12 Must‑Do Family‑Friendly Winter Adventures in Asheville
Activities for Every Family Member, Indoors and Outdoors
Steer clear of the busy fall, spring, and summer crowds and discover Asheville’s winter charm with your loved ones.
Games & Interactive Museums
With more than 30 pinball machines and over a dozen classic video games, Asheville Pinball Museum offers nostalgic button‑pushing fun that can keep the whole family entertained for hours—without you having to push all the buttons yourself.
Little ones can channel their inner Isaac Newtons at Asheville Museum of Science. Become a geologist in the Colburn Hall of Minerals or dig for fossils and view the Teratophoneus dinosaur skeleton.
Outdoor Adventure
With Cataloochee Ski Area and Wolf Ridge Ski Resort just a short day trip from Asheville, you have all the downhill, snow‑filled winter fun you could want right at your gloved fingertips.
The HEAD Kids Adventure Center at Cataloochee offers half‑ and full‑day programs for skiers and riders ages 4‑12. Both ski resorts also feature dedicated snow‑tubing areas for family fun.
Despite Asheville’s mountain setting, mild winter weather still provides plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities without snow. Check out our favorite winter hikes, or for a more adrenaline‑filled experience, the Adventure Center of Asheville stays open all winter weekends, where you can climb, bike, and zip‑line all year long.
All aboard the historic Gray Line Trolley Tours, and even locals will learn something new about their hometown on this fun and informative tour.
From mid‑November through early January, the North Carolina Arboretum’s gardens sparkle with the Winter Lights exhibit, a cherished holiday tradition. In 2020, due to social‑distancing guidelines, Winter Lights transitioned from a walk‑through experience to a drive‑through format.
Eats and Treats
All that family fun can burn a lot of energy, so warm up at one of Asheville’s winter‑time hotspots. French Broad Chocolates’ hot cocoa was named one of Travel + Leisure’s best hot chocolates, and The Hop’s hot‑chocolate float blends cocoa and ice cream into a delightful cup. Adults can indulge in the espresso float for an extra kick.
From mid‑November to early January, children ages nine to 99 will delight in the whimsical designs of the National Gingerbread House Competition at The Omni Grove Park Inn.
If you’re ready to relax but the kids are still bursting with energy, let them fill their pockets with tokens and set them loose at Asheville Pizza & Brewing Company’s arcade. Kids will love the games, you’ll enjoy their award‑winning microbrews such as Ninja Porter and Shiva IPA, and everyone will love the pizza. Win, win, win.
Ski photo courtesy of Cataloochee Ski Area; gingerbread house photo courtesy of The Omni Grove Park Inn; espresso float photo courtesy of The Hop Ice Cream Shop.
