Biltmore Estate
Oct 16th, 2012, 05:31 PM
#1
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Biltmore Estate
We are planning a visit to the Smoky Mountains/Gatlinburg over Christmas Break or in May.
We have been there several times. My wife and I have not been to Biltmore ever, while our 19 year old daughter was there for just a 1 or 2 hour visit a couple of years ago with a school group.
It appears that it would take most if not a full day to tour. Not for sure if we should do one of the "behind the scene tours" or go at Christmas and do the "candlelight tour" or what. Then looking at the dining options, I'm even more confused. 7 or 8 choices, but a lot of them say 30 or 45 minutes from Biltmore. I'm not for sure what it means Biltmore Estate or Biltmore House or Biltmore Inn. I don't see any maps on the website. To many choices, in my opinion.
So, what to do?
We have been there several times. My wife and I have not been to Biltmore ever, while our 19 year old daughter was there for just a 1 or 2 hour visit a couple of years ago with a school group.
It appears that it would take most if not a full day to tour. Not for sure if we should do one of the "behind the scene tours" or go at Christmas and do the "candlelight tour" or what. Then looking at the dining options, I'm even more confused. 7 or 8 choices, but a lot of them say 30 or 45 minutes from Biltmore. I'm not for sure what it means Biltmore Estate or Biltmore House or Biltmore Inn. I don't see any maps on the website. To many choices, in my opinion.
So, what to do?
Oct 16th, 2012, 07:30 PM
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We went to Biltmore at Christmas a few years ago and did both a regular house tour and a behind-the-scenes tour. The latter was quite interesting and well worth it. I don't remember if the regular house tour was candlelight or not, but the decorations were very nice.
The pipe organ was playing and I enjoyed it so much I bought a CD of Christmas carols played on it.
The pipe organ was playing and I enjoyed it so much I bought a CD of Christmas carols played on it.
Oct 17th, 2012, 05:51 AM
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I can highly recommend that you get the audio tour if you choose to do the regular self guided admission. It not only gives lots of extra room details, but also includes lots of stories of people who lived there and events that took place. We were there in the spring, so the gardens were especially pretty to tour. We ate lunch at the Stable Cafe, which was right at the entrance to the home, and enjoyed it.
We did not have time for any specialty tours but I would imagine they would be great if you have the time. The home is just spectacular.
We did not have time for any specialty tours but I would imagine they would be great if you have the time. The home is just spectacular.
Oct 17th, 2012, 06:37 AM
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My parents' church choir sang in the Palm Court in the evening one Christmas-it was magic. I highly rec ommend going after dark.
Asheville has lots of great restaurants but not all are on the Biltmaore property. I like to stay in town and drive out to Biltmore when I visit.
Asheville has lots of great restaurants but not all are on the Biltmaore property. I like to stay in town and drive out to Biltmore when I visit.
Oct 19th, 2012, 04:35 PM
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The Biltmore Inn is on the estate. It is lovely but it is pretty pricey. There are several dining options on the estate , we like to eat down by the winery. There are lots of things to do on the estate besides touring the house. There are many trails you can walk on and tour the greenhouse, winery, etc... Downtown Asheville is close to the estate and there are so many restaurants there , see some of the postings about Asheville. I would guess it is 15-20minutes to get out of the estate and downtown if traffic is good. The behind the scenes tour is the way to go and you could just make a full day of it. Hope you have fun!
Oct 19th, 2012, 05:57 PM
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It is lovely but it is pretty pricey.
Since I visited 35 years ago, Biltmore has dreamed up countless ways to fleece the public, and they like to rub it in that they are taking you to the cleaners by adding $15 to the $49 admission price if you don't buy 7 days in advance. What other reputable attraction has such a creepy policy? None I want to visit.
If you go, look to downtown for good hospitality and respite from snobbishness.
HTtY
Since I visited 35 years ago, Biltmore has dreamed up countless ways to fleece the public, and they like to rub it in that they are taking you to the cleaners by adding $15 to the $49 admission price if you don't buy 7 days in advance. What other reputable attraction has such a creepy policy? None I want to visit.
If you go, look to downtown for good hospitality and respite from snobbishness.
HTtY
Oct 20th, 2012, 04:05 PM
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We stayed in the Inn on Builtmore on the grounds a few years ago and enjpoyed it very much . . we did the Segways' for the first time . . their instructor was very good! We were there three days and found something interesting to do all of them.
The wine is mediocre, but not the worst we have encountered.
We spent the last day wandering about Ashville and enjoyed that also
The wine is mediocre, but not the worst we have encountered.
We spent the last day wandering about Ashville and enjoyed that also
Oct 20th, 2012, 04:33 PM
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No Spiro,
Poster P_M is going to Biltmore too.
I visited a few years ago and hit unrelentingly rainy weather over my 10 day vacation. I drove the Blueridge Parkway on the only sunny day and went home 4 days early.
My visit to Biltmore was on a day when it was pouring down rain almost the entire day. When I got to the top of the parking lot and saw the house, my first thought was "oh, he built a mini-Chambourd." I was a bit disillusioned.
Very unfortunatley for me, it was a school holiday (I had no clue) and the place was jam-packed with families doing the Biltmore as a rainy day holiday activity. The first floor was so crowded (and I was there at opening) that you actually could not move. You were sucked along a pre-determined path that lead you to a spot where you were herded to have your picture taken with people in period costumes (which of course you could buy later). I said NO THANKS, I just want to get out of here!
I headed up to the other floors and saw the indoor swimming pool using my audio guide. Audio guide was good. Other floors were interesting, but not as spectacular as the main floor. Too bad you couldn't see the main floor past all the heads.
Went to the winery and waited an hour in line to taste. I thought I might be in trouble when the "host" answering questions as people waited, explained that most of their grapes are grown out of state and the wine is made in a factory in Oakland, CA. Uhoh.
It was quite poor and extremely overpriced for what it was.
The acreage of the estate looked absolutely gorgeous and if the weather had allowed I would have enjoyed a hike and horseback or bike riding.
Personally I like Hearst Castle much much better. So much more interesting to me.
Hopefully you will have a better experience!
I did have a fabulous Italian meal in Asheville. I'll see if I can find the name of the restaurant for you.
Poster P_M is going to Biltmore too.
I visited a few years ago and hit unrelentingly rainy weather over my 10 day vacation. I drove the Blueridge Parkway on the only sunny day and went home 4 days early.
My visit to Biltmore was on a day when it was pouring down rain almost the entire day. When I got to the top of the parking lot and saw the house, my first thought was "oh, he built a mini-Chambourd." I was a bit disillusioned.
Very unfortunatley for me, it was a school holiday (I had no clue) and the place was jam-packed with families doing the Biltmore as a rainy day holiday activity. The first floor was so crowded (and I was there at opening) that you actually could not move. You were sucked along a pre-determined path that lead you to a spot where you were herded to have your picture taken with people in period costumes (which of course you could buy later). I said NO THANKS, I just want to get out of here!
I headed up to the other floors and saw the indoor swimming pool using my audio guide. Audio guide was good. Other floors were interesting, but not as spectacular as the main floor. Too bad you couldn't see the main floor past all the heads.
Went to the winery and waited an hour in line to taste. I thought I might be in trouble when the "host" answering questions as people waited, explained that most of their grapes are grown out of state and the wine is made in a factory in Oakland, CA. Uhoh.
It was quite poor and extremely overpriced for what it was.
The acreage of the estate looked absolutely gorgeous and if the weather had allowed I would have enjoyed a hike and horseback or bike riding.
Personally I like Hearst Castle much much better. So much more interesting to me.
Hopefully you will have a better experience!
I did have a fabulous Italian meal in Asheville. I'll see if I can find the name of the restaurant for you.
Oct 20th, 2012, 06:01 PM
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The Grove Park Inn is worth a visit. It is an attractive historic hotel that is supposed to have some nice dining options.
If you go at Christmas, note that the National Gingerbread House Competition & Display will be in progress November 17 through January 2. Some of them are quite elaborate.
If you go at Christmas, note that the National Gingerbread House Competition & Display will be in progress November 17 through January 2. Some of them are quite elaborate.
Oct 21st, 2012, 08:12 AM
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Spiro,
After all these years in Fodorville, I think I know you a little!
Jubilada, I didn't mean to give the impression you should skip the Biltmore Estate. Just check for state/school holidays, make your res the 7 days ahead to get the lower price (I did think the admission was very high) and DON'T DRINK THE WINE!
I'll be the first to admit my experience was far from an ideal day. Even so, I wouldn't make the effort to return.
After all these years in Fodorville, I think I know you a little!
Jubilada, I didn't mean to give the impression you should skip the Biltmore Estate. Just check for state/school holidays, make your res the 7 days ahead to get the lower price (I did think the admission was very high) and DON'T DRINK THE WINE!
I'll be the first to admit my experience was far from an ideal day. Even so, I wouldn't make the effort to return.
Oct 21st, 2012, 12:58 PM
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Ashville is a little out of our way when we make the twice yearly trek up North, but we will likely visit again. We did not get to see the gardens in bloom and would like to do that sometime. The inn is a great hotel and there is a lot to do.
Oct 22nd, 2012, 10:41 AM
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I was just at Biltmore a month ago and as a Californian, I agree with the suggestions to skip the wine for the most part. They do actually grow and make the Chardonnay there, but none of the reds. The Chard is OK, but overpriced.
Also it's good advice above to get your ticket at least 7 days in advance. Even 1 day in advance will save you some money.
I thought the food at the Bistro, next to the winery was pretty good. They have non-Biltmore wines on the list as well, but again on the pricey side.
The estate is worth the visit if you have the time, but Hearst Castle it is not.
Also it's good advice above to get your ticket at least 7 days in advance. Even 1 day in advance will save you some money.
I thought the food at the Bistro, next to the winery was pretty good. They have non-Biltmore wines on the list as well, but again on the pricey side.
The estate is worth the visit if you have the time, but Hearst Castle it is not.
Oct 22nd, 2012, 11:45 AM
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We went at Christmas time 3 years ago. We got the tickets where you get in for a night tour (with everything lit up, etc. ) and then you are able to go in the next day as well (on the same ticket)and do the audio tour. We liked it very much, even though it is expensive. We ate at the restaurant right there that is in the old stables and it was good.
