Biltmore Estate - worth $60 each???

[iluveeyore]

DH and I are going to the Bristol, TN Nascar race soon, and were looking for something to do for a few days afterwards. Would love to drive down to Disney, but not really in our budget right now (we're saving to go at Christmas!). Saw the beautiful Biltmore Estate tours in Asheville, NC only an hour further from Bristol - but $60 each to visit, really?? Is it worth it?? That's almost a day's admission to Disney parks! Anyone been???

 

[Suz D]

We've been and enjoyed it very much but I wouldn't pay $60.00 each to visit. Check around because we got a great coupon deal when we went at spring break a couple of years ago and got in for around $15.00/each.

It really IS amazing to visit!

 

[LJC1861]

Biltmore, in my opinion is worth the price of admission. In addition to the house, which is magnificent in its grandeur, you can tour the grounds, the gardens, the farm and the new Antler Hill Village shopping/dining area nearby. In addition there is the Biltmore Winery which offers free wine tasting daily.

Biltmore is the largest privately owned home in the country. They take no federal money at all, hence the fairly high cost of admission. It is a spectacular place to visit any time of year, but particularly in the springtime. They have a flower and garden festival every year which runs through most of April and May with hundreds of thousands of tulips and other flowers planted around the estate.

If you are at all adventurous they offer Segway tours (one of the BEST I have taken as they let you go full speed...), Land Rover tours, horseback riding, and kayak excursions. There are beautiful walking trails throughout the property including a 1+ mile walk from the gardens down to the bass pond which takes you through the azalea garden.

Dining on property, while a bit expensive is wonderful with restaurants to appeal to many different price ranges.

The winery tour is very interesting and included in the price of your admission. The wine tasting is fun, and the adjacent gift shop makes it very easy to purchase a new found favorite.

If you do go, I recommend getting the audio tour in the house. It gives bits of information and wonderful stories of life for the Vanderbilt family when they lived in the house. I do recommend going early in the day, as it can get crowded especially during the spring and summer months.

If you need or want any additional information about Biltmore, Asheville or the surrounding area, PLEASE do not hesitate to ask. I love sharing all sorts of information about my town.

Linda

 

[cvjw]

Check AAA - I think I paid around $40 for tickets a couple of years ago. Yes, it is worth a visit. We really enjoyed it. Try to go on a less crowded day - we went at Christmas time one year and it was insane.

 

[pamrob]

We visited years ago, maybe 14, and the price then was $25. I remember thinking that the price was high. But after touring the property I was very happy I did. I understand they have opened even more areas. Look for a discount but definitely go. It's amazing.

 

[drfamtrip2010]

Yes! It's totally worth the cost. You can get a great discount on tickets from the Comfort Suites in the Biltmore Mall, and you don't have to stay there to buy the tix. I think they were $45, but that included 2 FULL DAYS of admission to the property, plus a FREE wine tasting!
Also, It's not just the main house, but the entire property. Including the gardens, shops, restaurants, fishing lakes, carriage rides, the winery, the farm, bike rides, etc. Some of these things cost a little extra, but most don't. Enjoy!!

 

[howlongtildisney]

DH and I just spent the weekend in Asheville. The Biltmore is impressive, definitely worth the money to visit. I got $5 off by booking the tickets online instead of buying at the gate.

 

[neatokimmo]

I vote no way. It is a pretty estate, but $60? Really?

You'll be 100 miles from Pigeon Forge roughly, I'd go see the Beijing Acrobats or outlet shop. If you want to prolong your trip, you'll be 400 miles from Myrtle beach too.

 

[mrsklamc]

Linda- I guess this is kinda on topic since it's in the area How are the prices at the J Crew outlet?

 

[LJC1861]

I have NO idea! Although we lived just down the road from the warehouse for awhile we never went to any of the sales.

Sorry.....

 

[jacksmom]

We love going to Biltmore House! It makes for a great day! I do think they offer a AAA discount! Also, Myrtle Beach or Pigeon Forge are good ideas! We live 3-4 hours from them all!

 

[Carswell Family]

I live about an hour from Asheville. Biltmore is a great trip. Like others, look for discounts- AAA does offer them. I could not tell from your post if you have children- but lately, Biltmore has been offering kids 16 and under for free-so you would only pay for the adult tickets. Also, they may also offer, if you arrive after 3:00 pm, you get in free the next day.
It is an all day trip- previous post stated a lot you can do there.
There are many PRICELESS antiques in the house, that you will never see elsewhere. Many movies have been filmed there in the house and on the Estate. If you are there when one is being filmed, they don't close the house, you get to watch the filming too.

A good tour is the Behind the Scenes tour- costs a little more, but so interesting.

The food there is excellent. I have personally worked in the kitchens as part of summer culinary institutes- and I can vouch that the food in the different restaurants is great.

As far as Myrtle Beach- from Asheville, you are several hours away. (Go to Pigeon Forge- it is just like Myrtle Beach without the ocean....at least that is what my family calls it "Myrtle Beach of the Mountains")

There are other great activities in Asheville if you need any other tips, please ask.

Elizabeth Carswell
North Carolina

 

[neatokimmo]

(Go to Pigeon Forge- it is just like Myrtle Beach without the ocean....at least that is what my family calls it "Myrtle Beach of the Mountains")

Never thought of it that way but it is so true!

 

[FoundMyPrince]

DH and I visited three years ago and loved it. We did the tour of the home and the audio tour (if you take the tour, you must do the audio portion so as not to be "lost"). It's a lot of money, but I would do it again without our children (they wouldn't have enjoyed the tour).

We also ate at one of the restaurants on the grounds and it was wonderful!

For the record, we made a day trip of the Biltmore while visiting Gatlinburg. We enjoyed the Smokey Mountains, but didn't care for Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge at all (very "touristy" - not much was unique).

 

[shalom]

but $60 each to visit, really?? Is it worth it?? That's almost a day's admission to Disney parks! Anyone been???

You can usually find a discount, via coupons or the Go Blue Ridge Card (if you're likely to be in the area for a while/again that year), AAA, etc. I'd totally do it, myself, however I would not pay for most of my kids because I doubt they'd enjoy it. Some kids would love it, just not all of mine. If you like beautiful homes, antiques, or gardens, worth going.

 

[Inigo]

We went a year ago this month, and loved it. It was beautiful. We got discount tickets through the hotel we stayed at so we paid something like $35-40 each.

DD(then 18) and her friends also went that direction on their spring break trip. We bought 2 day tickets for DH and myself, and since only DD and one friend wanted to do the Biltmore, they meet us the next morning, and they used the second day of the tickets.

 

[shortbun]

Look, I LOVE the Biltmore and have been there several times but if you have to ask, I say no. Seems you are in a big budget mode which is fine and great but maybe a $120 is not in the cards, eh?

I would pay it for myself.

 

[etraible]

I was mapquesting something else, and they have a big warning for Asheville:

Note to I-40 Travelers in the vicinity of Asheville, NC: Both directions of I-40 are closed between Exit 20, West of Asheville in North Carolina, and Exit 421 (I-81 Interchange) East of Knoxville in Tennessee due to a rock slide at mile marker 2.6 on I-40 in North Carolina. The road is not expected to reopen for several months. You can drag your route to avoid this section of highway or use the official NCDOT Detour: Motorists traveling on I-40 West are advised to take Exit 53B, I-240 West. Follow I-240 West to Exit 4A, I-26 West. Follow I-26 West (a North Carolina Scenic Highway) to I-81 South. Take I-81 South and follow back to I-40, Mile Marker 421, in Tennessee. This route is 53 miles longer than I-40. We also recommend visiting the NCDOT Travel site for additional information. For your safety, always obey local construction and detour signs.

Plan your route accordingly and expect major delays.

Biltmore does look awesome, by the way.

 

[vicb]

We did the Biltmore last year and no way do I remember it costing that much! We went in Feb (it was cold that day and nothing was in bloom) with my in-laws who had annual passes so perhaps there was a deal through them I just can't remember.

We did enjoy our stay, renting the headsets is a must! Our two teens actually ended up enjoying their day a lot. We also toured the winery, watched a chocolate making demo in the kitchen and got to eat samples (yum), we had lunch at the restaurant at the winery, we toured the farm area, watched a cool blacksmith and visited the petting area.

I would also recommend visiting the Grove Park Inn. We toured the Gingerbread House display one year between Christmas and NYE. It was an unusually warm day so we bought drinks and enjoyed them on the deck, the view is stunning. You can just go there to tour and have a drink which is not costly, meals and staying there are.

 

[LJC1861]

vicb,

If you went to Biltmore in February it WAS cheaper! It is always less expensive to visit in the winter. Also, if you have friends/relatives with annual passes they can get a certain number of discounted tickets per year.

Linda