9 Helpful Tips for Visiting the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC

Table Of Content

• Need more time? Visit a second day!
• Helpful Tips for Visiting the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC
• Don’t Skip the Gardens at Biltmore Estate
• Compare Overnight Stays
• Cottage Door at The Inn
• Built between 1889 and 1895, the Biltmore Estate stands as one of the most magnificent Gilded Age mansions in America.

Olmsted began the landscaping at the same time Hunt was building the home, and it eventually grew to encompass 125,000 acres. Today, the gardens have been scaled back to 8,600 acres made up of a walled garden, a soaring glass-ceiling conservatory, an Italian garden, and the ancient trees in America’s first managed forest. The gardens are home to an abundance of vibrant blooms, most importantly a rare collection of orchids and azaleas. Biltmore HouseYour Biltmore House admission invites you to experience three grand floors and the once-bustling basement of America’s Largest Home®.

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Need more time? Visit a second day!

Explore the house as the Vanderbilts’ initial guests did, with captivating tales and access to seldom-visited areas. Previously, you had to pay extra for the audio-guided visit to the Biltmore House. However, the audio tour is now actually included in your regular admission! If you listen to the full explanation of each room on tour, the experience should take around 50 minutes.

Helpful Tips for Visiting the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC

Asheville is a mountain city known for its scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The area's most popular destinations include the Blue Ridge Parkway — a 469-mile road around the mountain's peaks — and, of course, the historic Biltmore Estate. The Biltmore Estate is home to the largest privately-owned house in the United States. And though the grounds aren't as sprawling as they once were, there's certainly still plenty to explore. Visitors can ride horses, kayak in the waters nearby, and go bird watching.

Don’t Skip the Gardens at Biltmore Estate

You’ll also notice that holiday weekends tend to be more expensive. The Vanderbilts hosted notable figures like Edith Wharton, Henry James, and Theodore Roosevelt at their North Carolina mansion. Additionally, George and Edith sold over 86,000 acres to establish the Pisgah National Forest.

Plan Your Visit to Biltmore Estate

Only here will you find America’s Largest Home®, 8,000 acres of glorious gardens and grounds, an award-winning Winery, and myriad dining, shopping, and outdoor pursuits… all in one unforgettable place. Begin with the breathtaking beauty of 250-room Biltmore House — America's largest home® — and century-old gardens. Explore the 8,000-acre backyard through a variety of activities from horseback riding to rafting. Experience Antler Hill Village that connects the estate's present and past, providing a relaxing place for dining, shopping, historical exhibits, and new ways to enjoy Biltmore's hospitality. Finally, savor the long-lasting benefits of a luxurious getaway at the four-star inn, Inn on Biltmore Estate.

Compare Overnight Stays

In the late 19th century, the Biltmore Mansion showcased the era’s latest technology, including electricity from the time it was built. It boasts one of the oldest operating elevators in the U.S. and incorporated innovative features like forced-air heating, a call-bell system, and fire alarms. In fact, George Vanderbilt’s vision of a French Renaissance-style chateau draws over 1.4 million visitors to the Blue Ridge Mountains each year. With this in mind, I’ve put together this guide to help plan a seamless visit to the Biltmore Estate. Unfortunately, you can’t stay in the Biltmore when visiting, but you can stay at several excellent locations close by! There are excellent hotels near the Biltmore that offer a range of prices to accommodate those looking to relax in luxury or find a budget-friendly stay.

After your time in the Tasting Room, you can browse the Wine Shop to find a bottle to bring home or walk across to the Wine Bar to savor a glass of your favorite wine. One of my best tips for visiting the Biltmore Estate is to eat a big breakfast before arriving because most of the dining options near the Biltmore House and Gardens are expensive. Here are some photos and fun facts about the largest home in the United States. Even after six years of construction by 1,000+ workers, the 250-room castle was not complete when George Vanderbilt opened it in 1895. Vanderbilt's diverse and cultured tastes influenced his travels with architect Hunt while Biltmore House was being constructed.

His bedroom connects to his wife's Louis XV-style, oval-shaped bedroom in the north tower through a Jacobean carved oak paneled sitting room with an intricate ceiling. Explore our history, architecture, gardens and grounds, cuisine, wine, and more with carefully curated experiences that showcase the breadth of the estate’s appeal. This reflected the importance placed by both Richard Morris Hunt and Frederick Law Olmsted on beginning the massive task of planting the landscape to hide the scars of construction. The Walled Garden appears nearly complete, while Biltmore House rises on the hill beyond. The Biltmore Estate, which now spans a total of 8,000 acres, is covered with gardens designed by American landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.

Built between 1889 and 1895, the Biltmore Estate stands as one of the most magnificent Gilded Age mansions in America.

If driving, leave your hotel at least 45 minutes before your ticketed time slot. The other best time to visit Biltmore Gardens is during the autumn. If you love fall foliage, you’ll want to plan your trip for mid to late October. Seasonal colors, ranging from green to gold and russet, blanket the Biltmore Estate during this time of year.

If you’re searching for a unique place to stay while visiting Biltmore Estate, you’ll love this 1891 Victorian home. Estate policies indicate that flash photography is not allowed inside the home. If you’d like to take pictures on your self-guided tour, turn off the flash on your phone or camera. Furthermore, no photos are allowed on the specialty tours of the Biltmore House.

The Shrub Garden is a nice lead-in walk to the Rose Garden and Conservatory. Each section is filled with aesthetic beauty and makes for a nice nature walk near the French Broad River that serves as an excellent getaway during busy days at Biltmore. The scale of this 8,000-acre Estate sets in during the 3-mile drive from the ticket office to the house. The house was created for George Vanderbilt’s family, and things haven’t changed since its completion.

Moreover, seniors (65+) receive a discount on daytime admission on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Reception & Ticketing Sales Center. Since Christmas is Biltmore’s busiest time of the year, you can expect tickets to go quickly. I recommend booking around 3-4 months in advance to ensure your spots. However, you can often save up to $10-25 per person by visiting Monday to Thursday!