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One of my best tips for visiting the Biltmore Estate is to eat a big breakfast before arriving because most of the dining options near the Biltmore House and Gardens are expensive. Reservations are required in order to take advantage of the complimentary wine tasting that is included with your Biltmore ticket–but you can’t make a reservation until you arrive on-site. Your Biltmore admission ticket includes a complimentary wine tasting–be sure to take advantage of it (more details on how in the next section).
Estate Timeline
If you would like to learn more about the winery, you can purchase a separate behind-the-scenes tour or a chocolate and wine tasting experience. For those who are interested in local wineries, the Biltmore Winery is a fun thing to do at the Biltmore. However, the Biltmore Estate Wine Company wasn’t established until 1983. The Winery was built in the building that once held the Main Dairy, which was originally built in 1900.

Biltmore Estate
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. Plus, if you’re visiting during the summer months, consider grabbing a sweet treat at The Creamery. 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.
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An overnight stay invites you and yours to explore it all at your leisure, where more time shared means more memories made. At the beginning, George Vanderbilt was the only person enjoying his books, art, and grand estate. The Biltmore Estate website notes that he was considered one of America's most eligible bachelors until he proposed to his wife, Edith Stuyvesant Dresser, in 1898. The story of the Biltmore estate starts with the man who dreamed it up, George W. Vanderbilt. The grandson of Cornelius "the Commodore" Vanderbilt, who built his fortune as a shipping and railroad magnate, Vanderbilt fell in love with the scenery of Asheville, North Carolina.
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Discover the estate’s origin, its evolution from country home to beloved national treasure, and the family responsible for its creation and preservation. In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA. We had an absolute blast visiting the Biltmore Estate and would happly go again in the future–especially if we could schedule it so we had a chance to experience Christmas at the Biltmore.
This hotel is a must-visit in Asheville, especially if you’re going to be in town during the holidays. 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. 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. You’ll learn about the Vanderbilt family, the construction of the Biltmore Estate, and the servants who lived on the grounds.
Think of the Biltmore Estate as a day trip, not a one-off attraction.
If you want to guarantee the day and time slot you want, then you can really only do that by ordering in advance. When the Vanderbilt’s would have been living in the estate full time, guests would have driven right up to the front of the house. From the parking areas, you take a shuttle to the front of the estate home.
Hallmark Christmas movie filmed at the Biltmore premieres Nov. 26 - Axios
Hallmark Christmas movie filmed at the Biltmore premieres Nov. 26.
Posted: Tue, 21 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Then, on Christmas Eve 1895, the grand estate opened to Vanderbilt's family and friends for the first time. In the 1880s, Vanderbilt set out to build a grand estate in Asheville. He slowly acquired 125,000 acres of land — 195 square miles — by purchasing some 700 parcels, including 50 farms, according to The Citizen-Times. There’s a veritable castle in the heart of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains called the Biltmore Estate. Elegant and grand, it looks like it belongs in a French fairytale.
What Is The Biltmore Estate In Asheville NC?
Sample wines in the Tasting Room, included in admission to Biltmore Estate. Nestled amid 8,000 acres of Blue Ridge Mountain beauty in Asheville, NC, Biltmore is a one-of-a-kind destination. WineryAfter your Biltmore House visit, spend some time at our relaxing Winery, located in Antler Hill Village.
Then you will want to take a look at this list full of the best Biltmore Estate tips. From how to get there, purchasing tickets for the Biltmore Estate, and so much more, we’ve got you covered. Your complimentary wine tasting is by reservation only, so I suggest visiting the Biltmore Winery to secure your reservation when you arrive at The Antler Hill Village. After spending a day at the Biltmore House and Gardens, one of the best tips for visiting the Biltmore Estate is to visit Antler Hill Village! Antler Hill Village is where the Biltmore Winery is located and is also home to restaurants like Bistro, Cedric’s Tavern, and Village Social.
If you want a taste of Biltmore style luxury, enjoy a four star meal at The Dining Room. Or enjoy a classic European pub atmosphere at Cedric’s Tavern and sample some American gastro-pub fare. At most of the restaurants you’ll either want to make a reservation ahead of time or put your name on the waitlist ahead of when you want to eat.
Learn about the people who lived and worked on the estate when the Vanderbilts lived here. 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. Moreover, seniors (65+) receive a discount on daytime admission on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Reception & Ticketing Sales Center.
It was the initial home of the Atlanta Historical Society and the meeting place for many of the city’s civic organizations. For more than 30 years, WSB, the South’s first radio station, broadcast from its studios within the hotel and the radio tower on the hotel roof became a landmark on the city skyline. Facing increased competition from Atlanta’s modern downtown hotels, The Biltmore was sold to a series of owners beginning in the 1960s who were unable to revitalize the business.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned Biltmore buff, my mission is to make sure your visit is absolutely epic. Spend as much time as you wish immersed in another era, and return as many times as you like. Unlimited visits with no reservations required means you don’t have to miss a thing. As Explore Asheville notes, there's much more to the Biltmore Estate than the house itself (though the house is certainly one of the main draws).
A complimentary wine tasting experience is always included with your Biltmore tickets. As we mentioned before, if this is something you’d like to take advantage of, we suggest making your reservation for your tasting as soon as you get on the estate. Just outside of the Walled Garden is the large Biltmore Conservatory. No matter what time of year you walk through the doors, you’ll be created by warm temperatures.