One of the many delights in historic Hendersonville Main Street is DANCING BEAR TOYS. 
​You and your kids will be thrilled with the variety of fascinating toys, stuffed animals and everything to entertain kids.  The staff promises: “We work hard to bring you the best, the weirdest, and the most unique toys on the market. We have hundreds of demos available and we’re always ready to play with you!” (Romantic Asheville photo)
 
418 North Main Street, Hendersonville, NC   (828) 693-4500
www.DancingBearToys.com  

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Winged Wonders: Step into the World of Butterflies at the NC Arboretum in Asheville NC. See the miracle of metamorphosis!
On display now through October 29, 2017 (9 AM – 5 PM daily) inside the Baker Exhibit Center Greenhouse, this is an indoor butterfly exhibit featuring a chrysalis-rearing chamber and a walk-through butterfly house where visitors can meet a whole host of local butterfly species, including monarchs, swallowtails and more. Exhibit support provided in part by The NC Arboretum Society, and iHeartMedia Asheville.
 
Refer to website for directions, hours & pricing:
www.ncarboretum.org/
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Solve a mystery!  Holmes Educational Forest in Hendersonville NC on July 8, 2017 special event “Forest Habitat Mystery” allowing participants to follow signs of animals in the forest and solve a mystery.  This ¼ mile is from 10 AM to noon.
 
Open daily Mon – Sat. Easy short hikes on well-marked trails with exhibits and displays depicting ecology of a managed forest.  This 240 acre area in the Blue Ridge Mountains is a great treat for kids with the half mile walk of the Talking Trees Trail where pressing a button on a kiosk has a pre-recorded message about each tree. 
1299 Crab Creek Rd, Hendersonville, NC  (828) 692-0100
http://www.ncesf.org/hesf/home.htm
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Asheville’s WNC NATURE CENTER is a 42 acre Native Wildlife Natural Sanctuary that is a fun, educational adventure for kids of all ages!  See 60+ species of animals including cougars, bobcats, wolves, foxes, bears, deer, raccoons, snakes, snapping turtles, otters, birds, fish and other many others native to our Appalachian mountain region.  It’s beautiful to wander the hilly terrain nature paths to see all the animals in their spacious natural habitat enclosures (not cages!).  Kids love the petting zoo!  Go often to see the ever changing seasonal special exhibits.
 
Open every day except major holidays:
​10 AM to 5 PM.

75 Gashes Creek Rd, Asheville, NC (828) 298-5600  
http://www.wncnaturecenter.com/

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Sliding Rock in Pisgah National Forest near Asheville, Brevard & Hendersonville, NC is Mother Nature’s waterslide! This summer favorite finds kids & adults sliding down the sloping 60 foot boulder to splash in an 8 foot deep pool (you must know how to swim!)

Memorial Day to Sept 4, 2017, life guards on duty & restrooms open 10 AM – 6 PM.  Cost is only $2 when staff are present.  Be forewarned the water will be cold and be sure to wear sturdy clothes & water shoes.  Children under 7 must slide with an adult. 
​Dogs must be leashed and cannot slide. (Romantic Asheville photo) 
​Hotline for high water closures: (828) 885-7625

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Perfect for hot summer days is ZEN TUBING in Asheville NC. Take a lazy & scenic river float trip on the French Broad River! Expect cushy-comfy tubes with backrest, no reservations except for groups of 15+, trips leave every 10 minutes between 10 AM – 3 PM for 2 to 4 hours of fun!  Open 7 Days through Sept 10.
Great for kids ages 4 & up!
Picnic & swim along the way. 
855-936-8823
Downtown: 608 Riverside Dr., Asheville, NC
South Asheville: 1648 Brevard Rd, Asheville, NC
http://zentubing.com/

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ASHEVILLE TREETOPS ADVENTURE PARK where you can choose your adventure with intriguing outdoor activities for ages 4 to adults. (Yep! There is a special zipline for kids as young as 4!) Located in a beautiful tree preserve 5 minutes from downtown Asheville, NC.
Play in the trees with a huge variety of 50 unique climbing, swinging, walking, zipping and rappelling challenges.  Don’t forget obstacle courses and mountain biking on special trails.  Park rangers always present.
You can enjoy 5 different awesome adventures each designed for varying skill levels:

• AshevilleTreetops Adventure Park
• Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures
• KOLO Bike Park
• KidZip (America’s 1st zipline designed for kids under 10!)
• QuickJump

Reservations online or 877-247-5539 or  828-225-2921
1 Resort Drive, Asheville, NC 28806
http://www.ashevilletreetopsadventurepark.com/

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Attention cat lovers!
​Opened in April 2017 near Dillsboro NC is The American Museum of the House Cat with two rooms packed with over 10,000 cat related curiosities, including many rare and fascinating antiques including a 600 BC bronze of the feline goddess Bastet. This is the collection of Dr. Harold Sims and proceeds fund his no-kill cat shelter/adoption center.  Be sure to visit this quirky roadside stop when vacationing in NC!  (Photo by Romantic Asheville)
Admission:  $5/person; $2/children under 12.
Tues – Sat 10-5; Sunday 12-5
Located in the historic Savannah School 4 miles south of Dillsboro on US HWY 441:
4704 US Highway 441, Sylva NC. Phone: 828-293-0892.
http://www.catman2.org/the-american-museum-of-the-house-cat.html
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New at Biltmore! “Vanderbilt Travels Railway” remarkable display with over 250 feet of rails can be viewed now through Labor Day.  This elaborate outdoor model train exhibit highlights the travels of George Vanderbilt and is located near the Antler Hill Village barn at the Biltmore Estate, Asheville NC. Handcrafted on-site from leaves, twigs, and other natural materials, the recreations of the Tower Bridge, Eiffel Tower, Vanderbilt Mansions, windmill, and more iconic buildings are quite impressive! (Romantic Asheville photo)
Open daily 11 AM – 7 PM
www.Biltmore.com
 
Guests of Asheville Vacation Homes may purchase discounted Biltmore Estate tickets good for two consecutive days for about the same price as a one day pass.

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SPLASHVILLE water play fountain in downtown Asheville NC is ready for our returning warm weather.  
​In Asheville’s Pack Square’s 6.5 acre park across from the Courthouse, arching sprays of water spring up randomly so kids can splash & play! 
There’s green space to throw Frisbees, picnic & relax. 
Watch the activities from the patios of restaurants overlooking the square. 
​Photo from Asheville Parks & Recreation

​For GPS use 121 College St, Asheville NC 28801
Open 7 days from 9 AM – 8:30 PM 
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ASHEVILLE DRUM CIRCLE in downtown Asheville, NC returns on April 7, 2017 and is held EVERY FRIDAY through October from 6 PM to 10 PM.
Come drum, dance & rejoice in life!  Join a diverse group of folks of all ages in the fun….even if only to watch the joy of the celebration!
Held in Prichard Park on Patton Avenue at College Street.
FREE event held since 2001.  (Romantic Asheville photo)

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New! SKY ZONE TRAMPOLINE PARK is now open in South Asheville, NC! 
This is a cutting edge indoor park with trampoline, jousting, obstacle and climbing park! 
Tues – Thurs: 3 PM – 8 PM
Fri: 3 PM – 11 PM
Sat: 10 AM – 11 PM
Sun: Noon – 7 PM
Reasonable pricing varies with number of jump minutes.
1836 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville NC (former Office Depot location in Gerber Village)
(828) 338-8630
 www.skyzone.com/asheville

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PATTON PARK: SWIMMING, SPORTS, WALKING & AWESOME $360,000 SKATE PARK PLAZA!  Open year-round in the heart of historic Hendersonville, North Carolina, this park has 19 acres including an OLYMPIC-SIZE SWIMMING POOL with a kids pool (open from Memorial Day through Labor Day), tennis courts, basketball courts, racquetball courts, baseball fields, picnic areas, restrooms, kids’ playground and nature trails. There is a 20,000 SF SKATE PARK PLAZA styled to look like a downtown plaza with landscaping, trees, planter boxes, but with curbs, stairs and rails made for skateboarding and in-line skating. 
 
Patton Park is a public park with no membership required.  Pool fees are reasonable. 
​It is located a mile north of downtown Hendersonville, NC off Asheville Highway (Hwy 25).  Turn onto Clairmont Drive at the light signal.
Park Information at 828-697-3084
https://www.visitnc.com/listing/patton-park-2

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Play 75 classic pinball & arcade style video games for one small admission fee without any quarters or tokens!  Over 30 pinball machines from 1966 to 2014 are posted with the fascinating history of each machine.  As you might guess, this is a very popular place so be prepared for a wait on weekends. 
Adults: $15 & kids ages 10 & under: $12  - after that all games are FREE!
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Asheville Pinball Museum 
1 Battle Square, Suite 1A, Asheville NC (downtown across from Grove Arcade)  (828) 776-5671
For hours/days open:  www.ashevillepinball.com

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“Dugout Canoes: Paddling through the Americas” traveling exhibit is now at the NC Arboretum in Asheville NC through May 2, 2017. 
Created by the Florida Museum of Natural History, based on the world’s largest archaeological find – 101 prehistoric dugouts from 500 to 5,000 years old were discovered in Newnans Lake in Florida.  “Dugout Canoes” features ancient artifacts, tools, videos, models and life-size vessels to tell the story of how life and travel in the Americas have been affected by the use of dugout canoes through time.
 
Refer to website for directions, hours & pricing:
www.ncarboretum.org/

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Creative, stimulating fun at the Hands On! Children’s Gallery in downtown Hendersonville NC where learning is PLAY!  Hands On! provides children and families with “hands on” educational experiences that excite the imagination and motivate learning in a fun, safe environment.  What a great safe place to spend the day with your children and grandchildren.  Field trips, special events, and birthday parties are welcome.
Hours:  Tues – Sat 10 AM – 5 PM
318 N. Main Street, Hendersonville, NC  (828) 697-8333
Admission for all ages $5
www.handsonwnc.org

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SK8T DEPOT is a family-friendly roller skating place in Hendersonville NC that offers a clean, safe, fun environment for your kids.  Play arcade games or other fun activities.  Pizza, ice cream, popcorn & other goodies available.  Free WIFI.  What better way to spend an afternoon!  Rent for private parties.
Check out “MEGA MONDAYS” (3:45 – 6:45 PM): For each $5 paid child, one adult is FREE!
 
705 Spartanburg Hwy, Hendersonville NC   (828) 697-8754
www.sk8tdepot.com
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Pisgah Forest Gem Mines with 2 gem mining locations open all year!  One is in the heart of downtown Hendersonville, NC!  What can be more fun than sifting through a bucket of real gems for your treasure hunt!  Perfect for kids of all ages!  There is both indoor and outdoor mining!  Check their website for bucket sizes and prices.  Open 6 days.  (photo from website)
(828) 367-8330
3338 Asheville Hwy, Pisgah Forest
507 N Main St, Hendersonville
www.pfgems.com
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Zip-N-Slip Snow Tubing Park in Mars Hill, NC (near Asheville) has lots of snow and is ready for family friendly fun with snow tubing runs and zipline!  Delightful to try the lighted slopes at night (open until 9 PM). Great hosts!  Warm up at the fireplace with hot chocolate! 
​Open Friday – Sunday;
$20/1 hour per person or $35/2 hours per person
I-26 - Exit 3 - Wolf Laurel Exit
10725 US Hwy 23 North, Mars Hill, NC  (828) 689-8444
http://zipnslip.com/
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New! Kid’s Comedy Tour on the LaZoom big purple bus in Asheville NC with the famously outlandish tour guides.  Created for 5 to 12 year olds, this wacky family entertainment is a blend of Asheville history and kid-centric comedy for the 60 minute bus tour.  “It’s a show on wheels!”  (Romantic Asheville photo)
Tickets $16 for ages 4 and up.  It’s best to make reservations.  (828) 225-6932
Tour leaves at 90 Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville.
 
http://www.lazoomtours.com/tours/kids-comedy-tour/

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Moonshine Mountain Snow Tubing Park in Hendersonville NC has tons of snow & all 3 lanes are open!  Open every day except Christmas, this is the best & steepest snow tubing with over 500 feet of fun for all ages.  This is one of the very few snow tubing parks that allow tubing “trains” where you hold hands and ankles to go down the slope as a group.  They make their own snow!
Tickets:  $25 per person for 2 hours.  Cash only.    
5865 Willow Road, Hendersonville, NC   (828) 696-0333
www.MoonshineMountain.com

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Asheville’s WNC Nature Center’s special “Behind-The-Scenes Tour”
Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 1:45 PM. 
This tour goes to “staff only” areas & is a great chance for an amazing up close view of the animals.  The Nature Center is home to over 60 native species of animals, all in their natural environments.  It is open 7 days a week all year.  (Romantic Asheville photo)
Call for reservation for this special tour. 
Tour Admission: Adults $30; under 16 youth $15. Please no young children for this tour. WNC Nature Center:  75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville, NC  (828) 298-5600  
http://www.wncnaturecenter.com/
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Mountain Play Lodge for is a fabulous indoor place especially designed to entertain the youngest in your family!  Your kids will thrill at all the fun castles & activities sized just right for them!  Imaginations are sparked whether being a princess in a castle or a pirate on a ship. It’s great fun and a perfect setting for a birthday party! (Photo courtsey of their website)
Open 7 Days: 10 AM – 6 PM
 
3389 Sweeten Creek Rd, Arden NC (828) 676-2120
www.mountainplaylodge.com
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Attic Salt Theater Company’s Especially for Kids is every Saturday at 10 AM! 
Perfect for ages 4 and up, all shows will capture your child’s imagination and fun with colorful costumes, puppets, stories & all around silliness!  Each month a different presentation will give reason to return again and again.  Now partnering with Magnetic 375, the darling theater in the River Arts District, for SATURDAYS ON STAGE. 
Tickets are $5 
November 2016:  Greek Myths
December 2016:  The Tallest Tall Tales 
Location: Magnetic 375 Theater, 375 Depot St., Asheville NC  
 
http://atticsalt.org/for-the-kids-saturdays-on-stage/

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