Sometimes mother nature has other plans for us and rain can really put a damper on an otherwise lovely day. While the outdoors is synonymous with Asheville, there are plenty of unique indoor sights and activities in and around the area to keep you warm, dry, and entertained on those days that wet weather causes you to change your itinerary.
Here are our top picks of things to do and enjoy when it’s raining in Asheville:
Appreciate the Architecture at The Biltmore Estate
1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC 28803 
Explore America’s largest home with self-guided and guided tours of this luxurious family 250-room chateau, completed in 1895, is as beautiful today as it was more than a century ago. The self-guided tours of the Biltmore Estate are included with admission and spans three floors, basement, the gardens and also gets you free wine tasting at the winery. You’ll see displays of vintage clothing, accessories, art, furniture, and more that illustrate the lives of the Vanderbilt family.
If the rain doesn’t come down too hard, be sure to walk the gardens. A marvel of horticulture and style, it is America’s first managed forest. Walk by the French Broad River, through lush green forests, the open meadows of Deer Park or the miles of paths through manicured gardens. Also, be sure to visit the gift shops, tour the winery and enjoy a variety of restaurants at Biltmore Village, located across from the entrance to the estate.
Ticket prices vary from $69-$105 depending on the season as do hours so be sure to check the website for more information.
Become Craft Beer Connoisseurs with Brews Cruise
6 Lennox Ct #1, Asheville, NC 28801 
You can’t go to Asheville without being immersed in the craft brew culture. With so many great craft breweries in and around the area, it could take many, many rainy days, and lots of money spent on a ride share service to try them all. Although with the Asheville Brews Cruise, visitors can travel safely by van to the local breweries while the tour guides engage everyone to sample a wide variety of beers, learn about the brewing process, the history of beer and the region, the way to taste and even pair beer with food as well as offering a behind-the-scenes peek of a brewery.
Tours run about $74.50 per person plus tax.
Enjoy Dinner And a Movie at Asheville Pizza Brew & View
77 Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Photo Credit by @woodgrove_brewing on Instagram
Who doesn’t love the classic rainy day activity of a meal and a movie? At Asheville Pizza & Brewing Company you get that in one place plus more! Located on the north side of town, this cinema and draft house is the perfect spot to spend a few hours, with lots of food, beer, movies and a game room. It’s kitschy with movie art painted all over the walls, a really fun place to enjoy pizza and beer.
Ticket prices range from $3-20 plus tax.
Shop Around at Grove Arcade
1 Page Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 
In downtown Asheville, you’ll find the palatial Grove Arcade. A historic shopping district filled with great hopping, restaurants, wine, and more, all inside of a beautiful, historic building. Choose from hundreds of offerings from tapas restaurants and souvenir boutiques to jewelry stores and salons.
A glass of wine, a little light shopping, and a tasty meal are enough to wish the sun away for another day!
Explore at Linville Caverns
19929 US-221, Marion, NC 28752 
Looking to be at one with nature without getting soaked? Located at the southern gateway to western North Carolina’s High Country region, Linville Caverns is an ideal destination for visitors of all ages. The drive alone is lovely, taking folks to the mystery within Humpback Mountain. A fun way to explore what nature can create inside a mountain, experienced guides take you into the subterranean world to learn all about how caverns came to be.
In winter, the caverns are only open on weekends. From March-November, Linville Caverns is open Thursdays-Mondays from 9am-5pm. Admission ranges from $11-13 for ages 5 and up. For ages 4 and under, tickets are free.
Embrace History at the Thomas Wolfe Home
52 N Market St, Asheville, NC 28801
Photo Credit by @wolfememorial on Instagram
The Thomas Wolfe House, also known as the Thomas Wolfe Memorial, is a state historic site, historic house and museum is located in the heart of downtown Asheville. The museum is the preserved childhood home of the author, Thomas Wolfe, writer of Look Homeward, Angel. Considered by many to be one of the giants of 20th-century American literature, the house is a fabulous look into his formative years and inspiration for his work. The house itself retains most of its original furnishings, and there is also an adjacent museum and visitors center that highlight Wolfe’s life and work.
Closed on Sundays and Mondays as well as State and major holidays, admission is $5 for adults and children under 6 are free.
Get Your Fill of Gear at Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum
111 Grovewood Rd, Asheville, NC 28804
Photo Credit by @mick2b on Instagram
Humble, rustic museum featuring running-condition, rare vintage vehicles & a moonshine still. Established in 1966 by Harry Blomberg, founder of Harry’s on the Hill – the oldest family-owned car dealership in Asheville. The rustic museum is home to several vintage cars, including a rare 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham and Asheville’s own American LaFrance fire engine. Plus, visitors can take a gander at an authentic moonshine still.
Closed January-March, once spring has sprung, the museum is open daily from 10am-5pm, and best of all, it’s free! There is a $5 suggested donation though.
Experience Culture at the Asheville Art Museum
2 S Pack Square, Asheville, NC 28801 
Take a rainy day off, a la Ferris Beuller style, and head over to the Asheville Art Museum. Boasting a collection of American art from the 20th & 21st centuries, plus art-related programs for all ages, it is the only organization of its kind providing cultural and educational experiences for residents and visitors to the 24 county region.
The museum is closed on Mondays, 10 am-5 pm Tuesday-Saturday and 1 pm to 5 pm on Sundays and you guessed it, it’s free!
Fit in Some Serious R&R at the Grove Park Inn & Spa
290 Macon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804
Photo Credit by @stephanpruittphotography on Instagram
Located on the north side of town, Grove Park Inn and Spa features great dining, shopping, a world-class spa, sports complex, golf course and is always decorated beautifully for the holidays. This elegant resort has something for everyone be it you solo, a couple, or a family. Relax, rejuvenate and restore at the spa or send the kids to the Omni Kids Crew, dine at one of 4 award-winning restaurants, pump some iron at the gym, or work out that credit card in either of the 2 shopping promenades, it’s all there at Grove Park Inn.
The spa is open Sunday-Thursday from 8am-6pm, and Friday-Saturday 8am-7pm. Prices at the spa vary from $150-660.
Get Your Game On at the Pinball Museum
1 Battle Square Ste 1b, Asheville, NC 28801 
Where can you enter a museum and be able to play with what’s inside? At the Asheville Pinball Museum, you’ll find more than 75 vintage pinball machines as well as video games along with a variety of pinball memorabilia for visitors to try out for themselves. Visitors can purchase an unlimited session of pinball with over 30 machines to choose from.
Closed on Tuesdays to spruce up the games, Wednesday through Sunday adults get in for $15, kids 10 and under get in for $12. Admission gets you in and also gives you unlimited gameplay, token-free!
Don’t let the rain dampen all the fun. There is still plenty to do if the rain comes down during your visit to Asheville. Interested to see other activities in the area? Checkout our Asheville Things to Do list.
