One of the things that makes Asheville great is the mild climate with four seasons, each with its charm. With 200 sunny days each year and average temperatures of 46 (lows) and 67 (highs), we have plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures all year round. 

But we do get cold, rainy, gloomy days and thunderstorms, which, fortunately, are not an obstacle to having fun while in Asheville! As Dolly would say, “If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” 

Our city offers a variety of indoor kid-friendly activities that are inclusive and cater to families seeking adventure, creativity, and education for all group ages (including parents!). From a sensory-safe indoor gym and a pinball museum to a cat café, a chocolate factory tour, and museums, Asheville has your rainy-day fun covered! 

I’ve listed some of the best indoor kids’ activities in Asheville for when you need or want a break from the elements. If you are local, keep in mind that the Zoom passes you can reserve at your local Buncombe County library will give you free access to some of these attractions. I hope you enjoy your visit!

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12 Fun Indoor Activities in Asheville for Kids

1. Mountain Play Lodge

Mountain Play Lodge, an indoor playground and party center, features a massive three-part jungle gym with six slides and a miniature city complete with a police station and doctor’s office. The best part? Your child’s admission covers their playtime from open to close on the day of purchase, allowing you the flexibility to leave and return as needed.  

There is a fee per child, and babies 11 months and younger are free with the admission of one paid sibling. You’ll love how clean, inclusive, and safe the space is. As you can imagine, it gets busier during the weekends and on rainy days. They have two large themed party rooms – the Pirate Ship room or the Castle room will be perfect for your next birthday celebration!

2. Asheville Pinball Museum

The Asheville Pinball Museum in downtown Asheville is fun for families with older kids. It features 40 pinball machines dating back to the 1970s and 40 classic console video games in a funky 80s ambiance. There is a fee per person who will play (accompanying parents can chill for free).

You can stay with your kids or leave them if they are old enough and walk across the street to explore the Grove Arcade’s shops and cafés or indulge in well-deserved me-time at the unique Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar. The choice is yours! 

They don’t take reservations, but if the museum is packed when you arrive, they’ll get your number and call you when they have space for you to play.

3. Asheville Art Museum

The Asheville Art Museum in Downtown is the only of its kind in Western North Carolina, featuring a permanent collection that overviews the movements and trends in American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. It also hosts exhibitions, workshops, events, and educational programs for all ages, including summer and winter camps.

Their Tot Time for children 0-5 and their families includes an express tour of the galleries and interactive art, music, or storytelling at the interactive Art PLAYce, where they’ll enjoy age-appropriate art books and supplies. Check all the museum’s programs for kids here. 

End your visit at the rooftop Perspective Café and enjoy one of the best views of Downtown Asheville!

4. Asheville Museum of Science

The Asheville Museum of Science is a small yet fun museum that’s the perfect indoor activity for young, curious kids. They’ll love learning about the weather and gems and think the exhibited Teratophoneus Curriei dinosaur is the coolest thing! There are also scavenger hunts of varying difficulty with small prizes for completing.

The museum is not just a place to visit but a hub of activities. It hosts workshops, classes, and other educational experiences. It’s also the perfect place for your little ones’ birthday party. The best part? Your admission is valid all day, so you can cross the street and have lunch at the S&W Cafeteria Market, Downtown’s only food court in a cool Art Decó building, then return for more fun!

5. Cats at Play Café

I love cats, but I can’t have one at home, so Cats at Play Café is the perfect place to get my much-needed cat love while drinking a beverage and working. I love that this doubles as a foster home, focusing on seniors and special needs cats available for adoption. They opened in the summer of 2023 and have found furr-ever homes for over a hundred kitties! 

Children 8 years and older are welcome at all times (13+ and older don’t need to have their parents with them), but younger kids can only go during kiddie kitty time on Saturdays and Mondays. Although walk-ins are welcome, I recommend you reserve a time slot, especially if you are visiting during the weekend or high season.

You’ll love the comfy furniture and how spacious the lounge is. It features cat-themed board games, books, and decor. The café has a vast menu of local beers, wines, non-alcoholic drinks, and yummy snacks for people and cats.

6. Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum

The Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum in the Grovewood Village is a sweet and fun indoor activity for kids in Asheville. Better yet? It’s free, although donations are appreciated. Created in 1966, the museum features a private collection of antique and vintage automobiles, including a rare 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham and Asheville’s 1922 American LaFrance fire truck.

The Grovewood Village is a complex with two art galleries, artist studios, and a calm and serene garden with huge bunny sculptures that will amuse your kids. It’s also adjacent to the Grove Park Inn, which is free to explore. If you visit here during the winter, don’t miss the famous National Gingerbread House Competition (there is a parking fee during the holiday season).

7. Buncombe County Libraries

Libraries have many resources for the community and are also great places to meet new friends, blend with the local community, and spend a rainy afternoon. Buncombe County Public Libraries offer so much more than books. With storytimes for all ages, bilingual activities, lego clubs, events, workshops, and the opportunity to read to Gracie, a therapy dog – everyone will find something fun to do. 

My personal favorite, Pack Memorial Library, is a haven of fun for kids. With a lively kid’s area boasting a puppet theater, board games, and cozy furniture for parents, it’s a place where learning and play blend effortlessly. And the cherry on top? You can buy some amazing used books for really reasonable prices.

The library in East Asheville is brand new, very modern, and spacious. It is next to a playground and basketball courts if you want some outdoor fun. Check the various library schedules for storytime, lego club, and playdough club days and times.

8. We Rock the Spectrum

We Rock the Spectrum stands out as Asheville’s sole indoor space designed for neurodivergent and disabled kids. It’s a haven of inclusivity, safety, and fun, with a super clean gym that welcomes all children. The gym boasts a collection of specialized sensory equipment such as a zip line, zip box, crash pits, a trampoline, a tunnel, a climbing structure, and a variety of swings. 

In addition to offering open play sessions, We Rock the Spectrum hosts classes, workshops, story times, birthday celebrations, opportunities to read to service dogs, much-needed parents’ night outs, and holiday parties. There is a fee for children to play and reservations are recommended.

9. Asheville Retrocade

Asheville Retrocade is my 13-year-old son’s favorite place to visit on a rainy day with his friends. It has 5,000 video games, skeeball, foosball, pinball machines, and “the best in Retro Music all day till 2am for only $10!” Yes, your fee gives you access to unlimited play from the time they open to closing. How cool is that?

Not just a gaming paradise, Asheville Retrocade also boasts a fantastic selection of local craft beer and wine, and over 200 pieces of vintage beer memorabilia. Located on Haywood Road, one of the most vibrant streets in West Asheville, it’s surrounded by a plethora of fun shops and eateries making it a perfect spot for a day out with the family. 

10. Recline and Unwind Social Spa

I love Recline and Unwind Social Spa in Pack Square Downtown. It’s cute and easy, and you can actually have a conversation with friends here (no need to whisper!). This social spa offers 30-minute treatments where you sit in a comfy recliner chair and choose a foot soak of your preference.

Then, you can add head, face, hands, and feet massages. The best part? You can order drinks and snacks from the menu. The chocolate truffles are fantastic! This is an excellent experience for mom’s day out as you can relax, drink wine, and chat at the same time. You can end your fun day with a treat from the neighboring French Broad Chocolate or a cake and tea from Old Europe Pastries.

11. French Broad Chocolate

French Broad Chocolate is one of the best chocolate shops in Asheville. Locals and visitors love the blue building downtown, where you can get every chocolate treat you can imagine- sipping chocolates, cakes, award-winning bonbons, and fabulous ice cream. The shop is fun for kids, but touring the chocolate factory will delight them! 

The Bean to Bar Chocolate Factory Tours are a perfect fit for kids (7 years old and younger can join for free!). These tours are not just fun, they’re also educational and interactive. Children get to taste cacao in all its forms, from roasted beans to bars and bonbons, making it a truly immersive experience!

12. Sunny Day Play Space

Sunny Day Play Space offers a lovely indoor playroom where children aged six and under can play freely with their peers. This is not just a play space but also a great spot for parents. While your little ones are busy exploring, you can take a breather, catch up with friends, or get some work done. The playroom has a wooden playset, a kitchen set, and toys that encourage imagination and role-play.

There is an entrance fee, but children under one enter for free with a paying sibling. Admission is good for the entire day, giving you the flexibility to come and go as you please. You can also rent the whole space for a stress-free birthday party celebration!

We hope you have a wonderful time exploring all that Asheville has to offer kids!

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