Location: Asheville
Top Things to do in Asheville
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The 10 Best Things to do Good for Kids in Asheville, North Carolina (NC)
If you’re into eating locally and supporting sustainable agriculture, go to Asheville—and eat, eat, eat. This town of less than 100,000 people has 17 farmers’ markets, and the local restaurant scene is all about taking advantage of the seasonal produce sold there. And don’t miss the area’s microbreweries.
Restaurants in Asheville
1. Tumblestone Tours and Transportation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 420 reviews
Blue Ridge Waterfall Tour: This waterfall excursion begins with pick up at your accommodation. A spectacular drive to our first waterfall on a scenic portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway, we will visit 3 impressive waterfalls, 2 state parks and a seasoned local guide will tell stories of interest as we see some remarkable flora and fauna. Drinks & snack are included. A great half day adventure!
2. Asheville Community Theatre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 228 reviews
Since 1946, Asheville Community Theatre has been dedicated to producing high quality theatre starring local performers. We'd love for you to join us when you're next in town - or we'd for you to love to make a special trip to see one of our shows!
Reviewed By richandlindas - Spartanburg, United States
We saw "The Fantasticks". Seated near back of auditorium, but the seats were great...the place is not large. The atmosphere was good, the volunteers efficient and friendly. And the show---performers were great! Cost was reasonable. Big issue with parking. We went an hour and a half before the performance and rode around for 15 minutes before finding a space. This situation is the norm for Asheville, however.
3. The Flying Bike
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 721 reviews
See Asheville the best way possible- by electric bike! Get up close to the must-see spots, meander down beautiful greenways, catch stunning views, and get recommendations for your stay from our stellar local guides. Electric-assist bikes make Asheville’s hills easy and fun. Kids under 16 years ride FREE! Tours offered daily, departing from our downtown location. Electric bike rentals are also available.
4. Tom's Creek Falls
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By Sunshine172 - Aurora, United States
This was a quick easy hike of about 0.5 miles each way with a stunning waterfall at the end. You can park right at the trail head. There is limited parking of about 6 spaces.
5. Blue Ridge Hiking Company
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 327 reviews
Blue Ridge Hiking Company is Western North Carolina's Premier Guiding Service for Day Hikes and Backpacking Trips. Founded in 2008, we are locally owned, female operated, and the 2019 guiding team has over 60,000 miles of hiking experience. Blue Ridge Hiking Company is permitted for a wide range of hiking trails that include the most scenic and "must-see" destinations in Western North Carolina. We welcome hikers of all ages, backgrounds, and ability levels. The Downtown Asheville Retail Shop Features a Selection of Handpicked Lightweight Hiking and Backpacking Essentials from the Best Independent and Cottage Gear Builders. Blue Ridge Hiking Company also Operates "The Trail-er," an Appalachian Trail Bunkhouse that offers Lodging, Gear Rentals and Shuttles in Hot Springs, NC. The owner, Jennifer Pharr Davis, is a Western North Carolina Native, National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, and Mother to two Young Hikers. Let us share our favorite trails and local knowledge with you!
6. FOX-N-OTTER
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 426 reviews
Ranked the #1 Escape Room in Asheville with 2 Easy to find locations on the South end or the Asheville Mall! Escape the mundane and enjoy our one-of-a-kind Adventure Escapes! We feature creative escape games with immersive logic puzzles that truly engage the whole team. As a truly family-friendly escape room company we strive to host and engage everyone in our approach to appropriate storylines and thrilling game-play. Find out why people are calling us the best-of-Asheville things to do! We have hosted thousands of teams and have a stellar 5-Star reputation for providing the space for incredible memories to be made! Some come for one game— some play them all! Some come to get engaged! Whatever the occasion, your time will be amazing! Be as clever & cunning as the FOX and curious & hands-on as the OTTER! At FOX-N-OTTER we have rooms perfect for youth, families and first-timers, and more advanced rooms for older teens, adults and enthusiasts. CALL OR BOOK ONLINE NOW
Reviewed By kkvegter
Our family (myself, husband, daughters ages 6 and 8) did The Super Secret room last night. Our daughters have been wanting to do an escape room and we finally found a family-friendly room. It was awesome! The girls were able to fully participate, yet it was challenging enough that my husband and I both really enjoyed the room as well. Our host, Jon, was amazing. He engaged the girls and talked to them and was kind, helpful, and funny. We can’t wsit to go back!
7. Asheville Hiking Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 342 reviews
Let the local experts guide you to our favorite “secret spots” along the Blue Ridge Parkway and in our National Forests. Home to 250+ waterfalls and miles of hiking trails, the stunning scenery does not disappoint. Our tours provide a unique blend of storytelling, sightseeing and nature discovery! We visit historical sights and 150-foot waterfalls, and even enjoy wild food foraging on all of our tours. Our aim to provide a soul-nurturing experience in the outdoors is the reason why our guests return to experience these mountains with us, again and again! If you have a half day to spend with us, we recommend the Waterfalls and Blue Ridge Parkway Tour so you can capture multiple highlights of western North Carolina, including the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway, historic sites and “secret” hidden waterfalls. For those who have just a few hours to spend with us, we recommend the Guided 2-Hour Waterfall Hike. Private Tours, fully customizable, are also available and offer a range of hikes!
8. Asheville Gem Mine
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 59 reviews
Become a treasure hunter right in the heart of downtown Asheville! With the gem mine plus the Rock, fossil and jewelry shop there's something for everyone!
Reviewed By gabbyj0328 - Fort Mill, United States
We had such a great experience here! Sam was so kind and helpful. She answered all of our questions and identified lots of crystals for us. We will be back soon!
9. The North Carolina Arboretum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,603 reviews
Nestled in the Southern Appalachian Mountains just south of Asheville, The North Carolina Arboretum offers acres of cultivated gardens and groomed trails featuring some of the most beautiful, botanically-diverse plants in the region.
Reviewed By SeniorTravelTales - Oldsmar, United States
We have visited the Arboretum previously initially just ourselves, seniors, touring this magnificent arboretum and gardens and another time with our grandchildren to thrill at Winter Lights. Having our grandchildren visit again and since they love “LEGO’s” we were excited to visit the Lego Exhibit at the Arboretum. Specifically this is a very popular traveling exhibit that has 500,000 Legos. The exhibit is called Nature Connects: Art with LEGO bricks by Sean Kenney. Our grandchildren were so excited to stroll the gardens locating the 16 larger-than-life-size sculptures. Amazing how each sculpture is carefully placed in an appropriate location. This created excitement to find each sculpture and get a picture with each one. These Lego sculptures are just magnificent with design, color, depth and imagination. Additionally, the scale train was exciting for them to watch. They loved the “eyes” on each engine searching the tracks. A fun afternoon. There is much more to do at the Arboretum with hikes, creeks, and more. We plan to check into on our next visit
10. Asheville Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 807 reviews
Want to know one of the best ways to save money and find a room in the Asheville area in the fall? Make your first stop the Asheville Visitor Center in downtown Asheville at 36 Montford Avenue. Pick up brochures and coupons from area attractions and accommodations. For help with finding your way around Asheville, chat with one of the many volunteers who can help customize your visit and provide insider information.
Reviewed By travel7continents - Norfolk, United States
We came to Asheville with reservations to tour the Vanderbilt house. Having spent a day at Biltmore, we went to the Visitor Center the next day. A bus was in the lot and the staff inside the Center asked if we were here for the bus tour leaving in 5 minutes. Yes, good idea. The center is large, well laid out and welcoming with clean restrooms which was all we had time to see. Our tour bus driver-guide was outstanding. He had an answer for any question. We learned so much about the area history and the people there. The tour was worth every cent we paid.
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