Rainy Day in Asheville? Top Ten Rainy Day Activities.

Asheville sits in a valley, and big storms often miss us completely. Still, the weather is fickle and hard to predict. It might be hot and sunny in one part of the city and windy and rainy in another… all at the same time. Fear not. When the weather’s wet and your zip line tour’s been canceled, there’s still plenty going on. Consider the following 10 things to do on a rainy day in Asheville:

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Ten things to do on rainy days in Asheville

1. Tour Asheville by Bus

Asheville boasts three different tour options — and each takes pains to keep you dry and entertained during inclement weather. The Gray Line Trolley Tour, leaving daily from the Asheville Visitor Center at 36 Montford Avenue, gives you the highlights and history of Asheville. Phone for details: (828) 251-8687.

Asheville and The LaZoom Comedy Tour were made for each other. The actors who serve as your guides on the purple bus really let you experience the quirky side of this mountain town, even as you learn about its sights and history. Call for information at (828) 225-6932.

Finally, get a taste of why Asheville is called “Beer City.” The Asheville Brews Cruise takes you on an in-depth tour of Asheville’s brewery scene. Stay dry and let the crew drive you around to sample the many local beers in this sudsy city. For more info, call (828) 545-5181.

2. Head to the Country Cottage

Asheville has been known for years as the home of the Biltmore Estate. The country cottage home of George W. Vanderbilt since 1895 has been open to the public since 1930. About a million people visit the house every year, so you may not be able to get in on short notice to escape the rain. Call (800) 411-3812 or (828) 225-1333 in advance to book a tour time.

The estate is a must-see attraction. In addition to the house, the estate on which it sits features a seasonal garden that you can drive through. Antler Hill Village offers the Biltmore Winery, shops and more. Tour the winery before emerging in the tasting room. Cedric’s Tavern is a pleasant place to wind down and rest your legs while you enjoy a delicious meal, even on a rainy day in Asheville.

 3. You Can Come Home

Asheville isn’t all visceral fun. Learn about Asheville’s most famous native son and some literary history. Spend a few hours in the past at the Thomas Wolfe Memorial. Located downtown on Market Street, just behind the Asheville Community Theatre, the museum includes a house tour and much more.

The house, portrayed in Wolfe’s infamous Look Homeward Angel, is a literary historic landmark. House tours are offered daily at half past each hour, with the last tour leaving at 4:30 pm. If you're stuck with a rainy day in Asheville, make the most of it! Group tours are offered by reservation: (828) 253-8304.

4. Pining for Pinball?

The Asheville Pinball Museum gets crowded at times, but if you’re faced with a sudden downpour in the middle of the day, it’s worth a visit. Waxing nostalgic was never more fun. For one admission price, you get to play more than 35 pinball machines ranging from 1966-era to the latest from 2016.

That’s right: it’s an economical treat for the whole family. Play pinball — or choose from among the 25 classic video games — for as long as you like. There are also a few novelty games, such as rifle gallery games and a baseball pitch and bat. It’s advisable to call ahead at (828) 776-5671 to find out the wait times so you won’t be left standing in the rain.

5. Arts Galore in Store

If the weather haunts your vacation, enrich yourself at the Asheville Art Museum, located at Pack Place in the center of downtown. Founded by Asheville artists in 1948, the Art Museum presents its permanent collection of 20th and 21st century American art. Works of significance to Western North Carolina’s cultural heritage include Studio Craft, Black Mountain College and Cherokee art. Call (828) 253-3227 for hours and special programs.

But Asheville offers more art than that. Just down the street from Pack Square is Blue Spiral 1, an art gallery with two floors of classic and modern art. All told, you’ll find more than 20 art galleries within walking distance. And then there are all the artist studios and galleries in the River Arts District (aka, the RAD) just a short drive away. Artists love Asheville, and the feeling’s mutual. A rainy day in Asheville is the perfect time to discover the local art for yourself.

 6. Pray for Rain

Even if you aren’t Catholic, you can put your rainy day in Asheville to good use. Visit the Basilica of St. Lawrence on Haywood Street across from the U.S Cellular Center. An architectural marvel, its dome is the widest freestanding elliptical dome in the country.

A National Treasure, the basilica is a wonder of art and architecture. A self-guided tour provides details about the work of renowned architect Raphael Guastavino. You can email the Docent Coordinator at [email protected] for more information. The Mass schedule is posted outside the church that sits just on the edge of downtown Asheville.

7. Woolworth Walk and Shop

The streets of downtown Asheville are filled with unique, local shops of every ilk, but who wants to wander the streets in the rain? Instead, pass the time inside at the Woolworth Walk on Haywood Street, where you can indulge in some shopping pleasure. It’s not a five-and-dime store; it’s a local artist showcase.

Peruse the wide diversity of mediums that Asheville's artists have created, including jewelry, glass, metal, pottery, fiber, wood and more. If you get tired, stop by the nostalgic soda fountain for a snack or lunch. It’s authentically delicious. Call (828) 254-9234 with questions.

8. Showing Art Movies

Asheville has mega-plexes like other cities, showing first-run movies on multiple screens, but to get a real feel for the Asheville flair, catch a movie at the Fine Arts Theater on Biltmore Avenue. The first-run art films are always worth seeing. Call the movie line at (828) 232-1536.

An alternative is the Grail Moviehouse at 45 South French Broad Avenue. It shows first-run art films, as well as classic films from the past. The choices are usually quirky, which suits Asheville perfectly. Find out what’s playing by calling (828) 239-9392.

9. Get It Up for Asheville

If you’ve been dodging raindrops, you and the kids might enjoy a real physical challenge. You don’t have to go for a wet mountain bike ride when right downtown on Wall Street, you can find ClimbMax, an indoor rock-climbing studio. Call ahead at (828) 252-9996 for hours.

You have to fill out a waiver before you can begin, but the center is a safe place to burn off some energy. ClimbMax is a family-run business for climbers who love the sport and love sharing it. So if the rain has you climbing the walls, now you know just the place to go.

10. Get Salty

Pampering yourself is a valid way to spend a rainy day in Asheville. And while you can find massage therapists and spas all over town —there is only one Salt Cave. And it’s located downtown at 12 Eagle Street. Asheville’s Salt Cave is a special place that offers salt therapy (called speleotherapy) an ancient treatment for a variety of ailments or just relaxation.

Inside the Salt Cave, the all-natural materials and the arid environment start to work on your body from the outside in. It’s an experience you won’t find anywhere else, which makes it uniquely Asheville. You’ll not only feel better; you’ll forget all about your rainy day in Asheville! Call for a reservation at (828) 236-5999.