Kinderhook Hollow

The outdoors is your oyster… and it isn’t just for the adults. Whether you’re a big kid at heart or you’ve got your own, a plunge down the natural waterfall at Sliding Rock (an hour and five minutes’ drive) is a highlight of the Pisgah National Forest. And in the Chimney Rock (50 minutes) and Lake Lure (55 minutes) area, there’s a splendid river swimming spot for kids on the way to bouldering and rock climbing in the forest. As for closer by, well, there are hikes in Shope Creek (15 minutes’ drive) or the Graveyard Fields (an hour and 10 minutes), a soak and picnic at the Swannanoa River (10 minutes) in Owen Park or the stream and swimming pool at Montreat College (25 minutes). Then there are the towns too – perhaps fishing on the stream in Old Fort (half an hour), the curious shops in Black Mountain (20 minutes) or touring Asheville’s 8000-acre Biltmore (20 minutes) estate on horseback, mountain bike or kayak. And for more nature, try out white water activities on the French Broad (50 minutes or 20 minutes for calmer waters) or soaking in the Hot Springs (an hour and five minutes).