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Top Destinations for Rainy Days: The Indoor Adventures Worth Exploring in the US

Bad weather mostly washes out plans for the outdoors. However, if you are the kind of traveler who looks at rain as an opportunity and not a disappointment, these options are for you to explore. 

There’s just something special about finding indoor adventures that have little to do with just staying dry and all about soaking culture in, indulging in luxury or simply finding the next unexpected adventure. If the rain is hitting it down, then you’re in luck, try some of these indoor destinations that’ll turn those grey skies into an excuse for a new adventure.

Key Takeaways

  • Rainy days in New York are almost an excuse to go to The Met
  • If you find your way to Chicago when the rain’s coming down in sheets, The Art Institute is where you should be heading
  • Make your way to The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, it is pure bliss, with a view of the bay and treatments that will leave you feeling like a new person

For the Intellectually Curious

moma new york

Rainy days are just the excuse one needs in order to indulge in places where culture and history come alive. The U.S. does not lack world-class museums and galleries where you could appreciate walking around for hours, without a care in the world about the weather outside.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, New York

Rainy days in New York are almost an excuse to go to The Met, not like any other museum in the world. It’s like traveling to another world; each turn into another corner shows you something different, such as ancient Egyptian artifacts or Impressionist paintings, which can take your breath away. 

There is something calmly cuddly with the sound of rain tapping on the window sills as one loses oneself in the arts across centuries. It’s a quiet, almost meditative experience, just right for the rain.

The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

Now, if you find your way to Chicago when the rain’s coming down in sheets, The Art Institute is where you should be heading. This is where American Gothic and Nighthawks are housed, among a host of other iconic pieces that you will instantly know. 

Its beauty lies in the fact that it is not about the art on the walls but about the aura, how the rain outside exaggerates the quiet and calm inside. You can almost hear yourself think as you wander through its great halls. It’s one of those places that actually invite you to go slow and take it all in.

National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

D.C. in the rain? Perfect! The National Gallery of Art awaits you. There seems to be something almost sinfully satisfying in the walk-through room after room of European and American masterpieces when it is less than perfect outside. From the classic renaissance to the more modern works challenging how one looks at the world, every piece has a story. 

Escapes Indoors-Interactive for the Prosaic

The best indoor adventure sometimes is just being part of the action. If you are game for some fun, head to these spots offering hands-on experiences that will keep you engaged and entertained all day long.

The Exploratorium, San Francisco, California

Sure, San Francisco is famous for its fog, but when the rain hits, that is when The Exploratorium becomes the place to go. This is not just a place for kids, it’s actually intended for anyone who loves learning by doing. One finds themselves touching, exploring, and experimenting with over 600 exhibits, making both science and art feel like one giant playground.

Museum of Pop Culture-MoPOP, Seattle, Washington

If any city is familiar with rainy days, it is Seattle. And MoPOP, or the Museum of Pop Culture, is just what one needs to seek refuge indoors. Whether it is music, films, or pop culture that interests you, this place has a bit of everything. 

You can find interactively playful exhibits that incorporate everything from rock music to the sci-fi movie. This place is colorful, vibrant, and entertaining indeed. Rain has always added to Seattle’s cozy ambiance.

Some Simple Fun

Looking for a challenge? The Escape Game is your answer filled with excitement for the whole family, and it’s indoor friendly. With locations all over, these escape rooms offer thrilling scenarios wherein one has to solve puzzles and crack codes to “escape” within the specified time. Be it in the middle of a heist where you are defusing a bomb, every room is an adventure. What a fun way to spend a few hours on a rainy day and it’s sure to get your brain buzzing.

The Luxury Traveler

The Biltmore Estate north carolina

Yes, when it rains, we all feel like indulging. And honestly, what’s better to do on a rainy day than indulge yourself just a little?

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Miami, Florida

Great, you are in Miami and looking to enjoy the sunny weather, but instead, it is pouring! What to do? 

Make your way to The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, it is pure bliss, with a view of the bay and treatments that will leave you feeling like a new person. The rain outside only adds coziness inside, and this is the type of place where you might forget there is a world outside.

The Biltmore Estate, Asheville, North Carolina

The Biltmore Estate is not only a rainy-day excursion but one that simultaneously meets those ideals. Make your way through this mansion of an estate and its 250 rooms, never having rain touch you. 

There’s just something about taking a tour of this historic home on a gray day that’s sort of magical. Complete the architecture and spend time wine tasting in the Estate’s Winery. It is a treat that takes one back in time, if not for anything else, then for being able to indulge in Asheville.

The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, Louisiana

Rainy days are just a part of life in New Orleans, but on the inside of The Ritz-Carlton, you’d never know that. From jazz brunch to a rejuvenating spa treatment, this luxury hotel is your retreat from the storm.

For the Avid Explorer

mob museum, las vegas

Sometimes, the best indoor adventures are those kinds of things you never actually plan but rather stumble upon. Usually, there are a lot of hidden treasures that offer special experiences—you will appreciate the rain.

The Mob Museum, Las Vegas, Nevada

Sure, the glitz and glamour of Vegas might be alluring, but The Mob Museum serves up a different kind of excitement altogether. Are you a Godfather fan and love how it shaped a part of American history? 

No, this isn’t your average museum experience; the exhibits feel more like parts of a Hollywood movie. You might be into history or just in search of something a little different, a great rainy-day adventure.

A Butterfly Pavilion, Westminster, Colorado

The Butterfly Pavilion houses an indoor tropical environment, a home for over 1,600 free-flying butterflies. It’s pure magic going around this setting in the rain while butterflies flutter around you. It’s an oasis away from the outside world: simply magical due to the rain, and either nature around you or tranquility—you will surely go refreshed with its charm.

Final Word

Rainy days are good for slowing down and appreciating simple things in life. Some luxury hotels and high-end establishments provide cozy nooks where you can engage in a quiet game of chess

It is one of those activities that simply go with the mood of such rainy days—relaxed, somewhat contemplative, and rather engaging. So, the next time you find yourself indoors at these destinations, you know what to do.