What to do in Christchurch when it rains
A rainy Christchurch afternoon is an invitation to slow down: galleries, museums, a covered market to browse, and somewhere warm for a brew.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- Canterbury Museum 66 Gloucester Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
- Quake City 299 Durham Street North, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
- The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora 2 Worcester Boulevard, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
- Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū 312 Montreal Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
- Ravenscar House Museum 52 Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
- Kate Sheppard House 83 Clyde Road, Ilam, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora 2 Worcester Boulevard, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
- Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū 312 Montreal Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
- Art Gallery 49 Gloucester Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
- Moko Pounamu Shop 1/340 Durham Street North, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
- Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Christchurch 2 Harakeke Street, Riccarton, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
- CoCA - Centre of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki 66 Gloucester Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
- Jailhouse Accommodation 338 Lincoln Road, Addington, Christchurch 8024, New Zealand
- Art center building 3 Hereford Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
- New Zealand World Peace Bell Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
- Band Rotunda 3410435, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
- Robert Falcon Scott Memorial Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
- Old Government Building 28 Cathedral Square, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- Riverside Market 96 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
- Christchurch Farmers' Market 16 Kahu Road, Fendalton, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
- Bombay Bazaar Christchurch 328 Tuam Street, CBD, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
- Funky Pumpkin Fruit & Vegetable Retail Store 290c Colombo Street, Sydenham, Christchurch 8023, New Zealand
- Veggie Fresh 466C Papanui Road, Papanui, Christchurch 8053, New Zealand
- Blacks Fasteners Sydenham 39 Gasson Street, Sydenham, Christchurch 8023, New Zealand
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- New World Durham Street 175 Durham Street South, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
- Unknown Chapter Coffee Roasters 254 Saint Asaph Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
- C1 Espresso Old Post & Telegraph, Office building 185 High Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8142, New Zealand
- The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora 2 Worcester Boulevard, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
- Uprising 199 Ferry Road, Waltham, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
- Child Sister 277 Manchester Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- Westfield Riccarton 129 Riccarton Road, Riccarton, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
- The Palms Shopping Centre Corner Marshland &, New Brighton Road, Shirley, Christchurch 8061, New Zealand
- South City Shopping Centre 555 Colombo Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
- Eastgate Shopping Centre 20 Buckleys Road, Linwood, Christchurch 8062, New Zealand
- Merivale Mall 189 Papanui Road, Merivale, Christchurch 8014, New Zealand
- Barrington 256 Barrington Street, Spreydon, Christchurch 8024, New Zealand
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 36 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.