Biltmore Estate: Everything to Know About Americas Largest Home

Table Of Content

• Tips for Buying Tickets for Biltmore and Discounts
• Virtual Tour: Biltmore House—America’s Largest Home
• Don’t Skip the Gardens at Biltmore Estate
• Biltmore Estate Background and History
• Christmas at the Biltmore Estate
• ... and of the library. According to the Biltmore website, from 1875 to 1914, Vanderbilt read around 81 books a year.
• Biltmore Estate

Visit this spring and enjoy free next-day grounds access with Chihuly at Biltmore admission. George Vanderbilt died suddenly after an emergency appendectomy at the age of 51. Encyclopedia Britannica reports that his wife sold 87,000 acres of the Biltmore Estate's land to the U.S. Forest Service, starting a gradual shrinking of the property that continued until just 8,000 acres were left. Then, on Christmas Eve 1895, the grand estate opened to Vanderbilt's family and friends for the first time.

Tips for Buying Tickets for Biltmore and Discounts

For reference, the Biltmore typically sees the most significant crowds between 11 a.m. If you can go in the morning, the Biltmore House gardens open at 9 a.m. So, you could even walk through the gardens before your ticketed time slot. If you are planning to enjoy dinner at Antler Hill Village, I would suggest making a reservation ahead of time—the waitlist can get long, especially in the evenings.

Virtual Tour: Biltmore House—America’s Largest Home

Even though there are many spots available to tour the Biltmore house each day, you might be surprised to know that tickets sell out quickly—especially during the weekends, holidays, and Christmas season. Sample wines in the Tasting Room, included in admission to Biltmore Estate. You can learn more about the house by following an audio tour (kids versions available, too!) or a guided tour, though availability varies. There are 13 different tours listed on Biltmore’s website, from self-guided tours of the gardens to 90-minute home tours. And, with over 8,000 acres to discover, guests can also enjoy outdoor activities like guided bike rides along the French Broad River, carriage rides, hikes, river float trips, and even horseback rides. According to a timeline on Biltmore.com, the construction of Biltmore began one year later in 1889 and, to this day, is the largest residential architecture undertaking in the nation.

Don’t Skip the Gardens at Biltmore Estate

Admission includes access to three grand floors (plus the basement) of America’s largest home, as well as the gardens and conservatory. Through a 50-minute audio tour, you’ll learn all about the Vanderbilts, their guests, and their servants, as well as the home’s architecture, design, and artwork. In addition to the house, the 8,000-acre estate is home to forested trails and beautiful gardens, which include one of the country’s most complete collections of azaleas. Biltmore is also where you’ll find the nation’s most-visited winery.

According to a virtual tour of the gardens, Vanderbilt envisioned a self-sustaining estate that would nurture the land and its resources for years to come. The Cecils first opened the Biltmore house doors to the public in 1930, amid requests to increase area tourism during the Great Depression. The family also helped store priceless art during World War II as a favor to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. Give yourself ample time to experience all Biltmore has to offer. Select overnight stay packages include unlimited Biltmore House visits, daily breakfast, tours, and our thrilling art exhibition, Chihuly at Biltmore. Enjoy breathtaking views from rooftops and balconies of Biltmore House and get a closer look at its design and construction with this 60-minute guided tour of areas not seen on the regular house visit.

Christmas at the Biltmore Estate

Just outside the entrance gate of Biltmore Estate is historic Biltmore Village. Biltmore Village is a historic district that is home to fine art galleries, top notch restaurants and a mix of boutique and nationally recognized shops. There are several places to stay in Biltmore Village, from luxury accommodations to family-friendly hotels.

... and of the library. According to the Biltmore website, from 1875 to 1914, Vanderbilt read around 81 books a year.

Antler Hill Village hosts a farm, shopping, and an Outdoor Adventure Center that offers plenty of fun activities. You can go fly fishing, ride a horse, do a Segway tour, and more. But if you are visiting Biltmore with younger children, there is a playground and farm at Antler Hill Village! You can even pet the goats at the farm and watch as artisans make wood and metal crafts by hand. If you’re looking for even more fun on the vine, you can tour the vineyard, enjoy chocolate pairings, taste premium wines, and join a wine and cheese hour (Fridays and Saturdays).

Hallmark announces air date for 'A Biltmore Christmas' - WCNC.com

Hallmark announces air date for 'A Biltmore Christmas'.

Posted: Thu, 21 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

At the time, Hunt was most known for his work on the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Statue of Liberty. When you first lay eyes on the Biltmore Estate, you almost can’t fathom it’s a real place. The home seems more like something out of the pages of a fairytale or Disney movie. It’s a real house nestled amongst the rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Asheville, North Carolina.

Biltmore Estate

New Hallmark Channel Christmas movie goes back in time at NC’s Biltmore Estate - CBS17.com

New Hallmark Channel Christmas movie goes back in time at NC’s Biltmore Estate.

Posted: Mon, 20 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Featured in museums and gardens around the world, including the spectacular 2018 Chihuly at Biltmore exhibition, Dale Chihuly’s awe-inspiring works have captivated millions. Specially curated for Biltmore, a new experience of the world-renowned artist’s iconic creations awaits your discovery within the intimate gallery setting of Amherst at Deerpark®. Guided tours of Biltmore House are also available, including the Biltmore Exclusive Experience, a custom, two-hour tour for small groups. The tour is led by an expert guide who specializes in Vanderbilt history and estate stories. You’ll visit areas off the main tour that are based on your interests.

Spend day one touring the Biltmore House, and return for a second day to explore the exhibition, grounds, and hiking trails along the French Broad River. You’ll learn about the Vanderbilt family, the construction of the Biltmore Estate, and the servants who lived on the grounds. So, if you’d like to stay longer in one room and skip another, you can do so. Plus, if you’re visiting during the summer months, consider grabbing a sweet treat at The Creamery. When purchasing your Biltmore Estate tickets, the best time is early morning or after lunchtime. When you select an available time, you can view how many spots are left for each ticketed timeslot.

To bring his original vision to life, George hired prominent New York architect Richard Morris Hunt. I'm a writer from Phoenix, AZ who loves coffee, golden retriever puppies, and obviously, travel! I help ordinary women (like me!) dream, plan, and do extraordinary travel experiences. I had no idea how stunning and extensive the Biltmore Gardens were! The Biltmore House is impressive, but in my opinion, the gardens are the real showstopper.

Spend as much time as you wish immersed in another era, and return as many times as you like. Unlimited visits with no reservations required means you don’t have to miss a thing. Unlike the other guided tours mentioned above, the exclusive 90-minute tour is only available if you purchase the Exclusive Tour ticket option for the Biltmore Estate.

Your daytime admission to Biltmore also consists of a free wine sampling. You don’t need to make a reservation; however, be aware that this experience is first-come, first-served. Just five miles from the Biltmore House, Antler Hill Village offers restaurants, stores, and seasonal exhibits. Instead of just touring the home and leaving, consider a visit to Antler Hill Village—especially if you’re traveling with kids, as the Farmyard is a must-see. On the rooftop tour, you’ll learn more about the design and construction of Biltmore House while exploring restricted areas. Of course, you’ll also see the stunning view from the rooftop and check out some of the balconies.

Featuring Chihuly at BiltmoreBiltmore House admission starts at $80. Featuring Chihuly at BiltmoreBiltmore House admission starts at $90.

As Explore Asheville notes, there's much more to the Biltmore Estate than the house itself (though the house is certainly one of the main draws). Visitors can also visit the estate's gardens, trails, and the Biltmore winery, which is the most visited winery in the nation. Additionally, if you’re traveling with kids, your little ones may enjoy the children’s version of the audio-guided visit. This 90-minute tour is narrated by the Vanderbilts’ beloved Saint Bernard, Cedric. Leaving 45 minutes before your entrance time allows ample time to drive through the Biltmore grounds, park, and make the short walk to the home.

"He was a bookworm, a student," one New York journalist declared. Hunt came up with a design for Biltmore Estate in 1889 and got to work, while Olmsted counseled Vanderbilt about his grounds in 1888. The Cedar Crest Inn’s central location makes it an ideal base for exploring everything Asheville has to offer, including Biltmore Village and the River Arts District.