Are you looking for things to do with kids in Asheville, NC? Then you’re in the right place.
From learning about science to playing games to seeing vintage cars, there’s a lot to do if you’re in the city with children. And what’s great is that many of these activities aren’t only amazing for kids, but they can be great for the whole family. Whether you’re looking for activities to learn something or to have a lot of fun, there are plenty of options to choose from.
It may be hard to decide what to do in Asheville with kids, and to help you out, I made this guide with the most fun family-friendly activities!
Best Things To Do With Kids in Asheville
Go to the Asheville Museum of Science
The Asheville Museum of Science is a fun museum where children can learn about science through various interactive, hands-on exhibits. The museum says that children between 3 and 12 years old will especially like the exhibits.
One area of the museum, the Colburn Hall of Minerals, is an interesting hall where children can see gems and minerals.
There is also an exhibit through which children can learn about astronomy.
Another fun and interesting exhibit at the museum is the teratophoneus dinosaur skeleton.
Besides that, there are some general exhibits through which children can learn about some general aspects of science.
In addition to that, there are often special events at the Asheville Museum of Science.
Address: 43 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Play Miniature Golf at Tropical Gardens Mini Golf
Tropical Gardens Mini Golf is a wonderful, local, family-owned recreational center that is great if you want to play miniature golf with the whole family in Asheville.
The center has been in operation since its founding in 1991 and it has a fun course.
From waterfalls to volcanoes to sculptures of animals, the miniature golf course has a lot of elements that make it fun and unique. Also, the course has shaded paths that make it comfortable in summer.
In addition to that, you can get tropical ice sno-cone here in various delicious flavors. For example, you can get blue raspberry-flavored sno-cones here.
Address: 956 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28806
Do a Kids’ Audio Guide of Biltmore
Biltmore Estate is one of Asheville’s most iconic sights. It is a historic house museum that used to be the main residence of George Washington Vanderbilt II at the end of the 19th century.
The house is one of the finest examples of Gilded Age mansions and the mansion is the largest privately owned house in the country.
When you visit Biltmore with children, children can do a special kids’ audio guide which is one of the best things to do in Asheville with kids. During this 50-minute audio tour, children can explore the rooms of Biltmore House and learn about the history of the building and the Vanderbilt family.
Address: 1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC 28803
Play Games and Have Pizza at Chuck E. Cheese
Chuck E. Cheese is an amazing place in the city for kids. The well-known family entertainment center chain has a location in Asheville at the River Hills Shopping Center.
You can find a lot of arcade games at this place that children can play. You can pay for unlimited play during a certain period of time. For example, you can get 1 hour of unlimited play at Chuck E. Cheese.
In addition to that, Chuck E. Cheese is a great place for pizza and other delicious food as well.
Address: 104 River Hills Rd, Asheville, NC 28805
Have Fun at the Asheville Pinball Museum
The Asheville Pinball Museum is great if you’re looking for family-friendly activities in Asheville.
This is a museum where you can find many vintage pinball machines that you and your children can play. In addition to that, there are also many classic video games.
In total, the Asheville Pinball Museum has 70 games that you can play, and you pay a fee of 15 dollars to play the games as many times as you like.
When you decide to go here, you should keep in mind that you might need to wait to get in. There is a limit on the number of people that can enter the museum, such that everyone who is inside can play the games.
Address: 1 Battle Square, Asheville, NC 28801
Go to the WNC Nature Center and See Animals
The Western North Carolina Nature Center, or the WNC Nature Center, is a zoo that dates back to the year 1973 and was originally named the Asheville City Zoo.
You can find 60 different species of animals at the zoo that live or used to live in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Most of the animals at the zoo are not able to survive in the wild or are endangered species.
At the zoo, you can not only see the animals but also learn about the natural history of the species.
Some of the animals at the WNC Nature Center include the American Black Bear, the American Red Wolf, and the American River Otter.
Address: 75 Gashes Creek Rd, Asheville, NC 28805
Bowl at Sky Lanes Bowling
Sky Lanes Asheville is a bowling alley that dates back to the year 1963. It is a wonderful family-friendly and locally-owned bowling center that you can find on Patton Avenue.
This is a great place for bowling and there are bumpers that make it more fun for children to go here. There is also an arcade at this place where children can play fun games.
In addition to that, there is a full bar at Sky Lanes Bowling where you can have burgers and other food when you go here.
Address: 1477 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28806
Go to a Family Event at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts
The Wortham Center for the Performing Arts is a complex that consists of three venues that you can find in downtown Asheville.
You can find this complex in the Pack Square Cultural District and the three venues that are part of it are the Henry LaBrun Studio, the Tina McGuire Theatre, and the Diana Wortham Theatre.
From comedy to dance to music, lots of different types of events take place at the center. This also includes great family-friendly events that take place throughout the year.
You can check out the website or brochure of the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts to see the full range of events that take place here throughout the year.
Address: 18 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Check Out Launch Trampoline Park Asheville
Going to Launch Trampoline Park is a very fun thing to do with kids in Asheville. This is an indoor entertainment center with many attractions that are great for children.
For example, there is a large area with wall-to-wall trampolines and vertical trampolines that children can jump on.
Furthermore, there are climbing walls, there are obstacle courses, there are games, and there is much more.
There are also special toddler time events on several days during the week. During these events, only children younger than 6 are allowed at Launch Trampoline Park Asheville.
Furthermore, you can get delicious pizza at Launch Trampoline Park Asheville, and there are often special events at the park.
Address: 24 Walden Dr, Arden, NC 28704
See a Game of the Asheville Tourists
The Lewis McCormick Field is a baseball stadium that is located in Asheville. This stadium is the home field of the Asheville Tourists and, with its history dating back to the year 1924, it is one of the oldest ballparks that is in use in Minor League Baseball.
The Asheville Tourists is a team of Minor League Baseball and it can be great to see a game of the team with the whole family.
You can buy an individual game ticket or a seasonal ticket if you want to see more baseball games throughout the year.
There are many options for food and drinks at the games which makes going here with kids even better.
Address: 30 Buchanan Pl, Asheville, NC 28801
Enjoy a Family Program at the Asheville Art Museum
The Asheville Art Museum is a visual art museum that you can find on South Pack Square in downtown Asheville.
You can see interesting art exhibitions at the museum that showcase art from its permanent collection. This means that you can go here to see 20th and 21st-century American art at the museum.
There are special family programs that are great if you’re looking for things to do with kids in Asheville.
For example, there is an event that includes a short tour of the museum’s highlights and storytelling.
There are also special workshops that are great for families to attend. For example, you might attend a holiday card-making workshop at the Asheville Art Museum.
Address: 2 S Pack Square, Asheville, NC 28801
See a Movie at Cinemark Bistro at The Carolina Asheville
Cinemark Bistro at The Carolina Asheville is a movie theater that you can go to with children.
The movie theater shows both the latest Hollywood movies as well as indie films, and there are often great family-friendly movies that are shown here.
The seats of the movie theater are comfortable and you can get great snacks and drinks here, which means that you can have a great time when you go here with kids.
There are morning screenings that can be great to go to with your children.
Address: 1640 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville, NC 28803
Go to Build-A-Bear Workshop Asheville
You can find a Build-A-Bear Workshop in Asheville Mall.
Children can go to this well-known toy store to get their own teddy bear or another stuffed animal.
What’s great is that children can assemble their own stuffed animals here by choosing outfits and other aspects of the bear to make their own unique one.
You can also combine a visit to the Build-A-Bear Workshop with going to other stores at the Asheville Mall. There are more than 100 shops at the mall.
Address: 3 S Tunnel Rd Space D5, Asheville, NC 28805
Visit the Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum
The Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum is an incredible museum that you can find at Grovewood Village.
This is one of Asheville’s best museums and it is a great place to check out with children, especially children that love cars!
The museum’s collection consists of about 20 vehicles that belonged to Harry D. Blomberg. The collection includes rare and unique cars that are very interesting to see.
You can also find a car from the year 1913 here, and there are many other very old cars on display.
Another example of a very old vehicle is the American LaFrance Fire Truck.
The museum has a suggested donation of 5 dollars, but there is no fixed admission fee.
Address: 111 Grovewood Rd, Asheville, NC 28804
Go to the Ultimate Ice Cream Company
Getting ice cream at Ultimate Ice Cream Company is a fun family-friendly activity in Asheville.
For its ice cream, Ultimate Ice Cream Company uses local dairy from farms within 150 miles of its creamery. Moreover, many of the flavors of the ice cream that you can get here are made with local organic fruits and vegetables.
There are many flavors to choose from that your children will love.
There’s also always a flavor of the month. The ice cream store dedicates a special flavor to a different non-profit organization each month. Besides the flavor, the chosen organization will also get social media pages that are dedicated to them.
Address: 195 Charlotte St, Asheville, NC 28801
Go to Moogseum
Moogseum is a non-profit museum that is dedicated to Bob Moog’s legacy. You can find the museum on Broadway Street.
The museum isn’t very large and you can tour the exhibits in about 30 to 45 minutes.
At the museum, there are many different types of exhibits. These exhibits relate to history, science, and music, and are very interactive. The exhibits are great for all ages and are very entertaining.
For example, there are exhibits through which children can learn how to play synthesizers and theremins, and there is an exhibit where you can learn about how electricity is transformed into sound.
Address: 56 Broadway Street (Front, Asheville, NC 28801
Get Milkshakes at Double D’s Coffee & Desserts
Double D’s Coffee & Desserts is a unique coffee shop that you can find in Asheville.
What makes this coffee shop unique is that it is located inside a red double-decker bus. The bus is amazing to see, for both adults and kids.
In addition to that, the bus has a cozy interior and there is outdoor seating.
You can get very delicious milkshakes in many different flavors here, including vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, and other flavors.
There are also smoothies, coffee drinks, and other beverages at Double D’s Coffee & Desserts.
The coffee shop also serves great locally baked goods and desserts, including muffins, cookies, ice cream, and cookies.
Address: 41 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Do the LaZoom Kids’ Comedy Tour
You might already know the LaZoom Comedy Tour, which is a bus tour during which you ride a purple bus through the city of Asheville and explore the city while enjoying great comedy.
Besides the regular bus tour, there is also a bus tour that is great for kids. This is the LaZoom Kids’ Comedy Tour, and the tour departs from 76 Biltmore Avenue.
This tour is geared toward children between the ages of 5 and 12.
During the bus tour, children can learn about local history while enjoying “kid-centric comedy” and having a great time.
Have Breakfast at Early Girl Eatery
Early Girl Eatery is a great restaurant that you can go to with your children in Asheville. It is a great place for breakfast and it has several locations in the city.
The restaurant focuses on sourcing the best local ingredients to create delicious farm-to-table food.
The menu of the restaurant also includes many seasonal elements, which will make your experience even better.
The restaurant is kid-friendly and has a great children’s menu. For example, children can get a delicious made-from-scratch buttermilk pancake or a Belgian waffle here. Keep in mind that the availability of some menu items varies per location.
In addition to that, there are many good food options for adults as well. For example, the “organic tofu scramble breakfast” is great to have!
Address: 8 Wall St, Asheville, NC 28801
Buy a Children’s Book at Malaprop’s Bookstore
Malaprop’s Bookstore is a great independent bookstore that is one of the best bookstores in Asheville.
The bookstore dates back to the year 1982 and it has a great curated selection of books for all ages. So it can be great to go here to buy great kids books.
You can also combine visiting Malaprop’s Bookstore with going to the bookstore’s cafe for great drinks and delicious local treats.
Address: 55 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801
Go to an Event at a Branch of Buncombe County Public Libraries
Buncombe County Public Libraries is the library system of the city and its county, and it has 11 branch libraries.
The different libraries of the library system are great if you want to borrow books, but that’s not all.
Lots of events take place at the library branches. There are also events for children, so this can be great to check out if you’re wondering what to do with kids in Asheville.
For example, there are storytime events for children of all ages.
There are also workshops for kids that are great, and there are many other types of events.
Visit the Dancing Bear Toys Toy Store
The Dancing Bear Toys toy store is a toy store that you can find on Kenilworth Road in Asheville.
The toy store is a wonderful place where you can find high-quality and unique toys. It is a great store to find a great toy for your child.
What’s great about this toy store is that there are many demos available.
There is also a toy bar where children can sit down and play games.
In addition to that, what makes the toy store great is that the people working here are very friendly and that the toy store is locally owned.
Address: 518 Kenilworth Rd, Asheville, NC 28805
See a Show at the Asheville Community Theatre
The Asheville Community Theatre is a great performing arts theater that is located in Downtown Asheville on Walnut Street.
Lots of shows take place at the theater, including musicals and plays, and many of these shows are great for all ages.
For example, you can often go to kid-friendly musicals at the theater.
What’s great about the theater as well besides its great shows is that many local artists perform here, so it is a great place to discover Asheville’s performing arts scene.
There are also classes that take place at the theater. Some of these classes are suitable for children between ages 5 and 18.
Address: 35 E Walnut St, Asheville, NC 28801
Check Out the Hands On! Children’s Museum
The Hands On! Children’s Museum is located very close to the city of Asheville and is definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for family-friendly activities in Asheville.
The museum is a fun place where children can learn by doing.
The many has many exhibits that are interactive and in total the museum has an area of 13,000 feet.
For example, one of the exhibits of the museum is a miniature ice cream store.
Another exhibit is a post office where children can learn about the postal service.
The museum’s exhibits focus on many different disciplines and children can learn about a variety of topics, from math to literacy to nature to engineering.
There are also often events, including seasonal events, at the museum.
Have Ice Cream at The Freeze of Asheville
The Freeze of Asheville is an amazing ice cream shop that you can visit with your children.
This ice cream store is one of the best ones in the city and it has great soft-serve ice cream. Also, you and your child can get amazing toppings here.
In addition, you can get sundaes, milkshakes, and other treats here.
Address: 1091 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28806
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Thanks for reading my guide to the best things to do with kids in Asheville. I hope you liked the activities!