Biltmore Estate: More than Just a Big House
My husband and I have been going to Biltmore for years and it is our favorite getaway spot as a couple and as a family. For us, it is more than just a house tour or “museum”. It is an immersive experience where I truly imagine myself living there as a Vanderbilt family member or casting myself as a guest star in the Gilded Age (if you know, you know). This estate combines history, architecture, vast gardens and landscaping, and food and wine (two of my favorite things!).
Biltmore sits on over 8,000 acres and the house itself has over 250 rooms!
Where is it located?
It is conveniently located in Asheville, North Carolina, within the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is near Downtown Asheville and makes a great getaway for couples, girls' trips, multi generational trips, families, history lovers, wine lovers and more! You could visit Biltmore Estate multiple times and have a unique experience each time.
Some Quick History
Mr. Vanderbilt came to the area in the late 1800s and fell in love. He purchased tens of
thousands of acres of land and began constructing Biltmore Estate in 1889.
Fun Fact: the grounds were designed by Frederick Law Olmstead who designed Central Park in New York City!
The architect of the home was Mr. Richard Morris Hunt who also famously designed and built the Breakers Estate in Rhode Island, the pedestal at the Statue of Liberty, and designed the entrance facade and Great Hall at the Metropolitan Museum of Art!
The house opened to the family in 1895 and then to the public in 1930. To this day, it continues to be family owned and operated.
Another fun fact: one of my favorite childhood movies was filmed there, Richie Rich!
How We Spend A Day At Biltmore Estate
Be sure to schedule your arrival at the estate ahead of time. Take their tram to the Biltmore House and start a self guided tour through the house. I highly recommend one of their audio tours if it is your first visit or even a behind the scenes tour! Explore the house, enjoy the artwork and history each room has to offer. Throughout the years, the estate opens up never before seen rooms or sections of the house. No two tours are the same. You can then spend midday exploring the gardens and conservatory and grab lunch at one of the estate restaurants. You could even go horseback riding to add a little adventure to the day! Spend the evening in their Antler Hill village area, enjoy a free wine tasting, do some shopping and then spend the night at one of the on-site resort hotels. It feels like a one stop shop where you can relax and enjoy the scenery.
When should you visit?
You cannot pick a bad time of year to visit.
Springtime is great because all the flowers are blooming and the gardens and grounds come to life.
Summer offers longer days with more outdoor activity options to choose from.
Fall speaks for itself with the gorgeous changing foliage in the Blue Ridge Mountains and cooler temperatures while you explore.
Last, but most certainly not least, is my personal favorite time to go: the holidays! Biltmore House transforms into a true Christmas wonderland. Poinsettias at every turn, Christmas lights, massive decorations, an outdoor tree in the front lawn by the fountains as well as an indoor tree in the dining hall. Truly magnificent!
Where to stay?
I previously mentioned being able to stay on-site at Biltmore. This is a great option! They have the Inn on Biltmore Estate which offers a luxurious experience. You also have the Village Hotel which is more casual and located in Antler Hill village.
However, you could also stay off-site as this area has so much for couples or families to do in addition to the Biltmore! Downtown Asheville and the surrounding Asheville area offer plenty of lodging options with great amenities. A lot of guests love staying at the iconic Omni Grove Park Inn, especially for a romantic getaway! If you are interested in an epic adventure together, but want to stay closer to home and have all the details planned out for you, reach out and I would love to help you get started.
AMAAB Travel Advisor
So, is Biltmore just a day trip? I mean, it could be, but it doesn't have to be. Once you add in the gardens, winery, dining, shopping, and Asheville itself, it could easily become a weekend or 2-day getaway. And if you are wondering how you could actually plan this, that’s where our advisors at A Mouse & A Beach Travel come in. We can curate a custom Biltmore trip!
Ready to get started planning your next weekend getaway? Start here.
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