15 Indoor Things to Do in NYC

Are you anticipating rain in NYC and looking for things to do when it rains? Or maybe you’re simply curious about indoor things to do in NYC. The fact is NYC has its fair share of inclement weather. But that does not mean you have to sit on the couch and wait for the weather to get better. Regardless of whether it is sunny or rainy, there are plenty of interesting things to do in NYC. Weather shouldn’t stop you from having fun in NYC, and our list of indoor activities in NYC will prove it.

1) Hit the Bowling Lanes

 NYC has lots of things to do when it rains. Whether you are with your family, friends, or partner, bowing is an excellent indoor activity. At Frames Bowling NYC, you can play billiards, enjoy karaoke, play ping pong, and, of course, go bowling. Even if the available activities are unappealing to your tastes, you can always relax and enjoy a cocktail in Frames’ luxurious lounge.

2) Enjoy a Day at the Spa

If you haven’t enjoyed some “me” time lately, an inclement day is a perfect time to give it a shot. There is an endless list of options when it comes to spas in NYC, and a spa day is guaranteed to leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed, regardless of the weather.

3) Visit a Museum

New York City is home to some of the finest museums in the United States. There are world-class museums with mind-boggling exhibits in the city. Whether it is raining or sunny outside, you can spend all day in a cozy and mesmerizing environment in any of the museums in NYC while admiring the wonders of the natural world and the masterpieces of art and design. And, even better, some museums offer admission free of charge.

4) Visit the Library

If anything from the above list didn’t appeal to you, consider visiting one of NYC’s many public libraries. Grab a newspaper, magazine, or book and relax at a quiet table in the corner and lose yourself as you leaf through the pages. The library is a great place to enjoy quiet time on rainy and snowy days.

5) Visit Grand Central Station

Not interested in going all the way to Staten Island to see the Statue of Liberty? How about visiting Grand Central Station. It is one of New York City’s landmark buildings and self-guided audio tours are available to its visitors. You can even enjoy a meal from any of the many food vendors on the lower level’s Dining Concourse.

6) Go on a Shopping Spree

When it comes to shopping, hardly any other place comes close to NYC. The fortunate thing is that you have many places to choose from in the city despite the current weather conditions.  You can visit stores like Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s, and Macy’s rain or shine.  If smaller retail shops are more your thing, visit The Shops at Columbus Circle.

7) Hit Up a Bar with Games

New York City’s nightlife is not just about dance clubs and lounges. You can always find plenty of places for different kinds of fun, like the Brooklyn Bowl, in Williamsburg. This bowling alley has live music from local musicians as well as popular bands. Brooklyn Bowl serves food from Blue Ribbon.

Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club is another fun place to visit in Brooklyn. There are also places like the skeeball.

8) Give Rock Climbing a Try

If you are looking for a more exciting activity, indoor rock climbing will undoubtedly send your heart rate soaring. There are several gyms in NYC that offer rock climbing, one of which is Brooklyn Boulders. They also offer fitness classes for youth and adults. Brooklyn Boulders offers individual and group rock climbing sessions that cater to people with all experience levels.

9) Ice Skating

Perhaps rock climbing isn’t your thing. Consider lacing up a pair of ice skates to take part in ice skating. This activity has been a significant part of NYC culture for centuries. There are ice skating rinks sprinkled throughout the city. One rink, Riverbank State Park, is indoors, making it a great place to get your ice skating fix year-round. They charge $10 per person, which includes admission to the rink as well as the cost of your skate rental. It is an economical and engaging activity, and great for making memories.

In addition to ice skating, you can also find some excellent roller skating rinks in NYC. Check out Skaterobics in Brooklyn; they offer skating lessons and roller dance classes.

10) How About a Movie?

Watching a movie in a theater in New York City is a whole other vibe. Besides the number of cinemas available, there are cinemas like the Angelika Film Center, which shows foreign films and documentaries that you’d be unlikely to find in a typical movie theatre. You may also find unconventional fare in the movie theater at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

If you want to spend a perfect night doing outside activities, combine dinner with a movie at Nitehawk Cinema in Williamsburg. This theater serves dinner at the table right in front of your posh theater seat. Fans of history films should visit Astoria, Queens, home of the Museum of the Moving Image.

11) Go for a Hot Tub Boat Tour

If you happen to be in NYC and experience inclement weather,  it doesn’t mean you cannot still visit all of the most popular sites and attractions that the city has to offer. A unique attraction you can enjoy, rain or shine is a hot tub boat tour.

Hot tub boat tours depart from Manhattan and last about an hour and a half. You can relax in chlorinated but soothing and professionally maintained spas that are built into the boat deck and covered by large canopies. This activity is perfect for small groups of friends and couples; you can even take your wine and beer along with you.

12) Paley Center for Media

If you’re interested in exhibits related to the evolution and impact of the internet, radio, television, or other digital technologies, go to the Paley Center. It has a library of more than 160,000 TV and radio shows and commercials that visitors can access. In addition, the Paley center hosts screenings of classic episodes and films.

themed Full Circle Bar where you can bowl, play table tennis, and enjoy nightclubs.

13) Visit the United Nations

Many may not be aware, but the United Nations offers tours of its NYC offices. Tickets are required for weekday guided tours.

14) Enjoy the Staten Island Ferry

You don’t have to restrict yourself to all indoors; you can also escape the elements, even if only for a little while, aboard the Staten Island Ferry. While riding the ferry, you can enjoy stunning views of the Statue of Liberty.

15) Have Lunch in Your Favorite Restaurant

Maybe this is the time to hit your favorite restaurant and enjoy lunch with friends or enjoy a cup of coffee alone.

Final Thoughts

NYC is a city full of life. It’s known for its vibrance and energy. The city has so much to offer, whether they are residents or tourists year-round; there is no shortage of indoor activities in NYC. So, don’t be concerned that you’ll be unable to find a list of what to do indoors while in NYC. Explore the variety of indoor activities in NYC regardless of the weather.

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