Play & Parks

Asheville is fun for the entire family, whether you want to kick back at one of Asheville’s many public parks or heat things up at the Food Lion Skate Park.

There are 8 Things To Do in Asheville listed on this page.

Asheville's Fun Depot

Asheville's only family entertainment center featuring indoor and outdoor go-carts, indoor mini-golf, multi-level laser tag, indoor batting cages, climbing wall, soft play area, bumper cars, arcade gallery, mini-bowling and more. Ride for fun or race to win…our outdoor track is two stories tall and 1/4 mile long - it's the only one of it's kind in Western North Carolina! Check out Asheville's only laser tag arena complete with black lights, music and fog, our fully-interactive game matches two teams head to head in our multi-level arena. Our state-of-the-art arcade gallery hosts over 110 games. With such a large selection and a frequently updated game selection, there is something every age and every skill level can enjoy. Fuel the fun at The Depot Diner, located inside our facility. With a wide variety of menu items including pizza and burgers, and more healthy choices such as salads and wraps. The entire family will love Asheville's Fun Depot!

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Phone number and address:

828-277-2386

7 Roberts Road
Asheville, NC 28803

Beach at Lake Lure

Float on an inner tube, picnic in the shade, or just catch some rays at this beach in the mountains. Enjoy the Water Works with water slides and other soaking-wet fun.

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Phone number and address:

828-625-1373

2724 Memorial Highway
Lake Lure, NC 28746

Cataloochee Ski Area

Cataloochee Ski Area,located mile high in the mountains of Western North Carolina, is the home of "Great Skiing in the Great Smokies!" One of the first areas to open each season, Cataloochee is committed to making your skiing experience the best it can be. Utilizing one the most advanced snowmaking systems in the Southeast on 16 lighted slopes, 3 aerial lifts,2 carpet lifts, 1 handle tow & over 4000 sets of snowsports equipment, Cataloochee offers something everyone. A PSIA & AASI member Snowsports School for all ages and abilities, and Children’s Learning Center for kids ages 4-12. Groups of fifteen or more receive FREE beginner lessons when renting equipment. A cozy fireplace, restaurant and lounge as well as The Shop at Cataloochee, featuring signature gifts await you in the lodge. Tube World, six lanes of snowtubing fun is located in Maggie Valley! Easy 4 lane access; 40 minutes from Asheville with great midweek packages makes economical winter fun closer than you think!

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Phone number and address:

828-926-0285

1080 Ski Lodge Road
Maggie Valley , NC 28751

Food Lion Skate Park

The Food Lion Skate Park offers a safe, challenging, and attractive skate park facility for skateboarders of all ages. The Skate Park offers daily skating and local, regional and national competitions. The Skate Park also offers summer camps and clinics at reasonable rates.

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Phone number and address:

828-225-7184

3 Cherry Street
Historic Montford District
Asheville, NC 28801

Go Blue Ridge Card

The Go Blue Ridge Card is an all-access pass that includes admission to 30 of Western North Carolina's most popular attractions. Pay just ONE LOW PRICE for the pass and visit as many attractions as you want, while saving up to 35% or more compared to the cost of buying individual tickets at each location. Enjoy such top attractions as Biltmore; Chimney Rock State Park; Grandfather Mountain; whitewater rafting; Cherokee; Linville Caverns; and Tweetsie Railroad – these and 20 other attractions are all included in the single cost of your Go Blue Ridge Card. With everything you need already loaded onto your Card, you can focus your trip on collecting memories instead of credit card receipts. Available online at or purchase locally in Asheville at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce at 36 Mortford Avenue and at the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center at Milepost 384 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

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Phone number and address:

800-887-9103

Card available at various locations across Western North Carolina.
Asheville, NC 28801

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Travel through fertile valleys and down into moutain gorges. Offering 4 to 4.5 hour round-trip and Dinner Train excursions in beautiful Western North Carolina. Depot is in Bryson City, NC.

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Phone number and address:

828-586-8811

226 Everett Street
Bryson City, NC 28713

Tweetsie Railroad

As North Carolina's original family theme park, Tweetsie Railroad is a unique attraction that allows children and families to explore their imaginations and a whole lot more. Be a cowboy, cowgirl, indian or an engineer. Shop along Main Street, pan for gold or visit the Deer Park. Tweetsie has amusement rides for all ages and live entertainment throughout the park. And of course, hop aboard our historic steam-powered train for a fun-filled three-mile Wild West journey through the scenic mountains.

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Phone number and address:

828-264-9061

300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane
US 321
Blowing Rock, NC 28605

Waggers Dog Depot

The newest fun place for dogs in Asheville. We offer a delicious variety of homemade treats and chews, dog clothing, unique toys, accessories and pet photography. Use our stress-free grooming service, We do not cage pets or use cage dryers. Our State-of-the-Art Self Serve dog wash makes it fun and easy to wash your dog, bring the whole family.

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Phone number and address:

828-271-4741

1020 Merrimon Avenue
Asheville, NC 28804