A visit to see the Biltmore Estate was on my list for years and I was really excited when we were invited to experience what the Biltmore offered for families during a weekend stay.
The Biltmore also happened to be the last destination that my mom was able to visit before she died.
She absolutely LOVED her visit there and her face would light up when she would talk about it.
I knew that I wanted to experience and get a sense of why it was such a special experience for her. During our visit, we discovered that there are so many fun things for families to do at the Biltmore during a stay.
I’ve traditionally thought of the Biltmore as a destination for couples or a girlfriend getaway, but we discovered that there are lots of fun things for families to experience there too!
Tour the Biltmore House
As the largest privately-owned residence in the country, a tour of the Biltmore House is a MUST during your visit.
With 250 rooms, including an indoor pool, 65 fireplaces, 43 bathrooms, 35 bedrooms, bowling alley, and a library with over 10,000 volumes, this late 19th century home is still a marvel by modern-day standards surrounded by breathtaking mountain views.
I would highly recommend paying the additional fee for the audio guide that’s critical to appreciate what you are viewing in each room. Otherwise, you miss so many important details and stories about the people who once lived in the Estate.
*Kids will enjoy the audio guide created just for them narrated by the Vanderbilts’ Saint Bernard named Cedric.
A few of my boys’ favorite areas during the tour were the indoor swimming pool and the fitness area.
I was in awe of the detail that we encountered in each room that was way ahead of its time.
I kept trying to wrap my mind around what the day to day life would be like for everyone who lived there, even the servants who lived there were paid higher than the going wage.
Take a Speciality Tour
If you want to discover another layer of the history of the Biltmore, I would highly suggest taking an additional guided specialty tour if you have older kids.
During our visit, we went on the Rooftop Tour which gave us access to areas not open to the public.
We were able to see the grounds from a unique perspective and learn more about the architecture during the 60-minute tour.
We even got to see the roof tiles from inside the attic!
Explore the Gardens at The Biltmore
A photographer’s dream with both formal and informal themed gardens, the Gardens, and the Grounds at the Biltmore Estate are an incredible work of art and design using natural elements.
With 2.5 miles of paths in the landscaped garden and 20+ miles of hiking trails across the estate, there is visual eye candy everywhere.
There is so much beauty to explore including more than 250 varieties of roses in the Rose Garden, 500 different varieties of ornamental shrubs, trees, and other plants that were popular in the 1890s in the Shrub Garden, and a 15-acre Azalea Garden to name a few.
Make sure that you stop inside the Conservatory that was used to provide flowers and plants since the Vanderbilts era. You’ll find pieces to add to your own garden at the Gardener’s Place shop located below the Conservatory.
Depending on the age and interests of your family, you might also consider splitting up so that everyone can spend more time doing what they enjoy.
For example, my husband offered to take the boys back to the pool so that I could take more time exploring the gardens and taking pictures which was a win for everyone.
Additional Tip for Visiting the Biltmore Gardens
If you are driving to the Gardens, turn on your hazard lights when you see the parking attendant and they will allow you to continue to drive on the road to the garden.
Explore Antler Hill Village
After you tour the Biltmore House, Antler Hill Village is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the rest of your day.
There are plenty of wonderful restaurants to enjoy, shops, and special live music events too.
Kids will especially enjoy the creamery, playground, and petting zoo.
Make sure that you allow time to explore the Antler Hill Barn where you can learn more about what farm life was like during the Vanderbilt’s time with demos, exhibits, and hands-on learning and play.
Guests can gain more insight into the Vanderbilt’s wedding ceremony at the Biltmore Legacy located at Antler Hill Village where you will see “Sixty years of Vanderbilt wedding fashion is displayed in the Biltmore Legacy building.
It features the first-ever display of the Lee family wedding veil worn by Mary Lee Ryan at her marriage to George Vanderbilt’s grandson in 1957, as well as by her cousin Jacqueline Lee Bouvier at her 1953 marriage to future President John F. Kennedy.”
Enjoy a Complimentary Wine Tasting
No visit to Antler Hill Village is complete without a stop at the Biltmore Winery.
Parents deserve a little treat during a weekend away too, right? Included with a visit to the Biltmore Estate or an overnight stay, sample several wines in the tasting room and discover which ones you want to take home with you.
Tour the Estate on a Segway
If you are traveling with older kids, I would highly recommend adding a Segway Tour to your itinerary.
The Segway tour was definitely my boys’ favorite activity of the weekend.
Our guide did a fantastic job of providing a safe and FUN experience while pointing out history along the way.
Our Segway tour of choice was the Basic Lagoon Segway tour. The tour started with instructions on how to use the Segway and then we traveled on scenic paved pathways.
During our tour, we made a stop in front of a small lake where you can see the reflection of the Biltmore House in the water on a clear day.
After all of our tours that day, we knew to look for additional details on the property.
The brick bridges on the Estate were designed by the architect, and stone bridges designed by the landscaper.
Go Horseback Riding
For another perspective of the Biltmore Home, enjoy a relaxing one-hour trail ride. The horseback ride takes you through the woods and meadows on the estate.
Riders can stop and take a picture at a nearby hilltop where you can view the backside of the Biltmore House.
*The minimum age is 8 years old and this is a great introductory ride for someone new to horseback riding.
Breakfast of Champions
You have more than one option for breakfast when you stay on property at the Biltmore.
We decided to try both the Village Social in Village Hotel and the Chef’s Breakfast Buffet at the Inn on Biltmore Estate.
At Village Social, I decided to go with the recommendation of our server and try the Crab and Pesto Egg Scramble with Jumbo Lump Crab, and Parmesan Heirloom Potatoes.
That is definitely not a menu item that I would normally order. The flavor combination worked well and it was really delicious. Who doesn’t love any excuse to enjoy crab for breakfast?
The Dining Room at the Inn offers a full Chef’s Breakfast Buffet.
Guests may also choose to order from the a la carte menu and table service with dining inside or outside.
I couldn’t imagine staying inside with those gorgeous mountain views beckoning me on the patio.
The buffet offers high-quality breakfast items that still appeal to a kid’s taste buds.
If you prefer a quick breakfast or lunch option, stop by the Kitchen Cafe for an expresso or sandwich located on the main floor of the Village Hotel.
Dinner with a Gorgeous View
The Library Lounge at The Inn on Biltmore Estate provides gorgeous mountain views with a relaxed setting with tables located inside and outside.
You can take the shuttle or make the short drive from the Village Hotel.
If you are feeling extra ambitious you could walk but you will experience a pretty steep incline.
My husband and I opted for a quiet dinner outside together while our boys watched a movie in our room. I ordered the fish tacos made with Grilled Mahi Mahi, Pineapple Relish, Jalapeno, Lime Crema. My husband ordered the USDA Prime Burger on a Ciabatta Roll with Maple Bacon.
After our meal, the view from a rocking chair was really hard to leave!
Where We Stayed at the Biltmore
We stayed at the Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate.
Our room had:
- a mini-fridge
- Keurig coffee maker
- window seat with storage
- walk-in shower
- two full-sized beds
- 42-inch plasma television
- in-room safe.
The room had a sliding barn door for the shower and bathroom. A separate vanity made it easier for more than one person to get ready at once.
The hotel provides complimentary shuttles around the property and is located steps away from Antler Hill Village.
Guests can also enjoy the outdoor pool during the warmer months. In the courtyard, you can play a game of bean bag toss or “corn hole” depending on where you are from.
Special Events at the Biltmore
The Biltmore Estate gives you many reasons to return with their special events and exhibitions throughout the year. The image above is an example of the costumes that will be on display for the upcoming Glamour on Board: Fashion from Titanic the Movie exhibit set for Feb. 9 through May 13, 2018.
That amazing dress pictured above was worn by Kate Winslet when she played the character of Rose in the film.
I’ve also heard from multiple people that Christmas time at the Biltmore is absolutely incredible, especially the candlelight tour.
A Legacy that Lives On
After visiting the Biltmore, I observed that the Biltmore staff were great at continuing a legacy of excellence. They offered the warmth of southern hospitality with their smiles and words.
Have you ever received a hug from someone in hospitality before?
My husband and I did.
It wasn’t because Brenda, from the Village Inn, knew that I was writing about our visit. It was because that’s just who she is. We didn’t tell her until way later in our conversation after our hugs.
Treating everyone she encounters like a relative that you are excited to see.
I was so impressed by all of the employees that I met throughout the property.
The staff does a great job of inviting you to become part of the Biltmore story. It really helps you feel more comfortable in a perceived stuffy environment.
I see why generations of families continue to return together. After a visit, you see why their shared memories on the property hold such a special place in their hearts.
We enjoyed a wonderful weekend away as a family. Now I understand why my mom loved her visit to the Biltmore so much. A visit to the Biltmore Estate is definitely a bucket list adventure to add to your list and experience!
Thanks again to the Biltmore Estate for hosting our visit and KIA for providing our road trip vehicle.
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I’ve never heard of the Biltmore Estate, but now I want to visit! Looks gorgeous! Especially those photos of the gardens.
Hi NEDRA MCDANIEL,
I am somewhat of a newbie to internet marketing and blogging. So with that being said, I am very glad that I found this blog post. I plan to stay connected to your blog. Can’t wait to see what you’re going to write next. Thanks.
I’m a big Asheville fan and can’t wait to go back and explore the Biltmore. Looks like you had a sweet ride for the trip, too! I was always a fan of the Kia Sportage and had the pleasure of test-driving one for a weekend. This one you got looks like it needs a test by me, too. Haha. Thanks for sharing this adventure, Nedra! Hope you guys enjoyed my state:)