This itinerary details a fun-filled, family-friendly day in downtown Asheville, starting with breakfast, a comedy bus tour, and lunch, followed by downtown exploring and a dinner out.
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About This Asheville Itinerary
Your day with kids in downtown Asheville begins with breakfast at Flour. It’s a casual counter-service spot located in the S&W food hall.
From there, make your way to the LaZoom Room for a comedy bus tour with kids.
After the tour, you’ll enjoy lunch just down the road at a new pizza shop in town: Birdie’s.
Once everyone has their energy back, check out at the many shops & sights of downtown Asheville. We share plenty of suggestions below!
And finally, wrap up your day with dinner at Bear’s Smokehouse! Located in South Slope, they have excellent food (don’t miss the mac & cheese!) and great outdoor seating.
Breakfast In Downtown Asheville
Biscuits for breakfast
The first stop on this itinerary is Flour in the S&W food hall. It’s a great stop for a casual breakfast with kids.
While there are several vendors in the food hall, Flour is the only one open for breakfast. But don’t let that deter you– it’s delicious! Seating is available inside as well as along Patton Ave.
What to order: Get a bacon, egg and cheese on a cheddar biscuit for yourself! Their kid-favorite menu item is their plain biscuit with butter & jam.
laZoom Kid Comedy Bus Tour
LaZoom kid tours are not offered daily. They typically have kid tours on Saturdays (+ Sundays in the summer)– check their schedule for the latest details.
Zany comedy bus tour for kids in downtown Asheville
The LaZoom Lil Boogers Tour is an absolutely can’t miss experience for kids in Asheville.
You’ll learn about the city’s history and see the sights (on a purple bus!), all while your hilarious tour guides perform age-appropriate comedy skits. Expect special appearances and silly costumes as you make your way around town.
While this tour is geared toward ages 5 to 12, we truly believe all ages will have a blast! Younger kids might not catch every joke, but they’ll adore the crazy skits. Plus, there are plenty of jokes sprinkled in for the older crowd too.
The kids’ tour kicks off at 12:00 PM, but plan to get to the LaZoom Room by 11:30 AM. Not only is seating on the bus first-come, first-served, but the room itself is a blast! They even have a scavenger hunt to keep the kids entertained while you wait. Restrooms are available, and you can buy snacks and drinks there too.
Lunch At Birdie’s Pizza
Pizza by the slice (with sourdough crust!)
You’ll be ready for lunch after the bus tour ends at 1pm. Our pick for a kid-friendly meal? One of Asheville’s newest restaurants: Birdie’s.
Birdie’s is a pizza shop located just up the road on Biltmore Ave. They have pizza by the slice but in a very Asheville way it’s a bit elevated with a sourdough crust.
You can order by the slice or get a whole pizza if your group is big enough. Outdoor seating is available on the side with two levels.
Explore DOwntown Asheville
Local shops, museums & an old-fashioned soda shop await
If your kids are up for it, plan to explore downtown Asheville after lunch. We know it’s overwhelming to figure out which shops to visit with kids, so we’ve listed out a few our crew especially loves.
Mast General Store: step back in time at this old-fashioned gem. You’l find outdoor gear, local goodies, nostalgic games, candy by the pound and fresh popcorn
Woolworth Walk: two-story gallery for local artists + an old-fashioned soda shop (trust us, kids love it!)
Curio: local toy shop with something for everyone
Malaprop’s: local book shop with a great kids’ section
French Broad Chocolate Lounge: enjoy ice cream, chocolate and desserts at a local favorite
Below are a few more activity recommendations if you’d like to fill your afternoon with another attraction.
Asheville Pinball Museum: all-you-can-play arcade for $17 per player. It’s a great spot for or older kis.
Asheville Museum of Science: a great stop for a kid who loves dinosaurs or gems– there’s a small indoor play structure and a water table.
Asheville Art Museum: The art museum has a dedicated kids section with several fun activities. There’s also a cafe on the rootop that can only be accessed with museum admission.
Dinner At Bear’s Smokehouse
Casual spot with great BBQ & sides
When you’re ready to relax and enjoy dinner, head to South Slope for Bear’s Smokehouse! South Slope is just south of the main downtown area, less than a 10-minute walk away.
Bear’s has excellent food and, in our opinion, the best outdoor seating in town. It’s a casual and perfect place to wrap up a day out in Asheville with kids.
For food, they offer a great family meal deal with your choice of two meats and three sides—an awesome way to try a little bit of everything! Kids can also get a Cub Meal, which includes a pork or chicken slider, choice of mac and cheese, tater tots or fries, a cookie, and a drink.
Bear’s has a great outdoor seating area with picnic tables, fire pits, bistro lights, yard games and Adirondack chairs. Plan to stay awhile!
