Biltmore is a 250-room French Renaissance château about ten minutes south of downtown Asheville. George Vanderbilt built it, and his descendants still own it. You tour the house at your own pace past a 10,000-volume library, a banquet hall with 70-foot ceilings, an indoor pool and a basement bowling alley. Outside, 8,000 acres hold formal gardens, a conservatory, stables, trails and a winery where tastings come with admission. Restaurants and an ice cream parlor on the grounds make it easy to stay the whole day.
From a mountain escape to a 250-room château
George Vanderbilt first came to Asheville on visits to his mother's home in the early 1880s. He liked the weather and the views enough to buy land and build here. Construction ran from 1889 to 1895, and the house opened to family and friends on Christmas Eve in 1895.
Richard Morris Hunt designed the house, modeled on the châteaux of France's Loire Valley. Frederick Law Olmsted landscaped the grounds. The original estate covered 125,000 acres, and about 8,000 acres remain. Around 1,000 workers took five years to finish it.
Vanderbilt called it his little mountain escape. It is the largest privately owned house in the United States, and his descendants still own it.
Inside the house
The house tour is self-guided, with an audio guide that lets you learn more in the rooms that interest you. Staff in the rooms can answer questions. Plan on roughly 90 minutes to a couple of hours for the main route.
The rooms include a library with 10,000 volumes and a banquet hall with a 70-foot ceiling. The house also has 65 fireplaces, and the basement holds an indoor pool, a bowling alley and a gymnasium with antique equipment from the turn of the 20th century. For 1895 the technology was advanced: elevators, forced-air heating and an intercom system.
Two extra tours add a different angle. The Backstairs tour shows how the household was kept running, and the Rooftop tour looks out over the estate. Families with children aged 5 and up can use a kids' audio guide narrated by the Vanderbilts' dog, Cedric. Elevators serve wheelchair users.
Gardens, conservatory and trails
The Walled Garden leads to the Conservatory, a greenhouse with a large collection of ferns, orchids and other exotic plants. Several historic garden paths run through the grounds. The Azalea Garden path leads on to Bass Pond Waterfall and the Boat House.
Beyond the gardens, the estate has more than 20 miles of trails. The paved Lagoon Trail runs flat along the French Broad River and is shared with bikes. The River Loop is about 7 miles along the same river, and the gravel Farm Trail of about 1.5 miles starts at Antler Hill Village. Bikes can be rented at the Bike Barn on the second floor of Antler Hill Barn. Horseback riding and carriage rides are also available.
The estate changes with the seasons. Spring brings blooms, autumn turns the old trees red, yellow and orange, and winter brings holiday decor. Evening events such as Lumière run at some times of year.
Winery, village and meals
Antler Hill Village is the second hub of the estate, with shops, a farm with animals and a creamery. Basic admission covers the gardens, stables, trails, winery and the self-guided house tour. The winery has made red, white and rosé wines for more than 35 years. It is the most visited winery in the country. Tastings are included, and the truffles made locally are worth adding.
You can eat on the estate at places such as Stable Cafe and the Bistro, which takes care with gluten and other allergens. There is an ice cream parlor too. Alcohol service is monitored across the grounds, which suits families.
The Inn on Biltmore Estate offers rooms with Blue Ridge views and a winery within walking distance. Parking is on site, and the entrance, restrooms and parking are wheelchair accessible.
FAQ
Do you need to buy tickets in advance?
Buying in advance is recommended. Prices differ by ticket type, so check biltmore.com for current rates.
What does admission include?
Basic admission covers the gardens, stables, hiking trails, winery tastings and a self-guided tour of the house. The Backstairs and Rooftop tours are extra options.
How long do you need at Biltmore?
The house tour takes about 90 minutes to a couple of hours. Seeing the gardens, winery and grounds as well fills a full day.
Is Biltmore good for kids?
Yes. Children aged 5 and up can use a kids' audio guide narrated by the Vanderbilts' dog, Cedric. Younger children can run through the gardens, visit the farm animals at Antler Hill or walk the flat Lagoon Trail.
Is Biltmore wheelchair accessible?
The entrance, restrooms and parking lot are wheelchair accessible, and the house has elevators. Assisted listening devices are available.
