Things to know when planning a visit to The Biltmore Estate
The Biltmore Estate is Asheville’s most visited attraction by far, and for good reason. It is absolutely stunning. It is also extremely large and can be quite intimidating if you are planning a visit and don’t know where to start. There is a lot going on at The Biltmore, but we are here to help!
The Biltmore Estate, also known as America’s Largest Home, is Asheville’s most popular and well-known attraction. The Estate, originally built and owned by George Vanderbilt, boasts over 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, 65 fireplaces and 8,000 acres.
Not only is the scale of the Biltmore Estate something you have to see to believe, but the meticulously manicured grounds are also breathtaking in their own right.
This article shares details on Asheville’s national landmark, from where to park, where to stay and information on admission at The Biltmore.
Admission to The Biltmore Estate
Individual Day Passes
The cost of admission for The Biltmore Estate varies by ticket type and time of year. You can opt for a ticket to the gardens and grounds (without seeing the house) starting at $45 in the off-season. House admission starts at $69. These prices are for winter and the admission cost goes up for spring, summer and fall.
Apart from tickets to the ground and the house, you can also opt for guided tours and additional benefits. There are too many to list here, so check the Biltmore’s site for all of the details and to reserve tickets of your own.
One last note on the cost of admission– it can get expensive! Especially during peak season and if you opt for a house tour in addition to grounds access. Which, if you haven’t been… you should!
It’s definitely worth experiencing if it sounds like something you’d enjoy. And I say it like that because if you really have no interest in The Biltmore then you can probably find something better to do with your time and money. If that’s you, go check out our list of 60+ things to do in Asheville. But if you enjoy old homes, beautiful views and getting a peek back in time, don’t miss it!
Annual Membership
If you are local to Asheville or plan to visit the Estate several times this year, you should definitely consider becoming an Annual Passholder. Membership includes daytime access to the house, the grounds and the gardens, as well as discounts on shopping, dining and lodging. You can also get discounted tickets for guests and discounts on various tours and activities.
As a bonus, annual memberships have a lower renewal cost after the first year. You can renew for $139, which is a big discount on the initial $299 for the first year.
Discounted Annual Memberships
The Biltmore Estate occasionally offers discounted annual passes through membership drives. Most recently they did this in November 2022 with memberships discounted to $199 per person. Kids under 16 are free with an adult passholder, so you won’t need annual memberships for your youngest ones.
Free Access to the Biltmore Estate
The Biltmore gives its annual passholders two free tickets for the grounds & gardens during its member appreciation in January of each year. The tickets can typically be used any time between mid-January and March. These tickets do not include a tour of the house. Members do not need to accompany guests with the se tickets.
Separately, members can bring guests to the grounds only (not the house) after 5pm daily and after 3pm during member appreciation.
Parking and getting around the Biltmore Estate
The Biltmore Estate is just that– an estate. It is MASSIVE. The Biltmore House is almost three miles away from Antler Hill Village and the Village Hotel. And the entrance to the Estate (the gate across from Biltmore Village) is 1.5 miles from the actual House. It’s quite the property!
You can really see just how big it is when you look at The Biltmore on a map of Asheville. There is so much land and so much to explore!
You’ll definitely want to have a car for your visit if possible. Otherwise, you’ll need to reserve a ticket for their express shuttle service. It picks up and drops off at the Reception and Ticketing Sales Center. Additional details are below.
Parking for the Biltmore House
The best parking for the Biltmore House is parking lots A and B. It’s about a 10-minute walk from there to the entrance of the Biltmore House. Accessible parking is located in Lot B. You can find these lots by following signs for the Biltmore House once you are on the property. You can also view more on their Estate Map.
Parking at Antler Hill Village
There are several large parking areas at Antler Hill Village. They are easy to find upon arrival and there is typically plenty of parking available.
Complimentary shuttle service is available if you park in lots C, D or E. These are further from the house than parking lots A and B.
Biltmore Express Shuttle Service
The shuttle provides transportation between the Biltmore House, Antler Hill Village (next to the Village Hotel), Amherst at Deerpark and the Reception + Ticketing Sales Center.
You can reserve shuttle service for $15 per person per day. Children 9 and under can ride the shuttle for free.
Hotels on the Biltmore Estate
The Biltmore Estate is not only a beautiful place to visit, but there are also three different places to stay on the property. This would be a great option if you are looking for a relaxing home base for your Asheville trip.
Not only does your hotel stay include access to the Biltmore gardens and grounds, but you’ll have access for the entire duration.
One thing to note, though, is that not all hotel packages include admission to the Biltmore House. Though you have access to the gardens and grounds with a hotel stay, you can only tour the house if you purchase a hotel package that includes it or book a ticket separately.
Below are details on the three overnight properties at the Biltmore.
1. Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate
The Village Hotel offers a casual stay on the Biltmore Estate that is steps away from shops, restaurants and the winery. It is located just by Antler Hill Village and offers an excellent base for your visit. Learn more and book a stay here.
2. The Inn on Biltmore Estate
Mountain views and a four-star hotel await you. The Inn is where the Biltmore’s esteemed Spa is located. You’ll also find a heated outdoor pool and fine-dining options on the property. Dining options at The Inn include The Dining Room (four-star dining), the Library Lounge (cocktails + savory bites + sweet treats,) poolside dining and room service. Learn more and book a stay here.
3. Cottages on Biltmore Estate
If you are looking for privacy during your stay at the Estate, you should consider a stay at one of their historic Cottages. A cottage can accommodate 4 to 5 guests depending on which is booked. There’s a two-night minimum as well as specific arrival and departure days (Monday, Wednesday, Friday), so you’ll want to do your research if the Cottages is in your plans. Learn more and book a stay here.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Biltmore Estate
Yes, the Biltmore is kid-friendly. There’s a playground, tons of space to explore, easy dining options and even an audio tour by the Vanderbilts’ dog Cedric.
Yes, kids 9 and under are admitted free with the purchase of an adult ticket. Kids ages 10-16 can get admission for half the price of an adult ticket.
No, you cannot use a ZOOM Pass at the Biltmore. See here for additional details on the ZOOM Pass program.
Yes, you can bring a dog to the Biltmore. Just make sure to keep them leashed at all times. Dogs are not allowed inside any establishments on the estate.
Plan on 75-90 minutes for touring the Biltmore House. Most of the guided tours are this length, though the guided tour for kids is 50 minutes.
You can spend days exploring the Biltmore Estate and not see it all! Plan to spend at least 6 hours if possible so that you can tour the house (~1.5 hours), wander in the gardens and shop around Antler Hill Village.
