Best indoor activities to do in Charlotte on a rainy day
Rainy days can make anyone want to stay in — but you don’t have to. Charlotte has many indoor activities available so you can have fun on a rainy day.
A dark and gloomy day can change a person’s mood from cheery to dreary, but we know of great places to turn that around when rain is in the forecast in Charlotte. Things to do include artsy classes, breweries, kid-friendly options for the whole family, indoor mini-golf and much more.
Here are places to check out when it’s raining:
Be a kid at Frankie’s Fun Park
Location: 10621 Bryton Corporate Center Dr, Huntersville, NC 28078
Frankie’s Fun Park is perfect for an indoor day because it offers a variety of activities to keep you busy for hours. Indoor options include arcade games, bowling, laser tag and much more.
Cost: Varies per activity. Bowling is $35 weekdays or $40 on weekends, plus $5 shoe rental; bumper cars are $7; laser tag is $9; mini-golf is $10; rides are $6+.
Browse Black memorabilia at Archive
Location: 2023 Beatties Ford Rd Suite D, Charlotte, NC 28216
Sip on a cup of coffee while you browse the bookshelves and a wide selection of Black ephemera from the 1930s to present.
Cost: Varies, depending on if you make a purchase
Explore Charlotte’s Uptown museums
Location: 420 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture
Location: 551 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Location: 400 E M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28202
When rain dampens your day, head Uptown to check out some of Charlotte’s museums. You can explore the Bechtler for modern art history or learn about African-American history at the Harvey B. Gantt Center. Or zoom into the NASCAR Hall of Fame to find out everything you’ve always wanted to know about auto racing.
Cost: Bechtler and Gantt Center range from free to $9; NASCAR Hall of Fame ranges from $20 to $27, with add-on packages available.
Pro tip: Admission to many of Charlotte’s museums are free on Wednesday nights as part of Wednesday Night Live.
Go bowling
Location: 1700 Montford Drive, Charlotte, NC 28209
Location: 4501 South Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28209
Location: 210 E Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Location: 4125 Yancey Road, Charlotte, NC 28217
Avoid the rain at Bowlero 10 Park or Queen Park Social, which are among the best bowling alleys in the Queen City. There’s nothing like a little trash talking with friends over food and drinks to pass the time.
Cost: Bowlero 10 Park prices vary, depending on time of day, but expect a range of $100-$200 for 2.5 hours plus bowling shoe rental for two people, and an automatic $20 food and beverage gift card may be added in peak times when you make reservations online. Queen Park Social’s lanes are $35/hour for a maximum of six people, plus $5 shoes per person.
Make your own creation at Lip N Pour
Address: 1811 Sardis Rd N Suite 204, Charlotte, NC, 28270
Instead of shopping online on a rainy day, people who love lip products can make their own instead. In Lip N Pour’s class, guests make their own lipstick, with options including creme, matte, liquid matte, lip glace or lip smoothie. You can make reservations online in advance.
Cost: Classes are $65.
Putt-putt at Puttery
Address: 210 Rampart St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Puttery, an indoor mini-golf course, is a perfect place to get out of the rain. It not only has great scenery for mini-golf, but also great food and drinks, such as lamb chop sliders and the Tasty Green cocktail. As you advance through the courses, the difficulty increases.
Cost: $10+/person
Roll around at Kate’s Skates
Location: 4114 E. Franklin Blvd, Gastonia, NC 28056
Location:1151 Skating Rink Drive, Gastonia, NC 28054
Location: 14500 E Independence Blvd, Indian Trail, NC 28079
Location: 1530 Celanese Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29732 (temporarily closed)
Don’t be rained in at home. When was the last time you put on a pair of skates and went to a roller rink? You can spend a day at Kate’s Skates, grooving out to your favorite songs while skating around, then take a break for some nachos or a slice of pizza.
Cost: Pricing varies per location, but starts at $5-$10 admission, plus $5 skate rental.
Try a craft beer at Charlotte breweries
Location: Multiple
Neighborhood: Multiple
Charlotte has dozens of breweries to choose from, including Armored Cow Brewing Co., Brewers at 4001 Yancey, Legion Brewing and more. These breweries have a variety of styles to try — IPAs, gose, porters and lagers. Many of the breweries offer food, too. But remember, drink responsibly, and don’t drink and drive.
Pro tip: You can find many of the area’s best breweries in our ultimate, interactive guide to the Charlotte region’s 70+ breweries.
Cost: Varies
View ocean creatures at Sea Life Charlotte-Concord
Address: 8111 Concord Mills Boulevard, Concord, NC 28027
What better way is there to beat rainy day blues than seeing creatures of the sea? Adults and children alike can enjoy the aquarium, with exhibits including Tropical Ocean, Interactive Touchpool, Sea Turtle Rescue Center, Stingray Bay, Shoaling Ring and Jellies.
Cost: $14.99+
Wander around the Museum of Illusions
Location: 601 S Tryon St Suite 138, Charlotte, NC 28202
Challenge your perspectives on your surroundings with holograms, optical illusions and other interactive installations. Get your tickets online before you go, and make sure to have your phone fully charged to capture all the twisty images you’re about to see.
Cost: $28+
This story was originally published September 28, 2022 at 9:10 AM.
