Wellington on a Rainy Day

Wellington may not always have the best weather, but there is always plenty to do indoors. So when the rain, wind, or cold temperatures hit, head inside to get warm and enjoy the perks of being in New Zealand’s cultural capital. Check out our ideas for what to do on a rainy day in Wellington!

Bad weather is movie weather, and Wellington has more than its fair share of amazing movie theatres. If you’re in town, check out Embassy Theatre, built in the 1920s and the home to many Lord of the Rings and Hobbit premieres. To make an evening of it, head out to Empire Cinema, located a short walk from Island Bay’s picturesque beach front. And if your are a film buff, you can’t beat Roxy Cinema, located in the heart of Wellington’s film hub, Miramar, which was revamped in 2011 by some of the biggest names is Wellington’s film scene.

If live theatre is your cup of tea, you’re in luck. Check out BATS Theatre, self-described as “Wellington’s buzzing home of independent NZ theatre awesomeness.” Also worth a visit for both the shows and the architecture is Circa Theatre, located on the waterfront.

We would be remiss not to mention Wellington’s bumping live music scene, but there’s just too much to say for this post! Check out Under the Radar’s Gig Guide to get out of the rain and in to the groove.

Wellington is home to a diverse range of excellent museums. New Zealand’s national museum, Te Papa, is located on the waterfront and includes displays on New Zealand’s natural and social history, collections of Maori Taonga, and more. To learn more about Wellington specifically, check out The Wellington Museum, which presents the city’s history in one of the coolest museum spaces you will ever visit. If you’re looking for art, City Gallery is home to an ever changing collection, and is constantly hosting events and participating in festivals.

After something a bit different? Take a tour of the ‘Beehive,’ the iconic building home to parliament. Free tours run every hour, seven days a week, and while it isn’t a museum, odds are you’ll learn a few things along the way.

Food is also a category on our list of Wellington’s Top 20 Sunny Day Activities… It’s just good no matter the weather! Wellington is famous for excellent coffee, beer, and food, so you’ll find no shortage of excellent haunts while you sit out the storm.

Wellington is craft beer haven! Pop in to Hashigo Zake’s ‘cult beer bar’ for an intimate drop in a cozy underground spot. To get a taste of some local beers, visit Garage Project’s Taproom, a nice spot with 20 beers on tap from Wellington’s best known brewery. Can’t get enough? Download Wellington’s Craft Beer Trail Map and see how many of the city’s top 20 craft beer bars you can visit. Best to avoid your bike after the first few…

Nothing makes cold weather more enjoyable than warm drinks. Head to Midnight Espresso on Cuba street or Karaka Cafe on the waterfront for your coffee needs. For a front row view of the weather, head out to Maranui Cafe in Lyall bay and grab a seat overlooking the sea.

If you’ve worked up an appetite, sneak down Wellington’s coolest alleyway and grab a pizza from Pizza Pomodoro to enjoy next door at Goldings Free Dive Bar. Or, hit up Sweet Mother’s Kitchen for some warm soul-food.

It can be tough to get around in Wellington’s bad weather – traffic, cancelled buses, and wind that makes walking impossible! An eBike makes a ride through the elements fast and easy. Our shop isn’t open every bad weather day, so contact us to arrange bike hire!