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Guests to the estate over the years included novelists Edith Wharton and Henry James, ambassadors Joseph Hodges Choate and Larz Anderson, and U.S. presidents. Their only child, Cornelia Stuyvesant Vanderbilt, was born at Biltmore in the Louis XV room in 1900 and grew up at the estate. Biltmore Estate is a historic house museum and tourist attraction in Asheville, North Carolina. This iconic property has impressed guests and locals since the glory days of Old Hollywood, capable of entertaining a myriad of stars, dignitaries and presidents from around the world. Having played host to a golden-era prohibition nightclub, numerous Academy Awards ceremonies, and feature film sets throughout the years – you’ll wish these gilt walls and fresco adorned ceilings could talk.
Think of the Biltmore Estate as a day trip, not a one-off attraction.
Throughout the years, the Biltmore Winery has continued to gain a reputation of excellence. The winery uses North Carolina grapes and is currently being guided by Winemaker Sharon Fenchak. It continues to grow and you can now find Biltmore Wine in several states across the country. 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. 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.

The Inn
Your Biltmore ticket includes a complimentary wine tasting at the Winery in Antler Village if you are over the age of 21. The Biltmore Winery was opened by George Vanderbilt’s grandson in 1985, and since then, has been serving wines made from the estate’s vineyards. Although the Biltmore home’s architecture and design are gorgeous on their own, the home’s history is remarkable, too.
Explore The Biltmore Gardens
After Vanderbilt's unexpected death in 1914, of complications from an emergency appendectomy, his widow completed the sale. She intermittently occupied the house, living in an apartment created in the former Bachelors' Wing, until the marriage of her daughter Cornelia to John Francis Amherst Cecil in April 1924. The Cecils had two sons, who were born at Biltmore in the same room where their mother was born. Magnificent gardens brimming with nature’s masterworks… a new exhibition of Chihuly’s masterworks in Amherst at Deerpark®. In 1997, a local real estate investment firm, The Novare Group, purchased the Biltmore property and renovated the hotel to offer a variety of uses. In the spring of 1999, the former Biltmore Hotel reopened for the first time in almost 20 years.
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For those that have the time, we suggest getting both lunch and dinner on the estate. For lunch, there are a few places that serve quick bites or have a more relaxed dining atmosphere. Enjoy a sandwich at the Courtyard Market or Appalachian comfort foods at the Stable Café.
Fast Facts: Legends of Art & Innovation at Biltmore
It’ll take you approximately 8-10 minutes walking to reach the Biltmore House and gardens from this point. 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. If you arrive early for house entry, take the time to stroll through the gardens. For first-timers, getting to the Biltmore House entrance can be a bit tricky.
History of the Biltmore Estate
In what was once the Horse Barn you’ll find several shops and even a restaurant. All the shops are unique, but one of the best ones is the year-round Christmas Store. A Christmas Past is a shop that has some beautiful Christmas decorations on display and for sale all the time. If you want to get a Biltmore Estate Christmas tree ornament, you can find one there.
Village
As you explore the estate, enjoy shopping, dining and luxury accommodations. One of the most critical tips for visiting the Biltmore Estate is that the time on your ticket is for your self-guided house tour, NOT your entry to the estate. To the right of the marbled Entrance Hall, the octagonal sunken Winter Garden is surrounded by stone archways with a ceiling of architecturally sculptured wood and multifaceted glass. The centerpiece is a marble and bronze fountain sculpture titled Boy Stealing Geese, created by Karl Bitter. On the walls just outside the Winter Garden are copies of the Parthenon frieze. The Banquet Hall is the largest room in the house, measuring 42 ft × 72 ft (13 m × 22 m), with a 70-foot (21 m) high barrel-vaulted ceiling.
thoughts on “Visiting the Biltmore Estate: Tips, Things to Do + FAQ!”
One of the most important tips for visiting the Biltmore Estate is to buy your tickets ahead of time to ensure that you reserve a ticket for the day that you want to visit. If you enjoy house museums, history, and exploring beautiful grounds, you’ll find plenty of fun things to do at the Biltmore and it’s well worth the visit if it fits into your budget. 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. Guided tours of Biltmore House are also available, including the Biltmore Exclusive Experience, a custom, two-hour tour for small groups.
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. Whenever anyone asks for Biltmore Estate tips, one of the biggest one you’ll hear is ‘give your self plenty of time’.
The largest room in the house is the Banquet Hall with a seven-story high ceiling and triple fireplace. For a deeper dive into the history, we suggest booking one of the Biltmore Estate tours. Note that to join any guided tour, you need a daytime Biltmore ticket, annual pass, or a package stay with Biltmore House admission. In the village, there are rooms for wine tasting, more shops, and a small museum. Most of the estate restaurants are in the Antler Hill Village and there are also two hotels. The Village Hotel is right in the village and the Biltmore Inn is behind the hill of the village.
However, you can often save up to $10-25 per person by visiting Monday to Thursday! You’ll also notice that holiday weekends tend to be more expensive. George Washington Vanderbilt II first visited the Asheville area in 1887 and quickly fell in love with the idea of building a country home here.