Top photo: William Recinos on Unsplash
Biltmore is the reason many people visit Asheville for the first time. The country's largest privately owned home sits on a huge estate with gardens, trails, a winery and a village of shops and restaurants. It's an all-day outing, and with a big group, a little planning makes the difference between a great day and a long one.
Buy tickets ahead
Biltmore sells date-specific tickets online, and popular dates sell out, especially in October and during the holiday season. Buy tickets for everyone at once so the whole group can enter together. Check Biltmore's website for current ticket types, kids pricing and any add-ons before you buy.
What to see
- Biltmore House. The main event: a self-guided walk through the rooms of the house. With a big group, agree on a meeting spot at the end, since everyone moves at a different pace.
- The gardens and Conservatory. Formal gardens, a walled garden and a glass conservatory. In spring, the gardens are at their best.
- Antler Hill Village. A small village on the estate with shops, restaurants and the winery. It's a good place to regroup for lunch.
- The Winery. Wine tastings for the adults, usually included with admission. Check current details when you book.
- Trails and outdoor activities. The estate has walking and biking trails, and outdoor activities you can book separately.
Tips for visiting with kids
- Do the house first, while everyone's fresh. The house tour involves a lot of walking and stairs.
- Save the outdoors for the afternoon. Kids who've been quiet in the house need room to run.
- Bring snacks and water for the walk between areas, which can be longer than it looks.
- Use strollers outside. Check Biltmore's current rules for strollers inside the house.
Christmas at Biltmore
The holiday season, from early November into January, is Biltmore's most magical time, with the house decorated for Christmas and special evening visits. It's also the busiest. Book tickets as early as you can, and consider an evening visit if your group can stay up late.
Fitting Biltmore into your trip
Plan Biltmore as its own day, and keep the evening easy. The Donovan is about 20 minutes away, so you can be back for dinner, the hot tub and barrel sauna, and a movie in the theater.
What a beautiful home! It had everything you could ask for. We will definitely stay here again the next time we visit Asheville.
Airbnb guest, stayed at The Donovan
A sample Biltmore day
- 9 AM: arrive at your timed entry and start with the house.
- Late morning: walk the gardens and Conservatory.
- Lunch: Antler Hill Village.
- Afternoon: the winery for the adults, trails or the farm area for the kids.
- Evening: back to the house for dinner.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to see Biltmore?
Plan most of a day to see the house, gardens and Antler Hill Village without rushing.
Do you need to buy Biltmore tickets in advance?
Yes. Biltmore sells date-specific tickets online, and popular dates, especially in October and during the holidays, can sell out.
Is Biltmore good for kids?
Older kids usually enjoy the house, and younger kids enjoy the gardens, trails and outdoor areas. Doing the house first, then the outdoors, works best.
Plan your trip
See our guides to things to do in Asheville with kids and the Blue Ridge Parkway, or the full Asheville area guide. Book The Donovan directly with us to skip the booking-site service fees.
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