The Biltmore

The Biltmore is so amazing that we spent 2 days there, and of course, didn't scratch the surface of what could be experienced. The house was built in 1889-1895, by George Vanderbilt II, and is still owned and run by the Vanderbilt descendants. They opened it to the public in 1930, but family continued to live there until 1956, when it became a public museum. Photos were not allowed within the mansion itself, but here are a few from outside.

This is looking out from the balcony of the Biltmore to the western landscape. Here is a view from those hills looking back at the mansion.

One of the activities you can participate in is a carriage ride ($30/adult), which is a one hour ride in this carriage through the hills of the estate. If we go back again, I would take a different tour, but there was another set of grandparents with their 2 grandchildren (6 & 4 - the girl was named Peyton), who apparently had done it before. The kids were delightful.

The guide, a young lady in her early 20s, told us that the Biltmore employs between 1800-1900 people, and some have houses on the estate. John thinks when we retire, if we come to this area, perhaps we could both get jobs here, or at least volunteer.

And here is a picture of John with one of the Belgium-Percheron cross horses (Starsky).

Day one was primarily partially touring the house, eating lunch in the courtyard, and taking the carriage ride before heading into Asheville and doing a bus tour of the historic downtown area.

More to come...