Have you tried a corn maze yet this fall? The Upstate has lots of family-friendly options, but our contributor Lacey took her crew up to Asheville to explore the Eliada Corn Maze—and they had an absolute blast! Here’s everything you need to know for 2025.
Eliada Corn Maze 2025: What to Expect
Dates: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from September 26th through November 1st, 2025 Hours:
Fridays: 3 pm – 7 pm
Saturdays: 10 am – 7 pm
Sundays: 10 am – 6 pm Admission: $15 for ages 4 and up (kids 3 and under are free) Tickets: Available online only; purchase in advance to secure your spot
Pro tip: the corn maze may close in rainy weather, so double-check before heading out. We recommend checking the Eliada Corn Maze website for the most up-to-date information regarding ticket availability and available time slots.
What Is Eliada?
Eliada is a nonprofit organization in Asheville serving children and youth through foster care, education, residential programs, and more. The corn maze is one of their biggest fundraisers, and every ticket supports their mission. So while your family is out having fun, you’re also helping other families in meaningful ways.
Getting There
Address: 49 Compton Drive, Asheville, NC
The location is just minutes from downtown Asheville, but GPS can be a little tricky. Follow signs and directions from the Eliada website rather than relying on your app. You’ll likely park in a grassy field—just follow the crowd and head toward the main building to check in.
What’s Included in Admission
Your ticket gives you access to all of Eliada’s activities:
Multiple corn mazes (long, short, and story trails!)
Hayrides around the property
Giant tube slides down the hill
Corn cob cannons
Cow train for little ones
Jumping pillow (yes, even parents can try it!)
Spider web climbing area
Small hay bale maze
Giant checkers game
Plus, you’ll find a picnic area with clean tables and a nearby concession stand serving up affordable snacks like hot dogs and drinks. You’re also welcome to bring your own food!
Our Family’s Experience at Eliada Corn Maze
We started with the corn cannons, and let me tell you—there’s nothing like hearing that satisfying thunk as a corn cob launches into the field! After that, the kids convinced me to slide down the big black tubes toward the maze. (Yes, I did it—and yes, they cheered.)
Before we even made it to the maze, the kids were bouncing on the jumping pillow, climbing through the web, and hopping on the cow train. The whole place has a relaxed, welcoming vibe where kids can roam, explore, and play.
When we finally entered the maze, we chose one of the storybook trails—Jack and the Beanstalk. Along the path, signs told the tale as we walked, which was a sweet way to ease into the day. Then we attempted the long maze, which turned into a laugh-filled loop of getting lost, retracing steps, and high-fiving every time we made progress.
Even when we admitted defeat (we never did finish that long maze), we had a wonderful time. The kids helped each other, made up silly games, and shared snacks afterward at the picnic tables.
Plan your own trip to the Eliada Corn Maze
There’s so much to love about the Eliada Corn Maze. The setting is beautiful, the activities are fun for all ages, and the mission behind the event makes it even more meaningful. We spent several hours enjoying everything on-site and would go back in a heartbeat.
Plan Your Trip
Eliada Corn Maze & Fall Festival 📍 49 Compton Drive, Asheville, NC 🎟️ $15 for ages 4+, kids 3 and under free
Inside: Local mom visits The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, NC, and shares all the best tips for your trip there!
Have you visited the NC Arboretum? If you’re looking for the perfect place to spend the day outdoors in Asheville, the arboretum might be just what you’re looking for!
The North Carolina Arboretum is much more than a beautiful garden. In addition to gorgeous flower beds bursting with color, you’ll also find hiking trails, an outdoor miniature train display, a cafe, a greenhouse, water features, and even rotating art exhibits. There’s something for everyone in the family at the arboretum and since it’s located in nearby Asheville, you’ve got a great day trip in the making.
Looking to make a day trip out of your trip to the North Carolina Arboretum? Check out our list of Western North Carolina Day Trip ideas to have a fun-filled day!
Visiting the NC Arboretum
The North Carolina Arboretum is located just south of Asheville, NC. Their website provides directions, and they indicate that GPS should not be trusted. I have to admit not reading that little tidbit, and our GPS directions have always worked just fine. Do be aware however that the cell signal is not strong in this area.
When you arrive at the arboretum you’ll pay for parking. The parking fee is $20 per car. There is no further admission or per-person cost, which makes this a pretty affordable family day trip. Pack some snacks or a lunch and you won’t have to spend another dime.
But if you’d rather go out for lunch, there’s a cafe at the arboretum. Asheville is also just about 20 minutes away with virtually limitless dining options.
Baker Exhibit Center
The main parking lot for the North Carolina Arboretum is at the Baker Exhibit Center. This will be where you start the day. I recommend bringing any snacks, drinks, and necessary items like diaper bags with you. Depending on where you end up exploring, it can be a long walk back to the car to get a drink.
As you enter the building, you’ll find maps to the right of the door. Grab a map. They’ll show everything the arboretum offers and you’ll enjoy the gardens, locating the things you see on the map.
Inside this visitors center you’ll find clean restrooms and an information desk. To access the gardens you’ll climb the stairs and head to the back of the building. On your way, you’ll pass a fantastic gift shop, a greenhouse, and an art exhibit space. Often there are small plants for sale in the greenhouse and artwork on display in the exhibit space.
Quilt Garden at North Carolina Arboretum
The Gardens at the NC Arboretum
Throughout the grounds of the arboretum, you’ll find beautiful flowers and leafy plants full of color. There are gorgeous arbors and gazebos to rest under, fountains to watch, and paved pathways to wander.
One of our favorite sections of the garden is a quilt garden, named because when you climb the stone stairs beside it and look down, it does indeed look like a quilt. The flowers in this quilt pattern change. Each time we have visited the quilt garden has been different.
Bonsai Garden
Bonsai Exhibit
Another section of the garden we love to explore is the Bonsai Garden. You might not think looking at Bonsai trees would be interesting to children, but my kids really like these. Each one looks different, some are themed and a lot of them have descriptive and sometimes humorous names.
The perfectly pruned miniature trees are truly works of art. The Bonsai section of the arboretum is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily from mid-May through November, with additional hours for special guided tours with the Curator. The indoor Tropical Bonsai Exhibit is open November – April from 9 am – 5 pm daily.
Rocky Cove Railroad
The Rocky Cove Railroad runs Saturdays, and Sundays from noon to 4 pm from April to October. It’s a G-Scale model train that runs through this outdoor garden depicting Western North Carolina at the turn of the 20th century when trains first arrived.
Four different trains run through the display. One of them is a Thomas train. If you have young children who love Thomas, you definitely don’t want to miss Thomas running through this little town display.
My favorite thing about this display is that all the trees throughout the display are perfectly pruned, live trees cut to fit the size of the display.
Rocky Cove Railroad
Trails to Hike
The Arboretum has many trails available for hiking and biking if you prefer your gardens to be a bit wilder. In the spring, don’t miss the hike down to the woodland garden that contains the National Native Azalea Collection where you’ll find almost every native azalea species in the United States blooming side by side.
The nature trail is another great trail any time of the year and this one doesn’t allow biking so you won’t have to watch out for riders on this trail. The nature trail is TRACK trail, part of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s Kids in Parks program where kids earn prizes for completing different trails and activities. You can grab a TRACK Trail Guide at the Baker Exhibit Center.
Trails in the arboretum connect to the Bent Creek Experimental Forest in Pisgah National Forest. If you’re looking for hiking trails or bike trails in the Bent Creek Experimental Forest, such as Hard Times Road, there is a free parking area at Bent Creek.
Education Center at the NC Arboretum
The second building at the Arboretum is the Education Center. You’ll find scheduled educational programming here as well as a few educational exhibits. They have continuing education courses for adults, classes for families, and youth-centric classes as well. This is also where the cafe is located.
There is a lovely porch with a plethora of rocking chairs that overlook the gardens. Purchase a snack or open up the lunch you packed, this is a great spot to sit for a while and relax.
Mom Review: NC Arboretum
The NC Arboretum is a great place for the family to spend some time. We’ve brought our children a few times, including when they were quite young. There is plenty of room for little kids to run off steam, but also a lot of interesting things to see for older kids.
The train has always been a highlight and I usually save that for the end of the trip, otherwise, we’d never see the rest of the garden.
The garden paths are paved, but if you plan to walk any of the woodland trails, know that they are dirt and gravel. You’ll probably appreciate wearing sneakers. Do bring lots to drink, especially if you’re going in the summer.
Special Events
The arboretum runs several special events and exhibits throughout the year. The biggest event is undoubtedly Winter Lights. The holiday light exhibit lights up the gardens into a winter light wonderland. We have a whole Winter Lights review for you.
To see all the special events, including live music in the summer and special exhibits, see the NC Arboretum calendar.
North Carolina Arboretum Website Personal vehicles: $20 Parking – get $1 off if you have AAA 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville Asheville, NC 28806
Hours: Daily 8 am – 7 pm (winter hours) Hours: Daily 8 am – 9 pm (summer hours)
Inside: WNC Day trips you can take with your family.
Are you trying to fit a couple of day trips in? NC mountains, small towns, hiking trails, and waterfalls should definitely be on your to-do list when creating your itinerary for your upcoming day trips in WNC.
Here is our list of popular year-round day-trip destinations in Hendersonville, Asheville, and Brevard for families. This list includes everything from museums for kids to outdoor activities and much more! Plus, it’s just a short drive to all of these destinations from Upstate, South Carolina.
This guide is intended as a reference. While we will update it as necessary, the prices and hours listed here should always be verified by checking the official websites.
Greenhouse at the NC Arboretum
Day Trips in WNC: Asheville, NC
Enjoy the views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, visit an art gallery or two, and grab some delicious food while taking a day trip to Asheville, NC!
For more fabulous things to do and places to eat in Asheville, NC, don’t miss our Guide to Asheville, NC.
Biltmore Estate
Hours: Vary by attraction. Shop, dining, and other location and activities vary. Holiday hours will be listed on the website. Admission: Admission to the Biltmore House for adults (16 and up): starts at $80. Prices vary based on season and events Note: Discounts are available on the Biltmore website for advance purchase tickets. Website:Biltmore Estate Kidding Around® Review: Travel Review on Biltmore.
Asheville Botanical Gardens
Hours: Garden: Open dawn to dusk, 365 days a year Visitor Center: Open most afternoons (varies by month; see website for details). Admission: Free (donations encouraged) Website: Botanical Gardens
Asheville Museum of Science
Hours: Sunday: 1 – 5 pm Monday – Saturday: 10 – 5 pm Admission: $11.50 per person. Children 2 & under Free Website:Asheville Museum of Science
Folk Art Center
Hours: Open daily: 10 am – 5 pm Admission: Free Website:Folk Art Center
Grove Park Inn
Visit Asheville’s historic inn for overnight accommodations, dining, craft beer options, special events, or just to tour. One of Grove Park Inn’s most recognized events is the National Gingerbread House Competition. Website:Grove Park Inn
Beautiful gardens, with many water features and paths to roam. Kids will love the working model train outdoor display (April – October only). The garden is found close to the entrance of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Hours: 8 am – 9 pm | Building and special exhibit hours vary Admission: Free (parking costs $20 per personal vehicle) Website:North Carolina Arboretum
Splasheville in Pack Square Park
Pack Square Park is a 6.5-acre public park in downtown Asheville. It houses Splasheville, a play place of water fountains that is exciting for kids of all ages. Hours: Fountain: 9 am – 8:30 pm during warm weather. Admission: Free Facebook:Asheville Parks & Recreation
Hours: Monday – Friday at 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm; Saturday at 11 am Admission: Tours: $12/adult; $8/child ages 7 – 12; Free for ages 6 and under Website: KA review of French Broad Chocolate Factory
Zen Tubing
Hours: Check the Zen Tubing website for specific hours and days open. Subject to change frequently Admission: $30+ per person with a tube. Bring your own tube for $25 per person Website:KA review of Zen Tubing
Explore Downtown Asheville
Exploring the downtown area of Asheville is a day trip in itself. There are lots of unique shops, plenty of restaurants to choose from, and you may even catch a drum circle at Pack Square. Learn more from our downtown adventure in Asheville, and how you can see it all on a trolley ride.
Learn why Hendersonville is known for its historic streets, unique shopping, and fantastic dining optionsin this handy guide.
VisitOur Apple Picking Guidefor our report about apple picking in the Hendersonville area, including popular destinations such as Sky Top Orchard.
Carl Sandburg Home
Carl Sandburg Home and Goat Farm
Hours: See alerts for the latest hours. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day Admission: Free to visit grounds, trails, and barns; 10 am – 4 pm daily Guided house tours: Call ahead* Website: KA review of the Carl Sandburg home Carl Sandburg Home and Goat Farm
This scenic overlook is easy to access and has an interesting legend that has been passed down for around 300 years. Hiking and picnic spots are also nearby. Note: Some of the hiking is a little steep for young children, but the overlook itself is easily accessible. Admission: Free Website:Jump Off Rock Kidding Around® Review of Jump Off Rock
Hours: Open year-round, Contact the farm directly for hours and reservations Admission: $30 per person; Llama hikes are between $50 – $75 Contact ellaberryllamafarm@gmail.com or 828.606.3577 to make reservations Website: KA review of Ellaberry Llama Farm
Holmes Educational State Forest
Hours: March through October 31 Tuesday-Friday 9 am – 5 pm Saturday & Sunday 11 am – 6 pm
November through February Tuesday-Friday 9 am – 5 pm Saturday & Sunday Closed
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 9 am – 5 pm Admission: Adults/Children: $8 Website:Kidsenses Museum
Jeter Mountain Farms
Hours: Apple Season: July – August; Saturdays and Sundays 10a-5p Late August – Late October; Thursdays + Fridays 10a-3p and Saturdays + Sundays 10a-5p Christmas Season: Select dates from 10 am – 5 pm Admission: Free to visit the farm, but prices for activities and u-pick vary. Website:KA review of Jeter Mountain Farm
Justus Orchard
Hours: Monday – Thursday from 9 am – 5 pm; Friday – Sunday 9 am – 6 pm Admission: Free admission They have a taproom, apple picking, berry picking, and a fun play area for kids. Kidding Around® Review of Justus Orchard
Hours: June – August for the annual fairy garden through the gardens The fairy market is mid-June to August Open year-round Monday – Saturday; 9 am to 4 pm Admission: Free, donations accepted Website:KA Review of Bullington Gardens
Bullington Garden Fairy Market
Day Trips in NC Mountains: National and State Parks
If you are thinking about an outdoor adventure, WNC is the place! These mountain towns have lots of things to do in their local, national, and state parks, from mountain biking trails, beautiful waterfalls, or just an easy hike for the kids to enjoy. Many are less than an hour’s drive from each other, so you can visit more than one on your day trip.
Chimney Rock
Hours: Vary by season (see website) Admission: Adults (over 15): $17 | Children (5-15): $8 | Under 5: Free Website: KA review of Chimney Rock
DuPont State Forest
DuPont State Forest includes Triple Falls, High Falls, Hooker Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Wintergreen Falls, and Grassy Creek Falls. You can mountain bike, hit the hiking trails, and play in the river here. Website: KA review of DuPont State Forest DuPont State Forest
Lake Lure Beach and Water Works
Currently closed for repair due to Hurricane Helene. The surrounding area has plenty of shops and restaurants open, the lake itself does not have any water activities, and the beach is closed until further notice.
Nantahala National Forest
Enjoy camping, hunting, fishing, swimming, boating, hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, and more in the 531,000-acre Nantahala National Forest.
Check out this gorgeous swimming hole at Midnight Hole
Bryson City is right nearby, where you’ll find shopping and the GSMR.
Learn more about Bryson City, North Carolina near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You will find lots of awesome things to do there in our handy guide!
Pisgah National Forest
Pisgah National Forest is over 500,000 acres, which includes trails, waterfalls, picnic areas, camping, scenic drives, and the Davidson River (an excellent place for tubing).
Highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains Hours: Dawn until dusk, daily Admission: $3 per vehicle with less than seven passengers or $1 per person for more than seven passengers Website:Whitewater Falls
What day trip destinations in Western North Carolina would you add to our list?
In search of the perfect summer day trip to escape the summer heat? Sierra Nevada Brewery in Asheville is a hot spot to escape the summer heat and perhaps enjoy a cold beverage too. Kristina recently visited this brewery and shares the scoop on why so many locals flock there!
One of the cities with the most breweries per person is Asheville, just an hour from our lovely town of Greenville. So the options are many when it comes to enjoying a cold brew and leisurely hanging out with family and friends at a brewery. I’m here to tell you the Sierra Nevada Brewery, right outside of Asheville, is about to become your new favorite brewery (if it wasn’t already).
Find a place to stay in Asheville, NC. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.
About Sierra Nevada Brewery
On a gorgeous summer day, after a morning of hiking, a beer was in order. Sierra Nevada has been a favorite brewery of mine for a while (hello, Kellerweiss and Porter!) because they not only make excellent beer, but it’s totally affordable as well. I had heard the rumors that the brewery was incredible, and I needed to see it for myself.
To say I was floored would be an understatement. This place is stunning. From the pavers in the ample parking lot to the aesthetics of the taproom and brewery to the garden full of sunflowers, tomatoes, and basil, Sierra Nevada Brewery is gorgeous – and fun!
Since we didn’t have a reservation for a tour (more on that in a bit), we headed right for the taproom, a cavernous space of tables with barstools and high tops. Of course, a bar offering all of the brewery’s signature beers on tap was at the center.
We opted to head outside, where there awaited us were welcoming tables, rocking chairs, Adirondack chairs, a large green space, gardens, cornhole games, and an outdoor beer bar.
Yes, please!
Dining Options
You have a few options when it comes to dining or enjoying a beer at the Sierra Nevada Brewery. First, you can be seated at the dining room for table service. This is where the majority of the food is available. But, it’s also where, on a busy Saturday, you will wait a while for a table.
As you enter the taproom, if you do not want to dine in, bypass this line and head to the right. You’ll see a sign for the beer line. Here’s my tip- skip this one. Upstairs, there is another bar with the same offerings. We found there was no line up there!
You can also purchase your favorite beer or hard kombucha at the Back Porch, which is also another place where you can order some food. The Back Porch offers some snacks like nachos and a few other items like hot dogs and salads.
Sierra Nevada Brewery is Kid-Friendly
On the way to grab a Southern Summer Saison, I noticed an enclosed playground with sand tables, a sandbox, a chalkboard, a picnic table, and an umbrella stand. This place thought of it all. There is also a huge green space by the stage, where lots of kids were running and playing.
Sierra Nevada offers a full menu of delectable items inside their tap room dining room and a smaller menu for their outdoor bar. Think huge bar pretzels with mustard, wood-fired pizza, and bison hog dogs with pale ale chili.
Lower Park
If you go to the left of the stage and walk about a quarter mile down a beautiful trail, you’ll come to the secret Lower Park at the brewery. This is a beautifully shaded area with hammocks, lawn games, snacks and beer for sale, and picnic tables.
This area was hard hit by Hurricane Helene, and the French Broad River flooded it badly. You can see the water line, and it’s probably about 40 feet up one of the trees. But the brewery cleaned it up and reopened it in June 2025. I feel like it’s even better than before! When I visited that month, that’s where my kids and I hung out the most because it’s just so peaceful and fun. We played all the lawn games and relaxed in the hammocks.
The Lower Park is open Saturdays and Sundays, 1-6 pm, weather permitting.
Lower Park at Sierra Nevada
Games + Music at Sierra Nevada Brewery
My family and I grabbed our beers and strolled through the garden, admiring the gorgeous flowers and vegetable garden. We took up a game of cornhole for a while, which was awesome. It’s really fun to play the game while drinking good beer in the garden of Sierra Nevada Brewery.
By the time we were done, the band was about to take the stage, so we hung out in the shade and relaxed to the tunes of great music. Before we left for the day, we had to check out the “high gravity” beer section upstairs, which had even more tables and rocking chairs, and indoor cornhole games. It was a work of art and overlooked the entire outdoor area, main stage, and gardens.
What a view.
Sierra Nevada Brewery Tours
So apparently these tours are crazy popular. We weren’t able to get a reservation for when we wanted to go so I have to go back. Obviously.
The Brewhouse Tour is a 45-minute tour for persons 12+ years and includes a tour of the brewery and four beer samples. This one costs $12.10 per person.
Sierra Nevada is an ideal destination for a family outing, a day date, or a place to go chill after hiking or a trip near Asheville. As the brewery will remind you, please drink responsibly.
Looking for a fun and easy family adventure just over an hour from Greenville? A day trip to Asheville is calling! Kidding Around team member Crystal spent a full day exploring by trolley, tasting treats, and learning how chocolate gets made with her teens, and they came home with full bellies and had a blast exploring the downtown area. Learn how you can make a day trip to Asheville perfect, with tips for a day full of fun.
We kicked things off with the Gray Line Trolley Tour, which starts at the Asheville Visitor Center, bonus: free parking! The narrated 15-mile loop includes 8 stops, and you can hop on and off at your own pace in between learning about western North Carolina and Asheville. We rode the loop and hopped off at Stop 6 at Grove Arcade to explore, but all 8 stops have some pretty great things for you to explore with your kids.
Overall, the trolley tour experience takes about 1.5 hours if you do not get off at any of the stops. You learn a lot about the city, the architecture, and it’s just fun to ride around sometimes. No matter what you choose to do during your stop, just be sure to plan out your time so that you can make it back to your car on time with the trolley if you have plans for other adventures like we did (We visited the French Broad Chocolate Factory as well).
Stops on the Gray Line Trolley Tour
Asheville Visitor Center Start your day with free parking, clean restrooms, and plenty of maps and advice to make your visit easy and fun.
Omni Grove Park Inn Walk the grounds of this historic mountain resort and soak in the stunning views, perfect for a quick photo op or snack stop.
Renaissance & Four Points Hotels A central jumping-off point for downtown walks, with nearby shops, restaurants, and spots to stretch little legs.
Pack Square This open plaza is great for kids to run around while you enjoy public art, splash fountains (in season), and local street performers. The drum circles here are pretty electric, and their is regularly live music.
Haywood Park Hotel Located in a lively shopping district with easy access to unique stores, coffee shops, and places to grab a family treat.
Grove Arcade A gorgeous 1929 indoor mall filled with local shops, sweet treats, and beautiful details that make it fun for curious kids and adults alike. We highly recommend checking this place out.
River Arts District: North Families can peek into artist studios, watch pottery or glassblowing, and enjoy murals and riverside strolls.
South Slope Brewing District While known for craft breweries, this area also has laid-back pizza joints, murals, and a casual vibe that’s stroller-friendly for a quick bite.
I felt like sitting on the left side of the trolley allowed us to see things better, but if you get off and on, you can always switch sides to optimize the experience
When taking the Hop-on Hop-off Trolley Tour of Asheville, you can get a free 2nd day during certain times of the year, so be sure to check with them if you plan on using the trolley for more than a 1-day visit.
Gray Line Trolley Tours of Asheville 36 Montford Ave., Asheville, NC 28801 Cost: Approximately $19/child and $41/adult
Grove Arcade + Lunch at Huli Sue’s
Inside the beautiful Grove Arcade, we took in the ornate architecture and charming small shops. Grove Arcade is over 100 years old and is a stunning historic building packed with local shops, restaurants, and artists. Plus, it has AC and is fully enclosed, so you can escape the heat or mountain showers. There is a stunning bookstore called Battery Park Book Exchange along with several other shops and restaurants, plus some really unique architecture to show your kids. It’s a perfect place to stop during your day trip, and also has restrooms!
Right outside the Grove Arcade, you can also grab lunch at Huli Sue’s BBQ and Grill. We chose the Poke bowl, a pulled pork plate, and the creamy mac salad. Everything was absolutely delicious, super fresh, flavorful, and filling.
Grove Arcade 1 Page Avenue, Asheville, NC
Sweet Stops: Asheville Bee Charmer & French Broad Chocolate Lounge
After lunch, we popped into Asheville Bee Charmer just a short walk away—yes, free honey tastings are a thing and yes, they’re awesome. They have lots of honey-inspired products, from hot honey to soaps, which all make a fun gift idea.
Then we couldn’t resist stopping at the nearby French Broad Chocolate lounge, where we shared drinking chocolate, Chocolate crème brûlée, and ice cream. Let’s just say, it was my dessert dream come true. The lounge has a fun, relaxing vibe, and the staff are super friendly. The lounge has lots of teas and chocolate items to choose from, plus cakes, espresso, cheesecake, liquid truffle, and so much more!
French Broad Chocolate Lounge 10 S Pack Square, Asheville, NC
Factory Fun: French Broad “Bean to Bar” Tour
Just a 4-minute drive from downtown, we headed to the French Broad Chocolate Factory & Café for a scheduled “Bean to Bar” tour. We recommend booking at least a week in advance, these fill up fast! The tour was fascinating, our kids loved it, and it was full of everything chocolate. They also have other treats and ice cream in addition to chocolate. Check out our full review of the French Broad Chocolate Factory, and find out everything you need to know to plan a trip to this fantastic experience tour.
Here’s what we loved most during our tour:
We got to taste three chocolates and a raw cacao bean
Learned about ethical sourcing and the full chocolate-making process
Walked through the amazing “aroma shower”
Ended with a Wildflower Honey Caramel Bonbon
Got a 10% discount in the shop (which you can use at the French Broad Chocolate Lounge later on if you choose to do the chocolate factory tour first).
French Broad Chocolate Factory 821 Riverside Drive, Asheville NC
Been to Asheville with your family? Tell us your must-do stops in the comments below! And if you’re looking for more adventures, check out our Day Trips From Greenville Guide!
An Asheville day trip is unique and fun, and something your entire family will love! We took a trolley tour that led us around the downtown area, where you can stop and explore! Plus, we visited a real-life chocolate factory, and so can you!
Looking for a relaxing day tubing on the French Broad River? You will certainly find it at Zen Tubing just south of Asheville, NC! Load up the kids and cooler for a tubing adventure. We have all the info you need the make the day tubing the French Broad River perfect!
🛑2025 UPDATE: Only the Zen Tubing location in South Asheville at 1648 Brevard Road will be open during the summer of 2025, not the one located in the River Arts District, due to damage from Hurricane Helene.
Zen Tubing is about an hour from Greenville, an easy drive up HWY 25. They have two locations to “drop in” your tubes for an easy-going float down the French Broad River. Zen Tubing is for adults and kids aged 4 and up. I highly recommend looking over the website to pre-plan your trip. Be aware that reservations are required at both locations to secure your spot. As you will notice, they have not only general information but also an up-to-date weather forecast, which is a key aspect of the trip. You can go to the Midtown Asheville location or the South Asheville location, depending on the day you plan to go.
Zen Tubing Locations
The Midtown location has guests tubing through the River Arts District of Downtown Asheville. It takes 3-3.5 hours to float down this river. Check their site or call them for hours and last shuttle pickup time, as hours vary. (The Midtown location will be closed for 2025 due to the effects of Hurricane Helene)
The South Asheville location is the nature tubing experience, with places to swim, picnic, and enjoy the outdoors on the banks of the French Broad River during your float. It takes around 2 to 2.5 hours to float this portion of the river. Double-check their website for hours, availability, and the last shuttle pick-up time.
For both locations, you want to be sure to return back to the outpost by 5 pm, which is when they close the gates. You are able to stay on the water as long as you would like, but Zen Tubing does ask tubers not to leave the water to visit the breweries that can be found along the riverside during the Midtown tubing adventure. You can also bring coolers, and alcohol is allowed, but you can not bring glass bottles or distilled spirits. Be kind and please keep the waterways clean from trash and leftover drink cans and cups.
Arriving at Zen Tubing
Upon arrival, we were asked to sign waivers and were given information as to what to do in the event of inclement weather. The total trip time varies based on the water level, but it’s typically around 2-3 hours total.
You will also want to make sure you have sunscreen, hats, rash guards, and water shoes. Don’t be fooled by a cloudy day. We learned that the hard way with a touch of too much sun after our trek. After we paid and signed our waivers, the kids under 13 were suited up in life vests as we waited to board our shuttle to the drop-off point. Your ticket includes a deluxe tube, a life jacket, free parking, and a shuttle ride. The shuttle was about 10 minutes and a bit bumpy, so make sure you and the kiddos have eaten a solid meal.
You can book a time between 10 am and 2 pm (which is when the last trip leaves).
As for your furry friends, they are not allowed to participate in the tubing adventure at Zen Tubing.
On The French Broad River With Zen Tubing
Once we were brought down to the entry point of the river, we gave the folks at Zen our tubes to blow up. Then we were able to select our cooler tube and get ready for launch. After some safety tips, it was time to get in the water. We had a fairly large group of 8. We roped all of our tubes together so we could begin our journey down the river together.
The water was cold but not too cold and the current was slow and relaxing. The water is also very shallow. If you need to get out of your tube, you would be able to walk if necessary.
Zen Tubing Midtown Asheville – 608 Riverside Dr, Asheville, NC (Closed for 2025) South Asheville – 1648 Brevard Rd, Asheville, NC
$30 per person (age 4+) with a tube
$25 per person (age 4+) if you bring your own tube
For cooler carriers, you can rent a float for $20 and bring all your snacks, lunch, and adult beverages (as long as they are in cans).
Are you ready for an adventure with Zen Tubing?
Ready for a summer adventure? Then head to Zen Tubing in Asheville, NC. Float down the French Broad River, and maybe even take some time on the sandy shores for a picnic!
Have you visited Asheville Adventure Park? In Asheville, NC, this zipline course offers so much for adventurous kids. We visited the Asheville Adventure Park for some fun so we could tell our readers all about it, and help them plan their own trip!
Complimentary tickets were provided for this review in 2018, and it has been updated with 2025 information.
Last week the kids and I took the kind of adventure you just want to share with everyone you know. (You guys – it is just so fun to have big kids!) This adventure involved helmets and heights and wires and harnesses and conquering fears and pulling together as a team. And it was pretty close to home too.
The Adventure Center of Asheville is just a couple of minutes from downtown Asheville, NC. As soon as I heard about their KidZip, the first kid zip line in the country to be built especially for kids ages 4 to 10, I wanted to try it with my kiddos. (Our family received tickets for writing and reviewing and sharing about the park. Our opinions are absolutely all our own.) P
Plus, they have one of only a few Asheville zip-line canopy tours located only minutes from downtown Asheville with beautiful views of downtown. Sounds like the perfect day trip to me!
Find a place to stay in Asheville, NC. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.
Our day at the Asheville Adventure Park at the Adventure Center of Asheville
We arrived a little early because I wasn’t certain how long the drive would take or the length of the paperwork process. The check-in process was laid back and simple. There was a waiver to sign per kid, of course. And this time, for the first time, I actually had my writers fill in their own info and sign their own names. Man – that made that process so much faster.
We watched zip liners climb way up high on the adult course and wondered if our zip lines would be that high. Turns out – they were not. For which all of the kids were grateful.
At the course, we were given helmets and harnesses and instructions. I’m not going to lie – the older I get the more young adults look like children to me. And a lot of the workers at the KidZip area certainly looked young. I watched closely as they harnessed my kids in and checked the equipment. I can tell you this – these young men and women were professional, calm, well-spoken, and careful about their work. I saw zero cell phones in their hands. They all kept their own helmets on and they were focused on their jobs at hand.
Maneuvering the KidZip Course at Asheville Adventure Park
After we received our instructions we started on the kid zip line. There were nine ziplines I think and each had an obstacle before you zipped off down the line.
At first the zipping and the obstacles were easy but goodness, they got more complicated. You are always attached by your trolley to the zipline and always harnessed in but you had to maneuver your trolley over several tracks and something they called “sharks” which could be a little tricky for tiny hands and arms. The kids did a stellar job though.
At tough obstacles, they talked through them and worked together to help their younger siblings reach the sharks and conquer the heights.
If I had realized this would be helpful, I would have positioned myself between the kids differently. Once your trolley is on the zipline you can’t change orders or get off so occasionally I was several kids behind Otto and Piper and they could have really used a grown-up’s helping hand. Or – if you were zipping with multiple grown-ups you could plan to stagger grown-ups and kids accordingly. We managed just fine in the end since Berg and London and Mosely really helped out a lot.
(Actually – I think one thing I most valued about this entire experience – aside from the fabulous just plain fun factor – was the fact that the kids really pulled together. They spoke encouraging words. They laughed. They gave each other a helping hand. They were a family – up high and all together.)
The climbing wall on the next-to-last zipline was my least favorite – I seriously did not like balancing on that high-up wall and trying to pull down the sharks for my trolley to pass over. Piper almost panicked at that one, but she reigned it in bravely and conquered it.
Can you guess which little Keigley was the least afraid throughout the entire experience? If you guessed Otto then you guessed right. That little man is as fearless as they come. He was usually the leader on our excursion and would continually look back at us and ask, “Can I head to the next one guys?” with the biggest happy grin all shining out of his sweet boy face.
One thing I really appreciated about the Asheville Adventure Park was that, after we finished our zipping, I assumed we were done. One ride, so to speak. But nope – the staff smiled and said, “Want to go again?” Which we did, of course! Because on the second round, you felt more like an expert and could be a little bolder. By the third round, yep – the third round – Bergen was putting his hands behind his head, relaxing style, and zipping across like a champ. I loved that you could go round and round as often as you wanted. It certainly would make you feel as if you received your money’s worth.
The Big Courses at Asheville TreeTops Adventure Park
After we had all the zipping we could handle, we stared up in wonder at the Asheville TreeTops Adventure Park, situated right beside the KidZip area. It looked fascinating and terrifying and awesome and challenging and exactly like something we all wanted to try but were afraid to try – all at the exact same time. The TreeTop Adventure park ages range from 4 and up, though some of the higher-up and more difficult courses should be reserved for older kids and adults.
The obstacles were wild – lily pads two stories up that you jumped across, a kayak strung between trees about five stories high that you paddled across on ropes and air, skinny wires to walk on, trapezes to swing through the trees, hula hoops dangling between trees, ropes swinging for balance, a slide to come down and so so much more. We gulped and decided we’d try that adventure too.
The really great thing about the TreeTops Adventure Park is the fact that its appeal is so wide to so many ages. There are five courses of varying levels and enough dizzying challenges to frighten even the most adventure loving grown up big kid.
The hook-up and safety procedures for the TreeTops Adventure Park were a bit different. You are always attached to your harness and the wires through the use of two hooks and a cleverly designed system using tweezles. (Yes, that’s a real word.) It is impossible for both tweezles to be unlocked at the same time so you can trust that you (and your beloved kiddos) are safe and sound and secure.
There is definitely a learning curve to the tweezles and I’d say the kids got the hang of it before I did. It was certainly a big part of the challenge to switch your carabiner from side to side while balancing on a little platform far up in the trees. There were several obstacles for which I was legitimately scared. I think I would have liked to have tried to challenge myself to some of the even harder courses but time didn’t allow for that bravery. (Yep, I’m blaming time when it was probably because I was too scared!)
We could have stayed for hours and hours longer but we did eventually grow hungry and exhausted. We had so much fun and we all were steady non-stop talking about which obstacle was the scariest and how hard it was or how easy it was or how scary it was. London, my stay-at-home-every-day kind of kid, pulled me aside as we were turning in our gear and whispered, “Momma – I’m sorry for not having the best attitude about this trip when you told us about it. It was way more fun than I ever thought it would be.”
Planning Your Family Trip to Asheville Adventure Park
Asheville Treetops Adventure Park features lots of other options for adventurous souls. There is one of the more popular Asheville zip line canopy tours, a bungee-style jump, and the Kolo bike park for mountain biking with bike rentals and pump tracks.
I know I have an unusually large family. (Although, ironically, lately London says she feels as if our family is small. I think I agree with her. It’s all perspective, people.) But I know not everyone has to fork over entry fees for five kids when they take adventures.
The prices at Asheville Adventure Park seem high. It’s pricier than a movie, for sure. (Although, not by much!) You certainly do get a lot of bang for your buck. After having spent a long morning at the park though, I can guarantee, the prices are worth it!
The adventure is fun. The challenges are great. The bonding can’t be beaten. Sharing pictures and telling others what you can’t even believe that you conquered – just the perfect amount of thrill. It’s so conveniently located that you can treat it as a staycation option or as a choice for when out-of-town friends come for a weekend visit. Reservations are recommended, especially if you plan to travel with a larger group.
Asheville Treetops Adventure Park 1 Resort Drive Asheville, NC 28803
I hope you decide to go.And I hope you take lots of pictures and I hope you get to make as many sweet and solid memories with your cool kids as I got to make with mine.
Are your kids brave enough for Asheville Adventure Park?
Does cave exploring sound like a fun adventure? Linville Caverns in North Carolina is one of only a small number of deep caves where the public can explore within a few hours’ drive of Greenville. Kidding Around contributor Kristina explored it with her kids and tells us all about the unique experience.
“So you’re standing half a mile straight down from the top of the mountain and about 700 feet inside,” said our tour guide at Linville Caverns. Is it bad my first thoughts were of Lord of the Rings when Frodo and Gandalf and their comrades venture inside the mountain where dwarfs used to live? While nowhere near as cavernous as that particular movie portrayed the inside of a mountain, Linville Caverns is fascinating, interesting, and a tad creepy. So definitely take your family.
About Linville Caverns
The caverns were discovered in the early 1900s when a fisherman noted fish were coming from inside a mountain. He followed the water and found a huge, three-story limestone cavern. The caverns were opened to public in 1937 and have remained a favored destination in Western North Carolina ever since.
Need a new place to play indoors? It’s cold out and the playground might not be an option, so check out Mountain Play Lodge in Arden, North Carolina. It’s only about an hour’s drive from Greenville and would make a fun family day!
