I’ve lived in NC (with the exception of years 2004-2010) since I was a year old, but I’d never been to Asheville to visit the Biltmore Mansion. Randy had gone as a child, but didn’t remember much.
This past Thursday, we made the 2 hour trip.
We started with a yummy dinner at Vinnie’s, and then relaxed at the hotel till bedtime. The next morning, the kids had to take a quick jump into the hot tub…I grumbled about being “late” to the mansion, but I got over it.
Kids showered and changed, we made it to Biltmore around 11:30. After going over what the day-admission fee would be vs. the cost of a year’s membership, we went with the latter. We actually spent less money on the membership than we would have a day ticket, since members 16 and under are admitted free. I guess we’ll be doing Biltmore a lot in 2012!
Outside pictures. Did you know, you can’t take ANY photos inside?!? I was miffed, but then realized that I would have spent so much time taking pictures that I would have missed the details of the tour.
We decided to take a self-guided tour, using the headsets with recorded messages for each room…so much better than listening to a tour guide.
The tour took about 2 hours and we were starved afterwards! We walked straight to the Stable Cafe next door…
This restaurant used to be…you guessed it…the stables back in the day. It was just gorgeous and I loved thinking about the people (and animals!) that lived and worked where I was currently eating lunch.
Yes, that’s my lemon-overloaded tea in the foreground.
After we were pleasantly full, we headed to the shops nearby. Christmas decorations, books, toys, etc. The Confectionery was a favorite stop, and helped top off our lunch with a little something sweet. Payton had his eyes on something a bit bigger…
Before we knew it, night had fallen and the place started to really light up. We walked down to Antler Hill Village, where there is a farm (we missed it…it was already closed…we’ll visit that FIRST next time) and the kids goofed around a little.
A statue of George Washington Vanderbilt’s daughter, Cornelia, and her dog Cedric.
How you doin’?
We rode back up to the house, had some pastries and hot chocolate, and then headed home.
Can’t wait to go back…we’re told January is their least busiest month (with December being the most), so I’m hoping we can make another quick trip to Asheville soon!
December 4th, 2011 at 1:40 am
We enjoyed the behind the scene tour when we were there! What a great place to visit and make memories!
December 4th, 2011 at 11:36 am
Awesome photos…my favorite is your husband wearing the Steelers shirt! Can’t wait to get my new jersey for Christmas.
December 4th, 2011 at 11:38 am
So glad you got the membership, so you guys can go more times! (I’m not surprised that the year membership was a better deal than a one day ticket!!
We knew when we went…back in about 1989 that you could not take inside pictures, BUT with so many people with their sophisticated cameras now, I assumed that they allowed you to take pictures indoors. Oh well, it’s like you said, you can enjoy each beautiful room, etc. better…+ they want you to buy post cards of all the rooms!
That night photo of the tree outside of Biltmore is GORGEOUS!!!
You really love your lemons with TEA, don’t you?! LOL!! Pate & the HUGE “Sugar Daddy”….how funny!!! Who’s your new girl friend, guys?!! Lainey & Dylan…you both look so cute on the dog “Cedric”!
I’m sure you’re already looking forward to your next trip in January to “take it all in”. It’s really an amazing tour to take…your dad still talks about all of the beautiful “oak” wood work!!
December 6th, 2011 at 12:21 am
I love the Biltmore and have been going to it since I was a child. Each time we went there would be more rooms opened up. I like the self guided tour much better too.
Another great time to go is in the spring when all the flwowers are blooming. If you didn’t take the wine tour, that is something you might want to consider too.
Were the carolers singing for you all? That was beautiful when Paul and I went at Christmas. It snowed on us as we walked around outside that night and got freezing cold !