NC High Country Rainy Day Activities for Kids are not your usual activities like going to the movies (you can do that anywhere!)  Here is our list of the best rainy day activities that can only be experienced in the NC High Country area of Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, West Jefferson NC:

Boone & Blowing Rock Area
Rainy Day Activities for Kids

• Gem Mining: Indoor mines with heated water are available at Foggy Mountain Gem Mine, Doc's Rocks and Mystery Hill.

• Mystery Hill: This unique entertainment center has multiple attractions under one roof including the original Mystery Platform, the Mystery House, the Hall of Mystery, the Native American Artifacts Museum, Appalachian Heritage Museum, Axe Throwing, Bull Riding Challenge, Old Time photos, Historic Farmyard and more! For more information, CLICK HERE

• Indoor Park: The Children's Playhouse is a great place to for children ages 1-10 to play indoors in different themed areas from a vet clinic to a bouldering wall!  Parents can chat over coffee or play along.

• BRAHM:  The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM) offers weekly afternoon art club projects for preschoolers +

• The Mysterium: This fun activity for the whole family will bring you closer together as you problem solve to escape! Click HERE

• Climbing: Center45 indoor climbing center offers Youth Rec Nights for ages 6-11 with climbing instructors on-site.  Hatchet Coffee, Boone's coffee roaster, is located next door and is a great place to unwind while your children let out some energy.

Banner Elk Area
Rainy Day Activities for Kids

• Caverns: The only show caverns available in North Carolina are the Linville Caverns.  The caverns stay a consistent 52 degrees year round.  Take a guided tour and view the interesting fish that live in a land of no light, rare formations and much more!

• Buckeye Recreation Center: Located in Beech Mountain, this recreation center has activities for all ages. There is a special playroom for babies & toddlers, basketball courts, games and special events. Don't forget to stop and get a pizza at Brick Oven Pizzeria while in town!

• Gems: Visit the Museum of N.C. Minerals located on the Blue Ridge Parkway which showcases over 300 varieties of minerals and gems.  Gem Mountain Gemstone Mine on Hwy 226 in Spruce Pine has been featured on TLC and Travel Channel with the stunning gems discovered there.  Emerald Village in Little Switzerland lets you go into the historic Bon Ami Mine, general store and more to view the equipment that was used when the mine was in operation.

• Scavenger Hunt: Visit the Mast General Store in Valle Crucis and go on a scavenger hunt for old-fashioned items hidden throughout the store.  Afterwards, enjoy a game of checkers with an old-fashioned soda in front of the pot-bellied stove.  To get extra cool-parent points, go next door to the Candy Barrel and fill up a bucket with old-fashioned candies!

West Jefferson NC
Rainy Day Activities for Kids

• Factory Fun: Visit Ashe County Cheese and visit the factory viewing room to see how cheese is made.  Across the street you can sample and purchase fresh cheese curds and a variety of cheeses.  Ice cream, candies and other old-fashioned treats and games can also be found here!

• Movies: Next door to the Ashe County Cheese Factory is Parkway Theater.  This retro theater features retro prices with $5 kids tickets and popcorn starting at $2!

• Trains: If you have children that love trains you need to visit the Museum of Ashe County History.  The museum has an extremely detailed diorama of the Virginia Creeper train route through the North Carolina High Country.  They have a scavenger hunt of items to look for in the diorama as well. 

• Follow us on Facebook for more ideas, click HERE