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In honor of a rainy September weekend, here is our Austinot list of what to do when it’s raining in Austin. We moved to Austin from Seattle. In Seattle, if you don’t leave your home because of rain…you better have a comfortable couch. In Austin, most of us like rain. But we don’t get it a lot, so we don’t really know what to do when it arrives. We want to help you out with that. Our list isn’t exhaustive, but we like it a lot. Feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments!
Cafe Monet
Pottery painting at Cafe Money in Austin
With three Austin locations to choose from, spend your rainy day painting pottery in a welcoming and fun environment. There are dozens of pieces for you to choose from, and Cafe Monet provides all of the paint and art supplies you need.
After you finish, leave your pottery there for a week so that they can fire it in your kiln. Then it’s yours to take home.
Texas Military Forces Museum
Free admission to Texas Military Forces Museum at Camp Mabry
We recently discovered Texas Military Forces Museum. It is an incredible stop right in the heart of Austin on Camp Mabry. Many Austinites don’t know that they have access to Camp Mabry, but they do. Simply show your I.D. at the gate and get directions to an amazing museum full of history dating back to the 1800s. Even better, it’s free to visit.
Entertainment Centers: Blazer Tag and Main Event
Blazer Tag and Main Event are perfect spots to take the party indoors, and they both have unique features depending on your mood.
Blazer Tag arcade and ropes challenge course
Located on Ben White near Manchaca, Blazer Tag is home to the largest laser tag arena in Texas. It also has a new ropes course, an arcade and private party/meeting rooms. We’ve written a whole article on Blazer Tag, so check that out for more info.
Laser Jam bowling at Main Event
Main Event will keep you occupied for an entire day, at least. Though it’s farther from Central Austin than Blazer Tag (183N near Anderson Mill), you’ll find a bowling alley, billiards, a small laser tag arena, glow in the dark miniature golf and a really awesome rock climbing area. It’s pricey when you’re taking the whole family, but there are various specials you can take advantage of (call for info), and the kids absolutely love it.
Glow in the dark mini golf at Main Event
Unique Movie Theatres: iPic Theater and Alamo Drafthouse
Going to the movies is the rainy day option for boring people, right? But it just so happens that Austin has some unique movie options that will make you feel a bit less boring.
Reclining seating at iPic Theater
iPic Theater is located up at The Domain. It provides a deluxe movie theatre experience. There is a bar and billiards outside the theatre area, and inside the theatre there is waitstaff service for the first 20 minutes of every film. Deluxe seating gives you a pillow and blanket, and a reclining chair. It’s hard to go back to a “regular” theatre after experience iPic!
Alamo Drafthouse is one of our top rainy day picks
If you haven’t been hiding under a rock, you know about Alamo Drafthouse. Voted Best Movie Theatre in America by Entertainment Weekly, you’ll find exceptional programming and a hip, enjoyable environment. Screams rainy day fun.
Alamo Drafthouse takes its customer service seriously, which you can see from this not so serious YouTube video. We’d embed it in our site, but it has explicit language, and we don’t want to be responsible for that!
What Say You About What to Do When It’s Raining in Austin?
What do you do when it’s raining in Austin? We’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments section below. Stay dry this weekend and keep discovering Austin!
Photos via Flickr, courtesy of cmiked, mak506, leversuch and NoNo Joe.
