I said Asheville, Not Nashville, Pt. 3

It was funny to notice that The Biltmore was run very much like a Disney property. It was obvious that they were doing their best to provide an experience that would appeal to all, and made sure that shopping, entertainment, and attractions were all located nearby, enticing guests to spend as much time (and money) as possible.

Antler Hill Village would be the equivalent of Downtown Disney, offering exhibition space, a village green with live entertainment, dining, shopping, a winery, and an outdoor adventure center.



We had lunch at the Bistro, where guests can dine on dishes inspired by their seasonal field-to-table philosophy...



while drinking local wines from the Biltmore Estate. It was a lovely restaurant with delicious food and attentive service.



Nearby was a museum that helped flesh out in more detail the history of the Vanderbilt family, the estate, and how the family continues to operate it for the public to enjoy.



Some of the Vanderbilt family china was on display:



as well as other interesting family treasures:



It was truly enjoyable to be able to just walk about this well-designed pedestrian-friendly area:



The holly berries at Antler Hill Village provided a beautiful burst of color:



See more Biltmore Estate in Asheville photos on my Biltmore web page.

I said Asheville, Not Nashville, Pt. 2

When I knew I was going to Asheville for a conference, I was most excited about getting to see the George Vanderbilt estate, The Biltmore. It definitely, did not disappoint!

Obviously, from this panorama shot that I took, the sheer size of the property will bowl you over.



Having lived in southern california for the last 14 years, I often forget that there still exists undeveloped land where trees and wildlife are still in abundance. Even harder to believe that this is all part of a private estate.









Drawing in a bit closer, I also enjoyed all of the architectural details that were in abundance:









I only had two disappointments, with the first being that I couldn't take photos inside. Oh how painful that was!



The other was that I was probably about a week or two premature to being able to see the property in full springtime bloom. Going through the Conservatory on the grounds helped alleviate that particular issue.









I could only begin to imagine owning such an estate; I just felt fortunate that the family has taken such good care of it and opened it up to the public. What a national treasure!

See more Biltmore Estate in Asheville photos on my Biltmore web page.