10 Best Boston Activities for Rainy Days

What to do in Boston in the rain

Don't let rain dampen your Boston travel plans! 

This list of the 10 best Boston activities for rainy days will give you plenty of suggestions so that drizzles or downpours won't turn your weekend in the city into a wash-out.

Best of all, these rainy day activities in Boston are also fun things to do on sunny days . . . and even those other "s-word" weather days that we don't like to use . . . snow, sleet, and worst of all, slush.

Photo courtesy of Paul Keleher

Boston activities for rain

1. Spend a day (or night) at the museum

With over 30 Boston museums to choose from, finding one that's interesting shouldn't be a problem - in fact, spending time in a museum during inclement weather is one the time-honored Boston activities and perhaps one reason why we have so many of them. 

But if you're dealing with a bone-chilling drizzle or soaking downpour, consider 2 additional criteria:  size (seek out bigger museums where you can happily spend and hour or more) and proximity to a subway (or "T" as we call it) stop. 

Several that fit both criteria include the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Children's Museum, New England Aquarium, and Museum of Science.  And although it's technically not a museum, the Boston Public Library at Copley Square is filled with museum-quality art and artifacts - it's one of my favorite places to dash into when I'm caught in downpours in Back Bay.

If a night at the museum sounds appealing, check out the evening calendar for the Museum of Fine Arts - you'll often find interesting activities there.

2.  Get some indoor exercise

One of Boston's best kept secrets is that we have lots of bowling alleys in the area.  Easiest to get to by T in the rain is Kings (50 Dalton St.), next to Hynes Convention Center and Prudential Center in Back Bay.  Great for family fun before 6pm, and then strictly 21+.  The big screens, drinks, and food will add to your enjoyment of this favorite Boston activity.

3.  Go to a movie

Even if you're normally addicted to Netflix, going to a movie on a rainy day is one of the time-honored top Boston activities.  For movie theaters showing first run commercial films, check the Boston Common 19 (very close to the Park St T station).  For indie films, foreign films, and repertory film series that defy description, see what's playing at the Brattle Theatre near the Harvard Square T station in Cambridge.  Stop by Casablanca (40 Brattle St., Cambridge) down the block for a drink and some of their yummy Mediterranean food. 

4.  Watch a game or concert at the Garden . . .

TD Garden, home to the Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins, and frequent site of star-studded concerts, ice shows, and occasionally even the circus, is right next to North Station (Orange and Green T lines).  Check Ticketmaster to find out what's scheduled and get tickets.  Sometimes  half-price tickets are available for events at the Garden through Goldstar (after free sign-up, you can see all the discounted events for Boston - more about that in a minute!). 

5.  . . . or go to the theater or a comedy show

Boston theaters present everything from Broadway musicals to cutting edge drama.  Going to a show is a favorite Boston activity - you'll find a huge number of choices!  The most convenient locations for staying dry in the rain are the downtown Theatre District and the Huntington Theatre in Fenway.  Remember Goldstar from the previous suggestion?  Check there to find out what's showing and get half-price tickets.  Before or after the show, have a great dinner in one of Boston's Theatre District restaurants.  If you're at the Huntington, Betty's Wok 'n Noodles is the closest Fenway restaurant.

6.  Follow in the footsteps of Revolutionary War heroes

Hang out at one of the historic Boston bars where the Sons of Liberty plotted their tea party and dreamed of revolution.  Or enjoy a leisurely meal in one of Boston's historic restaurants such as Durgin Park and the Union Oyster House, where generations of Bostonians have eaten basically the same traditional New England dishes that you'll be served.  All of these places are very close to Faneuil Hall / Quincy Marketplace and several T stops - ask at your hotel which will be the most convenient from where you're staying.

7.  Enjoy sweeping views of Boston

Well, maybe not in the rain!  If the weather were clear, you might want to enjoy panoramic views of the city from the Prudential Skywalk.  But don't pay out good money for tickets on a dismal day!  Instead, head over to Pru Center but go up to the 52nd floor - 2 floors above the Skywalk - to the Top of the Hub.  Sit in the bar or lounge and use the money that you might have spent for observatory tickets on one of their specialty cocktails instead (you might have to thrown in a couple more dollars).  Unless rain is pouring down in buckets, you'll still be able to see some of the city.  And you'll certainly enjoy your drink!

8.  Tour Boston Harbor

Touring the harbor is usually one of the top Boston activities for visitors (as well as locals) . . . and although most people think of doing this only when the weather is good, you can also see quite a bit in the rain.  Two of the biggest enclosed dinner cruise boats, the Spirit of Boston and the Odyssey, continue their tours year round, rain or shine.  I sometimes see deeply discounted tickets for these cruises from Goldstar, so check to see if discounts are available on your target date.

9.  Treat yourself to a spa experience

Indulge in some beauty treatment and relaxation at one of Boston's top spas.  Some of the best are located in hotels - the Mandarin Oriental in Back Bay, the Langham in the Financial District, and Boston Harbor Hotel on the downtown waterfront. 

10.  Shop

Even if you didn't plan to spend time shopping, this is one of the favorite Boston activities for bad weather days.  Three Boston shopping malls are easily reachable by T - Prudential Center, Copley Place, and Quincy Market (although the shops are located in several separate buildings).  For the ultimate experience in designer discount shopping, rent a car for a few hours (Zipcars are big here) and drive to Wrentham Outlets just south of Boston.  Your savings can easily pay for the car . . . maybe your entire Boston vacation!