While planning my very first trip to Taipei, I was bright-eyed and excited about the prospects of hiking under the warm sun, visiting Jiufen and Shifen without a raindrop in sight, and visiting bustling night markets every night.
But when my family and I actually got to Taipei? RAIN RAIN RAIN. We happened to arrive right during one of their last monsoons of the season. Yay us… NOT.
Instead of getting to live out my dreams of experiencing Taipei in pleasant sunny weather, we had to totally pivot and plan around days and days of rain! Having had to re-plan our whole itinerary around the rain, I actually discovered a ton of fun stuff to do indoors.
So I totally feel it. When the rain is pouring outside and you’re stuck indoors, it can be hard to know what to do with yourself. But have no fear! There are plenty of fun things to do in Taipei on a rainy day.
From visiting one of the city’s many museums to indulging in a hot pot meal, there’s no shortage of activities to keep you occupied. So next time it rains, don’t let the weather ruin your plans.
Here are the best things to do in Taipei on a rainy day.
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Still planning your Taipei travel itinerary? Here are some posts you might find helpful:
- Transportation in Taipei: EasyCard or Taipei Fun Pass?
- Taipei Fun Pass: Is It Worth The Money?
- 20 Best Things To Eat In Taipei (And Where To Try Them)
- The Perfect 5 Days In Taipei: What To See, Eat, and Do
- What To Do To Have An Epic Day Trip To Jiufen And Shifen
20 Fun Things To Do In Taipei On A Rainy Day
Visit The National Palace Museum
The National Palace Museum is a great place to visit on a rainy day in Taipei. If you’re interested in learning more about Chinese history and culture, the National Palace Museum is definitely worth a visit.
Even if you’re not particularly interested in that sort of thing, the museum is still a very impressive place to see.
Founded in 1925, the National Palace Museum houses one of the largest collections of ancient Chinese artifacts and artwork in the world. The museum consists of over 700,000 items in its collection–that’s an impressive amount of artifacts to see!
The National Palace Museum is most famous for its extensive collection of Chinese art and artifacts. Some of the most popular exhibits at the museum include the jade collection, calligraphy gallery, painting gallery, and of course the pork belly and jade cabbage!
There’s a lot to learn at the National Palace Museum, so you could expect to spend 2 to 6 hours here, depending on how into the exhibits you are.
The only downside to visiting the National Palace Museum on a rainy day is that it can be quite crowded, as everyone wants to take shelter from the bad weather. However, if you don’t mind crowds, then the National Palace Museum is definitely worth checking out.
You can buy tickets in advance here.
Explore Huashan Creative Park
Huashan 1914 Creative Park is another really cool spot to check out in Taipei on a rainy day.
This park is located in an old wine factory and has been turned into a great place to spend a day. There are art galleries, shops, restaurants, and even a movie theater. You can easily spend a few hours here exploring all the different areas.
If you’re traveling with kids and looking for something a little more active, the park also has a rock climbing wall and an outdoor playground. You can also head to Wooderful Life Wooden Forest, where they can enjoy a play space made of logs as well as 7 hands-on experience areas.
There’s also a small museum that tells the history of the wine factory.
No matter what your hobbies and interests are, Huashan 1914 Creative Park is sure to have something that will keep you entertained for a bit.
Songshan Creative Park
Looking for something artsy and low-key to do on a rainy day in Taipei? Head to Songshan Creative Park, a former tobacco factory that’s been transformed into one of the city’s most interesting creative hubs.
Think of it as a mix between a design market, museum, and café hangout spot. The industrial-style warehouses are now filled with boutique shops selling everything from handmade stationery and ceramics to quirky souvenirs you won’t find in the night markets. Some stalls lean design-forward, while others are just plain fun—perfect for picking up gifts or small keepsakes.
You’ll also find rotating art exhibitions, design showcases, and even pop-up markets, so no two visits feel exactly the same.
When you’re ready for a break, grab a coffee at one of the stylish cafés inside or wander over to Eslite Spectrum Songyan mall next door for even more indie brands, bookstores, and food stalls.
Treat Yourself To A Spa Day Or Massage
One of our favorite rainy-day rituals in Taipei is booking a massage or spa treatment—and honestly, it’s one of the best value-for-money experiences you can have in Asia.
A quality foot massage or full-body session here often costs half (or even a third) of what you’d pay back in the States, which makes it easy to justify indulging a little more often.
You’ll find everything from traditional Chinese reflexology to hot stone massages, facials, and aromatherapy treatments at spas across the city. Even a quick 30-minute session can reset your mood, while a longer package can turn a dreary afternoon into a mini wellness retreat.
Here are a few highly-rated spa treatments you can pre-book on Klook:
- Villa.Like Massage and Spa Experience – multiple locations across Taipei
- Massage Experience at The Village Spa – Shiatsu or Swedish massage options
Taipei Astronomical Museum
Taipei Astronomical Museum is one of the most interesting things to do in Taipei on a rainy day, especially for people and children who love all things space and astronomy!
Located near the city center, this museum provides a unique experience that you can’t find anywhere else. Visitors will be able to explore the mysteries of the universe and discover their place in it all.
The exhibition venues are divided into: Overture, the Earth, the Space Exploration, the Sun, Earth and Moon, the Solar System, Starry Passage, the Milky Way, Kids House, Galaxies, the Universe, the Search for Life, Astronomy in Taiwan
After exploring these exhibitions, you can take part in practical activities such as star gazing or telescope observation! A wide range of workshops are also available for those who want an even deeper dive into what the night sky holds for us all.
Enjoy a hot pot meal
If you’re looking for something to do in Taipei on a rainy day, hot pot is the perfect activity. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also a great way to stay warm and dry indoors.
Some of my hot pot restaurant recommendations include Ding Wang Hotpot and Hai Di Lao.
Want to try having hot pot night at home? Here are a few tips to make your hot pot experience even better.
First, make sure you have all the ingredients you need before you start cooking. This includes a good quality broth, fresh vegetables, and meats or seafood of your choice. You can find everything you need at most supermarkets in Taipei.
Once you have all your ingredients, it’s time to start cooking! The key to a great hot pot is to cook the food slowly so that it retains all its flavor and nutrients. At the end, enjoy the flavorful broth you’ve just created!
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations of ingredients until you find what you like best. Enjoy your meal!
Visit the Miniatures Museum of Taiwan
For something truly unique, check out the Miniatures Museum of Taiwan! This museum is full of intricate, hand-crafted miniature masterpieces of everyday objects and scenes made by elite miniature artists.
This fun little museum was founded by Lin Wen-jen and Lin Chin-mei, a married couple with a passion for small things.
Spend a few hours exploring the museum and marveling at the attention to detail in each miniature. If you’re lucky, you might even catch one of the staff members working on a new piece!
The museum is located in Taipei’s Zhongshan District and is open Tuesday to Sunday.
Go Shopping at Taipei 101
One of the most iconic buildings in Taipei, and indeed all of Taiwan, is the Taipei 101. This massive skyscraper was once the tallest building in the world, and its 101 floors make it a truly impressive sight. Even on a rainy day, shopping at Taipei 101 is a great activity for the whole family.
The building houses some of the best shopping in Taipei, with high-end stores selling everything from clothes to jewelry to electronics.
There’s also a humongous food court on the lower levels, where you can sample some of Taiwan’s delicious cuisine. You can get anything from Din Tai Fung, Hawker Chan, warm taro ball desserts, and even hot pot!
And if you want to take a break from all the shopping and eating, you can always head to the impressive Taipei 101 observation deck and “Sky Lounge Area” on the 89th floor for some stunning views of Taipei City.
Visit The Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei
The Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei (MOCA) is the perfect place for art lovers to spend a day indoors. The museum features rotating exhibitions of both local and international artists, making it a great place to stay culturally relevant while enjoying some time indoors.
There’s also a cafe onsite, so you can refuel with a coffee or light bite in between exploring the galleries. Admission is free for all visitors, so there’s no excuse not to check out this hidden gem the next time you’re stuck indoors in Taipei.
Soak in a hot spring in Beitou
Just a quick MRT ride from downtown, Beitou is the place to go when the weather turns gray and you’re ready to slow down after days of nonstop sightseeing.
This district has been famous for its hot springs for centuries, and the mix of traditional bathhouses and modern spa resorts makes it easy to find something that fits your style and budget.
On a rainy day, nothing feels better than sinking into a steaming mineral pool while mist rises off the water and the rain patters softly on the rooftops. You can choose between simple public baths, hillside outdoor pools surrounded by greenery, or high-end hotels that bundle in spa treatments and meals.
For the latter, here are some done-for-you packages offered by top-rated hotels in Beitou:
- Hot Spring Experience＆Dining at The Gaia Hotel Beitou
- Private Hot Spring Room or Public Hot Spring Use at Radium Kagaya Hotel
Interested in an overnight stay in Beitou? Here are the best hotels in Beitou with private hot springs baths you can enjoy in your own room.
Enjoy a VR Experience
VR is all the rage these days! It’s an immersive way way to pass the time and see what wonders await without ever leaving your seat… or having to brave the elements outside.
In Taipei, there are tons of places offering VR experiences. You can even find multiplayer games where you team up with friends or family members to take on missions together.
VIVELAND VR Theme Park in the Zhongzheng District is the easiest pace to go for VR. Whether it’s exploring an underwater cave or fighting off aliens in outer space, they’re going to have tons of “worlds” for you to choose from.
Visit The Xpark Aquarium in Taoyuan
Xpark Aquarium is one of the easiest rainy-day escapes from Taipei, especially if you’re traveling with kids (though adults love it just as much).
About 30 minutes from the city in Taoyuan, this modern aquarium is home to over 3,000 sea creatures spread across 80 tanks. You’ll see everything from glowing jellyfish tunnels, penguins waddling around, massive coral reef displays, and much more. The exhibits are well done and mix entertainment with education, so you’ll effortlessly pick up fun facts while you wander around.
Since the aquarium is right by the Taoyuan HSR Station and Airport MRT, it’s a super easy day trip—you’ll be surprised how much you can pack into just a few hours.
Pro Tip: Once you’re finished, don’t just head straight back to Taipei. Xpark is connected to Gloria Outlets, a massive open-air shopping center where you can hunt for deals or duck into cafés when the rain is heavy. You’ll also find amazing restaurants like Yi Hui Xuan (Chinese Restaurant) or 55 POT (good ol’ hotpot) for a solid meal before catching the train back.
Day Trip To Keelung (Museum of Marine Science and Tech)
Over in Keelung, about 40 minutes from Taipei, the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology makes for a fun rainy-day adventure.
This museum is packed with interactive exhibits that explain everything from Taiwan’s fishing industry to the science behind submarines. You can even step inside a replica sub and try hands-on simulations, which are especially great if you’re traveling with kids or just curious about maritime history.
After the museum (and only if the rain lets up), head to Zhengbin Fishing Port, just 10 minutes away. This area is famous for its row of colorful “rainbow houses” lining the waterfront—perfect for photos between showers!
From there, relax with coffee and a slice of cake at Wanchu Coffee. If you’re not in a rush, you could even pair this with a visit to Miaokou Night Market in downtown Keelung for dinner before heading back to Taipei.
Do An Escape Room
If you want something a little more interactive than hanging out in a café, an escape room is a great way to spend a rainy day in Taipei. You and your friends will be “locked” in a themed room and have to search for clues, crack codes, and solve puzzles before the clock runs out.
A good option for travelers is Limitless Escape Room in the Zhongzheng district—their games can be done in English, and the hosts are happy to help with hints in English too.
Go Karaoke With Friends
Karaoke (KTV) is practically a national pastime in Taiwan, and rainy days are the perfect excuse to give it a try. Instead of singing in front of strangers, you get your own private room with comfy couches, snacks, and a HUGE catalog of songs in both Mandarin and English.
Popular spots like Holiday KTV or Party World are reliable picks, and you can go all-out with big group rooms or keep it low-key with just a couple of friends.
Whether you’re belting out ‘90s hits or testing your Mandarin skills with local pop songs, it’s a guaranteed good time—and a very Taiwanese experience.
Go Shopping Underground At Taipei Main Station
Taipei Main Station has as much going on below ground as it does above. Case in point–Taipei City Mall. It’s one of the several underground malls accessible by Taipei Main Station.
The 1-mile-long underground mall provides a convenient and sheltered space for visitors to browse through its many stores. The mall is divided into four main regions: clothing, miscellaneous, electronics, and food/beverage.
The selection of shops is vast; from fashion boutiques to beauty salons and even electronic stores where visitors can purchase the latest gadgets. Manga and anime lovers will also enjoy the fact that there is a maid cafe here!
Visitors can also enjoy a variety of affordable dining options ranging from Taiwanese snacks to Japanese delicacies.
To make things more enjoyable, there is a wide range of entertainment facilities including cinemas, karaoke rooms, and an arcade center.
Do Some Puzzling With Your Coffee
Galette Cafe, located in the Da’an District of the city, is a cozy cafe perfect to pass away a damp afternoon. This is the kind of spot that’ll keep you both relaxed and entertained for hours.
Instead of just nursing a latte at a normal coffee shop, you can grab a puzzle straight off the shelf—anything from an easy 3D structure to a tricky 300-piece jigsaw—and spread it out on the board they bring to your table.
They’ve also got crosswords, Rubik’s cubes, and sudoku for when you want to switch things up.
It’s equal parts cozy cafe and puzzle playground, and it’s surprisingly easy to lose track of time once you get into the rhythm of fitting pieces together.
Have A Staycation With Your Friends
If you’re local in Taiwan and want to do something with your friends on a rainy day, why not plan a staycation? Movies in bed with your besties? Yes please!
Here are some of my favorite hotels in Taipei for hanging out all day:
- Regent Taipei – I love basing myself at Regent for 4 nights! Don’t miss their award-winning beef noodle soup, or their loaded breakfast + dinner buffets.
- Grand View Resort Beitou – movies in bed, with a side of hot springs? Can’t beat this combo.
- Kimpton Da An Taipei – pets allowed!
Explore Syntrend and Guang Hua Digital Plaza
On a rainy day, locals know to duck into Syntrend and Guang Hua Digital Plaza—two totally different but equally fun spots right next to each other.
Syntrend is shiny, modern, and futuristic, with entire floors dedicated to new tech, gaming gear, and pop-up experiences.
Just across the way, Guang Hua feels more like a maze of old-school electronics markets where you can score great deals, hunt down rare finds (even retro consoles), or pop into a repair shop that can fix just about anything.
Since they’re within walking distance of Huashan 1914 Creative Park, you can easily turn this into a full rainy-day adventure: browse the art spaces, shop for design-y souvenirs, then warm up at a nearby cafe like Simple Kaffa or Paper St. Coffee.
Take A Taiwanese Cooking Class
If you’re open to getting your hands dirty while learning something new, consider taking a Taiwanese cooking class on your vacay!
You’ll start with a short market walk through the historic old town, then head inside the kitchen where the real fun begins. Each day features a different Taiwanese recipe—think popcorn chicken on Fridays, beef noodles on Saturdays, or scallion pancakes on Thursdays—so no two classes are ever the same.
It’s hands-on, social, and you’ll walk away not just full, but with skills (and stories) to bring home.
Taipei is a great city to explore, even on a rainy day. As you can see, there are plenty of things to do to keep you busy.
If you happen to be visiting on a drizzly day, hopefully this post has helped you adjust your travel plans appropriately! Stay dry and have fun!
Looking for more Taipei travel tips? Read more:
Transportation in Taipei: EasyCard or Taipei Fun Pass?
Taipei Fun Pass: Is It Worth The Money?
20 Best Things To Eat In Taipei (And Where To Try Them)
7 Best Hotels In Beitou With Private Hot Spring Baths
