Travel Tips Archives - Laughing Lindsay

Biltmore Antler Hill Village Guide

July 1, 2026 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

Prior to my visit to the Estate, I wish I had known how much there was to see and do at the Biltmore Antler Hill Village! So, I thought I would make a guide to it!

Biltmore Antler Hill Village

I feel like most people only consider the house when they visit the estate. However, there’s a whole other little shopping/dining/attractions area on the estate. That’s the Antler Hill Village! I didn’t realize how much there was to do here until I visited and we walked around during our visit. Without further ado, here are the things you can enjoy when you visit here.

Winery and Tastings

The Biltmore has its own winery and its located in the Village! There are a couple of chances to try their wine around the estate, including in the Tasting Room located in the Village. There’s also a Wine Bar and Wine Shop. We aren’t big drinkers, so we didn’t visit any of these locations, but I know it’s popular with lots of folks!

The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad Exhibition

One of the highlights from our trip, was visiting this exhibition. This is where lots of Vanderbilt family artifacts are on display. The one that excited us the most was a chess set that belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte! It was nice to learn about the historic family as well as the historic pieces on display. This is a must-see for any history buff!

Barn

Towards the back of the Village, there’s the Antler Hill Barn. It was nice to walk around here and see some old farming equipment and to learn about the farming efforts of the estate. There’s also a short film playing with seating that goes over some of the history. Additionally, there are some craft demonstrations happening here. Unfortunately, I can’t find the hours for any of those craftspeople and there weren’t many there on the day we visited. We did see some broom making though.

Farmyard and Playground

To the side of the Barn is the Farmyard! Here is where you can see live animals! This is a great learning opportunity for children and we noticed several families enjoying their time here. It’s also great for adults to relax and take in some mother nature. Also, for people with children, you will be happy to know there’s the Pisgah Playground near the Barn/Farmyard. We obviously didn’t play on it, but it looked like kids were having fun.

Shopping

The Village has four shops: Antler Hill Outfitters, The Barn Door, Traditions, and Wine Shop. I got some discounted Christmas bowls (non-Biltmore branded) at The Barn Door! So, there’s a nice assortment of items to pick from at these shops.

Dining

There are also several great dining options here. I reviewed the lunch we had at Cedric’s Tavern as well as our meals at the Village Social (located in the Village Hotel) and the treats we got before leaving at The Creamery in my Biltmore Estate Restaurants Guide. I didn’t eat anything bad at the Estate, so I wouldn’t hesitate to try anything here.

Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate

Lastly, the Village Hotel is located at the Village! You can read my full Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate Review, but it was so convenient to stay here. We simply had to walk out the back of the hotel and up a few stairs to find ourselves in the Village!

Antler Hill Village

As you can see, there’s lots to enjoy in the Biltmore Antler Hill Village! From learning to shopping and dining, you can easily spend several hours just roaming around here. So, have you visited?

Land of Oz Tea with Dorothy Review

June 17, 2026 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

I recently had the pleasure of attending the Land of Oz Tea with Dorothy in North Carolina! So, I thought I would provide a little review of the experience for other folks planning on attending.

Land of Oz Tea

For those who don’t know, Land of Oz is a Wizard of Oz theme park located in Beech Mountain, North Carolina. It originally opened in 1970 and continued operations until 1980. Beginning in 1993, the owners started hosting an annual fall event at the theme park. You can only visit the park during that event or another special event, such as this one. I’ve been wanting to visit this theme park for several years now, but couldn’t fit it in my schedule for 2023 or 2024. Then, it was closed in 2025. So, I was excited when this new summer event was announced.

I have been going to teas since I was a little girl. My mom took me to my first one and we’ve enjoyed going to them ever since. So, it seemed like the perfect event for us. A smaller event with tea and access to the park? Count us in!

Tea with Dorothy

We arrived at 1:15 for the 2 o’clock show and there was already a line! They allowed folks to enter the event space to pick seats around 1:30 PM. We chose our seats and then got a picture with Dorothy! We were delighted to see Aunt Em and the boys serving tea and greeting everyone in to the space.

The park never released a menu for the tea, so we weren’t expecting much. We were pleased with the variety of treats available. First, there was a plate with a berry scone and three sandwich wedges: chicken salad, pimento cheese, and cucumber salad. The scone was good albeit a touch dry, but that’s scones! The chicken salad was good, a little basic. The cucumber sandwich was good. My mom doesn’t care for cucumbers, but she still liked this one. My mom refused to even try the pimento cheese, so I ate them both. Haha! I thought it was pretty good.

As for the sweet treats – there was a macaron, mini cupcake, chocolate chip/candy pieces cookie, and a lemon bar. There was some variation for the sweets. We both got chocolate cupcakes, but some folks had vanilla. There were two types of macarons. My mom got chocolate and I gave her my orange one. I ate both of the lemon bar slices. We both liked the cookie.

There was three types of tea to try, all from Twinings. I tried English Breakfast and Lady Grey. The third type wasn’t available near me, so I didn’t get it. Since the performers were the ones serving water for the tea, we didn’t get any more tea once the show started. So, be sure to get your fill before the performance. Although, there aren’t real bathrooms at the park. So, don’t drink too much!

Wizard of Oz Theme Park

Following the tea and show, we rode a literal school bus over to the historic theme park for a guided tour along the Yellow Brick Road! I enjoyed learning about the park from the banners displayed and our tour guide. The park itself is wonderful! The ability to immerse yourself into the Wizard of Oz story is so fun! The house was interesting, especially with the twister and the after effects!

In the park, we were able to meet and take photos with the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch! The Wicked Witch really hammed it up for our photos and I love them! I think it may have been some of my favorite character interactions ever – it reminded me of The Grinch at Universal Orlando.

This event also included access to the Overlook, which they charge extra for during Autumn at Oz. Given that it’s 90+ steps, my mom didn’t go up. However, I went up and enjoyed the view of 5 states. I don’t think I will ever pay extra for that view though. It was nice it was included in this event.

I wish the Lion, Tin Man, and Scarecrow were at this event. However, I guess that’s what the Autumn at Oz event is for!

Tip for Visiting

Sign up for the pre-sale emails – I received a link and code to purchase tickets 24 hours before the general public by signing up for the pre-sale emails! That meant that there was plenty of availability when I went to get tickets.
Have dates/times in mind – After waiting in a brief online line, I was able to purchase tickets. There was a choice of two time slots: 10 AM or 2 PM. We didn’t know about the different times, but I had a few dates in mind already. So, be sure to have dates and times in mind when you try to get tickets.
Arrive early – They allow you to pick your seat when you arrive. The show takes place in the same space and the actors move around. So, there’s not really a bad seat. However, some of the treats had flavor variations you may prefer. We picked two plates with chocolate cupcakes versus the vanilla. There’s also some Land of Oz merchandise that you can purchase at this time. It’s also a good time to use the restroom.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes – I know that everyone wants to walk the Yellow Brick Road dressed as Dorothy. However, I noticed that some folks had to continually adjust their outfits during our tour. So, I recommend dressing for a day in a theme park. Red tennis shoes perhaps? I wore a simple “There’s no place like home” necklace with red slippers on it.
Visit the gift shop – The official Land of Oz gift ship is located down the mountain from the event space/theme park. We visited it after the event to get a couple things. So, don’t feel bad if you don’t have time to look at merch during tea. The gift shop also has a restroom that you can use prior to leaving the mountain.

Is the Land of Oz Tea with Dorothy worth it?

This experience cost $231.42 including taxes and fees for my mom and I to do. So, it’s not a cheap experience. However, my mom and I had a blast! It was a great experience with fabulous character interactions. The park itself is amazing and immersive. The tea was pretty good and the show was fun. This experience is great for people who prefer smaller events. We were told that we were touring the park in groups of ~30 people while the Autumn at Oz welcomes 3,000 guests per weekend! This is a great event for folks who enjoy tea or want a slower pace of visiting. Overall, we enjoyed it immensely and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it for people with the budget who want to visit the park and enjoy tea.

The Best Things in Epic Universe

June 10, 2026 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

Today, I want to wrap up my series on the best of Universal Orlando Resort with a look at the Best Things in Epic Universe!

The Best Things in Epic Universe

At the beginning of 2026, I started a series looking at the best things at Universal Orlando with The Best Things in Universal Studios Florida. A few months later, I shared The Best Things in Islands of Adventure. Today, I want to wrap up this series with a look at the newest theme park at Universal Orlando Resort – Epic Universe!

The Best Land

I was most hyped for the Harry Potter Ministry of Magic land heading into my visit to Epic Universe. However, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk really impressed me. I loved everything about this land! It feels so immersive. Plus, there’s dragons! Also, I really enjoyed the food here. While it did feel like the hottest land at Epic, it was my favorite.

The Best Meal

My favorite meal at Epic Universe was at Cafe L’Air De La Sirene. For starters, it feels like a nice little restaurant in Paris. The ambiance is on point. Then, the food was really good. I enjoyed the Quiche Lorraine with Frozen Butterbeer for a drink! Plus, it meant that I didn’t have to wait in line for Butterbeer! I’d like to return to try a sandwich next time or breakfast! Also, I loved the Bieraubeurre/Butterbeer Crepe!

I want to give a shoutout to the tasty BBQ I had at The Oak & Star Tavern! I enjoyed the beautiful stained glass window tree and the general vibes of this restaurant. I also appreciated the variety of sauces available.

The Best Snack Location

I had an amazing chocolate/brownie cake pop from How to Treat Your Dragon in Isle of Berk. It was an unassuming little treat on a stick that I grabbed on my way back to the room for a break. However, it was rich and delicious! I can’t tell if they still have it on the menu or not, but I highly recommend it for a little sweet treat! You can see photos of it towards the end of the Instagram Carousel below.

The Best Ride

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to ride the popular Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry when I visited. However, it looks amazing! I was impressed with Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment though. I enjoyed the attention to detail here and the monsters, of course!

The Best Show

While I really enjoyed both shows available in the park, I think Le Cirque Arcanus was my favorite. I just enjoyed seeing the different magical creatures being brought to life. However, I also liked The Untrainable Dragon show. I just have more of a connection with the Harry Potter world. I recommend watching both.

The Best Stuff at Epic Universe

While I’ve only spent two days at Epic Universe prior to its official opening, I really enjoyed my time there. So, what are your favorite things in this park?

Biltmore Estate Tips for Visiting

June 3, 2026 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

Having just visited for the first time, I thought I would share some Biltmore Estate tips for anyone else planning a trip.

Biltmore Estate Tips

For those who don’t know, the Biltmore Estate is the largest privately-owned residence in the United States! It’s located in the Blue Ride Mountains of North Carolina in Asheville! The estate actually consists of the 100,000+ square foot mansion in addition to the grounds and gardens. There’s so much to see and do that you can easily spend several days here without leaving the estate. That being said, there were a few things I wish we had known before arriving. So, here are a few tips to help make your trip better!

Tips for Visiting the Biltmore Estate

Pay attention to the hours – We arrived around 9 AM on our full house day because the site’s hours of operations said that’s when the admission gate opened. However, we realized upon arrival that meant just the gate and gardens were open. The house and shops didn’t open until 10 AM. So, if you want to know when the house opens, look at the shop hours.
You can walk around the gardens before and after a house tour – Since we arrived an hour early, we roamed the Italian Gardens, which were mostly empty. The gardens are also open later than the house and shops. So, you can view them at your leisure.
Pre-purchase tickets – We actually had a hotel package that included breakfast and tickets that didn’t require house reservations. However, if you buy a one day ticket, then you will need to make a reservation for the time you plan to enter the home. Those reservations can sell out. So, buy your tickets and reserve your time as soon as you know what works best for your schedule.
You can’t carry much inside the house – They have free storage lockers outside the home. However, I left my hat in the car when we were touring the home. Also, pay attention to the bag size allowance of 19″ x 14″ x 9″. It’s best to just leave most things at home, in a locker, or in the car.
Bring a hat for the gardens – I strongly recommend having a hat to wear while roaming the gardens. There’s very little shade available, so you will be happy to have a hat.
Visit the house when it’s cooler – The house does NOT have air conditioning. So, plan to visit the house early in the morning before it gets too hot.
The estate is cashless – The front desk at the hotels are about the only places that will accept cash on property.
Stay for a few days – We spent two nights here and still didn’t see everything. Although, it was in spring with plenty of plants to see. I’m not sure that the colder times of the year would offer as much to see. However, I can see staying for several days during the warmer months.

Visiting the Estate

So, have you ever visited the Biltmore Estate? Do you have any tips that I didn’t mention?

Are Dollywood Guided Tours Worth It?

May 13, 2026 By Lindsay Leave a Comment

Today, I want to examine if the seasonal Dollywood Guided Tours are worth your money and time.

Dollywood Guided Tours

Last year, I was lucky to take several guided tours while visiting Dollywood. I already posted my I Will Always Love You Tour at Dollywood Review, Dollywood Summer Festival Tour Review, and Dollywood Christmas Guided Tour Review. Today, I want to talk about those experience more generally and to help others decide if they should book a guided tour.

What the Tours Include

You can see which tours are available during your trip and what they include on the Special Experiences page on the website. However, in general, the tours attempt to include some festival entertainment (like reserved seating for a show during IWALY or reserved standing viewing of the drones/fireworks during the summer) along with a snack and/or beverage. They also sometimes include rides where you can skip the lines. All of them come with a tour guide or two that tells you about the park and the offerings you get.

I will say these are best for people without mobility issues. They tend to involve a good bit of walking and Dollywood has a few good hills. I also don’t know that I would recommend them for children as there can be lots of listening.

Pros

You get a brief guided tour of the park – It can be helpful for people who don’t know much about the park or its offerings to learn from a park employee.
Skip some lines – It was awesome to ride the train during the Christmas tour without waiting in line. You have to read the fine print though as not all tours offer rides and it seems like the rides offered can differ from year to year.
Some reserved seating – Again, you have to read the fine print to see what the tour includes. However, you sometimes get a reserved (near the front) seat for shows that you don’t have to stand in line for.
Snack and a drink – Often, it’s a festival goodie. However, at Christmas we received a mini cinnamon bread and hot chocolate. I’d consider it an added bonus, not exactly a selling point.
Adds something for experienced visitors – It can be a fun way to do something different if you have visited the park before.
Can be good for solo trips – If you are visiting the park alone and feel more comfortable in a group, this is the perfect opportunity to join a group.

Cons

Added expense – These tours are an added expense on top of a park ticket. Plus, they went up $10 from 2025 to 2026. Currently, they are $89/person with a small discount available for some passholders. So, not exactly a budget friendly event.
Takes up time – If you want to visit the park at your own pace, this isn’t for you. You don’t really have much time to stop and enjoy the scenery or take pictures. I don’t recommend this for people who are visiting for the first time on the first day. Maybe the second day or return trip.
Limited offerings – The specific rides/shows offered varies from festival to festival and even year to year. So, read the site carefully to see if you are interested in most of the things listed before spending the money.
You can do most of the things on your own – Most of the tour experiences can be had on your own. The real perk of these tours is the guide and the ability to skip the line or have reserved seating.

Are Dollywood Guided Tours Worth It?

I think the value of any purchase is subjective. However, if you have children, are a first time visitor, have mobility issues, or on a tight budget, then I don’t think it’s worth it. If you are a return guest who navigates the park easily with room in the budget, then go for it! So, have you ever taken a tour at Dollywood? Did you think it was worth it?