Family-Friendly Vacation in Black Mountain, NC
Are you planning your next family- friendly vacation and looking for the perfect home base that’s close to everything but also offers a quieter and more relaxed setting? A Black Mountain vacation is all about family fun! There’s no shortage of activities and attractions in the area that will keep both parents and kiddos entertained.
First up, let’s talk about the Black Mountain Escape room. If you and your family love puzzles and games, then this is a must-visit spot. It’s perfect for a bit of friendly competition and a great way to put your problem-solving skills to the test. Black Mountain Escape immerses players in an exciting story and creative set design, they have 3 rooms to choose from and it’s located in the heart of downtown, so you can easily combine it with a stroll through the town’s charming streets and grab lunch afterward.
Round Mountain Creamery is a great place to learn about the creamery process right on the 28-acre goat farm. You can sign up for a tour and they have goat yoga on most Saturday mornings! What could be better than playing with baby goats?
Next on our list is the Black Mountain Adventure Zone. A popular destination for indoor fun where you can test your skills in the laser tag arena, or try your hand at the newest craze, GellyBall. If you’re looking for a more immersive experience, the VR games like foam axe throwing and virtual escape rooms to dive fully into a different world. Appointments are required.
No trip to the Black Mountain area is complete without a visit to the famous Biltmore Estate. This grand house is an architectural masterpiece and has an interesting history. Kids will love the “castle” as they call it, and exploring the sprawling gardens surrounding the estate. There are lots of additional activities including a geocache challenge, bike rentals, kid’s fishing, horseback riding, and carriage rides available for booking in advance. Antler Village on the estate has a playground, restaurants, an ice cream shop, and the Antler Hill Farmyard.
Stop by the over 100-year-old historic Train Depot, the red caboose, and the art gallery located at The Old Depot located on Sutton Ave in Black Mountain. The Old Depot accepts only handmade, original crafts with an emphasis on mountain and heritage crafts. All proceeds from The Gallery are given to The Association and are used to support mountain arts in our Swannanoa Valley Schools.
For a more relaxing activity, river tubing is a fun way to spend a day. The nearby French Broad River offers scenic views and a gentle current, perfect for a leisurely float (4-5 hours). Whether you’re an experienced tuber or a first-timer, this activity is sure to be a hit with the whole family. Reservations are recommended and take priority, try to plan ahead! Trips fill up quickly, especially on weekends.
Take a memorable drive along on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the scenic overlooks are some of the most amazing views you can find. Fun for kids of all ages; grab your camera, pack a picnic lunch and head out for a drive. Head up to Milepost 355.4: Mt. Mitchell which is the highest peak in the eastern United States at an elevation of 6,684 ft.
If you enjoy spending time near the water, Lake Tomahawk is another beautiful spot to visit. The lake has a .55-mile walking trail that makes for a nice stroll and amenities such as a pavilion, fishing pier, playground, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, and public swimming pool. Non-motorized boats are allowed on the water. The pavilion features ten picnic tables and one small charcoal grill.
Moving on to some more indoor activities, the Swannanoa Valley Museum . Be sure to check out their second-floor gallery that explores the valley through the eyes of some of the people who have called it home. This exhibit helps visitors learn about the Native, African-American, white, and immigrant peoples of the valley who have shaped its history as educators, hunters, artisans, law enforcement, midwives, soldiers, musicians, and more.
The Red House is part of the Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League and a great afternoon stop in between activities where you can see and tour artists working studios, and gallery exhibits of local artists’ works.
The Mountain Gateway Museum is an excellent place to learn about the history and culture of the area. It has a variety of exhibits showcasing the region’s past. Take a peek inside a late 19th-century log cabin and see what life was like, Appalachian folk medicine, and the role of moonshine in the area’s history. Be sure to visit the two historic mountain cabins located on the property while you are there. A short walk from the Mountain Gateway Museum is the renovated Old Fort train depot, where visitors can view an exhibit of the extraordinary railroad history in the area.
Part of the Blue Ridge Heritage Trail which has 70 total sites that help discover stories about the people, traditions, and culture of the Blue Ridge Mountains and foothills.
Love pinball and classic arcade games? Then the Asheville Pinball Museum is just a short drive. Here you will find 35 classic pinball machines and 35 classic arcade consoles that you and your family can enjoy as long as you want for just $15 a person.
Looking for an outdoor challenge? The Asheville Tree Tops Adventure Park is an aerial challenge course in the trees that has over 77 unique climbing, rolling, walking, jumping, swinging, and rappelling challenges anchored to over 30 trees and towering poles tucked into a wooded park for ages 4 and over.
Finally, the WNC Nature Center and the Craggy Mountain Line Train are two more family-friendly attractions that you won’t want to miss. The WNC Nature Center is home to 60 species of wildlife that live or have lived in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Learn more about the natural history of each species and the unique biographies of the wildlife that call the Nature Center home. The train takes you on a scenic journey through the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Enjoy the 7-mile round trip open-air ride while experiencing amazing mountain and river views!
So, there you have it, folks – an overview of just a few of the fun and exciting things you can do on a family vacation with Black Mountain, NC as your home away from home. From outdoor adventures to indoor museums, there’s a little something for everyone to enjoy. Happy travels and see you soon!
