Close Icon
Gear IconImportant Notice:We have made the tough decision to say goodbye to the Foursquare City Guide mobile app, effective December 15, 2024, with the web version to follow in early 2025. Visit our FAQ for more information or to download our Swarm app.
Learn more
Best Things to do in New York When it Rains
Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of Best Things to do in New York When it Rains.

1. Metropolitan Museum of Art

9.5
1000 5th Ave (btwn E 80th & E 84th St), New York, NY
Art Museum · 1961 tips and reviews

The Corcoran GroupThe Corcoran Group: One of our favorite spots is the Roman/Greek Sculpture hall – bring your sketchbook, pencils and find a comfortable spot and spend the afternoon sketching away.

Bloomingdale's is one of Best Things to do in New York When it Rains.

2. Bloomingdale's

8.4
1000 3rd Ave Fl 5 (btwn E 59th & E 60th St), New York, NY
Department Store · Upper East Side · 342 tips and reviews

The Corcoran GroupThe Corcoran Group: When we're in search of a new outfit, a gift, or really anything, this is our go-to spot. We can't come here without making a stop at 40 Carrots for a huge portion of frozen yogurt (with sprinkles).

AMC Lincoln Square 13 is one of Best Things to do in New York When it Rains.

3. AMC Lincoln Square 13

8.7
1998 Broadway (at W 68th St), New York, NY
Movie Theater · 446 tips and reviews

The Corcoran GroupThe Corcoran Group: This is THE place to go see an IMAX movie in the city. And if that’s not your thing, this theater does showcase more independent features. And the theater is clean and pleasant.

Barnes & Noble is one of Best Things to do in New York When it Rains.

4. Barnes & Noble

8.7
33 E 17th St (btwn Broadway & Park Ave S), New York, NY
Bookstore · Union Square · 294 tips and reviews

The Corcoran GroupThe Corcoran Group: Biggest and best Barnes & Noble in the city.

Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) is one of Best Things to do in New York When it Rains.

5. Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)

9.3
30 Lafayette Ave (btwn Ashland Pl & Saint Felix St), Brooklyn, NY
Opera House · Fort Greene · 81 tips and reviews

The Corcoran GroupThe Corcoran Group: One of our favorite places to see the latest in theater, ballet, movies and music. Visit the BAMcafe for dinner or happy hour drinks.

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is one of Best Things to do in New York When it Rains.

6. Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

9.1
Pier 86 (at W 46th St & 12th Ave), New York, NY
History Museum · Hell's Kitchen · 348 tips and reviews

The Corcoran GroupThe Corcoran Group: If you get the chance, attend a concert or a movie screening on the deck of this amazing museum. It’s magical. We also love exploring the insides of this historical gem.

The Distinguished Wakamba Cocktail Lounge is one of Best Things to do in New York When it Rains.

7. The Distinguished Wakamba Cocktail Lounge

5.4
543 8th Ave (btw 37th & 38th Sts), New York, NY
Lounge · Garment District · 31 tips and reviews

The Corcoran GroupThe Corcoran Group: One of our favorite dive/tiki bars in all five boroughs. Start at 8am with the old men or come later for great jukebox tunes, trashy barteders and a lot of dancing!

Gotham West Market is one of Best Things to do in New York When it Rains.

8. Gotham West Market

8.8
600 11th Ave (btwn W 44th & W 45th St), New York, NY
Food Court · Hell's Kitchen · 205 tips and reviews

The Corcoran GroupThe Corcoran Group: Finally a destination for amazing food on 11th Avenue in the 40s! Head straight to Court Street Grocers or Ivan Ramen - they're our favorites.

Brooklyn Heights Cinema is one of Best Things to do in New York When it Rains.

9. Brooklyn Heights Cinema

70 Henry St (at Orange St.), Brooklyn, NY
Movie Theater · Brooklyn Heights · 32 tips and reviews

The Corcoran GroupThe Corcoran Group: Cozy independent theater that features independent, art house and foreign films, as well as real butter on the popcorn, cappuccinos and Brooklyn egg creams!

Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar is one of Best Things to do in New York When it Rains.

10. Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar

8.5
11 W 31st St (btwn 5th Ave & Broadway), New York, NY
Wine Bar · Koreatown · 176 tips and reviews

The Corcoran GroupThe Corcoran Group: Great place to have a few glasses of wine, share a chocolate fondue and dive into the 20-layer crepe cake. If you want savory food, the truffle pizza is to die for.

Chelsea Market is one of Best Things to do in New York When it Rains.

11. Chelsea Market

9.2
75 9th Ave (btwn W 15th & W 16th St), New York, NY
Market · Chelsea · 1218 tips and reviews

The Corcoran GroupThe Corcoran Group: Don’t overlook Ruthy’s Deli – if you want something quick and inexpensive (tuna on a salt bagel). We’re suckers for The Lobster Place and Bowery Kitchen Supply.

Bowlmor Lanes Union Square is one of Best Things to do in New York When it Rains.

12. Bowlmor Lanes Union Square

110 University Pl (btwn E 12th & E 13th St), New York, NY
Bowling Alley · Greenwich Village · 67 tips and reviews

The Corcoran GroupThe Corcoran Group: NYC most famous bowling alley – so expect to wait for your lane (have a drink and snacks at the bar) and make sure you’re properly attired (or you won’t be let in the elevator).

Brooklyn Brewery is one of Best Things to do in New York When it Rains.

13. Brooklyn Brewery

8.8
79 N 11th St (at Wythe Ave), Brooklyn, NY
Brewery · Williamsburg · 370 tips and reviews

The Corcoran GroupThe Corcoran Group: Be sure to sign up for a brewery tour as soon as you arrive, as they fill up pretty quickly during the weekends. With beer tokens costing $20 for 5, it's a great way to sample a wide variety of beers.

14. Strand Bookstore

9.5
828 Broadway (at E 12th St), New York, NY
Bookstore · Greenwich Village · 594 tips and reviews

The Corcoran GroupThe Corcoran Group: You can find everything from a large selection of great $1 used books to the newest bestsellers. Pick up one of their popular canvas tote bags to carry all your finds home.

New York Aquarium is one of Best Things to do in New York When it Rains.

15. New York Aquarium

7.0
602 Surf Ave (at W 8th St), Brooklyn, NY
Aquarium · Coney Island · 130 tips and reviews

The Corcoran GroupThe Corcoran Group: Not the most fancy aquarium, but it’s really enjoyable. Make sure you catch the sea lion show and encounter the sharks and penguins.

American Museum of Natural History is one of Best Things to do in New York When it Rains.

16. American Museum of Natural History

9.2
200 Central Park W (btwn W 77th & W 81st St), New York, NY
Science Museum · Upper West Side · 1399 tips and reviews

The Corcoran GroupThe Corcoran Group: Feel like a kid again as you’re dwarfed by the T-Rex and the Blue Whale or just surrounded magically by butterflies. It’s entertaining and educational. Use the side entrance to cut the line.

Mermaid Spa is one of Best Things to do in New York When it Rains.

17. Mermaid Spa

7.7
3703 Mermaid Ave, Brooklyn, NY
Spa · Sea Gate · 18 tips and reviews

The Corcoran GroupThe Corcoran Group: Come to this Russian Banya and get a traditional venik massage, then enjoy the various steam rooms and saunas, while imbibing on ice-cold vodka.

Chelsea Piers Fitness is one of Best Things to do in New York When it Rains.

18. Chelsea Piers Fitness

9.1
60 Chelsea Piers (at W 20th St), New York, NY
Gym and Studio · Chelsea · 101 tips and reviews

The Corcoran GroupThe Corcoran Group: It’s either because of the wide lanes, the clean water or the glorious views of the Hudson, but this is the best lap pool in NYC. $50 day pass for non-members.

IKEA is one of Best Things to do in New York When it Rains.

19. IKEA

7.1
1 Beard St, Brooklyn, NY
Furniture and Home Store · Red Hook · 450 tips and reviews

The Corcoran GroupThe Corcoran Group: Take a trip on the Water Taxi to shop for furniture, grab an inexpensive meal (try the Swedish meatballs) or enjoy wandering the redeveloped piers.

Housing Works Bookstore Cafe is one of Best Things to do in New York When it Rains.

20. Housing Works Bookstore Cafe

9.1
126 Crosby St (btwn Prince & E Houston St), New York, NY
Café · SoHo · 219 tips and reviews

The Corcoran GroupThe Corcoran Group: Come here for the eclectic selection of used books and relax in the back café with a delicious selection of teas, coffee and snacks. 100% of the profits go to ending AIDS and homelessness.

IFC Center is one of Best Things to do in New York When it Rains.

21. IFC Center

9.1
323 Avenue of the Americas (at W 3rd St), New York, NY
Indie Movie Theater · Greenwich Village · 191 tips and reviews

The Corcoran GroupThe Corcoran Group: Features the best in independent film. Don’t miss their midnight movies. Become a member for $65 and save $5 on each visit, plus get four free popcorns!