One of our favorite getaways from Raleigh is to the opulent Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, also known as America’s largest home!
We love a stately home – they are a great way to gain an insight into the lifestyles of the wealthy and extravagant, as well as showcase some of the finest, classical architecture in the country.
The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC is the castle of all castles. This French-chateaux-inspired mansion has 250 rooms and four floors and sits on a property that spans 8,000 acres (that’s 13 square miles – pretty big!)
If you’re thinking about taking a trip to Biltmore Estate from Raleigh, then this guide is for you! We’ve shared some of the best things to do at Biltmore Estate, as well as shared some tips for visiting and where to stay nearby, so you can make the most of your visit.
About Biltmore Estate
The Biltmore Estate is nestled in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains region, fairly close to Smoky Mountains National Park and only a 5-minute drive outside of downtown Asheville.
This sprawling estate is the vision of George Washington Vanderbilt, a former railroad tycoon who famously turned $100 into $1,000 million. His construction business made him one of the wealthiest men in the world in his prime, and of course, he built a home to showcase this.
Construction of the estate started in 1889 and was completed in 1895, taking six years to build. It was and still is regarded as America’s largest home.
Shortly after the completion of this French Renaissance château, he met his wife, Edith, who moved into the home and they had one child, Cornelia.
When George died in 1914, the ownership of the house went to his wife, and then his child. The lineage of the estate has stayed in the Vanderbilt family and is today owned by his great-grandson, Bill Cecil Jr.
What makes the Vanderbilt family unique is that although they were wealthy, they wanted to share what they had with the world, and from the moment the house was built they opened their doors to the community, hosting events throughout the year.
They also provided employment opportunities and gave their workers New York salaries, which uplifted the local community and contributed to the growth of nearby towns.
Biltmore Estate is more than an architectural marvel, but a work of art. It has been a registered National Historic Landmark since 1963.
How many days to see Biltmore Estate?
We recommend you allow at least 2 full days to explore the entire Biltmore Estate. When you purchase an entrance ticket for Biltmore House, you receive free access to the grounds for the following day.
Most people take two days to explore the grounds and house, but nothing is stopping you from staying longer. Ideally, three days would be better, as there are a lot of activities you can do there from clay shooting to craft workshops to Land Rover tours.
Any more than three days would be pushing it (and weighing heavily on your wallet).
Several people I’ve met have told me they’ll visit Biltmore on a day trip from Raleigh and have a great time. At a minimum three and a half hours drive from Raleigh one way, I personally would not visit on a day trip from Raleigh!
But, I have visited Biltmore in just one day before coming in from Asheville or Lake Lure. On those one-day visits, we tend to only fit in the house, gardens and wine tasting.
Things To Do At Biltmore Estate
1. Tour the House
Of course, the most important thing to do at Biltmore Estate is to explore Biltmore house and gardens. After all, this is what you come to see, right?
You can take a self-guided audio tour, which is included in your ticket price, or you can opt for a guided tour. It’s up to you how you do it, but make sure you book your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment, as it often sells out (and you make a saving by booking in advance).
The audio tour takes about 90-minutes and takes you through the most important rooms in the house (not all 250 are open to the public).
You’ll see the elegant and spacious banquet hall, entrance hall, winter garden, and breakfast room. You also get to visit George and Edith’s bedroom, which has been decorated in period furnishings and hosts displays of vintage clothing, art, and more.
As you wander through these grand rooms, the audio guide will narrate stories that illustrate the lives of the Vanderbilt family and the people around them.
The basement level is one of the most inspiring sections of the house. Here you can see the kitchen, staff quarters, laundry room, and other areas used by the workers of the house. It’s amazing to think what it would have looked like in the beginning.
After the tour, be sure to stop by the shops in the former Carriage Homes to pick up souvenirs or refreshments before exploring the grounds.
Always check the Biltmore schedule as they often have special exhibitions inside the house. We’ve visited before when they had a special Titanic the movie exhibition with costumes throughout the house and interesting pieces of information and connections between the settings of the movie and Biltmore.
2. Explore the Biltmore Estate Gardens
If you think the house is impressive, wait until you see the backyard! Standing on the verandah at the back of the house, you’ll be met with sprawling scenes of the Pisgah National Forest, which Vanderbilt strived to protect.
As well as wandering through the nature trails of the woodlands, take a couple of hours to wander through the former and informal gardens.
As with the house, Vanderbilt left no expense when it came to designing the gardens. They were designed by America’s foremost landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted, and have been divided into several sections.
Be sure to visit the Italian garden, azalea garden, and shrub garden, and see the orchids in the spring garden conservatory. The rose garden is beautiful in the spring and has over 250 varieties of plants.
NOTE: I have just finished the Devil in the White City book which is all about Chicago’s World Fair in 1893. Olmsted was the landscape architect for the fair and they mention Biltmore House several times in the book, as he was working on Biltmore’s garden project at the same time.
3. Enjoy Complimentary Wine-Tasting
Did you know that Biltmore Winery is one of the most visited wineries in the USA? Well, now you do! And the good news is, with your entrance ticket, you get free wine tasting of around 20 handcrafted wines from their vineyard, some of which have won awards.
For the kids, they can have a complimentary grape juice, so they don’t miss out.
While I really enjoyed the wine tasting experience at Biltmore, and highly recommend you do it, Biltmore wine is not something I’d choose to drink outside of the estate. It’s really not too bad, but not my typical style. I would drink it again on my next visit though for sure!
4. Visit Antler Hill Village
Antler Hill Village is a tiny village set up on the estate where all the action is. It’s where you will find places to eat, The Creamery ice cream shop, stores, an Outdoor Adventure Center, and the winery.
When we last visited, there was even live music playing in the grassy area in the village.
Be sure to dine at one of Biltmore’s restaurants, which continue the legacy of Vanderbilt’s farm-to-table ethos and use herbs grown from the estate’s garden.
We ate at Village Social, which was more casual, but we heard good things about Cedric’s Tavern, which is a traditional, English-looking pub. And don’t miss a chance to take the kids to the farmyard at Antler Hill Village to see the chickens and goats.
5. Go For a Hike Around The Deer Park Area
There are nearly 22 miles of hiking trails in the entire Biltmore Estate, so if you want to get out into nature and explore, you have a lot of areas to explore.
Head into the Deer Park Area and walk along the French Broad River, or traverse through the forests and open meadows. Be sure to visit the Outdoor Adventure Center in Antler Hill Village for a detailed trail map.
6. Go Horseback Riding
If hiking 22 miles of trails sounds too daunting for you, then consider exploring the nature sites on horseback instead. You can take a 1-hour, western-style guided ride through the woodlands and meadows of the estate, accompanied by an experienced guide.
There is a maximum of 10 people per horseback riding tour, so you can enjoy the quietness and ambiance of the forest without a huge tour group to spoil the atmosphere.
7. See the Chihuly Exhibit (April Only)
When we visited the Biltmore Estate back in 2014, we were lucky to see the work of American artist, David Chihuly.
Due to its popularity, it will be welcomed back this April 2024 for a limited time only and can also be observed intimately at a few formal dinner events.
David Chihuly is famous for his colorful glass sculptures, which will be displayed in front of the mansion as well as in the gardens.
We loved the bright colors and unique shapes of his sculptures, and highly recommend you go to check them out. It really made an already beautiful garden bloom with even more splendor. It made our list of spring break destinations from Raleigh.
8. Have Afternoon Tea at The Dining Room
What better way to experience the elegance and grandeur of this estate than by enjoying a traditional Afternoon Tea?
Vanderbilt often had a tradition of having afternoon tea with his guests, and the tradition lives on at the Inn on Biltmore Estate Dining Room, where tea is served with fresh-baked scones with clotted cream, honey, and jam.
You will also get a selection of sweet and savory canapés as well as a selection of sandwiches. And you can also have a tea-infused cocktail if you prefer to make it boozy.
NOTE: this is an “elegant attire” activity, and you won’t be allowed in if you rock up in shorts and sandals. Come wearing your best dress shirts and dresses.
9. Stay at The Inn at Biltmore Estate
The Inn at Biltmore Estate is a four-star luxury hotel on the property that continues that exuberant charm from the main mansion.
From the grandeur of the hotel foyer to the magnificent mountain views to the complimentary glasses of champagne on arrival – it’s luxury through and through.
All rooms are decorated in a period style close to Biltmore Mansion’s style, but still feel comfortable and elegant. It’s expensive, but it’s well worth it for a special occasion. You can read more about our stay at The Inn at Biltmore Estate here.
Opening Hours & Entrance Fees
The Biltmore Estate is open all year round, though hours of operation vary by season and differ for each shop and restaurant, so it’s best to check the website before visiting. The house is open from 8.30am until around 5.00pm.
As for admission, ticket prices vary depending on the time of year. The price of visiting in the winter starts at $75, and prices in Spring and Summer start at $80. All tickets allow access to explore the magnificent Biltmore House and its sprawling grounds.
If you are visiting during the Christmas period (Nov 2-Jan 5), prices start at $110. Visiting Biltmore Estate at Christmas to see the lights is a Christmas experience not to miss in NC.
Additional activities such as clay shooting, horseback riding, and other workshops and classes are additional to the ticket price.
Where To Stay When Visiting Biltmore Estate
Of course, there are places to stay on the Biltmore Estate which make a visit much easier. The Inn at Biltmore Estate is the most luxurious hotel on the grounds, as we mentioned earlier, but if you’re looking for something more modern, consider the following:
The Village Hotel
The Village Hotel is a newer hotel on the grounds and is of 3* quality. It has spacious and comfortable rooms, decorated in a more modern flare but still offers the warm hospitality that Biltmore is famous for.
The Cottages
There are also a couple of self-contained cottages on the estate that you can rent if you prefer a little more privacy and more amenities. You will need to book in advance for these though, as there is only a handful.
Hotel Indigo in Asheville
If you don’t want to stay on the grounds, we enjoyed our stay at Hotel Indigo in downtown Asheville. It’s a great location and has comfortable rooms.
Another option is to stay in Lake Lure, which is about an hour’s drive from Biltmore Estate. We love it there and if you’re planning to visit Asheville for 2+ days, consider making a stop by. We have a guide on our ytravelblog.com site on why we love Lake Lure and what to do there.
Tips for Visiting Biltmore Estate
To make the most of your trip, here are some words of advice:
- Get there early to avoid the crowds. Even if you have booked your ticket in advance, you’ll want to enjoy the house and gardens with fewer people. If possible, visit on weekdays to avoid weekend crowds.
- Purchase your tickets in advance. Reservations are required for the self-guided visit to Biltmore House and are timed entry, so you do need to book in advance to make sure that tickets are available.
- Get to the house at least 45 minutes before your Biltmore House entry time. It takes time to find a parking space and catch the shuttle bus to the house.
- Note that children under 16 are allowed to enter free for all summer (through Labor Day)! The rest of the year, children under 9 and admitted free.
- If you want to see the Christmas Lights or other special events throughout the year, book way in advance as they are very popular, and tickets sell out quickly. Biltmore Bloom in Spring is another popular event that boasts incredible floral displays.
- You need to drive from location to location in the estate, it’s that big!
