Harrah's Cherokee and Biltmore: A Southern Getaway

Since moving South a little over a year ago, as I’ve mentioned before, I’ve decided to explore more Southern destinations.

The latest trip involved meeting up with a pair of dear friends from Pennsylvania to explore the Cherokee Indian Reservation, NC and The Biltmore in Ashville, NC which is about a two-hour drive from the Greenville, South Carolina area.

The beautiful Biltmore

We decided to stay at the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and we very much liked our spacious rooms. However, when we arrived at 2:30 p.m., we were asked to pay an extra $20 for early check in. I can’t say that’s a great way to start a relationship, but it is what it is I suppose.

Facts about Harrah’s

The casino floor

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) owns Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort as a tribal enterprise. Caesars' own current materials explicitly describe Harrah's Cherokee Casinos as “An Enterprise of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.” It was North Carolina’s first casino, opening in 1997.

Gaming revenue supports the tribe, with money going towards healthcare, housing and other tribal programs.

The property, which sits at the entrance to Great Smokey Mountains National Park, contains 222,600 square feet of casino space, 3,270 slot machines, 160 table games, and about 1,830 hotel rooms.

With a place that large, it was easy to get lost--and we did, several times. It certainly deepened my appreciation for cell phone communication.

I discovered later there was also an UltraStar Multi-tainment Center with 24 bowling lanes, an arcade and three bars onsite.

The standout among the restaurants for me was Amici Italia, which I wholeheartedly recommend. The chicken marsala was delicious, along with the risotto and sumptuous green beans--a vegetable that is not usually my first choice.

Delicious dinner at Amici Italia.

Build Time in for the Biltmore Visit

Biltmore requires a timed entry reservation every day and tickets start at a pricey $90 per adult.

If you stay at Harrah’s and account for traffic, I recommend hitting the road 90 minutes before your reservation. Once you arrive at the property, you’ll have to park and take a shuttle to the house.

 A Unique Property

Guests who enter the Biltmore are given a device to hold against their ears to learn about each room as they make their way through the house.

One of the first rooms visitors encounter.

You'll learn that the Biltmore was built by George Washington Vanderbilt, a grandson of railroad and shipping magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, one of the wealthiest Americans of the Gilded Age.

Captivated by the Blue Ridge Mountains, George wanted a private country retreat for himself, his family and friends. He hired RichardMorris Hunt, who designed the house in the French Renaissance Revival style.

He also employed Frederick Law Olmstead, the landscape architect behind New York’s Central Park, to design the garden and grounds.

But George Vanderbilt envisioned something far more ambitious than an elaborate mountain retreat. Biltmore was designed as a self-sufficient estate combining an enormous family home with gardens, agriculture, forestry and scientific land management.

He also incorporated electricity, indoor plumbing, elevators, a telephone system and a fire-alarm system in the house when it was built.

The Collections

George deliberately collected European antiques, American pieces, art, tapestries, books and decorative objects and had the house designed around some of them.

His love of reading is evident in his library which now contains more than 10,000 books.

A painting titled “The Chariot of Aurora,” by Italian artist Giovanni Pellegrini, consists of 13 canvases and measures about 64 by 32 feet. Vanderbilt bought it for the Library, and Richard Morris Hunt actually designed the room to accommodate it.

The longest room in the Biltmore house is the tapestry gallery. The 90-foot-long room showcases Renaissance era tapestries.

Tapestry Room

One room I found particularly interesting was the Oak Sitting Room due to the unique furniture I encountered for the very first time. 

English Knole-style furniture.

The English Knole-style sofa and chairs are equipped with adjustable arms that could be raised to accommodate bulky period clothing, convert the seat into a day bed, or control drafty air. I've since seen similar ones on Etsy for close to $3,000 and on Charish for more than $7,000.

When we saw the bedrooms, we were all surprised at how small the beds appeared, so when I returned home, I looked it up and apparently it's an optical illusion due to the scale of the rooms.

You learn something new everyday.

On the lower floor of the Biltmore were the swimming pool, gym and bowling alley, all created for recreation when little else was available.

A Pioneer in Land Conservation

George Vanderbilt was also known to be a pioneer in land conservation and hired Pennsylvania native Gifford Pinchot to create the first large-scale forestry management plan in the United States.

He supported the establishment of America's first forestry school on his property to train professionals in sustainable land management.

After his death, his wife, Edith Vanderbilt, carried out his wishes by selling a large portion of the forest land to the federal government, which subsequently became part of the Pisgah National Forest.

Good Eats

Upon completion of the tour, we headed to The Stable Cafe and enjoyed a very good lunch in which was once the stables of the house. Pictured here is the chicken salad croissant. One thing is for certain, the Southern people really know how to make a good chicken salad.

Chicken salad croissant at The Stable Cafe.

Located in the same building is the gift shop and various other shops selling everything from souveniers, to gourmet food, wine and apparel.

We finished our trip with a free wine tasting on another part of the property and ended up with two dry reds which will go great with pasta and steak.

The gentleman who conducted the wine tasting was very informative.

All in all, the combination of Harrah's Cherokee and Biltmore made for an interesting getaway from the Greenville area. There was plenty to see, eat, and, in my case, more than enough square footage to get lost in.

Asheville: A Must-See Destination for Art Lovers

My husband and I are settling well into South Carolina and because Asheville is a mere 1.5 hours away, we finally decided to take a look and it turns out we didn't know what we were missing. One of my favorite things to do is post art I see on Facebook and it turns out, I had plenty to share.

Asheville leans into its quirkiness, like here with this coffee bus and below with this giant iron.

A Celebrated Mountain Destination

Before Asheville became one of the South's most celebrated mountain destinations, it was a busy railroad town, a haven for artists, and a shady refuge for people drawn to the Blue Ridge Mountains as a way to escape the summer heat.

Today, visitors can still discover pieces of that rich history tucked between trendy hotels, colorful galleries, and eclectic eateries. During a recent two-night getaway, I found myself exploring both Asheville's past and present.

Our trip began at The Moxy, one of the newer hotels located in the heart of the action.

What better way to check into a hotel than with a drink?

While decidedly modern, the hotel places guests within easy reach of downtown's restaurants, breweries, and attractions. The lively atmosphere, contemporary design, and walkable location make it an appealing choice for travelers who want to experience Asheville's energetic side while using the hotel as a comfortable home base.

A Repurposed Woolworth

One of my favorite discoveries was the historic Woolworth building in downtown Asheville. Originally opened in 1938 as a branch of the famous five-and-dime chain, the building now houses the Woolworth Walk. The former lunch counter and retail space have been transformed into a gallery showcasing the work of dozens of regional artists. 

The building retains much of its vintage charm while serving as a reminder of Asheville's long-standing commitment to the arts and we were glad we visited. I ended up with the bluebird photo and the cat perched among the books shown here.

Grovewood Village

Another stop that offered a fascinating glimpse into Asheville's history was Grovewood Village. Located adjacent to the famed Grove Park Inn, the village occupies buildings that once housed the weaving and woodworking operations of the Biltmore Industries. 

Today it is home to artifacts, art and even classic cars.

A Spectacular Stone Hotel

The Grove Park Inn from the front.

Not far from Grovewood Village is a spectacular stone hotel now owned by Omni. The historic Grove Park Inn has been welcoming guests since 1913. Built from massive granite boulders gathered from the surrounding mountainside, the Arts-and-Crafts-style resort, known for its humongous stone fireplaces and sweeping views, has become one of the south's most iconic destinations and has hosted celebrities, authors and presidents over the years.

When I visited the Grand Bohemian Hotel owned by Marriott in Greenville, I thought I had seen the largest stone fireplace featured in a hotel, but it turns out I had not. The Grove Park Inn fireplace, albeit more rustic, trumps that of the Grand Bohemian.  

A Cozy Speakeasy

A view from the bar.

When I read about the Crow and Quill speakeasy, of course I had to weave that into our plans, so my husband and I walked from our hotel to the cozy space tucked away behind an unassuming doorway on Lexington Avenue.

The Crow & Quill feels like a step back into another era. Opened in 2014, the speakeasy-style cocktail bar has become one of Asheville's most beloved nightlife destinations, drawing visitors with its dim lighting, antique furnishings, live music, and an extraordinary collection of more than 1,000 spirits, including hundreds of whiskeys. 

The entrance is intentionally discreet and adds to the sense of discovery that has made the venue a favorite among locals and travelers alike.

Laughs with LaZoom

She kept us laughing while regaling us with Asheville information.

Of course, no Asheville visit would be complete without a little fun. That's where the wildly popular LaZoom tour comes in. Equal parts sightseeing excursion and rolling comedy show, LaZoom delivers local history with a generous dose of humor. The guides have a knack for sharing Asheville's quirks, legends, and colorful characters while keeping passengers entertained from start to finish.

What makes Asheville so appealing is its ability to embrace both the new and the old. Historic buildings become art galleries, former craft workshops evolve into creative destinations, and nearly every street seems to tell a story. Whether you're interested in architecture, local art, history, food, or simply enjoying the mountain atmosphere, Asheville offers a blend of experiences that keeps visitors coming back.

After just two nights, I left with a camera full of photos, a deeper appreciation for the city's heritage, and a growing list of places I'd like to explore on my next visit. In Asheville, history and art aren't confined to museums—they're woven into the fabric of everyday life.