Looking for places to stay near Asheville’s top attractions? Our Camp-Resort is the perfect base for your family adventure! Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Jellystone Park™ Golden Valley is just over an hour from Asheville, NC—home to incredible family attractions, historic sites, and scenic views. If you're planning a trip to Asheville with the kids, our campground offers the perfect mix of peaceful mountain camping and easy access to the action. Set one day aside from your camping trip and follow this itinerary to give you an idea of how to spend a day trip to Asheville!
Photo by WNC Nature Center
WNC Nature Center
The WNC Nature Center is a beautifully immersive zoo and wildlife park focused on the native species of the Southern Appalachians. Spread across 42 acres, you'll encounter otters, black bears, reptiles, and more along winding, kid-friendly trails. Its interactive exhibits include a farm, reptile house, and live animal demos. Blending education with fun, the WNC Nature Center is a perfect afternoon outing in Asheville for families
Photo by Adventure Center of Asheville
Adventure Center of Asheville
Just 5 minutes from downtown, the Adventure Center of Asheville offers thrilling outdoor fun for all ages. Kids and parents can test their courage on zipline canopy tours or scale tree-top obstacle courses. Younger children can enjoy the specialized KidZip zipline course. Plus, the center features mountain bike trails, off-road vehicle tours, and guided experiences for an action-packed family day when camping near Asheville, NC.
Photo by Biltmore Estate
Biltmore Estate
Step back into the Gilded Age at the iconic Biltmore Estate, America’s largest private home. This French Renaissance-style mansion includes historic tours perfect for curious minds, plus sprawling gardens, farmyards, and trails. Families visiting Asheville can enjoy kid-friendly audio guides, playgrounds, and animal encounters at Antler Hill Farm. It’s a magical day of history, architecture, and Alpine-style outdoor fun.
Photo by When In Asheville
Asheville Botanical Gardens
The Asheville Botanical Gardens offer a peaceful haven on 10 acres right beside UNC Asheville. This “people’s garden” showcases over 750 species of native Southern Appalachian plants along easy, stroller-friendly trails. With free admission and educational programming, it’s a calm yet enriching option for families looking to connect with nature.
Photo by Explore Asheville
Asheville Museum of Science
The Asheville Museum of Science is a hands-on mini-museum in downtown Asheville packed with interactive exhibits. Discover dinosaur skeletons, mineral collections, astronomy displays, and ecology zones. Geared toward kids ages 3–12 but engaging for all, this museum offers touching, tinkering, and learning in a cozy space—perfect for a rainy day.
We hope this list gave you some ideas for the top things to do in the area. After you've spent your fun day away in Asheville, it's time to head back to your home base at the best family campground in North Carolina - Jellystone Park™ Golden Valley! In addition to Asheville's attractions, you can enjoy 20 of our own attractions included in your stay. After you rest up from your exciting day in Asheville, you can cool off at our Water Zone, swimming pools, and Wibit, explore nature on our hiking trails to Lookout Tower, or unwind at our Fishing Lake. Don't let the family-fun stop in Asheville - make it a longer trip and choose Jellystone Park™ Golden Valley as your next place to stay near Asheville, NC!
