Top 7 things to Remember when Traveling During the Rain

Arriving and it starts to Rain

Top 7 things to Remember when Traveling During the Rain

The chances are great that if you travel enough you will arrive somewhere and it will start to rain. Do not let that get you down.  I’ve put together my top things I wish I knew early on during traveling.

This past spring we arrived into NYC and the city was raining and wet.  I can’t decide if it is cleaner as the dirt and grime is being washed away OR is it dirtier because the dirt is just being diluted. I see young women who clearly are on vacation walking around wearing sandals. It is cold and wet. What are they thinking? And the sandals aren’t even cute. Not that I am always functional over fashion but the sandals really get to me.

What do we do?

Just remember that really nothing stops when it rains. The people just use umbrellas but everyone is still out and about. I have noticed through my travels that this isn’t exclusive to NYC – most major cities don’t stop.

If it were my first time in the city and it was raining, these are some things that I’d want to know:

1. Hotels have umbrellas. Ask the door guy or the front desk. They give them to you to use and just ask for them back. Don’t pack them.  If your hotel is out, just go to the next hotel and ask for one.  They rarely ask if you are guest.

2. Wear boots or water proof shoes. There are puddles everywhere. The streets are very gross. The water is not clear. You will get wet.

3. When you go into a place, most of them have bag stands. Stick your umbrella in there and it wraps the umbrella in plastic to keep the inside dry.

4. I take my rain coat with me anywhere I go that has a chance of rain. REI has several and mine is the REI brand. It can be rolled up tightly so it takes up minimal space.

5. There are tons of things to do that rain doesn’t matter: museums are the big one. The Natural Science Museum is always good and can take you a full day.

6. Remember the subways are underground and are a good way to navigate. They will be more crowded than usual, so plan for that.

7. If it is not really hot (like August hot) then it will help you to have a scarf. The wind hits just right and the water can be annoying. I recommend a light scarf that you can wash when you get home.

(On a side note, it is always good to have a scarf with you regardless.  You never know when you will be cold, spill on your shirt, or need something to sit on.  Plus, if you are worried about your outfits looking the same in each photo, a scarf can change it up).

Don’t let a little rain stop you. The New Yorkers don’t. And when in New York, or wherever you are, do as they do.