Rain on Your Parade?

We asked our agents and staff about their favorite things to do on a rainy day:

One of the greatest things about living in Southeastern North Carolina is our subtropical climate. Our winters are blessedly short and mild, and we enjoy a gloriously long summer. Between the beaches, forests, waterways, and countless beautiful towns to meander through, there’re so many ways to enjoy a pretty day in the Cape Fear Region.

But what about those inevitable gloomy, rainy days? Area rainfall keeps our crops healthy and our yards and gardens fresh and verdant, but it doesn’t make for a great day at the beach. We asked our agents and staff about their favorite things to do on a rainy day:

Supporting my local businesses of Topsail Island, a little retail therapy and lunch on the island. I love The Crab Pot, and Beach Shop & Grill.

--Heather Shargo, Autumn Hall Office

The touring our beautiful mansions and museums downtown is great for a rainy day!

                --Allison Donovan, Midtown Office

Cape Fear Games has stacks and stacks of games that you can play right in their store. Love board games but public play not your thing? Purchase a new game you've never played and bring it home. They have so many options for all different types of play. My family is a fan of the Catan series and the Haba line for kids.

                --Meghan Riley, Autumn Hall Office

I actually love walking on the beach in the rain. It’s so peaceful.

                --Tammy Ebersole, Carolina Beach Office

Favorite to-do on a rainy day?!? Touring property with buyers looking for a new home! Best time to look at homes is in a deluge. They run to get into the house, they don't want to leave the house and it's easier to find the leaking roof!

                --Jimmie Pendergrass, South Brunswick Office

Running around my house like a crazy person chasing my dog.

                --Megan Sexton, Account Coordinator

During/immediately after lots of rain is the best time for serious buyers to look because they will see which homes sit high and dry. But if you aren’t looking to buy, the planetarium at Sunset Beach is a fun, affordable and educational rainy-day activity for all ages.

                --Edie Caudill Lindsey, Calabash Office

Reading. Or binge-watching The Crown. Or my guiltiest pleasure, which is vegging-out to the "Say Yes to the Dress" Marathon.

                --Debbie Elliott, Chief Marketing Officer

I live in a tiny bungalow with a tin roof in historic downtown Wilmington. Rainy days are so great for playing music at home--the pattering of the rain on that roof makes the most lovely accompaniment to my banjo and my husband’s guitar. It makes a great soundtrack for reading too. I also love to go to a waterfront restaurant and watch the rain fall on the Cape Fear River or our beautiful Atlantic.

                --Honor Rudd, Social Media Coordinator

I like to just put on some rain boots and go splash in puddles with my boy! Sometimes you just have to enjoy the rain and the puddles it brings.

                --Christina Asbury, Sneads Ferry Office

If I've got company, I like to take them to the Fort Fisher Aquarium. Great place, and lots of fun for kids and adults. If it's just me—and I'm not out showing homes with buyers—I love hanging at one of the nearby guilty pleasure shops in Carolina Beach with a good book. My favorites? Crush and Grind, Wake and Bake Donuts, Bagel Meister or Latella Gelato. These are my happy places!

                --Mary Blake, Carolina Beach Office

Bowling with my daughter at Planet Fun in Shallotte.

                --Lisa Damico, South Brunswick Office