See and do · Things to do · 2026
The best rainy day things to do in New York.
Every one from my own visits, updated September 2026. 22 places.
Rainy days in New York City have a way of throwing a curveball into travel plans. Unpredictable weather can have you scrambling for a plan B. The good news is there’s actually lots of great things to do in New York City on a rainy day!
I’ve spent years coming up with various rainy-day activities for myself as well as out-of-town guests. Thankfully, the fun doesn’t have to stop when the forecast predicts rain. Let’s dive right in!
- Aire Ancient BathsOtherChanneling ancient Greek and Roman bathhouses, visiting the spa at Aire Ancient Baths is a rejuvenating experience to do in NYC on a rainy day.
- Chelsea MarketMarket · Meatpacking DistrictToday, Chelsea Market is home to over 35 vendors, serving up an eclectic mix of artisanal foods, from fresh seafood to gourmet cheeses and international delicacies.
- Comedy CellarOther · West VillageRather than headliners, this comedy club offers 5-7 performers a night, each performing a 20-minute skit.
- Essex MarketMarketThe Essex Market has been around since 1940 officially (unofficially since the 1880s) and has served as a food gathering place for New Yorkers for 80 years.
- Evil TwinOtherA few of my favorites include Evil Twin, Other Half (especially their Domino Park location), and Focal Point.
- Focal PointOtherA few of my favorites include Evil Twin, Other Half (especially their Domino Park location), and Focal Point.
- Frick CollectionMuseumFrom the colossal Metropolitan Museum of Art (the 5th largest museum in the world) to the more intimate Frick Collection, there are endless opportunities to explore the city’s robust art scene.
- Grand Central Oyster BarRestaurant
- Grand Central TerminalLandmarkAveraging 750,000 visitors daily, the main hall of this iconic Beaux Arts building is quite a busy hub, and the star of the show here is the magnificent celestial ceiling.
- Great Jones DistilleryOtherGreat Jones Distillery offers tastings and tours of the distillery.
- Industry CityOther · BrooklynSpanning an impressive 35 acres, Industry City is a cool waterfront complex of abandoned buildings that have been transformed into a dynamic mix of shops, breweries, and great restaurants.
- Keen's Pub BarBar · MidtownThankfully, there’s no shortage of great whiskey bars in NYC to choose from.
- Lincoln CenterTheater · Upper West SideSeeing a performance at the Lincoln Center, one of the world’s leading performing arts centers is a quintessential NYC experience.
- Ludlow Lobby BarBar · Lower East SideThankfully, there’s no shortage of great whiskey bars in NYC to choose from.
- Madison Square GardenOther · KoreatownAs such, catching an NBA game at the Madison Square Garden (home to the New York Knicks) is a great call.
- ManhattaBar · Financial DistrictThankfully, there’s no shortage of great whiskey bars in NYC to choose from.
- Metropolitan Museum of ArtMuseumFrom the colossal Metropolitan Museum of Art (the 5th largest museum in the world) to the more intimate Frick Collection, there are endless opportunities to explore the city’s robust art scene.
- New York Public Library (Polonsky Exhibition)MuseumThe exhibition is free tour, which is mind-blowing, considering visitors can see Thomas Jefferson’s handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence (one of 26 known copies in the world).
- Platform by the James Beard Foundation at Pier 57OtherMy favorite spot for cooking classes is the Platform by the James Beard Foundation at Pier 57.
- Strand BookstoreStoreFounded in 1927, the Strand is the city’s most famous bookstore.
- The Campbell BarBar · MidtownThe Campbell serves as an elegant bar with sky-high ceilings and great drinks including one of the most memorable martinis in New York City.
- Travel BarBar · BrooklynThankfully, there’s no shortage of great whiskey bars in NYC to choose from.
Aire Ancient Baths
Other · 88 Franklin St, New York, NY
Channeling ancient Greek and Roman bathhouses, visiting the spa at Aire Ancient Baths is a rejuvenating experience to do in NYC on a rainy day.
Chelsea Market
Market · Meatpacking District · 75 9th Ave, New York, NY
Today, Chelsea Market is home to over 35 vendors, serving up an eclectic mix of artisanal foods, from fresh seafood to gourmet cheeses and international delicacies.
Comedy Cellar
Other · West Village · 117 MacDougal St, New York, NY
Rather than headliners, this comedy club offers 5-7 performers a night, each performing a 20-minute skit.
Essex Market
Market
The Essex Market has been around since 1940 officially (unofficially since the 1880s) and has served as a food gathering place for New Yorkers for 80 years.
Evil Twin
Other
A few of my favorites include Evil Twin, Other Half (especially their Domino Park location), and Focal Point.
Focal Point
Other
A few of my favorites include Evil Twin, Other Half (especially their Domino Park location), and Focal Point.
Frick Collection
Museum
From the colossal Metropolitan Museum of Art (the 5th largest museum in the world) to the more intimate Frick Collection, there are endless opportunities to explore the city’s robust art scene.
Grand Central Oyster Bar
Restaurant
Of these, my favorite is easily the Grand Central Oyster Bar, one of the most famous restaurants in all of New York City that’s been serving fresh oysters and seafood dishes for more than 110 years (since 1913).
Grand Central Terminal
Landmark
Averaging 750,000 visitors daily, the main hall of this iconic Beaux Arts building is quite a busy hub, and the star of the show here is the magnificent celestial ceiling.
Great Jones Distillery
Other
Great Jones Distillery offers tastings and tours of the distillery.
Industry City
Other · Brooklyn · 220 36th St, Brooklyn, NY
Spanning an impressive 35 acres, Industry City is a cool waterfront complex of abandoned buildings that have been transformed into a dynamic mix of shops, breweries, and great restaurants.
Keen's Pub Bar
Bar · Midtown
Thankfully, there’s no shortage of great whiskey bars in NYC to choose from.
Lincoln Center
Theater · Upper West Side · Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY
Seeing a performance at the Lincoln Center, one of the world’s leading performing arts centers is a quintessential NYC experience.
Ludlow Lobby Bar
Bar · Lower East Side
Thankfully, there’s no shortage of great whiskey bars in NYC to choose from.
Madison Square Garden
Other · Koreatown
As such, catching an NBA game at the Madison Square Garden (home to the New York Knicks) is a great call.
Manhatta
Bar · Financial District
Thankfully, there’s no shortage of great whiskey bars in NYC to choose from.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Museum
From the colossal Metropolitan Museum of Art (the 5th largest museum in the world) to the more intimate Frick Collection, there are endless opportunities to explore the city’s robust art scene.
New York Public Library (Polonsky Exhibition)
Museum · 476 5th Ave, New York, NY
The exhibition is free tour, which is mind-blowing, considering visitors can see Thomas Jefferson’s handwritten copy of the Declaration of Independence (one of 26 known copies in the world).
Platform by the James Beard Foundation at Pier 57
Other
My favorite spot for cooking classes is the Platform by the James Beard Foundation at Pier 57.
The Campbell Bar
Bar · Midtown
The Campbell serves as an elegant bar with sky-high ceilings and great drinks including one of the most memorable martinis in New York City.
Travel Bar
Bar · Brooklyn
Thankfully, there’s no shortage of great whiskey bars in NYC to choose from.
Best rainy day things to do in New York, 2026
The seal
Every place on this list can show it. It links back here, so a reader sees the whole list and how it was made. No fee.
The full guide, with the ones that didn't make it and why: 24 Fool-Proof Rainy Day Activities in New York City.