Asheville, NC is packed with family-friendly things to do all year long. Situated between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains, Asheville makes a beautiful day trip destination. But if you’re looking for something a little longer, there’s definitely enough to do in Asheville to fill up a long weekend. This Guide to Asheville, NC will help you plan your trip!
This article includes:
Asheville Day Trips and Date Nights
Christmas in Asheville
Winter Activities in Asheville
Places to Eat in Asheville
Looking for more places to spend the day with your family? Here’s our list of Day Trip Towns that are just a short drive from the Upstate.
Explore Where You Live!
Kidding Around’s
Content by Location
Day Trips and Date Nights in Asheville
Asheville has a lot to offer families. These places make great day trip destinations in Asheville, NC. String a few together and you’ve got a mini-vacation!
If you’re looking for more day trip ideas in the Asheville area, visit this list of Western NC Day Trips where you’ll find many more ideas!
Western North Carolina Nature Center
WNC Nature Center is a great place to spend the day with the family and learn about animals native to Western North Carolina! The nature center is home to foxes, black bears, cougars, a hellbender salamander, and more!
WNC Nature Center
75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville, NC
WNC Nature Center is so fun. We also LOVE eating at Farm Burger.
ErinBiltmore Estate
If you’d like to visit the Biltmore Estate, check out 10 Things You Must Do at Biltmore and if you’re visiting Biltmore with young children don’t miss Tips for Visiting Biltmore Estates with Children
Biltmore Estates
One Lodge Street, Asheville, NC
Mountain Play Lodge
Mountain Play Lodge is an amazing indoor play space for kids and makes a perfect stop for your day trip to WNC.
3389 Sweeten Creek Road Arden, NC
828.676.2120
We’ll make a trip to visit Mountain Play Lodge and eat at Farm Burger
CraigAsheville Adventure Park
Ride KidZip, the first Zipline in the country built for kids ages 4 to 10. But don’t think this place is just for younger kids, there’s an adult zipline course, climbing wall, and more!
1 Resort Drive
Asheville, NC 28803
828.225.2921
Rabbit Rabbit
There’s a new venue in Asheville where families can enjoy a meal, a movie, and some fresh air while staying a safe distance from others. Rabbit Rabbit will be your family’s new favorite out-of-town day trip destination.
75 Coxe Avenue, Asheville NC
Asheville Pinball Museum
This unique museum houses all things Pinball, and you can get to play the machines!
1 Battle Square #1b, Asheville
828.776.5671
Asheville Pinball Museum! You pay to get in and play unlimited pinball (and some arcade) games. They have 80 machines
StephanieSplasheville at Pack Square Park
Asheville’s only public splash pad is a very popular place to be in the heat of summer! It is the perfect place to cool off while visiting downtown.
Pack Square, Downtown Asheville
There’s a splash pad at pack square that was nice after walking around downtown.
AllysonNorth Carolina Arboretum
The North Carolina Arboretum is a beautiful place to spend a few hours. Enjoy the gorgeous flowers, plants, and fountains. Stroll through the Bonsai Garden, or watch the outdoor model train run through a garden village.
100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville
828.665.2492
NC Arboretum is a nice stop for sights/hikes.
GlennZen Tubing
Have a lazy day floating down the French Broad River with your family and enjoy cooling off with Zen Tubing in Asheville.
Christmas in Asheville
Are you planning a visit to Asheville during the Holiday Season? There are some great things to do during this magical season in Asheville.
Here’s our Guide to Christmas in Asheville!
Don’t miss the Gingerbread Houses at Asheville’s Grove Park Inn
Visit the Biltmore Mansion at Christmas time for Christmas at the Biltmore.
View half a million LED lights in this Asheville Christmas Light Exhibit at the NC Arboretum.
Ride this amazing Jingle Bell Trolley along the Craggy Mountain Line
Winter Things to Do Near Asheville
Winter activities in Asheville include skiing and snow tubing. Here are a couple of places where you can enjoy these winter sports and activities in Asheville.
Fall Season in Asheville
We love corn mazes! Asheville is home to the Eliada Corn Maze where you can get lost in a corn maze, but also enjoy hay rides, cow train rides, a small hay bale maze, spider web play area, giant slides, corn cob guns, giant checkers game and more!
Head to Asheville for a Fun Day at Eliada Corn Maze
Places to Eat in Asheville
Sierra Nevada Brewery
Grab a great meal and a beverage at Sierra Nevada Brewery. It is kid friendly!
100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River, NC
828.681.5300
Sierra Nevada has a great family area outdoors to play games and just hang out and their desserts are amazing
JordainCreekside Tap House
Choose a table outside and watch the kids play on the playground and explore the neighboring creek while you enjoy a great burger and a beverage.
8 Beverly Road, Asheville
828.575.2880
Creekside Tap house is the best with kids (back deck, play area, creek to wade in)
BriannaOld Europe
Perfect pastries and delicious coffee are what you’ll find at Asheville’s Old Europe.
13 Broadway Street, Asheville
828.255.5999
Old Europe is another great place. Desserts and coffee (plenty of gluten free and vegan options for allergies)
GlennFarm Burger
Get tasty grass-fed beef burgers at Farm Burger, along with amazing fries and milkshakes.
10 Patton Avenue, Asheville
828.348.8540
1831 Hendersonville Road, Asheville
828.575.2393
Buxton BBQ
Local meat smoked in-house! What more can you ask for? Buxton has BBQ with all the sides you can imagine.
32 Banks Avenue, Asheville
828.232.7216
Buxton BBQ is delicious and huge!
ChelseyWhat are your favorite things in Asheville?