How to Visit the Biltmore Estate

America’s largest home is located right in the heart of Asheville, North Carolina. This Châteauesque-style mansion was built for George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1889 and 1895. The Biltmore Estate is still owned and run by George Vanderbilt’s descendants. I consider it to be one of America’s “castles” because it is THAT beautiful!

Visiting this famous site is easy and memorable. The price is not cheap, but the memories are priceless. Just getting a view of the gorgeous architecture is worth the money. If you decide to invest in this experience, there are a few things you should know. Here’s how to visit the Biltmore Estate:

Purchase Tickets in Advance

The Biltmore receives over 1.4 million visitors per year. The last thing you want to happen is be turned down at the ticket doors. So yes, while you can purchase tickets at the Estate, it is smart to instead buy tickets in advance.

Tickets vary each day from $50-$100 per person. For the latest prices, check out their website. Admission includes access to a self-guided tour of the interior, the gardens, the restaurants, and Antler Hill Village (with a complimentary wine tasting). You can upgrade your ticket to include other various activities. Another great option is to purchase an audio guide for $12 per person. This helpful tool explains the importance of every room.

Arrive Early

Just like with any other tourist attraction, arriving early gives you the opportunity to beat the crowds. When you first enter through the gate, you will be directed to a parking lot upon showing your tickets. Once parked, you will hop on the estate shuttle that will drop you off at the the mansion & gardens.

If you arrive early, I recommend visiting either the interior of the mansion first or the gardens. The inside of the Biltmore is amazing, but there is no AC…at least, when we were there. Visiting at noon in the summer with loads of tourists might make the experiences less magical. Similarly, the gardens could be hot and bright if you visit midday. If you are traveling in the winter during the beautiful Christmas season, the potential lack of AC is not a big deal.

So, pick which portion of the grounds is most important to you and visit that first thing in the morning. We visiting in the summer and chose to tour the interiors first, followed by lunch and then an afternoon in the gardens. We had a great time!

Highlights of the Interior

• Winter Garden – The indoor garden is one of the first places you’ll come across upon entrance. This is a beautiful, open room lit entirely by the sun.
• Tapestries – It’s hard to miss these beautiful works of art. Your audio guide will explain the importance of each tapestry.
• Balcony – There will come a point about midway through your tour when people start to walk out onto a balcony. Follow the crowds because the view of Asheville is gorgeous!
• Spiral Staircase – Photograph this gorgeous staircase from both the top and the bottom for a beautiful perspective.

Additional Sites on the Grounds

• Gardens – Biltmore Estate is home to one of the prettiest gardens in the U.S. If you are visiting in spring months, you are likely to see beautiful blooms such as tulips, wisteria, azaleas, cherry blossoms and more.
• Conservatory – Located within the gardens, this beautiful conservatory houses a charming railroad that circles the interior of the building. You will also find beautiful blooms and other greenery.
• Antler Hill Village – This is another area of Biltmore that is worth some of your time. You can enjoy the restaurants, shops, winery, farmyard, playground, and more. When ready to visit Biltmore House & Gardens or Amherst at Deerpark, simply board an estate shuttle from Antler Hill Village or drive yourself.

Eat Lunch and Shop for Souvenirs

There are a few yummy options for lunch. The Stable Cafe is a popular choice among guests. I’d recommend making reservations as the cafe can get extremely busy. We chose to eat at The Courtyard Market…gourmet hotdogs, fresh salads, snacks, hamburgers, and more. If you visit Antler Hill Village, treat yourself to refreshing ice cream from The Creamery.

Before you leave, be sure to stop by the various souvenir shops. My favorites are the ones located at the mansion/gardens, especially the Christmas shop. I purchased a beautiful Biltmore ornament to display on my tree. This is one of the 5 ways that I recommend displaying souvenirs!

Don’t forget to bring home tasty treats. We brought back with us Biltmore Black Cherry Flavoring Mix (amazing for lemonade) and a couple different Biltmore Dips (our favorite being the Spinach Artichoke). Since then, we have placed multiple online orders from the Biltmore. The products were that great!

Overall…

The Biltmore Estate is an impressive attraction that everyone should see. From the gardens, to architecture, and even to the surround mountains, it is beautiful no matter the season. Visiting the Biltmore is a worthwhile experience that is sure to bring you lots of memories!

Address: 1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC 28803
Admission: Tickets vary each day from $50-$100 per person. For the latest prices, check out their website.
Website: https://www.biltmore.com/

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