One of my favorite places to visit this time of year is Western North Carolina. Many people love heading to the Outer Banks or the busy cities, such as Charlotte, but I enjoy the mountains. One of the places I visit most often is the Asheville area of North Carolina. From the Biltmore mansion to the Carl Sandburg Farm to the new small local breweries and wineries that offer wine tastings, there is so much to see and do in this beautiful area.
The Biltmore Estate is one of America’s largest homes. The Vanderbilt family visited Asheville and fell in love with the area during the fall. Building of the palatial estate started in 1889 and it took over 6 years to build. I was able to visit during the holiday season and it was just spectacular. Seeing all the different rooms decorated for the holiday was magnificent. The property is over 8,000 acres and includes a barn, gardens, hiking trails, Antler Hill Village and Winery, and dining. The Biltmore is nestled into the mountains of Asheville and what a treat visiting during the peak of fall foliage.
On one of my very first trips to this area my mother took me to see the goats that Carl Sandburg’s wife Lilian raised at Connemara Farm. The Connemara Farm still allows visitors to walk amongst the goats and learn how the goat dairy operated when Mrs. Sandburg ran the farm. Today you can see the descendants of her goats that are still named by the first letter of their mother’s name. I was lucky enough to have my name chosen for one of Charlotte’s baby goats. I was able to visit Celeste the goat and her siblings during one of my many trips to this awesome farm.
You can also take a hike along the 5 miles of hiking trails and there are walking tours through Carl Sandburg’s home. Another great reason to visit is to get goat milk cheese, goat milk fudge, and many other items that are made using goat milk from the farm. There are rangers and volunteers that are so happy to let you know all about the workings of the farm and in the spring they will tell you all about the newest baby goats that are born.
Another reason to visit this area is to enjoy some of the local breweries. My sisters and I went to a few different places. One stop was close to our Mom’s home in Hendersonville. We stopped by Burning Blush Brewery in Mills River to have a Cider tasting. We were also happy to see they had a food truck where you were able to grab a quick bite to eat. There are quite a few wineries and breweries that have opened in the last few years in this area. Well worth going on a winery, brewery, or cider tour when in the area.
There are so many other reasons to visit this great region of North Carolina, these are just some of my favorites. Most people always think of coastal Carolina, but I love the mountains. Driving down the Blue Ridge Parkway you can enjoy all the fall foliage and get lost in the beauty.
Your Bibbity Bobbity Bestie,
Celeste
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