Rain in New York

Rain in New York is not uncommon so sometimes there’s bad weather here but don’t worry! If you see dark clouds gathering outside your hotel window and you ask yourself “What do you do when it rains in New York?”, here are some ideas and tips for what to do in bad weather in New York. A rainy day in NYC doesn’t have to mean that your whole program falls through.

Rain in New York

If the New York weather forecast or the New York rain radar predicts rain, you don’t have to worry. The weather in New York is changeable due to the wind moving across the Atlantic so a shower won’t last too long. By the way, with the right attitude and an umbrella, the rain doesn’t change the beauty of the city at all. Don’t let a few drops spoil your fun in the Big Apple!

Of course, it helps if you pack a waterproof jacket, such as a light rain jacket to pull over your head. You can buy umbrellas on almost every corner; most drug stores, such as Duane Reade, and CVS sell cheap umbrellas. Alternatively, borrow an umbrella from the hotel. Rainproof shoes are also an advantage, but you can leave the rubber boots at home.

If you know in advance what you want to see in New York and you’re flexible, bad weather won’t be a problem. For this reason, by the way, I can also recommend a discount pass.

An Itinerary for a Rainy Day in New York

New York rain can turn the city into a somewhat unfriendly city from time to time. But as I said, if you are willing to be flexible, even constant rain won’t bother you. The New York weather forecast is something to observe. To the question “What can you do in New York when it’s raining?” I like to answer with “Almost everything!”. To help you in planning your itinerary for a rainy day in New York, I’ve created one for you:

Start your day in the American Museum of Natural History. The dinosaur skeletons, in particular, impress me every time. You could spend hours in this natural history museum, and it’s also fun for kids. Afterwards, you can take subway line B or C, located in front of the museum, to Columbus Circle. There’s a food hall at this station where you can get a bit to eat.

Next, take subway line 1 to South Ferry to catch the free Staten Island Ferry. The boat sails past the Statue of Liberty and you can see the skyline of Manhattan. On Staten Island, you can visit the Empire Outlets or take the ferry back to Manhattan.

Once back in Manhattan, you can take subway line 1 to WTC Cortlandt. You can wander around the Oculus, which houses a mall, Brookfield Plaza, and visit the 9/11 Museum. Walk to the Wall Street subway station, and take line 4 or 5 to Grand Central, where you can eat at one of the restaurants. Visit, for example, the Oyster Bar or Cipriani, which is located in the main hall. On the lower level, there is a dining concourse where you can also have a bite to eat.

From Grand Central, you can take subway line S to Times Square. You can entertain yourself here by visiting all of the major stores or seeing a Broadway show. The perfect attraction for a rainy day, RiseNY is also nearby.

Activities for bad weather in New York

There is more to see and to do in New York when it’s raining. For a truly American experience, my favourite is going to the cinema in New York. Below you will find more of my suggestions for rain in New York, sorted by category.

Museums – ideal when it rains in New York

As I mentioned in the sample itinerary, a museum is a great option when it is raining, and New York is home to world-famous museums. You will not only stay dry there, but you can also educate yourself at the same time. If museums were not on your original agenda, even I as someone who is unenthused about museums, can recommend a visit.

Sports events – dry in the New York rain

It’s a rainy weekend afternoon in New York or a weekday evening that literally falls through – what can you do? Many New Yorkers will recommend you to attend a sports event of their favourite team. I’m one of those New Yorkers! First of all, a sports event doesn’t have to be expensive (especially not if you book your tickets online). Secondly, there really is a game on almost every day in New York and thirdly, it’s incredibly fun to cheer on the players with the locals. By taking a look at the New York sports calendar, you can immediately see which games are taking place.

Indoor theme parks in New York

A rainy day in New York can be spent in one of the indoor amusement parks near New York. In the American Dream Mall, which can be reached by public transportation or a taxi, you will find Nickelodeon Universe and DreamWorks Water Park amongst others. Nickelodeon Universe is all about the animated characters that are central to the various attractions. The amusement park is fun for young and old. A day trip full of water fun is DreamWorks Water Park. This pool has high-speed slides, but also attractions for the little ones. Together with the wave pool, the park is fun to visit with children. Besides Nickelodeon Universe and DreamWorks Water Park, you can discover underwater life in SEA LIFE Aquarium or visit the LEGOLAND Discovery Center.

New York in the Rain – Feasting at the Food Market

There are many food markets in New York. For example, Mercado Little Spain in Hudson Yards is a nice place where you can comfortably warm up and try Spanish delicacies. As soon as I have a delicious tortilla on my plate, I almost don’t care about the rain. In general, food markets are a great thing to do when it rains in New York. Besides Mercado Little Spain, you can visit Chelsea Market in the Meatpacking District. Not only can you taste dishes and food from all over the world, but you can also go shopping. If you prefer Italian, you’ll find a culinary paradise at Eataly. The original store is located near the Flatiron District, but they have several locations. So when it rains in New York, you certainly won’t be bored.

The benefits of rain in New York

Are you the kind of person who doesn’t mind rain in New York? Congratulations! Take advantage now to have some of New York’s highlights almost all to yourself. Sights such as the Brooklyn Bridge, for example, have very few visitors in bad weather, especially when it rains in the morning or early evening.

The rain then also bathes everything in a very special atmosphere, ideal if you’ve been waiting for a special photo moment! And with rain, you will definitely get to witness the quintessentially New York phenomenon of steam rising from beneath the ground.