How to spend one day at Biltmore Estate
During our weekend visit to the Smoky Mountains, we decided to spend one day at Biltmore Estate to break up our trip to Gatlinburg and we’re so glad we did.
Biltmore Estate is about an hour and a half drive from Gatlinburg and it was such an amazing and grand estate that I definitely recommend visiting if you’re ever in the Smokies.
Biltmore Estate is a historic house in Asheville North Carolina built by George Vanderbilt as a summer house for his family and covers over 8000 acres nestled along the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Biltmore is considered one of America’s largest homes with 250 rooms to explore and the most beautiful gardens and grounds to admire which you can easily explore on a one-day visit!
On the blog, I will share how to spend one day at Biltmore Estate so you can plan ahead and make the most of your visit.
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Best time to visit Biltmore Estate
The best time to visit Biltmore Estate is during the weekdays, weekends tend to be busier and ticket prices are much higher.
I suggest choosing either the morning-timed entry tickets or mid-afternoon after lunch to go on the Mansion tour. That way you can have time to explore the grounds before or after your tour.
The Gates to the Estate open at 8:30 am and closes at dusk. Mansion tour tickets go till 5pm, so if you choose the later time slot, you can come back the next day and enjoy the rest of the Estate!
- HOURS: Gates open at 8:30 am and close at dusk
- RECEPTION & TICKETING OFFICE: 8:30 am-5:30 pm
- SELF-GUIDED TOURS: 9:00 am-5:00 pm
- CONSERVATORY: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- GARDENS: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (closes at dusk which varies seasonally)
- BILTMORE HOUSE SHOPS: 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Springtime is also one of the best times to plan your day trip to Biltmore Estate when the grounds and gardens are in bloom. It’s so beautiful walking through the gardens with tulips, azaleas, and other spring flowers in bloom.
Don’t miss a visit to the Conservatory which is home to the most amazing tropical plants and flowers, and even more tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils in bloom.
Biltmore Estate at Christmastime is another one of the best times to visit.
From November 3, 2023-January 7, 2024 you can enjoy either a Christmas daytime visit to the Estate and admire the Estate elegantly decorated with ribbons, garlands, and twinkling lights.
In the evening, don’t miss a Candlelight Christmas visit where you can see what life was like for the Vanderbilt Family during the holidays in their Mansion with elegant decorations and twinkly lights.
There’s always something going on here so planning a one day visit to Biltmore Estates is beautiful in any season
Make sure to visit the website here for other events going on at the Estate.
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Where to stay in Asheville
There are so many options in places to stay in Asheville when planning your day trip to Biltmore Estate.
The Estate has a few options onsite, or you can choose to stay outside the property with many hotels located just outside the main entrance.
If you stay on property at The Inn at Biltmore, complimentary shuttles are available to take you around the estate, otherwise, Shuttle tickets cost $15 per person per day (kids 9 and younger are free).
The Shuttle provides transportation between Biltmore’s Reception and Ticketing Sales Center, Biltmore House, Antler Hill Village, and Amherst at Deerpark.
You may purchase tickets in advance by calling 800-411-3812 or in person on the day of arrival at any Guest Services location. You can easily drive your own car around the property as well. Parking is free with your admission.
- VILLAGE HOTEL: Casual convenient place located near Antlers Village & Winery.
- THE INN: Four-Star Hotel with breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountain views.
- COTTAGES: Restored historic cottages tucked amid the splendor of an 8,000-acre family estate.
- DOUBLETREE BY HILTON BILTMORE/ASHEVILLE
- HAMPTON INN & SUITES ASHEVILLE BILTMORE
Tickets to Biltmore Estate
There are different ticket options for every season and include:
- entrance to the estate and the 8,000 acres of Gardens and Grounds
- Antler Hill Village & Winery
- Complimentary Wine Tastings at the Winery
- and Complimentary Parking.
You can choose between an Audio-guided visit, an Audio-guided visit plus & the Expert-guided visit plus which comes with extra add-ons to your basic ticket package.
Grounds & Gardens tickets are also available if you just want to explore the grounds and costs $50-$85 depending on the season.
Kids ages 10-16 get half-off admission, while kids ages 9 and under are FREE (you have the option to pay for an audio guide for $15 for kids under 9).
Seniors get an $8 discount off daytime admissions every Tuesday & Wednesday, while Military personnel gets an $8 discount on admission daily as well. Tickets must be purchased at the Reception & Ticketing Sales Center located at the admissions gate.
Advance reservations are recommended as tickets usually sell out quickly. Reserve tickets here.
There are also other tours you can add to your admission including a red wine & chocolate tasting, a guided raft trip, falconry, and more which you can read more about here.
*Complimentary parking is available with your admission ticket. You can walk to Biltmore House from lots A & B, and a complimentary shuttle service is available to Biltmore House from parking lots C, D, and E.
SPRING: April 1-May 25
- AUDIO-GUIDED VISIT– $89-$119
- AUDIO-GUIDED VISIT PLUS- $119-$149-Same as the Audio Guided visit but includes the Immersive, multi-sensory exhibition: Italian Renaissance Alive by Grande Experiences, and FREE Next-Day Access to Gardens and Grounds!
- EXPERT-GUIDED VISIT PLUS– $354-$384-Same as above and includes the Expert-Guided 90-Minute Group Tour: Guests of the Vanderbilts, the Immersive, multi-sensory exhibition: Italian Renaissance Alive by Grande Experiences, and FREE Next-Day Access to Gardens and Grounds
SUMMER: May 26–September 30
- AUDIO-GUIDED VISIT– $79-$109
- AUDIO-GUIDED VISIT PLUS– $109-$139
- EXPERT-GUIDED VISIT PLUS– $344-$374
FALL: October 1–November 2
- AUDIO-GUIDED VISIT– $94-$124
- AUDIO-GUIDED VISIT PLUS– $124-$154
- EXPERT-GUIDED VISIT PLUS– $359-$389
CHRISTMAS: November 3–January 7
- AUDIO-GUIDED VISIT– $104-$139
- AUDIO-GUIDED VISIT PLUS– $134-$169
- EXPERT-GUIDED VISIT PLUS– $369-$404
CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS EVENINGS: Includes the Candlelight Christmas Evenings Expert-Guided 90-Minute Group Tour
- AUDIO-GUIDED VISIT– $119-$144
- AUDIO-GUIDED VISIT PLUS– $149-$174
- EXPERT-GUIDED PLUS– $384-$414
Explore the Gardens and Grounds
Your Biltmore Estate Tickets are for a specific time slot so I suggest exploring the gardens and grounds while you’re either waiting for your tour to start or after.
The grounds are massive with over 8000 acres and 22 miles of hiking and biking trails to explore with six formal and informal gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted who also designed Central Park in NY.
There’s also a Conservatory that houses tropical plants & flowers which is absolutely beautiful.
You can either explore the grounds on foot or go on a self-guided or guided bike ride around the estate.
Bike rentals are available through the Bike Barn and Outdoor Adventure Center in Antler Hill Village.
Advance reservations are required for bike tours, and you must have admission tickets to the estate. (reservations are not needed for the 2 or 4-hour bike rental)
GUIDED BIKE TOURS:
- HOUSE & GARDENS LOOP E-BIKE RIDE: $125 Adult/Youth (Ages 16 & Up) Tour the estate’s most iconic locations on a one-of-a-kind 10-mile morning bike ride around the estate.
- WEST RANGE LOOP GUIDED BIKE RIDE: $100 Adult/Youth (Ages 16 & Up) Take an 8-mile bike ride exploring the wilder side of the estate through vineyards, alongside pastures, and around the Long Valley Lake area.
- GUIDED BIKE RIDE: $40 Adult/Youth $30 Ages 9 & Under Take a guided 3-5 mile leisure bike ride along the French Broad River
- HALF-DAY BIKE RIDE (UP TO 4 HRS): $50 / $30 Kids trail a bike or trailer
- 2-HOUR BIKE RIDE RENTAL: Regular bikes available for $20 / E-bikes available for $50 (ages 16+)
Guided hikes are available as well if you’re interested in exploring the grounds on foot with a guide. There are 22 miles of trails at Biltmore and you can download the trail maps here.
On our visit, we did a short walk along the Gardens which is a short 1-2 miles around the property that goes along the beautiful gardens which lead to the tranquil Bass Pond and Boathouse.
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Tour the Biltmore Estate Mansion
Your timed entry ticket allows you to explore Biltmore Mansion on either a self-guided or guided tour which is absolutely spectacular!
Each guest is given an audio guide including the kids who get to go on a fun audio-guided tour with Cedric the Vanderbilt’s Saint Bernard which is very entertaining for the little ones.
The Audio Guided tour lasts for about an hour and takes you on a journey to explore the lavish home of the Vanderbilt family and their 250-room house that includes 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces!
The rooms are all so grand and opulent which is reminiscent of the Palace of Versailles. My favorite room has to be the library and indoor swimming pool which is just so amazing!
For guests with little ones and mobility issues, be aware that the tour goes up some steps and into some narrow hallways so I recommend leaving the stroller and taking a baby carrier instead. Elevators are available for guests with mobility issues.
*Be aware that bags will be inspected before entering the mansion. Bags have a size limit of 19″x 14″ x9″, and backpacks are not allowed on any guided tours. No outside food and beverage is permitted on estate grounds except for personal water bottles and while picnicking in certain estate locations.
Enjoy a meal at the Stables
Before or after your tour, you can also have a meal at the stables at the property which includes a sit-in restaurant at the Stables Cafe, the outdoor Courtyard Market, the Bake shop, and more!
The Shops at Biltmore is the perfect place for that Biltmore souvenir. You can shop at the Carriage House which sells some of the most unique keepsakes and treasures, and theres also a Christmas Shop, a confectionary, a toymaker shop and more!
There are also other dining options at Antler Village & Winery as well!
- STABLES CAFE: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.- Serves Appalachian comfort foods like house-smoked meats, Carolina barbeque, grilled burgers, and other southern favorites in a converted horse stable.
- COURTYARD MARKET: Weather dependent: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.- Quick bites like hotdogs, sandwiches, and salads
- THE BAKE SHOP: (currently closed) Enjoy fresh–baked pastries and baked goods, as well as excellent espresso, gourmet coffees, and herbal teas.
- BILTMORE DAIRY BAR: 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.- Ice cream, milkshakes, sundaes, and drinks
Visit Antler Village and Winery
When visiting Biltmore Estate, make a stop at Antler Village & Winery which has even more dining and shopping options.
This is also where you can enjoy your complimentary wine tasting, but be aware that you must reserve your wine tasting ahead of time on the day of your visit by scanning any one of the QR codes around the property or with guest services. (Grape juice is provided for kids!)
There is also a fun playground for the kids here, a farmyard with farm animals for the kids to enjoy, and where the bike rentals are located at the Bike Barn.
There is also a small museum dedicated to the life of the Vanderbilts which is a must-visit!
Dining options at Antler Village & Winery:
- CEDRICS TAVERN: Global Pub fare
- THE BISTRO: Enjoy estate-raised and regionally sourced ingredients expertly crafted by our chefs in this vibrant, casual setting that embodies the charm of Europe.
- WINE BAR AT THE WINERY: Wine tastings, cheese plates, a charcuterie board, or a sumptuous selection of chocolates.
- VILLAGE SOCIAL: Inspired takes on regional specialties
- SMOKEHOUSE FOOD TRUCK: Carolina BBQ & Southern favorites
- THE KITCHEN CAFE: handcrafted espresso, organic coffee, or specialty tea and seasonal baked goods or breakfast sandwiches.
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