Without a doubt, Haywood County and Western North Carolina is well-known as a beautiful outdoor paradise, with an abundance of ways to experience nature and the splendor of the mountains, forests and rivers. However, sometimes Mother Nature decides we need some rain and plans must change. We get questions about rainy day activities in our area quite a bit, so we figured we’d put together a full list of great options for relaxing or exploring, even when the weather doesn’t cooperate with your getaway plans. We’ll start with activities at the Inn and around Haywood County, and then move to other fun areas within a short drive (~20-35 minutes) like culturally rich Cherokee and the bustling city of Asheville.
At the Inn
Sometimes, a rainy day is the perfect chance to just relax and recharge when you don’t feel like venturing out. The Inn is a wonderful place to have a peaceful day and what could be better than finding comfortable spots to read a book, catch up on the news, enjoy a movie or TV show, or play games with friends. We have so many comfortable and cozy places to sit and chill with your favorite beverage and we have some great bookstores in town (detailed below) where you can grab a new book and get some reading done. Our guest lounge is stocked with coffee, tea, snacks, and soft drinks and our game room has lots of options for entertainment. Learn more about the common area guest spaces on our About the Inn page on our website or check out our videos at our YouTube Channel. And, of course, sitting on the porch in a rocking chair, listening to the rain and hanging out with Rosie might just be the perfect vacation moment.
In and Around Waynesville and Haywood County
For those seeking a bit more activity during the day, our immediate area has some great indoor options to explore. Grab your Andon-Reid umbrella by our front door and head out to experience great shopping as well as wonderful Appalachian cultural experiences and entertainment.
Here are some of our top recommendations for activities near the Inn:
- Explore our unique cultural museums like the Shelton House (Western North Carolina Heritage), Wheels Through Time (motorcycles), or the Museum of Haywood County History.
- See a show at the HART Theatre.
- Browse for a new book to read at Wall Street Books (Main Street), Blue Ridge Books (Hazelwood), or Sassafras (Main Street).
- Explore Waynesville’s extraordinary art galleries along Main Street or shop for hidden treasures at some of our amazing independent craft, antique and consignment stores.
- Catch a movie at Smoky Mountain Cinema.
- Pamper yourself with a yoga class or massage at Sundarah Wellness in Waynesville or Maggie Valley (registered Inn guests receive an exclusive discount on spa services during your stay).
- Immerse yourself in local maker and crafts culture at the Frog Level Maker’s Market, Folkmoot Studios or Haywood County Arts Council.
- Get a day pass to our fabulous Waynesville Recreation Center (with an amazing swimming pool!).
- Chill with your favorite latte or tea at an awesome local coffeehouse like Panacea (Frog Level), Orchard Coffee (Depot Street off Main Street) or Smoky Mountain Coffee Roasters (Hazelwood).
- And of course, don’t forget our amazing local restaurants and breweries, many of which have live music and/or other fun events like trivia.
To the West – Cherokee
About 25 minutes to the west of Waynesville is the home of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians and a great place to explore on a rainy day. Cherokee is full of great things to do, and you can easily spend a full day checking out all the great cultural attractions and entertainment options. Here are a few indoor activities we recommend:
- Explore Cherokee history, arts and culture at the Museum of the Cherokee People and Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual (across the street from each other).
- Enjoy the thrill of Harrah’s Cherokee Casino. Harrah’s has great dining, gaming options including a fabulous sports book, a wonderful spa, plus amazing live entertainment. Check out their event schedule here.
- Catch a move at Cherokee Cinemas
To the East – Asheville / Hendersonville
Heading east from Waynesville, it is only about a 30-minute drive to get to the bustling city of Asheville, our region’s cultural hub. Asheville is a growing city and is a great day trip from Waynesville when the weather is rainy. We definitely recommend budgeting a full day to explore Asheville and if you do head in, consider staying for dinner as Asheville is known for its amazing world-class restaurants, breweries and cideries. Here are some of the best rainy-day activities that we recommend in and around this amazing city:
- Take a brewery tour with Sierra Nevada (Mills River) or New Belgium.
- Book a tour of the Biltmore Estate and do a wine tasting at the Biltmore Winery. (registered guests of the Andon-Reid receive an exclusive discount code for use on Biltmore tour tickets).
- Explore the Art Galleries at the River Arts District.
- Go Shopping at the Grove Arcade.
- Visit the Asheville Pinball Museum (classic pinball and vintage arcade game machines to play!).
- Do a tour or a tasting (or both) at French Broad Chocolate Factory & Cafe.
- Towards Hendersonville in Flat Rock, catch a show at the Flat Rock Playhouse.
- On the Blue Ridge Parkway, visit the Southern Highland Craft Guild Folk Art Center.
As you can see, we are fortunate to be in such a central location in Western North Carolina and there is always something great to do, regardless of the weather. We love to see our guests out exploring some of the more unique aspects about our area, but we equally love seeing folks relaxing and refreshing their body and spirit by enjoying the cozy confines of the Inn. We strive to be that convenient home base for a great vacation getaway in a truly special part of the world with so many ways to spend the day.
–Your Innkeepers, Brenda and Peter
