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12 RAINY Day Activities in Fayetteville, NC (in 2024)

View of the Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation, one of the best rainy day activities in Fayetteville, NC
Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation, one of the best rainy day activities in Fayetteville, NC – Sergio Torres Parra / Shutterstock.com

Looking for rainy day activities in Fayetteville, NC? Because of all the great indoor activities, a rainy day doesn’t mean you can’t have fun in the city!

From seeing a performance at a theater to learning something new at a museum to having a cup of coffee at a cozy cafe, there’s something for everyone in the city. Whether you’re in the city with kids, with your partner, or by yourself, there are great things to choose from.

So if your outdoor plans got canceled because it’s raining outside, no worries! This list of things to do on a rainy day in Fayetteville consists of many fun indoor activities.

Rainy Day Activities in Fayetteville, NC

See a Movie at the Cameo Art House Theatre

Outside of the Cameo Art House Theatre
Entrance of the Cameo Art House Theatre – Anne Richard / Shutterstock.com

Going to the Cameo Art House Theatre is a great indoor activity in Fayetteville.

This is a movie theater that is located inside a historic building. The building in which you can find the current movie theater was the home of one of the first movie theaters in the city of Fayetteville.

The first movie theater that was located here was founded in the year 1908.

Nowadays, you can go here to see great arthouse, independent, classic, and foreign films at this place. This is also perfect if you’re looking for things to do at night in Fayetteville.

Also, there are often events at the movie theater that can be a lot of fun to attend when it is raining outside.

Address: 225 Hay St, Fayetteville, NC 28301

Shop at the Cross Creek Mall

Do you like shopping? Then, this is a great activity for you.

You can go to the Cross Creek Mall in Fayetteville.

This an indoor shopping mall where you can find many famous retail stores.

In total, there are 100 stores to choose from, and these include well-known brands, such as H&M, Snipes, and PINK.

Also, there are great shops for when you are going to the mall with children, such as a Build-A-Bear workshop.

Furthermore, there are services at the mall as well. For example, there is a place where you can get your nails done.

You can have an even better time here because there are restaurants as well. So if you want to have lunch or dinner while shopping here, you can do so!

Address: 419 Cross Creek Mall, Fayetteville, NC 28303

Play an Escape Game at Escape Room Fayetteville

An escape game is a very fun activity that you can do when it is raining outside.

When looking for an escape room, you have a lot of choices in Fayetteville.

One of the best places to play an escape game is Escape Room Fayetteville.

At this place, you can play a live-action escape game, which is a type of game during which you have to escape from a room by solving puzzles and finding clues.

Each escape room has unique decor and a fun story, and you have to escape from the room within 60 minutes.

One of the best escape games that you can do here is “Zombie Escape” and the “Gold Rush” room is a lot of fun as well! Playing an escape game is also one of the most fun date ideas in Fayetteville.

Address: 3639 B Sycamore Dairy Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28303

Go to the Airborne & Special Operations Museum

Inside of the Airborne & Special Operations Museum
Interior of the Airborne & Special Operations Museum – refrina / Shutterstock.com

The Airborne & Special Operations Museum is a museum that was founded in the year 2000 by the U.S. Army and going to this museum is one of the best things to do in Fayetteville.

At this museum, you can learn about the heritage of the U.S. Army Airborne and Special Operations Forces.

The museum covers a period of about 80 years, from the 1940s till the present, and the museum also covers the future.

There are many exhibits at the museum through which you can learn about battles, soldiers, and much more.

You can see weapons, photographs, video displays, and much more.

Also, there are wax figures that depict real-life war situations that are very educational.

There is no admission fee, so this museum is also great if you’re looking for free things to do in Fayetteville.

Address: 100 Bragg Blvd, Fayetteville, NC 28301

Bowl at B & B Bowling Lanes

Another great rainy day activity is bowling and there are several great places for this in Fayetteville.

You can go to B & B Bowling Lanes for this.

This is a bowling alley with 24 lanes and a wonderful atmosphere.

Furthermore, it is possible to play games at this bowling alley, which makes it an even more fun place. B & B Bowling Lanes is also great to check out when looking for things to do with kids on a rainy day in Fayetteville.

Besides being great for a fun time, this place is also great for having food and drinks. There is a good bar and lounge with nice food and delicious drinks.

Address: 3003 Fort Bragg Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28303

Check Out The Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum

The Fayetteville Area Transporation and Local History Museum, or the Fayetteville History Museum, is one of the best museums in Fayetteville. It’s a great place to learn about Fayetteville’s story and it is an interesting place for the whole family.

At the museum, you can find two floors with interesting artifacts that all relate to the city’s history.

These objects cover a very large period of history, from prehistory till the beginning of the 20th century.

There are many interesting exhibits.

For example, there is an exhibit about a steamboat.

Also, you can go here to see vintage cars, learn about the fire department, and do much more.

When it rains in Fayetteville, this place is a lot of fun and educational to check out.

Address: 325 Franklin St, Fayetteville, NC 28301

See a Movie at The Gilbert Theater

Sign of the Gilbert Theater and a blue sky
Sign of the Gilbert Theater – refrina / Shutterstock.com

You can also go to The Gilbert Theater when you are looking for indoor things to do on a rainy day in Fayetteville.

This is a performing arts theater with a history that dates back to the year 1994.

It is a small local theater with an intimate feel and the productions of the theater are very good.

You can go here for a variety of events, such as musicals.

When it is raining and there’s a great performance here that you want to see, I definitely recommend checking out The Gilbert Theater.

Address: 116 Green St, Fayetteville, NC 28301

Get a Delicious Meal at Circa 1800

Getting delicious food at a local restaurant can also be great when you want to do something when it rains.

A great place for that is Circa 1800.

This is a restaurant in Downtown Fayetteville where you can have brunch, lunch, and dinner.

You can have delicious new Southern cuisine here with a local focus. Also, the food at this place is upscale.

The menu of the restaurant isn’t very large, but you’ll like what’s on it!

The flavors of the food are amazing and this place has a cozy ambiance.

Address: 108 Person St, Fayetteville, NC 28301

Go to a Show at the Crown Complex

Want to enjoy entertainment on a rainy day in the city? Then, the Crown Complex is a wonderful place to check out.

The Crown Complex is a complex that consists of 5 different venues where you can see many different types of shows.

The venues are very diverse. For example, there is a coliseum a vintage arena, a small theater, a ballroom, and an exposition center.

Because of this variety in venues, there is also a variety in the type of shows that you can see here.

For example, there are sometimes trade shows, ballet performances, and music festivals, and there are many other types of shows. Because of this, there’s likely a show that you would like to see here.

Address: 1960 Coliseum Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28306

Go to the Fascinate-U Children’s Museum

Outside of the Fascinate-U Children's Museum
Fascinate-U Children’s Museum from the outside – refrina / Shutterstock.com

Here’s an activity that can be great to do when you are in the city on a rainy day with kids.

You can go to the Fascinate-U Children’s Museum which is one of the most fun things to do with kids in Fayetteville.

This is a museum with interesting interactive displays through which children can have a fun time and learn new things at the same time.

At Fascinate-U, children can play around in a miniature city. There are small versions of shops that are a lot of fun for kids.

Also, what’s great is that this is a very affordable children’s museum.

Address: 116 Green St, Fayetteville, NC 28301

Visit the JFK Special Warfare Museum

One of the most interesting indoor places to check out is the JFK Special Warfare Museum.

This is a museum that focuses on the US. Army Special Forces.

The museum showcases many different objects related to the Special Forces.

For example, you can see photographs, costumes, weapons, and many other artifacts at this place.

Furthermore, there are many displays with interesting information. So you can learn a lot about the military at the museum.

What’s nice about the museum as well is that there is no admission fee, so you can go here for free when it is raining outside.

Address: 2815 Ardennes St, Fort Liberty, NC 28307

Get a Cup of Coffee at Rude Awakening

Getting a cup of coffee can be one of the best rainy day activities in Fayetteville for you.

There are many good coffee shops in the city for this. One of the best is the Rude Awakening coffee house.

This a downtown Fayetteville coffee house where you can get very delicious high-quality organic coffee.

But that’s not all! You can also get delicious baked goods, smoothies, and much more here. For example, the cheesecake at Rude Awakening is very good!

I also like the interior of this place a lot. The decor features great works of art and the place is very cozy.

Address: 227 Hay St, Fayetteville, NC 28301

More Fayetteville Articles

Day trips from Fayetteville

Coffee shops in Fayetteville

Weekend trips from Fayetteville

Weekend in Fayetteville itinerary

Fayetteville Things To Do When it Rains Tips

For an even better time in the city when it is raining I recommend parking very close to the entrances of the places on this list of things to do on a rainy day in Fayetteville. That way, you don’t get wet on your way to each place.

Also, an umbrella makes getting to the activities on this list even more comfortable!

Buildings and cars in Fayetteville
Cars driving in Fayetteville – Goldilock Project / Shutterstock.com

Indoor Things To Do on a Rainy Day in Fayetteville Map


As you see, there are great rainy day activities in Fayetteville. I hope you found some activities you want to do when it’s raining outside!

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