10 Best Things to Do in Asheville in the Rain

10 Best Things to Do in Asheville in the Rain

Asheville is an outdoor paradise. But sometimes, that paradise gets soggy.  Like today. So I was thinking, what are the 10 Best Things to Do in Asheville in the Rain?

  1. HOUSE HUNTING

If you are seriously looking to buy (or rent) a house, a super soggy day is the best time to look at houses! You might not be able to fully experience the view, but you will be able to see possible issues with drainage and leaking, especially in basements.

Now, if you aren’t in the market for a new home, here are some other ideas:

  1. Biltmore Estate

Yes, that is the obvious one, and you will miss out on some of the fabulous outdoor activities, but you can spend several hours in the house, museum, winery, and dining.

  1. Folk Art Center and Southern Highland Craft Guild

The best of the best in hand crafted artistry, the Folk Art Center located right on the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the best places to view and purchase local and regionally made crafts provided by members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. You may also be lucky enough to catch a local artisan demonstrating his or her craft.

  1. Asheville Pinball Museum

This place is a blast! You can spend hours playing vintage pinball and video games. They may get busy on a rainy day, but one admission price allows you unlimited play on over 80 games.

  1. Antique shops

There are some big ones, like the Antique Tobacco Barn, where you could get lost for an hour or two. The Screen Door also is fun.

  1. Escape Rooms

Escape rooms have become a thing.  I am looking forward to trying one with some friends, and it sounds like a great rainy day activity.  There are several out there, so Google and pick.

  1. Breweries, Breweries, Breweries

I am the only person in Asheville who doesn’t like beer, so I almost overlooked the obvious. Brewery hopping could take you hours.  And then you won’t care about the rain so much.

  1. Bookstores!

My hubby and I are book enthusiasts. Forget the digital stuff – I spend enough time staring at a screen. And I love the feel of a book. Don’t miss Mr.K’s Used Books. It isn’t downtown or trendy, but they have a great selection of great condition used books of every genre. Malaprops is the quintessential Asheville independent bookstore, and it is right downtown.  But for atmosphere on a rainy day, curl up in the Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar in the Grove Arcade.

  1. Grove Arcade

One of Asheville’s architectural treasures, the Grove Arcade was constructed in the 1920s as one of the first indoor shopping malls. In 1942, the Federal Government abruptly took over the building for military use during WWII. It finally reopened in 2002 with shops, galleries, restaurants, and residences.

  1. Spa Day!

We have tons of them, so grab that book you just bought and head for some relaxation and pampering.