At the top of my Asheville list was something I’ve wanted to do forever: visit the gorgeous Biltmore Estate. In fact, I was so excited to go that it was the very first stop on our trip (even before checking in at the hotel)! It was even more incredible than I thought, and I can’t wait to share all my favorite parts below.
Poncho: Loft (now 50% off!) | Jeans: c/o DL1961 | Booties: Madewell (similar) | Clutch: Clare V | Sunglasses: Karen Walker c/o Ditto (use code TOPKNOTS for your first month free!) | Necklace: Forever 21 | Bangles: c/o Moon & Lola | Spike Bracelet: Stella & Dot | Rings: H&M | Lips: NYX Matte Lipstick (‘Eden’) | Nails: OPI Gel (‘Malaga Wine’)
When I saw the mansion for the first time, it seriously took my breath away! The different levels, winding hallways, and endless rooms could have kept me busy all day long. Although history was always my least favorite subject in school, for some reason that was not the case at the Biltmore. You have the option to listen to an audio guide as you tour the estate, and this gal could not get enough.
Can we talk about this chandelier/spiral staircase combo? There is not one square foot of this place that isn’t mesmerizingly intricate – I could have stared at the details for hours.
One of the reasons it took me so long to get to the Biltmore is because I couldn’t decide whether I wanted to go during fall or at Christmastime. Both are my favorite things ever, and both times of year are equally stunning there. Lucky for me, the Biltmore starts decorating for Christmas even earlier than I do (and my holiday season begins the day after Halloween, ha!), so I ended up getting to experience a little bit of both.
After making our way through the mansion, we went out and explored the gardens. The Conservatory was by far my favorite part, mostly because of the cactus room. It is literally a room filled with hundreds of succulents and cacti, which I’m pretty sure is every blogger’s dream!
Is anyone else having major garden envy over this rainbow of mums? Currently my “garden” is a plant on the fire escape that I’m struggling to keep alive, so I was pretty into this situation.
Next it was off to Antler Hill Village & Winery, which was about a five minute drive through the Biltmore grounds. I could not believe how large the whole estate is! The wine tasting was right up my alley because they don’t limit how many you can try – and their wine list is not small. I loved being able to taste everything, from the Christmas blend (!) to the exclusive reserve wines.
When I asked my blogger bestie, Brittany of Southern Meets Chic, about her Biltmore highlights, one thing at the top of her list was The Barn. We both share an absurd love for animals, so she gave me the essential pro tip that this stop on the map was not to be missed. Or in Britt’s words, “they let you cuddle and love on the animals as much as you want!” Which, of course, is exactly what I did.
Thanks so much to the Biltmore for having us! It was an unforgettable experience, and I’m sure it won’t be too long before I’m back. Most likely at Christmas. <3
