Best Things to do With Kids in Asheville—A Local’s Perspective
- Ian Wasserman
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
Growing up in Asheville has left me with a fine collection of memories. Raking leaves in the fall. Getting sushi and ice cream with my sister, near the campus of UNCA. The first time I saw a movie at Asheville Pizza and Brewing. Raking leaves in the fall, again. And again. And again. Truth be told, there was a lot of raking.
But if you have the pleasure of being a visitor to Asheville, you won’t have to put up with any of that. Unless you want to get hands-on with our famous fall leaves. If not, then all that’s left is to make some memories, and if you’ve got kids in tow, then I reckon they too will remember all the fun parts of Asheville as dearly as I do. So if you’re looking for some top spots to make memories like these, then read on, and discover five of the best things to do with kids in Asheville.
From May into late summer, Asheville’s French Broad River fills with families floating down the river in polychrome tubes, soaking in the sun, wind, and water. It’s a fine choice for kids who already have some appreciation for the great outdoors, and don’t mind a more relaxed activity, while also giving their supervisors (i.e., you) an opportunity to take it easy.
There’s a few tube-rental operations out here in Asheville, but I typically use my local: Zen Tubing. Per their policies, kids must be six years years or older, and everyone under fourteen is required to wear a (provided) life jacket.
Make your reservation online and arrive thirty minutes early to their rallying point at 1648 Brevard Road, swim-suited up and ready to go. From there, you get shuttled upriver, and launch off for a placid two-hour float down the meandering French Broad.
Sun-screen and hydration recommended. For an additional fee, floaters can also rent out cooler-carriers, allowing you to take your very own icebox on the drip, perfect for having a chill brewski on the water.
The fun here doesn’t stop when summer comes to an end. Fall is one of the best times of year to visit Asheville in general, a time for apple-picking, ghost-tours, and of course, the changing of the leaves.
As far as activities for kids, the Eliada Fall Festival’s the perfect place to make some seasonal memories. For over a hundred years, Eliada has been providing children’s support resources ranging from summer camp to foster care, and to fund their good work, they invite locals and travelers alike to explore their farm from early September to November 1st.
Here you’ll find corn cannons, lawn games, hayrides, pumpkin vendors, food trucks, and of course, the aforementioned corn maze. It's the perfect place to give the kids a real taste of fall, complete with all the rustic charm you can imagine, while sitting only a ten minute drive away from downtown.
Tickets are fifteen dollars per person, with children three and under entering for free. The Fall Festival operates on the weekends, on Fridays from 3pm to 7pm, Saturdays 10am to 7pm, and Sundays 10am to 6pm.
With all that outdoor activity underway, it may come time to consider a more low-key outing with the kids. Movies, of course, are always a hit. The one thing that can make them better? Steaming hot pizza, beloved by children in every time and place.
Asheville Pizza’s north location off Merrimon Avenue provides just that. Showing both blockbusters and throwback-favorites, including a steady supply of Studio Ghibli films, tickets here usually max out at only eight dollars per person, while weekday matinees are only five. That’s a pretty sweet deal if you ask me.
And with all that money you’re saving, you’ll be free to check out their award-winning menu of snacks, pub-fare, pizzas, quesadillas, and a kids menu covering all the favorites.
Back on out to the great outdoors, if you’re looking for a place for more freeform activities with the kids, then there’s no better choice than visiting one of Asheville’s city parks, and most locals will tell you Carrier Park is their favorite. This stretch of greenspace clings to the French Broad River, offering bike paths, basketball courts, a playground, a roller-rink, and all the space you’d need for an afternoon full of frisbee, catch, junior-league fencing, or even a family picnic.
Strategically located, a visit to Carrier Park pairs nicely with a tour of the River Arts District, ten minutes to the east, a stint in west Asheville, full of hip restaurants and boutiques, or even a visit downtown for kid-friendly museums, dining, or perhaps a special sweet treat.
Winding up this tour of the best things to do with kids in Asheville, here we have one of the most awesome dessert spots in the city. If your young charges have been behaving, I heartily recommend rewarding them with a visit to the French Broad Chocolate Lounge.
This place is a cornucopia of sweets, from crème brulee to truffles; they’ve even got an ice cream joint right next door. No matter what sugary delight you have in mind, chances are you can find it here. Plus, their selection of prepackaged chocolates and so on makes this a great place to find a gift or keepsake to take back home.
While you’re in downtown, be sure to check out the Asheville Museum of Science, yet another kid-friendly hotspot, featured in my previous article on the subject.
Businesses Mentioned
Zen Tubing
(855)-936-8823
1648 Brevard Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
Eliada Fall Festival
(828)-653-1926
2 Compton Drive, Asheville, NC 28806
Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co.
(828)-254-5339
675 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804
Carrier Park
(828)-259-5800
220 Amboy Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
French Broad Chocolate Lounge
(828)-252-4181
10 S Pack Square, Asheville, NC 28801
