Sooner or later we have to face facts, the summer is over and autumn is in full swing. And we don’t mean the cosy autumn they get over there in America, with the picturesque pumpkin patches and the sun shining down. Oh no, we mean rain, torrential rain that doesn’t seem to stop, paired with gloomy skies and gloomy moods to match.
So, when the rain strikes and you fancy venturing out from under your duvet, what can you actually do that won’t leave you soaked to the bone? Here are five things you can do in Amsterdam on a rainy day.
1. Sit yourself down in a cosy cafe / pub
All we want to do when it pours is get comfortable somewhere cosy. Luckily, there are plenty of “brown” cafes where you can enjoy a beer or two, whilst you soak in the atmosphere. Brown cafes are an integral part of Dutch culture, kind of like what the pub is to the English. Typical features include wooden panelling and furniture, hearty snacks and a relaxed vibe.
As we said, there are plenty of brown cafes in Amsterdam, but a few you should definitely see are Delirium Café, which has over 500 beers in stock; Café de Sluyswacht, an adorably wonky lock-house; Het Molenpad, a modernised brown café and Café ‘t Smalle, with a waterside terrace.
Image: Café Het Molenpad
2. Go play some arcade games
You might not have been aware, but Amsterdam is home to at least two hip places where you can battle it out on old school arcade games. The perfect way to lift your mood and take your mind off the weather. So what are these magical places of nostalgia called? Well, there’s the TonTon Club, which has two locations (so far), one in Amsterdam West and one in the centre and Blast Galaxy, located in North.
Japan is the source of inspiration for the TonTon Club, and, as such, you can see this influence in the games and food on offer. Token there cost one euro per piece or five euros for six. You’ll need to buy tokens to play the games, but entry is free. At Blast Galaxy, in the NDSM area of Amsterdam, entry does cost 12,50 euros for an adult ticket, but once you're in, you can play all the games for free- no buying tokens! The menu, like TonTon Club, is inspired by Asian flavours, but there are considerably fewer options.
For both, it’s best to take a look at their websites to find out when they are open. You may also want to reserve for the TonTon Club if you’re with a big group- say 15 people or more and you’re thinking of going in the first half of the week- Sunday to Wednesday. Speaking of reserving, at Blast Galaxy you can book and have the place all to yourselves - did we hear someone say next work outing?
3. Take a virtual tour of the Netherlands
Who wants to go sightseeing in this weather? Not me, that’s for sure. Well, There is one place you can take a tour of the Netherlands, yes the whole country, without so much as a drop of rain touching you. Where is this mystical place you may ask? THIS IS HOLLAND.
Close to the Eye Filmmuseum, just across the water from Central Station, you’ll find THIS IS HOLLAND. There, you can take a birds-eye view of the Netherlands, as you visit unique locations during the Flight Experience, which is in 5D! The whole experience, including the Flight, lasts about an hour and consists of four activities. During the adventure, you’ll learn about the past of the Netherlands, the Netherlands today, as well as having a 5D flight experience and relaxing in the Holland lounge.
4. Visit one of the multiple museums the city has to offer
Amsterdam is full of museums; in fact, it has about 75 of them, so plenty to fill your day with. What’s more, if you have a Museum Year Card, you can visit most of them for free. Head over to the Rijksmuseum to see majestic golden age paintings, swing by the Stedelijk for some seriously cool modern art or take a look at the exotic at Tropenmuseum, there is so much on offer.
The city has a museum for everything, from anatomy at Body Worlds, to canals at the Museum of Canals and bags at the Museum of Bags and Purses. If you love museums, this is definitely the city for it. This is also the perfect activity for a rainy day, not only are you warm and dry, you get to see things you may never have seen before.
5. Warm yourself up with a spot of trampolining
This one is a bit of a wild card for those up for a bit of fun, indoor exercise. After all, a gloomy rainy day can dampen your mood and make you feel sluggish. The best medicine to cure this state is a bit of exercise, but not everyone is a treadmill king or queen or fancies hitting the gym. This is, therefore, a great way to move around whilst having fun.
One place we like is Jumpsquare, not too far from Amsterdam Amstel station. There, you can try out the fun area, dodge ball area, basketball area, power trampoline area, big airbag - which you jump on to - and slackline above a foam pit. A great thing about Jumpsquare is that from 7pm to 10pm it turns into a disco trampolining adventure, with lasers, lights and awesome tunes – a great way to spend a rainy day!
How do you spend your rainy days?
So, these were just a couple of things that you can do in Amsterdam on a rainy day. Of course, there are plenty of other ways you can spend your time. If you just want to cuddle up with a blanket at home, we’re not judging.
What do you do on a rainy day? Any tips you’d like to share? Drop us a comment below.