Photogenic & Kid-Friendly Things to do in Asheville
I made this photo at the art museum during a half day in the life photo session in Asheville
Good morning! I am a professional family photographer and mom of two young girls and I live in Asheville. I love when my kid-friendly outing happens to be beautiful, or at least in an interesting environment, if not completely aesthetically pleasing. Now before you squawk at me, I am constantly taking my kids to do fun things, regardless of how they look. (Have you ever taken a great photo inside a dark trampoline park warehouse thing? Yeah, neither have I- it’s impossible.) But I prefer when my outings can result in not only tired out and fulfilled kiddos, but also some beautiful pictures.
Additionally, I shoot full day in the life photo sessions, where I accompany a family for an entire day of documentary family photography (unposed photos, photojournalism in the home) and they always include a couple of fun outings, so I always have a list going in the back of my mind for outings that would make a great addition to a day in the life session. Here is that list so far:
Asheville Art Musuem
Enjoying an art installation while cuddling a toddler: Asheville Joy.
The Asheville art museum is actually a great place to bring kids! They are super affordable (as an artist, my year long membership costs only $50!) and offer a cool craft and play space where you can hang out with your little ones of all ages. The museum is located near Pack Square downtown, which makes it a fantastic addition to a downtown day, especially if the weather is inclement. You are allowed to take photos in the museum space, and there are generally big hanging installments, some of which invite viewers to even touch and interact with the art. Even just the lobby, which is spacious and filled with light from top to bottom windows, make for beautiful bright pictures.
A mom and baby during a day in the life photo session at the asheville art museum.
During your visit, make sure you visit the cafe on the top floor. My kids love the big, paint-filled elevator ride to the top. You can grab a snack, a baked good or a fresh fruit cup and an espresso, and then wander outside to the rooftop deck, which affords a sweeping view of the city of Asheville. The big bright canvasses installed out there are actually designed to take some fun pop-art photos. Above all, however, I love the challenge of making pictures of kids interacting with and observing art!
My daughter Olive enjoying the faces at the Asheville Art Museum
French Broad Chocolate
You can see the Asheville Art Museum sticker on this gorgeous two year old’s sweater- and that’s because the museum is right next door to the French Broad Chocolate, which makes for a rather nifty afternoon. For obvious reasons, your child will be super enthused for a visit to this chocolate cafe and ice cream shop, which is one of Asheville’s most prized locations, a true Western North Carolina treasure. Regardless of how strong your sweet tooth is, if you’re a parent who enjoys being in and making pictures of a lovely surrounding, you’ll fall in love with this bustling, fragrant spot with its cool brown and blue tones and excellent light.
I love the cool tones inside the French Broad Chocolate Lounge
If the weather is lovely or the cafe is too crowded, go sit outside on the beautiful marble and stone square that the chocolate lounge shares with the Asheville museum of science. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported out of Western North Carolina into a old European city. After your kids are enjoying their sugar high, you can walk down one quick block to the splash pad during the summer months.
I was thrilled when this family chose to bike to the French Broad Chocolate lounge during our half day in the life photo session.
A glass of red berry sour beer at the vibrant and bright New Belgium Brewery
I know this is controversial to bring kids to a brewery but- you know what? It’s ridiculous that it’s controversial. Asheville has more breweries per capita than any other city in the USA, it’s called Beer City after all, and to the extent that Asheville is overloaded with breweries, it is equally lacking in things to do with children. So what are we supposed to do….ignore these big, beautiful green spaces with food trucks and flights of craft beer and lots of people milling about having fun, stay home with the kids for yet another sunny afternoon? Obviously, don’t let your kids run wild, but that’s just common sense, and I assume if you’re reading this blog you have at least a little common sense.
A toddler crawls through the green space at New Belgium Brewery during a full day in the life photo session in Asheville.
Most of the many breweries in Asheville have funky and spacious interiors that make for great photos, however, in terms of outside green space for kids to run around, you can’t beat New Belgium. Well, maybe if you drive out to Highlands Brewery, but that’s out in East Asheville. New Belgium is just minutes away from downtown Asheville and the main drag of the West Asheville neighborhood. You’ll find a vast green space with people of all ages throwing frisbees, kicking soccer balls, and a winding path full of kids on scooters and bikes. New Belgium’s brand is all about biking, and they host the bike-centered Tour de Fat every year.
I myself cannot drink alcohol because I have a disease called Interstitial Cystitis, but even I enjoy heading over to the brewery and helping myself to their flavored seltzer and whatever looks tasty from the food trucks. Make sure and check out their website to see if there’s a special event going on, or the farmers market they host every week. I have yet to attend or hear about an event at New Belgium that is not family friendly. Thanks for being a great space and a wonderful resource, New Belgium!
Flying Cloud Flower Farm
Flying Cloud Farm is by far my favorite outing to take with my kids. I have years worth of photos of my two girls, first as little babies plopped between the rows of flowers, through their chubby toddler years waddling through the farm with their fists filled with petals, to their older and more pensive selves, carefully arranging their bouquets. This is a laid back farm stand that sells produce, plant starts and u-pick flowers. You can pay through venmo or put cash into the lock box. I always come home with bright flowers, sun-kissed kids and fresh local veggies to cook for dinner.
Flying Cloud Farm is located in Fairview, which is the township adjacent to Asheville. The drive goes through lovely countryside, and you pass a few coffee shops if you want to grab an iced coffee before you peruse the flowers. Daymoon Coffee Shop has the best cinnamon matcha- and I am a complete Seattle-raised coffee shop snob. If you wish to supplement your veggies with some pasture raised meat, drive up the road just a mile or so and visit the farm store at Hickory Nut Gap Farm.
I’m not going to lie, Asheville is not the easiest place to visit with kids. Hurricane Helene wiped out so many of our playgrounds, parks, third spaces, coffee shops- even our climbing gym floated away! The city is terrible at allocating money for pools and other family friendly spots, and seem to cater mostly to tourists, which is fine, but remember- tourists have kids too! And those kids will only be thrilled about visiting Asheville if there’s something to look forward to! But I hope this list was a good starting point for you. Enjoy your chocolate, coffee, beer, art and flowers and remember- it’s worth hiring a family photographer to capture your memories when you’re out and about- so you don’t even have to think about it! Welcome to Asheville, enjoy your stay!