One city, three price points: A weekend in Asheville, N.C.

BUDGET

Getting there

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www.sunnypointecafe.com

When the Sunny Point Cafe was built, an old wall bearing an RC Cola advertisement was saved.

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www.paddlewithus.com

Boaters with the Asheville Outdoor Center await their turn to float down the French Broad River.

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www.whitegate.net

The Robert Frost Room is one of 11 romantic guest rooms available at the WhiteGate Inn.

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Hit the road with your own wheels for the trip of 3 1/2 to 4 hours.

Stay

Four Points by Sheraton Downtown Asheville offers a 50 percent reduction on a second consecutive night through March 31. Most nights $100 double; $50 a second night. Enjoy signature bedding, ergo chair, flat-screen TV. Use promo code ZBT. 22 Woodfin St., 828-253-1851, www.starwoodhotels.com.

Eat

Order breakfast or lunch from morning to evening at a local favorite, the Sunny Point Cafe (average $8.50). Also daily and dinner specials; www.sunnypointcafe.com; 626 Haywood Road, 828-252-0055.

Experience

Drive for miles along the gorgeous Blue Ridge Parkway (the 469-mile parkway intersects Asheville). Stop at Looking Glass Falls for a winter photo or a summer swim. Stop at Sliding Rock on the return drive to the parkway for a slippery dip into a 7-foot-deep natural pool; $1. Open year-round (life-guard, changing rooms open Memorial Day-Labor Day). www.pisgahforest.com.

MODERATE

Getting there

Weekends through June 1, rent an Alamo car at most national airport locations from $10 a day (valid Thursday-Monday). Saturday night rental required. 24-hour advance reservation required. www.alamo.com.

Stay

Private log cabins feel like home at Willow Winds with fireplace, kitchen, luxury bedding, washer/dryer, large deck, hot tub, electric grills and porch rockers. One-bedroom $195-$235; two-bedroom average $240; three-bedroom $250-$275. 39 Stockwood Road, 828-277-3948, www.willowwinds.com.

Eat

The Flying Frog combines Continental, German and Indian cuisine to please eclectic palates; dinners $16-$33. 1 Battery Park Ave., 828-254-9411, www.flyingfrogcafe.com.

Experience

The 80-minute hop-on, hop-off Asheville Historic Trolley Tour, March-December. $19 adults; $12 children 6-17. www.asheville trolleytours.com. Peaceful 7-mile, self-guided float along the French Broad River, April-October. $33-$35 adults; $22-$25 children 12 and younger. www.paddlewithus.com.

SPLURGE

Getting there

Walk-up economy seats from $429 on nonstop Delta/ASA flights lasting an hour.

Stay

The elegant WhiteGate Inn, known for its award-winning gardens, offers 11 romantic guest rooms, some with four-poster beds and fireplaces. $199-$359 through March; two-night minimum on weekends. 173 E. Chestnut St., 828-253-2553, www.whitegate.net.

Eat

The Savoy Restaurant gets its dreamy flavors from line-caught fish and nearby organic farms. Three-course chef’s tasting menu $65; $95 with wine pairing. Five-courses $95; $135 with wines. 641 Merrimon Ave., 828-253-1077, savoyasheville.com.

Experience

Visit Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual and shop for authentic and collectible Indian art. It’s located across from the Museum of the Cherokee Indian; $9 adults; $6 children 6-14. Tsali Boulevard/Drama Road, one-hour drive from Asheville in Cherokee, 828-497-3481, cherokeemuseum.org.

Maerz is a retired travel consultant. Look for her daily deals on ajc.com/travel.

Have a city you want to read about? E-mail svanatten@ajc.com, and put “weekend in” in the subject line.