Rainy Day Activities in the Fox Cities

It's a rainy week ahead but still plenty of fun to be had in the Fox Cities. Below are a few of our favorite ideas.

Visit a museum

Explore the electrifying history and beauty of the Hearthstone Historic House Museum, the first private residence in the world illuminated using hydroelectricity.

Check out the world's largest collection of glass paperweights and other rotating exhibits at the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass. The museum is located in Neenah and offers free admission with donations appreciated.

Adjacent to Houdini Plaza in downtown Appleton, you can view works from visual artists in rotating exhibits at the Trout Museum of Art. The museum is open each day with the exception of Monday.

Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass

Grab some grub.

Cozy up with a coffee, breakfast treat, and good book at a local coffeehouse like Seth's Coffee or CopperRock Coffee Co.

Try a new restaurant or enjoy a dish from a your go-to favorite. Whether it's indulging in ethnic cuisine at Katsu-Ya of Japan, enjoying Wisconsin's best cheese curds from Stone Arch Brewpub, or grabbing a pizza for dinner from Butch's Pizza, you'll find an array of dining options across the Fox Cities to enjoy. Browse a wide variety of additional restaurant offerings here.

Just looking for a treat? Stop by Wilmar Chocolates to indulge your sweet tooth by sampling the chocolate of the day or even building your own custom chocolate bar filled with all of your wildest cravings. Custom bar orders will be taken until Wednesdy evening each week.

Seth’s Coffee

Go shopping.

The Fox River Mall, one of the state's largest and best known malls, has more than 100 top retailers, including Apricot Lane Boutique, Pottery Barn, Lids, H&M, Scheels, and other stores that fit a range of budgets, styles, and interests.

Pop open that umbrella, stroll, and shop the Ave. Downtown Appleton is a walkable, safe, and vibrant area to shop a variety of boutiques and stores, including Lillians, Heid Music, and more.

Hundreds of stores and boutiques are sprinkled across the Fox Cities are ready to be explored, discovered, and shoppped.

Red Door Mercantile (PC: Adam Shea)

Play at an indoor game/sports complex.

For adults, Player 2 Arcade Bar, a retro 21+ arcade bar in downtown Appleton, features classic arcade games, including Space Invaders, Ms. Pac Man, NBA Jam, Super Mario Bros., Q-Bert, Donkey Kong, and a full bar.

If looking for another way to play, book a tee time indoors. Play some of the country's best courses, virtually, at Appleton Indoor Golf.

Appleton Indoor Golf

Make it a spa day.

Rest, relax, and rejuvenate at Spa BenMarNicos. Choose from a facial treatment, massage, body treatment, or other spa or salon service. Connected to RYE Restaurant and the CopperLeaf Boutique Hotel & Spa, make it a weekend or staycation by booking a room and enjoying fine dining all in one location.

For additional Fox Cities spa options offering facial, body, and beauty treatments, click here.

Copperleaf Boutique Hotel & Spa

Venture outdoors.

Put on your rain jacket and head outdoors. From Heckrodt Wetland Reserve to 100+ miles of trails to countless parks and greenspaces, there are plenty of places to enjoy the outdoors even with a bit of rain. If you don't mind some puddles, a bit of mud, and carrying extra gear, you can witness natural beauty in new ways out in the rain.