I know this place puts on countless events and is known for its food, weddings, and historic inn, however my review is for one specific service they offer here. It was listed as one of the top ten dates in Charlotte magazine, so I surprised my wife with the Vanlandingham Estate's gourmet outdoor picnic for two.
I took advantage of a groupon, but for the normal price of $65 you get a gourmet dinner in a picnic basket with a bottle of wine and a blanket and the option to setup your picnic anywhere on the grounds you wish. My wife opted for a spot by the falls and was so impressed with this date. She couldn't stop admiring the beautiful grounds all around us and the idea of being on a classic southern picnic.
Our picnic basket included a container of lemonade, an entree of chopped BBQ, a side of potato salad, and banana pudding for dessert (Yes Nilla Wafers included). They also gave us a bottle of wine with our choice of red or white. Inside the basket is also a bottle opener and a book of love poetry if you wanted to go the extra mile and recite some cheesiness to your loved one.
This was definitely a memorable date for us and we would do it again in the future. I did ask what would happen if it rained the day I booked our picnic, to which they replied they would setup an intimate area inside the estate for us to enjoy our romantic dinner.