Family Fun: Spring Break in Asheville

Asheville Spring Break Ideas and Inspiration for the Whole Crew

Spring is the perfect time to visit Asheville with your family. Somewhere between the wildflowers blooming in the mountains and buskers sprouting up on downtown corners, spring brings something to satisfy everyone (and every mood) in your brood. Forgo scroll fatigue in favor of this round-up of fun things to do for a week of spring break adventures with your family in Asheville, rain or shine.

Adventure Time

Discover downtown Asheville and its surrounding historic neighborhoods on two wheels with an electric bike tour from The Flying Bike. Looking for an adrenaline rush? Families with older kids can get a bird's-eye view of the Blue Ridge by zipping through the treetops at Navitat Canopy Adventures. Open every day during spring break, The Adventure Center of Asheville features ziplines for children. Its Treetop Adventure Park and Kolo Bike Park offers pump tracks, trails and even a bike playground for little ones.

Keep on Trekking

Situated smack in the middle of North Carolina’s mountain region, Asheville offers endless options to get back to nature. Pick up picnic provisions from The Rhu or 67 Biltmore and take to the trails! Craggy Gardens and Devil’s Courthouse offer shorter hikes (for short attention spans) with big payoffs right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Do it yourself or leave it to the experts, such as those at Pura Vida Adventures, to customize a memorable experience. You’ll love the tranquil beauty of The North Carolina Arboretum’s 434-acre public garden, and your kids will enjoy exploring it through the eyes of Shelly the eastern box turtle. 

Young at Art

Learn about cultures around the world through music and art at LEAF Global Arts Center. Scavenger hunts for both school age kids and little ones offer a fun way to connect with LEAF’s exhibits and engagement stations. The Asheville Art Museum offers family-friendly programs 

Hundreds of artists call Asheville’s River Arts District their creative home, and you can watch them at work! A new greenway along the French Broad River provides easy access to studios, galleries and shops, by bike, foot or stroller. Keep cameras on-hand between buildings to capture the incredible mural art and outdoor sculptures that pop up along the way. Stop by Pink Dog Creative and watch the artists do their work or even join in on a class. Refuel with world-famous barbecue at 12 Bones, dine by the river at White Duck Taco Shop or eat outside by the kitchen garden at All Souls Pizza. 

Sweet Home

Devote at least one day to Biltmore—America’s largest private home and its 8,000-acre backyard. The gardens and grounds explode with color each spring during Biltmore Blooms, making for some Insta-worthy family/flower pics. Serafina fans can experience the inspiration for the bestselling Young Adult series firsthand, while a kids’ audio guide narrated by the Vanderbilts’ dog keeps younger ones engaged as you tour the house. Antler Hill Village has a farm with a petting zoo and playground. Bring your own bikes to explore the 20 miles of trails or rent them from the Bike Barn. Pro tip: Take a lightweight stroller or baby carrier so you don’t have to lug a heavier stroller (or tired toddler) up and down all of the house stairs.

Rainy Day? That's OK!

Channel your inner Charlie with a tour of the French Broad Chocolate Factory. Get a behind-the-scenes peek at how they take their chocolate from bean to bar, including samples, and snap up some of their sought-after Spring Eggs to take home. You won’t want to limit screen time at the Asheville Pinball Museum, and you don’t have to—one admission price includes all the pinball and classic video games you can play! Have a child on the spectrum? You will love the open sessions at We Rock the Spectrum. Open to all kids, the indoor gym features sensory play equipment with a zipline, swings, imaginative play stations, a calming room and more. The Swannanoa Valley Museum and History Center is the place to discover the storied past of this region, located inside Black Mountain’s century-old firehouse.

Half Pint-Friendly

Don’t feel bad bringing the brood along to sample the famous Asheville beer scene. Many of the taprooms have yard games and live music that’s fun and kid-friendly. Breweries are also a great place to find some of Asheville’s favorite food trucks! Of particular note: The Meadow at Highland Brewing has an outdoor bar for you, space for the kids to play, and a nice mix of shady and sunny spots to sit and sip. Sweeten Creek Brewing has a huge creekside lawn and a covered outdoor patio with heaters, perfect for spring’s unpredictable weather. Can it get more kid-friendly than a train-themed brewery? Housed in real train cars, Whistle Hop Brewing Company in nearby Fairview offers craft soda and snacks in addition to innovative beers on tap like their Fruit Loops Milkshake IPA. Three acres of fun include a six-hole mini golf course, disc golf and more!