No matter where you look during the holiday season, there’s always something magical to catch your eye. This is, of course, true of most places you go in the United States, however, there’s something extra special about certain towns—like Asheville, North Caroline, one of the most festive Christmas towns in the U.S.
You might be thinking, “Why would I go to Asheville when I can go to plenty of other charming small towns?” But the answer is simple: Biltmore Estate AKA America’s largest home. Since Christmas Eve in 1895, this 35 bedroom, 43 bathroom, and 65 fireplace estate has been a cornerstone of American holiday traditions. Decorated annually with massive fir trees and magnificent holiday decor, you’re definitely going to want to add a “Holiday Trip to Biltmore” to your bucket list (you can even check it off by booking a trip between November 3, 2018 to January 5, 2019.) In case you’re not yet sold, take a look around:
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The estate covers a “modest” 8,000 acres of land.
Though 8k acres is no small plot of land, the Biltmore Estate was originally located on 125,000 acres—four of which are the home itself (measuring approximately 175,000 square feet.) That 55-foot Norway spruce in the center of the yard, to start, is surrounded by 35 more evergreens.
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This year’s theme is based on “The Art of Christmas.”
Around the estate there are an estimated 45,000 lights and 150 candles along with 135,000 LED and mini-lights.
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The 35-foot Fraser fir tree is enough to draw crowds.
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Of course, no matter how big the main tree is, one would not be enough.
Christmas is really all about the red and green at Biltmore. Aside from the more than four and a half dozen Christmas trees inside, the site reports there are actually “58 additional decorated Christmas trees at other estate locations…plus 30 live trees and shrubs in and around other estate buildings.”
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The breathtaking Tapestry Gallery boasts four trees.
Which one is your favorite so far?
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There’s a winery, of course, plus a bubbly Winery Tasting Room.
Decorating the Winery Tasting Room are about 7,000 gold and champagne ornaments, which not-so-accidentally resemble bubbles.
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Throughout the Biltmore House you can count up to 1,000 handmade bows.
But that’s not all, it’s estimated that there are another 2,000 of them around the estate.
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Antler Hill Village is perfect for a romantic holiday stroll—especially when it’s all lit up.
Challenge: count the lights and luminaries in this village alone.
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Guests at the Inn on Biltmore Estate enter into a Christmas wonderland.
Unless you’re an Asheville resident, this could certainly make you question the phrase “there’s no place like home for the holidays.”
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Plus, the decor doesn’t stop no matter where you turn.
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