This itinerary for a fun-filled day out with kids in Asheville is perfect whether you are visiting Asheville for the day or are a local looking for a new adventure.
There are so many fun things to do with kids in Asheville, but sometimes planning a whole day can be a bit overwhelming. To help out a bit, here’s a kid-tested itinerary for a memorable Asheville adventure packed with our family faves.
First Up: All Day Darling
Casual breakfast at a local favorite
Start your morning off with breakfast at All Day Darling in Montford. It’s a family-friendly spot with tater tots, pancakes, smoothies and a great chicken biscuit.
They also have a few kid-specific items, though they lean more lunch (ex. grilled cheese & a burger.)
We especially love All Day Darling with kids because it’s a counter service spot with great coffee for the parents and outdoor seating. Plus, it’s close to our next stop: a playground!
Next: Tempie Avery Park
New-age playground in a historic neighborhood
If you aren’t already in love with Montford, the playground at Tempie Avery Park should seal the deal! It’s a new-age playground, with bouncy ground and a tall slide, fun climbing structure and cool swings.
Your kids will love exploring and you’ll love sipping on a to-go latte from All Day Darling while you watch the fun.
This playground is best suited for older kids (4+). If you need a more toddler-friendly playground, head to Weaver Park. It’s on Merrimon in North Asheville and only a 6-minute drive from All Day Darling.
Lunch + Shopping + Ice Cream
Tacos for lunch
When you’re ready for a lunch break, head to Taco Billy in West Asheville. They have several tacos on the menu (including breakfast tacos all day), a kids quesadilla, and great queso.
Taco Billy is counter-service and has great seating both indoors and out. Plan to sit outside if the weather is nice!
Check out a toy shop and have ice cream
After you wrap up at Taco Billy, drive a few minutes down Haywood to Sparky’s Toy Shop. It’s a great local toy shop with a ton of great finds.
Plus, it’s right across the street from the local favorite ice cream shop: The Hop. If your kids are like ours, they’ll love The Hop’s Unicorn ice cream!
Hike Around Lake Powhatan
After your lunch and ice cream, it’s time to let the kids run loose and burn off some energy with some outdoor fun!
Our recommendation for your day out in Asheville with kids is the loop around Lake Powhatan.
Though there are several great kid-friendly hikes around, this one is about 15 minutes from The Hop. Plus, it’s great no matter the time of year. It’s not off the Parkway so you don’t have to worry about access being cut off in the winter.
The 1.6 mile Lake Powhatan trail is relatively easy and has a few good turnaround points when needed.
Last Up: Dinner With Kids
Even though the sun is going down, the fun doesn’t have to stop! We recommend continuing your family day out in Asheville with a visit to Highland Brewing in East Asheville.
They have an impressive campus with a ton of fun things for kids to do. Play in the meadow, enjoy the massive seesaw made of logs or wander along their trail.
Highland keeps things fresh with rotating food trucks. This means you’ll find several local options and something to please every palate (including picky kids!)
