What to see in Asheville in 48 hours

For decades, tourists have come to Asheville to admire the spectacular Biltmore Estate, largely ignoring the rest of the city. Asheville is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in the southeast.

The thriving arts and culture scene is eye-catching, as are the newly renovated neighborhoods that house design studios, trendy restaurants and the nation's largest concentration of breweries.

This 48-hour itinerary includes the iconic Biltmore Estate as well as beautiful scenery and delicious food. When it comes to location, visitors have booked rooms at the luxurious Omni Grove Park Inn for generations. If you're in the mood for a less expensive vacation, consider Hotel Indigo in downtown Asheville or one of the many bed and breakfasts in the area.

Day One: Morning and Afternoon

Morning: grab a hearty breakfast at Corner Kitchen in Biltmore Village or, for a lighter meal, visit Well-Bred Bakery & Caf where freshly baked scones and a wide range of coffee are available. After breakfast, be sure to check out Biltmore Village. This village was originally a servants' quarters on a nearby estate of the same name. It has become an attraction, offering popular stores and restaurants in the tree-lined historic district.

9 a.m.: Take the car to Biltmore Manor and enjoy a self-guided tour of the grounds and mansion. George Vanderbilt spent a short weekend in the Blue Ridge Mountains with his mother in 1888, when he was 26 years old.

This grandson of industrialist Cornelius Vanderbilt was inspired by the area, and a year later he returned to begin building what is now considered America's premier home. The Biltmore Estate is a French chateau with 250 rooms and a striking four acres of retail space. Outside, the meticulously manicured grounds offer four miles of walking paths in an 8,000-acre garden.

Experienced travelers arrive as early as possible, especially during the early months of warm weather. Reserve your admission time when you buy your tickets online. (Tickets: $80 for adults at the gate; youth and children under 16 are free during the summer. Discounts for AAA members.)

12:30 p.m.: Take a break from your exploration to enjoy a light lunch at Kitchen Caf (located in Antler Hill Village and Winery). A nearby winery also offers free samples of its products. Make Antler Hill Village the transition point between outdoor and indoor explorations. What should come first? Check the weather forecast before you make that decision.

Your level of interest will determine the length of time you spend at the Biltmore, but it is certainly possible to spend an entire day at the estate and not see everything. At a minimum, reserve five hours to explore.

Day One: Evening

5:00 p.m.: Drive up North Blue Ridge Boulevard east of Asheville for one of Western North Carolina's beautiful sunsets. Just a few miles north of the intersection with U.S. 70 overlooks Ho Creek Valley, a great place to watch sunsets. Get there early, because on clear nights the relatively small parking lot fills up quickly.

6:30 p.m.. As the light dims, it will be tempting to keep traveling north to visit the more scenic conventions. Save that pleasure for tomorrow. Head back south to US 70, then walk east on I-40 to the town of Black Mountain, where the Red Rocker Inn is located. Here you'll find a gourmet dining room with specials such as: handmade pork chops, fresh mountain trout and homemade pasta, tortillas and desserts. Reservations are offered; Sunday is closed.

Day Two: Morning

8:30 a.m.. Start your day with a tour of Asheville's famous Omni Grove Park Inn, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. This classic resort originated from the proceeds of elixir sales in the early 1900s. From Wednesday through Sunday each week, guests can take a free 45-minute guided tour that begins in the lobby at 9 a.m.

For day visitors, a 20-person tour costs $10 for an adult. On days when tours are not offered, it is still worth a quick stop to see one of the first great mountain resorts in the American South.

10:15 a.m.. Just a few years ago, the area that is now the river art district of Asheville was a blighted industrial area along the French Broad River. The only tourists who arrived here in those days probably made the mistake of looking for the Biltmore Estate.

Today they come to visit 22 art studios located in restored factories and buildings. The artists will be working on their latest creations, and you can occasionally engage them in conversation about their technique and creativity. For those who like to buy original works from emerging artists, this can be a worthwhile stop.

Day Two: Day and Evening

11:20 a.m.: Arrive at Buxton Hall Bar-B-Cue before the restaurant opens at 11:30 and wait in a short line. Slight time investment yields one of the first tables of the day. Those arriving an hour later wait much longer. Buxton Hall has a reputation for "whole-wood and hog barbecue" and side dishes such as "mussels cooked under pork."

1 p.m.: If you're denying yourself dessert, more temptations lurk in this South Slope neighborhood. The French Broad Chocolate Factory is open daily and offers a 75-minute tour of the facility on Saturdays, which requires reservations and $10. Elsewhere, shorter free tours also explain the philosophy of getting cocoa beans and fair trade with the farmers who produce the beans. The owners also serve their creations at the downtown chocolate lounge in South Pak Square.

2:15 p.m.: After refueling with barbecue and chocolate, head east on US 70 to the same interchange where last night's magnificent sunset view was available. Once on Blue Ridge Boulevard North, you'll soon encounter the Folk Art Museum. Stop to see the many handmade items created by mountain people - some by necessity for chores and others for pure beauty.

Travelers who enjoy such creations may spend half a day here, while others will be satisfied with a quick glimpse. In any case, leave your camera locked in the car. Regulations prohibit taking pictures inside the building.

Continue north on the winding road, climbing the boulevard until you reach Craggy Dome. Park and begin the 1-kilometer hike to the summit. This short hike is quite strenuous in spots, but those who continue end up enjoying some of the best scenic views in this part of the country.

If the weather is bad, other activities in the Asheville area that can fill a day include a trip to the Asheville Science Museum or a tour of Asheville's 50 breweries. Wicked Weed Brewery, offers free tours.

17:30. Asheville has several innovative eateries. Southerners enjoy "hot chicken" recipes, usually fried with varying degrees of spices and hot sauces. Try this trend at Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack. Arden's location is just a few miles from the intersection of U.S. 25A and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Day Three: Morning

10 am. If your departure day falls on a weekend, visit Café Posana for a gourmet breakfast. The restaurant serves only local products and offers a modern American menu. It's a good lunch stop for those who can't make it to breakfast.

11:00 a.m.: Posana is a great place to start a short walking tour of downtown Asheville, which is possible along the city trail and accessible via smartphone. Make the tour as short or long as possible. Some street art marks each stop.