Whether you’re local, new to Asheville or just visiting Asheville with your children, you might find yourself wondering about Things to do with Kids in Asheville and I’m here to help! An Asheville native and mama raising a child here, I’ve personally visited all of the businesses featured in this post with my son (most of them, many times) over the years and can promise, they’re all really fun for children and parents!
The WNC Nature Center
This one’s for the animals lovers!! Located just fifteen minutes from downtown Asheville, enjoy 42 acres of award winning habitats that allow you to get closer than you ever imagined to native animals of the Southern Appalachians! My son has always loved walking around the nature center to visit with the animals! There’s also a climbing / play area, a farm area, a music area and an outdoor classroom to explore!
Hours:
Admissions from 10am-3:30pm with the park closing at 4:30 pm.
Location:
75 Gashes Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28805
The Adventure Center Of Asheville
This is one of Asheville’s Must Do Activities for Families! Only five minutes from downtown Asheville, the Adventure Center is the most easily accessible, fun activity for your family whether you’re local or visiting Asheville! Admire the views of Asheville’s sky line from their Zip Line Canopy Adventure, challenge yourself with a ropes course in the Treetop Adventure Park, jump on a mountain bike in the Kolo Bike Park or grab the kids and check out the Kid Zip, America’s first zip line adventure designed for kid under ten! 10/10 recommend!
Dates / Time Info:
Reservation Only / Purchase Tickets on the Website!
Address:
85 Expo Drive
Asheville, NC 28806
Montgomery Sky Farm
Well, this is the 1000% the cutest thing ever! Tucked in the quiet valley of Turkey creek, surrounded by Blue Ridge Mountains lies Montgomery Sky Farm, owned by Executive Chef, Taylor Montgomery and his wife Fran. Montgomery Sky Farm is a 50-acre farm, focused on large-scale vegetable production, sustainable farming, preservation breeding and animal rescue. They have Highland Cattle, Valais Blacknose Sheep and Kune Kune Pigs — only the most adorable animals ever, donkey’s, horses, chickens…. Literally, just the cutest! They offer alllll kinds of farm adventures so be sure to check them out if you want something a little Appalachian in your life! I would probably rank this top of the list of most awesome Things to do with Kids in Asheville by the way!
Hours:
By Appointment Only
Location:
Turkey Creek / Leicester (about 25 minutes outside of downtown Asheville!)
Mountain Play Lodge
The Mountain Play Lodge has long been one of our absolute favorite Things to do with Kids in Asheville! If you’ve never been to the play lodge you’ve got to make the trip down to South Asheville for this one! Mountain Play Lodge has awesome, giant play structures for climbing and pretending! A visit to the Play Lodge will entertain your children for hours! I sometimes take my son there if I need to get editing done! He’ll play there with other kids and on the play structures happily for hours! There’s snacks, drinks and beer / wine!
Hours:
Wednesday & Thursday: 9am-12pm
Friday: 9am-3pm
Saturday & Sunday: 12pm-6pm
Location:
3389 Sweeten Creek Rd, Arden, NC 28704
Asheville Retrocade
For families with little gamers, you’ll definitely want to visit Asheville’s favorite place to play! Located in West Asheville, on Haywood Road, The Retrocade has over 5000 Vintage Video Games, Pinball, Skeeball and Foosball all for an unlimited play flate rate of only $10!
Hours: Monday – Sunday 12pm – 9pm
Location: 800 Haywood Rd #100, Asheville, NC 28806
The Riveter
The Riveter is seriously the coolest place! If you’re into adventure activities, you don’t want to miss this one! Located in South Asheville, this incredible space includes a full-service rock climbing gym, outdoor dirt jump lines, tap room, fitness studio, infrared-heated yoga studio, retail shop, community workspaces, youth programs, special events and outdoor seating with epic views of the Blue Ridge!
Hours:
NOON-10PM Monday – Thursday // NOON-8PM Friday – Sunday for NON-MEMBERS
6AM-NOON Monday – Friday // 8AM-NOON Saturday + Sunday MEMBER ALPINE HOURS
Location:
701 Old Fanning Bridge Road
Mills River, North Carolina
28732
Hickory Nut Gap Farm
Hickory Nut Gap Farm is a lovely little farm out in Fairview (just 25 minutes outside of downtown Asheville)! Surrounded by those big, beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain views and situated along the Eastern Continental divide, this farm is a ton of fun for the whole family! If you’re local, Hickory Nut Gap Farm is a household name because everyone here knows that they have a strong focus on regenerative agriculture and ethical animal welfare practices which means they sell the highest quality, best tasting meats to be found in WNC! The fairview farm has a Farm Store and Butchery on site and they have a ton of fun things for the whole family to do while you’re there!
Visit with Farm Animals on site, let the kids play in the old silo that’s filled with corn kernels, have a Giant Tricycle derby in the old cattle barn, slide down the 50ft culvert slide built into the hillside or play in the creek or on the playground or take a walk in the pumpkin patch! Seriously friend, you don’t wanna sleep on this one!
Hours:
Hickory Nut Gap Farm is open Wednesday through Sunday 10am – 5pm.
Location:
57 Sugar Hollow Road
Fairview, NC 28730
Linville Caverns
Ever wondered what the (inside) of a mountain looks like!? You can find out! Located in North Cove, just about an hour east of Asheville, you can explore Linville Caverns with an experienced guide who will take you deep into the subterranean world, giving you the history of the caverns and allowing you to view this natural wonder with fantastic festoons of stalactites hanging down from the cathedral ceiling, bats and blind native trout swimming deep underground, inside this mountain!
Hours: Thursday – Monday 9am – 5pm
Address: 19929 US 221 North, Marion, NC 28752
Hands On! Children’s Museum
Located in Hendersonville, just a short 30 min drive from Asheville, Hands On! Children’s Museum has been one of our favorite places to play and explore since my son was a toddler! After a major renovation in 2021, Hands On! has 13,000 square feet of learning experiences for children to explore, discover and learn by doing! There’s a coffee shop in the building and a number of great restaurants & treat shops nearby!
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 9am – 5pm
Address: 318 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792
If you’d like to learn more about any of the activities featured in this post, please visit their websites, linked below:
If you’re looking for Winter Activities for Kids in Asheville, be sure to check that out here:
Winter Wonderland
If you’re looking for Summer Activities for Kids in Asheville, be sure to check that out here:
Summer Vibes