How Does It Work?
Biltmore House was created to run as smoothly as any grand hotel of the Gilded Age for the Vanderbilts and their guests.
All the technological marvels of the time are here for your enjoyment and exploration. Click here to view an interactive map of the estate »
To Begin:
Reserve your stay now at our four-star Inn on Biltmore Estate. We offer excellent packages. You might also reserve one of the Asheville-area hotel Biltmore packages available through our Asheville hotel partners.
Check-in the afternoon of your arrival and begin your visit of discovery right away—you won’t want to miss any of the estate’s amazing details.
- Make your first stop our Antler Hill Village and soak up the ambience of this charming 15-acre setting.
- The village also includes the Farm. Browse through vintage farm equipment and tools, plus displays of traditional trades. Spend time talking to our resident blacksmith and learn about the ancient anvil language that only a few people in the world still know how to “speak.”
- 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. The Winery was originally an estate dairy barn, so look for architectural interest and details such as the clock tower.
- Enjoy a rare piece of transportation technology: look for the Vanderbilt’s 1913 Stevens-Duryea “Model C-Six” seven-passenger touring car on display at the winery.
- Experts believe this vintage automobile is one of only about 10 of its kind left in the world today.
- Enjoy dinner at Cedric’s Tavern surrounded by archival photographs related to the Vanderbilt’s favorite family pet—a St. Bernard named Cedric.
- Enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep at the Inn on Biltmore Estate or with one of our partner hotels offering a Biltmore Package.
Biltmore House: A Technological Marvel
- Enjoy a breakfast of coffee and delicious pastries at The Bake Shop next to Biltmore House. Look around the Stable Courtyard area at the original cobblestones and the master clock that once kept the entire estate running on time.
- Purchase our Audio Tour Guide (included in some of our hotel packages!), 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, systems inside the house, and life on the estate.
- Look for the construction exhibition in the Halloween Room. Archival images give a sense of the enormous scale required to create Biltmore House and some of the fascinating aspects of the work itself.
- Allow plenty of time to enjoy the experience, and be sure to ask our Guest Relations Hosts any questions you may have.
- Consider taking our Butler's Tour—it takes you close-up to the technological details inside Biltmore House in a small group setting. Here are some highlights of your tour:
- Indoor plumbing was unusual in 1895—and Biltmore House has more than 40 bathrooms!
- Biltmore House was wired for electricity in 1895, but electricity wasn’t yet available in the area.
- The cook could prepare many things ahead of time because the kitchen had an innovative refrigeration system.
- For lunch, try the Stable Café located next to Biltmore House. This was the original stable area for horses, and you can enjoy your meal from historic box stalls that have become booths.
An Afternoon To Remember
- Not all of Biltmore’s technological marvels are located indoors. Beginning with the Library Terrace, immerse yourself in the gardens designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. From the Library Terrace all the way to the Bass Pond, experience a series of formal and informal gardens—each with its own story to tell.
- The Conservatory is a great example of a functional, beautiful space. Modern computerization helps the original water collection systems function more effectively. Stroll through the exotic blooms and buds that can only survive under protective glass.
- The Bass Pond marks the end of Olmsted’s more formal landscaping. Take your time and imagine the engineering skill involved in creating these original water elements and courses more than a century ago, when the work was done mostly by hand.
- On your way back to the inn, enjoy a leisurely dinner at the Bistro. This elegant restaurant features estate-raised and locally sourced products.
Next Day
- If you’re staying at the Inn on Biltmore Estate, be sure to indulge in a leisurely morning with the Chef’s breakfast buffet at the inn. Check out The Spa and see if you can recognize the inspiration for its beautiful interior. Hint: it incorporates many architectural details from Biltmore House.
- Return to Biltmore House for a Legacy of the Land Tour. During this informative and comfortable motor coach tour, you’ll learn more about the history of the land itself and Vanderbilt’s vision for his estate.
- Highlights include the construction railroad built—and removed—from the property, and the Bass Pond flume—a state-of-the-art original construction element that has helped keep the pond draining properly.
- 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 was engineered to remain higher than the level of the river from which it was created.
Remember:
We offer complimentary daily decorating how-to seminars at A Gardener’s Place (seasonal shop; open late March–December 31) for our guests. This is a fun way to meet our staff and learn some inside tips. Consider becoming a Twelve-Month Passholder to enjoy Biltmore 365 days a year. Learn more about Twelve-Month Passes.
