It's raining, it's pouring, but it's the middle of the day so there's no chance you'll be snoring. Cooped up inside on a dull, rainy day, you're desperate for something to put an end to your boredom.
Well, here are the five best things to do in Sydney to stop those rainy-day blues setting in.
Laser Tag
You might think laser tag is something just for kids, but you're never too old to enjoy an hour or two of playing soldiers. To quote the legendary Barney Stinson from
How I Met Your Mother, "
Laser tag knows no age restrictions, much like stripping in the Midwest."
Armed with laser weapons and combat vests, you manoeuvre through a smoky battlefield and try to "kill" your mates. It's just like paintball but without all that running around in the bush and no danger of bruises or welts.
M9 Laser Skirmish,
Zone 3 Laser Tag and
Laser Siege are all worth visiting.
Visit a Museum
I know that the word "museum" might bring back bad memories of some mind-numbing school excursions from when you were younger, but don't let that put you off. Like any major city, Sydney has its fair share of fascinating museums where you can waste a wet afternoon.
The Powerhouse Museum offers plenty of interactive displays, while the
National Maritime Museum covers all things nautical. If natural history is more your type of thing, the
Australian Museum is the place to go.
Check out
this WeekendNotes article to find out which is Sydney's best museum.
Pub It
A few drinks, a hearty meal and maybe even an open fireplace - sounds pretty inviting on those wet and windy days, doesn't it? Some pubs are perfect refuges from chilly weather, boasting a cosy atmosphere and a wide array of beverages to warm you up.
Warm up with a beverage or two and a hearty pub meal.
The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel in The Rocks and
Gilroys Hotel in St Leonards are two of my favourites.
Go Bowling
Strap on some silly shoes, put the bumpers out, embrace your competitive side and go ten-pin bowling. Not only do you get to have a bit of fun with your mates, but you also get to indulge in some snacks and a drink or two.
Strike,
Kingpin and
AMF will be happy to shelter you from the rain for a couple of hours.
Go Ice Skating
Hidden away in North Ryde's Macquarie Shopping Centre is the
Macquarie Ice Rink. If the weather turns pear-shaped, an hour or two of ice skating is something a little different to entertain you.
But if you're a bit of a gumby like me and will spend more time falling on your backside than you will gliding gracefully around the ice, you can always console yourself with a cheeseburger or two from the nearby Maccas.
