Rain, Rain, Please Don’t Go Away!

Between trekking to classes through the flooded park, the gloomy journey to Bobst during storms, and the shameful number of umbrellas I have gone through, my feelings about rainy days in the city have certainly remained uncertain. 

Between the first few weekends of stormy weather and the impending doom of another midterm season, the last few weeks for NYU students have not exactly been all sunshine and rainbows. During the first couple of weekends on campus, we’ve all been locked in dorm rooms and apartments, hiding away from the chilly weather. However, I believe that rainy, cold days are some of the biggest missed opportunities for adventuring around the city.  

The past few weekends, I have spent my time trying to escape the notion that a rainy day is a day lost. I have ventured out to explore everything the city has to offer indoors, and I have been anything but disappointed by the results. I feel as though I have been able to experience the rich history the city has to offer, without feeling guilty for missing out on the last of the warm weather. So now I believe I have perfected the rainy day itinerary (or at least know enough to give some advice on how to not waste your next rainy day). 

For starters, the best place to start is a museum. Bursting with impressive exhibits that are routinely swapped out, and impressive archives that could seriously take you an entire week to explore, there is so much to appreciate and learn from the museums in and around the city. 

Most famously, New York is home to The Met (The Metropolitan Museum of Art), MOMA (The Museum of Modern Art), and the American Museum of Natural History. Housing art and expansive collections of US history, these are great places to start if you have yet to check these staples off your NYC bucket list. 

Meanwhile, New York City is also known for its niche museums. The Museum of Ice Cream and The Broadway Museum, for instance, makes for a fun and lighthearted afternoon. But if you like the classic art or history museum, some great places on the (slightly) less touristy side are The Brooklyn Museum, The Tenement Museum, and The Museum of the City of New York. These are great for rainy and cold weekdays, as they are almost completely empty. Additionally, NYU students are able to gain free admission or a discounted ticket price to many of these museums, so it is great to take advantage of these while you’re still a student or New York Resident! 

Next up on the itinerary: taking a private or group class. I can nearly guarantee that for any interest you might have, you can take a group or private lesson to refine your skills. For instance, you can take a rock climbing class at Brooklyn Boulders, which offers classes for any age and skill group. Or, if rock climbing isn’t your style and you are looking to perfect some home-cooked recipes for fall, a cooking class could be just what you’re looking for! 

Depending on the cuisine you are interested in making, there are an array of options. Some of my personal favorites, however, have been held at La Scuola Eataly. Another popular option for classes, which is perfect if you found yourself inspired by the most recent New York Fashion Week, is taking a sewing class! Being in NYC, you are in incredible hands if you want to improve your button sewing skills, or if, more ambitiously, you would like to help make your couture-dream designs a reality. 

There are truly so many of these classes on every skill level, with a quick Google search, you can  easily be connected with the right studio for you based on skill level and location. With all of these options and more, who wouldn’t love to pick up a new hobby, even just for a day? 

Finally, the perfect way to end a rainy day is to get your fill of entertainment. You can do anything between attending a live show or watching a movie. New York City is filled with entertainment from Broadway to concerts (both of which students at NYU can get discounted tickets to), and small bar shows. One of my favorite venues for smaller shows near campus has been The Bitter End. 

On the other hand, kicking back in cozy pajamas with a comfort movie is also a great way to end a rainy day. If you find yourself with your favorite snacks and looking for a movie to watch, here are my rainy day recommendations:

Someone Great: after a breakup with her partner Nate (LaKeith Stanfield), whom she had dated for 8 years, main character Jenny (Gina Rodriguez) is navigating life, love, and friendship in NYC, while figuring out who she is outside of her last relationship. This movie is a perfect watch for anyone who wants to bring new appreciation to the strong friendships in your life while staying in on a rainy night. 

Fun Fact: In the movie Jenny and Nate both graduated from NYU!

Mamma Mia: mother-daughter duo Sophia (Amanda Seyfried) and Donna (Meryl Streep) prepare for Sophie’s wedding at their villa in Greece. As Sophie gets ready for her big day, she also invites all three of her mother’s past lovers in an attempt to find and reconnect with her father. All of this makes a funny and exciting jukebox musical slash rom-com that ruminates on love and family. The ABBA-inspired movie is perfect for a rainy day, as it is a great reminder that summer is on the horizon and the warm days we are all craving will soon be on the way. 

10 Things I Hate About You: A cheesy 90s rom-com, and a modern interpretation of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew, this movie follows Kat Stratford (Julia Stiles) as she is swindled into dating the classic contrarian, Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger), in an elaborate scheme by her sister. At the end of a rainy day of fun out and about in NYC, this movie is great for a good laugh.

Live and recorded entertainment opportunities are endless, and a perfect way to conclude a rainy day in the city before spending another Sunday in Bobst.

While I believe many college students dismiss the idea of enjoying an afternoon out on a cold rainy day, preferring instead to locking ourselves in Bobst, I strongly encourage you to venture outside of your daily routine to explore some of the things the city has to offer. With April showers around the corner, there will be plenty of opportunities to discover and enjoy the perks of a rainy day.