Step Into Grandeur: Your Ultimate Guide to the Biltmore
You don’t have to journey far to experience old-world charm. Just get on over to the heart of North Carolina for a visit to the Biltmore Estate. It’s built to impress history buffs, foodies, adventurers, and everyone in between.
So, whether visiting for the mansion tour or wanting the full experience, use this helpful guide to make the most of your next visit to America’s grandest estate.
Take a Self-Guided Tour Through Pure Luxury
As soon as you arrive, don’t hesitate to take your time exploring the Biltmore House, room by room. With 250 extravagant rooms in the estate (although only 50 available), it’s easy to get lost (in the very best way).
With each step, you’ll go from exquisite banquet halls to cozy sitting rooms filled with relics, from Rembrandt etchings to handwritten letters. Each of the three floors offers something different, giving you plenty of stories to tell once you head back home.
And just when you think you've seen it all—boom—there’s a basement with a humongous indoor pool and a bowling alley to match. It’s in that instant that you’ll realize that George and Edith Vanderbilt really knew how to live it up.
Wander Through Living Masterpieces in Full Bloom
There’s no doubt about it. The gardens at the Biltmore Estate are straight-up showstoppers. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (yep, the same guy behind Central Park), they never fail to offer something special in every season.
For the full experience, stroll past reflecting pools in the Italian Garden before literally stopping to smell the dizzying aroma of the Rose Garden. Then, let your senses guide you through the rest of the 75 acres of garden space, hand-tended year-round by the talented Biltmore crew.
Once you’ve got your steps in, take a break in the Conservatory’s tropical paradise, where you’ll see a wide array of exotic plants, like the Katsura tree. Arrive in the spring to see the Katsura’s leaves in brilliant reddish-purple, then come again in the fall for a gold, orange, and red display.
Enjoy Outdoor Adventures Beyond the Gardens
Consider Biltmore's 8,000 acres as your personal adventure playground. It’s where you can crush 20 miles of Instagram-worthy trails on foot or by bike. Then, try your hand at flyfishing along the French Broad River.
If you want to keep it more low-key, a rejuvenating yoga session might be in order, followed by a breakfast picnic to remember. Position yourself right, and you’ll get to take in the exquisite view of the Estate while you dine in nature.
But for next-level exploring, you absolutely can’t miss the private Land Rover experience. Whether you sign up for one hour or two, an experienced driver will take you on a wild ride through normally off-limits terrain. You'll climb steep ridges, cross hidden streams, and discover breathtaking viewpoints most Biltmore visitors miss entirely.
Explore the Gorgeous Antler Hill Village
After all that adventuring, Antler Hill Village invites you to kick back, relax, and stay awhile. You can wander the village at your leisure or make a beeline to the barn and farmyard to say “hi” to heritage breed animals. Here, you’ll find everything from laying chickens and draft horses to billy goats galore.
Just don’t miss out on the exhibit about the Vanderbilt family or the chance to visit the many boutique shops in search of unique Appalachian crafts. Also, stick around until the evening to see the whole village light up with twinkling lights and live music. It’s the perfect place to slow down and soak it all in.
Feast like a Vanderbilt with Estate-Inspired Menus
The Vanderbilts knew how to dine in style, and luckily for you, the Biltmore Estate keeps that tradition going strong. At the Stable Café, they’re serving up legendary pulled-pork sandwiches—smoked low and slow— right in the estate's original horse stables.
Craving something fancier? The Dining Room at the Inn promises to make you feel like aristocracy with its estate-raised beef dishes, like the Filet Mignon. Cedric’s Tavern also deserves a visit (or three!) for hearty pub fare and all the craft brews you could ever want.
Say Cheers to Biltmore’s Unexpected Wine Scene
Here's something that might surprise you: Biltmore's winery is the most visited in America. That's right—beyond the gilded halls and fancy gardens, they're crushing it (pun intended) in the wine game.
Your ticket comes with a special tasting, allowing you to try all sorts of samples, from bright whites to bold reds. The Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine? Absolute perfection.
The visit is worth it just to walk out to the terrace covered with Wisteria vines. Be sure to time your visit during sunset so you can soak in the amazing views while sipping on some of the finest wines in North Carolina.
Experience the Magic of the Holidays at the Biltmore
The Biltmore is absolutely jaw-dropping all year round, but come the holidays, it’s just downright magical. You just have to visit anytime between November and January to see it transform into a winter wonderland.
During that time, more than 50 glittering Christmas trees fill the halls (including a massive 35-footer in the banquet room). Garland stretches for what seems like miles, and the holiday spirit’s apparent everywhere you go.
Perhaps the best part, though, is the evening candlelight tour, where the halls fill with gentle flickering lights against a backdrop of festive melodies. It’s a truly enchanting way to spend the holiday season.
Which Ticket is Right for You? Let’s Break It Down
When visiting the Biltmore, you always get to choose your own adventure. Here’s how to pick your perfect pass.
- Grounds only: Just want the gardens, trails, and wine tasting? Consider this your perfect ticket. Bring a picnic lunch and then leisurely explore acres upon acres at your own pace.
- House & Grounds: This is the classic first-timer choice. It lets you take a mansion tour using an audio guide and then stroll through the gardens and tasting room, too.
- House, Exhibition, & Grounds: When you want to immerse yourself in the Biltmore experience, you cannot go wrong with this ticket. It even comes with next-day access to the grounds for free.
- Exclusive Tour: Want the VIP treatment? With this ticket, you get the 90-minute Guests of the Vanderbilts tour, plus complete access to every inch of the estate, including special exhibition areas.
If you’re dreaming about Biltmore after your visit (trust us, you will), the Annual Pass is the way to go. It allows you to experience the full estate whenever you want without breaking the bank. Be sure to go at least once per season to see the estate in all its glory.
Your Biltmore Adventures Start Here
As soon as you step through the famous Biltmore gates, you'll undoubtedly realize why this place has captivated visitors for more than a hundred years. Where else can you enjoy an unforgettable mansion tour, see history come alive, and then literally taste the legacy (hello, wine tasting!)?
Now that you know why you should visit Biltmore in Asheville, get in touch with our local community partners for the perfect vacation rental. Can’t wait to get started? Browse exceptional cabin and vacation rentals offered by our partner, Greybeard Rentals, today. Isn’t it time to go forth and live your best Vanderbilt life? We'll see you in the wine tasting room.
