As much as everyone looks forward to spring after a long winter, the truth is these months are often rainy and wet, in cities all across the globe (or at least the ones in the northern hemisphere). But that shouldn't put a damper on your vacation fun; plenty of cities are at their most beautiful in the rain, and offer plenty of interesting indoor activities. Lovers of art and culture in particular will have no cause to fret. Below, find out which cities are the best to visit in the rain, and what to do when you get there.
Paris
The Deluxe Room at the Saint James Paris
There's really no better city to visit in the rain than Paris. So many songs and poems have been written about Paris in the rain that it's become a cliché -- one that recently resurfaced in the Woody Allen film Midnight in Paris. Check out our favorite Paris activities for when it's drizzly and gray below.
Visit the Louvre. No trip to Paris is complete without a visit to the Louvre Museum, and luckily, this is an activity that can be enjoyed in any weather. Fight through the crowds to see the Mona Lisa, or skip that and check out some of the 35,000 other pieces of amazing art. If you stay at the Hotel du Louvre right next door, you won't have to walk far.
Eat macarons in a cozy cafe. These scrumptious little cakes are one of Paris' most famous products, and can be found in almost every bakery and cafe in the city. If you want to try Paris' most famous macarons, head to Ladurée, which has been producing them since the 1800s and has four locations around the city (the original spot is on the Rue Royale).
Browse the books at Shakespeare and Company. The original Shakespeare and Company was a meeting place for the famous writers and thinkers of the "Lost Generation," including Hemmingway and James Joyce. The new location, named in tribute to the original, is Paris' best-known English language bookstore.
Find Paris Hotels on Oyster.com
Rome
Street at the Palazzo Manfredi
Ah, the Eternal City. Rome has survived much worse than a little rain, so really, it's nothing to be too concerned about. And while the Colosseum and Roman Forum aren't best enjoyed while getting wet, there's lots more to see here.
Visit the Pantheon. The Pantheon is an architectural wonder, first built two millennia ago, and miraculously still standing. It's exceptionally cool to visit it when rain can be seen streaming through the oculus in the coffered, unreinforced concrete dome (still one of the largest domes in the world).
Explore the catacombs. Rome has dozens of catacombs outside the city's ancient boundaries, where Christians and Jews buried their dead, and even hid during times of persecution. The Catacombs of San Castillo and San Sebastian are the most popular places to explore these subterranean passages; to see the actual bones of the dead, head to the Capuchin Crypt, which displays thousands of bones in a decidedly creepy artistic array.
See the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. If you don't want to wait in the line outside (especially when it's raining), it's best to buy your ticket online. Once inside, you can see some of the world's most famous art -- including Michelangelo's remarkable ceiling. No umbrella required. And if you stay at the Relais Vatican View, you'll be mere meters away from the Vatican walls. Find Rome Hotels on Oyster.com
London
Skylounge at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London - Tower of London
It should come as no surprise that this famously rainy city is still a lot of fun to visit when it's wet. (London has had two thousand years to figure out how to make the most of the weather, after all.) These rainy day activities will make you wish for cloudy skies.
Have afternoon tea. London's famous afternoon tradition, originated in the 1860s by the Duchess of Bedford, is oh so much cozier when it's gray and dreary out. Palm Court at the Langham Hotel London has one of the most renowned afternoon teas in the city.
Get sent to the Tower of London. Getting sent to the Tower used to be a very bad thing, but now this castle -- which has been a fortress, treasury, and most famously, prison -- is a popular tourist attraction. You might need an umbrella to go between the different buildings, but the rooms of the medieval palace, the crown jewels, the prisoners exhibition, and the White Tower (the original keep), can all be viewed indoors.
Visit the British Museum. The Elgin marbles from the Acropolis of Athens, the Rosetta stone, and eight million other pieces are housed in this 250-year-old museum. That much art and archaeology can keep you busy through a loong storm. Find London Hotels on Oyster.com
New York City
View down 42nd Street, Midtown East, New York, NY
Sure, some of the city's iconic sights -- Times Square, Central Park -- are very much outdoors. But New Yorkers don't let anything stand in their way, and certainly not rain ¬-- so take your cue from the locals and make the most of it.
See a Broadway Play. New York City arguably has the best theater, anywhere, so don't miss out on seeing the blockbuster du jour. Avoid seeing plays that have been running for too many years; oftentimes, the best cast members will have long since moved on to bigger and better things.
Get Hot Chocolate. You could get the frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity 3 (you know you saw the movie!), or you could skip the crowds and join the locals for a delectably sinful cup at Jacque Torres or City Bakery.
Tour NBC Studios. Ever wanted a behind-the-scenes look at where TV magic happens? This is your ticket. Visitors can see the sets of Saturday Night Live, The Today Show, Late Nate with Jimmy Fallon, and more.
Find New York City Hotels on Oyster.com
Amsterdam
View from hotel at The Toren
Many people think of Amsterdam as a party destination, but there's a lot more to this city than the Red Light District and "coffee shops."
Remember the past in the Anne Frank House. Visitors can see the Secret Annex, hidden behind a bookcase, where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II. A must-see for lovers of Anne Frank's diary, and a great spot to visit while it's raining.
Drink in the Heineken Experience. This former brewery is now an interactive museum where visitors can see how Heineken is brewed, bottle their own beer, and, of course, drink.
Visit the Van Gogh Museum. Over 200 of the artists' works can be viewed here, as can an assortment of other Impressionist art. Find Amsterdam Hotels on Oyster.com
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