Below, I offer suggestions for folks visiting Asheville and looking for places to hike, play and eat. These are some of my favorite places to go, and they’ll give you a good overview of what our city has to offer.

DAY ONE

4pm—E-BIKE RIDE

Get the lay of the land by renting e-bikes at The Flying Bike. Located in the River Arts District, a vibrant and colorful neighborhood with amazing greenways along the French Broad River, The Flying Bike offers guided tours as well as general rentals for people who want to explore on their own.

6pm—DINNER

Once you get settled in, head downtown for a bite to eat. For a small city, we sure have some amazing restaurants and you can either splurge on dinner or save a few bucks with a more moderately priced option.

Splurge: Chef Katie Button is a local legend, and her award-winning restaurant Cùrate is as good as it gets. Make sure to make reservations because this place is popular among tourists and locals alike. A little planning goes a long way, though, and it will be so worth it; trust me. The menu changes regularly but if you get the opportunity to eat the Cinco Jotas Jamon Iberico (cured pork), absolutely do it.

8pm—LIVE MUSIC

If you still have some energy after dinner, go to the Grey Eagle to listen to some live music. This venue attracts world-class musicians and to see them in an intimate setting is super fun.

A tour at The Flying Bike

DAY TWO

8am—BREAKFAST

Among my family’s favorite places to go for breakfast are Tupelo Honey Café, City Bakery, All Day Darling and Pulp + Sprout. You can’t go wrong with any of these options, and the açaí bowl at Pulp + Sprout is my personal go-to.

10am—DAY HIKE

Time to explore the Black Mountain area, which is a quaint artistic neighbor of Asheville. As a proud graduate of Montreat College, just outside of Black Mountain, I cut my teeth in these mountains. Here are a couple hikes not to miss:

Easy Hike: The Lookout Trail in Montreat is a pet-friendly hike that’s 1.4 miles round-trip and takes most folks about an hour. The route includes a beautiful summit that looks out over the whole Black Mountain valley. Kid friendly, this hike is a classic family adventure and packs a punch for a short hike.

Tough Hike: The Seven Sisters are a well-known range above Black Mountain and by far my favorite hike in the area. The first mile is straight uphill, but once you gain the ridge the fun starts. This is a 10- mile hike and not for beginners. This hike could take four to five hours but leads to some spectacular views.

6pm—DINNER

Black Mountain is a town that has stayed true to its roots. There are many options for dinner and all are reasonably priced. Among my favorites are Pure and Proper, My Father’s Pizza, The Trailhead and Veranda Café.

Once again, if you have energy left over, you can usually see live mu- sic at White Horse Black Mountain or Pisgah Brewery.

The scenic Lake Tomakawk in Black Mountain

DAY THREE

8am—BREAKFAST

After an adventurous weekend, you should be tired and hungry! This is the day for recovering and relaxing—on a full stomach, of course.

Budget: The Well-Bred Bakery is one of my family’s favorites. You just can’t go wrong with the Spicy Chorizo Burrito or the Vegetarian Black Bean Burrito. Good luck turning down the pastries too; they’re made fresh daily and are to die for.

Splurge: The Biltmore Estate is an iconic landmark and offers a few different dining options for both breakfast and brunch. The dining room at the Inn on Biltmore Estate is top notch, and don’t you dare forget a Mimosa, which goes great with The Estate Harvest Power Bowl.

10am—PUBLIC SAUNA

You’ve had a wonderful couple of days and now it’s time to relax! Do yourself a favor and check out The Sauna House. Their hot/cold therapy is next level, and the vibe is just right. This is the perfect way to end your Asheville stay in style.