Best Things to Do on a Rainy Day in Raleigh, NC
Did you know North Carolina receives more rain on average than Seattle? After moving to Raleigh a few years ago, I realized it rains a ton, therefore, finding rainy-day activities is a must if you’re looking to get out of the house. In this Raleigh guide, find some fun indoor activities to enjoy in the city of Oaks!
These indoor activities can also be great for cold days or even really hot days in Raleigh!
Related: Fun Facts About North Carolina You Probably Didn’t Know
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Best Things to Do on a Rainy Day in Raleigh, NC
- 1. Wander Through The North Carolina Museum of Art
- 2. See A Show at Goodnights Comedy Club
- 3. Grab Food at Morgan Street Food Hall
- 4. See a Show at the Martin Marietta Center For the Performing Arts (Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts)
- 5. Explore The North Carolina State Capitol
- 6. Visit One of the Raleigh Downtown Museums
- 7. Hit The Drive Shack
- 8. Test Your Bowling Skills
- 9. See a Movie at Fenton Paragon Theater
- 10. Visit Artspace
- 11. Test Your Axe-Throwing Skills
- 12. Try an Escape Room
- 13. Bounce Your Way Around Skyzone
- 14. Taste Chocolate at Videri Chocolate Factory
- 15. Visit a Brewery
- 16. Try A Sip and Paint
- Things to Do on a Rainy Day in Raleigh Wrap-up
1. Wander Through The North Carolina Museum of Art
One of the best ways to enjoy a rainy day in Raleigh is at the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA). Not only is this art museum free to enjoy, they also always have really nice art and changing exhibits.
Seen enough art? They also have great eats at the Cafe. In fact, many people visit just to enjoy a great lunch here. Plus, if the weather lets up, you can enjoy walking the outside pathway.
Address: 2110 Blue Ridge Road Raleigh, NC 27607
2. See A Show at Goodnights Comedy Club
Located right in Cameron Village, having a good laugh on a rainy night will make the not-so-great weather worth it. They have events every night except Tuesday, making this a great last-minute plan as well. Check the event calendar to see what’s on!
Address: 401 Woodburn Rd. Raleigh NC 27605
3. Grab Food at Morgan Street Food Hall
Just because it’s raining doesn’t mean you can’t be a foodie at the Morgan Street Food Hall! Try a new vendor or a few! There are over 10 different vendors to choose from with a variety of cuisines! They are kid-friendly as well, and it makes for a great meet-up place with a group of friends.
Address: 411 W Morgan St, Raleigh, NC 27603
4. See a Show at the Martin Marietta Center For the Performing Arts (Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts)
If you love theater, this will be a great way to spend a rainy day in Raleigh. Located in downtown Raleigh, the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts has a plethora of shows to enjoy. From Ballet and Opera to Symphony and Theatre, there is something for everyone.
See what events are going on during your rainy weekend or night!
Address: 2 E South St, Raleigh, NC 27601, United States
5. Explore The North Carolina State Capitol
Have you been inside the North Carolina State Capitol yet? Well, maybe today is that day as it can be a good way to escape from the rain. Visiting the State Capitol is completely free and includes a tour.
Update: The Capitol is temporarily closed for construction. Double-check if it is re-opened for touring.
Hours: Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 5 PM and Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Address: One East Edenton Street, Raleigh, N.C.
6. Visit One of the Raleigh Downtown Museums
Did you know Raleigh is known as the Smithsonian of the South? So, on a rainy day in Raleigh, you have your choice of a handful of museums to pop in and out of – many of which are located downtown!
This is also considered one of the best free things to do in Raleigh! Some of the best museums to visit on a rainy day include:
- North Carolina Museum of History
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Science
- The CAM Museum (Contemporary Art)
- North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame
- Marbles Kids Museum
7. Hit The Drive Shack
With covered and heat/air-controlled bays, visiting the Drive Shack to hit some golf balls is another fun way to escape the weather. While it may be a little hard to play if the rain is really pouring, some drizzling days would be perfectly spent here.
They have dozens of TVs, food, drinks, and a mix of other games all under one roof! Reserving a bay ahead of time is best, as they tend to fill up on weekends. You can do this right on their website!
8. Test Your Bowling Skills
You can never go wrong with spending a rainy day at one of the many bowling alleys spread across Raleigh. In fact, it is probably the perfect excuse to head to the bowling alley if you haven’t been in a while! Some of the top-rated bowling alleys to try around the Triangle include:
- Kings Bowl-North Hills
- Buffaloe Lanes North Family Bowling Center (great for families)
- Bowlero Raleigh
9. See a Movie at Fenton Paragon Theater
Ok, technically, this is Cary, but it is close enough! Fenton includes a beautiful area of great restaurants, shops, and the excellent Paragon Theater for some rainy day movie watching.
While any movie theater around Raleigh will be a great way to spend a rainy day, if you haven’t checked out the Paragon Theater, why not make this the excuse to visit? They have dine-in seating, reclining seats, and a bar.
Address: 21 Fenton Main St Suite 110, Cary, NC 27511
10. Visit Artspace
Are you an art lover? Experience new artists at Artspace located in Downtown Raleigh. Artspace is also free to visit, although they do appreciate donations. They are a nonprofit and love highlighting local and national artists within their 3 galleries!
Hours: Wednesday – Saturday: 11 AM – 7 PM; Sunday: 11 AM – 4 PM
Address: 201 E Davie St Raleigh NC 27601
11. Test Your Axe-Throwing Skills
For something a little different, consider trying out your axe-throwing skills at Crazy Axe! With 2 Raleigh locations, it is their mission to provide a fun and safe night out. They also have beer, wine, and cider. Head to their website to reserve your spot!
12. Try an Escape Room
Do you feel like the Sherlock Holmes of your group? Test your skills out at one of the escape rooms around Raleigh! This can be fun for a group of friends and families looking to get out of the house while staying dry from the rain.
Some escape rooms around Raleigh to check out include:
- The Tower Escapes
- ROOM 5280 – Raleigh Live Escape Games
- Nerd Escape Room Raleigh
13. Bounce Your Way Around Skyzone
Looking for something fun to do with the kids on a rainy day in Raleigh? Make your way to Skyzone and let the kids bounce out all their energy here instead of in the house!
Skyzone is a trampoline park with foam pits and obstacles that can even be fun for adults or as a family.
Admission: 90 min Jump: $24.99; All Day: $34.99
Address: 2101 Westinghouse Blvd Suite 111, Raleigh, NC 27604
14. Taste Chocolate at Videri Chocolate Factory
You can never go wrong with chocolate tasting unless you don’t like chocolate, and therefore, we shouldn’t be friends… just kidding! If you’ve never been, you’re in for a real treat as you get to tour this Artisan chocolatier for free, with the option to taste some great chocolate and even have coffee.
If you’re very interested in chocolate, you can even do a guided 30-40-minute tour and learn all about the process. Either way, chocolate on a rainy day never seems like a bad idea!
Address: 327 W. Davie Street Sweet 100 Raleigh, NC 27601
15. Visit a Brewery
This one is for the beer lovers in the group! If you didn’t already know, Raleigh is known to have some great breweries. Take this rainy day to test a new one out! Some breweries to add to the list include:
- Brewery Bhavana
- Raleigh Brewing Company
- Compass Rose Brewery
- Lynnwood Brewing Concern
- Clouds Brewing Raleigh
Or head to the Raleigh Beer Garden with over 350 beers on tap! Drink responsibly, and never drive when drinking!
16. Try A Sip and Paint
While a sip and paint can be fun no matter what kind of day it is, doing it on a rainy day is another fun way to get out of the house and do something a little different! Test your art skills while sipping on some wine or beer depending on the studio you visit!
There are a couple of places to choose from around Raleigh including Wine & Design and Pinot’s Palette.
Things to Do on a Rainy Day in Raleigh Wrap-up
To sum it up, here is a quick overview of the rainy day Raleigh activities:
- Wander Through The North Carolina Museum of Art
- See A Show at Goodnights Comedy Club
- Grab Food at Morgan Street Food Hall
- See a Show at the Martin Marietta Center For the Performing Arts (Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts)
- Explore The North Carolina State Capitol
- Visit One of the Raleigh Downtown Museums
- Hit The Drive Shack
- Test Your Bowling Skills
- See a Movie at Fenton Paragon Theater
- Visit Artspace
- Test Your Axe-Throwing Skills
- Try an Escape Room
- Bounce Your Way Around Skyzone
- Taste Chocolate at Videri Chocolate Factory
- Visit a Brewery
- Try A Sip and Paint
This concludes some of the best things to do in Raleigh on a rainy day. I hope you find something new and fun to enjoy when the weather is not on your side!
Have any questions about these things to do on a rainy day in Raleigh or feel like I missed a good one? Let me know in the comments below!
