The high country is known for its beautiful nature and adventurous outdoor activities. But what happens when the weather just isn’t cooperating and the kids are starting to bounce off the walls? I know, I know, you could put on the right gear and go for a hike anyway. But sometimes I’d rather wait it out and be adventurous on a sunny day.
There are a number of options for families looking for indoor activities in Boone and the High Country. Families could try bowling, visiting the Children’s Playhouse, Wildwood Market and Cafe, Gem Mining, Escape rooms, Blowing Rock Art and History Museum, Let’s Get Artsy, indoor rock climbing, Linville Caverns, the Rec Center Pool, Mystery Hill, indoor putt putt, or even a movie theater.
Check out the details below for what activities would be appropriate for different ages and what you can expect for each option!
Bowling
Best Ages: 3+
Time Commitment: 1-2 hours
High Country Lanes in Boone is a fun destination for the whole family. On rainy days, it does get busy. So I’d recommend booking a lane ahead of time! You can book a lane by the hour. And on Sundays they even offer unlimited bowling from 12-5!
They offer a full bar, snacks, and some “baskets” that include menu items like burgers and chicken tenders. And if you aren’t quite ready to be done with the fun once your time slot has ended, they also offer corn hole, darts, and arcade games.
Children’s Playhouse
Best Ages: 6mos - 7years
Time Commitment: 90 minutes
The Children’s Playhouse is Boone’s own miniature children’s museum. The upstairs has rotating art activities and looks different every week you go. The lower levels have stations and activities with anything from a play house and kitchen to a climbing wall to a light room.
They are open Tuesdays through Saturdays. In the past they have also opened on Sundays over the summer, so check their website for updated information. You no longer need to make a reservation, but Saturdays can get busy! They also have a number of activities and programs during the week including music time, visits from a therapy dog, science experiments, and other special themed events throughout the summer months.
The Children’s Playhouse is a welcoming refuge for young families in the area. Its welcoming atmosphere and focus on community are two aspects that make it a special place to visit!
Wildwood Community Market
Best Ages: 1-7 years old (for the play area)
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Wildwood Community Market is mostly what the name says, a market featuring local and natural food, home, and personal care products. But in the back, they also have a grab-and-go deli featuring a variety of sandwiches, soups, and sides. Many of them are also vegan and gluten-free.
But the main reason that Wildwood makes the list is the seating area they provide for enjoying your deli items. It features a play kitchen for little ones to explore while their parents relax and actually taste their food for once!
Boone Winter Farmer's Market
Best Ages: 3+
Time Commitment: 1 hour
On Saturdays from December through March, head on over to the Boone Winter Farmer's Market. And the best part? It's indoors!
There's always a kids activity table with crafts and the occasional treat. So while the kids are occupied, you can shop around for some local produce, baked goods, jewelry, natural beauty products, and a number of other locally-made goodies. Still chilled? Warm up with a cup of coffee or some breakfast made fresh throughout the market.
Gem Mining
Best Ages: 2+
Time Commitment: 1 hour
There are a number of gem mining options in the high country, including Foggy Mountain Gem Mine, The Greater Foscoe Mining Co, Prospector Hill Gem Mining, Doc’s Rocks Gem Mine, and Sugar Creek Gem Mine.
You don’t actually go into the mines and chip away at the rocks. That part is already done for you. Instead, you sift through a bucket of what has already been mined and find the treasures hidden amongst the rocks. Some of the mines offer polishing and shaping services if you really want to turn your treasures into a keepsake!
Escape Room
Best Ages: 10+
Time Commitment: 90 minutes
Right in downtown Boone, you’ll find Mysterium Escape Adventure. They have two rooms to choose from and allow for up to 8 people per room. If you’ve never done an escape room, basically you and your fellow players are locked in a room together. You need to find and follow clues within the room in order to escape. Usually with a key that is hidden somewhere. It’s a fun activity for older kids and adults alike.
Blowing Rock Art and History Museum
Best Ages: 3-10
Time Commitment: 1 hour
The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum is a free art museum that has occasional interactive exhibits for kids. During the week, they also have some art classes for kids. Doodlebug Club is for preschool-aged kids (and an accompanying parent), and Afternoon Art Club is for kids aged 6-10 years old.
If you’re looking for an indoor activity back at home or at your accommodation, they also offer “Backpack Art Kits” in their gift shop. In the backpack, you’ll find supplies and instructions for 5-6 different art projects.
Let’s Be Artsy
Best Ages: 8+
Time Commitment: 2 hours
Typically offering “sip and paint” style classes, Let’s Be Artsy is open to kids ages 8+ as well! They also offer private events for groups of 10 or more, and can do kids' birthday parties.
Center 45 Rock Climbing
Best Ages: 7+
Time Commitment: 2+ hours
Center 45 is a climbing gym that focuses on bouldering. So if you’re a family that loves rock climbing, but don’t love the thought of climbing in bad weather, Center 45 could be a fun stop for you. If rock climbing isn’t for the whole family, luckily for you, Hatchet Coffee is right next door and has the best coffee in town.
Linville Caverns
Best Ages: 2+
Time Commitment: 45min
A bit further away, Linville Caverns offers cave tours all year round. The caverns stay a consistent 52 degrees, so it can be a perfect place to cool off in the summer or warm up in the winter! They operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so if you’re set on getting into a tour that day, you may want to head over there early during busy times.
Rec Center Pool
Best Ages: 6mos+
Time Commitment: 2+ hours
The Watauga Community Recreation Center offers an indoor pool complete with water slides for the big kids and a splash zone for little ones. Your day pass will also include access to the lap pool, fitness center, and gymnasium. The first time you go, you do need to pay an initiation fee. So as of right now, for out-of-town families, you’ll pay $90 total to visit if you’ve never been before.
If you want to have an indoor pool at your hotel as an easy indoor activity option, you'll have plenty of options in Boone!
- La Quinta by Wyndham
- Graystone Lodge
- Fairfield Inn and Suites
- Hampton Inn and Suites
- TownePlace Suites - Small kitchens included as well!
- Comfort Suites
Mystery Hill
Best Ages: 2+
Time Commitment: 2-5 hours
Mystery Hill has an assortment of indoor activities. Everything from a giant bubble area to ax throwing to its own gem mining experience. You can buy tickets for individual attractions or for packages of attractions. So choose your own (indoor) adventure!
Indoor Putt-Putt
Best Ages: 3+
Time Commitment: 30min
The home of Doc’s Rocks Gem Mine also houses “Paleo Putt-Putt”, a 9-hole indoor putt-putt course. So before or after your gem mining experience, stop on by for a quick game of putt-putt. And if there are any budding paleontologists or geologists in your crew, you could also check out their fossil museum while you’re there.
Go to the Movies
Best Ages: 3+
Time Commitment: 2 hours
Regal Boone is your standard movie theater that has a rotating selection of newly released movies. Parkway Theater up in West Jefferson has less selection and fewer show times, but is definitely the more affordable option for families. Movie tickets are $5-$6, and concessions run anything from $2 for a candy, small popcorn, or small drink, to $7 for a large popcorn.
Once in a while, App Theater in downtown Boone screens classic movies. And often times the movies are child friendly. You can take a look at their upcoming schedule here.
If the weather turns for the better and your family is looking to get out in nature, check out Best Hikes in Boone, NC for Families and Kids and The Best Playgrounds in Boone, NC and the High Country. If you want to cozy in somewhere with a coffee, but aren’t sure where, check out Quality Coffee in Boone, NC: Where the Coffee Snobs Go. And if you're hungry, head over to The Best Vegan Restaurants in Boone NC – And Some Honorable Mentions.