Asheville, NC With Kids: Where To Stay, What To Do, Where To Eat

By Marisa Cooksey

Nantahala National Forest, NC

A few Christmases ago, my husband and I packed our 1.5 and 3.5 year old boys, our loyal golden retriever and our spunky Rhodesian ridgeback puppy up in the car  and headed North to one of our favorite North Carolina cities nestled in the Smoky Mountains: Asheville. This city has been one of my favorite vacation destinations since I was a kid, and it continues to be full of culture, art, delicious food, and of course, incredible nature. 

Throughout the years, I have traveled to Asheville during different seasons, for long weekends, you name it, and this particular trip was our longest stent of time there yet: 10 days. Each time I visit Asheville, I leave feeling giddy with my travel loving heart satisfied. If you’re looking to travel to this destination that is perfect for couples as well as young families, here are a few of my recommendations as to accommodations, activities, and good eats.

A Cabin at The Village of Cheshire, Black Mountain NC

Where To Stay:

About a 20 minutes from downtown Asheville, you will find an incredibly quaint and rustic town: Black Mountain. This mecca is filled with darling shops, delicious places to eat, and mountain views galore. 

In the heart of Black Mountain, there is an incredible neighborhood, the Village of Cheshire, that has perfect mountain vacation destination written all over it. The neighborhood is quiet, walker friendly, and even has a village center complete with a coffee shop and a few restaurants. The neighborhood also boasts trails and a playground and green space for the kids.  It is a mix of full time residents, seasonal residents, and vacation only homes. The vacation homes available are complete with modern amenities and have lots of room for your family to spread out and relax.  And a bonus for pet owners: most of the homes available are pet friendly. If we return for another extended stay trip, we will definitely be coming back to this place.

Nantahala National Forest, NC

What To Do:

There are so many fun activities to embark on in Asheville and the surrounding areas. Adventure seekers can white water raft,  hikers can scale mountains, campers can pitch a tent on the Appalachian Trail, shoppers can delight in an array of independently owned boutiques in downtown...the list goes on and on! Here are a few activities that I love partaking in the most:

• Hiking 

  • You can’t visit this beautiful area without taking a hike. There are a wide array of experiences awaiting you, and hikers of any skill set can find adventure. I used AllTrails to find a family friendly hike that was fun for the littlest hikers in our group. My oldest son had so much fun seeing a waterfall up close and being able to walk behind it.

• Driving the Parkway

  • Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway has always been one of my favorite Asheville pastimes. Winding roads, beautiful views, and mountains await. This activity can be as active or as passive as you desire. Especially now that we have kids, we pack snacks to keep them at bay and also plan at least one stop along the route so everyone can get out and stretch their legs. If you’re looking for the ultimate view, be sure to pull over at The Pisgah Inn to take in the mountain beauty.

• Visiting a piece of American history

  • An American gem lives and breathes in Asheville, and that is the Biltmore Estate. Words cannot describe the beauty of the estate - touring the house itself is a history buff’s dream. For the smaller people in your crew, Antler Village awaits. Here you’ll find a playground, petting zoo, and a fun town center will delicious eateries and a creamery with ice cream that every member in your family will love! Accommodations can be made to stay at this beautiful property, but day passes are also available.  

• Watch the sunset in the most perfect location ever (for real)

  • The ultimate way to end your Asheville vacation is to take a trip to the beautiful Omni Grove Park Inn. Just through the lobby that is the definition of grand in itself, the most stunning patio awaits. Sunset views here are truly spectacular, and in my opinion, you do not want to miss experiencing one from here!

    
    

Mountain Play Lodge, Arden NC

Activities Just For The Kiddos:

• Sliding Rock

  • If you are visiting Asheville in the warmer months, make sure to pack some swimsuits for the kids and make a stop at Sliding Rock! This nature made waterslide is a blast! Your kids will have so much fun running up this old massive rock and sliding down the soft rapids over and over again.

• Mountain Play Lodge

  • If you are met with a rainy day but your kids are full of energy, make your way over to Mountain Play Lodge. This indoor playground is chock full of slides, jungle gyms, and play structures for your kids’ enjoyment! A toddler only area is available for the littlest of tikes while larger climbing walls and slides await your older kids. My boys had a blast here, and they took really great naps after we left, so I think everyone in our party would give this place a thumbs up!

Where To Eat:

No vacation is complete without food, and Asheville does not disappoint! My family absolutely loved these spots below:

• Tupelo Honey

  • A modern twist to old fashioned Southern cooking awaits at this super delicious spot. Every time we are in Asheville, we always put this restaurant on our list. The vibe is casual, the food is incredible, and kids are welcome here. And for those of you who have a sweet tooth, be sure not to skip the peanut butter pie - I’m still dreaming about it!

• Sierra Nevada Brewery

  • For those of you who like discovering local beers, this place is incredibly impressive. Bus and walking tours of the facility are able for you to explore, and restaurants are also at your disposal. If you wander to the back of the property, you will be greeted by a beautiful green space and outdoor amphitheater where live music is played - this is a perfect spot for your kids to run and play while your four-legged kids sunbathe. While we enjoyed this area, we snacked on  some small bites from the back porch restaurant which were pretty tasty. This was definitely a family friendly find that my gang can’t wait to visit again in the future.

• Ben & Jerry’s

  • Now I know we’ve all indulged in our fair share of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream at home, but whenever I stumble upon one of this franchise’s physical locations, I can’t help myself but run in! Smack in the middle of downtown Asheville, you will find this famous ice creamery and my oh my, there are more than a few ice cream flavors to choose from. Go ahead, get that extra scoop - everyone else is doing it!

Okay, dear readers, I think it’s time to end my findings on that sweet note! I hope you have an amazing time exploring Asheville with your loved ones.