Anybody been to the Biltmore Estate?

[shep]

Got some tourist information from North Carolina yesterday and they gave me some info on it...
What did you think of it?

 

[perdidobay]

I loved it...beautiful setting, grounds were so pretty, even in the fall when we were there. I can't even begin to think how nice it would be in spring or summer! The house is huge....but you knew that! It was really very interesting and I would recommend buying the softcover guidebook, or you might not get as much out of what you are looking at. I really enjoyed the downstairs basement area most, seeing how the staff lived and the laundry, kitchen, etc. I also toured the winery, which was interesting, but not really a big deal if you don't go. The day we went they were having a sort of middle ages fair on the grounds, with entertainment. We spent the whole day there.....if you go wear comfy shoes!

 

[Indyman]

We went a few years ago without the kids and enjoyed it. There's a lot of great architecture and history on the estate that I believe you can take a self guided or guided tour of. Your young daughters may not get too much excitement from it. We were there when they were filming the movie "Richie Rich" so parts of the main building was closed off.

 

[peg2001]

The opulence actually made me sick to my stomach. I couldn't help but think about all the good deeds that could have been done with that money.

On the other hand, the background tour is definitely worth it. . .just to see how they ran such a huge residence.

Peggy

 

[flrose]

Shep!
I have been a couple times, several years back. The place was absolutely amazing, the history very interesting. My VERY favorite
part was the Rose garden and greenhouses. I think there were like 3 or 4 big greenhouses one with tons of orchids. I wasn't very impressed with the winery. Hope that helps!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I think SSB just was there a few weeks ago. I've heard it is quite interesting.

 

[ScarlettO]

I'm visiting it in April. One of my friend's has visited it twice. Last trip she took the "Rooftop Tour" and said it was fabulous.

 

[Pete's Mom]

I grew up in that area and have been quite a few times. The whole estate is quite beautiful. I would recommend going when the garden is in bloom or during Christmas when everything is decorated. To call it a "house" is really an understatement.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I'm going in April. I can't wait!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Go for the Spring flowers. Grove Park Inn is a nice resort in Asheville. It is a little pricey but you're used to Disney hotel pricing so you shouldn't be too shocked.

Lori

 

[KathyTX]

It's an amazing and gorgeous estate... I love the history of it, and imagining what visiting it in its heyday might have been like.

It was built in, what- 1890 something? With elevators, electric lights, indoor pool and bowling alley... It's intriguing to see the laundry and food storage facilities. Life has changed so much since then!

This place is really more like an elegant and elaborate hotel than a private home, and I highly recommend a visit if you're in the area.

 

[2bemarried]

Well since I suggested it to you guess I should add my two cents. I've been there at Christmas, and it was breath taking. Have to agree that the winery isn't that interesting. I've seen many pictures of the gardens and would love to go when the flowers are blooming.

 

[Lanshark]

I enjoyed going but as someone stated it was opulent

After I went I wanted to know more about the family history. I read a facinating book called "Fortune's Children - The Fall of the House of Vanderbilt" by Arthur Vanderbilt. I would highly recommend. I wish I had read it before I did the tour

 

[browneyes]

My SO is trying to talk me into a Cherokee trip (I don't see it happening). He wants to go to Biltmore sometime too.

 

[Ellester]

I've done the nighttime tour at Christmas. It was wonderful! They have a choir on the first floor and small musical groups throughout the house, a quartet here, a harpist there. Plus, there were hardly any other visitors there (we had a late time, 8:45pm or something like that), we were actually directed to park right in front of the mansion, like we were guests or something. The things that amazed me most were 1) the amount of priceless art just scattered about, you go into a guest room and see a Monet or a Van Gogh; and 2) the library! They've only just begun to catalog it in the past few years and they are finding all these amazingly valuable signed, first edition works. It's just been sitting there all these years. I agree that it might not be great for young kids and it does get really busy at times. But, it is worth a trip if you are in the area.

 

[Bob NC]

When purchasing your tickets at the entrance, DEFINITELY sign up for a 'behind the scenes' tour. Schedule the tour for a couple hours after your arrival.

When you go to the actual house, enter and rent the earphones and take the self directed walking tour of the house. Then after a little break you'll be ready to join your directed tour. You go to parts of the building that you can't see on the 'self' tour. Very informative and interesting.

Then head for the Biltmore Winery!!!!

 

[Tiggerkeeper]

We go often and it never gets old. DD's choral group sang there Christmas and we took the "behind the scenes tour". I second the recommendation of that tour! You get to see areas not open to the general public. There are several unrestored rooms that you get to view and you get a more detailed explanation of some of the "modern" thinking that went into building the house.

All of the restaurants on the estate are wonderful. The gardens in spring are beautiful. There is so much to do. We even "stomped" grapes at the winery on one of our visits!!

Definitely wear comfortable shoes!!

 

[shortbun]

Oh, and see "Being There" before you go. Lots was filmed
at the estate and you'll recognize it. We've been several
times and love it. I think the most interesting was the plumbing...
really. The bathrooms each had their own-a first in that era.
The Library is facinating and the artwork amazing! The first time
we went, we couldn't do it all. I agree that the gardens are
beautiful and to wear comfortable shoes a must. For some reason, this "oplulence" didn't bug me as often happens. The family history and process of building the place are just so involved; it's a piece of American History.

 

[stitch79]

I've been a couple times. We stay in the cabins that are available for rent in Maggie Valley, a small town about 30 mins outside of Asheville. Its close to Cherokee and some other small towns that are great to visit too.

The estate is great! I love historic houses and even though it isn't cheap to go, its absolutely worth it. We are trying to learn more about wines, so we enjoy the winery tours and tasting because they help you understand what you should be looking for in wines.

If you have any questions I'd be happy to help! The place we booked our cabins, in case anyone is interested is www.carolinavacations.com, I highly recommend them.

Enjoy!

 

[Cruisin]

We went last summer. We thought that it was a beautiful place. Nice to tour and look at, pretty flowers etc.
But we thought it was a tad too pricey. You could almost spend a day at Disney for what they charge to get in.
We enjoyed it but I don't think I would go again.