Biltmore Estate
- 54 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and bordering the Pisgah National Forest is the quiet town of Asheville. At the heart of this town sits the largest privately owned home in the United States: Biltmore. This 175,000 sq. ft. home is surrounded by 8,000 acres and includes 2 hotels, multiple restaurants and stores, and countless things to do. This estate is wonderful for both an adults-only quick escape and for families with children of all ages.
Let's explore this piece of mountain paradise.
A Little History
The Biltmore Estate, located in Asheville, North Carolina, is one of America's most iconic historic landmarks and the largest privately owned home in the United States. The estate was created by George Washington Vanderbilt, a grandson of railroad and shipping magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, who envisioned a grand country retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Inspired by the elegance of French Renaissance châteaux, Vanderbilt enlisted renowned architect Richard Morris Hunt to design the 250-room mansion, while famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted planned the estate's gardens and grounds. Construction began in 1889, and the home officially opened to family and friends on Christmas Eve in 1895.
Beyond its breathtaking architecture, Biltmore has played an important role in American history. The estate originally encompassed approximately 125,000 acres and became a model for responsible land management and forestry, helping establish practices that influenced modern conservation efforts. Today, the property spans about 8,000 acres and remains family-owned, welcoming visitors from around the world to explore its historic mansion, beautifully maintained gardens, winery, and scenic grounds. More than a century after its completion, Biltmore continues to showcase the vision and legacy of George Vanderbilt while preserving an important chapter of the Gilded Age.
Where Its Located
The Biltmore Estate is located in Asheville, North Carolina and borders the Pisgah National Forest. The town is just 90 minutes from Knoxville, TN, amongst many other places. If you're visiting Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, TN and want an extra and elegant stop-over, look no further than here.
What To Do
The great thing about the Biltmore Estate is that there's something for just about everyone. You can come onto the estate and basically not leave until it's time to go home (although I'd suggest taking a trip to downtown Asheville, as there's lot of great arts, crafts, shops, and more to see).
Great For Everyone
Biltmore House – Exploring this 19th century home is an experience you'll never forget. From the grand rooms to the quaint nooks, there's a bit of grandeur everywhere. You'll see how everyone–from the maids to the owner himself–lived and worked. Just a little tidbit: this is a historic house that does not have air conditioning, so it can get very hot in the summer months. Be sure to hydrate.
If you have time, or have already done the main house tour, take a look at some of the additional tours. On our last trip, we did the Rooftop Tour with our kids. Everone loved it! We got to explore Mr. Vanderbilt's observatory, go out on the roof, and got views that you can't get otherwise.
Conservatory and Gardens – If you love gardens, or just beauty in general, Biltmore has plenty of it. It's conservatory is one of the largest privately owned in the country and features countless varities of plants and flowers.
Holidays – The estate does the holiday's like no one else. Decked out for Christmas is an understatement, with trees and decorations around the entire property.
Special Events – Check out the Biltmore for special events. They've had everything from a King Tut exhibit to a blown glass art installation. These events are constantly changing and the estate acts as a wonderful museum for all of these.
Biking and Hiking – There are trails galore across this entire estate where you can experience nature during the day and come back to a wonderful hotel room at night.
For the Adults Only
Wine Tasting – Biltmore is well known for its wines. Some grapes are grown directly on the estate while others through partnerships with vineyards in California. The winery is located in Biltmore Village next to the Village Hotel.
Spa – Treat yourself, or you and your spouse, to one of the area's best spas. Located at the Inn, this quaint spa is located on the 2nd floor and has just about everything you could want to relax and unwind.
Don't Miss for the Kids
Antler Hill Barn & Farmyard – This fun barn has a lot of farm animals that the kids can see, pet, and learn all about.
Pisgah Playground – If you're in between activities, there is a small playground located near the barn. It's fenced in and a nice pit-stop for the kids to play and release some energy.
Where To Stay
If you're looking to have the most relaxing time possible, I highly suggest you stay at one of the two hotels located on the estate. Both are excellent and have different offerings. My family and I often stay at the Inn at Biltmore Estate and love it. It has an old-world charm, elegant rooms, and spectacular views of the sprawling estate. The Village Hotel is also spectacular and closer to a lot of the main action, being located in the village.
If you want to split your time between the estate and other things in Asheville, there are a lot of great options just outside the estate gates. My recommendation is the Grove Park Inn or the Grand Bohemian Hotel.
Recommendations
If you've never visited the estate before, I highly recommend taking a tour of the Biltmore house. The tours can sell out, so be sure to book ahead.
Photos
My Recommendations for the Owners
With all of the estate's wonders, the one thing missing from the grand estate is a golf course. Although it once had one, adding one back would go a long way toward attracting a whole new set of vacationers to this beautiful region.