If you’re visiting Christchurch and the weather forecast is messing with your plans, there’s still plenty of ways you can enjoy our beautiful city. From galleries and museums to independent shops, cafés and wellness experiences, most of the city’s best rainy day activities are within a short walk or drive.
So, if the clouds have rolled in during your stay, here are a few ways to turn it around.
Spend a Morning at Christchurch Art Gallery
Rainy days and art galleries have always been a good match, and Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū happens to be one of New Zealand’s leading public galleries. With a great programme of exhibitions and an impressive permanent collection, there’s always something new to see.
Pop in for an hour to escape the rain, or, if you have the time to spare, you can easily linger much longer.
Christchurch’s Best Museums for a Rainy Day
If you’re travelling with the kids or love to learn more about the places you visit, a rainy day at Christchurch’s museums is a great use of time.
The Canterbury Museum is currently operating from a temporary site while its historic Rolleston Avenue building undergoes a major redevelopment, with exhibitions continuing throughout the project. Nearby, the Air Force Museum of New Zealand offers a fascinating look at the country’s aviation history, with restored aircraft, interactive displays and plenty to keep children entertained as well.
Browse Boutiques and Bookshops
If you’re someone who enjoys discovering local businesses rather than large shopping malls, a rainy day is well spent wandering around the city.
Spend some time exploring the boutiques along New Regent Street, duck into independent bookshops, or browse the specialty retailers at Riverside Market while deciding where to stop for lunch. The market is just as lively on wet days, with artisan food producers, bakeries and cafés providing plenty of excuses to slow down for a while.
Christchurch’s Best Cafés for a Rainy Day
Christchurch’s café scene has earned a loyal following, and rainy weather is as good an excuse as any to enjoy it.
Order another coffee at Unknown Chapter, settle into a booth at C1 Espresso, or find a quiet corner at Child Sister while the rain passes. These are the sorts of places where locals settle in and stay a while, so they’re perfect for watching the world go by.
Spas and Hot Pools for a Wet Day
Sometimes a wet weather day is your invitation to slow down and unwind. There are plenty of places in Christchurch to get a great massage or facial, while an afternoon at He Puna Taimoana Hot Pools is always well-spent in winter, soaking in warm saltwater as you watch the rain whip across the ocean.
Stay Central at The George
One advantage of staying at The George is that you’re close to many of Christchurch’s best indoor attractions. Christchurch Art Gallery, Riverside Market, cafés, restaurants and boutique shopping are all within easy reach, making it simple to adjust your plans when the weather changes.
And after a day spent exploring the city between showers, returning to a comfortable room at The George and dinner at 50 Bistro is a fitting way to end the day. And, if the skies clear, you’re perfectly positioned to head off on some of Christchurch’s best walks.