Laughing Lindsay

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Biltmore Luminere Guide

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Having just experienced the Biltmore Luminere nighttime event, I thought I would post a guide to help others plan their trip.

Biltmore Luminere

Biltmore Luminere

For those who don’t know the Biltmore Luminere is the Estate’s newest add-on experience. Unlike other events, this is a nighttime lights and projections experience. It includes a projection show on the house and additional lighting/projections in the gardens. They advertise the event starting at $60, but most nights are a good bit more expensive. A ticket to the event allows you entry to the grounds and shops starting at 4:30 PM too.

Special Foods

You have the option to order a picnic to enjoy on the lawn. However, the Stable Cafe also has a special menu for the event. We opted to eat at the Stable Cafe. Not knowing what to expect, I made a dining reservation for 6 PM. We were seated promptly and we probably didn’t even need the reservation. However, I could see it being useful on a busier night.

We explored the gardens and conservatory prior to dinner. Unfortunately, it was a hot April day (mid/upper 80’s) and we didn’t want anything too heavy to eat. So, we ordered salads with the dressing on the side and added some chicken. They were good, fresh salads. They were perfect for the heat we had just endured. The cornbread croutons were especially good in my salad. I also enjoyed a few candied walnuts from my husband’s salad. I also ordered the event special mocktail – the Nightfall. It was a great mix of flavors, but the ginger was definitely noticeable. So, if you don’t like ginger, it might not be for you.

Then, we ordered some desserts. My husband got the Blueberry Mousse Cake. It was a light, airy dessert that was the perfect combination of blueberries and passionfruit. We both really enjoyed it. I got the Raspberry Praline Profiterole. I loved the combination of hazelnut, chocolate, and raspberry. It was a great way to kick off the event.

Biltmore House Show

Typically, the house projection show is shown three times a night. The exact times can be found on the site. On the night we went, it was shown at 8:45, 9:15, and 9:45. Lasting 15 minutes, the show is a look at the history of the estate and the Vanderbilt family who owns it. It was a touching tribute honoring the history of the location. I particularly enjoyed the projections depicting life in the home. Overall, it was entertaining and informative. Although, I don’t know that children would enjoy this show as it’s a little dry with all of its facts.

Garden Illuminations

In addition to the house projection show, you can walk around the gardens to see some beautiful lighting effects! I highly recommend walking around the gardens beforehand in the daylight to understand the layout of the land and to appreciate it more. I loved the projection show on the trees the most. Also, don’t miss the lighting in the conservatory either. It was beautiful! We really enjoyed walking around and looking at the different projections. It helped that it was a nice night out as well.

Tips

  • Purchase tickets early – We waited to purchase tickets until we knew the weather forecast. Unfortunately, they raised the prices $15-20 per person per night at the end of the month prior (end of March for April)!
  • Bring a blanket or chairs – You watch the house projection show on the front lawn. We enjoyed sitting on a picnic blanket as it allowed to us watch the sun go down and then watch the show. Also, sitting on the ground was more comfortable than sitting on hard concrete for a parade or standing for fireworks at the theme parks!
  • Arrive early – We arrived around 4:30 and enjoyed walking around before it got crowded. In fact, we were able to browse mostly empty stores prior to dinner. It was so nice to look at stuff without crowds for once.
  • Watch a later projection show – If you want to view the house show without any crowds, go for one of the later shows. We walked by during the last showing and it was practically empty! There was a chance of a rain that night, so we watched the first showing. However, if I ever go back, I will probably watch a later showing and walk the gardens first.
  • Take your time – If you are lucky enough to visit on a night with good weather, it’s so nice to just walk around in nature. It’s definitely one of the more relaxing nighttime projection events I’ve attended.
  • See the grounds in the daytime – They have done a great job with the lighting and I think knowing what the area looks like normally makes you appreciate it that much more.

Is the Biltmore Luminere worth it?

Again, I think value is subjective. However, I thought the price charged was worth the experience. From low crowds for the stores and gardens prior to the projection show, to the lighting and show itself, it made for a great date night. I wouldn’t hesitate to go again. So, have you experienced the Biltmore Luminere?

I Will Always Love You Tour at Dollywood Review

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On my recent quick trip to Dollywood, I took the I Will Always Love You Tour to experience the seasonal festival with a guide. Since I wasn’t able to find any reviews of the experience prior to booking, I thought I would share my thoughts on it for others considering booking it.

I Will Always Love You Tour

I Will Always Love You Tour

In recent years (since 2022), Dollywood has begun offering guided tours. It appears they offer a special one for each festival. Since this was my first solo trip to the park and my first time experiencing this festival, I was interested in taking one of the tours. However, the description online is pretty vague as to what the tour entails. Also, I couldn’t find a single review for the I Will Always Love You Tour. So, I thought I would share what I got to experience on my tour and what I thought of it.

The Tour Itself

The tour began with reserved seating for the festival exclusive show “From the Heart – The Life and Music of Dolly Parton”. The website says the tour begins at 2 PM. However, we saw the 1:00 PM show. So, I think it’s important to point out that difference for planning purposes. Immediately following the show, the group came together for a meet and greet with a few people from the cast. It was kind of neat, but also awkward as no one knew each other or knew to prepare questions. That portion of the tour ended with photos with the people from the show.

Then, we had a restroom break before meeting up at the big pink “LOVE” sign. The online description said we would “Sample some of Dollywood’s limited-time festival snacks”. However, all we got was the Cherry-Lime Spritzer on the tour. I was sad that there wasn’t any food included after it mentioned sampling some snacks. We sipped on the drink while we were led over to the Showstreet Gazebo to catch the last few minutes of a show of the Wild Roots Band. Then, we were ushered over for a meet and greet with the band. Again, it was awkward. We hadn’t seen the whole performance and didn’t know each other.

Next, we walked around The Dolly Parton Experience and learned a little bit about that area of the park. It was a bit of a repeat for me since I had taken the Dolly Parton Experience tour earlier that day. However, it was nice for others to learn about the park’s history.

Then we looked at Dolly’s Tennessee Mountain Home. It’s a re-creation of the cabin Dolly grew up in. Finally, we headed up to the Robert F. Thomas Chapel to end the tour. We were given our tour keepsake, which was a festival pin.

Tips

  • You can’t book the tour online for one person – Currently, you have to book the tour in person the day of if you are alone. This way, they know if they have enough people to form a tour group.
  • Make sure you get your passholder discount – It’s not a big discount, but every little bit helps. The day I went they had trouble applying the discount, but they ended up making it right.
  • Wear comfortable shoes – You sit for a show and in the chapel at the end. However, the main part of the tour is walking and/or standing.
  • Eat lunch before the tour – As I mentioned above, we received only a beverage on the tour. So, fill up on lunch beforehand.
  • Allow the afternoon for the tour – It’s listed as a 1.5 hour walking tour. The show was at 1 and lasted almost a full hour. The walking tour started around 2 PM and ended a little after 3. In all, it took up a little over 2 hours.

Is the I Will Always Love You Tour worth it?

This tour is currently priced at $79/person, before any discounts. Personally, I was hoping the tour would focus more on the specific festival itself. Instead, it was more of a Dollywood in general tour. I think the price is a little steep for what it entails. The Dolly Parton Experience tour is only $59/person. It doesn’t come with any meet and greets or a beverage though. I may try another festival tour or two to get a better feel for them, but I don’t know that they are a good use of time or money for most folks. I enjoyed the reserved seating and learning about the park. However, I wanted more festival specific offerings, especially the festival snacks that were promised and not delivered.

So, have you taken this tour or another festival tour? What was your experience like?

Dollywood I Will Always Love You Music Festival Guide

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I have just returned from a quick trip to Pigeon Forge where I was lucky enough to experience the Dollywood I Will Always Love You Music Festival for the first time! So, I thought I would post a little guide to the seasonal event!

Dollywood I Will Always Love You

Dollywood I Will Always Love You

This is the park’s newest seasonal event, having begun in 2023! 2025 was my first time experiencing it though. The event was initially created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Dolly Parton’s song “I Will Always Love You”. However, the event was very popular and thus the event has continued. Now, it celebrates Dolly Parton’s life and music.

Special Shows

The park has some regularly occurring musical acts that appear year round. However, they tend to update their shows seasonally to reflect the current festival. During this festival, the shows center on Dolly’s music and life. I highly recommend the show “From the Heart – The Life and Music of Dolly Parton”. It’s a great look at Dolly’s life and features good music.

Pink Art

To celebrate this festival, there’s sparkly pink artwork to enjoy. During the Summer Festival, the front of the park features a Kite Sky. For this festival, there’s a sparkly pink sequin sky! There’s also a sparkly pink “LOVE” sign to take pictures of. There’s also some pink photo frames around the park to pose in for a picture.

Specialty Food

Just like all of the seasonal events, there’s lots of special food items to enjoy. There’s even a dining pass that you can purchase for $42.99 ($39.99 for passholders) that allows you to sample 5 dishes from the festival. Since I was by myself for this trip, I didn’t purchase one, but it can be a good deal if you purchase at least two entrees with the pass (which cost about $14 each).

I tried the cherry-lime spritzer from the festival and it was refreshing on a warm spring day. The strawberry rhubarb cobbler at Granny Ogle’s was nice. It was more strawberry than rhubarb, but it was still tasty.

Tips

  • Check the weather forecast – I actually shifted my trip back a day due to weather. It might be sunny and pleasant during this festival or it might be cold and rainy. It’s also possible you might see some snow flurries. You just never know in the Smoky Mountains.
  • Be prepared for crowds – This festival takes place during the busy spring break season. So, be ready to wait in lines. I found the morning to be less crowded, but the booths don’t open until 11 AM.
  • Arrive early for the shows – The shows tend to fill up. Arrive early if a certain show is important to you.
  • Visit the Dolly Parton Experience – This is the perfect festival to visit the newly opened Dolly Parton Experience to learn more about Dolly’s life and appreciate her story. You may want to consider taking the guided Dolly Parton Experience tour. I took it and will be posting a separate review at a later date.

Should you visit during the Dollywood I Will Always Love You Festival?

I truly love the various festivals and seasons at this theme park. As such, I don’t think there’s a bad time to visit the park. This event is probably ideal for fans of Dolly and/or her music. It’s also great for fans of the color pink.

Spring in Colonial Williamsburg Guide

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Last year my husband and I took a trip to experience Spring in Colonial Williamsburg. Since we are approaching the official start of this season, I thought I would do a little guide on it.

Spring in Colonial Williamsburg

Spring in Colonial Williamsburg

Having previously posted a Winter in Williamsburg guide last year, I thought I would do a springtime one highlighting the differences between the seasons. While winter will be January, February, and most of March, spring is late March, all of April, and most of May.

We visited in early May and were pleased with the trip. It was warmer than when we visited in March. However, a few days were a little chilly and there was some rain. So, definitely check the weather forecast to pack the right clothes. On this trip, we really enjoyed walking around and seeing the gorgeous flowers in bloom! The gardens were also full of produce. Plus, we got to see some adorable lambs in the fields! I highly recommend a spring trip to CW if you enjoy the outdoors.

Tips for Visiting in the Spring

  • Check the calendar for special events – In March, CW celebrates Women’s History Month with special talks and events. Additionally, Drummer’s Call or a showcase of 18th century music happens every spring. Plus, there’s the annual Memorial Day celebrations.
  • Check the weather forecast – The first few days we were in the area, it was chilly. Then, it warmed up nicely. However, there were a few afternoon rainstorms as well. So, I recommend looking at the forecast before packing or heading out.
  • Expect moderate crowds – CW is almost always less crowded than a theme park. However, spring can be busy with families on spring break as well as school field trips. So, expect larger crowds than you might see in the winter months but fewer than the summer or holiday months.
  • Expect moderate prices – Since the crowds are moderate, so are the lodging prices. Winter is definitely the cheapest time to go, with spring being a little more expensive. However, it is way cheaper than during the holidays.
  • Book dining in advance – I still recommend booking your Tavern dinner or tea in advance simply due to the limited availability. I have a whole guide to Colonial Williamsburg dining if you are trying to decide where to eat. There are some other dining options within walking distance outside of the historic area that don’t require reservations though.

Is Spring in Colonial Williamsburg worth it?

We really enjoyed our time in Colonial Williamsburg during the spring. The weather was mostly pleasant. It was a little more crowded, but not overly so (unlike Christmastime). Plus, it was neat to look at the gardens and animals. Have you ever visited during the spring months?

Tips to Celebrate Each Season

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Now that it’s the beginning of a new year, I’d like to share a few tips to celebrate each season.

Tips to Celebrate Each Season

Tips to Celebrate Each Season

Personally, I need little things to look forward to doing. I love that each season is so different (at least in Virginia) and has different activities and holidays to look forward to. Fall and Winter with Halloween and Christmas tend to get the most attention. However, I enjoy bringing the same enthusiasm for the season and activities to the rest of the year. So, here are some of the little (affordable) ways I like to celebrate each season!

  • Crafts – Over the past couple of years, I gotten more into painting door hangers and little items. I love that Target has even started offering different seasonal crafts. I also just purchased a paint by number canvas from Aldi. I also have a few color by number books. Crafts ease my anxiety and brighten my day. So, it’s fun to make seasonal crafts to hang up or just look at while you color.
  • Decorate – This one often goes along with crafts, but I enjoy changing out the decor around my home. I’m always home and the plain walls can be boring to look at. So, it’s nice to switch out a few items every few months.
  • Bake – I love to bake! I enjoy making seasonal treats. Give me all of the pumpkin and apple in fall. I love blueberries, lemon, and lime in summer. Winter is great for chocolate or spice. Spring is the perfect time to make my grandma’s rhubarb pie.
  • Pancakes – I know this ones seems really random, but it’s a really affordable way to celebrate the season. Walmart (and sometimes Target, Trader Joe’s, or Aldi) will carry special seasonal pancake mixes. I enjoy picking up a couple each season and trying them on the weekends. I just finished off a peppermint mocha one from Walmart and am hoping Target gets their Valentine’s Day red velvet one again this year. You can also mix and match with seasonal whipped creams from Target or Aldi.
  • Travel – It should come as no surprise that I enjoy travelling to different destinations to see seasonal events. Although, I tend to avoid summer travel since it’s so hot.

How do you celebrate seasons?

Do you do anything fun to celebrate the different seasons? If so, what?