21 Rainy-Day Date Ideas That Aren't Another Movie
In addition to ruining your hair, rain has a habit of ruining outdoor spring and summer dates. Cute impromptu picnic? Forget it. That outdoor music festival? Probably not. When a sudden rainstorm interrupts your plans for a date, you have some 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) straight-up refuse to leave the house and stay in together, or d) be that person who asks for a last-minute raincheck (don’t be that person).
But if you find yourself needing a little inspiration for your backup plan, here’s a list of some classic rainy-day date ideas for when you’re sick of going to the movie theater as your only dry option.
If you want to avoid cabin fever, but you want to keep it as indoors as possible:
Bowling. A frizzy ponytail goes well with those shoes anyway.
Enjoy some art. This is the perfect opportunity to finally go to that museum’s new photography exhibit everyone is talking about so you can quit pretending you’re just as cultured as your hip friend who always manages to do that stuff before you even hear of it.
Get cultured. Find a random local performance that you probably didn’t even know was happening—a concert or a play or a comedy show—and snag the cheapest seats. You might discover a new favorite band, but even if it ends up being awful, at least it will be dry.
Act like kids. Think of the fun stuff your parents took you to do when you were driving them nuts inside the house. An arcade or even a roller skating rink (so retro!) is a much more fun indoor activity than sulking.
Go shopping. We’re not talking about those awkward mall dates you had as a teenager. Go buy something you both can do together, like fun new game, or hit up an international grocery store for a new wine to try (Lebanon and Georgia—the country, that is—have some great ones).
Check out the local booze scene. Got a craft brewery, distillery, 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).
Play grown-up games. Pool halls are basically the arcades of the older set. Being inside a dingy, dark bar on a glorious spring 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.
Head to a café or wine bar. Enjoy a cappuccino or a glass of red wine at a café with a view out to 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:
Splash like children in puddles. Use those new rain boots you just went shopping for.
Walk in the park. Braving the rain (only if there’s no lightning, keep it safe!) will give you private access to a normally crowded public area.
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 to for the ‘gram.
If you’re not leaving the house until all those disgusting earthworms have crawled back underground:
Take a trip down memory lane. Go through each other’s high school yearbooks and crack up at your mutually regrettable haircut decisions.