Jan 12, 2020 Biltmore

This morning we got on the road, headed for Knoxville and expected a quiet ride with the storm of last night gone, the skies clear and sunny, and the temps in the 65+ range.  Tom was looking for things along the way to take pictures for the blog but was coming up short...until

Then Grammie mentioned something about a bucket list...so we dug out some extra pocket change, and turned left.

George Vanderbilt, in 1895 created the Biltmore as a way to get away from everyday life.  This 8000 acre estate is open to the public, so grab a handful of change and come on down.

It is near Asheville NC and besides the house, which includes 95 bedrooms, there are Gardens and trails, a winery, a farm, areas for dining and shopping, and plenty of trails for just getting outside.

Annual passholder info ---  Annual passholder 

In case you wanted to hang around for another day...  the link below will give you an idea what is also available.

Biltmore Inn  Stay at the Biltmore Inn

Back to the tour.  Below is the Winter Garden, right off the Entrance Hall.

In the Castle, there are 250 rooms including the Banquet Room that includes paintings, a Pipe Organ, a huge fireplace, and enough space to fit your whole house.

The Tapestry Gallery is a 90 foot room that includes 3 of a set of 7 tapestries on the Seven Virtues.

 Orchids were on display throughout the castle and were well maintained.

 The Library room holds over 10,000 books, less than half of his collection. One of his favorite topics was Architecture.  It also included annual hardbound editions of magazines.  He also liked fiction.

 The billiards room was just one of the areas for activities.  There were also exercise rooms, a pool, a bowling alley, the halloween room, smoking room...and of course all the necessary rooms that would be needed for the Servants Domain.

And if you have a hankering to go but are not sure what to do while there...

Things to do at the Biltmore Estate

This time of year, there is Downton Abbey: The Exhibition.

It includes a replica of several rooms that are seen on the TV shows.

Where's was Grammie...you guessed it. 

Thanks for keep an eye out for Grammie