What to Do, Eat and Explore Downtown When the Weather Stinks
August 10, 2026
It’s been a great summer in NYC. We’ve enjoyed the Knicks win, the World Cup excitement and the America250 celebrations, for starters. That said, there have also been stretches of rainy days and heat waves that make being outside less appealing. The good news is, even when Mother Nature isn’t working in our favor, downtown has plenty of activities to keep you occupied, including indoor sports, movies, shopping and lots and lots of good eating. We’ve pulled together some of our favorite ways to spend a day in Lower Manhattan when the meteorologists become our enemies. Bookmark this now so you’re ready for the next summer monsoon, windy fall day or winter blizzard.
Eat your way through Golden Mall
Hope you’re hungry! Golden Mall’s long-awaited location downtown is open (47 Broadway), and it’s one of the best food courts in the neighborhood. Next time the weather is bad, grab a friend and order all the noodles, fried chicken, sushi, dumplings, bánh mì, gelato, coconut treats and anything else your heart desires. It’s definitely the tastiest way to kill a few hours.
Promenade at Printemps
To call Printemps (1 Wall St.) a department store doesn’t do it justice. Yes, you can shop, but you can also ogle a slice of New York’s art deco history in the Red Room, get a spa treatment, and eat or drink your way through five different food-and-beverage offerings spread throughout the store. Whether you’re in the mood for shopping, coffee, cocktails or a fancy French feast, you’ll find what you’re looking for at Printemps.
Spend the day inside 28 Liberty
From the outside, 28 Liberty might just look like another office building. But there’s a surprising amount to do inside: You can play a game of pickleball or tennis at Court 16, rent a field and live out your World Cup fantasy at Soccerroof or catch a movie (and grab a drink or two) at Alamo Drafthouse. On your way out of the theater, stop by Kim’s Video and rent a few movies for free—there’s probably going to be another rainy day soon, so you might as well be prepared.
Take the kids to Complete Playground and Complete Cafe
Kids of all ages will have a blast at Complete Playground (30 Broad St.). They can bounce, slide, climb, build and explore to their heart’s content across the 45,000-square-foot facility, which is designed to be welcoming to children of all ages and abilities. The space has sensory-friendly hours every morning with reduced lighting and no background music. While the kids are jumping and swinging, you can settle in at the Complete Cafe, which has a robust menu that goes far beyond standard kid fare. Think poke bowls, borscht and more. (There are also kid-friendly bites like pizza, dumplings, burgers and the like). Open play at Complete Playground is $40 for one adult and one child under 13 on weekdays and $50 on weekends; extra adult and child tickets run $10-$24. Infants under 12 months are free . Sessions can be booked online.
Do the underground walk from the Oculus to Brookfield
We’ve previously written about ways to avoid unfavorable weather by navigating Lower Manhattan underground, including the Fulton Center/Oculus/Brookfield Place connection. This completely underground walk links countless shops, restaurants, cafes, clothing stores, toy shops, pharmacies and just about anything else you can think of across the three retail concourses. If you’re willing to brave the elements for just a few short minutes, you’re also close to the Regal Cinema in Battery Park, where you can finally see what all the fuss is about with “The Odyssey.”
Take a cooking class at Eataly
If you’re looking to kill some more time at Brookfield Place, head to Eataly’s downtown location (101 Liberty St). A rainy day calls for a big bowl of pasta, if you ask us. Why not book a spot in one of Eataly’s many cooking classes? The space regularly offers classes where you can learn how to make anything from cacio e pepe to tiramisu to pizza Napoletana. Classes start at $90 per person and can be booked online.
Relax at Wall Street Bath and Spa 88
Wall Street Bath and Spa 88 (88 Fulton St.) is a great refuge from all types of bad weather. If it’s dreary and cold outside, you can warm up in one of the saunas. If it’s unbearably hot outside, take a dip in the cold plunge pool or head to the cold room. If you’re looking to treat yourself, you can also book a massage, body scrub or platza treatment. If all that relaxing has left you peckish, you can stop by the in-house restaurant, Matryoshka, for Eastern European eats and fresh-squeezed juices.
Visit the National Museum of the American Indian
If you’ve been meaning to visit the National Museum of the American Indian (1 Bowling Green), there’s no time like the present. You can learn about the Native history of New York; take in Of Gods and Heroes, a colorful pop-culture forward piece by Salish artist Jeffrey Veregge; and explore 700 works of Native art from North, Central and South America. If you have the kiddos in tow, stop by the imagiNATIONS Activity Center for some hands-on learning. Admission to the museum is always free, so this is a great rainy-day activity if you’re not looking to spend a ton of money.
Marvel at Mercer Labs
If you’re looking to forget about the outside world, step into Mercer Labs (21 Dey St.). The technology-forward art museum is worth a visit any time, but especially if you’re looking for something to do during a heat wave, rainstorm or other foul weather. The immersive exhibits use light, sound, and texture to create a series of unique experiences as you walk through the museum. Come if you’re looking to watch robots make art, make a masterpiece yourself or simply if you’re looking to be enchanted. Tickets are $52 for adults and can be purchased online or at the door.
Kick back at Lawn Club
Who says a rainy day has to keep you from playing your favorite yard games? Grab a few friends for a round of croquet or cornhole at Lawn Club (1 Fulton St.). Your “Lawncierge” will get your game of choice set up and answer any questions, all you have to do is tap into your competitive side. Fuel the fun with cocktails and snacks, which can be purchased and brought to your lawn. Indoor lawns can be booked online for groups of up to 11 people for between $100 and $150 per hour.
Be blown away by the Balloon Museum
Newcomer the Balloon Museum debuted at the Tin Building (96 South St.) this August, bringing 58,000 square feet of immersive, family-friendly interactive inflatable art installations to the neighborhood. The inaugural exhibition, “Daydream: Air Becomes Art,” brings together some larger-than-life works from big names in the art world, including renowned artist Marina Abramović. The museum is open seven days a week, with tickets running $40 for adults 18-65, $33 for teens, seniors and adults with disability, and $26 for children 12 and under; packaged family pricing is available as well. Book your tickets here.
photo: courtesy Lawn Club
