Travel & GuidesWinter Lights at the NC Arboretum: Tickets, Dates and What to Expect
· 4 min read
Family Fun
WNC Nature Center
A 42-acre wildlife park with red wolves, black bears, otters, red pandas, and other Southern Appalachian animals.
East AshevilleVisit Website
Appalachian Wildlife Up Close
The WNC Nature Center, at 75 Gashes Creek Road, is a small zoo focused on Southern Appalachian animals across 42 acres. Its site lists red wolves, black bears, otters, and red pandas along with raccoons, foxes, skunks, turtles, and other regional wildlife. It is one of the easiest half-day outings with young kids.
Know Before You Go
The center says it is open year-round except a few holidays, with last admission an hour before closing. Because of construction, the center asks visitors to follow its updated directions using the Tunnel Road and Azalea Road East route to avoid narrow two-way sections. Its Wolf Howl-O-Ween evening event is scheduled for October 23, 2026. Check the center's site for current hours and admission.
More With Kids
See our family-friendly list, including the Asheville Museum of Science.
Close by
Nearby Businesses
Places to check out near East Asheville
Read more
From the Guides
Articles about family fun in Asheville
Family Fun
More Family Fun
Other family fun activities in Asheville
01
Asheville Museum of Science
A hands-on downtown science museum with interactive exhibits and street-level access, known as AMOS.
Downtown Asheville
02Asheville Pinball Museum
A downtown arcade with about 40 pinball machines and 40 classic video games, all included with one admission.
Downtown Asheville
03Carrier Park
A 33-acre riverside park in West Asheville on the French Broad River, with greenway access, a picnic shelter, and a wetlands education area open while the west side is closed for Helene recovery.
West Asheville
Discover more
Explore all things to do in Asheville
From outdoor adventures to local restaurants and family fun - there's always something happening in the Land of the Sky.