Asheville, North Carolina
America’s largest private home is located in Asheville, North Carolina. Welcome to George Vanderbilt’s incredible Biltmore Estate! Here are some tips for visiting.
When you think of Asheville — good craft beer, bohemian vibes, and rolling green mountains generally come to mind. It’s one of my favorite small cities in the United States.
If you’re looking for fun things to do in Asheville, visiting the historic Biltmore Estate should be at the top of your list.
It’s claim to fame is America’s largest privately owned mansion.
George Vanderbilt, an heir to the Vanderbilt railroad fortune, decided to build his dream home in the Blue Ridge mountains of Asheville, and his Biltmore Estate has everything you would expect from a Gilded Age mansion.
Sitting on 8,000 acres, this massive complex includes the 250-room Biltmore House, 75-acres of manicured gardens, the country’s most visited winery, hiking trails, restaurants, and 5-star accommodations too.
The Biltmore is a popular tourist attraction in Asheville, and it’s easy to see why it stays busy all year long. Here are my best tips for visiting!
How To Visit The Biltmore Estate
How To Buy Biltmore Estate Tickets
You need to buy tickets in order to visit the Biltmore Estate. Daytime admission starts at $86 USD per adult when purchased online. Weekend tickets are a bit more expensive. In the Fall (October-November), prices are a little less, starting at $76 USD. Youth ages 10-16 receive discounted admission. Kids 9 years old and under are free.
Visiting the Biltmore is a self-guided affair, however they do offer an audio guide option.
There is also a custom two-hour tour of the home led by an expert tour guide for $319 USD.
What’s Included With Your Biltmore Ticket
- Entrance to the Biltmore House
- Biltmore Gardens Railway
- The latest Art Exhibition
- Biltmore Winery (wine tastings)
Opening Hours
Biltmore House: 10am – 4pm
Biltmore Garden & Grounds: 9am to Dusk
Biltmore Winery: Monday – Thursday: 11am – 6pm, Friday – Sunday: 11am – 8pm
How Long Does It Take?
While a self-guided tour of the main house typically takes 1-2 hours, there is a lot more to see than just the house. To fully enjoy the Biltmore experience (gardens, grounds, Antler Hill Village) you should set aside 6-8 hours for a complete visit.
What To See At Biltmore Estate In Asheville
The Biltmore House
New York architect, Richard Morris Hunt, designed the home in the Châteauesque style, a revival of French Renaissance architecture known for ornaments like elaborate towers, gargoyles, spires, and steep roofs.
The home has four floors, a bachelor’s wing, and a basement. On exhibit inside is the family’s original collection of art and furniture.
Biltmore Gardens & Grounds
The Biltmore’s grand gardens are truly impressive, featuring thousands of ancient trees, rose bushes, and colorful blooms. Koi Fish swim in the lily ponds at the Italian Garden.
The four-acre Shrub Garden has hundreds of ornamental ferns. The rose garden contains over 50 varieties of roses, maintained to look as it did when the Vanderbilts first built the mansion.
Hiking Trails
The estate contains over 22 miles of hiking trails that wind along the French Broad River through woodlands and open meadows. You can explore on your own, or join one of the guided hikes. Stop by the Bike Barn or Outdoor Adventure Center for a trail map.
Antler Hill Village
Antler Hill Village has live entertainment, shopping, 7 restaurants, and more educational opportunities. Enjoy live music and dining, perfect for after a tour of the house.
The Winery At Antler Hill
George Vanderbilt’s grandson, William Cecil, founded the estate winery in the early 1970s. Located at Antler Hill Village, the historic winery offers complimentary tastings and tours (which must be booked in advance).
An indoor/outdoor wine bar serves charcuterie and locally-made truffles, perfectly paired with Biltmore reds, whites, and rosés.
The Vanderbilt Family
Cornelius Vanderbilt was among the railroad tycoons that rose from rags to riches during the Gilded Age, along with the likes of John D. Rockefeller, Henry Flagler, Andrew Carnegie.
Born in 1794, Vanderbilt joined his father’s business operating the New York ferry as a young man.
He eventually worked his way up the ranks to become the owner of the New York Central Railroad. He would later become the wealthiest person in the United States, and the second-wealthiest person ever in US history to date.
Construction Of The Biltmore House
Mr. Vanderbilt’s youngest grandson, George Washington Vanderbilt II, fell in love with the scenery and climate of Asheville, where he began building a summer home in 1889.
He created a mountain paradise surrounded by natural forests and productive farms.
Today, the Vanderbilt family still owns the estate. It first opened to the public during the Great Depression at the request of the City of Asheville as a way to attract tourism.
It eventually became a National Historic Landmark in 1963 and now welcomes 1.4 million tourists annually.
Fun Facts About Biltmore Estate
The Biltmore Estate is the largest privately owned home in the United States at 178,926 square feet (16,622.8 m) of floor space. With 135,280 square feet of living area! How big is your home?
The basement is the largest in the country and includes a heated swimming pool with underwater lighting, bowling alley, and gymnasium as well as a kitchen with living quarters for staff.
The Biltmore was a pioneer in sustainable farming in 1895 and has long operated its farm-to-table program.
Extra Tips For Visiting The Biltmore Estate
- Over 75,000 tulips bloom in the spring, colorful annuals in the summer, and mums in the fall. The rose garden is best to visit around late May.
- You can stay overnight at one of the on-site hotels: The Inn at Biltmore Estate or the Village Hotel.
- Stop by the library on your tour of the house. George Vanderbilt amassed a collection of over 22,000 books — including over 3,000 he read himself.
- The Biltmore is Asheville’s top tourist attraction, so it can get very busy. I recommend arriving as early as possible to try and beat the crowds.
- Biltmore Estate is kid friendly. There is a playground on site, as well as guided bird walks, and even a falconry class that you can book.
- The Biltmore grounds are dog friendly. Pets are not allowed in any buildings, but are allowed on the estate grounds and trails as long as they are leashed.
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I hope you enjoyed my guide to Asheville’s Biltmore Estate! Hopefully you found it useful. Here are a few more wanderlust-inducing articles that I recommend you read next:
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Any questions about visiting the Biltmore Estate? Do you have any other suggestions for the area? Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to share!