30+ things to do in Asheville, NC during rainy weather 🌧️

Well Played Board Game Cafe

A wall of wonderful games await at Well Played Board Game Cafe.

Photo by @holly_mclay_blalock

Table of Contents

With heavy rains heading our way, you’ll probably need to take a rain check on your usual weekend adventures. We hope this ultimate rainy day bucket list can help keep you entertained.

Note: We recommend calling ahead in case hours have changed — and always remember to stay off the roads in extreme weather conditions, like floods or high winds.

⛈Eat (and drink) the rain away

One World Brewing | 10 Patton Ave. #002 | 828-785-5580 | The brewery’s OG location tucked away under Farm Burger is like a cozy craft beer bunker.

Zambra | 85 W. Walnut St. | 828-232-1060 | Have tapas by candlelight at this romantic spot that sits under street level.

Dobra Tea | 78 N. Lexington Ave. | 828-575-2424 | Filled with comfy pillows and little nooks + crannies.

The Crow + Quill |106 N. Lexington Ave. | Cozy couches, soft lighting + 700 spirits to keep you occupied.

Flora Asheville | 428 Haywood Rd. | 828-252-8888 | A sweet little spot to watch the storm with espresso, wine + plants.

The Crucible | 140A Roberts St. | 828-575-9995 | River Arts hideaway for craft cocktails.

Rankin Vault Cocktail Lounge | 7 Rankin Ave. | 828-254-4993 | If the storm gets really bad, you can always head inside the vault.

Barley’s Taproom | 42 Biltmore Ave. | 828-255-0504 | Because what rainy doesn’t call for pizza + craft beer? Plus they have pool by the hour.

⛈ Get playful

Well Played Board Game Cafe | 162 Coxe Ave. | 828-232-7375 | Cozy up with your choice of 700+ board games, plus a generous menu of tea, hot cocoa, beer, wine, and espresso.

Fired Up Creative Lounge | 26 Wall St. | 828-253-8181 | Paint a pot to commemorate the storm (or for any other occasion).

Asheville Pinball Museum | 1 Battle Sq. #1b | 828-776-5671 | Fascinating pinball history + fully functioning games.

Asheville Retrocade | 800 Haywood Rd. #100 | 828-575-9488 | A set fee gets you all the plays you want on games — like Dance Dance Revolution, Street Fighter + ski ball

Smoky Mountain Adventure Center | 173 Amboy Rd. | 828-505-4446 | Try your hand (and feet) at climbing + bouldering, then grab a snack and beer at their mini-bar upstairs.

Better Than Unicorns Virtual Reality Arena | 821 Riverside Dr. | 828-544-2340 | Saturdays are public nights, and $15 ($10 for students) gets you an experience in the virtual world. Who needs outside, anyway?

Breakout Asheville | 60 Patton Ave. | 828-201-2600 | Enlist your friends for an afternoon in a puzzle-filled race against time.

⛈ Treat yo’ self

Asheville Salt Cave | 12 Eagle St. | 828-236-5999 | Soak up the negative ions + deepen your meditation practice in a 20-ton pink salt cave.

Wake Foot Sanctuary | 1 Page Ave. #115 | 828-575-9799 | Show your feet some love with a customized foot soak.

AB Tech Spa Program | 340 Victoria Rd. | 828-398-7670 | Discounted services ranging from manicures to facials performed by students

Still Point Wellness | 81B Central Ave. | 828-348-5372 | Honor the rain by floating in a huge salt water floatation chamber.

⛈ Curl up with a good book

Downtown Books + News | 67 N. Lexington St. | 828-253-8654 | Gently-used books to browse. Plus zines + more by local artists.

Battery Park Book Exchange + Champagne Bar | 1 Page Ave #101 | 828-252-0020 | Grab a glass (or a bottle ) of sparkling wine, bring your friends, and have book club. Plus, furry friends are welcome.

Malaprop’s Bookstore and Cafe | 55 Haywood St. | 828-254-6734 | Downtown hub for curated releases + local authors. You might even catch a special reading.

Firestorm Books + Coffee | 610 Haywood Rd. | 828-255-8115 | Worker-owned + managed radical bookstore on the west side of town.

⛈See it on the silver screen

The Grail Moviehouse | 17 Foundy St. | 828-239-9392 | Catch new movies, independent releases + art films at this downtown spot. Showtimes here.

The Fine Arts Theatre | 36 Biltmore Ave. | 828-232-1536 | New releases + independent flicks alike. Showtimes here.

Asheville Brewing Company | 675 Merrimon Ave. | 828-254-1281 | Beer, pizza, and $3 movies… need we say more? Showtimes here.

⛈ Get educated

Cherokee Museum | 589 Tsali Blvd. | 828-497-3481 | $10 for adults, $6 for kids | Immerse yourself in the history of the area’s native peoples.

Asheville Science Museum | 43 Patton Ave. | 828-254-7162 | $10 | Spend the storm with dinosaurs, interactive exhibits + other activities.

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