The Family Funhouse Guidebook
Food scene
BEST sushi in town! This is a date-night spot for us. We love to share a sushi boat and some sake!
80 locals recommend
Wasabi Japanese Restaurant
19 Broadway StBEST sushi in town! This is a date-night spot for us. We love to share a sushi boat and some sake!
This is one of our top 3 restaurants in Asheville! Caribbean food with a laid back Jamaican vibe. Located in the heart of West Asheville or visit the Montfort location closer to downtown!
590 locals recommend
Nine Mile
233 Montford AveThis is one of our top 3 restaurants in Asheville! Caribbean food with a laid back Jamaican vibe. Located in the heart of West Asheville or visit the Montfort location closer to downtown!
Great bbq in a family-friendly setting with a laid-back Asheville vibe... ask to sit in “The Pit” so the kids can roam around a bit. 5 minutes from the Family Funhouse. We highly recommend the fried brussel sprouts! On Sundays you can enjoy their brunch menu.
26 locals recommend
Bonfire BBQ & Catering
1056 Patton AveGreat bbq in a family-friendly setting with a laid-back Asheville vibe... ask to sit in “The Pit” so the kids can roam around a bit. 5 minutes from the Family Funhouse. We highly recommend the fried brussel sprouts! On Sundays you can enjoy their brunch menu.
El Que Pasa is a favorite, casual go-to for us. Great Mexican food and friendly, speedy service. The menu is huge, but you can’t go wrong with fajitas and margaritas. :)
36 locals recommend
El Que Pasa
891 Patton AveEl Que Pasa is a favorite, casual go-to for us. Great Mexican food and friendly, speedy service. The menu is huge, but you can’t go wrong with fajitas and margaritas. :)
Zia is rises above your normal mexican spot. Great, quality food and drinks and lovely atmosphere.
79 locals recommend
Zia Taqueria Asheville
521 Haywood RdZia is rises above your normal mexican spot. Great, quality food and drinks and lovely atmosphere.
Family-Friendly Hikes
Catawba Falls has been one of our favorite waterfall hikes since we moved here. Our daughter has been able to hike the whole thing since she was 4. To us, it’s the perfect hike for some family time in the woods with a stunning waterfall at the end!
216 locals recommend
Catawba Falls
530 Warren Mountain DrCatawba Falls has been one of our favorite waterfall hikes since we moved here. Our daughter has been able to hike the whole thing since she was 4. To us, it’s the perfect hike for some family time in the woods with a stunning waterfall at the end!
This magical spot is a bit of a drive(some of it being gravel) but SO worth it. The hike is a short incline up to 360 views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. On a nice day, take a picnic, blanket and maybe even a kite... enjoy the view!
227 locals recommend
Max Patch
Max Patch RoadThis magical spot is a bit of a drive(some of it being gravel) but SO worth it. The hike is a short incline up to 360 views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. On a nice day, take a picnic, blanket and maybe even a kite... enjoy the view!
Sightseeing
Biltmore
1 Lodge StThe WNC Nature Center is such a great place to get outside and let the kids run off some energy while meeting some of North Carolina’s native creatures! They have cougars, wolves, bears, red pandas, birds of prey, river otters and more. Visit in the morning to see the animals during their most active time. And don’t miss the otter feeding at 11 - They are so fun! You can take a picnic and make a whole afternoon of it. (There are quite a few picnic tables available around the park).
295 locals recommend
WNC Nature Center
75 Gashes Creek RdThe WNC Nature Center is such a great place to get outside and let the kids run off some energy while meeting some of North Carolina’s native creatures! They have cougars, wolves, bears, red pandas, birds of prey, river otters and more. Visit in the morning to see the animals during their most active time. And don’t miss the otter feeding at 11 - They are so fun! You can take a picnic and make a whole afternoon of it. (There are quite a few picnic tables available around the park).
Family-friendly breweries and watering holes
Asheville has many spots that welcome kids to run and play while the parents enjoy a beverage, adult conversation and often time live music, too!
Salvage Station is a great spot for some relaxed, sunny day hanging for the whole family. Great drinks, large outdoor space for the kids to run free and play, a small menu with tasty food and it's right on the river! On weekends during the summer, there are usually family-friendly events & live music. One of our favorite spots!
176 locals recommend
Salvage Station
468 Riverside DrSalvage Station is a great spot for some relaxed, sunny day hanging for the whole family. Great drinks, large outdoor space for the kids to run free and play, a small menu with tasty food and it's right on the river! On weekends during the summer, there are usually family-friendly events & live music. One of our favorite spots!
Highland Brewing is a family-friendly brewery, especially in the summertime. They have a nice outdoor meadow often with free live music(on the weekends) and the kids are free to run and play. They also have a roof-top bar, but kids are not allowed up top. During events, there will usually be a food truck and a sweet treat vendor. Check their Facebook page for more up-to-date info!
350 locals recommend
Highland Brewing Company
12 Old Charlotte HwyHighland Brewing is a family-friendly brewery, especially in the summertime. They have a nice outdoor meadow often with free live music(on the weekends) and the kids are free to run and play. They also have a roof-top bar, but kids are not allowed up top. During events, there will usually be a food truck and a sweet treat vendor. Check their Facebook page for more up-to-date info!
Sweet Treats!
Great locally-owned ice cream shops. The focus on locally sourced ingredients and also have dairy-free options. 2 locations are both are excellent.
93 locals recommend
The Hop West
721 Haywood RdGreat locally-owned ice cream shops. The focus on locally sourced ingredients and also have dairy-free options. 2 locations are both are excellent.