How should I dress for Biltmore?
Biltmore Estate does not have a dress code, and most of our visitors wear casual attire. We recommend dressing for the weather and wearing layers as Biltmore House is not air conditioned nor does it get overly warm in the winter.
Two days are recommended because there is so much to see and do on our 8,000-acre estate: the house, gardens, Winery, working farm, and a variety of outdoor activities, shops, and exceptional dining options.
With a daytime ticket, you'll still be able to enjoy the grounds, which includes admission to the glittering Antler Hill light displays after the sunsets. You'll save a few dollars by booking daytime tickets; you just won't be able to walk through Biltmore House itself after dark.
Backpacks are allowed inside of Biltmore House. There is not a coat check or a place to store umbrellas, so make sure you are able to carry anything you bring into the House with you.
Resort Casual in its simplest terms means casual clothing that is appropriate for the resort (when you are not at the beach). Resort casual is usually a daytime look worn for activities and even if you are exploring.
It typically takes guests between six and eight hours to fully enjoy all of that their ticket includes (it usually takes between 90 minutes and two hours to complete the self-guided visit of Biltmore House itself).
If denim is your preference, dark denim is appropriate. *Shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, and faded denims are not appropriate nor permitted.
Whether you're at Biltmore for the day or you're a Biltmore Annual Passholder, exploring Biltmore's 22 miles of trails is an excellent way to get some outdoor exercise.
It's about an easy mile walk round-trip from the house. Find a network of walking paths to explore.
Alternatively, if you arrive after 4:30 p.m., you can return the next day to enjoy the rest of the estate. We recommend checking current hours of operation for helpful information on planning a full day or longer at Biltmore.
How do the Biltmore time slots work?
The house is generally open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for self-guided tours, and entry times fall every 15 minutes from 9 a.m. to 3:45 pm. Times may vary by day of the year. Advance reservations will not be required for entry to the estate and its grounds — just for tours of the house itself, according to the email.
No driving in front of house, gardens.
The loop as we know it is gone — the stretch of Approach Road in front of the house and the gardens will become pedestrian-only (apart from Biltmore shuttles).
For entry into Biltmore House, all bags, packages, and boxes will be inspected by security personnel. Guests may carry small personal bags no larger than 19″ x 14″ x 9″ inside Biltmore House. If your bag does not meet these requirements, please leave it in your vehicle or ask about storage options.
Face coverings are optional. Guests and employees who prefer to wear a face covering are encouraged to do so.
Only clear, plastic water bottles are permitted inside Biltmore House. Outside alcohol and tailgating—including the use of tents, grills, multiple camping chairs/tables, and large coolers—are not permitted on estate grounds.
Smart casual is an ambiguously defined Western dress code that is generally considered casual wear but with smart (in the sense of "well dressed") components of a proper lounge suit from traditional informal wear.
co*cktail attire is a balance between formal and casual and elegant and comfortable. To an event with this dress code, such as a wedding, men typically wear a suit and tie while women wear a co*cktail dress. “co*cktail attire is meant to bridge the gap between day and night,” explains bridal consultant LauraLee Baird.
Resort Casual at Night
Sometimes, evening dress codes are called “resort chic,” “elegant casual,” “party casual” or “casual chic.” There's no need to wear a suit and tie or a sequined co*cktail dress. Men will be comfortable and blend in when wearing trousers and a collared shirt and women in trousers, a skirt or dress.
No. A ticket must be purchased for entry.
You have to pay the admission fee to get in to the grounds of the estate. The house itself is 2 -3 miles in so you cannot see the house by just driving by. over a year ago.
Is it worth going to Biltmore?
While the price of admission is steep, it's worth it. The mansion is beautiful, as are the grounds. You can spend a whole day. I would recommend the audio tour, which gives you the back story on the Vanderbilts.
During this 50-minute experience, capture the feeling of being guided through Biltmore's grand rooms by our curators and hosts. You'll learn about the Vanderbilts, their guests, and their servants, in addition to the surrounding architecture, design, and artwork.
Biltmore Appraised Value
The appraised value of the 135,000 square foot Biltmore House is about $37 million, according to Buncombe County tax appraisers in 2017. The value of the part of the estate that is open to the public with 2,194 acres, the House, hotels, restaurants, and other buildings exceed $300 million.
If you live in North Carolina during the summer, you can pretty much count on temperatures in the 80s and 90s every day. This is the season for light sundresses, linen separates, and breathable fabrics to keep you comfortable.
The Biltmore audio tour comes from a device that looks like a long television remote (not headphones). Listeners hold it to their ear after they push the # for each location they enter.
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
An easy stroll down our Azalea Garden path leads to this rewarding view of the Bass Pond Waterfall—a picturesque backdrop for many Biltmore proposals.
Is there parking near Biltmore House? Yes. Please use Lots A and B to enjoy an 8- to 10-minute walk to the house and gardens. To see all estate parking lot locations, view our Estate Map.
The Biltmore House parking lots are approximately 1/2-2 miles from Biltmore House. Shuttles run continuously between the parking lots and the house. You may also purchase valet parking which allows you to drop your car off right in front of Biltmore House.
No, The Biltmore House is not air conditioned. The house as designed and built in the late 19th century considered air flow for comfort and this was included in the construction.
What is the best time of day to visit the Biltmore?
Arrive early (9 AM) to avoid crowds and to make the most of your day. Saturdays are the busiest days. The most crowded days of the year are Saturdays in April, May, October, November and December.
Check-in begins at 4 p.m. Check-out time is 11 a.m.
Seniors Save $10
Seniors age 65+ save $10 on regular adult daytime admission at the Reception & Ticketing Sales Center every Tuesday and Wednesday.
Inside Biltmore House
Taking photographs by cell phone or cameras, without flash, is permitted on the self-guided tour for personal use only. No commercial photography is allowed. Photography is not permitted on specialty tours inside Biltmore House.
Passholders get discounts on all aspects of Biltmore including ticket discounts for guests, discounts on tours and activities, on dining and shopping, and lodging, including Village Hotel, The Inn, and Cottage at Biltmore.
The 250-room French Renaissance chateau includes 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces.
Today, Biltmore remains a family business, with the fourth and fifth generations of George Vanderbilt's descendants involved in day-to-day operations. Along with more than 2,000 employees, they continue Biltmore's mission to preserve this national treasure.
During this 50-minute experience, capture the feeling of being guided through Biltmore's grand rooms by our curators and hosts. You'll learn about the Vanderbilts, their guests, and their servants, in addition to the surrounding architecture, design, and artwork.
No, The Biltmore House is not air conditioned. The house as designed and built in the late 19th century considered air flow for comfort and this was included in the construction.
If you live in North Carolina during the summer, you can pretty much count on temperatures in the 80s and 90s every day. This is the season for light sundresses, linen separates, and breathable fabrics to keep you comfortable.
Do you need headphones for Biltmore?
The Biltmore audio tour comes from a device that looks like a long television remote (not headphones). Listeners hold it to their ear after they push the # for each location they enter.
Passholders get discounts on all aspects of Biltmore including ticket discounts for guests, discounts on tours and activities, on dining and shopping, and lodging, including Village Hotel, The Inn, and Cottage at Biltmore.
The Premium House tour is $150.00 per person, plus tax, and meets inside the main entrance of Biltmore House five minutes prior to departure. All specialty guided tours, such as the Premium House Tour, are in addition to your estate admission.
Only clear, plastic water bottles are permitted inside Biltmore House. Outside alcohol and tailgating—including the use of tents, grills, multiple camping chairs/tables, and large coolers—are not permitted on estate grounds.
Mountain-Fresh and Soul-Full. Collard green kimchi, wood-roasted trout, sweet potato-bacon brioche—the inspired menus of Asheville chef John Fleer showcase the best of the seasons and the bounty of the surrounding farmland.
The pool has no filtration, circulation or chemicals. After three days and the biology experiment of heated pool water – they had to drain the pool, clean it and then refill and reheat for the next use. Sadly it no longer holds water but is there for all to see on the tour of the Biltmore Estate.
Bring season-appropriate clothing. In spring and fall you'll need a light jacket or sweater. During summer, you can dress lightly, but be ready for possible cool nights – you are up in the mountains. In winter, bring a medium weight jacket or sweater – a few days get extremely cold.
While it gets a little chillier, you won't need to bundle up. Bring pants, light sweaters and jackets this time of year. You might want to bring a thicker jacket and some gloves for chillier days and nights — especially if you plan on heading to the beach at any time.
Because winter equates to snowy days and low temperatures in the mountains, thick jackets, heavy leggings, and big, bold boots are the way to go. On the coast, you'll find that locals still prefer to stick with a pair of jeans alongside loose sweaters that they layer under a light, yet long, jacket.
