When it is raining or simply too cold to be outside, it’s time to bring the fun indoors. Here's what to do on a chilly day in NYC.

 

 

Try an Escape Room:

If you’re up for a fun hour of challenging puzzles and team work, check out an escape room. With escape rooms all around the city, each have various themes that’ll transport you far away from Manhattan and sometimes to a whole other century!

Participants are given a story, clues, and a time limit. Whether or not they get out is ultimately up to them. Do you have what it takes? Head to Escape the Room NYC or check out Brooklyn's Beat the Bomb, a fun new spin on an escape room where you try to defuse a bomb before it explodes paint all over you.

 

 

Have a Spa Day

If you’re going to stay inside, you might as well pamper yourself. Schedule a time to relax and recharge. For a completely luxurious day, Aire Ancient Baths and the Great Jones Spa are top picks.

 

 

Paint Pottery and Unwind

Both kids and adults can get crafty at Color Me Mine in Tribeca. You come in, pick a piece of pottery, pick your colors and get painting! There were a lot of ceramic to choose from: cups, bowls, jewelry holders, money jars, plates, etc. What makes painting even more fun? For adults, it is BYOB, so bring a bottle of wine to share among friends.

 

 

Visit Chelsea Market

Foodies should head to Chelsea Market. Whether you’re in the mood for Italian, Mexican or Sushi, you’ll be able to find something to whet your appetite. Indulge in free samples from Li-Lac Chocolates, take part in a wine tasting at Chelsea Wine Vault, or go shopping at Artists & Fleas, a multi-merchant marketplace featuring retail, art, design, and more. Pro tip: Take a wine “to go” from Corkbuzz, and carry it around as you shop and eat your way through Chelsea Market.

 

 

Take in a Broadway Show or Behind-the-Scenes Tour

From classics like Phantom of the Opera to new shows like Hadestown, there are plenty of exciting Broadway musicals to pick from. Plus, New Yorkers can pick up last-minute, discounted tickets to shows on the TodayTix app or by entering the online ticket lotteries. 

 

 

Visit a Museum (You Haven't Been to Before)

Make the most of a rainy day with a visit to one of the many museums around Manhattan. There are the iconic institutions like The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, and The Guggenheim. But for a more obscure museum experience, go to The Museum of the American Gangster on St. Marks Place or the Museum of Ice Cream.     

For kids and families, there’s the Children's Museum of Manhattan, which includes five floors of fun and learning.

 

 

Tour the New York Public Library

With nearly 53 million items, the New York Public Library is a great Midtown spot near Bryant Park to cozy up with a good book. The Library’s docent-led tours are also an excellent way to see highlights of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building. During the tour, visitors get access to many of the Library’s must-see spaces—including the Rose Main Reading Room and the Library’s exhibitions.

 

 

Go Bowling

When you're searching for things to do when it is raining, you can't go wrong with the classic indoor pastime: bowling. And NYC has plenty of options complete with drinks, food, music and lane-side service. Check out Bowlmor Lanes in Times Square or Frames for an experience that'll be right up your alley.