Getting there…
When I was ten my mother took us on a spontaneous road trip. We had no set destination but eventually landed at the Biltmore Estate in Ashville, North Carolina. For those of you who don't like to fly by the seat of your pants, planning a trip to the Biltmore is easy. Driving in is super convenient with the home sites Regional Driving Directions page. The Estate is about 15 minutes from Ashville Regional Airport which is serviced by most major airlines and car rental companies. Or you could Greyhound it, landing about four miles from the Estate.
Being there…
The Festival of Flowers is being held until May 20th. You can listen to classical music under the arbor, ask gardening questions to the masters, or enjoy wine and chocolate while your children stomp the grapes. During their summer evening concert series you can watch the sun set over the Blue Ridge Mountains while you watch Chicago perform, yes, Chicago. Fall hosts the Harvest Celebration with abundant activities and the changing of the leaves in the mountains, need I say more? It was Christmas time when I went so the Mansion stood in stark contrast to the evergreens surrounding it. Inside a choir sang in the recessed greenhouse-like entry and the smell of cinnamon filled the air from the kitchens below. These days you can experience their Candlelight Christmas Evenings, but it is best to purchase those tickets online at biltmore.com where you can find lots of other details.
Building memories…
As Americans we are the “young country” and as such are starved for true old world culture. The Biltmore embodies the opulence of antiquity fused with American modernism. Treat yourself to a unique and unforgettable experience.
See America's only true castle for yourself.
