Father's Day Play Date in Asheville

How many times have you bought your dad a wrench or a tie for Father’s Day? A man can only have so many power tools and tie patterns. This year, give him something he will truly appreciate and possibly remember for the rest of his life - a shared experience with his kids. We suggest bringing him to Asheville for his big day to enjoy all this city and our mountains have to offer.

The whole family can stay at The Residences at Biltmore, with 2- and 3-bedroom suites with room for as many as 8 to sleep comfortably. We’ll supply the lodging; you just decide which of the following popular activities your dad will enjoy the most.

Active Dads

The Track at Asheville

If Dad has always wanted to race in the Indy 500 but never had time to train, a day at The Track may be the next best thing. The immersive driving experience offers 12 simulators with different tracks and cars that make you feel like you’re racing in a real Grand Prix. There are leagues and championships for competitive types, and General Sessions for individuals. Check out the website for detailed information, such as the daily or weekly schedules.

Axeville Throwing Club

Nothing says “fun” like hurtling an axe at a stationary target. Blow off some steam and do your best lumberjack impression while throwing down some adult beverages at Axeville. The throwing club is available for individuals, teams, or groups. Admission is charged by the hour, and it is recommended that you schedule your time in advance. One more thing: It’s for 18 and older only.

Gamer Dads

Asheville Pinball Museum

The advent of video game arcades and home consoles may have led to a reduction in pinball game popularity, but the game of silver balls and fast flippers has made a comeback at the Asheville Pinball Museum. Although it’s considered a museum because of the age of some of the machines on the floor, there are 70 machines - 35 pinball and 35 classic arcade video games - available to play for a one-time admission fee that is good all day.

Asheville Retrocade

Don’t be fooled by the strip mall exterior of this arcade - inside is filled to the brim with the sights and sounds of 80’s nostalgia. Take a trip back to the time before PS5 and play more than 5,000 video games, as well as pinball, billiards, foosball, and more at the Retrocade. Play as much as you want for one price all day, and enjoy craft beer, wine, or soda at the bar or outdoor patio.

Asheville Pizza and Brewing

Enjoy a house-made pizza, some freshly brewed craft beer, and a popular movie at Asheville Pizza and Brewing’s North Asheville location. You can also skip the movie and play video games while watching cartoons on the big screen in the arcade, dine on one of the outside patio tables, or relax in a booth next to the crew of the Millennium Falcon in the main dining room.

Athletic Dads

Asheville Tourists

Catch an Asheville Tourists game at McCormick Field with the whole family. The Tourists is our minor league Advanced-A affiliate team of the Houston Astros. A game at the field offers all the fun, food, and home runs that a major league game does, as well as a chance to see rising stars before they hit the big leagues.

Riveter

Riveter is a climbing gym, bike park, and yoga and fitness studio that encompasses and maintains 10 acres of working farmland in nearby Mills River. The climbing gym is a 16,000-square-feet facility with autobelays, ropes, boulders, plus a kids area. The bike park features hills and valleys of dirt in both a covered area and an outdoor area. Forgot the bike at home? Rent one here, as well as pads and helmets.

Once you’re done climbing or riding, enjoy the bar at Riveter. Admission prices vary depending on your activity, and reservations are available but not required. You will need to sign a waiver prior to participating, and filling one out online before you go is advised.

Take a Hike

Of course, our area is renowned for its many hiking and biking trails throughout the Blue Ridge Parkway and Pisgah Forest, among other spots throughout the mountains.

Musical Dads

American Vinyl Co.

Is Dad a vinyl collector, musician, or just an ardent music fan? Take him to American Vinyl Co. to cut his own record, buy used vinyl, have a couple beers, pick out local musicians’ music to record to an album, or watch live musicians. It’s a destination for music fans, and would pair nicely with a trip to the Moogseum.

The Moogseum

The Moogseum is a one-of-a-kind immersive, interactive museum that is a project of the Bob Moog Foundation. Bob Moog was the inventor of the synthesizer and lived in Asheville for the last 25 years of his life. The museum is a testament to his invention, and features a “hands-on” synthesizer and theremin gallery where you can explore the sounds made by those instruments, as well as exhibits about how electricity becomes sound, the science behind synthesis, and the history of the synthesizer. It’s open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.