Top Rainy Day Activities in North Carolina


You've finally arrived at your romantic vacation rental and are ready to start your outdoor adventures, but it's raining..... What now?  Don't despair, here are some great ways to pass the time, get in some adventure, and really enjoy yourself in while you’re waiting for the sun to reappear.

A path in the middle of a foggy forest.

Rainy Days in the Cabin


Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain! 


The rain is the perfect excuse to allow yourself to take a break, kick back and just relax in the cabin!  Curl up in front of the fireplace with book from the cabin library, soak in the hot tub under the covered porch, watch the rain fall in the forest, pause and reflect on life’s blessings, play a game or cards - or use the time to recharge with a nap in the plush king-sized bed. 

Rows of red seats in an auditorium with wooden walls

Movie Theatre


Co-Ed Cinema:  On Main Street in downtown Brevard! Its distinctive Art Modern style is reminiscent of Hollywood’s Golden Age. It has shown first-run films for more than 80 years and continues today. Shows are daily at 1, 4 & 7 PM. They begin selling tickets thirty (30) minutes before each show. 

A group of people are playing video games in an arcade.

Arcade


The White Squirrel Arcade is Brevard's fun center and gaming headquarters.  Featuring retro arcade games, tournament level air hockey and foosball tables.  Downtown Brevard

A person is holding a hammer over a piece of hot metal

Blacksmith

Earthshine Lodge in Lake Toxaway offers a Blacksmithing & Brews afternoon.  No experience is necessary as their instructor will guide you every step of the way in this basics of blacksmithing program, helping you work a piece of rough steel into a one of a kind, hand crafted knife form you can take home. After the workshop, you can enjoy a local brew on the front deck of their main lodge overlooking Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

A woman and two children are sitting at a table making clay pots.

Brevard Clay


At Brevard Clay no appointment is needed.  Guests can just walk in and create! Paint your own pottery, parties and events and local artist pop-up's.

A black and white photo of a group of men sitting on cannons

Museums


The Allison-Deaver House is the oldest standing frame house in Western North Carolina. It’s part of the North Carolina Civil War Trails Program, is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is owned by The Transylvania County Historical Society.


Transylvania Heritage Museum was established in 2007 and located at 189 West Main Street in Brevard NC. The Museum is open Wednesday-Saturday, 10 am until 5 pm. The Museum opens during March and closes mid-December.


Silvermont: Silvermont Park is an 8-acre county park in downtown Brevard anchored by a 33-room colonial revival Mansion that is on the National Register of Historic Places.


Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas: The purpose of this veterans museum is to honor the men and women from North and South Carolina who served in our armed forces. Some examples of what the museum features include one-of-a-kind artifacts, uniforms, weaponry, and more.


Cradle of Forestry: This is where the first forestry school in America was founded in the early 1900s, thanks to the vision of George Vanderbilt. Walk down lush forest trails to historic cabins, climb aboard a real history logging train and, at the Forest Discovery Center, learn how the modern forest conservation movement took root by exploring hands.

A close up of a purple amethyst crystal on a table.

Gem Mining


Crystal Mountain Gem Mine located on Main Street in downtown Brevard has a gigantic 58 foot long indoor water flume. They are also a rock and fossil shop and just a really cool place to visit.


The Outpost in Lake Toxaway is located in Lake Toxaway, 8 minutes drive from Meraki Escape. Their Gem Mine is open daily during the warm season. They also offer travel supplies, information, shopping, and outdoor adventures. 

A person is blowing glass in a factory with smoke coming out of it.

Glass Blowing Classes

Glass Blowing Class offers a hands-on introduction to the centuries-old craft of glassblowing — no experience necessary. Sessions are hosted by Woodhaven Glass, a unique shop in Cedar Mountain, NC known for creating one-of-a-kind handblown glass pieces by hand.



  • Each session will last approximately 1 to 1.25 hour.
  • Sessions are designed for two participants
  • The cost for each session is $175.
  • Sessions are given on Thursday or Saturday at either 1pm or 3pm.
  • Glass requires 8 hours to cool down without cracking. Therefore, you will need to pick up your pieces the following day. 
A large antenna is sitting in the middle of a forest.

PARI Observatory


Most of the time the PARI Observatory is only open by appointment but they do have open houses and some people get lucky with a staff who just happens to be available to host them on a walk through the museum featuring their NASA Exhibit and collection of meteorites, gems and minerals. Check their calendar or give them a call.