It can often feel almost impossible to find something fun to do when the sun isn't shining... Fortunately, this isn't a dilemma when you're in Athens, Georgia! With tons of exciting indoor activities to explore each and every day, there's always a plethora of entertainment and enjoyment to discover on any rainy day in the Classic City. Here are just a few ideas to brighten your next stormy day!
@visitathensga Check out these fun things to do on a Rainy Day in Athens! Not every day can have the perfect weather, but there is always something entertaining to do when you’re in the Classic City! #fyp #visitathensga #rainyday #athensga ♬ Just a Cloud Away - Pharrell Williams
1. The Rook and Pawn
Dust off the rainy day blues with a little friendly competition at The Rook and Pawn! This peculiar establishment offers an impressive collection of 800 tabletop board and card games to play from, along with a tasty food and drink menu and lively bar to warm up any dreary day. The cozy cafe atmosphere and Victorian-era decor will have you feeling like you've stepped off the drizzly streets of downtown Athens and into an old shop in London, England!
2. Explore a Museum
Athens, Georgia is home to so many remarkable museums, all of which are a great way to spend any rainy day! The Georgia Museum of Art is the state's official museum of art and offers free admission to all, making it a cheap yet still valuable experience. The building houses over 10,000 permanent pieces of art and another 20 to 25 temporary exhibits each year, and staff will give free educational tours on a variety of topics, available upon request. Interested in fossils and bugs? The Museum of Natural History is right here in Athens for your viewing! The UGA Special Collections Library is another great rainy day destination, with tons of archives and exhibits showcasing the history of the university and surrounding areas.
3. Get Active Indoors
Don't worry! There are still tons of entertaining and lively ways to get active in Athens despite the rain! Let go of some steam and stress at Hot Fuel Yoga, which offers 45 classes (some heated, some not) of Bikram, Vinyasa, and Yin for all ages and levels each week. Purvelo is another unique and indoor workout experience in Athens; incorporating indoor cycling, exhilarating music, and upbeat choreography into their sessions. Active Climbing also provides Athens with yet another great way to break a sweat indoors, hosting private lessons and free climbs on their rock climbing walls and rope courses seven days a week.
4. See a Movie at Ciné
As the only art house cinema in the city, Ciné is the perfect place to spend your next overcast day in Athens! Head over to the restored historic venue -- which houses two cinemas, a full bar and an event space -- to view the latest and greatest in international and independent films. On top of the films, Ciné also offers an assortment of exquisite cocktails and treats that you can enjoy while you wait out the rain.
5. LumberJaxe
Looking to pick up a new skill despite the rain? LumberJaxe has you covered! Head over to their spacious and unique downtown venue to quickly take up axe-throwing on one of their six lanes and 12 targets. Or, get a larger group together and rent out the place for your next party or event! The spot also boasts a trendy lounge and bar that offer cocktails, local beers and wines for axe-throwers over 21 to enjoy!
6. Travel the Athens Beer Trail
One of the best ways to preoccupy yourself on any given day in Athens is at one of the many impressive, local breweries. Terrapin Beer Co. is open six days a week, offering flights starting at just $4 and welcoming guests to take an on-demand tour of the brewery upon each visit. Creature Comforts is located conveniently downtown, and serves up an enticing range of IPAs, pilsners and more at their eclectic and Instagram-worthy venue. Southern Brewing Company is another great option with loads of beers and games to liven up your rainy day. If you're in the mood for a meal with your brew, head over to Akademia Brewing Company, where they've put together a food menu just as impressive as their beer list. Or, check out Normaltown Brewing -- a recent addition to the Athens beer scene, aimed at hand crafting artisan beers using the finest ingredients and brewing practices. If you wish to hit all 5 of these breweries, along with Athentic Brewing Company, you should head down the Athens Beer Trail. The trail allows you to visit local breweries to discover their approach to craft beer. Along the way, we guarantee you'll find new flavors, new friends and enjoy the Athens creative vibe. The Athens Beer Trail is the newest beer getaway and adventure in the south -- so, grab your friends and head to Athens to escape the rain and for good times and great beer.
7. Bowl, Game, Eat & Drink at Showtime
Showtime Bowl provides Athens, Georgia with yet another enjoyable activity to take part in during wet weather. With 32 lanes of bowling and an arcade room equipped with video games, a billiard area and a party room, it's easy to spend an entire day here avoiding the rain! 11th Pin Food & Drink is also located inside, serving up finger-lickin' classics and refreshing drinks, wines and beers.
8. Shop at a Local Bookstore
One of the best ways to spend a rainy day is curled up with a good book -- or buying one! Take advantage of your next rainy day and expand your literary horizons at an Athens bookstore, like Avid Bookshop. Named one of the five top bookshops in the U.S. by Publisher's Weekly, Avid Bookshop is a favorite among Athens bookworms, and offers book clubs, author readings, poetry nights, book signings and more.
9. Study or Snap a Pic at a Coffee Shop
Athens is home to a plenitude of lovely coffee shops to visit during your next rainy day adventure! Looking to get things done in a productive setting? Opt for the quiet, secluded basement of Walker's Coffee & Pub. Itching for something to eat, as well as drink? Hendershot's has a full kitchen that serves lunch daily and dinners six days a week, with tons of vegan and vegetarian options, too! Searching for an aesthetically-pleasing brew that you can post to your Instagram or Snapchat story? Head over to 1000 Faces and order one of their sustainable, ecologically-responsible drinks at their chic downtown location. Whatever coffee shop you may be in the mood for -- Athens has it!