48 Hours in Asheville

Short on days? Here's a play-by-play that lets you sample beloved standbys and burgeoning must-do's in a time-sensitive sequence.|Alex Crevar

SATURDAY

10 a.m.–Asheville City Market
Come to this producers-only market with reusable bag in hand and buy veggies straight from the source. In its fourth year and located downtown in the Public Works Building parking lot, the vending farmers typically come from within 60 miles. asapconnections.org

Noon–Tupelo Honey Cafe
This downtown insitution partners with more than 25 local farms. Roll up your sleeves for Not Your Mama's Meatloaf topped with a rosemary, tomato, and shallot gravy. The beef comes from Hickory Nut Gap Farm (20 minutes southeast). tupelohoneycafe.com

1:30 p.m.–River Arts District
Around 150 artists from nearly every medium occupy 20 or so buildings along the French Broad River. "Buying from the artists after watching them work is a fuller experience," says Curve Studios & Garden's Pattiy Torno. The district also boasts restaurants and a theater. riverartsdistrict.com

3 p.m.–Brews Cruise
The upside of the brewery walking tour, versus the mobile tour, is you visit more sites–four rather than three–and stay downtown. The downside: The stumble to the last one is a doozy (Just keep it in mind, as you go.) During the excursions you'll sample concoctions and speak to their creators. ashevillebrewscruise.com

7 p.m.–The Admiral
This trendy West Asheville eatery is funky, but the menu is as sophisticated as an officer's dress blues. Start with a Dark and Stormy cocktail with homemade ginger ale, rum, and blackstrap molasses. Then try the Columbia River sturgeon, served with sweet breads, squash, and Brussels sprouts. After, the dining room morphs into a dance party. theadmiralnc.com

SUNDAY

8:30 a.m.–Sunny Point Cafe
In 2010, Good Morning America ranked Sunny Point, surrounded by its own vegetable and herb beds, among the country's top four breakfast spots. Manager Brigett Bolding recommends the heavenly huevos rancheros made with free-range eggs, local chorizo, cilantro crema, and homemade salsa verde. sunnypointcafe.com

10 a.m.–Biltmore
Visited by about a million folks each year, America's largest private home, completed in 1895, has 250 rooms. You're likely less familiar with the property's Antler Hill Village, which opened in 2010 and allows you to try a local beer at Cedric's Tavern, enjoy a meal at the Bistro, or stop in for a tasting at the Winery. biltmore.com

1 p.m.–Corner Kitchen
Owner Kevin Westmoreland's restaurant hosted the Obamas and spreads across two floors of an 1890s Biltmore Village building. For lunch he suggests the Bilmore Village Reuben with house-cooked corned beef, homemade Thousand Island, and braised sauerkraut. thecornerkitchen.com

3:30 p.m.–Mount Pisgah Trail
Drive 30 minutes south along the Blue Ridge Parkway for a 3-mile moderate hike through autumn gold to Mount Pisgah's 5,721-foot summit, where you'll be able to capture ooh-inspiring views overlooking Asheville. hikewnc.info

8 p.m.–Cúrate
Flamenco over to the marble bar bordering the open kitchen of this Spanish tapas restaurant. Glass of red in hand, executive chef Katie Button suggests the Jamón Ibérica, salt and peppered, grilled, and served with roasted cipollini onions and toasted pine nuts. curatetapasbar.com

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http://www.southernliving.com/travel/south-east/asheville-weekend-planner-00417000075344/