Family Vacation in Asheville, NC

[txtxyeha]

My wife and I were discussing this morning what we were going to do for a vacation this summer with our 12 and 6 YOs, and Asheville came up. Did the South Padre/Schlitterbahn/beach thing last summer (had a blast), probably do a beach thing again in '09, so we thought going to the mountains would do the trick.

Anyone spent a few nights or a week in Asheville with some kids? What did you'uns do? Good time?

 

[KazooMan]

My wife and I go there a lot, and love it. But my recommendation, unfortunately, has to be unclear - it depends on your kids.

Do your kids love outdoor stuff? Hiking, horseback riding, biking, river rafting? Or can you see your oldest thinking, "If I have to climb one more mountain, I'm going to jump when we get to the top."? Can you see your youngest, after the 8th room you've looked at in the Biltmore (with about 100 rooms still to go, and after you paid big bucks to get everyone in), saying, "Is it OK if I go sit in the car and play my video games?"

There are a million things there that you and your wife could enjoy. Besides the beautiful scenary everywhere, there are street musicians, outdoor cafes, great food, museums, art and art galleries everywhere you look, concerts, golf, cabins in the woods where you can fly fish 10 yards from your front door, yoga on the pier by the lake, great late-night jazz bars, etc. But a lot of that is not designed for kids.

So if the kids don't like outdoor stuff, it is not a great place for pre-teens. There are obviously some kid oriented attractions, or at least attractions where kids could be entertained. There are a couple of small (but pretty good) amusement parks within a two hour drive. There is a scenic railroad or two. Botanical gardens, a fun fish hatchery tour (lots of other wildlife there), and some farily easy hikes to waterfalls off of the Blue Ridge Parkway. There is a festival called Bele Chere, usually in late July, that has some kid activities. There is a folk festival during the summer, too, if they are into folk music and "mountain dancing." But most of the activities are centered around the outdoors (as well they should be in that gorgeous setting). So if the kids like outdoor adventures, and can handle a little culture thrown in for good measure, go for it - you will have a wonderful time. But if they have to have their MTV, then I would say to try someplace else.

But some of those cabins do have 40 inch flat screen HD TV's installed, so you can still catch sports, or let the kids watch movies while you and the wife are out in the hot tub, "checking out the stars." If you do go, I highly recommend getting a cabin on the side of a mountain, with a hot tub (nearly all of the cabins in the area are equipped with hot tubs) - don't stay at a hotel in town. But the good places are reserved early. If you are going to get a cabin, do your research now to find one that fits your needs at your price, and get a reservation in the next few weeks.

Hope you have a great time, if you decide to go!

 

[txtxyeha]

Thanks for all your comments. Definately can see the reaction you described at the Biltmore. Can you steer me in the right direction for the amusement parks?

 

[Remove Rowdy]

I lived in this area for a few years and loved it. I always considered it a close relative to Austin. The city has a great music scene, but you should be able to knock out everything you need to see in a day.

You need to see Biltmore, Chimney Rock (film location for Last of the Mohicans), Blue Ridge Parkway, Hwy 64 for a more intimate drive. If you do not stay in the city; stay at Lake Lure (flim location of Dirty Dancing).

Chimney Rock is great for kids as it gives you the feel for working up a mountain in the easiest manner possible.

Make sure you tune into 88.7/97.3 while driving around.

 

[KazooMan]

Re amusement parks -

The best one (at least my kids enjoyed it the most) is the Ghost Town in the Sky, in Maggie Valley. That's about 40 miles from Asheville, but plan on an hour travel time (mountain roads). A thrill ride or two ("Geronimo Drop"), a bank robbery with bad guys shooting it out with the sheriff, etc.

A good educational trip is Oconaluftee Indian Village, out 441. That's about 50 miles from Asheville.

And in the Pisgah National Forest is Sliding Rock. That is a natural water slide, dropping about 60 gentle feet into a pool. Barton Springs - like cold water, so be prepared. A lot more fun that some man-made slide! Sliding Rock is about 30 miles from Asheville, about a 45 minute drive.

A little further is The Tweetsie Railroad Amusement Park and train ride. That one is about 2 hours from Asheville, on US 321. Another wild-west theme park, with rides and a petting zoo. The train ride is pretty, but short.

If you want a good train ride, skip the Tweetsie park, and take the Great Smokey Mountain Railroad. That way you get to enjoy the views, too, which you can't really do when you are driving those mountain roads. The best trip is about 4 hours round trip - long enough, but not so long that the kids get stir crazy. I highly recommend this one.

And I second the opinion about Chimney Rock - great views, a nice waterfall, and not that far from Asheville.

Most of these places have a web site, so look them up and check them out for yourself.

 

[txtxyeha]

thanks for the tips.