Activities for Rainy Days in Winston-Salem
Seeing a rainy forecast can inevitably make you want to curl up under the covers! Fortunately, Winston-Salem offers a wide variety of rainy day activities that will certainly please anyone and everyone. Fight that urge to stay home and get out using this guide on what to do on rainy days in Winston-Salem!
Updated April 2023
(1) Read a Book
Cuddling up with a good book is one of life’s greatest luxuries on a rainy day, and Winston Salem’s bookstore, Bookmarks, is the best place to find your next good read. Their diverse collection ensures that everyone from the flirty romance lover to the enthralling sci-fi addict will find their perfect book. Afterward, head next door to Footnote and sip on a cup of coffee while diving into your new book! Another great bookstore in store with a large selection is McKay’s! In addition to books, they sell movies, games, video games and more!
(2) Shop Local
Feeling inspired, creative, and maybe a little funky, head to Design Archives located directly next to Foothills on 4th street. This store offers a uniquely curated selection of everything you could imagine from locally-made jewelry and art, a solid record selection, vintage clothing, and so much more. This store truly encapsulates the “Anything Goes” mindset, that will surely fill any gloomy day with excitement and zest. Check out more vintage shops by reading our blog! The classic shopping hub, Thruway, is also a fantastic place to practice some retail therapy, which we all crave on a rainy day. Thruway offers several stores that appeal to just about everyone, like Francesca’s, Great Outdoor Provision Company, and many more!
(3) Catch Some Air
Looking for an exciting way to entertain the kids in an indoor setting? Spend the day defying gravity at one of Winston’s trampoline parks, Urban Air. Urban Air is an excellent facility that provides for lasting memories with its climbing walls, bumper cars, ropes courses, and of course endless trampolines.
(4) Get Your DIY On
Tapping into your more creative side can be one of the greatest ways to escape the rainy day funk. The area is full of local brick and mortars – The Wooden Loft, Doodlations, Wine & Design, Canvas Cake Studio, Products by Lizzie, and traveling pop-ups – JK Woodworked Creations, Resin Art Flow, and more! Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest information on DIY classes.
(5) Head to an Art Gallery
Taking advantage of Winston’s extensive and constantly expanding art scene is a sure delight on a rainy day. Reynolda House and SECCA (Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art), which are practically across the street from one another, provide this city with unique art in a most beautiful setting. Originally built in 1917 and later becoming an art museum in 1967, the Reynolda House is the best way to entertain the historian and the artist in all of us. SECCA opens its doors for the public to discover unique art exhibits. Emphasizing the sentiment that art truly is for all, most of the events are free! If you are looking for another exciting art experience, be sure to check out the Red Dog Gallery, located directly next to the iconic Winston site, the Art Park.
(6) Go Bowling + Simulators
For a guaranteed good time, head to ROAR for a day of boutique and golf simulation. While you are there, check out one of the many restaurants in their food hall and the beer wall that is on every floor. Reservations for boutique bowling and the golf simulator are highly encouraged. Another great spot is Playground Golf + Sports Bar! Play board games, corn hole, catch live music, and play a variety of games on their simulators from golf and football to dodgeball and more!
(7) Axe Throwing
Winston-Salem has two great spots to go axe throwing – Batl Axe and Tap That Axe. Go with a big group of friends or a date for a fun and interactive time.
Pro Tip: Tap That Axe offers GLOW THROW nights on various weekends. Check their schedule to throw axes in the dark!
(8) Play Games at a Local Bar
Bars and Pubs offer more than just great drinks – they are also ideal for playing a game of pool or darts, spending a few coins on an arcade game, singing your heart out on the karaoke stage, or just dancing with your friends. Check out our guide for Karaoke, Dancing, Open Mic Night & More!
(9) Watch a Movie
Watch a movie at our local downtown theatre – a/perture. Enjoy local concessions, beer + wine, and a whole bunch of movies. – some you know and love and other films you’ve never heard of.
