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If you have ever wondered what it’s like to live a life of opulence, then you will love a visit to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. Measuring a massive 6,950 acres, this private estate dates back to the 1889 when George Washington Vanderbilt II, the son of a wealthy businessman, fell in love with the surrounding landscape and decided to build the property as a holiday home. Today, it remains the largest privately owned house in all of the United States which is why it is Asheville’s largest tourist attraction.
Walking onto the property, you will feel as though you just came out of a time machine and wound up in late 19th century France. That is no coincidence as the mansion itself was modeled after French chateaus from that era. In addition to the mansion, there are also 250 acres of beautifully kept gardens to explore, cafes, restaurants and hotels. Tickets to visit the Biltmore range from $50.00-$75.00. Use our exclusive link to save $10 off regular admission prices.
Here are 5 reasons you need to visit the Biltmore Estate
Explore an immaculate mansion
Looking from the outside, it’s hard not to be wowed by the attention to detail put into the building, even if you don’t have a great appreciation for architecture. As if the outer building isn’t impressive enough, exploring what’s inside is where the fun is. The house is filled with so many high end European artefacts and décor that it’ll be hard for you not to feel like royalty. Just as an overview, there are 33 bedrooms, 65 fireplaces and 43 bathrooms in the building. To get the full experience, it is highly recommended that you pay for a guided tour.
Drink in the country’s most visited Winery
A French Chateau doesn’t tickle your fancy you say? Then how about a glass of wine? The estate boasts a wonderful winery which was built in the 1970’s and today it measures 94 acres and produces hundreds of thousands of cases of wine annually. Whether you want to taste some fine wine or just enjoy a delicious meal in a gorgeous, country-style setting, the winery is well worth the visit and is easily one of the highlights of the Estate. You can do a wine tour and sample the Estate’s wine in the exclusive tasting room and it won’t cost you anything extra as it is part of the entry fee to the estate.
Learn about farming
You can learn about the history of farming on Biltmore by visiting the Antler Hill Farm which sits in close proximity to the village. Not only will you learn about how farming was done over a hundred years ago with the old equipment on show, but you will also be able to explore the gardens and play with a variety of farm animals including chickens and horses. If you are visiting with family, there is a special children’s audio tour which teaches kids about farm life and the history of Antler Hill Farm.
Biltmore Estate Gardens
Walk the Biltmore’s Gardens
After exploring the house, you can try and tackle the massive grounds that make up the gardens. You can start your casual stroll at the gorgeous reflecting ponds in the Italian gardens and break off into a number of different paths that take you to everywhere else. From there, it’s just a short walk away to the Azalea Garden, the four acre Walled garden as well as the Spring Garden.
Visit and Stay in Antler Hill Village
This village is relatively new but makes for a fantastic stop to dine, shop and learn about the history of Biltmore Estate. In addition to the winery and farm which are both located at the village there are also live events on the Village green to enjoy and two hotels for those looking to stay the nigh and relax. You can fill a few more days exploring beautiful Asheville, which is just a stones throw from the estate.
