Experience the Old-World Charm of Biltmore Estate

Visit Biltmore Estate to tour one of America’s grandest estates, all while being immersed in the breathtaking beauty of Asheville, North Carolina.  The Biltmore experience centers around America’s largest home, a sprawling 250-room French Chateau located on 8,000 secluded acres.  George Vanderbilt created Biltmore as an escape from everyday life. Now, you are invited to explore that escape for yourself.

During my visit to Biltmore Estate, I had a day exploration before me.  My Biltmore admission included self-guided tours of the Biltmore House and Gardens and the Antler Hill Village—featuring the Winery, The Biltmore Legacy, Village Green, and Farm.   You’ll want to take an entire day to really take in all Biltmore has to offer.  Touring the Biltmore House is an intriguing look into the life of the Vanderbilt’s, who built a home for entertaining and relaxing.  The house, which takes about 1 ½ hours to tour, spans three floors and a basement.  Throughout the floors of the home you’ll see the Biltmore as it was in its prime, with displays of vintage clothing, accessories and period pieces illustrating the lives of the Vanderbilt family.  You’ll see masterpieces from China, Japan and Europe, along with original art by Pierre Auguste Renoir and John Singer Sargent and magnificent 16th century tapestries.  If that wasn’t enough to impress me, the library with 10,000 volumes, 65 fireplaces, banquet hall with 70 foot ceiling, and basement with indoor pool and bowling alley surely were.  Take a minute to stop on the back terrace and admire the view of the surround Blue Ridge Mountains before strolling the gardens of the estate. 

Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, who designed Central Park in New York City, the gardens are a serene yet enchanting escape.  Vibrant colors paint the Walled Garden, and are especially beautiful in the spring when it blooms with thousands of tulips.  The Italian Garden feature classic statues and formal water gardens, and was a nice place to relax, while the Rose Garden and Azalea Garden blossom with over 50 varieties of roses and over 15 acres of Azaleas. 

After enjoying the lush beauty of the Gardens I made my way to Antler Hill Village.  Home to dining, shopping, historic exhibits, a winery and outdoor adventure center, Antler Hill connects the estate’s present and past.  Stop in for delicious bite to eat the Bistro, serving contemporary American fare with fresh and local ingredients are highlighting dishes.  Then, take a trip to the Winery were you can sample the wines created on site at Biltmore Estate.  Live entertainment is offered on the Village Green and you can explore farm life of the early 1900s at the Farm.  If you’re looking to play in the Biltmore Estate’s magnificent backyard head to the Outdoor Adventure Center. They offer an array of activities, including river float trips, biking, fly fishing, and horseback rides.

Let the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville inspire you as you discover all that Biltmore Estate has to offer.

Prepare to be Amazed at Illusions of Magic in Myrtle Beach

Prepare to be amazed when you see Illusions of Magic in Myrtle Beach.  The show, which is performed at the Palace Theatre, is hosted by skilled magician Dale Scott.  He has spent years honing his craft and now he wows crowds nightly with his astonishing illusions.

The fast-paced, entertaining two hour show is loaded with action, special effects and performances by amazing dancers.  Starting with human cyber-bots, floating orbs and light sabers, the show immediately astounds as Dale makes his stunning assistant Ana levitate, disappear and reappear to the glee of audience members. During one number two girls reappear in place of one, which definitely had the audience asking “How’d he do that?”  Dance numbers set to backlight backdrops and even a “Gangnam Style” dance number added to the fun on stage. 

A nostalgic look back at classic magicians Cardini and Houdini were some of the standout segments of Illusions of Magic Myrtle Beach.  Sleight of hand tricks and a metamorphosis illusion paid homage to the history of magic and magnified how, even with technological advances, some of the simplest illusions are still the best.  A jungle themed routine featuring a beautiful Bengal tiger was dramatic and engaging but you need to see the show to believe the magic performed.  Audience participation is a large part of the show, too.  One of the best audience participation moments occurred during Chop-O-Matic, where an audience member may or may not have lost his head (side note: he lived.) 

The segment showcasing the mysteries of the Orient featuring kabuki dance and thrilling sword tricks was intriguing, and added a nice cultural flavor to the Illusions of Magic show.  The show-stopping, end of the night illusion is too stunning to reveal much about but a motorcycle and NASCAR car are involved and you won’t believe what happens to them as Dale works his magic! 

A night at Illusions of Magic is family-fun.  Be ready to participate in the show, and make your cheers known.  During my visit, the louder the crowd the more stunning the illusions became. Plus, you can have your picture taken with Dasha, the Bengal tiger, for a wonderful memento of your evening.