Are you looking for a getaway in a mountain town that isn’t too far off the beaten path? Try Waynesville, NC, which serves as the county seat for Haywood County. With a population of 9,869, it will give you a small-town feel while offering plenty to do. Around 30 miles from Asheville, it is the perfect place for a family day trip and provides some fun attractions to entertain the kiddos. Check out our ideas below!
Smoky Mountains S8way
If your kids are into roller skating, the Smoky Mountains S8way is where you’ve got to take them. In addition to roller skating, they offer an obstacle course, inflatables, an 18-hole CRAZY Golf Course, a 40-game arcade area, pool tables, party rooms, and a redemption center with prizes. If you’re visiting on the weekend, the 1-6 pm sessions on Saturday and Sunday are the best open skate times for families. And if you get hungry, they have a cafe with kid-friendly food. (Depending on personal taste, parents might want to wait and grab a bite somewhere else later!)
Farm to Cake Bakery
If you want a sweet treat, stop by Farm to Cake Bakery. Their pastry chefs are “old-school bakers” who make delicious pastries with real ingredients. They are open from 10:00-4:00 Tuesday-Friday and 10:00-3:00 on Saturday and offer both pastry and lunch items.
Shelton House
Give your family a taste of history with a visit to the Shelton House. It’s just three blocks from downtown Waynesville, and it was the first property in Haywood County listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 1875 Charleston-style farmhouse is now a museum. It displays beautiful antiques, heritage crafts, agricultural exhibits, and other items from crafters and artisans past and present. In addition, the property features a Pennsylvania-style barn that hosts weddings, meetings, and other special events. The grounds include eight-plus acres of garden and green space that offer beautiful strolls. It is home to the HART Performing Arts Center and Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market.
Haywood Regional Arts Theater
The Haywood Regional Arts Theater, or HART, is a semi-professional community theater showcasing the talents of people in the area. Many of their performances are appropriate for all ages, and they note this fact on individual show listings. Visit their website to see what’s playing when you want to visit.
Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market
You can find Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market in the parking lot of the HART Theater on Saturdays 9 am – 12 pm from April 1-December 16. Your family will love browsing the stalls and displays offering local meats, fresh produce, heritage crafts, and handmade treats. And you know you’ll be getting the freshest options available in the area because it’s a producer-only market featuring produce sourced from Haywood or an adjacent county.
Live in Waynesville
If your visit makes you long for small-town mountain living, you can always move to the area! Let’s talk! Our team has expert knowledge of Haywood County, and we can help you have the best possible experience moving here.
Image credit: VRBO