19 Rainy-day date ideas that aren’t another movie
Don’t let a little inclement weather get in the way of a good time.
In addition to ruining your hair, the rain has a habit of ruining outdoor dates. Cute impromptu picnic? Forget it. That outdoor music festival? Probably not. When a sudden rainstorm interrupts your plans for a date, you have a number of choices: (a) brave the weather and hope your hair doesn’t turn into Monica’s from the Barbados episode of Friends, (b) choose an equally fun indoor activity, (c) point blank refuse to leave the house and instead stay in together or (d) be that person who asks for a last-minute rain check (don’t be that person).
But if you find yourself needing a little inspiration for your backup plan, here’s a list of classic rainy-day date ideas for when you’re sick of going to the cinema as your only dry option.
If you want to avoid cabin fever, but you want to keep it as indoors as possible: 1
Go bowling
A frizzy ponytail goes well with those shoes anyway.
2 ENJOY ART
This is the perfect opportunity to finally go to that museum’s new photography/art exhibit everyone’s talking about. It means you can stop pretending you’re just as cultured as your hip friend who always manages to do that stuff before you’ve even heard of it.
3 Get cultured
Find a random local performance you probably didn’t know was happening – a concert, play or comedy show – and book the cheapest seats.
You might discover a new favourite band, but even if it ends up being awful, at least you’ll be dry.
4 ACT LIKE KIDS
Think of the fun stuff your parents took you to stop you from driving them nuts inside the house. Playing at an arcade or visiting a roller-skating rink (so retro!) is a much more fun indoor activity than sulking.
5 GO SHOPPING
We’re not talking about those awkward dates at the mall you had as a teenager. Go and buy something you can both do together, like a fun new game, or visit a specialist wine store (Lebanon and Georgia – the country, that is – have some great wines).
6 CHECK OUT THE LOCAL BOOZE SCENE
Got a craft brewery, distillery or winery in your area? See if they have any available tours or tastings that day, or make a day of hopping between them (just have Uber be your DD).
7 PLAY GROWNUP GAMES
Pool bars are basically the arcades of the older set. Being inside a dingy, dark bar on a glorious day would be a waste, but it’s the perfect use of a cold and rainy one. If pool’s not your thing, find one that offers other activities like ping-pong or video games, while you sip from that questionable glass.
8 HEAD TO A CAFÉ OR WINE BAR
Enjoy a cappuccino or a glass of red wine at a café with a view of a bustling street. It’s either gloomily romantic or cheerfully hilarious as you watch people outside get soaked.
If you’re willing to get wet: 9 Splash like children in puddles
Wear those new Hunter boots you just bought.
10 WALK IN THE PARK
Braving the rain (only if there’s no lightning – keep it safe!) will give you private access to a usually crowded public area.
11 PLAY PHOTOGRAPHER
Any fool with a phone can take a beautiful picture of a sunset on a clear evening (ugh, #NoFilter braggers), but snap a waterproof case on and take some nature shots for the ’Gram.
If you’re not leaving the house until all those disgusting earthworms have crawled back underground:
12 TAKE A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE
Go through each other’s high school yearbooks and crack up at your mutually regrettable haircuts.
13 VIDEO GAME TOURNAMENT
Now’s the time to dust off that old video game console you collected from your parents’ house – or finally get to play two-player mode on your shiny new game.
14 CATCH UP ON SOME OF THE CLASSICS
Stream an old movie neither of you has ever seen before. Might I suggest Singin’ in the Rain?
15 OR GET INTO SOMETHING NEW
Are you the only one of your friends who isn’t obsessed with Killing Eve yet? Me, too. A rainy day is a good day to catch a few or all of the episodes of TV shows you’ve been meaning to watch but can’t seem to fit into your routine.
16 CREATE A ONEDAY BOOK CLUB
Pick a book to snuggle up with and read together, then talk about it. OK, maybe a short story if you’re not a fast reader.
17 BUILD A FIRE
But you know, only if you have a fireplace. Otherwise it’s just dangerous and not cosy.
18 Play board games – with a twist
What, you haven’t ever played Strip Monopoly? Now’s the time.
19 TAKE A BUBBLE BATH FOR TWO
Getting wet outside comes with all kinds of annoying problems, like clothes that are soaked to the knee. Getting wet indoors, however, is much better.