Biltmore Estates?

[luvmy3jewels]

Biltmore is absolutely worth the price of admission, particularly at Christmas!! Another don't miss is eating at the restaurant on site. It is one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at and a lot of the ingredients are grown on the farm! If for nothing else, I would go back just to eat there.

 

[LJC1861]

luvmy3jewels,

There are 3 main restaurants on site with several other smaller "cafe" type restaurants.

The Bistro is probably the finest (in my opinion) and does use as much as they possibly can that is grown on property. This restaurant is located at the winery.

Deerpark is the buffet restaurant. I have never gotten a bad meal here and they also use ingredients grown and raised on the property.

The Stable Cafe is located at the house, in the stable shop area. This is a great spot for lunch. Go early to avoid any kind of wait.

There are also several outdoor restaurants that have heaters to provide warmth and also lots of kiosks serving sandwiches and snacks.

If you venture off the Estate into Biltmore Village there is a WONDERFUL little restaurant called the Corner Kitchen. They offer an early dining package as well as coupons on Restaurant.com. I HIGHLY recommend this restaurant, almost over some of the more expensive restaurants on property. Biltmore Village is also wonderful for some great boutique type shopping.

If you want fast food...yes, the McDonald's located right outside the gate is something of a tourist destination. Marble floors, grand piano, decor that replicates some of the decor on the Estate. It is very cool.

If anyone needs or wants more information on the Estate, or just the area around the estate please do not hesitate to ask.

Linda

 

[rufus jones]

We only live an hour away so we go often. I highly recommend the candlelight Christmas evenings. We usually end up at the Bistro or the Stable Cafe to eat, or head over to Tunnel Road to catch all the chain restaurants.

 

[smkiya]

I just went to their site. Wow! A definate vacation destination. A pp mentioned Dollywood. Is it close? What else is nearby? Next year we're doing Disney again with the Disney Cruise, but the following year this sounds great. I'd like to make it family friendly though. Will it be ok for a 7 and 2 year old? If not maybe me and dh can do a 3 day weekend.

 

[Mom21]

Oh yes go and definitely the winery. It is amazing. I grew up close to there so went often. I love it there. I want to go back.

 

[shortbun]

We've been there a few times and would go back if we were in the area, no doubt. It's a beautiful estate and rich in history. Definetely get the audio tour or take a tour so you hear about all the quirky stuff. We loved that 'Being There' was filmed there and other films too. The Christmas decorations and lights are beautiful. We've never made it to the winery as we spend loads of time in the house and gardens. Maybe sometime we'll go back JUST for the winery!

 

[Jenvenza]

I went two or three time when I lived in NC. It was well worth it! So beautiful! I would definitely give it a try!

 

[tinatark]

It is beautiful - however, where are you staying? I-40 is closed between Asheville/Sevierville - you would need to take a detour - it's well marked, and interstate (I-81, I believe) - adds 30-45 min travel time to the normal 1.5 hrs from Sevierville (exit 407 from I-40) to Asheville.

 

[rufus jones]

It is beautiful - however, where are you staying? I-40 is closed between Asheville/Sevierville - you would need to take a detour - it's well marked, and interstate (I-81, I believe) - adds 30-45 min travel time to the normal 1.5 hrs from Sevierville (exit 407 from I-40) to Asheville.

Forget the interstate and head thru Cherokee and Maggie Valley. It will dump you back onto I-40 just west of Asheville.

 

[LJC1861]

Agreed....you can get back on to the interstate at Exit 20....which is the Maggie Valley Exit.

Linda

 

[CruiserMom]

We are headed to Pigeon Forge the week of Christmas, and are now planning a stop at Biltmore House on the way. Driving from SC, we will get to Asheville probably early afternoon, and spend the night in Asheville, and then travel to Pigeon Forge the next day for the rest of the week.

Is it worth it to get the Candlelight PLUS ticket, which gives you the tour of the house that night with the Christmas stuff, plus a tour of the house the next day? Don't you see everything in the house during the Candlelight tour? I was wondering if it was worth it to go back the next day to tour the house again in the daylight. We would rather just leave Asheville early morning to go on to Pigeon Forge (especially since we have to take the longer detour route).

I should add: DH have been to Biltmore before, years ago, but this will be DD11's first time. She really wants to go, and we are keeping it as a surprise!

 

[kristilew]

I may be remembering this wrong, since other posters haven't mentioned it but fwiw: When I took DD a couple of years ago, I think we got our tickets online and were able to book a time to take the house tour. Sort of like a fastpass window. This helped us avoid the loooong line of folks who had just shown up that day.

It really is beautiful. After touring the house and eating at the Stable cafe(yummy), we went on to check out the working farm area. There was no one else doing this that afternoon, and the woman in charge let DD go into the hen houe and play with the baby chicks, feed goats, curry a donkey, etc. There was also a barn set up nearby with a bunch of old farming equipment which was interesting. And if you like gardening, the greenhouse was pretty impresive.

So I'd vote for the candlelight tour AND going back the next day. You can arrange (in advance) to do a horseback ride or rent bikes and enjoy more of the estate as well.

 

[Jynohn]

We're heading back to the Biltmore Estate for the third time. We'll be there on New Year's Eve, on our way down to Dollywood, and then on to Disney! Yes, it is absolutely worth the price of admission, and definitely worth the money to do both the candlelight tour and the audio tour the next day. The candlelight tour is breathtaking, but it is self-guided and mainly a walk-through. You won't hear many details about the house itself because you'll be too busy admiring all the beautiful Christmas decorations and listening to the holiday music. When you return the following day, you'll be able to take a more in-depth tour and learn more about the workings of the estate.

As for dining, we've eaten both lunch and dinner at the Stable Cafe and really enjoyed both meals. Lunch was fairly casual, and dinner was a bit more up-scale. The cafe was actually once a working stable, that was converted into a restaurant. You can still see where the stalls once were, and many of the tables are inside of the actual stalls. If you have children with you, they'll get a big kick out of it.

Enjoy your visit!

 

[S. C.]

It is well worth it in my opinion. I have never been during Christmas decorations, I hope to some day.

We have been to Biltmore 2x and will go again when we get back in the area.

 

[rufus jones]

Once again everyone coming in on I-40, it isn't supposed to open until Jan. so if your coming to Asheville from the west or towards PF from the east on I-40 you need to plan on taking the I-81 to I-26 detour or use 25/70 thru Newport Tennessee or plan on coming thru Cherokee/Maggie Valley, NC.

 

[Katlyn]

Worth the money Haven't been at Christmas yet but hope to one day