Top Reasons You’ll Want to Visit Biltmore This Winter Posted on December 26, 2023 at 9:00 am.Written by Heather Angel Traveling during wintertime may not seem like an obvious choice, but for many, it can be a more relaxing way to experience iconic destinations than peak seasons. Whether you’re traveling with your family or sweetheart this winter, here are our top reasons why you’ll want to add a peaceful and restorative winter visit to Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, to your bucket list. Orchids inside Biltmore’s Conservatory, like this Cattleya Mary Schroder orchid, reach peak bloom during winter months. 5. Discover our great indoors There’s no better way to shake winter’s chill than with a tropical excursion through Biltmore’s historic Conservatory, located a short distance away from Biltmore House. As a bonus, orchids reach peak bloom during the winter months, so guests are in for a real treat as the Orchid Room boasts a vibrant collection of over 500 plants. The indoor adventure continues with guided tours of Biltmore House, such as the Exclusive 90-Minute Guided Tour: Guests of the Vanderbilts for fascinating stories and rarely-accessed areas of the home, the Rooftop Tour for long-range views and unique perspectives on the design of Biltmore House, or the Backstairs Tour for an in-depth look at what it was like to work in America’s Largest Home over a century ago. Explore the mesmerizing Chihuly at Biltmore exhibition on display at our Amherst venue until February 2, 2025! This stunning collection of vibrant glass art offers the perfect way to warm up and brighten your winter. Don’t miss the chance to experience this enchanting event before it’s gone! Tip: Tours and activities offered are subject to change. Please check our Activities listings for the most current and accurate offerings for your winter visit. Enjoy our Red Wine and Chocolate Tasting featuring premium Biltmore wines and artisan chocolate truffles from French Broad Chocolates. 📷 by @chelseaericasmith & @thewineshutter 4. Sip our favorite winter wines In addition to enjoying a Complimentary Wine Tasting at our award-winning Biltmore Winery during a winter visit, consider booking one of our most popular specialty wine experiences, our Red Wine & Chocolate Tasting. Sip, swirl, and savor your way through a curated selection of our hearty red wine varietals paired with locally produced artisan chocolates from French Broad Chocolate and discover why each is a heavenly match. Cozy up with your sweetheart at our Wine Bar and enjoy our favorite red, white, and sparkling winter varietals by the glass or bottle. At our Wine Shop, you can restock your wine rack while marveling at the stunning blown-glass Iris Gold and Garnet Chandelier by world-renowned artist, Dale Chihuly, on display. Wintertime offers spectacular long-range mountain views from the trails and meadows on our private estate. 3. Embrace winter’s chill outdoors There’s a reason that Asheville locals love outdoor exploration in the wintertime. The crisp air and long-range Blue Ridge Mountain views simply cannot be beat! Bundle up and experience the breathtaking beauty of George Vanderbilt’s 8,000-acre mountain estate! Though the garden beds are dormant, they are still an impressive sight to behold as you can more easily see the innovative landscape design by Frederick Law Olmsted. For more active explorations, choose from our guided activities, such as hikes, river strolls, horse-drawn carriage rides, and falconry, or embark on your own to explore our 22 miles of private nature trails and acres of historic gardens. Nearby, discover the beauty of Pisgah National Forest, which used to be part of the estate! If a more restorative getaway is what you’re longing for, consider unique estate activities such as forest bathing, nature journaling, guided yoga and meditation, or even bird-watching! Tip: Select admission tickets include FREE next-day grounds access, which means you have even more time to explore all that the estate has to offer! Watch our blacksmith work and learn more about the craft in Antler Hill Barn. Hours vary seasonally. 2. Make your way around Antler Hill Village This European-inspired village boasts unique opportunities to learn more about Biltmore’s farming legacy and the Vanderbilt family, shop for momentos to remember your winter visit to Biltmore, and savor field-to-table flavors at our estate restaurants… all in one convenient location! While exploring Biltmore’s Antler Hill Village, be sure to make your way to the Barn to see craft demonstrations from our regional and estate history. Not only is it fascinating to watch artisans like our resident blacksmith at work—it’s also quite cozy in the Smithy Shop. While snowfall isn’t common in our area, it is a spectacular treat when the estate is blanketed in white. 1. Wake to an 8,000-acre winter wonderland Discover just how cozy, peaceful, and romantic a winter visit to Biltmore Estate can be with an overnight stay! Imagine waking up with tranquil Blue Ridge Mountain beauty, world-class hospitality, all of our top wintertime activities, and easy access to nearby attractions just outside your door. All this and more is available when you plan your winter visit now to experience Biltmore’s most peaceful season with the lowest rates of the year on admission and special overnight packages. To experience the grandeur of Biltmore all year long plus exclusive discounts and perks, consider joining our Annual Passholder family.
Top Five Christmas Activities for Overnight Guests Posted on October 7, 2020 at 9:28 am.Written by Amy Dangelico From the decked halls of America’s Largest Home® to all that our lively Antler Hill Village has to offer, there’s so much to see and do during the holiday season at Biltmore. That’s why we’ve narrowed down some of our favorite Christmas activities to help you plan your visit. Take a look at our top five Christmas activities for overnight guests on Biltmore Estate. Bundle up and embrace the crisp air as you take in the gorgeous long-range views. 5. Relax with a Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride Keep cozy with a horse-drawn carriage ride across the estate. Select either a private or group experience and escape the season’s hustle and bustle to enjoy our 8,000 acres of Blue Ridge Mountain wintertime beauty. We have a variety of shops by Biltmore House and in Antler Hill Village to meet all of your holiday shopping needs. 4. Shop for Everyone on Your List From unique and inspiring Christmas decorations and locally crafted stocking stuffers to toys for the kids or award-winning Biltmore Wines for your next holiday gathering, our exclusive estate shops truly offer something for everyone. Treat yourself to an elegant meal of expertly prepared cuisine with world-class service. 3. Dine in our Four-Star Dining Room Nothing says “special occasion” quite like an evening meal in The Dining Room. Be sure to make reservations early so you can savor this award-winning culinary experience at the most exclusive restaurant on the estate. Guests enjoy the magical, gently illuminated atmosphere in Biltmore’s Antler Hill Village. 2. Stroll through our Illuminated Village As the sun begins to set, we invite you to discover our glittering holiday light display, including thousands of lights and oversized ornaments, in Antler Hill Village each evening throughout the holiday season. More than 45,000 twinkling Christmas lights are illuminated throughout Biltmore House. 1. Discover Biltmore at its Most Enchanting Our annual Candlelight Christmas Evenings visits offer a rare glimpse into a more intimate side of America’s Largest Home® with soft candlelight, crackling fireplaces, and live music. Reserve your evening visit today and consider upgrading to an admission ticket that includes our exclusive 90-minute guided group tour inside Biltmore House for an extra special experience! Be sure to take a look at our holiday lodging packages, available at The Inn and Village Hotel. Stay overnight at one of our distinctive properties—The Inn on Biltmore Estate®, Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate®, or private Cottages on Biltmore Estate™—so you’ll have plenty of time to experience our top five Christmas activities and so much more!
Top 5 Downton Abbey-Related Activities at Biltmore Posted on November 7, 2019 at 1:33 pm.Written by Amy Dangelico Downton Abbey: The Exhibition ended September 7, 2020. Please enjoy this archived content. From November 8, 2019 through April 7, 2020, Biltmore is hosting Downton Abbey: The Exhibition, an immersive, must-see event that pays homage to the show. The multimedia display in Amherst at Deerpark includes holograms, video, and life-size imagery—plus some of the series’ most recognizable sets, including Mrs. Patmore’s kitchen and the gossip-fueled servants’ quarters. The estate has a variety of additional offerings that connect to the exhibition. Here are our top 5 picks: The limited-time exhibition continues in Antler Hill Village with costumes on display at The Biltmore Legacy. 5. Costumes at The Biltmore Legacy Downton Abbey: The Exhibition itself extends to The Biltmore Legacy in Antler Hill Village where more than 50 official costumes from the series’ six-season run—worn by actors such as Michelle Dockery, Hugh Bonneville, and Dame Maggie Smith—will be on display. Stroll through lush late summer blooms in the Walled Garden 4. Stroll Through Stunning Gardens In one episode of the series, Lord and Lady Grantham had the delightful task of presiding over the annual village flower show. While visiting Biltmore, be sure to stroll through our four-acre English-style Walled Garden filled with roses and a glorious mix of summer annuals and perennials, exotic grasses, and more–and don’t miss the glass-roofed Conservatory that houses hundreds of tropical specimens. Our charming estate shops offer a wide range of Downton Abbey-inspired items, including a variety of lovely tea sets. 3. Downton Abbey-Inspired Products For a limited-time, shops throughout the estate are offering a variety of Downton-inspired items. Browse fashions such as fascinators, jewelry, scarves, hat pins, and more—inspired by the styles worn by characters in the show. Tea sets, books, and additional accessories relating to the era are also available. Our newest tour takes you into rarely seen areas of Biltmore House, such as fascinating parts of the Sub-Basement. 2. The Biltmore House Backstairs Tour Developed exclusively to coincide with Downton Abbey: The Exhibition, The Biltmore House Backstairs Tour is a brand new behind-the-scenes tour. Hear the fascinating stories of those who worked and lived on the estate while visiting rarely seen servants’ areas including the Butler’s Pantry and beyond. With so much to see and do at Biltmore during your getaway, stay overnight at The Inn (above), Village Hotel (below), or one of our private historic cottages to ensure you have time to experience it all. 1. Stay Overnight to Make the Most of Your Visit Both The Inn on Biltmore Estate® and Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate® offer an exciting opportunity to stay overnight on the property, ensuring you have time to see and do it all. Take your time while enjoying Downton Abbey: The Exhibition, and take in all the glorious costumes from the series on display at The Biltmore Legacy in Antler Hill Village.