Biltmore Estate: Asheville, NC

Sunday, October 1

We drove to Asheville, NC Saturday night. The next morning we got ready to go spend the day at the Biltmore Estate. When you arrive at the property entrance you pass through a security check point where you show proof of admittance. The actual estate is approximately three miles from the property entrance. You drive through a wooded area that has a spectacular view.

We began our visit by having brunch at the Deerpark Restaurant. The buffet was one of the best buffets I have visited. The choices were extensive and the quality of the food was exceptional. Nora and Hanna asked if we could eat there every weekend;-) When we walked out of the restaurant we saw a yellow and black spider the size of half of a hotdog in the flower bed by the sidewalk. Needless to say, I could not get Kristi to pose next to it for a photo.

Next on our journey was to tour the farm yard area where the animals were kept and the produce was grown. They had horses, sheep, goats and chickens. As Kristi and the girls were looking at the chickens, a hen laid an egg right in front of them! Next to this area was a "bird of prey" exhibit. We were able to step within five feet of a Redtailed Hawk, Barred Owl and a Great-Horned Owl. Near this was a mining exhibit where kids could take a bag of rocks mixed with sand and spread it out over a screen and run water over it to reveal any gem stones that were free to take home. Nora picked out all the purple ones and Hanna collected the blue ones. From here we visited a crafting area where we watched a potter, wood carver , blacksmith and a play about a snoring dragon. To close out this portion of our day we took a wagon ride pulled by two Belgian Draft horses which weighed over 2,100 pounds each. Nora & Hanna had their picture taken with Bert & Ernie (the horses).

Before going to the actual estate for our self guided tour we visited the Biltmore Estate Winery. Kristi and I attended a wine tasting while the girls waited in a kid designated coloring area. After looking over the available wines in the gift shop we all went outside to a grape stomp. Hanna, Nora and Kristi each took turns stomping grapes.

We had literally been saving the best for last. Our final stop was going into the Biltmore Estate for a self guided tour. We parked in the designated area and walked up to the vista which overlooks the grounds and estate. Once we reached the vista and took in the full view of the estate it was truly amazing. I told the girls this was Hogwarts (from Harry Potter) and we had enrolled them in school and we were dropping them off today. They didn't believe me but honestly, that is what it looks like. The building is 175,000 square feet and full of interesting art and history. One item in particular that I thought was cool is a chess set that once belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte.