Why Visiting The Biltmore In Asheville NC Is Worth It
Visiting the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, promises a captivating journey into history, grandeur, and natural beauty. Nestled amidst the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, this iconic estate, built by George Vanderbilt in the late 19th century, remains a beacon of architectural splendor and cultural significance.
Howard and I visited George Washington Vanderbilt’s estate last week and are so glad we did! This is an American castle…similar to what they have in Europe, just closer!
Visiting the Biltmore: A Historic Marvel Amidst Nature
1. Architectural Grandeur: The Biltmore House, America’s largest privately-owned home, boasts 250 rooms spread across four acres of floor space. Designed by Richard Morris Hunt, its French Renaissance château-inspired architecture is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship and timeless elegance. We took the self-guided tour with a telephone type audio tour.
2. Biltmore Gardens and Grounds: Surrounding the estate are 8,000 acres of meticulously landscaped gardens, designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. From the formal Italian Garden to the serene Azalea Garden, rose garden and the expansive Bass Pond, each area offers a tranquil escape into nature’s beauty.
3. Estate Activities:
- House Tour: Step inside the Biltmore House, America’s largest home, to marvel at its opulent interiors, including the Winter Garden, Banquet Hall, and Vanderbilt’s private library, adorned with priceless art and antiques. You will be amazed at all the details.
- Everything is so well-maintained, you could envision people actually living there today. And one thing I noticed were all the house plants and orchids that brought the furnishings to life.
- You will see lovely fireplaces, priceless tapestries and beautiful objets d’art in the mansion.
- Winery and Culinary Delights: Sample award-winning wines at the Biltmore Winery, housed in the estate’s historic dairy barn. Indulge in farm-to-table dining at the estate’s restaurants, showcasing local ingredients. There are lots of dining options, but we had a delicious lunch in the air conditioned Stable Cafe.
Tips for Your First Visit
- Timing: Plan your visit early in the day to maximize your exploration time.
- Admission Tickets: Purchase tickets in advance online to secure your preferred tour times and avoid long lines. Our tickets for $95 included parking, the audio for the self-guided house tour of the main house, acres of gardens and a complimentary wine tasting. Prices range from $90 to $125 depending on the day. While the ticket prices are expensive, once you are there, you understand the immense cost to preserve the largest private home in the U.S..
- Large Parking Area: Lots A and B are a short walk to the main entrance. We were a little farther away in parking lot C and took the free shuttle service for the short drive to the front of the house. Additionally, there is a free shuttle from the house down to the shrub garden and conservatory.
- Comfortable Attire: Wear comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for walking and outdoor activities. Bring a hat for the walled garden walk.
- Photography: Capture memories but be mindful of photography restrictions inside the Biltmore House. Such as no flash photography or taking pictures on the stairwells.
- Souvenirs: Explore the estate shops for unique gifts and souvenirs, including wines and local artisan crafts. Since we forgot to pack hats, Howard and I each purchased cute logo’d ball caps at the gift shop that we will wear at home.
A visit to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville promises a blend of history, nature, and cultural richness.
Also, I enjoyed this book The Last Castle. “The story of Biltmore spans World Wars, the Jazz Age, the Depression, and generations of the famous Vanderbilt family, and features a captivating cast of real-life characters including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Thomas Wolfe, Teddy Roosevelt, John Singer Sargent, James Whistler, Henry James, and Edith Wharton.”
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I have been there four times because my Aunt lived in Asheville. I love seeing it. My Aunt spent two years working on reviving the billiard room and Mrs. Biltmore’s yellow round bedroom. She had to go to London to order the silk for her bed and walls. My aunt was an interior designer.
Another excellent book related to Biltmore and the Vanderbilts is a historical fiction novel, “A Well Behaved Woman” by Therese Ann Fowler. Some insight into the family.
Thanks!! I will look for it.
The Biltmore is fabulous! So many treasures! I told my husband that the servant quarters were better than our house; I was particularly impressed by the brick work and the dining room below. The furnishings, art, and tapestries are so wonderful. We did a wine tasting and I bought a couple of cases of wine for Christmas gifts for neighbors and coworkers. I would like to go back at Christmas.
I would like to go back fro Christmas too, Nyla!
We were there a couple times, different seasons, and love love loved it. Love the outbuildings converted to restaurants. Fantastic food and their own wine us available, made there. The Conservatory, the whoe house, Devine. Even the kitchen, pantry, laundry room! Hallmark has a movie out this year that has quite a bit filmed there, inside and out. Bethany Kay Lenz is lead, and has a time travel element modern back to 30s or 40s. Love films using Biltmore.
Go ANY of the season, but don’t miss Christmas season.
Also, they used to have a yearly pass, go as often as you wish, any season and special admittance for certain activities. If I’d lived closer, or able to go more often, I would have gotten it in a heartbeat, it was such a value! Look into if they still offer that! Also visit the stores, they have Biltmore pic books, ornaments, their cookbooks, and all sorts of amazing things. Even notice the beautiful huge Gatehouse at entrance, the incredible landscaping by Fredrich Law Olmsted (also did Central Park) and walk out to stand on the big bridge overlooking the approach to house, yard, fountains, Conservatory and garden in front of it. Walk around the yard and see the river. All so amazing. Last privately owned mansion of this calibre in US. Still the Vanderbilts. They don’t live there, but are preserving it all. They receive no government funding and the place is self-sustaining. Amazing undertaking! You can easily and happily spend more than a day there. Look if have 2 and 3 day tickets yet.
Wow. Thank you!!
We will be celebrating our 50th Anniversary with the Candlelight Dinner December 20, and we are definitely looking forward to that at the Biltmore.
What an event to celebrate in the castle! So thankful.
Wow. Congratulations!!
The Biltmore is on my travel bucket list. Thanks for sharing your info and photos.
I met the special events person for the Biltmore once. It was very interesting. They would come up with an idea and the staff made it happen. She related a big effort to suspend a chandelier from a tree for one event. The Biltmore is worth a visit in beautiful Asheville.
And Biltmore has a massive Chihuliy exhibit through Jan 4. It’s lovely any season but the Christmas Candlelight tour is beyond lovely. While you are there you must go to the greenhouse, there are no words. And in Asheville you must see the Grove Park Inn, again lovely years round but Christmas is divine. The National Gingerbread House competition is their and on exhibit for 6 weeks. You will find great food in Asheville, Weaverville, Flat Rock and Black Mountain. Get on the Blue Ridge Parkway for an unforgettable drive.
I’ve been to The Biltmore twice and it is fabulous. The last time we were there, there was a wonderful display of Downton Abbey items! It is pricey, but so worth it. And the wine is fine! During Covid, we had wine shipped here to Montana. 🍷
How fun, Susan. We skipped the wine as I was afraid it would make us tired in the afternoon.
I am so glad that you went to the Biltmore and have pictures! We are going there in September and I am excited to see everything!
You will love it!
Do go back for the holidays! The house is amazing but the greenhouse, with thousands of stages poinsettias, is to die for.
I would love that!
Mary Ann,
Thank you for sharing the Biltmore Estate. It’s beautiful. What a special day to spend together.
It was so nice!
Yes, I have visited and stayed at the hotel a few times. Love spring season when the gardens are in full bloom. Never knew there were so many different varieties of azalea and roses. Wisteria terrace in bloom is unforgettable as well. Gardens in the fall are impressive as well. Your photos inside the mansion are so much better than mine 😉 thank you for sharing!
I love looking over my photos to relive it, Bess.
On my bucket list, too! Thank you for your review!
Have fun, Cynthia.
I love Ashville and the Biltmore! So much to see and do! You should have come a little further to Pinehurst to see our charming village and to golf!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful adventure of this treasure.
Next time, Elizabeth!!
I have never been to the Biltmore but really enjoyed the mystery Blackman’s Coffin (Blackman Agency Investigations Book 1) by Mark de Castrique. I listened to audiobook and the southern accent and Vanderbilt story hooked me. It was a fun way to learn about the history with it woven into a murder mystery.
Oh how fun…I will check it out!
This is on my bucket list for 2025. Any tips on hotels, restaurants in Asheville? Thanks!
We didn’t stay there, Maureen. I want to go back to Asheville.
Eat at the BILTMORE restaurants. Amazing food and ambiance in converted outbuildings. You can stay at their Inn, or go to a mom and pop motel or chains. Drive up in the mountains and on Blue Ridge Parkway Ashevile is cute and lots of artists there. A retirement town, so ask, if applicable age, for senior discounts on lodging and meals in town.
We liked the Stable Cafe. There is a photo in this post that I took at lunch.
Isn’t Biltmore unbelievable???? Stunning and so impressive. Do yourself a favor and go back during the holidays. The entire home is decorated – you have never seen anything like it. As I recall, decorations are up the day after Thanksgiving through New Year’s. Buying tickets on line essential. Many days get sold out. Return at night for a candle-lit tour. Asheville has so much going on, that turning this into a 2 or 3 night stay (and possibly staying on Biltmore’s grounds) is a great get-away. So glad you enjoyed your visit!
Wow…I would love a candelit tour. Isn’t it amazing how well preserved it is?
We went in early November last year and took the Christmas candlelight tour. With over 60 decorated trees, it was breathtaking!
That sounds amazing!!