Comments on: Someone Over at the Biltmore Estate Needs to Get Beaten Up (Day 90) http://48stateroadtrip.com/2009/10/someone-over-at-the-biltmore-estate-needs-to-get-beaten-up-day-90/ 114 days, 48 states, 1 roadtrip Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:16:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Rick http://48stateroadtrip.com/2009/10/someone-over-at-the-biltmore-estate-needs-to-get-beaten-up-day-90/comment-page-1/#comment-3637 Rick Tue, 08 Mar 2011 12:41:12 +0000 http://48stateroadtrip.com/?p=1383#comment-3637 I used to live in the neighborhood (about a quarter mile from the estate boundary. My best Biltmore experiences were from just climbing a fence and hiking around the grounds. However, I have been on tours of the house about twelve different times. Initially the cost was fairly inexpensive, long before the "visitor center" was built. The gatehouse out near route 25 was where tickets were purchased, and you could then drive in and park along the boulevarde that leads to the house. Back then the tour included only the first floor and about half of the second floor. There was no winery or vineyards on the property, only dairy herd. As more of the house and estate was developed and opened for tours, the price steadily increased to the exorbitant level of today. Strangely enough, as the price increased, so did the number of visitors per year, as more people seemed interested in seeing things like an empty swimming pool in the basement and a winery that didn't exist until late in the 20th century. Still, I consider the $55 fare worth the experience of seeing the house just once. The gardens though, I would rather enjoy for free like I did so many years ago by climbing a fence. I used to live in the neighborhood (about a quarter mile from the estate boundary. My best Biltmore experiences were from just climbing a fence and hiking around the grounds. However, I have been on tours of the house about twelve different times. Initially the cost was fairly inexpensive, long before the “visitor center” was built. The gatehouse out near route 25 was where tickets were purchased, and you could then drive in and park along the boulevarde that leads to the house. Back then the tour included only the first floor and about half of the second floor. There was no winery or vineyards on the property, only dairy herd.

As more of the house and estate was developed and opened for tours, the price steadily increased to the exorbitant level of today. Strangely enough, as the price increased, so did the number of visitors per year, as more people seemed interested in seeing things like an empty swimming pool in the basement and a winery that didn’t exist until late in the 20th century. Still, I consider the $55 fare worth the experience of seeing the house just once. The gardens though, I would rather enjoy for free like I did so many years ago by climbing a fence.

]]> By: Royce http://48stateroadtrip.com/2009/10/someone-over-at-the-biltmore-estate-needs-to-get-beaten-up-day-90/comment-page-1/#comment-2812 Royce Wed, 15 Dec 2010 04:08:53 +0000 http://48stateroadtrip.com/?p=1383#comment-2812 "Is there really nothing better to do in this part of the country? OH man." You never even lived here and figured that out that fast, wow. I've lived here for 7 years now and can tell you there is definitely NOTHING to do. I will be moving back to Northern California as soon as possible. I hate this place and miss terribly having things to do on the weekends. “Is there really nothing better to do in this part of the country? OH man.”
You never even lived here and figured that out that fast, wow. I’ve lived here for 7 years now and can tell you there is definitely NOTHING to do. I will be moving back to Northern California as soon as possible. I hate this place and miss terribly having things to do on the weekends.

]]> By: bkdunn http://48stateroadtrip.com/2009/10/someone-over-at-the-biltmore-estate-needs-to-get-beaten-up-day-90/comment-page-1/#comment-2269 bkdunn Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:14:24 +0000 http://48stateroadtrip.com/?p=1383#comment-2269 LOL. It's sad that I linked to eight of the dozens of museums and historical sites I visited last summer/fall? Yeah, I suppose maybe I should've been doing charity work instead. My bad. OTOH, I guess it's not surprising that anyone who would defend a hilariously overpriced tourist trap mansion like Biltmore Estate wouldn't be smart enough to follow said links, let alone provide a meaningful counter-argument to the original post. And to think that people like you are allowed to vote -- *that* strikes me as sad. LOL. It’s sad that I linked to eight of the dozens of museums and historical sites I visited last summer/fall? Yeah, I suppose maybe I should’ve been doing charity work instead. My bad. OTOH, I guess it’s not surprising that anyone who would defend a hilariously overpriced tourist trap mansion like Biltmore Estate wouldn’t be smart enough to follow said links, let alone provide a meaningful counter-argument to the original post. And to think that people like you are allowed to vote — *that* strikes me as sad.

]]> By: V. A. http://48stateroadtrip.com/2009/10/someone-over-at-the-biltmore-estate-needs-to-get-beaten-up-day-90/comment-page-1/#comment-2268 V. A. Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:29:03 +0000 http://48stateroadtrip.com/?p=1383#comment-2268 You pretty much summed yourself up with the last post. Just sad. You pretty much summed yourself up with the last post. Just sad.

]]> By: bkdunn http://48stateroadtrip.com/2009/10/someone-over-at-the-biltmore-estate-needs-to-get-beaten-up-day-90/comment-page-1/#comment-2056 bkdunn Fri, 14 May 2010 22:33:36 +0000 http://48stateroadtrip.com/?p=1383#comment-2056 As you were clearly able to discern by reading all the posts from my trip, I have no respect for "<a href="http://48stateroadtrip.com/2009/10/national-museum-of-the-marine-corps-and-the-great-usmc-brand-day-85/" rel="nofollow">museums</a>" and "<a href="http://48stateroadtrip.com/2009/10/oh-say-i-did-see-the-flag-at-fort-mchenry-day-80-part-2/" rel="nofollow">history</a>" and "<a>culture</a>" and <a href="http://48stateroadtrip.com/2009/10/3654-americans-dead-one-day-day-81-part-2/" rel="nofollow">avoid</a> <a href="http://48stateroadtrip.com/2009/10/everything-i-learned-at-monticello-day-84/" rel="nofollow">such</a> <a href="http://48stateroadtrip.com/2009/10/colonial-williamsburg-historical-jamestown-passable-blog-post-day-87/" rel="nofollow">sites</a> <a href="http://48stateroadtrip.com/2009/09/george-eastman-is-my-new-personal-hero-day-68/" rel="nofollow">whenever</a> <a href="http://48stateroadtrip.com/2009/11/natchez-city-of-a-dozen-mansions-day-106/" rel="nofollow">possible</a>, so clearly I have no right to comment on whether visiting some trust fund baby's temporary house that he couldn't afford might rightfully be considered a waste of time and/or money. Well done. As you were clearly able to discern by reading all the posts from my trip, I have no respect for “museums” and “history” and “culture” and avoid such sites whenever possible, so clearly I have no right to comment on whether visiting some trust fund baby’s temporary house that he couldn’t afford might rightfully be considered a waste of time and/or money. Well done.

]]> By: V. A. Long http://48stateroadtrip.com/2009/10/someone-over-at-the-biltmore-estate-needs-to-get-beaten-up-day-90/comment-page-1/#comment-2035 V. A. Long Fri, 07 May 2010 17:40:42 +0000 http://48stateroadtrip.com/?p=1383#comment-2035 You can't be serious!!! An hour to see a museum? Kind of arrogant and reeking of jealousy aren't you? Do a little research and learn something beyond pop culture. You can’t be serious!!! An hour to see a museum? Kind of arrogant and reeking of jealousy aren’t you? Do a little research and learn something beyond pop culture.

]]> By: bkdunn http://48stateroadtrip.com/2009/10/someone-over-at-the-biltmore-estate-needs-to-get-beaten-up-day-90/comment-page-1/#comment-1285 bkdunn Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:11:49 +0000 http://48stateroadtrip.com/?p=1383#comment-1285 Wow -- that *does* sound like the antithesis of Biltmore. Wow — that *does* sound like the antithesis of Biltmore.

]]> By: telkontar http://48stateroadtrip.com/2009/10/someone-over-at-the-biltmore-estate-needs-to-get-beaten-up-day-90/comment-page-1/#comment-1284 telkontar Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:13:13 +0000 http://48stateroadtrip.com/?p=1383#comment-1284 The antithesis of Biltmore must be Cantigny in Winfield, Illinois. Originally built by the founde ro the Chicago Tribute, then inherited by his grandson, who founded Kirkland & Ellis, commanded aritllery in WW I, continued a public life while running the Tribune, and then donated his estate to charity after his death. His burial tomb is guarded by statues of German Shepherds and quotes the New Testament. Entry is $5 for parking; everything is free. The gift shop is run at cost. The museums on the park campus include the home and a museum dedicated to the 1st Army Division (the Big Red One). You get to re-live landing on the beach on D-Day -- quite intense. Actual tanks are spread on the grounds and children are encouraged to climb on the tanks (with parental supervision). They let you walk on the grass. There is a path through the woods and landscaped gardens. And, the $5 parking fee can be credited if you eat at one of the 2 restaurants. The antithesis of Biltmore must be Cantigny in Winfield, Illinois. Originally built by the founde ro the Chicago Tribute, then inherited by his grandson, who founded Kirkland & Ellis, commanded aritllery in WW I, continued a public life while running the Tribune, and then donated his estate to charity after his death. His burial tomb is guarded by statues of German Shepherds and quotes the New Testament. Entry is $5 for parking; everything is free. The gift shop is run at cost. The museums on the park campus include the home and a museum dedicated to the 1st Army Division (the Big Red One). You get to re-live landing on the beach on D-Day — quite intense. Actual tanks are spread on the grounds and children are encouraged to climb on the tanks (with parental supervision). They let you walk on the grass. There is a path through the woods and landscaped gardens. And, the $5 parking fee can be credited if you eat at one of the 2 restaurants.

]]> By: bkdunn http://48stateroadtrip.com/2009/10/someone-over-at-the-biltmore-estate-needs-to-get-beaten-up-day-90/comment-page-1/#comment-1007 bkdunn Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:29:18 +0000 http://48stateroadtrip.com/?p=1383#comment-1007 My bad. Obviously. Thanks again for putting up with me -- had a great time at dinner. (What do you do when you go to Asheville?) My bad. Obviously. Thanks again for putting up with me — had a great time at dinner. (What do you do when you go to Asheville?)

]]> By: Alex Wilson http://48stateroadtrip.com/2009/10/someone-over-at-the-biltmore-estate-needs-to-get-beaten-up-day-90/comment-page-1/#comment-1006 Alex Wilson Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:24:43 +0000 http://48stateroadtrip.com/?p=1383#comment-1006 If you'd mentioned you were going to Biltmore, I'd probably have warned you away from it on price alone. So many cooler things to do in Asheville. I have inlaws who _love_ touring old estates and are willing to spend a lot more money than that on their average vacation day, but even they balked at the price and walked away. We love Asheville, drive out there twice a year since moving to NC, and we've never been to Biltmore. Thanks anyway for keeping 1900 Carolinians employed in this economy, and good to see yo u last week. Alex. If you’d mentioned you were going to Biltmore, I’d probably have warned you away from it on price alone. So many cooler things to do in Asheville. I have inlaws who _love_ touring old estates and are willing to spend a lot more money than that on their average vacation day, but even they balked at the price and walked away. We love Asheville, drive out there twice a year since moving to NC, and we’ve never been to Biltmore.

Thanks anyway for keeping 1900 Carolinians employed in this economy, and good to see yo u last week.

Alex.

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