Biltmore Estate Insider's Guide

NOTE: Biltmore reopened on November 2, 2024  to welcome guests to  Christmas at Biltmore. 
Click here for Biltmore's helpful Know Before You Go tips and estate hours. 

We visit Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina, many times each year and always get as excited as our first visit. You can find tons of insider advice on our many Biltmore pages for things to do. Feel like royalty for a day at this 1895 French Renaissance castle built by George Washington Vanderbilt, an American Renaissance man. Explore the 8,000-acre estate, including the 250-room Biltmore House where the Vanderbilt family resided, 75 acres of beautiful gardens, the nation's most-visited winery, shopping, dining, four-star accommodations, hiking trails, and more for a bucket list vacation to remember for a lifetime.

Plan your trip to America’s largest home in the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains with our 20-page Biltmore guide (see links to all the pages below).

The Biltmore Estate Top 10 Things to Do

1. Biltmore House: Experience the wonder of Biltmore House, the largest privately owned mansion in America, with a priceless collection of art and antiques original to the Vanderbilt home, as well as immaculate fireplaces, a bowling alley, and more within the Gilded Age mansion. Since the house is a self-guided tour, we recommend getting the audio companion tour as soon as you enter the Biltmore mansion. After exploring the house, stop at the Stable Courtyard for refreshments or browse the shops. The Stable Café is great for sandwiches, burgers, and salads. Allow at least two hours for the self-guided house tour. See our photos of Biltmore House decorated for Christmas and Christmas Eve.

2. Gardens: Spectacular gardens and woodlands are perfect for leisurely strolls. From the house, walk through gardens and the estate grounds designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, a man who was instrumental in shaping the look of late-19th-century New York, as well as the green space of Central Park. The lush and beautiful reflecting ponds of the Italian Gardens are a fitting entry into a stunning world of garden paths. A short walk takes you to the four-acre Walled Garden, Azalea Garden, and the Spring Garden. See our Photo Tour of the Biltmore Gardens and Biltmore Blooms Spring Flowers Guide.

3. Conservatory: Adjacent to the Walled Garden is a tropical wonderland open year-round, complete with a big orchid collection. Inside, you’ll feel like you’re on a getaway from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the estate grounds.

4. Bass Pond: For a longer walk, follow signs to the Bass Pond to find a more secluded (and romantic) area, especially at the Boat House (above). In spring and summer, the Meadow Trail features wildflowers and grasses, while the Woodland Trail is ablaze with azaleas in spring. Get some exercise with your dog in Biltmore’s pet-friendly backyard of many thousand acres.

5. Photo Spot: Our favorite view of Biltmore House is along the drive from the house to the winery. Look for the small lake (Lagoon) on your left. There is a narrow unpaved road at the far end that crosses a small bridge for a stunning view of the back of the House. It's a great picnic spot and a place to take a hike.

6. Antler Hill Village: This village provides a relaxing place for dining, shopping, and learning more about Biltmore history—a great stop after your house tour. It’s a quick walk from the mansion to Antler Hill village along the beautiful French Broad River. There, you’ll find The Winery and Farm (see below). Enjoy live entertainment on the Village Green. See the special exhibits that rotate at the Legacy, and tour the historic barn. It's a base camp for all outdoor activities, including the Land Rover Experience Driving School. Stay in two hotels, the Inn at Biltmore Estate and the Village Hotel. Read more about Antler Hill Village.

7. Winery: Enjoy a self-guided winery tour and sample Estate wines in the Tasting Room (both included with your ticket). Browse the Wine Shop or dine at The Bistro. Check out cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, and special wine tours and classes. For the VIP experience, take the Vine to Wine Guided Tour. Relax at the Wine Bar beneath the clock tower. The Winery is open until 8 PM, so it's a great way to unwind after your busy day of touring. Read more about the Biltmore Winery.

8. The Farm: Learn about Biltmore's agricultural heritage at Antler Hill Farm, adjacent to the Village. In addition to displays of historic farm equipment in the impressive 1902 barn, meet draft horses, calves, lambs, and chickens at the Farmyard. Watch the blacksmiths or woodworkers.

9. Outdoor Activities: There is much to explore outdoors, including several great hiking trails and a greenway. Read more about hiking and Biltmore outdoors. At the Outdoor Adventure Center, sign up for an array of outdoor fun, including biking, carriage rides, horseback riding, falconry, sporting clays, river trips, and more. Go to the Biltmore website for more details.

10. Biltmore Restaurants
There are many on-site options for dining during your visit. Since all of these are located inside the Estate, you'll need a ticket to reach them. All are open every day of the week. Read more on the Biltmore website.

Tips for Visiting Biltmore

Accessibility
Biltmore offers reduced-price admission to guests with disabilities. Parking assistance is available. They have some wheelchairs inside the house for guests at no charge for touring the first and second floors. At the gardens, park by the Conservatory for wheelchair access to the Walled Garden. Antler Hill Village and Winery are wheelchair accessible. Guests with hearing difficulties can request a Neckloop Telecoil Coupler, a printed transcript, or a sign language interpreter. Call them for your specific needs at 1-800-411-3812.

Just for Children
At the Antler Hill Farm, explore farm life with chickens, roosters, goats, horses and sheep. For the house tour, ask for the special kid's audio tour. There is no admission charge for children ages 9 and under. For family-friendly ideas on the estate, see our Biltmore for Kids page. 

Directions

Hours & Tickets Checking Biltmore's current hours of operation.

Travel Distances Inside the Estate

Note: Biltmore Village is located outside the Estate across from the entrance. Read more.

• Biltmore Outdoors: Explore thousands of acres on the estate, including hiking, biking, horses, and more.
• Check out what's new at The Winery.
• Stable Café: Appalachian comfort food for lunch, including burgers and barbecue. Phone: 828-225-6370
• The Courtyard Market offers quick sandwiches, and the Ice Cream Parlor has picnics to go.
• Cedric’s Tavern: Pub with craft beers, full bar, and outdoor seating. Lunch and dinner every day. 828-225-1320
• Bistro: Features estate-raised and regionally sourced ingredients, including wood-oven pizzas and hand-made pasta. Lunch and dinner every day. 828-225-6230
• Village Social: Tucked away in the new Village Hotel, its menu focuses on sustainable seafood with local farm products. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. 828-257-5968
• Library Lounge: Elegant setting inside the Inn on Biltmore Estate with a full-service afternoon tea. Reservations recommended. 828-225-1699
• The Dining Room at the Inn at Biltmore: The most elegant dining on the estate with Forbes Four-Star service and food. Breakfast buffet and dinner. Reservations recommended. 828-225-1699
• The Creamery: Enjoy ice cream and Winky Bar sundaes.
• The Smokehouse Food Truck: Located in the Barn with Carolina barbecue and Southern favorites.
• Take your time exploring. Plan to spend the day, or perhaps two.
• Wear very comfortable walking shoes.
• Arrive early to avoid crowds and to make the most of your day.
• Saturdays are the busiest days. The most crowded days of the year are Saturdays in April, May, October, November, and December.
• Many dates (especially during the Christmas season) sell out in advance.
• Be sure to have an automobile since the drive to the House from the entrance gate is three miles. It's another five miles to the Winery
• You can bring a picnic or stop by the Ice Cream Shop outside the House to purchase a picnic to go. There are many great picnic spots on the Estate.
• If you arrive on the estate after 4:30 pm, your ticket may be validated for the next day at the Reception & Ticket Center. And you can usually add a day for a great rate.
• The grounds are perfect for walking your pets, but please make sure to keep them securely leashed at all times. Pets are not allowed inside the castle or other Estate buildings such as the winery, restaurants, and shops.
• If you plan to visit in November and December, see our Christmas at Biltmore special guide.
• Their general information phone number is 1-800-411-3812.
• Find current deals and specials on Biltmore's website.
• For GPS, use the address: 1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC 28803.
• From Interstate 40: Biltmore Estate is located just north of Exit 50 on U.S. Highway 25.
• From Interstate 26: take Interstate 40 East, then take Exit 50.
• From the Blue Ridge Parkway: take the U.S. Highway 25-North exit; it is approximately four miles from the Parkway.
• Your daytime admission includes a self-guided tour of the House, Gardens, Antler Hill, and Winery.
• Tickets: See details on their website 
• Enjoy additional savings with online ticket purchases. See current deals and specials on Biltmore's website.
• Save by purchasing a 12-month Biltmore Annual Pass.
• The Estate is open seven days a week, 365 days a year. Hours vary at places throughout the Estate.  
• Main Entrance/Ticket Center to House: 3 miles
• House to Antler Hill Village/Winery: 5 miles
• Antler Hill Village/Winery to Main Entrance: 2 miles