Garden Lovers Itinerary
George Vanderbilt was as meticulous about his gardens as he was about everything else. He brought Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of American landscape architecture, to Biltmore and the results were as spectacular then as they are today. Click here to view an interactive map of the estate »
Dig In
Stay with us at our four-star Inn on Biltmore Estate, which is set in the midst of its own beautiful grounds and woods. Arrive the night before your visit begins so you can get an early start the next morning—you won’t want to miss any of the estate’s amazing garden details.- Make your first stop our new Antler Hill Village. Visit the Kitchen Garden with the dew still on it. This one-acre garden showcases fragrant herbs and vegetables used by our restaurants. Then, enjoy coffee and pastries at the Creamery.
- Soak up the ambience of this charming 15-acre village full of beautiful container gardens, new and historic trees, and plenty of perennials.
- Look for the Persian ironwood tree planting—the parent is just outside the Gardener’s Cottage in the Walled Garden.
- Experience an intimate look at historic Biltmore and the family that created it with The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad, our new exhibition at the Biltmore Legacy in Antler Hill Village. Included in your Biltmore admission, this exhibition sheds light on the time that the Vanderbilts spent together at Biltmore and beyond.
- Your next stop should be the Winery for a guided tour and complimentary wine tasting.
- Return to the inn for an elegant dinner in The Dining Room, which features fresh and creative culinary favorites along with world-class service.
- Enjoy another peaceful night’s sleep in the heart of the estate. Inn on Biltmore Estate is the only hotel on the property, and sits atop Antler Hill, which lends its name to the new village just below.
Biltmore House
- Get an early start on your Biltmore House & Gardens visit. Be sure to enjoy the Approach Road as you travel toward the house. Each twist and turn was carefully planned to bring visitors a sense of leaving the city behind them and moving farther into the woods.
- Look for stands of bamboo, which give a lush, tropical feel to the road. According to landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, “People coming from New York to Biltmore in the winter or spring must be made to feel that they are decidedly closer to the sun.”
- When you arrive, enjoy delicious breakfast pastries and fair-trade coffee at the Bake Shop in the Stable Courtyard at Biltmore House.
- Purchase our Audio Tour Guide, which covers all rooms open to the public in Biltmore House. Be sure to check out each in-depth information stop for more details on the Vanderbilt family and life on the estate.
- Look for fresh floral arrangements and live plants inside the house and at the front entrance. Many exotic plants are brought in from the Conservatory, and you may even catch a glimpse of our Floral staff at work.
- Allow plenty of time to enjoy the experience, and be sure to ask our Guest Relations Hosts any questions you may have.
Experience Our Historic Gardens
- Immerse yourself in the “outdoor rooms” designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. From the Library Terrace to the Bass Pond, experience a series of formal and informal gardens—each with its own story to tell.
- Savor the beautiful green Tennis Lawn bordered by the Pergola and Shrub Garden. Rolling Blue Ridge views to the south complete this picture-perfect setting.
- The Conservatory is a great example of a functional, beautiful space. Stroll through the exotic blooms and buds that can only survive under protective glass.
- Just below the Conservatory, take advantage of some great gardening shopping at A Gardener’s Place. This unique shop offers both gifts and plants—many of which are exclusive to Biltmore.
- Enjoy daily complimentary “how-to” seminars at A Gardener’s Place, located below the Conservatory. (A Gardener’s Place is open seasonally from late March–December 31.)
- Continue through our gardens, including the Spring Garden, which is often overlooked.
- As you visit the Azalea Garden imagine yourself in the role of “azalea hunter”, collecting rare specimens like Biltmore’s Chauncey Beadle
- Look for Historic and Champion Trees such as China firs and the second generation of Cornelia Vanderbilt’s “baby tree” (a cucumber magnolia planted in honor of her birth in 1900.) Learn more about our trees.
- Continue all the way down to the Bass Pond, experiencing less formal gardens and landscaping as you move farther away from Biltmore House.
- On your way back to the inn, enjoy a leisurely dinner at the Bistro. This restaurant features estate-raised and locally sourced products including edible flowers and herbs in season from our own Kitchen Garden.
Next Day
- As a guest at our inn, indulge in a leisurely morning with the Chef’s breakfast buffet at the inn. Check out The Spa and treat yourself to luxurious treatments such as a Rose Petal Facial and Rose Petal Pedicure inspired by our historic gardens.
- Return to Biltmore House for a Legacy of the Land Tour. In this informative and comfortable motor coach tour, you’ll travel across the estate, learning more about the history of the land itself and Vanderbilt’s vision for Biltmore.
- Following your tour, make time for lunch at Cedric's Tavern.
- As you leave Biltmore, pause for reflection—literally—at the Lagoon. This water element was created as a mirror for the west side of the house and is beautiful any time of year.
Remember:
Biltmore is stunning in every season, but no true garden lover should miss our annual Festival of Flowers each spring. Consider the value of becoming a Twelve-Month Passholder so you can enjoy the beauty of Biltmore every season.
