Biltmore Help Center

What to bring

• Can I bring a bag/backpack?

  For entry into Biltmore House, all bags, packages, and boxes will be inspected by security personnel.

  Guests may carry small personal bags no larger than 19″ x 14″ x 9″ inside Biltmore House. If your bag does not meet these requirements, please leave it in your vehicle or ask about storage options. Exceptions will be made for medical items after inspection.

  Backpacks are not permitted on any guided tour of Biltmore House. Guests are required to leave backpacks in a locker or in their vehicle.
  

  We reserve the right to refuse admission for any bag, parcel, or other item. Weapons are prohibited.

• Is special clothing or footwear required?

  Dress comfortably. Wear walking shoes and layers for the changing mountain weather.

• Can I bring food or drinks with me?

  No outside food and beverage is permitted on estate grounds except for personal water bottles and while picnicking in certain estate locations.

  • Tailgating, including the use of tents, grills, multiple camping chairs/tables, and large coolers, is not permitted in Biltmore parking lots or on the grounds.
  • Outside food and beverage is not permitted after 6:30 p.m. in the House and Gardens area on Luminere evenings.
  • Outside food and beverage is not permitted in estate dining locations, Antler Hill Village or Biltmore House areas, including the Front Lawn area of Biltmore House, Stable Courtyard, and South Terrace.
  • No outside alcohol is ever permitted on Biltmore property.
  • Only clear, plastic water bottles are permitted inside Biltmore House.

  See full food & beverage policy.

• Is Biltmore cashless? 

  Because Biltmore is primarily cashless, we recommend use of credit, debit, and Biltmore Gift Cards, which are accepted for ALL estate purchases, including estate admission, dining, overnight stay, outdoor activity, tour, exhibition, and estate shop purchases. 

  Cash is only accepted at the front desks of Village Hotel and The Inn on Biltmore Estate®, and at The Inn’s Library Lounge and The Dining Room. The Inn’s retail outlets are cashless. 

  Biltmore Gift Cards can be purchased (with credit or debit card ONLY) at any estate Guest Services location, at the Gate House Shop, and online. 

  We also offer three fee-free Cash-to-Card machines where you can turn cash into a prepaid Mastercard for use for ALL estate purchases. 

  Cash-to-Card machines are located in the Reception and Ticketing Sales Center, the Stable Hallway near Biltmore House, and Antler Hill Village near Village Hotel and Biltmore Winery. 

• What is not allowed in Biltmore House?
  • Crossing or reaching across the ropes and/or touching anything behind the ropes
  • Food and drink, except for water in clear, plastic bottles
  • Pets (except service animals)
  • Weapons/firearms*
  • Personal bags larger than 19″ x 14″ x 9″ (more details below)
  • Wheeled bags
  • Sketching
  • Commercial photography/video recording, and posed photography
  • Large cameras (with any camera lens larger than 135mm), tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, gimbals, Steadicams, GoPro cameras, or any other photography equipment
  • Audio recording of special event performances such as live music during Candlelight Christmas Evenings
  • Photography and cell phone use that negatively impacts the guest experience (i.e. blocking an area to take photos, asking guests or employees to move out of the way of a shot, etc.)

  For your safety and the protection of this historic home, all guests must enter through a security scanner for each entry to the building.

  *Biltmore is a privately owned estate with both Security Personnel and Law Enforcement Officers on the property. In the interest of public safety, and for the safety of Biltmore guests, employees, and officers, Biltmore does not permit weapons/firearms inside Biltmore House, anywhere in the Historic District during Luminere, or in any estate location where alcohol is served. Overnight guests may safely secure their weapons/firearms in their hotel room while on the estate. Daytime or evening event guests may safely secure their weapons/firearms in their vehicle while on the estate. Law enforcement officers are not exempt unless coordinated and approved in advance by Biltmore’s Director of Security & Police Operations.

  We appreciate your understanding of, and cooperation with, this policy.

Annual Passholders

• How do I become a Biltmore Annual Passholder?

  You can purchase or renew your Annual Pass in person at our Reception and Ticketing Sales Center, by phone at 800-411-3812, or online. Visit our Annual Pass page to learn more.

• What are the benefits of being a Passholder? 

  Biltmore Annual Passholders enjoy all of the following for less than $1 a day: 

  • Unlimited daytime Biltmore House visits
  • Year-round estate access that includes our gardens, grounds, and Antler Hill Village & Winery
  • Free admission for your kids ages 16 and under
  • Discounts on tickets for your guests
  • Discounts on tickets for beloved holiday tradition Candlelight Christmas Evenings, all-new outdoor evening light and sound experience Luminere, and guest-favorite exhibitions like Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures
  • Discounts on dining, shopping, specialty tours, activities, and so much more!   

  View our Biltmore Annual Pass page to view ALL benefits and purchase your Pass.   

• I am a Passholder—can I bring guests with me?

  Yes, the more the merrier! Passholders can buy discount House & Grounds tickets for their guests, and, after 4 p.m., Passholders can bring guests with them in the same vehicle to Antler Hill Village, no tickets needed.

Winery

• How do I become a Wine Club member?

  You can join Vanderbilt Wine Club today, or in person at Biltmore Winery during your next estate visit. Wine Club membership is FREE: you pay only for your shipments, which you receive four times each year, at a savings of up to 25% vs. non-member prices.

• How do I cancel a Wine Club membership?

  To cancel your Vanderbilt Wine Club membership, please email wineclub@biltmore.com.

• When will my next Wine Club shipment arrive?

  Vanderbilt Wine Club ships seasonally in March, June, September, and December each year. Shipments usually send within the first two weeks of those months.
  
  Check out which wines will be shipped this season.

• Are reservations required for my complimentary wine tasting? If so, how do I reserve?

  Reservations are not required for your complimentary wine tasting; these tastings are available on a first come, first served basis.

• Can I reserve my wine tasting in advance?

  Reservations are not required for your complimentary wine tasting; these tastings are available on a first come, first served basis.

Luminere

• Do you offer Luminere resources for those with hearing loss?  
  

  Yes. Guests who are deaf or have partial hearing loss can request a transcript of the show by visiting Guest Services, located in the Stable Hallway across from the Confectionery and next to the Carriage House gift shop. 

• Can I take photos or videos of Luminere? 

  Yes! Photography/videography (by cell phone or small cameras, without flash) of Luminere is permitted. NOTE: Recording and publishing videos longer than 2 minutes is prohibited. 

Lodging guests

• I reserved an overnight stay, but am unable to visit as planned due to illness. Can I cancel my reservation?

  Please refer to your confirmation email for details on our cancellation policy.

• Where can I find property-specific details for my overnight stay?

  Additional details can be found within Village Hotel, The Inn, and Cottages Information pages.

• Does Biltmore offer overnight stay discounts?

  Yes! View our Special Offers for details on discounted admission for AARP, AAA, U.S. Military members, and more.

Pets

• Is Biltmore pet friendly? Can I bring my dog to the estate?

  You won’t have to leave anyone behind. The grounds are perfect for walking your pets, but please keep them securely leashed at all times. Animals (except service animals) are not allowed in any building.

  Pets are allowed on the outdoor patios of Bistro and Cedric’s^® Tavern, but patio seating should be requested from the host or hostess inside first. All pets must be leashed on estate grounds for their own safety as well as the comfort of our other guests. Please be courteous of others and pick up after your pet.

  Animals are not permitted at any of the lodging accommodations on the estate, though service animals are allowed.

  Pets are not permitted at Luminere, however, service animals are always welcome. Luminere includes strobing, flashing, simulated lighting, low-light conditions, and changing sounds that can be overstimulating for many pets and may cause stress, other health concerns, or increased risk of incidents with other pets and in crowded conditions. For their comfort and safety, we ask that all pets remain at home.

Photography

• Can I take photos outside Biltmore House?

  Yes! Taking photographs of the exterior of Biltmore House (including the Loggia and Rooftop) and its gardens and grounds is permitted for personal use only.

  No extensive photo/video set-ups requiring makeup, wardrobe, or lighting equipment is permitted in guest areas around Biltmore House. Setup must be minimal, requiring no more than two pieces of equipment. Changing of clothing, hair and makeup styling, lighting setup, or disruption of guest areas and guest experience is not permitted. Please do not interfere with guest or vehicle traffic flow.

  All commercial uses of photography, portraits, or video are prohibited without written permission. Recording, filming, photography, or taping of any concert is strictly prohibited. Recording and publishing videos longer than 2 minutes of special evening event performances, such as live music or animated projections on Biltmore House, is prohibited. See full photo & video policy.

• Do you allow drones or aerial photography?

  Use of drones or unmanned aerial vehicles on Biltmore property is strictly prohibited. Aerial photography and videography are strictly prohibited without written consent. See full photo & video policy.

• Can I take photos or videos inside Biltmore House?

  Yes! Taking photographs and videos by cell phone or small cameras, without flash, is permitted on self-guided tours for personal use only.

  No commercial photography is allowed. Photography/videography is not permitted on specialty tours inside Biltmore House, except for Artistic Legacies. Recording, filming, photography, or taping of any concert is strictly prohibited.

  Large cameras (with any camera lens larger than 135 mm), tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, Gimbals, Steadicams, GoPro cameras, or any other photography equipment are not allowed inside Biltmore House.

  For the safety and convenience of all guests, group photos must be taken outside of Biltmore House. Photos/videos should not be taken on stairs. Please be mindful of your surroundings and use caution when taking photos/videos. See full photo & video policy.

  We invite you to share your images on social media by tagging #Biltmore and @biltmoreestate.

Other FAQs

• Why are some sections of Biltmore House roped off?

  The ropes in Biltmore House are in place to protect the collections of antique art and furnishings. Biltmore House is a National Historic Landmark, and we are committed to its preservation for generations to come.  

  As you tour the home, we kindly ask you to support this commitment by staying behind the ropes, refraining from reaching across the ropes and/or touching anything behind the ropes; these actions are not permitted in Biltmore House. If you have any questions, our staff members are available to assist you.  

  Guests who cross or reach across the ropes, and/or touch anything behind the ropes may be subject to immediate removal from Biltmore House by Biltmore House Security. 

  Thank you for your cooperation and for your support in the preservation of this National Historic Landmark. 

• Is Biltmore House & Gardens accessible for guests with strollers and baby carriers?

  Biltmore House

  A visit to Biltmore House includes multiple floors and several flights of stairs, and may therefore present a challenge for guests with infants and small children. The full house tour is available to guests with strollers and baby carriers, but you will have to maneuver historic (sometimes narrow) staircases. You are welcome to visit our Access Lounge and watch a video of the Third Floor and Basement rooms if you prefer to avoid maneuvering the staircases.

  NOTE: Strollers and baby backpacks are prohibited for the following Biltmore House tours: Backstairs Tour and Rooftop Tour.

  Gardens

  To best access the Walled Garden and Conservatory, both of which accommodate strollers and baby carriers, we recommend parking behind the Conservatory.

  NOTE: The Walled Garden’s paths are paved, but many of Biltmore’s other gardens feature inclines, descents, gravel paths, and stairs, all of which present a challenge to guests with strollers, and potentially to those with baby carriers as well. 

• Are reservations required for Biltmore House?

  Reservations are required every day for all guests entering Biltmore House. You’ll reserve an entry time when purchasing your ticket.

  Guests who arrive without a Biltmore House reservation cannot be guaranteed Biltmore House entry. 

  NOTE: Please arrive at Biltmore House at your reserved Biltmore House entry time. If you arrive late, we will do our best to accommodate you, but we may be unable to do so.

• What can I do if you’re sold out on the date I wish to visit Biltmore House?

  Please choose a different date. We encourage you to book your visit at least seven days in advance; this not only enables you to secure your preferred date and time, but also gives you the best ticket price.

• Can I arrive to the estate earlier than my reservation time on my ticket?

  Yes! The reservation time on your admission ticket is your Biltmore House entry time. We encourage you to arrive on the estate early on the date of your admission to explore the gardens, grounds, shops, restaurants, and more.

  We recommend checking current hours of operation for helpful information on planning a full day or longer at Biltmore.

  NOTE: Please arrive at Biltmore House at your reserved Biltmore House entry time. If you arrive late, we will do our best to accommodate you, but we may be unable to do so.
  

• What address do I use for arrival to Biltmore Estate using GPS?

  The address for the entrance to Biltmore Estate is 1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC 28803.

  If you don’t use this address with your GPS, your GPS could take you to an incorrect entrance.

• What impact might Biltmore’s various preservation projects have on my visit?

  Our mission is to preserve Biltmore for generations to come. The maintenance of a 250-room historic building, plus other historic structures, a Winery, 8,000 acres of gardens, managed farmland, and forest requires the thoughtful planning and execution of a multitude of preservation projects.

  While our teams make every effort to minimize the impact of these projects on our guests, you may encounter any or all of the following during your visit:

  • Light construction and restoration work
  • Artwork or other historic objects temporarily taken off display
  • Modified tour routes
  • Unexpected road closures

  We appreciate your support as we conduct the work required to preserve this beloved estate!

• How much time should I allow for my self-guided Biltmore House visit with Audio Guide?

  The time you spend in Biltmore House is up to you, as your visit is self-paced. The Biltmore House Audio Guide has an approximate run time of one hour, but we recommend you allow one and a half to two hours to fully experience the beauty and grandeur of America’s Largest Home®.