Biltmore Estate experts - Help!
 

Fodorite Friends,

2 questions about the Biltmore Estate--

#1 is the river float worth it?

#2 if DH isn't a big "gardens" guy...but i love pretty outdoor spaces/views/gardens...what are the must-sees in the gardens around the house in mid-summer?

thanks!

Could you clarify your first question.

With respect to the second question, some people like gardens and some don't. If you know you don' like gardens, then it's probably not something you should pay to see. The house itself and the winery are great.

is the river float something special? a must-do on the Biltmore Estate? we are looking for an activity for the day after the house/garden tour, and we are considering the river float.

yes, i like gardens, and DH is willing to go along...to a point. so i'm trying to figure out the best parts of the expansive gardens...so we see the highlights.

thank you for any help you could give us!

I am no expert, but we live nearby and visit a couple of times a year. I have not done the river float. The gardens are amazing and I think you can see more than you think just right off the house, the rose garden should be spectacular then. They do now offer a segway tour - that might be a fun way to spend the afternoon (and perhaps see a little more of the grounds).

Walk down from the house and you will see signs directing you to the various gardens. We were there in April and gorgeous tulips were featured in the garden in front of the conservatory. It is a fast walk around inside the conservatory to see the various plants in there.
The azaleas will be finished blooming when you go , but the rose garden should be nice then.

oh wonderful ideas. thank you!

I wouldn't really want to go to the Biltmore Estate with a list of must see things. I've been going there all of my life and to my thinking it's the kind of thing that you leisurely take your time and enjoy it in a sort of grazing manner. To rush through it would just ruin the whole experience. There will be flyers available for you to read and follow to get to the things that interest you. It's nice to visit anytime, but the house at Christmas is awesome.

In mid-summer you will see a thousand sunflowers with blooms as big as your head growing all along the road between the estate and the village. Whether you like gardens or not it will be hard to resist the temptation to park the car and take pictures with these gigantic beauties.

I agree with the PP. I have been to the Biltmore countless times and seen something different and memorable each time I have been. I think you will be able to just tour the house and then follow your own interests from there as to what leads you along the estate property. It's a lovely tour, no matter where your normal interests may lie!