40 things to do when it's raining

Play indoor golf at Chelsea Piers
The golf course at the Piers boasts four floors and 52 stalls. Come during off-peak hours (6:30am-4pm or 10pm-midnight) to get a better bang for your buck (147 balls for $25, as opposed to 90 during peak hours). Try virtual golfing at the simulators, where you’re also allowed to bring up pizza and beer from Chelsea Brewery downstairs. Twelfth Ave at 23rd St (212-336-6666, chelseapiers.com)

Check out the Antiques Garage Flea Market
Always a scene, bargain hunters compete with city antiques dealers for the best prices on all things antique and vintage. Offering more than 100 vendors spread across two floors of an old parking garage, this market is perhaps the best known in the city, and for good reason—while the prices aren’t the best you’ll find, the merchandise usually hits the mark. It has its share of curio crap, but an early morning trip through the stalls—best to get there before the post-brunch, hand-holding hordes—can be rewarding. Run by the folks responsible for the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market, a shuttle is provided between the two spots for a buck. 112 W 25th St between Sixth and Seventh Aves. Sat, Sun 6:30am-5 pm.

Take an underground tour at the Federal Reserve Bank
Here’s your chance to descend 80ft below street level and commune with the planet’s most precious metal. Roughly a quarter of the world’s gold (more than $200 billion) is stored here in a gigantic vault that rests on the bedrock of Manhattan Island. Learn about the history of moolah and the Fed’s role in maintaining interest rates, while touring the posh interior (high arches, metalwork). Don’t miss the impressive coin collection and the gold bars in the basement. 33 Liberty St between Nassau and William Sts (212-720-6130). Mon–Fri 9:30, 10:30, 11:30am, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30pm. Reservations required.

Relax with mind-blowing cocktails at Angel’s Share
Walk through an unmarked side door at the front of Japanese restaurant Village Yokocho, and you’ll find yourself in perhaps the classiest joint in the East Village. Its speakeasy vibe and strict rule (no standing, no groups over 4) create the perfect atmosphere for a rainy afternoon drinking session. Listen to the excellent jazz and look out over the wetness of Stuyvesant Square while enjoying attentive service and excellent cocktails, including one of the city’s best grasshoppers. 8 Stuyvesant St between Third Ave and E 9th St, second floor (212-777-5415)

Watch your favorite TV shows at the Paley Center for Media
This pop-culture nirvana contains an archive of more than 100,000 radio and TV programs. Just head to the fourth-floor library and search the database for your favorite episode of I Love Lucy, Seinfeld or Desperate Housewives, then tune in (and veg out) at your assigned console. 25 W 52nd St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-621-6600, paleycenter.org)

Settle into Art Bar's leather couches for a boozy afternoon
This West Village bar has been around for more than a decade, and it shows. Settle into the circular booths up front, or the comfy, date-friendly couches and lounge chairs in the back. A basic pub menu is available, and the digital jukebox is kept at a festive but reasonable volume, making this a suitable place to talk the day (or night) away. 52 Eighth Ave between Horatio and Jane Sts (212-727-0244)

Take a marathon breakfast at Balthazar
Not only is the iconic Balthazar still trendy, but the kitchen rarely makes a false step. At breakfast the media and fashion types come out and linger over fresh pain au chocolat ($3.75), homemade donuts, and an $18 full English breakfast. The sumptuous surroundings make the perfect antidote to dreary rain. When the lunch crowd starts rolling in, head to McNally Jackson Booksellers (52 Prince St between Lafayette and Mulberry Sts, 212-274-1160) for tea and some magazine browsing. 80 Spring St between Broadway and Crosby (212-965-1414, balthazarny.com)

Get a scalp massage at Faina
Any excuse that might have been keeping you from pampering yourself is completely shot down here: The $30 scalp massage is not expensive, not lengthy, not inconvenient—and there’s no getting naked necessary. The office-size suite may be modest, but its linens are crisp and the staff serenely professional. A quarter hour of temple rubbing, hair tugging and swirly head kneading feels a lot longer, and it’s mind-clearing for even the most ticklish among us. 315 W 57th St between Eighth and Ninth Aves (212-245-6557, fainaeuropeanspa.com)