If you think Fayetteville is all about outdoor adventures, you’re not wrong. That said, while the town has a dense population of outdoor adventure junkies and corresponding world-class activities, it also offers plenty of indoor adventures for a rainy day. If you’re planning a trip to Fayetteville and the weather is looking bleak, here are a few ideas for fun out-of-the-weather activities to mix into your vacation.
The park has 12.8 miles of easy-to-intermediate biking trails. We offer 2 hour and half day guided biking trips ranging from east to intermediate based on guests needs and requests.
There are many popular hiking trails include the 1.6-mile Long Point Trail, which provides views of the gorge and the bridge and the 2.4-mile Endless Wall Trail, known for its 1,000-foot-high views of the river below. For a more solitary experience, try the two-mile loop Big Branch Trail. You’ll find a cascading stream, waterfalls and the remnants of an old homestead site, and it’s abloom with wildflowers in early spring. Another less crowded hike is the 0.7-mile Headhouse Trail, which goes to the entrance of an old coal mine, now a protected habitat for bats.
Escape the weather with an Epic Escape Game
Escaping into nature isn’t the only type of escape available in Fayetteville. Downtown Fayetteville is home to an escape room venue the likes of which you would not expect to find in such a small downtown. So, if you like solving challenges and decoding riddles, head to Epic Escape Game New River Gorge for some quality brain-teasing and team bonding.
Rejuvenate the Body
While outdoor sports can be hard on your body, there is nothing better than taking one day out your fast-paced vacation to relax—and a rainy day can be just the right excuse to treat yourself to a massage or yoga session. Then, return to your cabin and soak in your personal outdoor hot tub. After all, hot tubbing is one of the few outdoor activities that is enhanced by rain or snow.
Meet Locals and Listen to Live Music
While most tourists only get to see Fayetteville in the summer, a wintertime stay gives you the chance to see a side of Fayetteville you would otherwise miss—the locals. Fayetteville’s intimate bars host live music all winter long, so check out the Grove and Southside Junction Tap House schedules to plan your next night out.
Game Night—Stay in or head to Rendezvous Lodge
If you choose to stay in, don’t let the night be lost to watching TV or staring at your phone. Get the group engaged with board games at your cabin or break out the red Solo cups for a round of beer pong. Alternatively, head to the Rendezvous Lodge upstairs game room for pool and other bar games. (The bar itself is closed until Memorial Day.)
Shop and Dine Local
Downtown Fayetteville is home to numerous small shops that offer the chance to browse local, handcrafted items. While many visitors rush past the shop windows en route to their next activity, a rainy day grants us an excuse to step inside and explore the displays. After shopping, relax at one of downtown’s top restaurants or return to Smokey’s for a New River Gorge-side dining experience.
Cooking Classes on the Gorge
Catch a Show at the Historic Theatre
If you time your visit right, you can catch a performance at the Historic Fayetteville Theater. Shows vary from musical performances to plays and other events, but enjoying the intimate historic theater is a magical opportunity regardless of what is on that night’s agenda.