Are you feeling the blues of the rainy season? It’s definitely not a great time for outdoor activities like going to beaches, playing sports, or traveling out of town, but there are still plenty of things to enjoy in the city.
While it may be a downer for some who had grand plans for the weekend, there are still plenty of exciting things to do when the weather takes a turn. Yes — the rainy season doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom.
From creative takes on visiting museums, playing bowling and billiards, discovering delicious food finds, and more — whether you’re doing it alone or with loved ones — prepare yourself for some memorable rainy weather experiences.
Check out this list of ten things to do in Manila to make the most of these wet and dreary days.
- Visit the National Museum
- Discover Museo San Agustin
- Explore Manila Ocean Park
- Shop at Greenbelt Mall
- Immerse in Filipino culture at Ayala Museum
- Experience Art in Island
- Spend time with your kids at PlayLab Robinsons Galleria
- Play bowling and billiards at Paeng’s Bowl and Billiards Room
- Play arcade games at Timezone
- Visit the Mind Museum
1. Visit the National Museum of Natural History
Image credit: Wikipedia
The National Museum of Natural History in Manila is a great indoor activity during the rainy season. It showcases the Filipino people’s cultural heritage and the natural history of the Philippines.
Located along Padre Burgos Avenue in Ermita, it is part of the National Museum Complex, which includes the National Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of Anthropology, and the National Planetarium.
Admission is free for all visitors, and the museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
2. Discover Museo San Agustin
Image credit: BeautyofthePhilippines.com
Museo San Agustin is home to a treasure chest of religious art pieces, artifacts, statues, and sculptures.
Located on General Luna Street in Manila, within the historic district of Intramuros, this museum showcases the evolution of Christianity in the country.
Some of the most popular relics include ceramics, liturgical goods, botanical drawings, and antique furniture. The museum is spread over two floors, and you can easily spend a few hours exploring its exhibits.
The entrance fee for the Museo San Agustin is ₱100 for adults, ₱80 for senior citizens, and ₱40 for students. The museum is open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
3. Explore Manila Ocean Park
Image credit: Manila Ocean Park
Manila Ocean Park is the go-to place for indoor fun, especially during the rainy season. Situated behind the Quirino Grandstand at Rizal Park, with marine life and exciting attractions for everyone.
The Oceanarium is home to a diverse range of marine life, including 14,000 creatures from 277 species in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. It features a unique 220° curved walkway tunnel that offers a breathtaking underwater view of sea creatures swimming overhead.
Manila Ocean Park offers different ticket packages, with prices ranging from ₱680 to ₱1,000, depending on the number of attractions you choose.
Children two feet and below are free of charge, while PWDs and senior citizens get a 20% discount on regular rates. The park is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
4. Shop at Greenbelt Mall
Greenbelt Mall is a popular upscale shopping destination at Ayala Center, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines. It offers many high-end retail shops, restaurants, and entertainment options — all within an indoor setting.
The mall has five sections, providing even more shopping and dining experiences. From luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Hermès, and Gucci to various restaurants and cafes, Greenbelt has something for everyone.
There are no fees to enter the mall, but parking fees may apply if you choose to park your vehicle at the mall.
The parking rates for Greenbelt 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are as follows:
- First four hours: ₱45
- Succeeding hours between 6:00 a.m. — 11:00 p.m: ₱50/hour
- Succeeding hours between 11:00 am to closing: ₱10/hour
5. Immerse in Filipino culture at Ayala Museum
Image credit: Wikipedia
The Ayala Museum in Manila is a modern museum run by the Ayala Foundation. It showcases the Philippines’ rich cultural heritage, art, and history.
The museum’s collection includes artworks, artifacts, and dioramas that provide insight into the country’s past and present.
Key attractions at the museum include the “Diorama Experience,” featuring miniature scenes depicting major events in Philippine history.
The museum also has permanent exhibits on Filipino culture, art, and history, as well as changing exhibits that place Philippine art in the global arena. The entrance fee is ₱350, open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
6. Experience Art in Island
Image credit: Wikipedia
During the rainy season, visiting Art in Island in Manila is an excellent indoor activity. Art in Island is a 3D interactive art museum located in Cubao.
The museum features over 100 interactive artworks that rely on optical illusions, making the two-dimensional works appear as 3D. Visitors are encouraged to photograph themselves with the artwork, becoming part of it and creating unique photos and memories.
Art in Island regular entrance fee is ₱850 for adults, ₱700 for students, and ₱600 for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. The museum is open from 11:00 a.m to 7:30 p.m.
7. Spend time with your kids at PlayLab Robinsons Galleria
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PlayLab Robinsons Galleria in Manila is an ideal indoor activity during the rainy season. It is the Philippines’ first digital interactive children’s play park, located at the fourth level, the main atrium of Robinsons Galleria.
With 14 unique digital attractions like Tap Tap Wall, Butterfly World, and Infinity Pool, PlayLab stimulates children’s creativity and logic and promotes active play and interaction with other kids.
The centerpiece, Rainbow Tree, is an interactive treehouse where kids can climb, discover a secret world, or enjoy the swings around it.
The entrance fee for kids is ₱450 for four hours (2-6 years old), and ₱225 is charged for the guardian as it’s required that children below 6 years old must have one.
Operating hours vary from branch to branch, but you can check Robinsons Galleria’s Facebook page for an updated schedule.
8. Play bowling and billiards at Paeng’s Bowl and Billiards Room
Image credit: Booky
Other entertaining indoor activities are bowling and billiards with friends and family. Let your competitive side shine and score the highest at the bowling alley, or just chill and play billiard while enjoying a few drinks and pizza.
Check out Paeng’s Bowl and Billiards Room Citywalk Eastwood, which offers a lively atmosphere for enthusiasts and newbies. You can rent a pair of bowling shoes for the entire session.
For updated rates and schedules, visit the official Facebook page.
9. Play arcade games at Timezone
Image credit: Timezone
Timezone is a popular entertainment center that offers various exciting activities and games for people of all ages. Some include arcade games, laser tag, bowling, and bumper cars, to name a few.
Timezone has multiple locations in the Philippines, like Ayala Malls, Robinson’s Place, and SM Malls. The fees for each activity may vary depending on the location, but typically, you can purchase a card with credits worth ₱300. Simply swipe the card to the designated arcade game to play it instead of inserting coins.
For an updated schedule of operating hours, visit the official website.
10. Visit the Mind Museum
Image credit: Mind Museum
The Mind Museum in Bonifacio Global City features over 250 interactive exhibits across five interconnected galleries, covering topics such as atoms, life, Earth, the universe, and technology.
Some highlights include the country’s first permanent T. rex exhibit, various habitats and organisms in the Life Gallery, and the Technology Gallery, which is the largest of all the galleries.
The museum is open from Tuesdays to Sundays, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and closed on Mondays.
For ticket prices and special offers, visit the Mind Museum website. They also offer special exhibitions and online workshops.
Final thoughts
From exploring the art and history of the Philippines at the National Museum to discovering Filipino culture, art, and history at the Ayala Museum, you can do plenty of exciting indoor activities during Manila’s rainy season.
Shopping, dining, and entertainment options also abound nearby – visit Greenbelt Mall or Robinsons Place Mall. There’s even something for science lovers: the Mind Museum.
Combat boredom with laser tag battles and bowling arenas, or get lost in 3D artworks at Art in Island.
With so many exciting attractions, you’ll never run out of things to do with family and friends.
Which one of these activities would you like to try first?
Let us know in the comments below.
Whatever your choice, enjoy experiencing all that Manila has to offer this rainy season.