How to Make the Most of your Vacation during Bad Weather

My mom often will remind me of one of her favorite stories of our travels when I am feeling a little down. When I was 12 we spent Thanksgiving in New York City, mostly to experience the spectacle that is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It has been a Thanksgiving tradition to watch the parade every year on TV so I was so excited to see it in person. But the New York City weather did not give us a warm welcome. It was cold (expected for November in NYC), it was raw and it was wet. My mom was somewhat disappointed that the weather wasn’t cooperating but we pressed on and found a spot to watch the parade from, under some construction staging. 

It wasn’t the best view, but we were dry and, more importantly, we were at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. After Santa had made his way down 34th Street and as the crowd slowly dissipated, I looked up at my mom and said, “Well, it may be raining, but it didn’t rain on our parade.” In other words, though the weather wasn’t great, we made the best of it. And since then that has been the spirit of all of our vacations. Here is how to make the most of your vacation during bad weather.

If You’re in the City

If you know you’re in for a bout of bad weather, why not make it a museum day? Even if you’re not a huge art fan there are natural history museums, science museums, you’re bound to find a museum that will pique your interest. I’m also positive there will be at least one large shopping area that you can duck into if a last-minute shower crops up.

If you’re at the Beach

Make your spa appointments for the days you know you will not be able to work on your tan (while wearing SPF of course). While it’s obviously a good idea to book your appointments ahead of time to ensure you get in a relaxing massage or facial, most all-inclusive resorts will have a few last-minute slots available, even if just for a quick mani-pedi to kill some time. We usually schedule our couples massage during our trip when we stay at Windjammer Landing in St. Lucia.

If you’re in the Mountains

Find a local restaurant or pub, pull up a chair, and stay awhile. You learn a lot about a culture by their food and drink, as well as the people you dine with. If you feel comfortable, sit at the bar and see if you can strike up a conversation with your neighbor. Or if you’re traveling with children, bring a card game with you and order some appetizers and drinks for while you play away a rainy afternoon. We loved hanging out at the Trapp Family Brewery during our visit to Stowe, Vermont last August.

If it’s Snowing

This is where I’ll say … it depends. If it’s a light snow and you have the right gear, I don’t see a reason to change your plans. If the snow starts to get worse, I would say duck in wherever you can. When we were in Iceland, my mom and I found ourselves at the Culture House. Though it was not on our to-do list, we fell in love with this beautiful museum full of local art and historic artifacts. 

Or, you can just Embrace It and Get Out There

I always pack a raincoat (or waterproof coat if it’s winter), waterproof shoes, and an umbrella so that I am ready for any weather that I come across. While it may not sound like too much fun, sometimes the best idea is to just brave the weather and get out there. You may encounter smaller crowds and shorter lines for popular tourist destinations. And you can always stop into a shop or bakery to warm up or dry off here and there. 

You’re traveling for a reason. Don’t let a little bad weather stop you!

What do you do when you encounter bad weather when traveling?