New York City in the summer is a whole mood: sun blazing off the pavement, crowded parks, and subway platforms that feel hotter than the actual sun. While rooftop drinks and ferry rides have their place, sometimes you just want to stay cool and do something that doesn’t involve sweating through your shirt.
Fortunately, there are plenty of things to do indoors in NYC that go far beyond museums and shopping malls. Whether you’re planning a date, entertaining friends, escaping a rainy afternoon, or simply looking for something different, these indoor experiences let you stay cool while making the most of your day.
What are the best things to do indoors in NYC?
If you’re wondering what to do indoors in NYC, here are some of the city’s best experiences:
- Take a DIY workshop.
- Go indoor rock climbing.
- Discover hidden speakeasies.
- Learn something new in a cooking class.
- Try aquatic yoga.
- Explore NYC’s underground history.
- Visit an immersive art experience.
- Solve puzzles in an escape room.
Each offers a unique way to spend a few hours indoors while escaping New York City’s summer heat.
1. Attend a DIY Craft Workshop
When you’re looking for something hands-on, immersive, and comfortably air-conditioned, a workshop at Craftsman Ave in Brooklyn is hard to beat. These maker-led classes invite you to unplug, try something new, and walk away with a handmade item you’ll actually want to show off.
Here’s just a taste of what you can build:
- Woodworking – Craft your own custom side table, longboard, and more from wood.
- Knife Making – Forge a full-sized chef knife from steel, then sharpen it to a professional edge.
- Stained Glass – Learn to cut and solder colorful pieces into something beautiful for your windowsill.
- Leatherworking – Create a minimalist wallet or passport holder that looks straight out of a designer shop.
- Upcycling: Learn how to turn old wood, scrap metal, or reclaimed materials into something functional and beautiful.
It’s the kind of activity that’s equal parts mindful, productive, and fun. Whether you’re planning a creative date night or just want to try something new that doesn’t involve a screen, this is a refreshing way to escape the heat with purpose.
2. Visit an Indoor Rock Climbing Gym
If you want something more active but aren’t eager to do it outdoors, indoor climbing lets you work up a sweat in a cool, controlled environment. Think of it as the perfect middle ground between a gym session and a brain teaser.
NYC has some fantastic climbing gyms for all levels:
- Brooklyn Boulders (Gowanus) – A vibrant climbing and community hub with yoga, coworking, and friendly staff.
- Movement LIC – Wide open spaces with climbing routes and bouldering problems for beginners and pros alike.
This is one of those “you have to try it to get it” experiences, once you start planning your route up the wall, everything else melts away. And unlike your average treadmill routine, it keeps both your muscles and your mind engaged.
3. Explore Hidden Speakeasies and Secret Bars
Tired of the standard bar scene? New York is home to dozens of secret speakeasies tucked behind unmarked doors, phone booths, and psychic signs. They offer a fun blend of adventure, ambiance, and creative cocktails, and they’re almost always cool, dimly lit, and pleasantly uncrowded.
Start your tour with:
Employees Only (West Village) – Disguised as a psychic reading storefront with serious mixology inside.
PDT (Please Don’t Tell) – Enter through a phone booth inside Crif Dogs in the East Village.
The Back Room (Lower East Side) – Step through a gated alleyway and sip cocktails in vintage teacups.
Whether you’re taking visiting friends out for a unique night or planning an impromptu date, these hidden bars feel like well-kept secrets, and offer the perfect break from the sun-drenched sidewalks.
4. Attend a Cooking Class
For those days when you want to stay inside but still feel accomplished, cooking classes offer the perfect mix of learning, fun, and food. You’ll get to try new techniques, discover recipes you can actually replicate at home, and leave with the satisfaction of having made something delicious from scratch.
Whether you’re mastering gnocchi or building your own sushi rolls, it’s an energizing way to spend a few hour, especially when paired with a glass of wine and good company.
5. Try an Aquatic Yoga Class
Yoga is great. But doing it in a cool, serene pool? That’s next level, especially when the temps outside are pushing triple digits.
Aquatic yoga combines traditional movements with the calming resistance of water, creating a gentle yet effective way to stretch, balance, and breathe. The pool adds an element of relaxation that’s tough to replicate in a standard studio.
It’s a thoughtful, body-friendly way to work out, and you’ll leave feeling refreshed and recharged, instead of overheated and dehydrated.
6. Take an Underground Tour of NYC’s Hidden Tunnels
Sometimes, to really escape the heat, you’ve got to go underground. NYC is filled with fascinating hidden spaces beneath the streets, tunnels, abandoned subway stations, and forgotten infrastructure that tells the story of the city’s past.
These tours are more than just cooler temperature-wise, they’re immersive, fascinating, and a chance to see a side of NYC that even longtime residents rarely experience. Just don’t forget sunscreen and water if your tour includes some above-ground trekking between stops.
7. Visit an Immersive Art Exhibit
If you’re looking for things to do indoors in NYC that feel creative and completely different, immersive art exhibits are hard to beat. These interactive experiences combine technology, projection mapping, sound, and storytelling to create environments you’re encouraged to walk through, touch, and explore instead of simply observing from behind a rope.
Popular experiences include:
- Mercer Labs – A cutting-edge museum featuring immersive installations, light displays, and interactive digital art.
- ARTECHOUSE – Rotating exhibitions that blend technology, animation, and large-scale projections into one unforgettable experience.
- Color Factory – A playful, colorful attraction filled with interactive rooms, hands-on exhibits, and plenty of photo opportunities.
Whether you’re planning a date, entertaining out-of-town visitors, or simply escaping the summer heat, immersive museums offer one of the most unique indoor activities in NYC. Most experiences take 60 to 90 minutes to explore, making them easy to pair with dinner or another nearby attraction.
8. Challenge Yourself in an Escape Room
Escape rooms have become one of the most popular indoor activities in NYC because they combine teamwork, problem-solving, and a little adrenaline into one memorable experience. Instead of sitting through a movie or grabbing another round of drinks, you’ll work together to crack codes, solve puzzles, and uncover clues before the clock runs out.
Some of New York City’s highest-rated escape rooms include:
- The Escape Game NYC – Known for immersive sets, beginner-friendly games, and multiple themed adventures.
- Mission Escape Games – Offers challenging rooms with Hollywood-quality production and clever puzzles.
Escape rooms are perfect for couples, families with older kids, friend groups, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and corporate team-building events. Most games last about an hour, and no previous experience is needed, making them an easy choice if you’re searching for fun things to do indoors in NYC when the weather isn’t cooperating.
Ready to Try Something Different?
WIf you’re looking for things to do indoors in NYC that are more memorable than another museum visit or shopping trip, Craftsman Ave offers hands-on workshops where you’ll build something you can actually use.
Whether it’s woodworking, knife making, stained glass, or welding, every workshop is beginner-friendly, fully guided, and designed to help you create something you’ll be proud to take home.
👉 Explore All Workshops at Craftsman Ave
Featured Workshops at Craftsman Ave:
Things to do Indoors in NYC FAQ
What are the best things to do indoors in NYC?
Some of the best indoor activities include DIY workshops, cooking classes, indoor climbing, immersive art exhibits, escape rooms, hidden speakeasies, and underground tours.
What are fun indoor activities in NYC for adults?
Adults often enjoy woodworking classes, knife making, cooking experiences, climbing gyms, escape rooms, and cocktail bars. These activities are interactive and ideal for dates, groups, or solo outings.
What are good indoor date ideas in NYC?
DIY workshops, cooking classes, escape rooms, and hidden speakeasies are some of the best indoor date ideas because they encourage conversation and shared experiences.
What can you do indoors in NYC on a hot day?
Escape the heat by visiting a workshop, climbing gym, cooking class, museum, immersive art exhibit, or indoor attraction with air conditioning.
Are Craftsman Ave workshops beginner-friendly?
Yes. Most workshops require no prior experience, and instructors provide all the tools, materials, and guidance you need to complete your project.