Things to do on a rainy day in York
Editor's note: This article was originally published in the spring of 2016. Note that showtimes and performance listings may have changed.
So, it's raining. Again. And you're probably running out of things to keep you busy at home.
You can only read so many books and watch so much TV before you just need to get out of the house.
Here are a few ways to stay out of the rain while enjoying the best of York's local entertainment scene.
Play arcade games
Empty your piggy bank and spend the day at York’s newest gaming destination, Timeline Arcade. The arcade – which officially opened its doors at 54 W. Market St. in mid-April – offers 50 to 60 classic arcade games, ranging from Pac-Man to Donkey Kong to Space Invaders. “Ghostbusters” and “The Walking Dead”-themed pinball machines will soon be added to the list. The idea behind Timeline Arcade is to provide an experience where you can spend hours trying to beat one another's high scores just for the fun of playing the game – not to win a prize. And when you've worked up an appetite, you don’t even have to walk out in the rain to grab dinner. Guests who purchase the all-day-play package for $25 can have their food delivered through a partnership with Baron Von Schwein.
Go to a movie
Probably the first activity that comes to mind when the rain ruins your plans is to sit down and watch a movie. But don’t just watch any movie. As of March, you can now see first-run independent films and documentaries in the 22-seat theater at Small Star Art House, 232 W. Market St., Thursdays through Sundays. This week’s films include “Antarctica: A Year On Ice” and “Born To Be Blue.” Visit smallstaryork.com for tickets and show times. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out York PA Stuff, an art gallery and shop that shares space with the theater.
Plan your escape
Don’t stay locked in your house all day. Get locked inside one of York’s escape rooms with your friends instead at Escape Games Live, 147 W. Philadelphia St. If you’ve never done an escape room, it’s a fun, new way to play detective. Once you’re locked inside, you and your friends have one hour to find clues, solve puzzles and escape before time runs out. Escape Games Live offers three themed rooms for adults: Escape the ‘70s, Escape the Precinct and Sherlock’s Office (in order from easiest to most difficult). A new room, called Mojo’s Museum, is also available now for children ages 8 to 13. Visit www.escapegameslive.com to reserve a room.
Visit an art gallery
Art galleries are a great place to hide from the rain. And lucky for you, York has quite a few of them. In downtown York’s Royal Square district, alone, you’ll find Hive Artspace, King’s Courtyard Artists’ Collective, The Parliament Art Gallery and Tea Bar and Prime Art Supply, all within walking distance of one another. You’ll definitely want to check out the new #Exploreogram exhibit, featuring more than 650 Instagram photos from local photographers at The Parliament. And while you’re there, make sure to order a bubble tea. Other downtown galleries include Creative York, i-ron-ic and The Rooted Artist Collective.
See a show
York has several indoor concert and theater venues, perfect for a rainy night out. This weekend, you can see “School of Rock” at Belmont Theatre. And mark your calendar for other upcoming shows, including HGTV'S "Property Brothers" coming to the Pullo Center in Novembe and One-Man 'Star Wars' Trilogy coming in January to the Strand-Capitol.
