Don’t let a little rain dampen your vacation spirits! There are plenty of fun and exciting activities to enjoy even when the skies are gray. Make the most of your vacation with these rainy vacation ideas.
Make the Most of Your Getaway: Rainy Vacation Ideas
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A rainy vacation can be a bummer, but with a little creativity, you can still have a memorable trip. Here are some ideas to help you make the most of your rainy vacation.
You have waited all year for your vacation, and what does it do? It rains! Many people will be annoyed and frustrated at the weather if it rains, especially if it isn’t forecasted or you have gone to a hot location where most of your activities are outside. It is completely normal to feel that way, anyone would! Especially if you have waited a long time for your trip, have spent a lot of money on it, and only want a relaxing getaway.
It can be frustrating when most of your planned activities are outside. This can put a “damper” (literally!) on your vacation, right? When other children or travelers are also suffering, that can add extra pressure to decide together what to do and how to keep the children entertained when it’s pouring rain outside. To help you continue to enjoy your holiday, here are some key things you can try to make the most of a rainy vacation!
Before You Go
If you have not yet left for your vacation (and even well before!), take time to create a backup plan for a rainy day! Yes, you’ve checked the weather, but Mother Nature may have her own weather agenda. Research your destination for activities on a rainy day. Pack a , board games, games or a book with you just in case. This will be extremely helpful if the rain hits and will save a lot of thinking and decision-making on the day!
Book a spa day
A great way to spend a lazy rainy vacation day is to have a spa day. If lucky enough to have a hotel spa, guests are often offered free or discounted access to the spa.
If you don’t, then you look for a spa nearby. If visiting a tourist area, there is likely a spa close by. Book a day pass for you and your family, to relax for the day. This is a great way to recharge your batteries and give yourself more energy when the sun comes back out! What better way to spend a rainy vacation day than getting pampered?
No spas nearby? No problem. Create your own spa escape in your hotel! Run a hot, bubble bath!
Movie day
Movie days are the ultimate way to spend a rainy day, especially if your usual life is very busy and you never give yourself time to sit down. There is usually a television in hotel rooms or your accommodation. Hotel rooms tend to have basic channels and there will always be some with films on. Alternatively, if you have a streaming site like Netflix or YouTube set up on your phone, iPad, or tablet, you can watch a film there. If you are not in a hotel, some accommodation locations will have old DVDs for you to watch. Snuggle up on the sofa or in bed today with some blankets and enjoy a classic movie day!
Play Games
Games are an excellent way to spend a rainy day. They will keep you entertained and you will have a lot of fun. There are so many games you can play. You might be lucky enough and your accommodation might have a games room that you can visit with things like a pool table, basketball hoops, board games, ice hockey table, ping pong table, and more.
If not available, there are plenty of things you can do in your room. Play games online, such as mahjong. Alternatively, you can make up games that require no equipment, or those that you just need a pen and paper, which you can get from reception!
Read More: Traveling with Kids? 3 Tips to Keep them Entertained
Cook a Local Dish
If you are not in a hotel, then you might have a kitchen. If so, you can head to the local supermarket and get some ingredients. You can then cook together, which is a great way to bond and eat delicious food. You can take this one step further and cook a local dish!
Dine Out!
If you cannot cook because you are in a hotel room, or you just don’t fancy cooking, then why not head out for a nice meal? You could all dress up nicely and head out to try one of the local restaurants. You can try something completely new, with food you have never had before, and get a taste of the local dishes. This is a great way to speak to locals, get involved in the local community, and learn about the culture.
Explore Local Towns
Rain doesn’t bother everyone. Grab your umbrella, put on your rain gear and head out into the rain to explore the town. You might find most people are inside due to the rain, so it will be much quieter and you’ll see and experience more. Everything looks different when it rains!
And after a day in the rain, return to the hotel and snuggle up with a movie and a hot toddy!
Go Shopping
You may be in a location close to a mall. If so, why not do some shopping, or learn more about the local culture?
Check out what the locals are wearing and buying, learn more about the local currency, and speak to the locals (or people-watch, if you prefer). Buy some nice souvenirs to take back home! Malls also tend to have places to eat, and activities to do. It could be a great and fun day out for everyone!
Read
If you bought a book with you, then now would be the time to sit, relax and read. If you don’t, you can purchase them on your phone to read on your device, or you can find a local bookshop or library to utilize. The place you are staying might also have some local guides, history books, or magazines for you to browse. Reading is a great way to stimulate your mind but also relax at the same time.
Cultural activity or meet the locals
Depending on your vacation location, the rain might be the perfect opportunity to meet the locals or get involved in a cultural activity. Speak to the receptionist or find some locals, and see if anything is going on in the local community that you and your family can get involved in. Locals are usually very welcoming and want to share their culture with others.
Find an indoor activity center
Find a local indoor activity center where you may find a ball pit, rock climbing, go-karts, and more! This is great if you have kids.
Find an indoor activity
If you don’t want something as hectic, you may be able to find other indoor activities, such as museums. This is another excellent way to explore the location and learn more about its history. This will give you a whole new appreciation for the holiday.
Take pictures
Whether you like to take photos or not, it might be your chance to take photos to save as memories. Sometimes people can get caught up in the moment that they don’t get a record of it. This is typically a good thing, as you want to be present in what you are doing. However, a rainy day poses an opportunity for you and your family to pose for some pictures. You can also get some pictures of the local town in the rain, something that not everyone will have!
Carry on as normal
Even if you have a beach or pool day planned, it can be just as fun in the rain. The rain doesn’t mean you can’t go, it will just be a different experience. If you don’t mind the rain, then why not carry on with your day as usual? Getting a little wet won’t hurt you. It can also be very fun for kids when they are in the sea or the pool in the rain! Just make sure you take extra safety precautions when doing so and check with locals if there are any hazards or warnings. The rain might be different than you are used to, or there may be strong winds or a storm along with it.
Going on holiday should be fun and relaxing. Don’t let a rainy day ruin it for you!