
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Rainy Day Activities In New York City For Kids
When its raining outside, its time to bring the fun indoors. Our list of 30 rainy day activities brightens up even the dreariest day. We’ve included picks for NYC’s most kid-friendly museums, fun stores where kids can play, and plenty more parent-tested picks. Of course, if you’d rather stay cozy at home, weve got you covered there, too, with creative indoor ideas in our Guide to Boredom Busters for Kids.
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Buy Locally Made Goods At Artists & Fleas
Artists & Fleas is set up in flea market style and sells locally-made goods. There are three locations in NYC, and you can find everything from homemade and upcycled jewelry to vintage clothing to soap to greeting cards. If youre looking for a handmade souvenir, this is the place to go! You can spend a good 90 minutes at any of the Artists & Fleas locations without even buying something.
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Get Out Of Lake George & Take A Day Trip
Of course, you don’t have to stay in Lake George. A rainy day is the perfect excuse to get off the lake and explore the surrounding area. With Lake Placid, Warrensburg, Saratoga, and the rest of the Capital Region at your fingertips, there are plenty of destinations to choose from!