asheville activities

2008-09-19T10:05:00.000-04:00

Asheville Mommies

ASHEVILLE MOMMIES is part of The Mommies Network, a 501c(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping moms find support and friendship in their local community.

An online and offline community, Asheville Mommies ( fondly referred to as AM) offers an online forum where a wide range of moms can chat it up, learn about upcoming events in Asheville and the surrounding areas, plan play dates/playgroups, or a Mom’s Night Out (MNO). Get/give answers about all aspects of motherhood, including labor/delivery, breastfeeding, toddler years, and teen years, and MUCH MUCH more!!! The best part? Completely FREE!
Want to become a part of the community? Check it out now at www.ashevillemommies.com

Cafes

2008-09-19T09:17:00.004-04:00

The Hop
Located at 640 Merrimon Ave in North Asheville, this ice cream/coffee shop is a perfect place ot take the kiddos for a sweet treat. Offering home-made soy ice cream, a multitude of real ice cream flavors, and lip-smacking shakes. They have a fantastic area just for children to play; with puzzles, books, a chalk board, movies, or just to sit and enjoy their sweet ice cream treat. They also offer events, such as a weekly “Meet ‘n Greet“ every Tuesday from 11-12, where moms come to meet other moms and enjoy half priced lattes, coffees and teas, and “The Balloon Guys”, who come tableside and make balloon animals for everyone!

The Growing Young Café
Located on Tunnel Road, this café is the perfect retreat for moms with younger children. Although they have a narrow menu selection, the whole café is geared towards children’s play. For a small fee, you can have someone engage your child in play (but if you have a well-mannered child then the child will have no problem finding things to entertain themselves with.).

Pizza and Brew (Brew 'n View)

2008-06-06T16:30:00.001-04:00

Located in North Asheville off of Merrimon Ave, Pizza and Brew is perfect for children (and adults) of any age! Decorated in what I can only describe as the essence of Asheville; covered in hand painted artistic murals.
Older children may love the movie “theater” part, where you can relax on cozy couches and eat pizza while watching a movie. (the movie selection varies, so call to see what is playing).
I particularly enjoy the “Game room”, where you can go sit and enjoy adult conversation while the kids run around and play arcade games or watch cartoons on a big “movie screen“.
Think Chuck-E-Cheese without the pandemonium.
Pizza and Brew also has the most excellent pizza in town, and a magnificent beer selection.
Want to go out sans kiddos? They are perfect for that too!
Sit in the regular dinning room, or relax outside. 5 stars in my book!

Welcome to Asheville?

2008-06-06T10:56:00.000-04:00

Recently, my husband, 2 children and I moved to Asheville, NC. It was a taxing and exceedingly difficult move for us, as I had just had our second daughter 5 weeks earlier.But as I got more and more settled into our new home and neighborhood, I came to realize that I had no idea what kinds of activities I could do with my children, what restaurants would be excellent for a dynamic 3 year old and a nursing 2 month old. Where could we go?! (I didn't want to become that mom who's only friend is their preschooler, and spent all day waiting for the mail to come so I could have some sort of communication with the outside world.)
Although I got an abundance of direction from my sister (her children are significantly older than mine) I wanted to find my own place of belonging in Asheville.
So my search started.
Here I will document my findings, what places are perfect for a family with children, and which ones are best for older children only, or just you and your partner on a date night. Hopefully this will come as some help to new mothers, father, or just new Ashevillians.