During our first visit to Asheville, North Carolina we visited the Biltmore House and Gardens. The luxurious family home of George and Edith Vanderbilt is a marvel of elegance and charm, as magnificent today as it was more than a century ago. Your self-guided house tour spans three floors and the basement and is included in estate admission. An in-depth audio guide and guided specialty tours are also available at additional cost.
An up close look at the Biltmore facade
The entrance
Another look at exterior architecture
You’ll see displays of vintage clothing, accessories, art, furniture, and more that tell stories and illustrate the lives of the Vanderbilt family, their guests, and employees. Get a close look at original art by Pierre-Auguste Renoir and John Singer Sargent. Marvel at magnificent 16th century tapestries, a Library with 10,000 volumes, a Banquet Hall with a 70-foot ceiling, 65 fireplaces, an indoor pool, and a bowling alley. Almost all of the priceless objects that you see throughout the house are from George and Edith Vanderbilt’s original collection.
Back outside, stroll acres of formal and informal gardens designed by America’s foremost landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted (think New York’s Central Park). From the beauty of the Italian Garden to the breathtaking trees in America’s first managed forest, Biltmore’s lush landscape is a living tribute to Olmsted’s genius. Horticultural experts continually work to preserve the original vision for the gardens and grounds, including the Rose Garden that features more than 250 varieties.
One of the ponds at Biltmore
Garden walkway
One of many fountains
Biltmore Greenhouse
Inside the Greenhouse
As a century-old model for forest conservation (and, more recently, for sustainability, thanks to six acres of solar panels), Biltmore continues to honor Vanderbilt’s legacy of environmental protection.
Landscaping
View of the mountains from Biltmore
Another pond
Hike the grounds of our estate at your own pace with its extensive network of trails. Enjoy a walk along the French Broad River, through lush green forests, or the open meadows of Deer Park. Take a stroll on the 2.5 miles of paths in the manicured gardens. You can also stay onsite at the inn or cottage. We stayed in our RV at Mama Gertie’s Hideaway Campground in nearby Swannanoa.
