Discover Asheville: The Ultimate Family-Friendly Guide
Explore Asheville with confidence — here’s a comprehensive, well-organized guide filled with kid-approved spots for fun, food, adventure, and unique experiences curated by Kristen Taylor.
Indoor Play & Family Attractions
• Breakout Games – Downtown Asheville
Family-friendly escape rooms next to Farm Dogs in the S&W Market, across from Pritchard Park where Friday night drum circles happen.
• Fox & Otter Adventure Escape Rooms - 3 locations Asheville Mall, Hendersonville and Arden
Three locations in town, private family rooms, and themes like “Fantastic Forest”—great for younger kids.
• Launch Trampoline Park
Indoor trampolines, foam pits, dodgeball, and an arcade—perfect for high-energy, rain-or-shine play.
• Asheville Museum of Science (AMOS)
Hands-on exhibits, climbing structures, and STEM play labs for kids ages 3–10.
Animal Encounters & Outdoor Fun
• Western North Carolina Nature Center
Native wildlife—otters, red wolves, black bears—plus stroller-friendly paths and kid-friendly exhibits.
• Hickory Nut Gap Farm (Fairview)
Working farm with animals, a deli/bakery, creek play areas, picnic spots, and seasonal events like barn dances and storytimes.
• Biltmore Estate for Kids
Farmyard, Pisgah Playground, bike rentals, koi gardens, and that magical Diana statue reveal followed by a stroll to see the Lagoon reflection.
• Julian Boathouse (Arden / South Asheville)
Paddle boat, kayak, and canoe rentals for lake adventures on Lake Julian — perfect for older kids. Duck pond, fishing and picnic tables.
• Lake Louise Park (Weaverville)
A 15-acre lake with a 0.6-mile paved loop, playgrounds, picnic shelters, duck pond, and historic water wheel—about a 10-minute drive north of Asheville.
• Weaverville Nature Park Trails
A 3.2-mile loop from Lake Louise, ideal for adventurous families.
Creative & Crafty Studios
• Odyssey ClayWorks (River Arts District)
Fully open since post-Helene recovery, hosting open-studio hours, classes, workshops, and community events like public tile-making and RAD Fest.
• Fired Up! Creative Lounge (Downtown, Wall Street)
Open and active as of July 2025, offering pottery painting, wheel work, glass fusing, and canvas projects with included kiln firing.
• Claying Around (Hendersonville Rd, South Asheville)
Still welcoming walk-ins and group pottery sessions with a variety of art mediums.
• Firefly Valley Pottery (Weaverville)
Open and offering youth and adult classes, summer camps, wheel lessons, and open studio.
• Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts (RAD)
The gallery and studios at 236–238 Clingman Ave Ext. are confirmed open daily with classes, exhibitions, and public access.
• Black Mountain Center for the Arts – Clay Studio (Black Mountain)
Fully operational with pottery classes and open-studio access for community members.
• Cariku Art Lab (Black Mountain)
Actively offering drop-in pottery painting, wheel-throwing sessions, and four-week hand-building classes.
Hot Glass Experiences for Families
Looking for a unique hands-on activity your older kids will never forget? Asheville’s glassblowing studios offer fire-powered fun where kids (usually ages 12+) can safely create their own glass art under expert guidance.
• North Carolina Glass Center – River Arts District & Black Mountain
This nonprofit studio offers a popular 3-hour introductory glassblowing class called “A Feel for the Furnace,” where kids 13 and up (with a guardian) can learn to shape molten glass into a colorful paperweight or ornament. Classes are running throughout 2025 and fill quickly, so reservations are encouraged.
• Small Batch Glass – River Arts District
Open year-round through December 2025, Small Batch offers 30-minute “Make Your Own” glassblowing sessions ideal for beginners ages 12 and up. Participants can create their own ornaments, paperweights, or drinking glasses to take home—a perfect souvenir from Asheville.
• Lexington Glassworks – Downtown Asheville
While primarily known for live demonstrations, this downtown studio occasionally offers hands-on opportunities for older teens by request. It’s also a great place to stop and watch professional glassblowers at work if your kids prefer to observe.
Kid-Friendly Restaurants & Food Stops
• Farm Burger (Downtown & Arden)
Build-your-own burgers with grass-fed beef, plus frequent $5 burger nights.
• Farm Dogs (S&W Market, Downtown)
Grass-fed hot dogs, sausages, pretzels—perfect as a snack after breakouts or before drum circles.
• Biscuit Head
Giant biscuits paired with a jam & jelly bar featuring homemade flavors like peach-rosemary and chili-mango.
• Sunny Point Café
Breakfast and lunch all day; garden seating and a relaxed environment for families.
• Luella’s Bar‑B‑Que
BBQ classics with kid portions and fast counter service.
• HomeGrown
Farm-to-table simplicity: grilled cheese, mac & cheese, local ingredients, and casual vibes.
• Whistle Hop Brewing (Fairview)
Brewery meets playground—mini-golf, bocce, Disc Golf, live action in train cars, and rotating food trucks.
• Salt Face Mule Brewing (Weaverville)
Family-focused brewery with two mini-golf courses, bocce ball, and kid-friendly dinner. RC car track coming soon—check their website first.
Dessert, Ice Cream & Milkshakes
• The Hop Ice Cream Café
Awarded Best Milkshake in North Carolina for the “Jitterbug” shake (cold brew + hot fudge + whipped cream); allergy and vegan options available.
• Sunshine Sammies
Ranked #1 ice cream shop in Asheville for cookie-based sandwiches. Find them on South Slope or at their seasonal ice cream truck.
• Hilltop Ice Cream (Fairview, Woodfin, Weaverville, WNC Farmers Market)
Famous for seasonal flavors like lavender honey and cherry goat cheese—local favorite.
Theaters & Live Performance
• Asheville Community Theatre – Youth Productions
Family-focused musicals (e.g., Disney’s High School Musical Jr., Shrek Jr.) with local youth actors.
• Asheville Junior Theater
Semi-professional musicals performed by kids aged 4–18—high production value and spirited shows.
• Wortham Center for the Performing Arts
Offers Heroes in Motion matinee series—free for youth under 17—featuring dance, music, and storytelling. Also hosts kids’ summer camps.
Sample Family Itineraries
Downtown Night Out
• 5:30 PM – Family escape room at Breakout Games or Fox & Otter (Asheville Mall location)
• 6:45 PM – Dinner at Farm Dogs in S&W Market
• 7:30 PM – Friday drum circle at Pritchard Park
• 8:15 PM – Dessert at The Hop or Sunshine Sammies
Half-Day at Biltmore With Kids
• 10:00 AM – Explore Farmyard and Pisgah Playground
• 11:00 AM – Bike or stroll around the Lagoon trail
• 12:00 PM – Visit gardens and koi ponds
• 1:00 PM – Surprise reveal at Diana statue
• 1:30 PM – Ice cream at the Estate Creamery before heading out
Farm + Food Truck Afternoon in Fairview
• 12:00 PM – Visit Hickory Nut Gap Farm and picnic
• 1:30 PM – Mini-golf and games at Whistle Hop Brewing
• 3:00 PM – Scoop at Hilltop Ice Cream (Fairview)
Weaverville Family Adventure
• 12:00 PM – Mini-golf & bocce at Salt Face Mule Brewing
• 1:30 PM – Hilltop Ice Cream (Weaverville)
• 2:00 PM – Stroll Lake Louise Park loop & playground
• 2:45 PM – Optional hike on Weaverville Nature Park trail
• 3:30 PM – Drive back to downtown Asheville
Arden Paddle & Picnic Outing
• 10:00 AM – Paddle boat or canoe on Lake Julian
• 11:30 AM – Picnic lunch at Arden’s green spaces or boathouse
• 12:30 PM – Head into town for ice cream or visit Launch if it’s rainy