The Biltmore Estate is a top-rated historic house museum in Asheville, North Carolina. As someone who’s grown up visiting annually, it’s easy to see why! After all, this National Historic Landmark features a massive 250 rooms, including 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces.
In fact, George Vanderbilt’s vision of a French Renaissance-style chateau draws over 1.4 million visitors to the Blue Ridge Mountains each year. With this in mind, I’ve put together this guide to help plan a seamless visit to the Biltmore Estate.
This article covers the history of the Biltmore, the best time to visit, and my special insider tips that will elevate your trip from ordinary to extraordinary. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned Biltmore buff, my mission is to make sure your visit is absolutely epic.
I’ll also reveal my favorite places to stay in Asheville for a convenient drive to the Biltmore! So, keep reading so that we can make the most out of your journey to “America’s Largest Home.”
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission when you purchase a product or book a stay through these links at no extra cost to you.
Biltmore Estate history
The front façade of the Biltmore House.
George Washington Vanderbilt II first visited the Asheville area in 1887 and quickly fell in love with the idea of building a country home here. To bring his original vision to life, George hired prominent New York architect Richard Morris Hunt.
Although construction on the Biltmore House began in 1889, it took six years to complete this large home: a 250-room French Renaissance chateau with over four acres of floor space. Finally, George opened the doors to family and close friends on Christmas Eve of 1895.
In the late 19th century, the Biltmore Mansion showcased the era’s latest technology, including electricity from the time it was built. It boasts one of the oldest operating elevators in the U.S. and incorporated innovative features like forced-air heating, a call-bell system, and fire alarms.
The Vanderbilts hosted notable figures like Edith Wharton, Henry James, and Theodore Roosevelt at their North Carolina mansion. However, it remained closed to the public until 1930. Additionally, George and Edith sold over 86,000 acres to establish the Pisgah National Forest.
Nowadays, the Biltmore Estate is the largest privately-owned house in the United States and a significant tourist attraction in western North Carolina. Its grounds cover 8,000 acres! Plus, it’s a popular stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Who owns the Biltmore Estate?
Here’s a fun fact about the Biltmore: it’s still family-owned! Bill Cecil Jr., George Washington Vanderbilt II’s great-grandson, is the President and CEO of The Biltmore Company. Other fourth and fifth-generation descendants are actively engaged in the estate’s daily operations, too.
Best time to visit Biltmore
One of the best tips for the Biltmore Estate is to plan your visit for a weekday. Especially during the high season, the Biltmore House can get quite busy on weekends. Plus, this location is also a wedding venue! So, sometimes, these events will limit which outdoor areas you can explore.
Another advantage of visiting during the week is that ticket prices are actually lower! Biltmore tickets have three price categories: regular, peak, and value. Weekends, especially in the summertime, will usually fall into the peak category.
However, you can often save up to $10-25 per person by visiting Monday to Thursday! You’ll also notice that holiday weekends tend to be more expensive.
Traveling with family? Biltmore House tickets are around half the adult price for kids aged 10-16. Or, children 9 and younger get in free with a parent or guardian–there’s just a small fee for an audio guide if your little one wants one.
Click here to purchase tickets!
What time does Biltmore open?
The Biltmore Admission Gate opens at 8:30 a.m. each morning. However, the Biltmore House’s hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last entry at 4:30 p.m. You can view the hours of operation for the whole estate here.
However, the Biltmore holds special operating hours during its Candlelight Christmas Evenings event. From early November to early January, evening visitors will have access to the house after 4:30 p.m until late into the night.
What time slot should you choose for your Biltmore House tickets?
When purchasing your Biltmore Estate tickets, the best time is early morning or after lunchtime. When you select an available time, you can view how many spots are left for each ticketed timeslot.
For reference, the Biltmore typically sees the most significant crowds between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. If you can go in the morning, the Biltmore House gardens open at 9 a.m. So, you could even walk through the gardens before your ticketed time slot.
If morning tickets are already sold out for the date of your visit, we suggest choosing an entrance time between 2–3:30 p.m.For those with an afternoon entrance time, you can stop by Antler Hill Village or the Biltmore Winery while you wait!
Plus, if you’re visiting during the summer months, consider grabbing a sweet treat at The Creamery. You can click here to view the full Biltmore Estate map.
The best time to visit Biltmore Gardens
The Italian Garden at the Biltmore Estate features three symmetrical pools, grassy panels, and Italian sculptures.
The Biltmore Gardens feature six formal and informal gardens: the Walled Garden, the Italian Garden, the Azalea Garden, the Shrub Garden, the Rose Garden, and the Spring Garden. You’ll also find the Conservatory and the Bass Pond, all of which open daily at 9 a.m.
The best time of year to see the gardens is during the spring when the flowers are in bloom. Usually early April until the end of May is the ideal time for colorful tulips, daffodils, and azaleas. You can even follow a live bloom report here, published by Biltmore’s Director of Horticulture!
The other best time to visit Biltmore Gardens is during the autumn. If you love fall foliage, you’ll want to plan your trip for mid to late October. Seasonal colors, ranging from green to gold and russet, blanket the Biltmore Estate during this time of year.
Christmas at the Biltmore Estate
The Biltmore Estate Christmas celebration runs from early November to early January. As you may have guessed, this is one of the busiest times to visit the estate. It’s also the most expensive time of year to plan your trip, with tickets reaching prices of $139-160 on peak days.
Pro tip: if you’d like to see the Biltmore decorated for Christmas but want to beat the crowds, plan your trip for November during a weekday!
During the Biltmore Christmas season, the estate offers two experiences: the daytime celebration and candlelight Christmas evenings. You’ll see America’s largest home in all its holiday splendor with both options. Plus, each ticket comes with complimentary access to the grounds the following day!
Wondering why Biltmore is a popular winter spot? With 100 decorated trees, 10,000 ornaments, 100,000 lights, live music, and a 35-foot Fraser fir in the Banquet Hall, it’s a festive wonder. Antler Village is also beautifully lit for the season!
Since Christmas is Biltmore’s busiest time of the year, you can expect tickets to go quickly. I recommend booking around 3-4 months in advance to ensure your spots.
Pro tips for visiting the Biltmore House
The Vanderbilt Family used the Breakfast Room in the Biltmore House for less formal dining.
Buy your tickets online and ahead of time.
As mentioned above, Biltmore can get pretty busy–in fact, 1.4 million people visit the house each year. Therefore, if you’re hoping to see it on a specific day and time, you’ll want to buy your tickets beforehand.
Additionally, purchasing in advance means you can skip the trip to the sales and visitor information kiosk. Biltmore also has special offers on tickets throughout the year, including a $5 discount for booking online and a U.S. military discount to save $8 on admission.
Moreover, seniors (65+) receive a discount on daytime admission on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Reception & Ticketing Sales Center. For a complete list of special promotions, click here.
The estate offers annual passes at $299 per person plus tax, providing benefits like discounted tickets for accompanying friends and family, 10% off on-site restaurant dining, and a 10% discount at estate shops and online. Check out the full list of annual pass holder benefits here!
Pick an off-peak day for your visit.
One of my best tips is to plan your Biltmore House tour for a Monday-Thursday. Of course, to save money, you could buy tickets for the lowest season: January or February. However, we highly suggest a month with better weather, like April, May, or October.
Pick a weekday during one of these months, and you can enjoy a sunny day at the Biltmore, see the Garden in full bloom, and avoid the crowds. November and December, when Biltmore is decked out for Christmas, will always be pricier than other months.
Nonetheless, the same rule applies for a Christmas trip: reserve a weekday ticket to skip the crowds. Especially if you plan your visit before Thanksgiving, you’ll be treated to a less-busy Biltmore during the holiday season.
Arrive early.
For first-timers, getting to the Biltmore House entrance can be a bit tricky. So, make sure to allocate sufficient time to travel from the admission gate to the house for your ticketed time. If driving, leave your hotel at least 45 minutes before your ticketed time slot.
Essentially, we want you to avoid being in a rush! Leaving 45 minutes before your entrance time allows ample time to drive through the Biltmore grounds, park, and make the short walk to the home. If you arrive early for house entry, take the time to stroll through the gardens.
Use the restroom before you enter the house.
George Vanderbilt may have included 43 bathrooms in his plans for the Biltmore House. However, unfortunately for visitors, none of these are for public use! So, make sure to use the restroom before you begin your tour of the Biltmore House.
After all, you’ll likely spend around two hours in the home. The only public bathrooms are outside the home in the stable area. So, you might regret not stopping by the toilet before entering.
Pick up an audio guide.
Previously, you had to pay extra for the audio-guided visit to the Biltmore House. However, the audio tour is now actually included in your regular admission! If you listen to the full explanation of each room on tour, the experience should take around 50 minutes.
Some of our favorite rooms include the Banquet Hall, George Vanderbilt’s library, and the indoor swimming pool. We also love the Grand Staircase that leads to the second floor!
You’ll learn about the Vanderbilt family, the construction of the Biltmore Estate, and the servants who lived on the grounds. Remember that you can move from room to room at your own pace. So, if you’d like to stay longer in one room and skip another, you can do so.
Additionally, if you’re traveling with kids, your little ones may enjoy the children’s version of the audio-guided visit. This 90-minute tour is narrated by the Vanderbilts’ beloved Saint Bernard, Cedric.
Book a guided house tour to see more.
For a deeper dive into the history, we suggest booking one of the Biltmore Estate tours. Note that to join any guided tour, you need a daytime Biltmore ticket, annual pass, or a package stay with Biltmore House admission. The tour ticket is separate from the guided tour price.
The Rooftop Tour
On the rooftop tour, you’ll learn more about the design and construction of Biltmore House while exploring restricted areas. Of course, you’ll also see the stunning view from the rooftop and check out some of the balconies.
This experience lasts one hour, and advance reservation is required. The Rooftop Tour is available daily at from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Price: $45 plus tax per person.
The Biltmore House Backstairs Tour
If you enjoyed Downton Abbey, this is the best Biltmore tour for you! Learn about the people who lived and worked on the estate when the Vanderbilts lived here.
You’ll explore domestic staff areas you won’t see on the self-guided tour. This guided event occurs hourly each day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Price: $45 plus tax per person.
Guests of the Vanderbilts Tour
Unlike the other guided tours mentioned above, the exclusive 90-minute tour is only available if you purchase the Exclusive Tour ticket option for the Biltmore Estate. Explore the house as the Vanderbilts’ initial guests did, with captivating tales and access to seldom-visited areas.
You may also enjoy the winery tours for special occasions, where you can participate in wine and chocolate tastings!
Head to the gardens first in the summer.
Speaking from experience, you’ll want plenty of time to explore the acres of gardens designed by renowned landscape architectFrederick Law Olmsted. However, sometimes, the sweltering heat will cause you to cut your self-guided tour through the gardens short!
If you plan to visit the Biltmore Estate in the summer, we suggest booking your entrance time between 10 and 10:45 a.m. Therefore, you’ll have time for the gardens in the morning before they’re too hot. Plus, you’ll beat the afternoon crowds for your house visit.
Dress appropriately.
Given the extensive walking involved, comfortable shoes are a must for navigating the house and the sprawling gardens. Since much of your time may be spent outdoors, consider packing a hat and sunscreen, ensuring a pleasant experience under the sun.
Make meal reservations to save time.
Although the estate offers various dining options, most are a short drive from the actual Biltmore House. For example, you’ll find Cedric’s Tavern and Village Social at Antler Hill Village and The Dining Room and Library Lounge at the Inn on Biltmore Estate.
Nonetheless, one restaurant has a prime location next to the Biltmore House: the Stable Café. As you can imagine, this Appalachian comfort food restaurant gets pretty busy at lunchtime!
With this in mind, you’ll want to make lunch reservations via OpenTable if you’d like the simple option of eating lunch here. If you have a particular dining spot in mind for the evening, go ahead and make a reservation there, too, just to be safe!
Don’t forget about Antler Hill Village.
Just five miles from the Biltmore House, Antler Hill Village offers restaurants, stores, and seasonal exhibits. Instead of just touring the home and leaving, consider a visit to Antler Hill Village—especially if you’re traveling with kids, as the Farmyard is a must-see.
Additionally, if you’d like to have dinner on the estate, Antler Hill Village is one of your best options for a delicious meal. If you need more convincing to check out this spot, know this: the Biltmore Winery is located there!
Your ticket includes a complimentary wine tasting.
I don’t think everyone realizes this, but yes! Your daytime admission to Biltmore also consists of a free wine sampling. You don’t need to make a reservation; however, be aware that this experience is first-come, first-served.
The Biltmore Estate Winery is open daily from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.During your tasting, hosts will present you with some of the Winery’s top-rated and prize-winning vintages, along with a short history of Biltmore’s vineyards and wine operations.
Fun fact: did you know that the Biltmore Winery is the most visited winery in America?
Need more time? Visit a second day!
Concerned about time? Extend your stay at Biltmore! The estate offers a discounted second-day visit for $25, which includes access to the gardens, grounds, and Antler Hill Village, though not the house. Sometimes during the winter, they offer a promotion for free second-day access.
Spend day one touring the Biltmore House, and return for a second day to explore the exhibition, grounds, and hiking trails along the French Broad River. Or, check out other Biltmore Estate activities here.
Other quick tips for visiting Biltmore Estate
Parking tips
If you’re parking your car to visit the house, you’ll want to follow the signs and use parking lots A and B. It’ll take you approximately 8-10 minutes walking to reach the Biltmore House and gardens from this point.
Photography policies
Estate policies indicate that flash photography is not allowed inside the home. If you’d like to take pictures on your self-guided tour, turn off the flash on your phone or camera. Furthermore, no photos are allowed on the specialty tours of the Biltmore House.
Pet policies
The Biltmore’s outdoor spaces are pet-friendly. For example, many people bring their dogs and take them for walks on the ground. Furthermore, your pets can also join you on the outdoor patios at Bistro and Cedric’s Tavern while you eat lunch.
Pets must be kept on a leash at all times and are not allowed in any buildings. You can read more on Biltmore’s pet policies here.
Where to stay when visiting the Biltmore Estate
There are many great hotel and resort options in the Asheville area. So, when planning your trip to Biltmore, you may ask yourself: where can I stay close to the Biltmore Estate? Below is an overview of four of the most popular choices for places to stay when visiting Biltmore:
The Inn on Biltmore Estate
Although it’s not possible to stay in the guest rooms at the actual Biltmore House, you can spend the night nearby at The Inn on Biltmore Estate. This four-star luxury hotel is an excellent place for a romantic getaway with your partner.
It features a spa, a heated outdoor pool, and casual and fine-dining restaurants. If you’re looking for an even more luxurious option, check out the Cottages on Biltmore Estate.
Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate
The Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate is a more moderately priced option for those wanting to stay on the property. Additionally, it is located near Antler Hill Village and the Biltmore Winery. This hotel is the place to stay, especially if you’d like to make the most of your time at Biltmore!
Cedar Crest Inn
The Cedar Crest Inn is an adorable (and pink!) bed and breakfast that has been operating in Asheville for over 30 years. If you’re searching for a unique place to stay while visiting Biltmore Estate, you’ll love this 1891 Victorian home.
The Cedar Crest Inn’s central location makes it an ideal base for exploring everything Asheville has to offer, including Biltmore Village and the River Arts District.
The Omni Grove Park Inn
Although the Omni Grove Park Inn isn’t as close to Biltmore as the other properties we’ve mentioned, there’s no way we could leave it off this list! This hotel is a must-visit in Asheville, especially if you’re going to be in town during the holidays.
Plus, it offers stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains that you won’t find anywhere else. The Omni Grove Park Inn is so popular that many celebrities and presidents have even chosen to stay here!
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This article was first published in March 2021 and has since been updated.
