In case you haven’t noticed, it’s been friggin’ cold outside. Like, feels like -3, kinda cold. This got me thinking, as I’m sure it did for many going stir-crazy inside, about what we could get into that doesn’t involve being outdoors any longer than it takes to park. In this way, as in many others, Asheville shines.
If you’re stuck inside (especially with kids) and about ready to start breaking things, then you need to check out my list of stuff to do when it’s way too friggin’ cold to be outside. Please refer below:
1. Grab a Matinee. Now, as a story-lover, this is one of my favorites, especially because I can go to Asheville Pizza and Brewing. Imagine this: you’re at home on your day off. Normally you would take the dog to the park, but even he doesn’t want to go, because it’s so miserably blustery outside. So you find yourself in a small movie theater, playing an extra-cheap matinee of a movie you thought you’d missed seeing in theaters altogether. Not only is it warm, but there’s beer, local beer, and pizza, and cheese fries, and all kinds of yummy goodness to heat you up. Like I said, this one is a favorite of mine.
2. Get high at the trampoline park. This one is a favorite of my son’s, for obvious reasons. Just a couple weeks ago we went to an event with a couple of his school friends that was hosted at Launch Trampoline Park. The kids were invited to jump in their pajamas, and after were treated to delicious cookies and hot chocolate during a reading of The Polar Express. Keep in mind, this isn’t just a great way to get children to take a nap, but it’s also A LOT of fun for adults, too. Or maybe I’m just not an adult, or I take too much pleasure in beating small children in dodgeball. Whatever the case, I really enjoy this place, too.
3. Go see AMOS! No seriously, the Asheville Museum of Science, lovingly coined AMOS for short, is a great place to blow some time (again, especially with kids). The museum is still fairly young, and this may seem like a shortcoming, but it isn’t. In reality, they are constantly adding and coming up with new exhibits, so that every time you go you enjoy some new discovery. Another bonus, they offer activities and classes for all ages on a wide-range of subject matter.
4. Get playful. This is Jess’s favorite, all the way. One thing a lot of people miss about our city, is that Asheville provides any number of ways to play. You could check out the pinball museum (the description is in the name), any number of break out rooms (Conundrum, Fox-N-Otter, Break Out), or even get down to serious business at Wellplayed, which is the city’s first and only board game cafe. There are even a couple climbing gyms to choose from if your definition of play requires something a bit more physical.
5. Take a Class. No, I’m not telling you to go back to college (unless you just want to). I’m simply reminding you that there are several opportunities to discover or learn a new hobby. You could take a class on Botanical Illustration at Flora Forage, or find out how to make use of the Ayurvedic properties of the spices in your kitchen by checking out a workshop at Villagers. These are only a couple of the options that are out there (remember AMOS). So get online and see what you find that sparks the most interest in you. Be sure to check out Nest and Roots + Wings for class options as well. For inspiration, soon Jess and I will be attending a class on Healing Herbs that’s being held at Flora.
If all else fails, just stay home. Poor a drink, grab a book, and run yourself a nice relaxing bath. Whatever you decide, the options are endless!
