The Biltmore Estate Experience

For as long as Biltmore Estate had been on my travel bucket list, and all of the hype surrounding it, I was really hoping that I would not be disappointed with my high expectations. I was not! Bud and I were very impressed with this whole experience.

Arrival at Biltmore 

Purchasing our tickets online in advance, we knew that we could spend time on the grounds before and after our designated time for the house tour. We arrived at Biltmore early via the guard gate entrance (that’s the choice you want out of all of the Google Map options), and followed the signs to the parking lot. From the parking lot, we started our little walk through the woods to the Biltmore. So exciting seeing it for the 1st time as we got to the overlook on top of the switchback entrance, the Rampe Douce. 

The Gardens at Biltmore

Even though we were planning on exploring the gardens first, we were instructed to check in at the house and schedule our wine tasting (optional) on the day of arrival. We also wanted to add on the rooftop tour in addition to our main tour. Then it was off to the gardens!

Italian Garden 

We started with the Italian Garden which includes three lovely pools filled with water-plants and colorful fish.  The beautiful flowering water lilies were my favorite. We were there in September, so a lot of the plants were reaching the end of the season and not as pretty. I would love to see the gardens in the Spring. The fish were darting all around and popping up to be fed – although you are not allowed to feed them. I bet they are fed really well though! We enjoyed this area just off the corner of the Biltmore Home. It was a great start for a foggy morning.

Shrub Garden

Next, passing through an arbor tunnel, we reach the Shrub Garden. Again I would love to see this in the Spring along with the 15 acre Azalea Garden. Following the path through the shrubs, I noticed some steps going down to the right and look to see the most vibrant colors ahead. Obviously not finishing the path loop, we head down the steps to the Walled Garden. 

Walled Garden

The Walled Garden was absolutely gorgeous, with a variety of very vividly colored flowers bordered by walking paths to enjoy.  The center of this garden is a vine covered arbor, with information boards at the beginning. This lattice feature is beautiful and shady. 

The day we were at the Walled Garden, staff was changing out some of the beds to a thick concentration of Fall mums. It was cool to watch them work together and so quickly. When we came back later in the day, the planting had been completed. I’m sure that will be an incredible sight in a couple weeks.

Rose Garden

The Rose Garden, although not at its peak, had beautiful varieties of roses.  Being from Tyler, TX (arguably the Rose Capitol of the World) and having our own Rose Garden, we enjoyed seeing another one. It’s located just behind the Walled Garden.

Conservatory

Across from the Rose Garden is the Conservatory. I was so impressed with the Conservatory! I knew there was a train involved, but I didn’t know exactly what that entailed. Well, it entailed a lot! The branch track goes on and on through the conservatory. The train continues on the track above you, ahead of you, behind and beside you! It’s a fun place. It’s also a beautiful place. The flowers and foliage are so stunning they almost do not look real.

There are also small scale replicas of the Biltmore Home, The Stable at Biltmore, etc in the Conservatory. Some of these had train tracks around them and the train would weave in and out of the surrounding plants by the architectural models. Make sure you go to the Conservatory before it closes.

Biltmore Self Guided Tour

As it was time for our self-guided Biltmore House tour. We made our way to the gathering spot in front of the house. After getting through the line and security, we were handed our audio devices.  We could press the corresponding numbers for the information about each room, as we meandered through at our own pace. Even though there are a lot of people in the house at the same time, you trickle in and take it all in at your own speed, so it doesn’t seem crowded at all.

Biltmore is 175,000 ft.², so I’m sure there are areas we didn’t get to cover. In fact, during our rooftop tour we went to a higher floor that is roped off during the main tour and saw even more. We did get to see so many rooms on the main tour and we took so many pictures, that I can’t begin to share them all, but do want to share some highlights.

Billiard & Dining Rooms

I thought the billiard room was cool with several tables set up and seating on the sides for people to watch the billiard games after dinner. And of course the dining room, that would hold a LOT of dinner guests, was extraordinary! There’s a triple fireplace at one end of the room.

Salon & Tapestry Gallery

Just the decor, furnishings and finishes that you encounter as you walk through this home are phenomenal. The opulent Salon, with its billowing fabric ceiling, was actually not finished in George Vanderbilt’s lifetime, but the family has kept up the vision. It’s fascinating to think about all of the talented craftsman involved. No wonder it took 6 years to construct and complete this home. The Tapestry Gallery, is amazing and reminded me of being in the Vatican. Those tapestries take years to weave by hand. It’s hard to wrap my mind around how many hours went into creating what we are seeing today. 

Biltmore Bedrooms

We were allowed to tour George Vanderbilt’s bedroom, with his platform raised bed. We toured Edith Vanderbilt’s also, with its royal purple canopy bed. Peeking in or wondering through other guests rooms showed how well they hosted the guests in their home. Each guest room had its on bathroom. This home, even though built in the late 1800s, had electricity and running water.

Servant Quarters

Peering into the servant’s quarters was educational. The laundry facilities, the various storage rooms and even their sleeping quarters were all on the main tour. The technology at Biltmore was consistently a forerunner with elevators, fire alarm system, refrigeration, and coil covered drying floor in the laundry.  Not only were the staff well cared for and well paid, they were living on the cutting edge!

The Kitchen & Servants Hall

The main kitchen was spacious, which was necessary for as many staff as would be busy in there at any given time. Imagine coming to work here in the late 1800s and finding a large sink inside with running water! Also, provided for the staff was their own dining room. Not elaborate, just basic and spacious. 

Indoor Recreation at Biltmore

The recreational amenities inside the home were very cool. The Vanderbilt family and their guests enjoyed a two lane bowling alley, a swimming pool and a gym. The swimming pool leaks, so there is no water in it, but it really gives you a better view anyway. There was an entire hallway of dressing rooms for guests to change into their swimsuits. 

Biltmore Rooftop Tour

The rooftop tour was fascinating, and even if you are afraid of heights, we recommend it. You will go out on a platform and even a ledge, but the wall surrounding it is waist high. You will be able to see construction details and views from a point that you typically would not be able to. Being a guided tour, our guide shared some very interesting information and history. There is actually gold underneath the copper patina that you see. Some of the grotesques (ornamental creatures protruding) on the outside are actually gargoyles, but due to deterioration, they are no longer spouting water from their mouths. The balcony views from the top are breathtaking. Looking out over the grounds to the Blue Ridge Mountains, are rolling hills, horses in pastures and the reason why George Vanderbilt chose these 125,000 acres as his home site. 

Stable at Biltmore

On the opposite corner of the Vanderbilt home from the gardens, is the 12000 square foot Stable. This is where you will find the gift shops, book store, confectionery shop, restaurants, ice cream shop and outdoor seating. 

The Stable Café

We ate at The Stable Café which is huge. It is much larger than we thought, with two stories of dining space, and much quicker to get in and out of then we imagined. I love that the seating sections were stable stall sections with with decorative iron fencing. The menu had a good selection and the food was really good.

Biltmore Accommodations

Also on the now remaining 8000 acre grounds, there are cottages and two hotels-The Inn on Biltmore Estate and the Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate.  You can stay at Biltmore and enjoy the bicycle paths, trails and The Spa Biltmore that we didn’t have time for with just a day visit. 

Antler Hill Village & Winery

This bustling Antler Hill Village has shops, restaurants, a barn area with farm equipment displays, educational activities, playground, farmyard and fire pit for guests. This is also where the Winery is located including the Tasting Room and Wine Shop. 

Stickwork at Biltmore 

On display at Antler Hill Village, while we were visiting, was Stickwork, an outdoor sculpture by Patrick Dougherty. This was a temporary exhibit and you might discover something entirely different when you visit. 

Bass Pond Waterfall

We didn’t actually walk to Bass Pond from Biltmore, although you can. We ended up stopping to check out the waterfall here on our way back to Antler Hill Village for dinner. I didn’t realize there was a waterfall until I saw the sign at the Conservatory! 

Dining Options at Biltmore 

Between the Stable complex and Antler Hill Village, there are many dining choices, and opportunities for ice cream!Options included are: Stable Café (where we enjoyed lunch), Courtyard Market, Bake Shop, Biltmore Dairy Bar, Creamery, Bistro, Village Social, Kitchen Café, and Cedric’s Tavern. 

Cedric’s Tavern

We chose Cedric’s Tower for dinner, which ended up being a great idea. The bar and restaurant were finished in dark warm woods just like you would expect in a tavern. We even ate fish and chips! The food and service from our delightful waitress made a lovely experience for our last of the day. 

Day Spent at Biltmore 

Time to head back to our hotel in Ashville and head to Great Smokies National Park in the morning. We thoroughly enjoyed our full day spent at Biltmore Estate! I already want to return at Christmas and in the Spring! We highly recommend spending at least a day here,  and even more on the property by booking a room here, if you can.