Far from the hustle and bustle of world-famous New York, George Vanderbilt traveled south in the late 1880s.
He was the grandson of shipping tycoon, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and had only ever been exposed to the finest in life.
So, what does a man who has everything still need?
Peace, scenic views, and serenity.
That’s what he found on a trip down to unassuming Asheville.
In North Carolina, he found the Blue Ridge Mountains and was captivated.
By the time he was done, Vanderbilt had accumulated 125,000 acres that he converted into his escape estate.
If you’d like to have a majestic experience similar to the Vanderbilts, there’s no need to buy up all the land.
Take some time off and save this list of things to do with kids while in Asheville!
Contents
10 Things to Do in Asheville NC With Kids
1. The Biltmore
If you’ve never been, touring the Biltmore estate may sound too stuffy for kids.
While it might be a tad boring for the younger ages, there’s actually a good bit for the older kids to get entertained by.
For one, the house is huge, and each room is very different from the others.
The first room is an atrium full of exotic plants with a skylight.
That alone might be enough to get even the youngest guest excited.
Walking through the rest of the big house feels like being in a castle.
There are grand dining rooms, enormous kitchens, expansive porches overlooking spectacular views, and even kids’ rooms that were used a century ago.
For kids, though, the real fun might be after the mansion and onto other parts of the estate.
What kid wouldn’t enjoy a petting zoo or a giant train set?
2. Hands On! Children’s Museum
The best way to engage a child in an activity is by allowing them to get hands-on.
This local museum understands that and has created something special.
Bring children from toddler age all the way through the teen years to have some unique experiences in the same of education and fun.
Who needs a screen when you can run an experiment or learn how the brain works through touch?
Many of the activities are science related but also include the arts and technology.
If your little one really enjoys it, bring them back in the summer for camp!
3. Asheville Museum of Science
AMOS is another play-encouraging museum in Asheville.
It’s small but highly interactive with a lean towards science experiments.
Activities are geared more toward those under 12, but anyone can find amusement in exploration.
4. Gorge Zipline Canopy Adventure
Do you have an adventurer in your midst?
Gorge Zipline is a great way to get in some scenery in a wild way.
On the guided zipline, guests fly through the forest canopy.
It’s not just one straight shot, either.
The trip through the mountains has multiple stops where you can take a breath and get ready for the next leg.
Stopping is for a good reason.
This is the longest zipline in the state, covering 1.25 miles over the course of three and a half hours.
Fast, steep, and long are factors to be seriously considered before buying tickets for any age.
5. WNC Nature Center
Outside of downtown sits a 42-acre zoological park that was once referred to as the Children’s Zoo.
If you have a few free hours on your trip, why not use it to have a hairy experience?
Inside WNC Nature Center, there are red pandas, pygmy goats, wolves, otters, and the safest place to get close to black bears.
Want something extra special?
Guests can request a private tour or sign up for a junior wild walk.
This allows future zoologists to get a closer look at their favorite wildlife.
Are your children big fans of animals?
Plan their birthday party here, too!
There is a whole event calendar that you might want to check out to plan a trip around as well.
6. Pisgah National Forest
For the past century, over 500,000 acres of land across three cities have been protected as a national forest.
This was the first bit of land that was designated as a national forest.
Within the bounds of the forest are peaks, rivers, waterfalls, and a never-ending accumulation of hiking trails.
Year after year, Pisgah National Forest is voted as one of the top outdoor spots in the country.
Having the nickname “Land of Waterfalls” and being home to 250 such spots have to help.
Be sure to stick specifically to the trails because wolves and bears can be found on the land.
They are unlikely to run into you.
However, don’t continue fishing after sunset because you might get company you weren’t expecting.
7. French Broad Chocolate Tour
If there’s one thing most kids can agree on, it’s how good chocolate is.
There’s a reason kids love Halloween so much!
That seems like enough validation to indulge a sweet tooth a little bit while on vacation.
At French Broad Chocolate, the factory becomes an opportunity to taste some chocolate and see how it’s made.
Could there be a better end to any tour than samples of chocolate?
Highly unlikely.
The tour requires a reservation, so be sure to plan ahead!
8. Asheville Pinball Museum
These days, most kids play their video games at home in front of a TV screen.
Sadly never got to experience what it meant to take a pocket of change to an arcade and have limited plays.
If your child is a fan of video games, Asheville Pinball Museum is something they could get a kick out of.
Not only is it a walk-through pinball history, but the facility also doubles as a free play arcade with 75 pinball machines and other video games.
With drinks, snacks, and plenty of room, the whole family can play the day away.
9. North Carolina Arboretum
An extension of Pisgah National Forest, the arboretum showcases the best of local flora.
This might be the most calming place to visit in all of Asheville.
The garden alone is 434 acres.
Since the mid-80s, the North Carolina Arboretum has been supporting research and inviting the community to learn more about the nature around them.
There are educational events for all ages, trials, family-friendly activities, art exhibits, a gift shop, and even a café to take it all in.
10. Asheville Gem Mine
Why not take the kids to do something entirely different?
Bring out your inner treasure hunter downtown!
The whole family can pitch in and become prospectors.
Each guest gets a bucket and a direction on where to look.
Anything you find is yours!
Asheville Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Asheville Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time of year to visit Asheville?
The only time you really want to avoid is winter.
Because of geography, the weather can get rougher here than you might expect.
Despite the name, North Carolina is technically a southern state.
However, that doesn’t preclude Asheville from getting heavy winters.
At least, they’d be heavy to those who are from the south and haven’t experienced a northern winter.
Of course, if you’re coming from the north, you aren’t likely going to be interested in driving through the snow even if it is North Carolina.
Just know, Asheville is a tourist town.
It’s hard to avoid crowds but, obviously, there are more people in town during the summer than in any other season.
Is Asheville walkable?
A lot of the town is walkable, particularly downtown.
There are plenty of restaurants and things to do within a walkable distance if you’re staying in the area.
If you plan to go on excursions around the city, you’ll need to have better transportation.
Much of Asheville seems like it’s designed with walking in mind.
For example, just outside Biltmore is a little town with all kinds of shops.
You can have a whole vacation before even getting to the Biltmore.
That includes eating at the fanciest McDonald’s that includes a self-playing piano.
If you want to do anything else, you’d need to get on the highway or use local transit.
Is Asheville a foodie town?
There are plenty of tourist towns that have fun things to do but not much of a foodie scene.
Asheville isn’t one of those.
Western North Carolina’s most popular city is regularly voted in the top 10 of top foodie cities across the country.
In fact, just last year Asheville was named the top US food destination.
That’s pretty substantial for several reasons.
So, what kind of cuisine can you expect to discover while visiting?
More or less anything.
If you take a look at a restaurant list, the most obvious point is that pretty much every region of the world is represented.
No matter where you’re visiting from, there’s likely going to be a restaurant that makes you feel at home.
There’s also a surprising amount of healthy options to choose from as well.
This might be why there’s such a high number of locals going out to eat as opposed to cooking at home.
Are there bears in Asheville?
There’s a reason Asheville is such a popular destination.
Being surrounded by mountains is beautiful, but it’s also important to remember that this isn’t just a home for humans.
Nature is full of a plethora of creatures.
For Asheville, that includes black bears.
It should go without saying but do not get anywhere near a bear.
They aren’t really fans of people so if you see one and keep a distance there are likely not to be any issues.
You probably won’t run across a bear in an urban setting, although it’s not impossible.
However, stay on extra alert when in nature.
