NYC City Guide

33 Most Fun Indoor Activities in NYC to Brighten a Rainy Day

by: Gabrielle Lamontagne

Last Updated on Jan 10th 2024

When the rain starts pouring down, everyone's high spirits seem to fall with it — you need a fun indoor activity in NYC to keep you feeling uplifted during cold and damp weather!

An article from the Association for Psychological Science by Andrew Merluzzi about a study of how emotions affect our overall cognitive processes states:

“On sunny days in early spring, participants tended to say they were happy and fulfilled, whereas on cold and rainy days just the opposite was true; overall, they were basing their life satisfaction on their momentary feelings.”

Don't let yourself sink into seasonal depression just because the sun is hiding — do something fun instead!

So, what is there to do indoors in New York? Here are 33 indoor activities in NYC for adults and children to get you started.

Creative Indoor Activities in NYC

1. Paint and Sip Events

Brighten up your view on a rainy day with some paint and delicious beverages when you attend paint and sip in NYC. Brush beautiful colors across the canvas as you follow along to recreate any of a variety of lovely pictures.

Paint dazzling New York City skylines to take home as a memento if you're visiting, or locals can sip as they paint a relaxing beach scene.

paint and sip indoor activities in NYC — *via Canva*

2. Pottery Classes

Spin some dishes or vases of your own when you take pottery classes in NYC. It might be messier than a wet walk in the rain, but it'll also be a lot more exciting! Cozy up and make it a romantic date night or get a girls group to go and make your own jewelry dishes or flower pots.

3. Dance Classes

Learn to swing your sweetheart around the floor with dance classes in NYC. Then you'll be able to re-enact a scene from Singing in the Rain on your way back to your apartment or enjoy your next visit to a jazz club tenfold.

If you'd rather not leave home, why not try some online dance classes? Either way, these make for lovely indoor date ideas!

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4. Immersive Theater

Check out a fun and interactive show. Usually, a smaller theater like St. Ann's Warehouse is convenient for this kind of experience. You'll love the feeling of being a part of the show itself and you may exit with a new kind of euphoria.

There are some superb indoor activities in Brooklyn and indoor activities in Manhattan like this if you can find them.

5. Famous Museums

A rainy day is a perfect excuse to spend hours staring at art or discovering history in one of the various notorious locations in NYC — like The Metropolitan Museum of Art or The New York Hall of Science. These are traditional and also thought-provoking indoor activities in NYC for couples.

hanging art and large statues in a museum — *via Canva*

6. Music and Media Venues

See what indoor activities in NYC are on at famous or niche venues like Radio City Hall, movie theaters with special niches, Lincoln Center (opera, ballet, etc.) and Paley Center for Media which has an incredible library of TV shows, radio shows, and more!

7. Comedy Clubs

Laughter is the best medicine for a rainy, cold day. Find your local comedy club for a break from the deluge outside. This is one fantastic idea for indoor activities in NYC for couples. What could make a better option for date ideas in NYC?

8. Chelsea Piers and Indoor Sports

Chelsea Piers has a variety of fun activities in NYC for adults, including bowling, ice skating, rock climbing and a weather-proof golf driving range, so winter activities abound!

You could also bring your own alcohol and friends to Shark's Pool Club for a day of playing pool. There are also bars with games like axe throwing and mini golf — perfect for winter date ideas.

Foodie Indoor Activities in NYC

9. Cooking Classes

What better way to dispel the rainy-day blues than by whipping something up in the kitchen? Learn how to best mixes spices and create aromas that cause salivation in cooking classes in NYC.

It's even possible to take online cooking classes for more comfortable indoor activities in NYC — you won't even have to leave your home.

pizza making cooking classes indoor activities in NYC — *via Classpop!*

10. Online Mixology Classes

Become a drink-pouring master, The Chemist of your friend group when you take online mixology classes. Stave off boredom and chill by learning how to mix drinks — and then taste them. These indoor activities in NYC keep you warm from the inside out.

11. Virtual Wine Tastings

In the same vein, discover your inner connoisseur from the comfort of your own living room when you attend indoor activities in NYC like a virtual wine tasting. There are also several indoor chill spots in NYC for in-person whiskey tastings if wine isn't your go-to beverage.

12. Try Afternoon Tea

While this is technically a British (or European) tradition, it's so popular that there are plenty of tea rooms around New York. Some even specialize in a niche type of food like Russian or vegan.

Check if the one you're looking at serves food you'll be willing to eat or find your favorite new locale for an afternoon snack.

13. Slip Into a Speakeasy

A product of Prohibition, speakeasies are still highly sought-after indoor chill spots in NYC. Look up your local hot spot and check out some unusual and intriguing drink menus for surprising and thrilling indoor activities in NYC.

speakeasy indoor activities in NYC — *via Canva*

14. Tour World Foods

Travel by the 7 train through a variety of neighborhoods offering a variety of international cuisines for fast-paced indoor activities in NYC or go to the New World Mall, historic Essex Market or Turnstyle Underground Market. There are all kinds of fun foodie indoor activities in NYC!

Unique Indoor Activities in NYC

15. Virtual Flower Arranging

Try virtual flower arranging classes where you'll learn how to assemble your own bouquets. No more need to rely on supermarkets or boutique flower stores to tell you how flowers should be paired. This is one of many fun indoor activities in NYC for anyone who loves getting creative.

16. Virtual Game Nights

What to do in NYC when it rains in winter? How about a game night? If you don't have anyone who wants to come over, you can always try virtual game nights or online trivia games. Both are fun indoor activities in NYC to keep you occupied and in good spirits.

17. Virtual Adventures

On a similar note, jump into some other fun online activities like a virtual scavenger hunt or a virtual escape room — the sort of puzzles to keep your brain out of a slump.

These make for great team building activities in NYC. If having fun at home is your preference, there are plenty of virtual events for you to check out.

three women playing games on laptop — *via Canva*

18. Handy Skills and Arts Classes

Find some fun new artisanal skills to learn from the age of cottage industries — like sewing classes, woodworking classes and glass blowing classes. Impress your friends or sell your artwork on Etsy after attending some of these innovative indoor activities in NYC.

19. Greenhouse Gallery

What to do in NYC when it is too cold? The Conservancy at the New York Botanical Garden is an expansive Victorian-style greenhouse, where you can discover a variety of climates and enjoy plant life despite the chilly weather outside.

20. Lesser-Known Museums

Morgan Library and Museum which houses exciting exhibits for those inclined to visit, like some of Jane Austen's draft manuscripts, is one of several smaller museums that make for delightful indoor activities for adults. Historical house museums are often a hit, as well, for dry indoor activities in NYC.

21. Welcome to Burlesque

Go to a burlesque or cabaret lounge or drag show. Musical, adult evening entertainment like burlesque, cabaret or drag shows make for enticing indoor activities in NYC for adults. You may even find a venue with karaoke — where you get to join in on the performance fun!

burlesque show indoor activities in NYC — *via Canva*

Kids' Indoor Activities in NYC

22. Broadway Matinees

Broadway shows have always been a classic indoor activity, but with the bright colors and upbeat music, a midday musical is just right for keeping your child's attention span on a rainy day in NYC.

Your child will leave the event with a whole new set of songs to sing on repeat — at least it's not that Disney one again, right?

23. Children's Museums

One thrilling example of indoor activities for kids is visiting The Sugar Hill Children's Museum of Art and Storytelling. Attend an art workshop or the weekly Story Hour, not to mention explore all of the exhibits!

There are, of course, plenty of other museums designed specifically for children throughout the city, so you're sure to find one to fit your child's needs and interests.

24. Arcades

There are several fun and family-friendly arcades throughout the city. A few of them are classic and huge — like the one at Coney Island. There are even arcades for adults, sometimes called “barcades” where you can play classic games while you drink!

25. Trampoline Park

Your children will feel the freedom of flying through the air as they jump up and down — and you'll enjoy the freedom from an early bedtime when they're done. There is at least one major trampoline park in NYC, so you can find time for your child to get their energy out.

kid doing a flip at an indoor trampoline park — *via Canva*

26. Museum of Ice Cream

While visiting museums is already covered as an activity to do with your children, this one deserves its own headline — what kid doesn't love ice cream? For those who are lactose intolerant, there are other fun spaces like Lego and Disney stores.

27. Attend a Game

Madison Square Garden is a fun location for viewing a Knicks game — or go see a Rangers game. Both of these sports, basketball and hockey, are fun activities in NYC for adults and make fantastic indoor activities for kids.

Maybe take along a blanket if you're watching a hockey game, though, as they have to keep those rinks frigid for the ice.

Free Indoor Activities in NYC

28. People Watching

Take a little trip to Grand Central Station or any other major landmark where you can stand indoors for free and watch people mingle or move about. This is one of the classic indoor activities in Manhattan.

Become a student of human behavior — maybe even write it down. Perhaps you'll become the next great American novelist (many of whom made their homes in NYC)!

29. Look for a Library

If curling up with a good book sounds like your cup of tea, one of the best free indoor activities in NYC is to head over to The New York Public Library to browse the shelves and find the perfect volume to read in the warm lamplight.

woman flipping through book at the library — *via Canva*

30. Go Subterranean

The Oculus is a fascinating work of architecture not to be missed. If you're still looking for indoor activities for adults, you could then explore the underground labyrinth of stores and eateries below The World Trade Center.

31. Tour Industry City

Explore historic manufacturing buildings along the Brooklyn waterfront. They're now a complex of stores and eateries, with some lovely little courtyards in between (in case the rain lets up). This is one of the best indoor activities in Brooklyn.

32. Browsing Department Stores

Shopping without buying may not be as therapeutic for your brain as making purchases, but it's more fun for your wallet – and you'll be more focused on finding new and unexpected things than hunting down the particular items you need.

New York is filled with so many massive department stores like Toys "R" Us or IKEA. Unleash your scientific mind!

33. Cat Cafés

Find a cute or cozy local café to drink coffee, curl up with a book and keep dry — or play with cats! Finding a coffee shop where you can pet animals all day seems like the dream among all the free indoor activities in NYC.

two women petting cats while sitting in a café — *via Canva*

We highly recommend you check out some of these fun indoor activities in NYC! We hope you found something on this list to spark your curiosity. From classics like theater to playing with cats in a local coffee shop, you may never be bored on a cold or rainy day again.

For even more fun activities in NYC, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!