A rainy day in Asheville doesn’t have to put a damper on your vibe. We have our fair share of fun indoor attractions, from art museums to brewery tours. So if you see a good chance of rain in the forecast, consider taking your adventures inside and don’t fret—the sun will be back in no time.
1. Museums
Enjoy a satisfying blend of science, art, music, and history with our growing number of museums. These interactive spaces were made for fun and fulfilling hands-on experiences.
Visit the family-friendly Asheville Museum of Science, dive into the life and work of music pioneer Dr. Bob Moog at the Moogseum or take a stroll through the new Asheville Art Museum. See fresh exhibitions (rotating every four months) at the Black Mountain College Museum and Arts Center in downtown Asheville and roll back the clock and admire gorgeous vintage automobiles at the Antique Car Museum in Grovewood Village (open April through December).
For a full list of museums, see our guide to museums in Asheville.
2. Asheville Pinball Museum
We know we just listed museums, but don’t let the word “museum” deter you away from visiting the Asheville Pinball Museum. This museum is all about play! In fact, you can play more than 35 pinball machines as much as you’d like for just one admission price! The pinball machines range from antiques (from as early as the 1960s) to newer games. While you play, take your pick of snacks, soda and beer.
3. Biltmore
Take a tour of Biltmore, America’s largest home, for an up close look at the stunning architecture and impressive three levels of this 1890s mansion. Admission comes with a free wine tasting at the most visited winery in the United States, Biltmore Winery. Before leaving, make sure to stop inside The Conservatory, a gorgeous greenhouse at the foot of the Walled Garden that houses a large collection of exotic flowers, ferns, orchids and other plants.
4. Thomas Wolfe Memorial State Historic Site
Discover Asheville’s literary past at the childhood home of famous novelist Thomas Wolfe. The house and the colorful characters who lived there provided the inspiration for his novel Look Homeward, Angel. Book a guided tour of the Thomas Wolfe Memorial.
5. Biltmore Village Antique District
Shop for vintage finds as nearly 500 independent dealers sell their antique wares in 10 convenient antique stores and malls within minutes of the Biltmore entrance gate. Among the largest antique stores are The Antique Tobacco Barn, Sweeten Creek Antiques, The Screen Door and the Regeneration Station. See our guide to antique shops in Asheville for a full list of shops.
6. River Arts District Studios and Galleries
Once-bustling industrial mills now house more than 200 artists studios in the River Arts District just five minutes from downtown Asheville. Watch the artists at work in their studios, shop for eclectic art pieces and even make your own art with hands-on experiences, such as glassblowing at the North Carolina Glass Center. Just remember to bring an umbrella to use when walking from one studio/gallery to the next.
7. Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway
The most visited attraction on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Folk Art Center, can stand alone as a destination in its own right. See the work of the talented artists of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, shop for fine mountain crafts and see live craft demonstrations (on select days).
8. Shopping
With so many local and independent shops throughout town, spend a few hours or even a whole day shopping for one-of-kind treasures at boutiques and galleries. Stay dry inside the Grove Arcade, an architectural gem in downtown Asheville.
9. Asheville Retrocade
Immerse yourself in the world of games at the Asheville Retrocade with more than 5,000 video games, pinball, billiards, skeeball and foosball at your fingertips. For just $10 enjoy unlimited play until closing at 2 a.m. (21 and over after 9 p.m.) with craft beer, wine and Coke products available for purchase.
Take your family to Lakeview Putt & Play, which offers four virtual reality (VR) booths, or for younger kiddos, the Mountain Play Lodge in south Asheville, which has a main floor with indoor play equipment.
10. Escape Rooms
Solve the puzzle and make your escape! Work with your team to discover clues and accomplish a goal in a limited amount of time. Escape rooms in Asheville include A-Escape, Breakout Asheville, FOX-N-OTTER and Black Mountain Escape.
11. Asheville Pizza and Brewing Movies
Enjoy great pizza, brews and movies at Asheville Pizza and Brewing’s north location (Merrimon Avenue). Catch a flick at their cinema or play classic video games and pinball in their game room.
Love movies? Check out Asheville’s alternative cinema, The Grail Moviehouse, or see independent films at Asheville’s oldest downtown cinema, The Fine Arts Theatre.
12. Brewery Tours
Take your tastebuds on a tour at one of 50 breweries in the Asheville area, several of which offer their own tours. Start at New Belgium, former winner of USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best Brewery Tour and then tour Sierra Nevada’s stunning production facility in Mills River. Even leave it to the experts to plan a tour for you! Jump on the Asheville Brews Cruise, take the educational Brew-ED Tours or book a private tour with Asheville Brewery Tours.
If you’re looking for a cuppa joe instead of a glass of beer, check out Asheville Coffee Tours. This tour takes you downtown to some of Asheville's best coffee shops.
13. LaZoom Comedy Bus Tour
Hop on the purple bus! Roll your way through Asheville on LaZoom’s comedy bus tour. Stay dry with the bus’s plastic shades and laugh your rainy day worries away.
Or, hop on the Gray Line Trolley for a history and sightseeing tour of the city.
14. French Broad Chocolate Factory
Make your rainy day sweet! Tour the French Broad Chocolate Factory to learn how our master chocolatiers transform cacao into delicious chocolate.
15. Spa Day
Enjoy a soothing foot soak at Wake Foot Sanctuary, go weightless with a salt water flotation experience at Stillpoint Wellness or meditate inside the Asheville Salt Cave or The Salt Spa of Asheville. See our spa guide for a full list of spa experiences in Asheville.
16. The Omni Grove Park Inn
Relax at the spa, shop for handcrafted goods and dine at the historic Omni Grove Park Inn. This Asheville landmark welcomes all, as you do not need to be an overnight guest to visit. During colder weather months, sway in a rocking chair while cozying up in front of the giant fireplaces in the Great Hall.
17. Bookstores
Feel like a local as you settle in with a new book. Attend an author event at Malaprop’s, an evolving bookstore/coffee shop with a national reputation. Lounge and sip wine at the Battery Park Book Exchange while perusing thousands of used books. Or, get lost in the pages at Downtown Books & News. After purchasing your book of choice, head over to one of Asheville's energetic coffee shops for a cup of joe, a great atmosphere and a truly local experience. See our guide to Asheville's best coffee shops.
18. Cooking Classes
Explore a variety of techniques and local ingredients with the help of several cooking class experiences in Asheville. From classes held in a 1930s log cabin to classes in a home setting overlooking the mountains, check out these great options for a special culinary adventure: The Asheville Kitchen, Asheville Mountain Kitchen, Cottage Cooking and Log Cabin Cooking.
19. Go for a Drive
If the conditions safely allow, go for a scenic drive through the area. Here are some of our favorite scenic drives in Asheville for every season.
