We just love the city of Asheville, North Carolina. For us, it’s one of the top mountain towns in North Carolina. It’s a stunning, picturesque city with scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a charming downtown, and plenty of historical architecture, boutiques, and galleries. If you are a resident of Asheville or are visiting the city with your family, you may be wondering what activities you can enjoy during your stay with them. Well, we made it easy for you. Take a look at some of our picks for top things to do in Asheville NC with kids.
Catch An Asheville Tourists Baseball Game
If your kids like to play baseball at home, you can take them to an exciting baseball game in the city. Asheville is home to a minor league baseball team called the Asheville Tourists, affiliated with the Houston Astros. You can catch one of their games at McCormick field, located in the heart of Asheville. They are a fun family event for kids of all ages! For the sports family, this activity has to be up there as one of the top things to do in Asheville with kids.
Take A LaZoom Kids Comedy Tour
LaZoom Tours is a locally owned and operated establishment that offers city-wide tours in a unique and fun way. They specialize in “comedy tours,” offering a mix of entertainment and tourism for locals and visitors alike. Their Kids Comedy Tour is a popular one specially designed for kids and families. The tour will visit some of Asheville’s most popular landmarks and attractions while engaging kids in games, interactive activities, and hilarious antics.
Asheville Retrocade
The West Asheville spot is unquestionably the perfect place to spend your afternoon if you are a a family of gamers. Parents can enjoy the good food and drink in the popular Asheville neighborhood while the kids enjoy playing games. Asheville Retrocade has one of if not the largest selection of classic games in the state to keep everyone in the family busy for hours.
Grab A Drink At Creekside Taphouse While The Kids Play On The Playground
Creekside Taphouse is a family-friendly local restaurant and bar known for its great foods and local craft brews. Here you will dine on local burgers, wings, and over 20 craft brews on draft. The restaurant also has a playground area for kids to enjoy. That’s not all; you’ll find televisions placed inside so you can enjoy on-screen sports with your friends and family.
Zipline At Adventure Center Of Asheville
The Adventure Center of Asheville, located in downtown Asheville offers some of the best outdoor activitie. You simply can’t miss their zipline canopy tour. It gives you an exciting view of downtown Asheville. All while being nestled among the city’s majestic white and red oaks. Adventure Center also offers a dedicated KidZip for kids aged 4-10.
Cool Off At Splashville – Things To Do With Kids In Asheville NC
Splashville is one of downtown Asheville’s most popular cool-off spots for families. This water play fountain you can visit with your kids is perfect for a nice summery day. Splashville is centered in the 6.5-acre Asheville Pack Square park, where arching sprays of water dance around. Your kids can splash around and play in the water. Or they can host a picnic as you relax in the surrounding green areas.
Head To Indoor Playground Mountain Play Lodge
Mountain Play Lodge is one of Asheville’s most popular indoor play centers. It provides residents with a clean, safe, and fun play environment to enjoy. You’ll find a variety of play areas inside specifically made for children up to the age of 12. Inside you’ll find slides, tunnels, climbing areas, a bounce house, a ball pit, a mini golf course, and even a dedicated toddler area for younger children. It is one of the most-fun things to do in Asheville with kids.
Enjoy Free Outdoor Music At Saturday Evenings’ Shindig On The Green
Shindig on the Green is a popular outdoor festival that takes place in Asheville, North Carolina, at Pack Square Park. You can join in every Saturday evening with your family and friends, where you can witness live performances of traditional music and dance from the Southern Appalachian Mountains in an outdoor setting.
See Rescued Animals At WNC Nature Center
The Western North Carolina Nature Center is a 42-care facility in Asheville, housing over 60 species of wild and domestic animals and hundreds of biodiverse plants. This facility works to preserve the area’s native wildlife and habitats. It also opens its doors to young and old residents, so they can learn all they can about these animals.
Take A Trolley Ride Along Craggy Mountain Line
The Craggy Mountain Rail Line is built over a historic railroad section in Buncombe County, NC. These 3.45 miles of rail line are preserved and now run trolleys open to the public. Residents of the city are free to come and enjoy open-air trolley rides at this historic railroad, a total 7-mile round trip where you witness the picturesque beauty of Asheville city.
Take A Train Ride, Hayride, Or See Farm Animals At Hickory Nut Gap Farm
The Hickory Nut Gap Farm is a fifth-generation family farm operating since 1916. You can visit this farm to see farm animals, including baby goats, chicks, and calves. The farm also hosts plenty of special events year-round. take a hayride or enjoy cider making in person. The farm also provides self-guided tours around the farm on Saturdays that you can enjoy with the whole family. It is one of the most-recommended things to do in Asheville with kids.
Visit Zaniac, A Hands-On STEM Activity Center – Things To Do With Kids In Asheville NC
Zaniac is popularly known for its STEM education programs that help create interest in STEM learning for kids. The activity center features several hands-on STEM activities that teach children about various STEM topics in a fun and interactive way. The center also hosts several programs and even offers year-round camps where children can engage in peer-based learning.
Asheville Museum Of Science
Looking for educational things to do in Asheville NC with kids? Well, look no further! The Asheville Museum Of Science (AMOS) is located in western NC right in the heart of downtown is one of the region’s largest science museums where you can explore many interactive and hands-on exhibits with your kids. Additionally,This museum is particularly enjoyable for young children aged 3-12 interested in science learning, discovery, and exploration.
Wander Through The North Carolina Arboretum’s 434 Acres
The North Carolina Arboretum is a 434-acre public garden located in South Asheville. Here you can enjoy over 10 miles of hiking and biking trails, several indoor and outdoor exhibits, a bonsai garden, guided workshops and lectures, and several programs you can enjoy year-round.
Go Foraging For Your Own Food with No Taste Like Home
Finally, we arrive at our last recommendation. And this one is a fun one for kids that like nature and cooking. No Taste Like Home offers guided foraging tours through the woods and meadows in Asheville, where expert guides will teach you how to find edibles among nature. Watch as the guides offer a unique forage-to-table tour incorporating fruits, mushrooms, greens, roots, berries, nuts, and more to cook mouthwatering foods. These tours are suitable for kids of all ages and offer the perfect way to spend your day out!
There are many things to do with kids in Asheville NC. These are just a few examples that should help you plan your day out and make for a fun, memorable family vacation! If you are looking for other outdoor activities check out our article on waterfalls in Western NC and best trails around Asheville.
