The Ultimate Guide to visiting Asheville with Toddlers

So, you’ve got a toddler in tow and want to visit Asheville? Here’s the ultimate guide for toddler-friendly things to do, places to eat, where to stay, and a few other helpful resources to make the most of your trip to Asheville.

Toddlers playing at Robert Lake Park

As a mom of a toddler, I feel that making plans to do anything is 10 times harder than usual. Can I get an amen from my fellow parents? The good news about visiting Asheville with toddlers is that it is very kid-friendly and accommodating. I am lucky enough to live here and have experienced this weekly for the past few years, so I’ve compiled a complete list of my personal favorite places to eat, things to do, and suggestions for where to stay with toddlers in Asheville.

Where to eat with Toddlers in Asheville

Things to do with Toddlers in Asheville

Where to stay with Toddlers in Asheville

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Where to eat with Todlers in Asheville

• Sunny Point Café: Sunny Point is personally one of my very favorite restaurants in Asheville for eating with toddlers. Located in funky West Asheville, it is a trendy breakfast and brunch spot (if you go on a Saturday or Sunday between the morning hours of 9:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m., expect about an hour's wait or longer). However, they also have delicious lunch and dinner offerings. Sunny Point ranks number one for places to eat with toddlers because they have an expansive outdoor covered eating area that is perfect for energetic kids to hop from parent to parent during your meal without being disruptive to other patrons. There’s also a good chance they’ll spot cute dogs and other kiddos around. The best feature of Sunny Point is its massive garden on the property. In the warm weather seasons, it is an absolutely magical experience for kids to look at and learn about the various herbs and vegetables planted. We love to roam the garden path while waiting for a table or after our meal showing our daughter all the plants and their names. Good for: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner

Toddlers love Sunny Point Cafe in Asheville

• Biscuit Head: Biscuit Head is a popular breakfast and brunch spot that serves Southern-style biscuits with various toppings. The restaurant has high chairs and a kid's menu with options like a "kiddie biscuit" and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Good for: Breakfast, Brunch, and Lunch

• Home Ground Coffee Bar & Deli: This is truly an insider's tip for you. If the sit-and-order style of breakfast or brunch doesn’t seem doable for your rambunctious toddler, visit Home Ground Cofee Bar & Deli. They have delicious bakery items, smoothies, breakfast sandwiches, heartier breakfast plates, lunch items, and coffee for the grown-ups! This quick-order style restaurant has a very expansive outdoor seating area perfect for toddlers out the back of the restaurant. If you go during the warm weather season, you may hear some live music. BONUS TIP: This is located right down the road from one of the BEST parks in town for toddlers, Carrier Park. Make a visit after eating, and you’ll win the most fun parent of the year award! Good for: Breakfast, Brunch, and Lunch

• White Duck Taco Shop (Riverside location): Another personal favorite of mine. White Duck is a casual, counter-service restaurant that serves unique street-style tacos. For example, one of my favorite tacos is the “Bangkok Shrimp,” but my toddler loves the Kid’s “Fried Chicken Clucker.” The restaurant has ample gravel outdoor seating and is very dog-friendly, so toddlers can enjoy watching the dogs go by while they eat. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever been to White Duck and not seen at least three dogs and three families with small kids. There’s also a “beer bus” near the seating area that always amuses my daughter. She loves to run around it for the very short wait for our tacos to arrive while I enjoy a margarita. Good for: Lunch, Dinner

White Duck Taco Shop Riverside with Toddlers

• 12 Bones Smokehouse: 12 Bones Smokehouse is a barbecue restaurant that serves ribs, brisket, and smoked pork, chicken, or turkey by the pound. It’s a great option to share with toddlers who, like ours, pick at their plate but don’t entirely eat any one thing. The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating and a dedicated kid's menu. Good for: Lunch, Dinner

• Farm Burger: Farm Burger is a casual burger place that serves grass-fed beef burgers, so you feel like you’re providing the highest quality of an indulgent favorite meal. The kid's menu has options like a mini burger and fries. This restaurant is right in the middle of downtown, so it’s a good spot to swing into if you’ve been sightseeing among the shops or fresh out of the Asheville Museum of Science (AMOS) with your kids. Good for: Lunch and Dinner

• Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company: This local favorite serves pizza, sandwiches, and salads. They have a separate kids' menu with pizza and pasta options and offer family-friendly movie nights in their theater room. Good for: Lunch and Dinner

Things to do with toddlers in Asheville

• The Western North Carolina Nature Center: The Nature Center has a variety of exhibits showcasing local wildlife, including river otters, black bears, and birds of prey. They also offer nature trails and a playground for kids. Good for: any season (as long as it isn’t raining)

Toddlers observing animals at WNC Nature Center

• The Asheville Botanical Gardens: The Botanical Gardens is a beautiful place to explore with little ones. They have a variety of gardens, including a sensory garden and a children's garden with interactive exhibits. Good for: Spring, Summer, and Fall

• The Hands On! Children's Museum: The Hands-On Museum is an excellent place for young children to learn through play. They have a variety of exhibits and activities, including a farm exhibit, a science lab, and an art studio. Good for: Any season, any weather

Toddlers interacting with exhibit at Hands On! Children's Museum

• Asheville Museum of Science (AMOS): The Asheville Museum of Science is a great place to take toddlers on a cold winter or rainy day. The museum has a variety of interactive exhibits and hands-on activities. Good for: any season, any weather

• The North Carolina Arboretum: The arboretum is a great place to visit in the spring when everything is in bloom. Take a walk through the gardens, or explore the trails and exhibits. Good for: any season, as long as it isn’t raining (the holiday winter lights are a must if you go in late November-December!)

NC Arboretum

• The Asheville Pinball Museum: The Asheville Pinball Museum is a fun place to take kids on a rainy day. The museum has over 80 vintage pinball machines and other arcade games. Good for: any season, any weather

• Indoor Playgrounds: There are several indoor playgrounds in Asheville that are perfect for toddlers, including Mountain Play Lodge and Launch Trampoline Park (toddler time has specific days and hours of the week). These playgrounds have plenty of soft play areas and ball pits for toddlers to explore and play in. Play Lodge, in particular, has a variety of themed play areas, such as a pirate ship and a castle, that toddlers love. Good for: any season, any weather

Pictured above are Launch Trampoline Park and Mountain Play Lodge.

• The WNC Farmers Market: The Farmers Market is an excellent place for kids to explore and sample local produce. They also have a playground, picnic area, and events throughout the year. Good for: Spring, Summer, and Fall

• Pack Square Park: Pack Square Park is a downtown park with plenty of space for kids to run and play. They have a splash pad, a playground, and a stage for events and performances. Good for: Spring, Summer, and Fall

• Asheville Parks: Several amazing parks in Asheville are great attractions themselves or could be a good break between sightseeing so your toddler can get out some energy. A few of our favorites are Carrier Park, Lake Julian Park, Robert Lake Park, Silver Line Park, and Roy Rope Park. Good for: any season, as long as it isn’t raining

Pictured above (from left to right) are Robert Lake Park, Roy Rope Park, and Silver Line Park.

Situational Honorable Mention Activities with Toddlers in Asheville:

• The Biltmore Estate: of course, this is a top attraction for any visit to Asheville, but it IS trickier with toddlers. My husband and I visited when my daughter was two and a half, and let me say that the house tour wasn’t our favorite part of the visit. Not because it isn’t grand, lovely, and interesting, but because our daughter wanted to go beyond every rope & station and touch things she shouldn’t, she was loud when folks tried to listen to their tour guides (toddlers, ya know?) and ran away from us if she walked OR wanted to be carried everywhere, I don’t know which was worse, honestly. In addition, going to the potty is anything but easy with toddlers in the actual house. Especially if you’re in the middle of potty training. Public restrooms are outside the house, so if your little one has to go in the basement of the house when you’re stuck in-between tour guide groups, guess how much fun that will be…. However, Biltmore makes the list because there are equally as much interest, wonder, and things to do/see on the grounds and Antler Village as the house itself. There’s an incredible playground called “Pisgah Playground,” right next to all the chickens, sheep, goats, and cows, which toddlers love. Also, the village has plenty of little shops, restaurants, and an ice cream shop that will surely be a hit with your tot.

Pictured above is Pisgah Playground at Antler Hill Village on the Biltmore Estate.

• Going on a hike: so you came to Asheville with your toddler hoping to hike to a beautiful mountain vista or waterfall? You certainly can see those, but this is entirely up to how your toddler walks or rides in a hiking backpack - and, our favorite consideration, how they do with pottying. If they’re still in a diaper/pull-up and will ride in a hiking pack, then by all means, this area is a treasure trove of great hiking trails depending on the intensity you like or waterfalls. If you’ve got a great walker/climber that doesn’t mind going potty anywhere on the earth, also could be an excellent activity for your toddler. Some beautiful hikes for families include Catawba Falls, DuPont State Forest, and Looking Glass Falls, but check out the average hike times before planning your activity. They can be as long as a 4 or 5-hour hike round-trip. Also, these hiking areas are about 45 minutes outside Asheville city proper, so consider driving time (and how your toddler handles it) in your activity planning.

  • HINT: if you want to feel like you had some light outdoor hiking with mountain views but don’t want to commit to the time and travel to a hiking area, then I’d suggest going to the NC Arboretum, which has several small hiking trails with beautiful views (& bathrooms closeby!).

Hiking with a toddler at NC Arboretum in Asheville

• (Fall-specific) Apple orchards or Pumpkin Patches: There are several apple orchards in the area where you can pick your own apples. Some popular orchards include Justus Orchard and Sky Top Orchard.

• (Holiday-specific) The Omni Grove Park Inn’s National Gingerbread Competition Display: toddlers will love seeing the incredible gingerbread creations on display. They can even participate in gingerbread decorating workshops and storytime sessions. Additionally, the cozy atmosphere of the competition, with its twinkling lights and holiday music, will delight and enchant toddlers and make for a fun family outing.

Where to stay in Asheville with Toddlers

Asheville is a popular destination for families with young children, and finding the right accommodation can be a crucial part of the trip planning process. While chain hotels are always an option, Airbnb provides an abundance of options in the surrounding area that can cater specifically to the needs of families with toddlers. From cozy mountain cabins to tree houses to sprawling homes with plenty of outdoor space to play, Airbnb listings in Asheville offer a wide range of options that can accommodate families of all sizes. Additionally, many Airbnb hosts go above and beyond to provide amenities like high chairs, cribs, and toys, making it easy for families to travel lighter and worry less. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat in the mountains or a vibrant home in the heart of downtown, Asheville's Airbnb listings provide plenty of options for a comfortable and memorable family vacation. I recommend Airbnb over other options for toddlers because they work so much better for toddlers. When our family and toddler travel, we always like to rent a two-bedroom Airbnb so our daughter has her own space where we can darken the rooms and plug in her sound machine to simulate her sleeping environment as close to home as possible. When there’s lousy toddler sleep on a vacation, it ruins everything else, so finding a place that’s the most suitable to your toddler's needs is vital!

There are also plenty of independent rental cabins, treehouses, and glamping (yes, you read that correctly) options in Asheville that could work great for your toddler and family visit. Be sure to call ahead and do plenty of research that they accommodate young children and have all the necessary amenities to make your stay as enjoyable for you and your toddler as possible.

Getting around Asheville with your toddler

Asheville is a small mountain town. If you’re not driving in on your visit, I would highly recommend renting a car with a car seat ten times out of ten. There is an “ART” Asheville regional transit bus and a few sight-tour trolleys you may see rolling around town, but I would still recommend renting a car with a car seat for getting around Asheville with your toddler.

Grocery stores in Asheville for your toddler’s favorite snacks and meals

Asheville is lucky enough to have most large grocery chains that most people are familiar with. Whole Foods, Earth Fare, Fresh Market, Trader Joe's, and local-specifics like Ingles, Harris Teeter, and independent markets. You can find everything you would at your hometown grocery stores and whatever specific snacks or foods you need to keep on hand for your toddler during your Asheville visit.

Emergency care while visiting Asheville with your toddler

Being prepared for any health emergency care when traveling with young children is always good. Asheville has many excellent urgent cares, including Mercy Urgent Care, Range Urgent Care, and FastMed. Of course, our local hospital, Asheville Mission Hospital, also has a very reputable emergency room, which I hope you’ll never need. Still, it’s good to know you’re supported with quality healthcare during your visit to Asheville.

In Summary

I hope you enjoyed this comprehensive list of things to do, places to eat, where to stay, and other resources needed for your next trip to Asheville, North Carolina, with a toddler. Overall, Asheville is a wonderful children-friendly place to enjoy plenty of experiences as a family that are sure to make lasting memories for toddlers and parents alike!

Let me know if you make it to any of the places on my list or if you have suggestions from your own personal list of toddler-friendly things in Asheville. Follow along with my adventures and more Asheville tips on Instagram @mallory.in.the.mountains or @malloryinthemountains on TikTok.

See you in the mountains!

Mallory