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From urban to formal, classic to contemporary, this North Carolina town boasts the stores you'll want to peruse for a weekend.

Spice up the gift-giving season in a Southern town that satisfies diverse tastes. Clever museum gift shops, posh boutique stops, and classic antiques stores lie among Charlotte's trendy chains and megamalls. We've mapped out a weekend geared toward distinctive local shopping choices. You'll find these treasures in areas of the city such as South End, the Dilworth section, Central Avenue, and even the ultra-urban North Davidson district. Though not all centrally located, these finds are well worth the driving time.

Feel-good Friday

If you want to stay in style, pick The Dunhill Hotel. With rooms that start at $139, it's not cheap. But this is a real swanky place for folks who want to sleep amid elegance; (704) 332-4141 or www.dunhillhotel.com.

For a more moderate price, stay at the Hampton Inn Uptown on East Second Street. It's one of the newer lodging choices in Charlotte's downtown. Rates start at $89 a night; (704) 373-0917 or www.hampton-inn.com.

After laying down your bags, grab lunch at Something Classic Gourmet Shoppe. This cafe serves yummy boxed lunches, salads, and soups. Try the turkey-and-dilled Havarti sandwich with cucumber mayonnaise. It's served with either fresh fruit salad, old-fashioned red potato salad, Southern caviar salad with black-eyed peas, or penne pasta salad with vegetables. You also get a choice of dessert, such as the award-winning brownies. The entire meal costs only $8.95.

Then head for the shop at the nearby Mint Museum of Craft + Design for some artsy finds. Handblown glass, homespun scarves, and crafts from local artisans fill shelves and make great stocking stuffers.

To accent a boudoir, head to D.I. Central on Central Avenue near the Dilworth area. From posh bedding to frilly slippers and sultry home scents, this place strikes a chord with the female set. For garden accessories, stop by Dilworth's Little secret for melodious wind chimes, funky flower pots, and lovely birdbaths. Nearby lies a fun contemporary furniture store called Intro. It's a hodgepodge of European-and American-style furnishings. They sell lots of larger pieces but carry accessories as well.

For a dinner that's a work of art, stop by the Pewter Rose Bistro. "Eclectic and delicious" best describes the menu with items such as Indonesian chicken and shrimp ($18.95) as well as lobster ravioli ($19.95).

Saturday Splendor

Head to the corner of Fourth Street and Independence where Athens Restaurant, a local institution, serves some of the best breakfast around. Try the pork chop plate with eggs, hash browns or grits, and biscuits ($5.25). You can even come late, as they don't stop serving the morning meal until 11 a.m.

Stumble upon Article for a real treat. Seated on South Boulevard, this store carries one-of-a-kind, handmade crafts. Creative wooden toys, North Carolina pottery, and a large glassware section are among the merchandise you'll find here.

Metro on East Morehead Street will truly light up your life. Wall sconces and unique light fixtures along with unusual home furnishings and cool china are this store's specialties. Smaller pieces start at $95 in the upstairs showroom, while larger items lie downstairs.

Next, head to East Boulevard for kids' clothing stops such as Looby Loo's and a specialty store geared toward your stationery needs. Paper Skyscraper will help you uncover the perfect greeting card or quirky gift.

When lunch calls, check out Price's Chicken Coop. Though not a sit-down place, you'll love it just the same. The chicken comes out piping hot and fried to perfection. Try the dark chicken sandwich served with coleslaw or potato salad for $2.35.

From high-end to low budget, Charlotte offers a selection of antiques options to fit your tastes. A fun stop is the Antique Kingdom on Central Avenue. It has three stories of good stuff from antique coffee tables to lamps. For architectural antiques, stop in By-Gone Days Antiques on Freeland Lane off South Boulevard.

When ready to put away your bags and just wander, head to the North Davidson (NoDa) district, located between 34th and 36th Streets. Up-and-coming, this place stands out with edgy galleries, consignment shops, and alternative clothing stores. Don't pass up Urban Acquisitions for a few more antiques and home decor items.

For dinner try the Cajun meatloaf ($7.50) at a place called Dish in the Plaza Midwood section of town. This place serves seriously good local grub.

Sunday Stops

Spend Sunday brunch at Pike's Old-Fashioned Soda Shop on Camden Road. A bountiful buffet ($13.95) of eggs Benedict, lasagna, roast beef, casseroles, blueberry-pecan French toast, and other items awaits.

On your way out of town, drop by Nova's Bakery (with locations on South Boulevard and Central Avenue) to bag a fresh find. An impressive alternative to conventional bakeries, this European-and-Mediterranean stop serves an assortment of tender rolls, breads, and pastries. Nova's flavors a Charlotte shopping weekend all the more. FARRAH AUSTIN

For more Information

Contact Visit Charlotte, the Charlotte Convention and Visitors Bureau, at 1-800-722-1994 or www.visitcharlotte.org.