Rainy travel day? Try these unique indoor activities
Rainy days might seem like a damper on travel plans, but they don’t have to ruin your adventure. Instead of letting bad weather sideline your itinerary, consider it an opportunity to explore your destination from a different perspective. From oddities at unusual museums to trying out a new indoor sport, there are plenty of ways to make the most of a rainy travel day.
So grab your raincoat and head out! Here’s our favorite and unique rainy day travel activities.
Unique Museums
Pretty much any rainy day travel article is going to say museums and we get it... we LOVE museums too. But in the spirit of adventure, we recommend going off-script. Skip the lines, skip the fees (sometimes), and go some place unexpected. Whether its a niche topic or a university sponsored exhibit, you might just find something weird, wacky, and uniquely wonderful. Here’s a few places we’ve been too, that perhaps can inspire your next google trip search.
A few places…
National Building Museum
National Postal Museum
KU Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun in Tucson, Arizona
Artist Homes and Studios
Discover the legacies of iconic American artists by visiting their homes and studios. Each place offers a unique glimpse into their design approaches and creative processes, often sparking inspiration or enriching your appreciation of their work.
A few places…
Edward Hopper's New York residence
Georgia O'Keeffe's Ghost Ranch in New Mexico
Jackson Pollock in East Hampton
Waterfall by Frank Lloyd Wright
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun
Gari Melchers’ Virginia Estate
Donald Judds live and work space in New York
COMMUNITY REC CENTER
For travelers exploring unique destinations or those considering a staycation, visiting a community recreation center offers an affordable opportunity to engage in exercise, enjoy indoor swimming—ideal for winter months when summer feels distant—and try new activities such as group yoga or Qigong classes.
Arcades
Explore local arcades for an enjoyable afternoon or post-dinner entertainment. Arcades are a perfect relaxed environment to enjoy a variety of games, including favorites such as skee-ball and basketball hoops, and some vintage gems like Ice Cold Beer.
INDOOR Sports (Pickleball, Badminton, or Padel)
Whether you’re new to the sport or already obsessed, racquet sports offer friendly competition and physical activity even when you’re stuck indoors.
You can find pickleball courts with eateries across the states thanks to its growing popularity. Grab some lunch, rent some paddles, and have a good time!
Another emerging racquet sport is Padel, which originated in Mexico and has gained traction in various countries. To play on rainy day, seek out indoor courts, typically found in major metropolitan areas.
