Trip to Asheville, North Carolina in 2024

Hello friends!  Thanks for popping into Thinking Out Loud Thursday where I talk about something on my mind and invite you to link up and do the same.  Today I'm circling back to a fantastic trip we took with our friends Jill and Craig back in November to Asheville, North Carolina.

You might wonder why we chose to visit Asheville right after the devastating hurricane had struck the area. The truth is, we carefully considered and prayed about it before deciding that, if ever there was a time the region could use our support, it was then. Our trip had been planned months before the hurricane hit, and we were determined to proceed. Our main goal was to experience the Biltmore decked out in Christmas decorations and the Chihuly exhibit that was featured there. We also looked forward to hiking, as well as relaxing at the back of the Omni Grove Park Inn while soaking in the breathtaking mountain views.

As our departure date approached, we learned that both the Biltmore and the Omni Grove Park Inn were set to reopen just before our arrival. After speaking with our Airbnb host and confirming they were comfortable hosting us, we knew the trip was a go!

If you haven't seen the Biltmore decorated for Christmas, let me just say it's a sight to be seen!  Eric and I had been there several years ago but were fine with visiting again.  The Christmas decorations coupled with the Chihuly exhibit that was on the property made this the perfect trip to kick off the holidays!  Let me share some pictures of the interior of the Biltmore mansion ~

To go along with the beautiful decorations, the sounds of a children's choir rang throughout the first floor.  How could you not get in the Christmas spirit with all this beauty and sounds of the holiday!

Our tickets to the Biltmore included the evening candlelight tour of the house and access to the 8,000 acres of grounds the following day.  Some areas were still closed due to the hurricane, but there were plenty of spaces for us to explore.  

We added a behind-the-scenes rooftop tour, offering us spectacular bird’s-eye views. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable about the history and shared plenty of fascinating side stories.

The Chihuly glass exhibit was a breathtaking showcase of blown glass art created by the renowned artist Dale Chihuly.  These exhibits are known for their vibrant colors and intricate designs.  Seeing the glass exhibit was a wonderful bonus!

The third day of our trip was my birthday!  Every day I was up early to see the sunrise and the view on my birthday was amazing.  It made getting up at the crack of dawn so, so worth it!

We had the best day enjoying the views off the back of the Omni Grove Park Inn.  The weather was warm enough that we could sit in the sun and soak in the beautiful mountain views.  Sipping on our gourmet hot chocolates made it even better!

Our trip to Asheville was short but packed with fun! Traveling with friends made it even more enjoyable. Each evening, we’d return to our cabin and play games late into the night, far past our usual bedtime. Isn’t that the mark of a fantastic getaway?

We returned home refreshed and filled with the Christmas spirit. It was the perfect place to start the holiday season!

Now it's your turn.  What are you thinking out loud about today?  Link up and share!

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