Located in the heart of Asheville, North Carolina, the John B. Lewis Soccer Complex is a venue that’s second to none. After all, the complex is home to the nearly 5,000 children who participate in the Asheville Buncombe Youth Soccer Association, also known as the ABYSA. The John B. Lewis Soccer Complex features four exceptionally well-maintained artificial turf fields enjoyed by both the ABYSA and those visiting the venue to play other sports like flag football, lacrosse, ultimate, and disc golf.

If you and your team have visited Asheville previously, it’s likely that you’re already well aware of all the fun attractions that can be found there. Those visiting Asheville for the first time should be looking forward to one of the most fun team travel experiences they’ve had yet. With so many fun things to do right near the John B. Lewis Soccer Complex, you and your team can plan on returning home with many fond memories of your trip to Asheville.

Things to Do

Western North Carolina Nature Center

After the competition has wrapped up for the day at the John B. Lewis Soccer Complex, take a short drive over to the Western North Carolina Nature Center located just two miles away. There you and your team can meet over 60 different kinds of animals, including river otters, black bears, red wolves, and cougars. Situated on over 40 acres of Southern Appalachian habitat, the Western North Carolina Nature Center is one of Asheville’s most unique attractions.

Offering a wide variety of exhibits, the Western North Carolina Nature Center has something for everyone. These include the Appalachian Station, where you and your team can observe a variety of reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals that are native to the region; Otter Falls, which features North American river otters as well as several species of aquatic turtles; World Underground, a unique indoor experience that will take you on an educative tour of life under the soil; and so much more! 75 Gashes Creek Rd, Asheville, NC 28805

Asheville’s Fun Depot

Your team is sure to have a blast as they play through over 65,000 square feet of family-friendly fun at Asheville’s Fun Depot! This popular local attraction offers laser tag, indoor and outdoor go-karting, an 18-hole indoor mini-golf course, an arcade with over 100 games, and a whole lot more. Best of all, Asheville’s Fun Depot is located less than a 10-minute drive from the John B. Lewis Soccer Complex!

Since having fun is a great way to work up an appetite, there’s no way your team won’t get hungry during your visit to Asheville’s Fun Depot. When they do, head over to the Sports Café, a full-service restaurant located onsite. There they can get off of their feet for a few minutes as they refuel with kid-friendly favorites like hamburgers, pizza, chicken fingers, nachos, and quesadillas. 7 Roberts Rd, Asheville, NC 28803

Asheville Museum of Science

For an afternoon full of scientific fun and discovery, take your team to the Asheville Museum of Science. Located in Asheville’s beautiful and bustling downtown area, this museum offers a premier hands-on learning experience for guests of all ages. During your visit to the Asheville Museum of Science your team can see what it’s like to be a geologist in the Colburn Hall of Minerals, dig for fossils and observe a Teratophoneus dinosaur skeleton up close, climb into a towering tree canopy in the Southern Appalachian Forestry exhibit, and more.

While at the Asheville Museum of Science, your team can take home some of the scientific fun by purchasing a cool souvenir or two at the museum’s gift shop. The gift shop has a wide variety of cool items to choose from, making it easy for everyone on your team to find something they enjoy. Just some of the souvenirs sold at the museum’s gift shop include dazzling mineral specimens, books, toys, and cuddly stuffed animals. 43 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801

Comic Envy

Instead of taking everyone to go see the latest superhero movie at one of the theaters near the John B. Lewis Soccer Complex, introduce your team to the comic books where these iconic characters made their first appearances at Comic Envy. This charming store opened in Asheville almost a decade ago and quickly became a hub for many local comic book fanatics. To keep up with demand, Comic Envy eventually moved from their first location to one that’s nearly three times as large. Their new, more spacious store features an impressive selection of new and vintage comic books, in addition to toys, games, and other fun collectables that are sure to put some smiles on your team’s faces. 144 Tunnel Rd, Asheville, NC 28805

McCormick Field

Asheville’s historic McCormick Field first opened its gates in 1924, making it the oldest minor league park still in regular use. Since then the stadium has undergone numerous renovations, the most recent of which taking place in 2015. These frequent renovation efforts have ensured that McCormick Field remains up-to-date and continues to be a great place to watch a game of baseball in Asheville.

With a seating capacity of just over 4,000, every game at McCormick Field feels particularly intimate and its scenic location atop a section of level ground partway up one of the city’s largest hills provides a picturesque atmosphere. Even though you’re only visiting Asheville, watching a game at McCormick Field is sure to make you and your team feel as if you’re part of the local crowd. 30 Buchanan Pl, Asheville, NC 28801

Asheville Biltmore Gem Mine

If you’re looking for a fun, kid-friendly activity that really “rocks,” stop by the Asheville Biltmore Gem Mine. This unique attraction offers great fun for all ages, giving visitors the chance to mine some of the richest ore in the area. They purchase ore from several nearby mines, as well as some that are farther away, then mix it with their own to guarantee a cool find every time! What’s even cooler is that when you or someone from your team discovers an extra special rock you can ask one of the mine’s knowledgeable employees to identify and tell you a little bit about it. Don’t worry about a rainy day getting in the way of your fun there either; with both outdoor and indoor sluices you can mine no matter the weather! 1997 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville, NC 28803

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Places to Eat

Moe’s Original Bar B Que

You know you’re in store for authentic, real deal barbeque if you can smell it cooking even before you walk through a restaurant’s doors. That’s exactly what will be the case when you take your team to Moe’s Original Bar B Que, located only 10 minutes from the John B. Lewis Soccer Complex.

They’re smoking a bunch of barbeque classics fresh every day at Moe’s, including pulled pork, chicken, turkey, and ribs. They’ve even got smoked wings! Barbeque certainly isn’t all they know how to do at Moe’s however. On their menu you’ll also find seafood dishes like fried catfish and shrimp, along with plenty of tasty appetizers and quintessential southern side dishes like baked beans and potato salad. Make sure everyone saves room for dessert too, since no meal at Moe’s is complete without diving in to a cool, creamy cup of banana pudding. 4 Sweeten Creek Rd, Asheville, NC 28803

Piazza Wood Fired Oven

On a list of the most team-friendly foods, pizza would probably be ranked number one. It’s perfect for sharing with large groups, you can top it with pretty much anything, and it’s really not that hard to find a place that knows how to make a decent pizza. Finding great pizza however, usually proves to be a little bit more challenging. Luckily that won’t be a challenge that you and your team will have to face while you’re at the John B. Lewis Soccer Complex. That’s because Piazza Wood Fired Oven is just minutes away.

All of the pizzas made at Piazza start with hand-worked dough that’s made fresh every morning. They are then topped generously with homemade sauces and some of the area’s finest local ingredients before being slid into the restaurant’s namesake oven. If you’re looking for something other than pizza, Piazza also serves plenty of Italian favorites like chicken parmesan and pasta topped with a savory, slow-cooked Bolognese sauce. 4 Olde Eastwood Village Blvd, Asheville, NC 28803

Village Wayside Bar and Grille

During your team’s visit to the John B. Lewis Soccer Complex, do as the locals do and dine at one of the area’s most popular restaurants, Village Wayside Bar and Grille. From the century-old train depot where it’s located to a menu that features dishes that put new culinary twists on classics, this restaurant’s charm is undeniable.

With appetizer options like Duck Wings, Fetachoke Dip, Curried Chicken Salad and an eclectic assortment of entrées, there’s something for everyone on your team to enjoy at Village Wayside Bar and Grille. For children who aren’t particularly adventurous eaters, Village Wayside Bar and Grille also offers a kids’ menu with more familiar options like chicken tenders, hamburgers, spaghetti and meatballs, and grilled cheese. 30 Lodge St, Asheville, NC 28803

The Cantina

For food with south of the border flair, look no further than The Cantina. Located in the heart of Asheville’s historic Biltmore Village, The Cantina offers traditional Southwestern favorites like tacos, fajitas, quesadillas, and burritos. Authentic recipes and fresh, often locally-sourced ingredients mean that whatever you order at The Cantina is sure to be one of the culinary highlights of your trip to Asheville.

Start your meal off right with some of their delicious appetizers. These include everything from familiar favorites like nachos and chips with salsa, guacamole, or queso to more inventive options, such as their Stuffed Avocado filled with shredded chicken or succulent shrimp, black bean corn salad, Monterey Jack cheese, green onion, and pico de gallo. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, skip the appetizer and save room for one of their decadent desserts, like amaretto flan, fried ice cream, and Mexican chocolate torte. 10 Biltmore Plz, Asheville, NC 28803

From science museums and gem mines to a slew of fantastic restaurants, Asheville is a city that’s got it all and then some. In fact, you and your team might not even be able to see and do everything you wanted to during your visit to the John B. Lewis Soccer Complex. If that’s the case, there’s not need to worry. Just come back again another time and see everything else that you might’ve missed!