A first time visit to Asheville, North Carolina is not complete without seeing the Biltmore Estate. At 178,926 square feet (that’s about 72 of my 2 story, 5 bed, 2.5 bath house if you need a mental picture of its size), it is the largest, privately owned house (read: mansion) in the United States. Biltmore has a mind blowing 250 rooms including 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 3 kitchens. It also has an indoor swimming pool, a massive library, and its own bowling alley. The house was built as George Vanderbilt’s summer home (yes, you read that right…this was just a vacation house). Today the estate is still in the family and has expanded to include its own little village, a winery, hotels, and more. The estate and house has also been used in many feature films and shows including Richie Rich, One Tree Hill, Patch Adams, and Forrest Gump.
After living in North Carolina for many years (and after many visits to Asheville), we finally made our first trip to the house around 2015. The first time you see the house, it’s pretty unbelievable. It’s hard to imagine anyone would actually (or actually had the money to) LIVE this way. We decided to make the jump to become passholders last year. So now you may ask, why become a passholder? Isn’t it just a house…why would you need to see that more than once? The answer: Biltmore Estate as a whole is so much more than a house. Also, there are pros and cons to visiting during each different season. As a passholder I’ve gotten a lot of chances to explore and here is my guide to Biltmore for you!
Where to Stay
Village Hotel
If you want the ultimate Biltmore experience, staying in one of their onsite hotels is the way to go. Biltmore has two main hotels on site, The Inn and The Village Hotel. The Inn is upwards of $500 a night even in off season but The Village Hotel is a bit more budget friendly. Though it can still get pretty expensive, The Village Hotel is literal STEPS away from Antler Hill Village so you have the winery, restaurants, and shops right at your doorstep. Normally they also have shuttles to take you to the different parts of the estate as well so you don’t even need to worry about driving/parking (COVID has this service temporarily shut down). The rooms are spacious and luxurious and you’ll feel like a guest of the Vanderbilts. Of course, there are plenty of budget hotels only a short drive away, but there’s nothing quite like staying on the property.
What to Do
Tour the House
It may seem like a no-brainer, but if you’re a first timer to Biltmore you have to tour the house. The interior is massive and it’s hard to imagine that anyone actually lived this way. Even if you’re not really into historic houses walking through for the first time is something you can’t miss.
Walk the Gardens
My favorite thing to do around the house is walk through the gardens. Biltmore has miles of different gardens to explore and honestly you could probably spend 3 days just trying to walk through all of them. Closest to the house is the Italian Gardens which features small ponds with fish and covered with lily pads. Super picturesque. Next is the walled garden where all the flowers bloom. Check their website to see what’s in bloom during your visit but I recommend April when the tulips are in full bloom and summer when you can see the roses. At the back of the walled garden is the conservatory where there are many unique and tropical plants in bloom year-round (even in the winter). Those are the main gardens, but there are several more miles of trails and gardens to walk through if you so choose. The gardens are beautiful and definitely something you won’t want to skip out on.
Antler Hill Village
Down the road from the estate is Antler Hill Village. Antler Hill Village has shops, restaurants, a winery, and a little Biltmore Legacy museum. A little up the path is a barn with animals you can pet and another little area with craft demonstrations of things like black smith or broom making. The area as a whole doesn’t take too long to walk through if you just wanted to see the shops, but I recommend allowing a good amount of time to spend in the area to explore and grab a meal.
Wine Tasting/Winery
Another of my favorite Biltmore activities is paying a visit to the winery. They offer complimentary wine tastings (may need a reservation at this time due to COVID) that leads into a shop full of their local wines. Even if you’re not 21 they’ll make sure you’re not left out at the tastings with a little sparkling sample (let’s not even talk about the time my mom took me TWO MONTHS before I turned 21 *rolls eyes*). Their wines are a tad on the expensive side, but you’ll still want to grab a bottle or two of your favorites to take home.
Check Out the Limited Engagements
Biltmore almost ALWAYS has something extra going on that you won’t want to miss, usually a limited exhibit or activity. Most recently they’ve been home to Downton Abbey: The Exhibition (ends September 7, 2020) and the Biltmore Gardens Railway (until February 2021). Past exhibits have included clothing from popular motion pictures arranged throughout the house. There’s almost always something so it’s worth keeping up with their website/emails to make sure you don’t miss out!
Christmas Candlelight Tour
Probably my favorite time to visit Biltmore is around Christmastime. Even if you’ve seen the house at another time of year, you have to see it at Christmas at least once. The holiday season at Biltmore runs from early November to the end of December. The decorations include 55 decorated Christmas trees within the house and 180,000 lights around the estate. They offer special Candlelight house tours at night during the season and they book up fast so be sure to get your tickets. There’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit!
Where to Eat
(Note: menus may be limited right now due to COVID)
The Bistro
My favorite place to dine in Antler Hill Village is at the Bistro. It’s classy without being too terribly overpriced or too snooty. With a variety of dishes from sandwiches to pastas and steaks, the bistro has a little something for everyone. My personal favorite is the wood-fired mushroom pizza (offered on the lunch menu) but I haven’t tried anything that I haven’t liked yet.
The Creamery
If you’re looking for a more grab-and-go option, the creamery is the place to go. Although their main focus is ice cream, they have a great selection of delicious sandwiches and wraps. There are tables around where you can sit and enjoy but it’s a great, fast, (and economical) option to take with you back to the room if you need a rest.
Village Social
Right outside of the Village Hotel is the Village Social. It’s another nice sit-down restaurant but has a slightly more “family friendly” menu with options like burgers and chicken tenders along with the higher line items. It’s also one of the only places open for breakfast if you’re staying on site and looking for a bite (although it can get a little pricey).
Biltmore Estate is definitely a unique site. With stunning views of the mountains and miles of grounds to explore you’re guaranteed to never get bored. Whether you’re a first-timer or just looking to make the most out of your weekend hopefully this will give you some guidance and help you find something new to see or do. And maybe after a jam packed weekend you’ll even make the leap to become a passholder yourself!
