Black Mountain, North Carolina, is the perfect vacation destination for families seeking a mix of the great outdoors, small-town charm, really good food, and cultural experiences. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains (literally at the foot of the Black Mountain range), the town offers plenty of kid-friendly outdoor activities. Our vibrant downtown is filled with locally-owned shops, green spaces, cozy cafés, and more, making it easy to spend relaxing days together.

Shop & stroll through downtown

Every shop in downtown Black Mountain is so unique. Many feature original work by local artists! While we recommend you take time to visit them all, here are a few suggestions to get you and your family started.

Travel back in time with your kids inside Town Hardware & General Store, where you can shop for classic toys, puzzles, and games. Sassafras on Sutton, a bookstore and much more, has a great kids section. Epic Cycles and Mountain Running Co. are just two of our shops dedicated to outdoor adventures, and the staff members are so knowledgeable. We would never forget about your four-legged family members (we love dogs!), so be sure to take them to Bone-a-Fide Boutique. Your angsty pre-teens won’t admit they actually like the quirky t-shirts printed and sold at Shirtmandude, but they will. CW Moose Trading Co. also has a great selection of t-shirts as well as mountain-inspired gifts.

Visit our Shops directory for links and to discover more.

Let us do the cooking

Dining throughout Black Mountain is so varied that there absolutely is something for everyone’s taste. Foothills Grange has a large picnic area ideal for families to relax and enjoy great food. Classics like My Father’s Pizza and The Trailhead Restaurant offer kid-friendly meals, while breweries such as Pisgah Brewing Company have large outdoor spaces where families can relax and hang out together. Don’t forget to grab a treat at Kilwins, The Hop, Hey Hey Cupcake, or Dough House Donuts!

Visit our Dining directory for many more dining options and links.

History and hands-on learning

Visit the Swannanoa Valley Museum, where families can learn about Black Mountain’s history. Kids and adults can enjoy interactive exhibits, activities, and stories of our Native American heritage, the history of the railroad, natural wonders of our region, and more. After your visit, we recommend you check out the nearby Black Mountain Center for the Arts to see their current exhibits and learn about programs for kids and adults taking place while you’re in town.

Visit our Things to Do directory for links and more ideas.

Cool places to stay

Your family will fall for the charms of your hometown away from home. With traditional hotels, B&Bs and vacation rentals, there are many different kinds options to choose from with availability right now!

Visit our Stay directory for details.

Go outside and play

Western North Carolina is a special place. Here, you can nurture a love for nature and the outdoors both in yourself and in your children. There are plenty of places that will inspire your entire family!

Town Parks and Trails

We know you’re drawn to Black Mountain for its natural beauty. We are, too. Tragically, Hurricane Helene’s waters and winds caused significant damage to many natural areas in the Swannanoa Valley. The good news is, several have reopened partially or fully and the clean-up is ongoing. CLICK HERE for the status of our Town parks and trails.

State Parks and Trails

Thanks to ongoing clean-up efforts after Hurricane Helen struck, a number of North Carolina state parks near the Town of Black Mountain were reopened partially or fully in November 2024. Refer to the official North Carolina State Park interactive map to check the current status of a specific state park or trail.

Here are a few Pro Tips about our State Parks:

Most North Carolina state parks are free to access, charging fees only for activities like camping, facility reservations, swim passes, rentals, and permits.
Pets are welcome as long as they’re on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet. The only exceptions are that pets aren’t allowed at swim areas or inside buildings. You must pick up after your pet and properly dispose of waste in trash bins.

Blue Ridge Parkway

While there are sections of the Parkway that remain closed for repair following Helene, the closest section of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Black Mountain is open.

Known as the Asheville corridor, the section includes beautiful trails, the French Broad Overlook at milepost 393.8, and the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center at milepost 384, which is open daily.

At both state and national parks, you will find an on-going commitment to helping individuals with disabilities enjoy the outdoors as well as activities inside indoor facilities.

What do I do if we see a bear?

It could happen! The North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation has put together an online, educational hub where you can learn all about bears and safety precautions to take.

More things to do

There is so much going on in Black Mountain all year round! In March 2025 alone, you can hear live music, attend art shows, shop a locals-only farmers’ market, drop some knowledge at trivia nights, and more. Discover events taking place during your visit by checking out the Town’s events calendar, which is hosted by our friends at My Carolina Mountain Life.

Getting here

Getting to and around Black Mountain is easy! Check out our travel guide and interactive parking map.

About Black Mountain, North Carolina

Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Black Mountain is a town known for its vibrant arts scene, chef-inspired kitchens and locally-brewed libations, charming downtown, and proximity to outdoor adventures. As the "Front Porch of Western North Carolina," Black Mountain can’t wait to share our welcoming community spirit with you which, more than anything, makes our town such a special place to visit again and again.

How to support #BlackMountainStrong

At first glance, it might look like the Town of Black Mountain has achieved economic recovery from the devastation of Hurricane Helene. In fact, there is still so much work to be done. Our recovery efforts, which include restoration of our parks and rebuilding of Town-owned spaces, will take years. Please consider a donation to the #BlackMountainStrong Helene Recovery Fund. You can trust that 100% of your donation will stay local. CLICK HERE TO DONATE, and thank you.

About the Author

This blog story was written by Amy J. Schultz, an award-winning author, brand/marketing strategist, and overall creative type. She, her husband Brian, and their giant dog Bentley love their downtown Black Mountain neighborhood.

Take a (spring) break in Black Mountain, North Carolina