Spend a day at Biltmore in Asheville

What's your favorite thing to do when you're in Asheville?

Is it eating at one of the city's award-winning restaurants? Is it hiking in the mountains that surround town or kayaking on the French Broad River? Do you brewery hop or explore the numerous independent shops downtown? Or are you more of a history buff who delights in seeing the early 20th-century architecture that makes Asheville so unique?

We have a hard time choosing, too, but we'd never visit "The Paris of the South" without a trip to America’s Largest Home®, Biltmore. And there is nowhere we'd rather stay than less than a quarter-mile from the grounds at The Residences at Biltmore.

To help you make the most of your visit, we’ve compiled a full day’s itinerary just for our guests to enjoy the best the Estate - and our suites - have to offer.

First Things First: Breakfast

It’s the most important meal of the day, so we would usually suggest grabbing Southern-inspired breakfast at our on-site restaurant. However, Azalea Bar & Kitchen is temporarily closed. Our concierge will be happy to suggest a nearby restaurant for breakfast, so be sure to ask.

Insider tip: Be sure to wear comfy shoes, because you’ll be doing a lot of walking.

Morning: Arrive at the Estate

If you’ve already bought your tickets, drive on through the entrance to the parking lot and start your Biltmore adventure. If you haven’t bought your tickets, head over to the Ticketing Sales Center to buy them. You must have a reservation to enter the house, and there is a discount if you buy your ticket online.

Your first order of business after parking should be touring the house. Make sure to check the house’s website for important updates on other requirements for guests, including current mask mandates and what you can - and can’t - bring with you.

Plan for at least 2 hours to see the entire house. The cost of standard admission covers an audio-guided tour, during which you’ll see several stories of the house - including the basement. Knowledgeable house “interpreters” are stationed in most rooms to answer questions as you move along.

Insider tip: Use the restroom in the stable area before entering the house, because there are no public restrooms once you’re inside.

Leaving the house doesn’t mean your day is over! There is so much to do on the 8,000 acres of grounds. Grab a snack at one of the cafes in the stable area, then head over to the garden and marvel over the rows and rows of beautiful flowers on display. Every spring, the gardens and Conservatory erupt in color and seasonal flowers like tulips, roses, and dogwood and redbud trees.

Beginning March 3, Biltmore’s Amherst at Deerpark™ exhibition space is hosting Italian Renaissance Alive, an immersive exhibit that features works of Michelangelo, Botticelli, Caravaggio, and other Italian masters. The experience lasts about 45 minutes, and the cost is included with Biltmore admission.

Afternoon: Get Active

After a stroll through the gardens, walk or drive to one of the numerous trails on the property. We suggest a trip to the Bass Pond where you can rest and watch the ripples on the water. If you’re up for a hike, there are nearly 22 miles of trails throughout the rolling hills and green landscapes of the Biltmore Estate. Each trail has its own natural wonders to behold, but the Lagoon Trail offers a magnificent view of the back of the house, as well as another relaxing spot for resting or picnicking around the lagoon or the French Broad River. There are even parking spots, so that’s one less thing to worry about.

Want a closer view of the house from the back? From the Lagoon Trail, navigate to the Deer Park Trail. You’ll end up just behind the gardens. Taking the Lagoon Trail in the opposite direction leads to Antler Hill Village, where the winery, shops, farm, and Outdoor Adventure Center are located. This spring marks the return of guided trail rides on horseback and carriage rides, as well as raft and kayak trips along the French Broad River.

If you’ve still got time on your hands, the Outdoor Adventure Center offers numerous experiences for you to reserve, like sporting clays lessons, falconry, fly-fishing, guided trail rides, and more. There’s even a Land Rover off-roading adventure you can take. The Farmyard offers up-close and hands-on interactions with animals such as chickens, goats, lambs, and more. It’s a great place for the kids, and not far from the Pisgah Playground, where kids can run off some energy and have creative play.

Insider tip: Ask the concierge at The Residences at Biltmore for information about a 10% discount on a Land Rover Experience.

Evening: Wind Down

No visit to Antler Hill Village is complete without a tour of Biltmore’s winery and a stop in the tasting room for samples. Sit back and enjoy the sounds of live music at the Bandstand, or do some people-watching while you relax on the lawn of the Village Green.

After a long day of living like the Vanderbilts, be sure to ask our concierge to make reservations for dinner at one of Asheville's numerous award-winning restaurants, like Chai Pani (pro tip: The Indian street food restaurant won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant in 2022, so reservations are a must). After dinner, retreat to the comfort of your suite to cuddle up by the fireplace, take a long soak in one of our Jacuzzi baths, or break out some board games to play with the family. Then have sweet dreams as you drift off to sleep with the memories of a day at Biltmore fresh in your mind.

Are you ready to book your spring getaway to Asheville with us? Call for more information: 1-888-786-3648