April showers bring May flowers … but what do February showers bring?
Arizonians are in for a rainy February and, as Valley residents, most of us aren’t used to consistent rain days. Although some might stay in bed during the rainy season, others, like myself, become restless when inside for too long. Here are some ways to spend your rainy days – from indoors and outdoors to alone or with friends!
Visit a Bookstore
One way to get out of your house on a rainy day is to visit a bookstore and find a spot where you can read, get coffee and find new stories! Reading is one of the coziest rainy day activities, and it really makes you feel like the “main character.”
Escape into another world with some of my personal favorite books:
- A Court of Thorns and Roses, by Sarah J. Maas
- They Both Die at the End, by Adam Silvera
- It Ends With Us, by Colleen Hoover
- Slammed, by Colleen Hoover
- Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott
- Book Lovers, by Emily Henry
- One True Loves, by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig
- The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- Terrace Story, by Hilary Leichter
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by J.K. Rowling
Here are some bookstores that I would recommend in the Phoenix area. Changing Hands Bookstore buys and sells used books and hosts regular events such as author readings. They also have a bar and coffee shop in-house, which makes this spot the perfect place to spend your rainy day. The Book Gallery is a secondhand spot with many current, trending titles. The cozy interior of this bookstore located at 3615 E. Indian School Road makes for the perfect reading nook. Palabras Bilingual Bookstore has a wide range of books and genre types along with their bilingual selection. Lastly, Barnes & Noble is always a reliable reader’s haven. They have almost any book you could possibly dream of and most locations have a Starbucks as well.
Visit One of Phoenix’s Many Museums
Phoenix is home to some of the best museums that can fill your day with appreciation, knowledge and lots of fun. The museums are great for all ages and interest types, making it a great family or individual activity.
Visit the Phoenix Art Museum for its expansive collection of art from past to present and around the world. Stop by the Arizona Science Center for interactive and educational attractions, events and programs. Check out the OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale to see the largest aquarium in the Southwest that is home to over 30,000 animals! Located on the Arizona Boardwalk, you can go to many other experiences listed on the OdySea website. Spend the day at the Heard Museum to appreciate American Indian art or the Musical Instrument Museum to learn more about the tunes you stream throughout the day.
Have a Movie Marathon
Catch up on 2023’s best movies or binge a classic saga. Many of the rave-reviewed movies of 2023 are now available on streaming, giving you the chance to spend a rainy day catching up on what could be the next Oscar winner.
If you’re a Rom-Com lover, binge your favorite 2000s romantic comedies! I know I’ll be spending one of my rainy days watching “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” “Crazy Stupid Love”, “10 Things I Hate About You,” “50 First Dates,” “The Proposal” and so many more!
Some might want to escape to a galaxy far, far away, so binge the “Star Wars” saga from start to finish. Or maybe you want to go on a mission with “Mission Impossible” or “Fast & Furious.” Other series that are great for rainy days are “Harry Potter,” “Lord of the Rings,” “Indiana Jones,” “Jurassic Park,” “Back to the Future” or the “Marvel” universe.
If you’re a real movie buff, spend a day watching the classics. Some of my favorites are Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” “Affair to Remember,” “Casa Blanca” and “Roman Holiday.”
Whatever your movie genre of choice, you can spend the day watching some of your favorites doing a facemask, doing house chores or even just relaxing on the couch or in bed.
Organize or Declutter
Take the day to deep-clean and organize your home. Use the rainy day as an opportunity to start fresh once the sun returns. Make a list of certain areas that need to be cleaned or organized and go from there! It is hard work, but the post-cleaning-and-organizing-relief is unmatched. Whether it be your fridge, closet, kitchen or bedroom, you’ll thank yourself once you’re done!
Try Out Some New Recipes
One of the best ways to spend a rainy day is by trying something new. Testing out a new recipe is always a fun and creative activity! Whether you prefer to bake or cook, you can try to make a new signature dish or a bake-sale favorite.
Go on TikTok to find some culinary inspiration or check out AZ Foothills Taste for Chef William Turner’s recipes! Some of my favorite recipes are the Cornmeal Breaded Lamb Lollipops, 3 Chile-Cranberry Glazed Brussel Sprouts, Crab and Corn Brie Dip and Lavender Vanilla French Toast.
If you want to do some Valentine’s-inspired baking, heart-shaped cookies and cakes are a fun seasonal baking activity! Get together with some friends and have a Valentine’s cookie decorating party or host a Valentine’s dinner party with some of your favorite baking creations!
Arts & Crafts
Find new, or old, ways to creatively express yourself on a rainy day! Tap into your creative side and do some arts and crafts. It is a great activity to do alone or with a group, at home or at a store! Take a cooking class, visit a poetry-making and/or painting spot, go to a candle-making class or find a crafty class that might be of interest to you. You can also enjoy arts and crafts in the comfort of your own home. Paint, draw, cook, make candles, make slime or really, truly, anything! Utilize items in your home or go to a craft store and stock up. The sky’s the limit with arts and crafts, and it is one of the best activities when the outdoors isn’t available.
There are an endless amount of ways to spend your rainy days, so make sure to enjoy them! Before we know it, it’s going to be scorching hot and we’ll be missing our February showers.
