Things to do in Asheville with kids and big groups

Oct 4th, 2026 · Asheville area guide

Top photo: Wes Hicks on Unsplash

Asheville is famous for Biltmore, breweries and mountain views, but it's also one of the easiest places in the Southeast to bring a big family group. There's a lot packed into a small area, which means you can split up by age and interest and still meet for dinner. Here's how we'd sort it.

For little kids

• The Asheville Museum of Science downtown is small enough not to wear anyone out and hands-on enough to keep young kids busy for an hour or two.
• The North Carolina Arboretum has gardens, easy trails and room to run, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
• KidZip at the Adventure Center of Asheville is a zipline course designed for kids around ages 4 to 10, close to downtown.
• LaZoom tours on the big purple bus mix local history and comedy. Ask which tours are family-friendly before booking.

For big kids and teens

• Ziplines. Navitat Canopy Adventures runs zipline tours in the mountains north of town, with age minimums for each tour. The Adventure Center of Asheville has ziplines and ropes courses closer to downtown.
• The Asheville Pinball Museum has dozens of playable pinball and arcade machines, which is a great rainy afternoon.
• Whitewater rafting on the French Broad River runs in warm months with local outfitters. Check age minimums and current river conditions.
• Escape rooms are a good way to split a big group into competing teams.

For everyone: the outdoors

• The Blue Ridge Parkway is about 15 minutes from The Donovan. Our Parkway guide covers the best easy stops.
• Chimney Rock State Park, about 45 minutes away, has short trails and big views.
• Waterfalls in Pisgah National Forest are about 20 minutes away. Check the U.S. Forest Service's alerts page for trail conditions before you go.

For the adults

Asheville's brewery scene is a big part of its personality, and many breweries welcome families.

• Highland Brewing Company in east Asheville has a big taproom, outdoor space and food trucks.
• Whistle Hop Brewing in Fairview is a favorite for families with train-loving kids.
• The S&W Market downtown is a food hall, which solves the "everyone wants something different" problem.

Ask about kids policies before you go, since some taprooms are adults-only in the evening.

Rainy day ideas

• The Asheville Museum of Science
• The Asheville Pinball Museum
• Escape rooms
• A movie night in The Donovan's private theater, with reclining seats and a popcorn station
• The game room at the house: pool table, air hockey, shuffleboard and arcade

The whole place was spotless and beautifully decorated. The beds were extremely comfortable.

Lynette W., stayed at The Donovan

Eating out with a big group

Downtown Asheville restaurants are popular and often small. With 15 or more people:

• Call ahead about large tables. Many places need a reservation for big groups.
• Eat early, before 6 PM, to avoid the longest waits.
• Use food halls and breweries for casual meals where everyone orders separately.
• Cook at the house most nights. The Donovan has a large island, a dining table for the whole group, an outdoor grill and outdoor dining under string lights.

A sample day for a mixed group

• Morning: little kids to the science museum, older kids to the zipline.
• Lunch: regroup at a family-friendly brewery or food hall.
• Afternoon: a short Parkway drive, or downtime at the house.
• Evening: dinner at the house, the hot tub and barrel sauna, then a movie in the theater.

Frequently asked questions

Is Asheville good for kids?

Yes. Asheville has kid-friendly museums, ziplines, easy hikes, the Blue Ridge Parkway and many family-friendly breweries and restaurants.

What can you do in Asheville when it rains?

Try the Asheville Museum of Science, the Asheville Pinball Museum, an escape room, or Biltmore House, which is mostly indoors.

Plan your trip

See our guides to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Biltmore with a big group, or the full Asheville area guide. Book The Donovan directly with us to skip the booking-site service fees.

Written by Megan and VladWe own and manage Remington Retreats's five homes ourselves, and we've been visiting these areas with our two girls for years.