Asheville is a wonderful vacation destination for so many reasons. Its mountains offer fantastic hiking opportunities, and there’s so much to explore in and around downtown Asheville that you’ll never be bored. But wait: what should you do if it rains during your trip? Lucky for you, there are plenty of rainy-day activities in Asheville to explore.
Whether you’re looking to get into some local antique shopping or grab a new craft beer at a local brewery, there are many activities to explore even when the rain is pouring down. If the forecast is looking dreary, don’t worry. We’ve compiled the perfect list for you!
Here are our picks for the top rainy-day activities in Asheville:
Go Antique Shopping!
Get your shopping on! Asheville has a large number of local vintage and antique stores. Though a few local staples are closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene, many are still open and thriving! Peruse through stores like Sweeten Creek Antiques, Village Antiques at Biltmore, and Buckeye Antiques Mall for unique finds. If you’re searching for stores with a mix of old and new, Madam Clutterbucket's Neurodiverse Universe and the Uncommon Market are great options.
Check Out the Asheville Pinball Museum
Did you know there’s an entire museum dedicated to pinball here in Asheville? It’s true! Aptly named the Asheville Pinball Museum, it has 80 different pinball machines inside.
The museum is first come, first served, and they recommend arriving early if it is a rainy day—it can get busy! The $17 admission allows you to play as long as you’d like, so if you’re a pinball fanatic, you could spend all day here. Keep in mind their hours, as they’re a bit unique:
Asheville Pinball Museum Hours:
- Sunday-Monday 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesdays Closed for Repairs
- Wednesday-Friday 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Take a Trip Back in Time at Asheville Retrocade
For even more gaming fun, check out the Asheville Retrocade in hip West Asheville. Take a trip back in time and enjoy over 5,000 video games, pinball, skeeball, and foosball with the best retro music spurring you on in the background. Open every day of the week from 12:00 PM until 2:00 AM (after 9:00 PM is 21+ only), unlimited play is just $10! While you play, sip on their incredible collection of local craft beer, wine, or Coke products. You can also chill on the deck and outdoor patio between games.
Located on Haywood Road, Retrocade shares a building with Odd's Cafe, so you can also pop over for a caffeine pick-me-up and freshly made dessert. It's also within walking distance of the new cocktail bar, Character Study by Little Jumbo, Bottiwalla by Chai Pani, and rEvolve resale shop so you can make an entire day and night of it!
Visit the Asheville Museum of History
Are you in the mood to explore some history? The Asheville Museum of History is the perfect stop for you! There are plenty of events and lectures to attend here if you’re looking to learn something new, or you can explore one of the exhibits on display to dive into Western North Carolina’s history. You can also take guided behind-the-scenes tours of the circa 1840 Smith-McDowell House and surrounding property (situated on Asheville-Buncombe Technical College's campus), which is quite astonishing!
Grab A Drink at a Local Asheville Brewery
Ah, there’s nothing more relaxing than kicking back and enjoying a good craft beer on vacation. Asheville is known for its many breweries, so a rainy day is the perfect time to explore a few! Here are just a few local favorites:
Wicked Weed Brewing
Wicked Weed is all about innovation. While you might find a beer you loved last month, their menu is constantly evolving to keep things fresh. Wicked Weed’s prime location on Biltmore Ave offers a great spot to sit down for a meal. Their South Slope location, The Funkatorium, is closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene but is slated to reopen in May. Support their other locations to help them get back on their feet!
Thirsty Monk
With multiple locations throughout Asheville, you're never far from a Thirsty Monk Brewery. Known for its rotating selection of house-brewed Belgian-style beers and an impressive lineup of international craft brews, it's a go-to spot for beer lovers. Be sure to check the Thirsty Monk website for updates on which locations are open for business after Hurricane Helene.
Burial Beer
Don’t let Burial Beer’s eerie name and Halloween-inspired decor keep you from experiencing their incredible brews. Located in Asheville’s South Slope, this industrial-style brewery is decked out with scythes, sickles, and caskets, offering plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. If you get hungry, their full-service kitchen has you covered. We love the creativity and quality of Burial’s beers, which range from donut and espresso stouts to fresh IPAs and barrel-aged sours.
Highland Brewing
Founded in 1994, Highland Brewery is one of Asheville's longest-standing breweries and played a key role in shaping the local craft beer scene. Their taproom is a great spot to sample their brews, or you can find a Highland beer on the menu at most restaurants in Black Mountain and Asheville.
Can I Spend a Rainy Day at the Biltmore Estate?
You sure can! While the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the Biltmore Estate may be its sprawling gardens, there’s more to this iconic Asheville landmark than its grounds. Plus, you can still enjoy the gardens with the help of an umbrella or poncho.
If you don’t want to brave the rain with an umbrella, visit the Conservatory—a glorious garden under soaring glass ceilings that allows you to enjoy all the benefits of a garden without experiencing any rainfall! Inspired by the Victorian glass houses of Vanderbilt's day, it's as captivating as it is practical and is a crown jewel of the gardens to be enjoyed year-round. There are also plenty of other indoor exhibits and activities to explore at the Biltmore as well, so don’t count it off your list just because of a bit of rain.
Indoor Exhibits to Explore at the Biltmore:
King Tut’s Tomb & His Treasures
Note: King Tut’s actual tomb is not at the Biltmore. But you can learn all about him and the discovery of his tomb!
Tour the Biltmore House
With three entire floors to explore, this architectural marvel will keep you busy.
Enjoy Some Wine
Take advantage of your complimentary wine tasting at Biltmore's winery and grab a bottle or two to bring home as gifts (or for yourself)!
Shop for Gifts
Follow in Vanderbilt's footsteps and hunt for treasures to fill your home. With shops like A Christmas Past, Bookbinder's, Confectionery, Toymaker's, and A Gardener's Place, there is a shop for every person in your group!
Book Your Asheville Vacation Directly with Greybeard!
2 Bed, 1 Bath Asheville Vacation Rental Brindle Barn
Okay, so now you’re ready to explore Asheville, rain or shine. We hope you have an absolute blast if it does rain during your trip, and we’re sure you will with this list of rainy-day activities.
At the end of your rainy day, Greybeard is here to make sure your Asheville vacation rental is everything you could hope for. No matter what you’re looking for in your accommodations, we’re confident you’ll find a perfect fit in our extensive catalog of Asheville vacation rentals. From Asheville log cabins to rentals with a mountain view and so much more, there’s bound to be a Greybeard rental to fit your vacation needs.
Ready to book your trip? Browse our available Asheville vacation rentals now and book your trip directly with Greybeard!