You will find Anything and Everything under the Sun. From Peanuts to Bulldozers, it all can be found at Smiley’s!
Great Restaurants and Concessions serving Authentic Mexican, Hamburgers, Sandwiches, Ice Cream, Snowcones, and so much more. Everyone in the family will be happy.
From the Best Produce in the South, to Clothes, Barber Shop, Hair Salon, Electronics, Appliances, Books, Plants, Antiques and Collectibles, New and Used Items, and even a full serve Bakery, are just a few of the things you can find.
Ride Smiley’s Carousel and Bumper Cars every weekend. $1 per ride or $5 for unlimited rides. Family Fun for all.
Come explore Smiley’s to find that long lost treasure or your everyday needs. It’s family fun for everyone!
Open Daily, 7:00pm-7:30pm, year round
The Asheville Botanical Gardens are an independent non-profit organization housing a collection of plants native to the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
FREE/Admission (but donations are appreciated)
Bringing Kids to the Gardens
Bringing children: We are not a play park; rather, we’re a place where kids can learn about their native plant heritage and other aspects of natural history. Unfortunately, the majority of the damage that we sustain in our delicate Gardens comes from under-supervised children.
For the well-being of our plant collection as well as your kids’ safety, we ask that you please review our rules upon arrival and monitor your children closely at all times during your visit.
Parent meet-up groups, home school groups, schools, camps, etc., please visit this page before coming to the Gardens. Large groups of children must be accompanied by one adult for every three children.
Investigation Passports for Kids
How are plants alike and different? Where do birds make their homes at The Botanical Gardens? How many food sources for wild animals can you find in the Gardens? And, where do you see insects at the Gardens?
Kids will learn the answers to their nature questions after filling out one our five INVESTIGATION PASSPORTS, which focus on animals, birds, insects, nature words, and, of course, PLANTS! Each free Investigation Passport encourages kids to use their observation skills and senses while exploring the Gardens. The passports include investigation tips, pre-investigation and observation activities to be completed during a visit to the Gardens, and an extension activity for later. Plus each passport has a fun take-home activity – word scramble, crossword puzzle, crossword chain, matching game, or word search. (For kids ages 4-10)
Passports may be picked up at our Visitor’s Center. Upon completion of the garden activities, kids should return to the Visitor’s Center before closing to get their passports stamped.
The City of Hendersonville’s Skate Park is located in Patton Park across from Patton Pool. The skate park is open to the public and is an unattended facility, the hours are 7am-11pm.
NO BIKES ALLOWED ON THE SKATE PARK
The Skate Park features include:
Every 1st Saturday of the Month, 7:00am-1:00pm
120 indoor booths to find something you weren’t looking for!! 2 buildings full plus enjoy breakfast and lunch at the Apple Cafe!! Come out and see what you can find!
Location: Apple Orchard & Dogwood Event Centers
If you haven’t heard of Kids in Parks or TRACK Trails yet, you’ve been missing out! TRACK Trails is a trail program that was started here in Asheville (but has since spread across the country!) by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, a network of local Pediatricians, and the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, to “promote children’s health and the health of our parks”, and we have several in our area. Kids in Parks is an ever expanding network of family-friendly, self-guided outdoor adventures, and “include hiking trails, biking trails, geocaching trails, paddling trails, nature trail disc golf courses, and even adventures you can do in your own back yard”. Register your child online, and as they complete the trail, they earn prizes for tracking their adventures! Best of all, it’s all FREE!
Our comprehensive guide to Asheville Area Playgrounds is your ultimate resource for recreation in Asheville with kids! Indoor playgrounds, as well as outdoor playgrounds are included, with everything you need to know in advance to plan your family friendly outing in Asheville and the surrounding area!
This guide is a continuous work in progress, and we will keep adding to it, so keep checking back!
Visitors may only tour the Sandburg Home on a guided tour. Sandburg Home Tours (As of April 2022, tours of the house are FREE until further notice) and happen Thursday to Sunday at 11am, 1pm, 2pm. Reserving in advance lets you pick your preferred house tour time. No reservation needed for touring the grounds, trails, barn, and access to the bookstore and visitor information in the ground floor of the Sandburg Home.
Parking lots, grounds, gardens, and trails are open every day, year-round, sunrise to sunset. Occasional closures arise from weather events, check park alerts for more information. The Sandburg Home, Visitor Center and Farm Area have seasonal hours that vary.
“A poet of the people, Carl Sandburg provided a popular voice for the American people of the 20th Century and still speaks to us through his words, songs, and the beauty and serenity of Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site. The park is located on 264 acres in western North Carolina. Visitors can tour the Sandburg Home, hike on over 5 miles of trails, visit the farm and dairy goats, and much more. The average visitor spends two hours at “Connemara.”
We are so lucky to have a bounty of Farmers Markets to choose from in beautiful Asheville and the surrounding area! What better way to teach kids how to eat healthfully than to surround them with fresh grown fruits and vegetables and meats from our local farmers, making the connection between what they eat and where it comes from.
In addition to local foods, many of our markets have local crafts, live music, and family friendly entertainment and activities, as well, so be sure to check their socials and sites for what’s happening before you go, to make the most of your day!
See our comprehensive list for ALL of your farmers market options at the link above
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.
SEE WHAT’S NEW AT THE ARBORETUM HERE
.
Hours
Parking Fees
Asheville is an amazing city with so much to see and do, and while we have some amazing group tour companies, sometimes we want to venture out on our own to learn about the culture and history of our area … with just our family, on our schedule and timetable, to explore our interests, on our own path. A great way to do that, and a great way to save some money (THESE ARE ALL FREE), is to take one of the many self-guided tours that have been created by our local experts at our tourism centers, and historic sites. We’ve compiled the list attached of some of our favorites for you, with links to them all, that we hope you will enjoy and learn as much from as we did and still do. If we’re missing any of your favorites, let us know, so that we can share them, too!
Check them all out at the link above
FREE ADMISSION TO LOCAL ATTRACTIONS FOR LIBRARY CARDHOLDERS ALL ACROSS THE REGION!
Buncombe County isn’t the only county with a ZOOM Pass Program! The ZOOM (a combination of the words Zoo and Museum) Pass program allows library cardholders to visit participating partners at NO COST by reserving a day pass online with their library card. Chances are if you live near Buncombe County, your library system also participates in ZOOM!
DO YOU LIVE IN … HAYWOOD COUNTY? HENDERSON COUNTY? MADISON COUNTY? MCDOWELL COUNTY? POLK COUNTY? RUTHERFORD COUNTY? TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY?
Neighboring county residents can also apply for an out of county library card with Buncombe County for a small $20 yearly fee, in which case you’ll qualify to participate in their ZOOM Pass program, too! Apply in person at any Buncombe County Library branch to become an out of county cardholder. Learn more about the Buncombe County ZOOM Pass program HERE
Thursdays: 9:00am-5:00pm
Fridays: 10:00am-5:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am-5:00pm
Sundays: 10:00am-5:00pm
Enjoy expansive views of the Asheville skyline from Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures or hop on one of our top-end mountain bikes and learn the meaning of “flow” on our on-site trail system created and groomed for the KOLO Bike Park. Looking for a unique and exciting challenge? Then head up into the trees at Asheville Treetops Adventure Park, an elevated obstacle course with five levels of difficulty. Bringing the kids? Check out KidZip, America’s first zipline adventure designed for kids under 10.
CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE:
OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
The Silver River Center for Chair Caning museum serves to educate students and visitors to the River Arts District. Enjoy their rotating collection of 100+ woven chairs that showcase the diversity of the craft. They keep the workshop and classroom area open so you get to observe the weaving process.
All restoration & class fees keep the chair museum free and open to the public.
Chair nerd tshirts and stickers are for sale as fundraisers for the museum.
School visits:
Kids are really good at chair caning. We have a hands-on weaving station in our shop. Hire us to demonstrate chair caning in a history, science, geography, or art class setting. Schedule your visit by calling 828-707-4553 or emailing SilverRiverChairs@gmail.com.
Tuesday-Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm
Closed Sunday, Monday, and most major holidays
Admission is FREE
Explore daily life on an early 1800s plantation in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Step inside a 1790s slave dwelling and hear the stories of the women and men who were enslaved by the Vances. Take a tour through the reconstructed birthplace of Zebulon B. Vance to discover how the environment and society of Western North Carolina shaped his political career.
Tucked into the picturesque Reems Creek Valley, our site features seven historic and reconstructed buildings as well as a visitor center with interactive exhibits. Visitors can take a guided tour of the site, browse our exhibits, and conclude their visit with lunch in our picnic shelter—featuring panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Kids Workshops at all area Home Depot stores! In addition to bringing families together, The Home Depot’s Kids Workshops create a hands-on learning experience that sparks creativity, promotes problem-solving and encourages social interaction for the youngest generation of DIYers. Each month a new seasonal-themed workshop is offered. All tools and materials needed to complete the Workshop are available and a Home Depot Associate is there to assist families as necessary. All Kids in attendance get to keep their craft, and receive a certificate of achievement, a kid-sized Home Depot Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. All Kids Workshop attendees must be accompanied by a parent or adult at all times. All FREE.
Registration for each workshop opens closer to the date of the workshop, so if the workshop you want to attend isn’t accepting registrations at the moment, check back a bit later. Schedule is subject to change without notice.
2025 WORKSHOPS: 2026 WORKSHOPS:
Old Fort has long been considered a “gateway” to the Blue Ridge Mountains and was the site of the westernmost pioneer outpost in North Carolina prior to the Revolutionary War. Our exhibits, artifacts, photographs, and on-site programs interpret life in western North Carolina from the earliest inhabitants into the 20th century.
Housed in a beautiful 1936 WPA stone building on the banks of historic Mill Creek, our museum offers a number of educational programs and exhibits covering a range of topics related to all who call the 38 counties in our service district “home”.
Mondays: CLOSED
Tuesday to Saturday: 9am to 5pm
Sundays: 2pm to 5pm
CLOSED ALL STATE HOLIDAYS
Admission to the museum’s exhibits and most programs is free, however donations are appreciated. Some special exhibits and programs do have charges. Please call (828) 668-9259 for more information.
We’re located less than a half-mile off Interstate 40’s exit 73 in the heart of downtown Old Fort. Just minutes away from Black Mountain and less than 30 minutes from downtown Asheville. Our address is 24 Water Street, Old Fort, N.C. 28762.
All exhibits are designed to be self-guided to be enjoyed at your own pace. Groups may register for special guided tours and programming upon availability and size of the group with two weeks advance reservation. Expect to spend about an hour at our museum to see all that we have to offer.
Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday & Monday: CLOSED
Closed State Holidays
“Considered by many to be one of the giants of 20th-century American literature, Thomas Wolfe immortalized his childhood home in his epic autobiographical novel, Look Homeward, Angel. House tours are offered daily at half past each hour.”
Waterpark operating hours: *subject to change at anytime due to staffing shortages*
Thurs-Mon, 10:00am-5:00pm
Admission covers a one-day experience at Wheels Through Time.
On July 4th, 2002 Wheels Through Time Museum became a reality when it opened its 38,000 square foot facility in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. The Museum features one of the world’s premier collections of Vintage American Transportation, guiding visitors through the evolution of American motorcycling and automotive history. The museum has attracted worldwide media attention and brought hundreds of thousands of visitors to Maggie Valley, North Carolina from all over the globe.
Many visitors consider the displays equally as interesting as the rare machines that are within them. The museum layout is more than a timeline of machines. It has the feel of an old garage, but is touched by relevant artwork of the era and houses precious items of memorabilia by the thousands. The museum is literally a cornucopia of American history.
MONDAY-SUNDAY: 10AM-6PM
TRAILS ARE OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK WITH VALID PASS FROM SUNRISE TO SUNSET
Ride Kanuga Bike Park was born out of a simple concept; make mountain biking fun and welcoming. Founded by Neko Mulally and Dave LaMond; Ride Kanuga is rider built, rider approved. We do this through high quality, safe, and unique mountain bike specific trails; which equip and encourage both new riders and seasoned professionals to gain new skills and experiences. Our team is passionate about delivering the best possible mountain bike experience in Western North Carolina in Hendersonville, a close 30 minutes from Asheville and Brevard.
Kanuga Bike Park features one-way, downhill specific terrain for all abilities. There is a mix of natural features, jump lines and trails unlike any in the region; which are specifically designed to help you progress as a rider. Bikers have the ability to ride a climbing trail with a gentle grade, while taking in the sights and scents of Kanuga’s old growth forest. We support and encourage the use of eBikes, to increase access and spend more time in the fun zone going down.
This bike park project would not be possible without the generous efforts of our friends at Kanuga. Our mission is to provide a safe and fun family environment, while supporting Kanuga’s conservation legacy. Every visit to our park contributes to the conservation and preservation of Kanuga. With 1400 acres, miles of recreation trails, a 30-acre lake, historic guest cottages and Inn Lodging; Kanuga is a premier family retreat and destination for all outdoor enthusiasts.
Ride Kanuga is a bike park for everyone. We have trails ranging from beginner level to pro lines. Our trail map shows you which trails are made for each skill level. Keep in mind, the trails are rated as downhill mountain bike trails.
Mondays-Fridays, 1:00pm-5:00pm
Saturdays, 11:00am-5:00pm
The Mineral and Lapidary Museum of Henderson County was founded with the goal of providing a place where people could discover and learn about the beauty and diversity of the world beneath our feet. The museum’s goal is to be a primary resource for education and information to the community on the earth sciences related to geology and paleontology.
The museum currently features a mix of exhibits that range from specimens of raw minerals in their natural state to polished gemstones and other finished material. The museum also hosts special exhibits of collections on loan. Among the popular highlights of the exhibits are the displays of minerals found in Henderson County and in the state of North Carolina — which has one of the nation’s most diverse mineral deposits, the exhibit on the Hendersonville meteorite, and the fluorescent mineral display. Also popular, especially with youngsters, are the museum’s displays of fossils which are highlighted by a casting of a tyrannosaurus rex skull, a mastodon tusk and teeth, and a wooly mammoth leg bone. Visitors to the museum will quickly discover that there is more under our feet than dirt and that there is much more to rocks than most suspect.
The Mineral Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and is volunteer run. ADMISSION is FREE (A donation or Gift Shop purchase is appreciated as these are the primary source of our income.)
SUMMER HOURS (April through October)
WINTER HOURS (November through March)
Closed: Christmas, Easter, 4th of July, Memorial Day and New Years Day
The Western North Carolina Air Museum is a private tax-exempt 501-(c)-3 organization, and home to a unique collection of airplanes celebrating the Golden Age of General Aviation; the decades surrounding the Second World War, when flying commanded the worlds attention. A must see for any aviation enthusiast!
Do you remember the roar of a big radial aircraft engine thundering into life? Or maybe you only have heard about it from Grand Dad’s reminiscences. Well it is still alive, and you can come hear it again here at the Western North Carolina Air Museum.
Come see what is was like: When airports had grass strips and didn’t have fences. When you could wash the airplanes for a ride, and when you could walk right up to the flight line and see, touch, & smell the excitement, up close & personal… come back in time to the Western North Carolina Air Museum.
If you remember when flying was an event instead of a burden, when climbing into an airplane was more exciting than riding a bus, and when every head turned at the sound of a motor buzzing overhead, then rediscover that excitement at the Western North Carolina Air Museum. Here the excitement lives on. It echoes in the fabric wings of the airplanes that brought it to life. It floats in the scent of avgas on a plane just returning from a flight. It lives in the people who show you around and answer questions – most are veterans of that golden age when not everyone knew how to fly, but every kid sure wanted to learn.
Set beside an active airport – we are more than just a place to look at planes. We’re a place to relive a moment in time that is rapidly passing away. You won’t find airplanes under glass. You won’t find velvet ropes to keep you away. You won’t find guards and ticket sellers and concessionaires.You’ll only find airplanes and people who love them. Many are pilots: Some even own and fly some of the airplanes that are on display. If you’re lucky enough to visit on a day when someone is going up, you might just be able to see a flying piece of aviation history.
We’re home to a unique collection of airplanes celebrating the Golden Age of Aviation, the decades surrounding the Second World War, when flying commanded the world’s attention and an airplane was in everybody’s future.
A place for flying folks to share memories of a disappearing era. And a place to show the young ones a proper airplane, with taut fabric over wooden spars, a single propeller at the nose, and a little wheel under the tail. We are also a place where you can see the actual restoration of such aircraft, as it is happening and talk to the people doing the work. People who will take the time to answer you questions and explain the work they are doing .
The Western North Carolina Air Museum is a center of living history in the popular Hendersonville – Flat Rock region of the state. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to remember flying the way it used to be. Bring your kids, your camera, and your leather jacket. You can view the airplanes in an hour or so, or spend the afternoon hanger-flying with our friendly, informative staff. We can’t guarantee fine weather, but our hangar doors are open rain and shine. And we can’t guarantee that we’ll be flying on the day you visit, but we do promise to propel your imagination back to the golden age of general aviation. Come for the airplanes. Stay for the memories. There’s plenty of both right here at the Western North Carolina Air Museum.
Group tours welcomed!
For the past 25 years, Bank of America has offered their cardholders free general admission – during the first full weekend of every month – to more than 225 cultural institutions in cities across the United States.
Museums on Us is available to Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank (U.S. Trust) credit or debit cardholders. Please review eligibility and terms prior to your visit.
Adjusted Museums on Us admission procedures, if applicable, can be found by locating and selecting a partner name on our Museums on Us map. Information posted here will be updated on an ongoing basis.
Select a participating museum from the list below to review our partner’s current safety protocols and operating hours.
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Cats at Play Cafe Asheville is a gathering space for cat lovers. Enjoy drinks, snacks and your time with adoptable cats. While the cafe is typically for ages 10+, this special Kiddie Kitty Time is for guests ages 3+.
Please review their Cat Lounge Guidelines and FAQs before making your reservation. By making this reservation, you agree to comply with all Cat Lounge Guidelines.
Every Saturday from 10AM to 11AM.
One adult per two children under 13 years old.
Ages 13+ do not need adult supervision.
Drinks and snacks can be taken into the cat lounge.
Book all 12 seats during checkout for a private party
March – December: Wed-Sat, 10:00am-5:00pm
January – February: Saturday, 10:00am-5:00pm
ADMISSION: FREE (Donations Appreciated)
Founded in 1989, the Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center is the primary museum of general local history in Buncombe County. We are a 501c3 non-profit organization governed by an 18-member board of directors and funded primarily by generous donations from our members and our extensive special event program. We are located in the Town of Black Mountain’s 1921 fire house, which was designed by Richard Sharp Smith, supervising architect on the Biltmore Estate.
We mount at least one major temporary exhibition annually in our first floor gallery and continually enhance our second floor permanent exhibit exploring the general history of the Swannanoa Valley. We also maintain an active archive of original primary source materials – including photographs, oral histories, ledgers, and ephemera – as well as vertical files of research materials and a local history library.
Every month we organize hikes to historic locations throughout the valley as well as events that take place inside and outside the museum.
Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11:00am-3:00pm
FREE ADMISSION
The purpose of this military museum is to provide an avenue for people to appreciate and honor the men and women who served so bravely in our Armed Forces.
Some examples of what the museum will feature include one-of-a kind artifacts, uniforms, weaponry, original newspapers, personal letters, etc.
All of these special items and more weave the great and proud stories of World War I, World War II, Korea, The Cold War, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
They display and help us empathize with the wonder, but also the danger of our involvement in these wars, and the unique sacrifice of our military men and women!
An added bonus will be lectures outlining battles and their strategies, political aspects of wars, and an expert analysis of all facets of a West Point educational and military experience from a parent perspective.
Love of country plus gratitude to those who served proudly equals the museum’s theme for all ages, both young and old.
We love going to the movies, and we have a lot of theaters in our area to see them!
REGAL BILTMORE GRANDE | 292 Thetford Street Asheville, NC | 828-684-4380 | NOW PLAYING/SHOWTIMES | DISCOUNTS/DEALS | Open Mondays through Sundays, 11:00am-11:30pm
.
CAROLINA CINEMARK | 1640 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville, NC | 828-274-9500 | NOW PLAYING/SHOWTIMES | DISCOUNTS/DEALS
.
AMC RIVER HILLS 10 | 121 River Hills Rd Asheville, NC | 828-298-4885 | NOW PLAYING/SHOWTIMES | DISCOUNTS/DEALS
.
ASHEVILLE PIZZA & BREWING | 675 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC | 828-254-1281 | NOW PLAYING/SHOWTIMES | Tuesdays are discount days!
.
FINE ARTS THEATER | 36 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC | 828-232-1536 | NOW PLAYING/SHOWTIMES | Asheville’s last remaining downtown cinema. They recommend parking in the Biltmore Avenue Garage (city parking deck) under the Aloft hotel – The first hour is free, then $1.00 per hour for each additional hour.
.
GRAIL MOVIEHOUSE | 17 Foundy Street, Asheville, NC | 828-239-9392 | NOW PLAYING/SHOWTIMES | Located in the River Arts District, Grail Moviehouse is a locally owned, indie cinema showing first run, art and independent, foreign, classic, and documentary titles.
.
EPIC THEATERS OF HENDERSONVILLE | 200 Thompson St, Hendersonville, NC | 828-693-1146 | NOW PLAYING/SHOWTIMES
.
FLAT ROCK CINEMA | 2700 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock, NC | 828-697-2463 | NOW PLAYING/SHOWTIMES | A clean and friendly bistro-style setting. They don’t always know which movies they’ll be showing too far in advance, so check in often.
.
SMOKY MOUNTAIN CINEMA | 235 Waynesville Plaza, Waynesville, NC | 828-246-0588 | NOW PLAYING/SHOWTIMES | Tuesdays are discount days!
.
CO ED CINEMA | 79 W Main St, Brevard, NC | 828-883-2200 | NOW PLAYING/SHOWTIMES | Co Ed Cinema is a single screen theater, established in 1936, and shows are daily (except Mondays & Tuesdays) at 1, 4 & 7 PM. They begin selling tickets in person thirty (30) minutes before each show.
.
HOMETOWN CINEMAS OF MARION | 1212 B North Main St, Marion, NC | 828-559-2776 | NOW PLAYING/SHOWTIMES
Open Daily, 11:00am-5:00pm, except for major holidays
Our facility celebrates the extraordinary legacy of synthesizer pioneer Robert Moog, whose invention of the Moog synthesizer in 1964 helped revolutionize the face of music. The Moogseum brings Bob’s complex life and career to life through experiential exhibits for the aficionado and lay person alike; His story is one of the spirit of American innovation. Come explore theremins and synthesizers, learn how electricity turns into sound, discover over 100 years of electronic music history, and delve into Bob’s world through a re-creation of his workbench.
The Moogseum is the convergence of the Foundation’s goals of educating and inspiring people through electronic music, just as Bob did himself. It serves as a educational, historical, and cultural resource to Western North Carolina and the worldwide electronic music community through the following experiences:
VISITING HOURS FOR SELF GUIDED TOURS:
Monday, 11:00am-12:00pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 11:00am – 1:00pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 3:00pm – 5:00pm
The following options for tours are available:
COMPLIMENTARY GUIDED TOURS – Schedule a tour by completing the online form. Tours Available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 1:30pm (These tours take 45 minutes), and immediately after Sunday Masses. Mass times are Saturday, 5:00 p.m., Sunday, 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 Noon (these tours take 25 minutes). Tours of the Basilica of Saint Lawrence must be prescheduled at least two weeks in advance and re-confirmed with the Tour Coordinator before your scheduled visit. Trained Docents (tour guides) are provided unless you make other arrangements with the Tour Coordinator.
SELF-GUIDED TOUR – The brochure, The Art & Architecture of the Basilica of Saint Lawrence, D.M., provides a very informative self-guided tour. When visiting the Basilica, copies may be found in the side vestibule. You may also download a copy of the brochure HERE
Tours are free but donations are very much appreciated.
Church parking is located in the first lot to the west of the Parish Office building and behind the Basilica. On weekends additional parking available is in the large gated lot across the street.
The Basilica’s parking lots are clearly marked “Church Parking.” Parishioners and the many Visitors who attend Mass at the Basilica usually find our parking adequate unless they arrive late. There is no charge for parking to attend daily and weekend Masses, and other church activities.
When visiting the Basilica please pay close attention to our parking lot signage, as parking in non-church lots may result in the unpleasant, expensive experience of having your vehicle towed.
Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11:00am-5:00pm
Citizen Vinyl is a communal space housing a record press facility, cafe, bar, recording studio & analog art & record store – located in the historic Citizen Times building in downtown Asheville – an incredible specimen of the Art Moderne style whose grand civic space serves to celebrate the history of manufacturing & craft alongside the current state of music, food & beverage within our local community.
A very few walk-up spots are available for most public tours, but reservations are strongly recommended — first come first served! Gather at the Coda Shop Counter for your guide at the scheduled time, Tours will last ~45 minutes. Punctuality is appreciated: Late-comers may join in at any point before the group heads up to the recording studio, about 20 minutes in.
Be advised that there is limited access [ stairs / elevator to the 3rd floor ] due to the nature of the historically preserved 1930’s construction. Please email tours@CitizenVinyl.com ahead of time with any questions or concerns!
“You can watch blobs of vinyl smooshed into discs, then trimmed into perfect circles, while listening to the Daily Sides—curated playlists available in printed form on clipboards. On one molasses-slow Asheville afternoon, as light streamed through some of the twenty-thousand glass bricks, Lauryn Hill’s voice filled the air. “ – Esquire
Tours Offered by Appointment Only, Wed-Sun
There’s something very satisfying about seeing pins get knocked down from a perfectly aimed ball, and getting a group together in a friendly game of bowling is a great way to spend a day or evening!
.
SKY LANES | 1477 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC | 828-252-7566 | WEBSITE HERE | Sky Lanes Asheville is a family-friendly bowling center with 24 lanes, pool, air hockey, video games and more. Sky Lanes Bar & Grill is a full service restaurant and bar. Other fun includes karaoke on Thursday nights and cosmic bowling on Friday and Saturday at 11pm!
AMF STAR LANES ASHEVILLE | 491 Kenilworth Rd Asheville, NC | 828-254-6161 | WEBSITE HERE | Sky Lanes Asheville is a family-friendly bowling center with 24 lanes, billiards/pool, arcade, video games, sports bar and more.
TARHEEL LANES | 3275 Asheville Hwy, Hendersonville, NC | 828-692-5039 | WEBSITE HERE | Tarheel Lanes is the largest bowling center in Western North Carolina, and can accommodate groups to 192.
ROCKIN’ BOWL | 271 Rosman Hwy, Brevard, NC | 828-884-2695 | FACEBOOK PAGE HERE | Rockin’ Bowl is a family entertainment and recreation facility offering bowling, billiards, and arcade games.
LIGHTNING LANES | 80 Finley Rd, Marion, NC | 828-652-2626 | Rockin’ Bowl is a family entertainment and recreation facility offering 16 Lanes and a Pro Shop.
.
Select bowling centers and schools around the country participate each spring/summer in the super popular Kids Bowl Free program! This program was designed by bowling centers to give back to the community and provide a safe, secure, and fun way for kids to spend their time. Children whose age does not exceed the limit set by their participating bowling center are eligible to register for 2 free games each day of the KBF program, all summer long, courtesy of the participating bowling centers along with the schools and organizations. Learn more HERE: https://www.kidsbowlfree.com/
Most require bowling shoes (not included, but available for rent).
Family passes are also available for a fee.
PARTICIPATING BOWLING CENTERS IN OUR AREA (for available hours and other restrictions, visit the link to their specific location):
SKY LANES ASHEVILLE: May through Oct … Ages 2 to 15yrs … Register HERE: https://www.kidsbowlfree.com/center.php?alley_id=6762
TARHEEL LANES HENDERSONVILLE: May through August … Ages 2 to 18yrs … Register HERE: https://www.kidsbowlfree.com/center.php?alley_id=6476
Saturdays 12:00pm-9:00pm
Sun & Mon 1:00pm-6:00pm
Tues, Thurs, & Fri 2:00pm-9:00pm
CLOSED ON WEDNESDAYS
Come play a wide array of pinball machines spanning from the 1940’s to the 21st Century! All of our machines are set to “free” play, so once you pay the admission, you can play as much as you like!
Although they are open daily, 12:00pm-2:00am, it’s 21+ after 9:00pm
“Over 5000 Video Games, Pinball, Billards, Skeeball, Foosball, and the best in Retro Music all day till 2am for Only $10! That’s right, from Open till Close Unlimited Play for only $10! We Offer the Best Selection in Local Craft Beers, Wine, and Coke Products. Our Nightlife Really Heats Up With the Best of the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s Music with Dance Parties on the Weekend. Chill out on our Outside Deck and Patio Area. Over 200 pieces of Beer Memorabilia Dating Back to the 1930’s. So Come, Take a Step back in Time With Us, At the Retrocade!
Drop in to our gym Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Saturdays from 12:30 pm-1:30 pm, for an hour of free-play or self-training.
Wed-Sat 1:00 – 4:00pm
Small shark feed 1:30 pm
Reptile interactions throughout the afternoon
Tide Pool encounters every afternoon except during small shark feed time
The Aquarium & Shark Lab by Team ECCO is:
We offer ticketed train rides every Saturday at 4 o’clock p.m.
Craggy Mountain Line Railroad is a recreational railroad that offers rides along the last three miles of the historic track first travelled in 1889! We offer a host of family fun activities by the riverside while protecting a part of Asheville heritage!
Enjoy a 7-mile round trip open-air train ride while experiencing amazing mountain and river views!
We’ll stop for a stroll along the water at Woodfin’s new Silverline park, where your little ones can play on the pirate ship before we head back to the station. The ride lasts approximately one hour and 25 minutes. You can also tour our historic railroad equipment before or after the trip. Spend a couple of hours with your friends and family making memories to last a lifetime!
Arrival info: Please be sure to arrive at the railroad 10 minutes before your allotted time slot to get checked in and board the train. Please print out or have a copy of your ticket on your phone for our box office. Our historic cars can be viewed at any point during your time at Craggy Mountain Line, but we urge you to have a look around after your ride to ensure that you are not left behind when our trains leave the station.
Cancellation Policy: We allow for a 48 hour cancellation for any tickets booked. In the event of your cancellation within the 48 hour period, we will refund your purchase and send you an email confirming the cancellation. There are no refunds after the 48 hour period. In the event of a cancellation of the ride by Craggy Mountain Line Railroad due to weather related or unforeseen circumstances, the railroad will refund your tickets or exchange your tickets for a ride in the future.
You will find Anything and Everything under the Sun. From Peanuts to Bulldozers, it all can be found at Smiley’s!
Great Restaurants and Concessions serving Authentic Mexican, Hamburgers, Sandwiches, Ice Cream, Snowcones, and so much more. Everyone in the family will be happy.
From the Best Produce in the South, to Clothes, Barber Shop, Hair Salon, Electronics, Appliances, Books, Plants, Antiques and Collectibles, New and Used Items, and even a full serve Bakery, are just a few of the things you can find.
Ride Smiley’s Carousel and Bumper Cars every weekend. $1 per ride or $5 for unlimited rides. Family Fun for all.
Come explore Smiley’s to find that long lost treasure or your everyday needs. It’s family fun for everyone!
Open Daily, 7:00pm-7:30pm, year round
The Asheville Botanical Gardens are an independent non-profit organization housing a collection of plants native to the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
FREE/Admission (but donations are appreciated)
Bringing Kids to the Gardens
Bringing children: We are not a play park; rather, we’re a place where kids can learn about their native plant heritage and other aspects of natural history. Unfortunately, the majority of the damage that we sustain in our delicate Gardens comes from under-supervised children.
For the well-being of our plant collection as well as your kids’ safety, we ask that you please review our rules upon arrival and monitor your children closely at all times during your visit.
Parent meet-up groups, home school groups, schools, camps, etc., please visit this page before coming to the Gardens. Large groups of children must be accompanied by one adult for every three children.
Investigation Passports for Kids
How are plants alike and different? Where do birds make their homes at The Botanical Gardens? How many food sources for wild animals can you find in the Gardens? And, where do you see insects at the Gardens?
Kids will learn the answers to their nature questions after filling out one our five INVESTIGATION PASSPORTS, which focus on animals, birds, insects, nature words, and, of course, PLANTS! Each free Investigation Passport encourages kids to use their observation skills and senses while exploring the Gardens. The passports include investigation tips, pre-investigation and observation activities to be completed during a visit to the Gardens, and an extension activity for later. Plus each passport has a fun take-home activity – word scramble, crossword puzzle, crossword chain, matching game, or word search. (For kids ages 4-10)
Passports may be picked up at our Visitor’s Center. Upon completion of the garden activities, kids should return to the Visitor’s Center before closing to get their passports stamped.
The City of Hendersonville’s Skate Park is located in Patton Park across from Patton Pool. The skate park is open to the public and is an unattended facility, the hours are 7am-11pm.
NO BIKES ALLOWED ON THE SKATE PARK
The Skate Park features include:
If you haven’t heard of Kids in Parks or TRACK Trails yet, you’ve been missing out! TRACK Trails is a trail program that was started here in Asheville (but has since spread across the country!) by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, a network of local Pediatricians, and the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, to “promote children’s health and the health of our parks”, and we have several in our area. Kids in Parks is an ever expanding network of family-friendly, self-guided outdoor adventures, and “include hiking trails, biking trails, geocaching trails, paddling trails, nature trail disc golf courses, and even adventures you can do in your own back yard”. Register your child online, and as they complete the trail, they earn prizes for tracking their adventures! Best of all, it’s all FREE!
Our comprehensive guide to Asheville Area Playgrounds is your ultimate resource for recreation in Asheville with kids! Indoor playgrounds, as well as outdoor playgrounds are included, with everything you need to know in advance to plan your family friendly outing in Asheville and the surrounding area!
This guide is a continuous work in progress, and we will keep adding to it, so keep checking back!
Visitors may only tour the Sandburg Home on a guided tour. Sandburg Home Tours (As of April 2022, tours of the house are FREE until further notice) and happen Thursday to Sunday at 11am, 1pm, 2pm. Reserving in advance lets you pick your preferred house tour time. No reservation needed for touring the grounds, trails, barn, and access to the bookstore and visitor information in the ground floor of the Sandburg Home.
Parking lots, grounds, gardens, and trails are open every day, year-round, sunrise to sunset. Occasional closures arise from weather events, check park alerts for more information. The Sandburg Home, Visitor Center and Farm Area have seasonal hours that vary.
“A poet of the people, Carl Sandburg provided a popular voice for the American people of the 20th Century and still speaks to us through his words, songs, and the beauty and serenity of Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site. The park is located on 264 acres in western North Carolina. Visitors can tour the Sandburg Home, hike on over 5 miles of trails, visit the farm and dairy goats, and much more. The average visitor spends two hours at “Connemara.”
We are so lucky to have a bounty of Farmers Markets to choose from in beautiful Asheville and the surrounding area! What better way to teach kids how to eat healthfully than to surround them with fresh grown fruits and vegetables and meats from our local farmers, making the connection between what they eat and where it comes from.
In addition to local foods, many of our markets have local crafts, live music, and family friendly entertainment and activities, as well, so be sure to check their socials and sites for what’s happening before you go, to make the most of your day!
See our comprehensive list for ALL of your farmers market options at the link above
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.
SEE WHAT’S NEW AT THE ARBORETUM HERE
.
Hours
Parking Fees
Asheville is an amazing city with so much to see and do, and while we have some amazing group tour companies, sometimes we want to venture out on our own to learn about the culture and history of our area … with just our family, on our schedule and timetable, to explore our interests, on our own path. A great way to do that, and a great way to save some money (THESE ARE ALL FREE), is to take one of the many self-guided tours that have been created by our local experts at our tourism centers, and historic sites. We’ve compiled the list attached of some of our favorites for you, with links to them all, that we hope you will enjoy and learn as much from as we did and still do. If we’re missing any of your favorites, let us know, so that we can share them, too!
Check them all out at the link above
FREE ADMISSION TO LOCAL ATTRACTIONS FOR LIBRARY CARDHOLDERS ALL ACROSS THE REGION!
Buncombe County isn’t the only county with a ZOOM Pass Program! The ZOOM (a combination of the words Zoo and Museum) Pass program allows library cardholders to visit participating partners at NO COST by reserving a day pass online with their library card. Chances are if you live near Buncombe County, your library system also participates in ZOOM!
DO YOU LIVE IN … HAYWOOD COUNTY? HENDERSON COUNTY? MADISON COUNTY? MCDOWELL COUNTY? POLK COUNTY? RUTHERFORD COUNTY? TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY? Neighboring county residents can also apply for an out of county library card with Buncombe County for a small $20 yearly fee, in which case you’ll qualify to participate in their ZOOM Pass program, too! Apply in person at any Buncombe County Library branch to become an out of county cardholder. Learn more about the Buncombe County ZOOM Pass program HERE
Thursdays: 9:00am-5:00pm
Fridays: 10:00am-5:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00am-5:00pm
Sundays: 10:00am-5:00pm
Enjoy expansive views of the Asheville skyline from Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures or hop on one of our top-end mountain bikes and learn the meaning of “flow” on our on-site trail system created and groomed for the KOLO Bike Park. Looking for a unique and exciting challenge? Then head up into the trees at Asheville Treetops Adventure Park, an elevated obstacle course with five levels of difficulty. Bringing the kids? Check out KidZip, America’s first zipline adventure designed for kids under 10.
CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE:
OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
The Silver River Center for Chair Caning museum serves to educate students and visitors to the River Arts District. Enjoy their rotating collection of 100+ woven chairs that showcase the diversity of the craft. They keep the workshop and classroom area open so you get to observe the weaving process.
All restoration & class fees keep the chair museum free and open to the public.
Chair nerd tshirts and stickers are for sale as fundraisers for the museum.
School visits:
Kids are really good at chair caning. We have a hands-on weaving station in our shop. Hire us to demonstrate chair caning in a history, science, geography, or art class setting. Schedule your visit by calling 828-707-4553 or emailing SilverRiverChairs@gmail.com.