Ultimate One Day Guide to Visiting Biltmore Estates in Asheville, North Carolina
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Visiting Biltmore Estates in Asheville, North Carolina
This majestic Biltmore Estates is an iconic symbol of elegance nestled in the landscapes of Asheville, North Carolina. You will immediately sense a time extravagance with its architecture, meticulously manicured gardens, and rich history. An amazing place to visit that displays the vision George Vanderbilt had, and his journey through the creation of this exquisite estate, where every corner holds a story, and where the beauty of its past is not forgotten.
Serafina and the Black Cloak book
My daughter had been asking for a long time if she could go visit Biltmore Estates. After reading about the estates in the book Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty, she was really anxious to see it in person. This is a fantasy book about a mysterious man who comes to Biltmore and takes children into his Cloak to steal their talent and youth. Serafina who lives in the basement of the Biltmore House with her pa, the maintenance man, becomes curious how children in the home are starting to disappear. With the help of a Vanderbilt nephew, they work together to solve the mystery of the missing children. Serafina and her unwavering courage, confront the man with the Cloak to unveil his true identity and ensure the safety of the Biltmore children. There are several other books in this series that any young reader would enjoy.
So, after many years, I finally surprised her with a trip to Biltmore Estates in Asheville, North Carolina.
See below for our boondocking location within the area.
History of the Vanderbilt family
George Washington Vanderbilt II whose family fortune started in the railroad industry, visited the Asheville area in North Carolina and fell in love with the quiet and beauty of the area and decided he wanted to call this place home. In 1888 he began purchasing 125,000 acres to build his 250 room French Renaissance château on. (My daughter loved the fact that the Biltmore family saved land surrounding their home to prevent further deterioration of the vegetation and trees around it.) The house took 6 years to complete where George and his family, wife Edith, and their daughter Cornelia, spent the rest of his years in this lovely home. They extended the invitation for guests to stay at the estate for extended periods of time as they hosted lavish gatherings and events. The family provided multiple social functions, elegant dinners, and cultural gatherings, which created a welcoming atmosphere within their magnificent estate. The Christmas season was also an elaborate tradition for hosting holiday parties boasting a mansion was filled with decorations and festivities that welcomed guests from all over.
Seeing the need for tourism in the area they eventually opened their estate for tours to bring more people into the area. George sadly passed away at the age of 51 and Edith continued to raise Cornelia on the estate who was only 13 at the time of her father’s passing. Many years later they continue the Biltmore legacy of sharing their lovely home with guests from all over the world.
I have never been to anything quite as beautiful as this home and was in awe of its beauty and all the details within the estate and the area that surrounds it.
Estate Hours
The estate opens at 8:30 am for you to begin your tour. Timed tickets are required to explore the Biltmore House. Gardens and Antler Hill do not require tickets and can be toured at your leisure with admission onto the estate. Closing times vary by season. There is FREE parking throughout the estate.
Ticket prices
Ticket prices vary depending on the time of year. There are many different ticket options to choose from. These prices are for the basic self-guided audio tour. Prices do increase based on more specific tours such as multi-sensory exhibition or 90-minute guided group tour. See website for details on tickets. (2023 prices. PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. CHECK WEBSITE FOR UPDATED PRICES)
Kids aged 10-16 receive discounted admission. Kids 9 and younger get in for free with no audio or $15 with audio guided tour. We didn’t pay for the audio for our 7-year-old but they still gave him one and he enjoyed listening to the stories along the way (and it kept him quiet, so I recommend it).
Winter
Grounds and gardens admission only from January to March (No Biltmore house tour) $40-$85. This includes daytime access to 8,000 acres of grounds and gardens and 20+ miles of hiking, biking, and walking trails, Antler Hill Village and Winery, complimentary wine tasking, and complimentary parking.
Biltmore house audio admission from January to March tickets start at $69-$114
This also includes: 8,000 acres of gardens and grounds, Antler Hill Village and Winery, Complimentary wine tastings at the Winery, and complimentary parking
Spring
Grounds and gardens admission only from April to May (No Biltmore house tour) $65-$85. This includes daytime access to 8,000 acres of grounds and gardens and 20+ miles of hiking, biking, and walking trails, Antler Hill Village and Winery, complimentary wine tasking, and complimentary parking.
Biltmore house audio admission from April to May tickets start at $89-$119
This also includes: 8,000 acres of gardens and grounds, Antler Hill Village and Winery, Complimentary wine tastings at the Winery, and complimentary parking.
Summer
Grounds and gardens admission only from June to September (No Biltmore house tour) $50-$80. This includes daytime access to 8,000 acres of grounds and gardens and 20+ miles of hiking, biking, and walking trails, Antler Hill Village and Winery, complimentary wine tasking, and complimentary parking.
Biltmore house audio admission from June to September tickets start at $79-$109
This also includes: 8,000 acres of gardens and grounds, Antler Hill Village and Winery, Complimentary wine tastings at the Winery, and complimentary parking
Fall
Grounds and gardens admission only from October to November (No Biltmore house tour) $65-$85. This includes daytime access to 8,000 acres of grounds and gardens and 20+ miles of hiking, biking, and walking trails, Antler Hill Village and Winery, complimentary wine tasking, and complimentary parking.
Biltmore house audio admission from October to November tickets start at $94-$124
This also includes: 8,000 acres of gardens and grounds, Antler Hill Village and Winery, Complimentary wine tastings at the Winery, and complimentary parking
Christmas
Grounds and gardens admission only from November 3 to January 7 (2023) (No Biltmore House tour) $75-$85. This includes daytime access to 8,000 acres of grounds and gardens and 20+ miles of hiking, biking, and walking trails, Antler Hill Village and Winery, complimentary wine tasking, and complimentary parking.
Biltmore house audio admission from November 3 to January 7 (2023) tickets start at $104-$139
This also includes: 8,000 acres of gardens and grounds, Antler Hill Village and Winery, Complimentary wine tastings at the Winery, and complimentary parking
Candlelight Christmas Evening
Candlelight Christmas Evenings Biltmore House audio guided Admission: $119-$144.
This also includes: 8,000 acres of gardens and grounds (Day of or Day after), Antler Hill Village and Winery, Complimentary wine tastings at the Winery, and complimentary parking
No Restroom access in the Biltmore House. Use the restrooms outside before you enter the estate.
**My tickets to Biltmore were on my phone. As I approached the entrance, I lost Wi-Fi and couldn’t pull up my tickets. It took me a minute of walking around to get Wi-Fi back. Download your tickets ahead of time to avoid this.
Antler Hill Village
Antler Hill Village is a must stop while at Biltmore Estate. We started our tour at The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad exhibition. This allows you to learn more about the personal lives and stories of the Vanderbilt family. ** Did you know the Vanderbilt’s were to be on the Titanic but at the last minute changed their plans.
It is 5 miles to Biltmore Estates from Antler Hill Village.
Hours: 11am to 7pm daily. Free with admission to grounds.
Winery. 12pm to 6pm where you can get free wine tastings.
Pisgah playground. 10am to 5pm. A nice playground for the young kids to play at.
Antler Hill Barn. 10am to 5pm. Old fashioned fun.
Farmyards Visit. 10am to 5pm. This area allows for interactions with chickens, cows, and horses.
Biltmore Gardens Railway - Wonders of the World. Featuring a cute little area with a small train that passes through areas and displays mini replicas of famous travel destinations around the world where the Vanderbilt’s vacationed throughout their marriage.
Shopping: For all your souvenir needs to include, holiday ornaments, clothes, books, games, and more. Hours typically 10am to 5pm.
Food/Hours: Bistro 4:30pm to 8:30pm, Cedric’s Tavern 11:30am to 8:30pm, Village Social, Creamery 11am to 7pm, Kitchen Café 7am to 5pm, and Wine Bar at the Winery 12pm to 6pm for your enjoyment.
Pets: are allowed on the outside patios only. Kennels are available in parking lot C.
Places to Stay on Biltmore Estates
Village Hotel on Biltmore Estates with a heated outdoor pool (year-round), fitness center and restaurant. No pets allowed except service animals. Guest shuttle service available around the estate. Prices range from $190 to $440 per night.
The Inn on Biltmore Estates with a heated pool and hot tub (seasonal), fitness center and many more accommodations, some fee based. No pets allowed except service animals. Guest shuttle service available around the estate. Prices range from $330 to $660 per night.
Cottages on Biltmore Estates with a two-night minimum stay. Cottages offer a heated outdoor pool and hot tub (seasonal), and fitness center. No pets except service animals. Prices range from $880 to $2,136 per night.
**All room fees are higher during Christmas.
Shops & Food next to the Biltmore Mansion
Next to the Biltmore House you will find a small little village of shops and eateries. Spend some time browsing this area while you wait for your time to enter the house.
Shops: A Christmas Past, Bookbinders, Carriage House, Toymaker’s
Food: Stable Café 11am to 3pm, Biltmore Dairy Bar 12pm to 4:30pm, Courtyard Market, Confectionary, Bake Shop 9:30am to 4:30pm
Amenities: restrooms, lockers
Hours: 9:30am to 4:30pm
Biltmore Estate Tour
Once inside the mansion you will be given an audio device. As you tour the home, each room will have a sign with a number on it. You will push that number into the device, and it will give you a brief story about each room you visit that you will listen to next to your ear as if it is a phone. I really liked this way of touring as it was quiet throughout as each person listened individually on their own device. You could take your time at each room to take in all the details. I believe it took us a little over an hour to tour the entire home. There are staff throughout to answer any questions you might have.
The amount of detail that went into designing each room was absolutely breathtaking. No corner was left undecorated. My favorite rooms were the billiard room, dining room, pool and library. The pool area and changing rooms was amazing to observe. Imagine that type of amenity in a home during that time.
You will not be disappointed in the magnitude of details and the beauty of the home.
Conservatory
Below you can see the massive conservatory on the property. Inside was the most amazing array of plants. You can see mini replica house designs spread within the greenery. The one of Biltmore was so beautiful. The amount of lush greenery went on and on. From orchids to poinsettias, you will be amazed at the many different types of plants within this conservatory.
Hours: 9am to 5pm
Shopping: A Gardener’s Place. Hours: 10am to 6pm
Garden Area
The outside gardens surround the area with beauty. From chrysanthemums to salvias, you are immersed with color all around. There are multiple garden areas to explore. Such a great place to see these amazing gardens and take some beautiful pictures.
Hours: 9am to 6pm
Hiking at Biltmore Estates
If you are up for hiking this area offers 20+ miles of trails for your enjoyment. The map below shows the hiking trails.
Eating in Asheville at Tupelo Honey Restaurant
After our tour of the Biltmore Estates, we chose to eat within Asheville. We found Tupelo Honey restaurant which had good reviews and decided to give it a try. There was about a 45-minute wait to get a table. We found some good southern food and we were able to sit outside on the patio to eat and enjoy the lively atmosphere of downtown Asheville. The food was really good, and I would definitely eat there again. There are a couple Tupelo restaurants so check the address below.
Address: 12 College Street, Asheville
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 10pm
Our meal: Sriracha Honey Fried Chicken and Waffles $16.95, Bacon and Avocado Melt with mac and cheese $13.95, Blueberry Waffle kids’ meal $6.50, Root beer $4.00, Iced tea $3.75. Cost: $50.45 (price excludes tip) (2022 price)
Camping nearby in Pisgah National Forest
While in the area we camped in Pisgah National Forest and the next day we visited some of the sights within this forest. We pulled in at night (which I hate doing but that is how it worked out) to find what seemed like the last spot along a long National Forest Road. More details about our camping location HERE. This camping location is one hour from Biltmore Estates.
Final thoughts on Biltmore House
To tour Biltmore House can get pricey depending on the number of people in your party, but I am telling you it is so worth it. The details of everything from the house to gardens to restaurants is overwhelmingly beautiful. There is so much to explore within the estate that you could spend an entire day here exploring the breathtaking architecture and grounds. You will enjoy spending time here and be captivated as you imagine what life would have been like during the Vanderbilt era and imagining their once elaborate festive activities. Such a unique opportunity to visit such a magnificent estate with a timeless allure that lingers long after leaving.
Let me know if you have any questions. I hope you can take a trip to Asheville to see this exquisite estate.
We went to Biltmore in the fall months and spent some time in Pisgah national Forest where we were able to enjoy the fall leaves as they were changing colors. It was so stunningly beautiful as well.
Enjoy your journey,
Meet the author: Jennifer
I’m just a girl who loves to travel. My favorite travels have been traveling across the US in a campervan, visiting all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, marking National Parks off my list, & many smaller trips. I love to share my adventures and tips to inspire more travel. If you can dream it, you can do it!
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