The four-story, French Renaissance manor has been meticulously maintained by descendants of the Biltmore Family. Open for exploration every day except Christmas and Thanksgiving, the family home allows curious visitors to experience life before the turn of the 20th century. Original art, priceless antiques, and a 10,000 volume library are located inside the 250 room home. The Banquet Hall boasts soaring 70 foot ceilings and several of the 65 total fireplaces. Guided and unguided tours are available of the 175,000 sq. foot house, including the 35 bedrooms, 43 baths, 70,000 gallon indoor pool, and bowling alley.
The expansive seasonal gardens surrounding the Biltmore House contain one of the nation's most extensive collections of native and hybrid plants. The azalea garden covers 15 acres and contains more than 1000 individual plants. A stroll through the All-American Rose Garden will reveal over 250 varieties of roses. The Italian style garden features 3 symmetrical ponds surrounded by classical statuaries.The official Biltmore website contains a calendar outlining the annual blooming schedule.
Since opening in 1985, the Biltmore House Winery has become the most visited winery in the U.S. The 90,000 sq. foot facility is open to the public and houses bottling and fermentation rooms, a cellar, and food and wine events. The vineyards cover 94 acres of picturesque rolling hills and produce an annual harvest of 250 tons, all picked by hand. The Biltmore's wine collection has received extensive awards and accolades from top wine experts.
The Inn, opened in 2001, was built to host visitors interested in spending an evening or weekend on the grounds. Afternoon tea, terrace dinners, and lessons in cooking and floral arranging can be reserved during your stay. Guests looking to be pampered can take advantage of the diverse selection of spa services. In addition to being a popular wedding destination, the Inn on Biltmore Estate features an outdoor summer evening concert series. An eclectic mix of performers including ABBA, Loverboy, The Oak Ridge Boys, and Tom Jones, have entertained under the stars with the Blue Ridge Mountains providing the backdrop.
A trip to the Biltmore House provides adventurous visitors the opportunity to raft or kayak the French Broad River. The managed forests are open for biking, hiking, and horseback riding. Expert instructors provide lessons in fly fishing and clay pigeon shooting. Off-road enthusiasts will appreciate the Land Rover Experience Driving School and all-terrain Segway tours.
