Visit itinerary: Your guide to Biltmore

From exploring the grand halls of our historic chateau to savoring our handcrafted wines or exploring the rolling hills of our private mountain oasis, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Biltmore!

With so many options to explore, we recommend making the most of your visit by planning to spend two (or more!) full days on Biltmore Estate. This flexible Biltmore visit itinerary is designed to be easily tailored based on your preferences, reservation times, and our current activities and events, allowing you to focus on having fun on our 8,000-acre estate.

Biltmore Italian Garden Pools
Did you know: All estate ticket types allow you to explore the extensive gardens and grounds?

Two-day Biltmore visit itinerary

For a leisurely and immersive visit to Biltmore, we recommend spreading your estate experiences across two full days, where you will have more time (and energy) to truly soak in all that Biltmore has to offer!

Tip: Select ticket types include FREE next-day access to explore the estate’s gardens and grounds, visit the Winery, or add on guided experiences. Be sure to check your admission type or overnight package for this perk and plan to come back the next day to take advantage of even more time to explore the estate.

DAY ONE

🏰 Morning to mid-day: Biltmore House (1.5 to 2 hours)
Step into the grandeur of America’s Largest Home®, Biltmore House, while learning about the history, the fine art and furnishings, and of course, the people, behind this Gilded Age masterpiece. With our Biltmore House tours, you’ll have the opportunity to discover the home and stories through our complimentary Audio Guide or take a deep dive into one of our fascinating expert-guided tours based on your interests.

Tip: Advanced reservations are required for all Biltmore House visits. If your reservation is in the afternoon or early evening, you may choose to explore the Gardens or Antler Hill Village first!

🥗 Early afternoon: Lunch at an Estate Restaurant (1 to 1.5 hours)
Savor a delightful field-to-table meal at one of Biltmore’s distinctive restaurants, including Stable Café, Cedric’s Tavern, Bistro, or Village Social. If casual grab-and-go or picnic is more your style, be sure to stop by The Bake Shop or Biltmore Dairy Bar near Biltmore House, or the Smokehouse food truck or The Creamery in Antler Hill Village. Fine dining is available at our four-star Dining Room at The Inn.

Tip: Dining reservations are highly recommended. If you’re planning to explore the gardens next, we recommend taking advantage of dining options in the Stable Courtyrd area next to Biltmore House.

🌷 Late afternoon: Gardens and Conservatory (1 to 2 hours)
Spend time finding your new favorite flower and indulging your senses with a visit to Biltmore’s historic gardens and glass-ceilinged Conservatory. Admire the meticulously maintained historic greenhouses filled with tropical plants year-round.

Tip: Select ticket types include FREE next-day access to explore the estate’s gardens and grounds, visit the Winery, or add on guided experiences.

DAY TWO

🥗 Mid-day to early afternoon: Lunch at an Estate Restaurant (1 to 1.5 hours)
Savor a delightful field-to-table meal at one of Biltmore’s distinctive restaurants, including Stable Café, Cedric’s Tavern, Bistro, or Village Social. If casual grab-and-go or picnic is more your style, be sure to stop by The Bake Shop or Biltmore Dairy Bar near Biltmore House, or the Smokehouse food truck or The Creamery in Antler Hill Village. Fine dining is available at our four-star Dining Room at The Inn.

Tip: Dining reservations are highly recommended.

🧭 Afternoon: Guided experience (1.5 to 2 hours)

Choose from a variety of expert-guided tours and experiences to help make your visit to Biltmore even more memorable! Consider upgrading your visit to include expert-led tours to rarely accessed areas of Biltmore House, guided (or self-guided) outdoor adventures through our historic landscapes, or even a guided wine tasting featuring locally made chocolate pairings.

Tip: Select ticket types and overnight stay packages include exclusive guided tours of Biltmore House! Be sure to check currently available activities to make the most of your visit.

🥂 Evening: Antler Hill Village and Winery (2+ hours)
Stop by our award-winning winery to toast two fun-filled days at Biltmore with one of our handcrafted estate wines! Linger into the evening in Antler Hill Village, where you can shop for unique gifts, such as gourmet treats, wines, and the perfect mementos, learn about the Vanderbilt family and their life at home and abroad at The Biltmore Legacy, and savor field-to-table dining.

Tip: If you’re traveling with small children, be sure to visit Pisgah Playground, the Farmyard, and Antler Hill Barn for educational family fun for all ages.

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A couple walks hand-in-hand as they approach the entrance to Biltmore's Winery.
Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or want to experience your first wine tasting, be sure to stop by our estate Winery.

One full day Biltmore visit itinerary

If you only have one day to explore our historic estate, here’s what we recommend prioritizing for an action-packed way to experience all that is included in your Biltmore admission.

Tip: Select ticket types include free next-day access to explore the estate’s gardens and grounds, visit the Winery, or add-on guided experiences. Be sure to check your admission type or overnight package for this perk and plan to come back the next day to take advantage of even more time to explore the estate.

🌤️ Morning: Embark on an adventure (1 to 2 hours)
Your estate admission grants you access to come early to explore the gardens, grounds, shops, and more. Take advantage of this quiet time of day to stretch your legs with a morning stroll or bike ride along estate trails, participate in a guided experience through our Outdoor Adventure Center, or arrive early to explore the gardens before your Biltmore House visit.

Tip: Look for special overnight stay packages that feature exclusive early morning visits to Biltmore House.

🥗 Mid-day: Lunch at an estate restaurant (1 to 1.5 hours)
Savor a delightful field-to-table meal at one of Biltmore’s distinctive restaurants, including Stable Café, Cedric’s Tavern, Bistro, or Village Social. If casual grab-and-go or picnic is more your style, be sure to stop by The Bake Shop or Biltmore Dairy Bar near Biltmore House, or the Smokehouse food truck or The Creamery in Antler Hill Village. Fine dining is available at our four-star Dining Room at The Inn.

Tip: Reservations are highly recommended.

🏰 Afternoon: Biltmore House (1.5 to 2 hours)
Step into the grandeur of America’s Largest Home, Biltmore House, while learning about the history, the fine art and furnishings, and of course, the people, behind this Gilded Age masterpiece. With our Biltmore House tours, you’ll have the opportunity to discover the home and stories through our complimentary Audio Guide or take a deep dive into one of our fascinating expert-guided tours based on your interests.

Tip: Advanced reservations are required for all Biltmore House visits. If your reservation is in the afternoon or early evening, you may choose to explore the Gardens or Antler Hill Village first!

🌷 Late afternoon: Gardens and Conservatory (1 to 2 hours)
Find your new favorite flower and indulge your senses with a visit to Biltmore’s historic gardens and glass-ceilinged Conservatory. Admire the meticulously maintained historic greenhouses filled with tropical plants year-round.

Tip: Select ticket types include free next-day access to explore the estate’s gardens and grounds, visit the Winery, or add on guided experiences.

🥂 Evening: Antler Hill Village and Winery (2+ hours)
Stop by our award-winning winery to toast a fun-filled day with one of Biltmore’s handcrafted estate wines! Linger into the evening in Antler Hill Village, where you can shop for unique gifts, such as gourmet treats, wines, and the perfect mementos, or learn about the Vanderbilt family and their life at home and abroad at The Biltmore Legacy, and savor field-to-table dining.

Tip: If you’re traveling with small children, be sure to visit Pisgah Playground, the Farmyard, and Antler Hill Barn for educational fun for all ages.

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Family walks along trail in Antler Hill Village
Plan ahead! Allow yourself plenty of time to relax, play, and enjoy all that your estate visit has to offer.

Helpful Biltmore visit tips:

Below are a few additional tips for your Biltmore visit itinerary. For even more helpful information to help you prepare for your Biltmore Estate visit, we recommend exploring our Visitor Information site section.

  • Plan ahead: Don’t wait to purchase your Biltmore admission or special overnight packages to secure your preferred dates and times!
  • Getting around the estate: Many guests underestimate the vast size of Biltmore Estate. With miles between points of interest, we recommend allowing your party at least 30 minutes for travel and parking between estate locations. For helpful guidance on estate accessibility, please explore our Help Center.
  • Dress comfortably: Wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers appropriate for the season and the types of activities you plan to do during your visit, especially if you opt to participate in any outdoor adventure activities.
  • Watch the weather: The weather in our region can change quickly, which may result in unexpected temporary closures of our trails or outdoor activities during severe weather. We appreciate your understanding!
  • Make it a getaway: With so much to experience, treat yourself and your loved ones to a memorable getaway with an overnight stay on Biltmore Estate. Book an overnight package or stay that includes Biltmore House admission to enjoy a daytime visit to Biltmore House with an audio guide at your leisure and as often as you would like during the length of your stay!
  • Make the most of your experience: All Biltmore admission types include access to explore Antler Hill Village & Winery and our historic gardens and grounds. Explore ticket types that include access to Biltmore House, an exclusive 90-minute guided tour, Luminere™ (hosted on select evenings), free next-day grounds access, and more! Additional add-on experiences, such as guided outdoor activities, are available as well.
  • Don’t forget your mementos: Visit our exclusive estate shops to find unique gifts and gourmet treats, like award-winning Biltmore Wines or honey from our estate beehives, to bring the Biltmore legacy home with you.
  • Find more tips: For even more guidance on what activities you might want to consider during your Biltmore visit for family fun, outdoor adventure, or food and wine, be sure to check our other itineraries and guides.

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Ready to plan your visit to Biltmore? Let’s go!

Shaping History: Biltmore’s Glass Art Legacy

Our story is one of art, innovation, and visionaries. From the awe-inspiring Crystal Palace to Dale Chihuly’s grand installations, glass has woven a mesmerizing tale of human creativity for over a century. Discover how Biltmore has become a living testament to the enduring power and beauty of the glass art movement.

The Crystal Palace on Sydenham Hill, London, circa 1880
The Crystal Palace on Sydenham Hill, London, circa 1880.

Crystal Palace Exhibition

Held in London in 1851, the World’s Fair marked the first time artists, manufacturers, and inventors from around the world were welcomed to showcase their innovations. The Crystal Palace, constructed specifically for this event, was a marvel built entirely of cast iron and plate glass—its walls and ceiling included—symbolizing the era’s spirit of innovation. Beyond housing more than 900,000 square feet of exhibitor space, it set a standard for combining architecture and art on a grand scale.

Hospitalitas/Prosperitas [Hospitality/Prosperity], 1881, by John La Farge
Hospitalitas/Prosperitas [Hospitality/Prosperity], 1881, by John La Farge.

Patrons of the arts

George Vanderbilt was born 11 years after that first World’s Fair, inheriting from his parents an appreciation for the arts and a vast fortune. Influenced by his upbringing, he traveled extensively and collected art throughout his life, forming friendships with renowned artists, architects, and writers alike.

George’s formative years coincided with the Industrial Revolution’s peak. By 1880, artist John La Farge patented techniques for opalescent and iridescent glass, revolutionizing colored-glass windows. The following year, George’s father commissioned La Farge to create windows for his New York City home—a residence later inherited by George. During this same period, Louis Comfort Tiffany was pioneering methods for assembling colored-glass windows, further reshaping artistic possibilities.

The Waltz, circa 1890, by Anders Zorn
The Waltz, circa 1890, by Anders Zorn.

Building artistic architecture

In 1888, George began planning the construction of Biltmore Estate with architect Richard Morris Hunt and landscape designer Frederick Law Olmsted. By the time construction of the estate was underway, Hunt and Olmsted were simultaneously designing buildings and grounds for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

Inspired by the Gothic cathedrals and French châteaux he had admired during his travels, George envisioned Biltmore House as a monumental work of art itself, sparing no expense in adorning it with the work of renowned artists such as Louis Comfort Tiffany and Anders Zorn.

By 1905, George had added the La Farge windows from his father’s residence into his personal collection. Today, a set of these exquisite windows can be seen at Biltmore’s Winery in Antler Hill Village. Among the cherished artworks in Biltmore House is Anders Zorn’s evocative painting The Waltz, recently conserved and back on display for all to enjoy.

Installation from Chihuly at Biltmore, March 25, 2024 - January 5, 2025 at Amherst Dale Chihuly, Torchlight Chandelier, 2011, 11‐1/2 x 9 x 8‐1/2', Biltmore, Asheville, North Carolina, installed 2024, @ 2011 Chihuly Studio. All rights reserved.
Installation from Chihuly at Biltmore, March 25, 2024 – February 2, 2025 at Amherst Dale Chihuly, Torchlight Chandelier, 2011, 11‐1/2 x 9 x 8‐1/2′, Biltmore, Asheville, North Carolina, installed 2024, @ 2011 Chihuly Studio. All rights reserved.

Glass art in the modern era

While glass art manufacturing thrived, the era of grand stained-glass commissions had faded. However, the 1960s saw a revival with the Studio Glass Movement, where artists embraced experimentation aided by new tools and techniques.

Chihuly entered the scene during this resurgence, delving into glassblowing under Harvey Littleton at the University of Wisconsin in 1966. His journey was soon accelerated after receiving a grant from the Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation, marking the beginning of his artistic evolution. Fast forward to 2012, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Seattle World’s Fair, Chihuly Garden and Glass opened to the public. Located at the base of the Space Needle, the museum offers visitors a permanent display of Chihuly’s indoor and outdoor art.

Dale Chihuly, Iris Gold and Garnet Chandelier, 2022, 9-1/2 x 6 x 6′, Biltmore Winery, Asheville, North Carolina, installed 2023 © 2022 Chihuly Studio. All rights reserved.
Dale Chihuly, Iris Gold and Garnet Chandelier, 2022, 9-1/2 x 6 x 6′, Biltmore Winery, Asheville, North Carolina, installed 2023 © 2022 Chihuly Studio. All rights reserved.

See Chihuly’s work at Biltmore

Whether you’re exploring the grandeur of George’s art collection or marveling at Chihuly’s permanent Iris Gold and Garnet Chandelier installation at the Winery, each encounter urges you to appreciate the allure and rich history of glass—a testament to human creativity and ingenuity—that continues to inspire today.

Presenting the Artist: Dale Chihuly

Chihuly at Biltmore was on display from March 25, 2024–February 2, 2025. Please enjoy this archived content.

Renowned for pushing the limits of glass as a medium, Dale Chihuly has presented groundbreaking artworks all around the world.

With Chihuly at Biltmore now on display, we invite you to learn more about the artist and his lasting influences on contemporary art.

James Mongrain, Dale Chihuly, and Andrea Lesnett, Rotolo in process, The Hotshop, The Boathouse, Seattle, 2013. ©Chihuly Studio. All rights reserved.
James Mongrain, Dale Chihuly, and Andrea Lesnett, Rotolo in process, The Hotshop, The Boathouse, Seattle, 2013. ©Chihuly Studio. All rights reserved.

Chihuly the innovator

Born in Tacoma, Washington, Dale Chihuly embarked on his journey into the world of glass during his studies of interior design. His fascination with the medium led him to a Fulbright Scholarship that saw him travel to the renowned Venini glass factory in Venice, where he immersed himself in traditional techniques and team glassblowing.

His innovative teaching methods and artistic vision left an undeniable mark on the field, pushing boundaries and emphasizing collaborative glassblowing techniques. Chihuly’s ideas have pushed the limits of glass as an artistic medium, with his work included in more than 200 museum collections worldwide, earning him numerous awards, including two National Endowment for the Arts fellowships and 13 honorary doctorates.

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Dale Chihuly Paintbrushes, 2016 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London, installed 2019 © Chihuly Studio. All rights reserved.
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Dale Chihuly Basket Forest, 2001 Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago © Chihuly Studio. All rights reserved.
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Dale Chihuly Cobalt Reeds and Fiori, 2012; Glasshouse Sculpture, 2012; and Pacific Sun, 2011 Chihuly Garden and Glass, installed 2012 © Chihuly Studio. All rights reserved.

Exhibitions around the world

Chihuly’s love for travel began with his first trip to Italy at the age of 21, where he pursued the study of art in Florence. He returned to Italy in 1996 for perhaps his most iconic project, Chihuly Over Venice, a massive undertaking that started with glassblowing sessions in Finland, Ireland, and Mexico.

At this time, his work has been featured in 26 countries and Chihuly continues to present ambitious exhibitions at museums and botanical gardens across the globe.

Dale Chihuly, Ethereal White Persian Pond, 2018, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore, installed 2021 © 2018 Chihuly Studio. All rights reserved.
Dale Chihuly, Ethereal White Persian Pond, 2018, Gardens by the Bay, Singapore, installed 2021 © 2018 Chihuly Studio. All rights reserved.

Art on a grand scale

Chihuly’s work boasts more than a dozen acclaimed series, each a testament to his mastery of form and color. Among these are Cylinders, Baskets, Seaforms, Macchia, Persians, Venetians, Niijima Floats, Chandeliers, and Fiori—many of which are incorporated in the current exhibition at Biltmore!

Chihuly’s lifelong fascination with nature and glasshouses grew into a series of exhibitions within botanical settings, including London’s Kew Gardens, Chicago’s Garfield Park Conservatory and Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay. In 2012, his long-term exhibition, Chihuly Garden and Glass, opened at Seattle Center.

In 2018, Biltmore welcomed Chihuly at Biltmore, an exhibition showcasing the artist’s breathtaking large-scale glass sculptures in the century-old gardens of America’s Largest Home®. This unique visual experience marked the first art exhibition in Biltmore’s historic gardens and the first garden exhibition of artist Dale Chihuly’s works in North Carolina.

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Dale Chihuly, Mille Fiori (detail), 2023, 8‐1/2 x 34‐1/2 x 15′, Biltmore, Asheville, North Carolina, installed 2024 © 2023 Chihuly Studio. All rights reserved.
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Dale Chihuly, Sapphire Neon and Neodymium Reeds on Logs (detail), 2023, Biltmore, Asheville, North Carolina, installed 2024 © 2023 Chihuly Studio. All rights reserved.
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Dale Chihuly, Ikebana Doppio Drawing Suite #9, 2001, 7 x 30′, Biltmore, Asheville, North Carolina, installed 2024 © 2001 Chihuly Studio. All rights reserved.

An all-new Chihuly at Biltmore

The success of Chihuly’s 2018 outdoor exhibition at Biltmore paved the way for an all-new Chihuly at Biltmore exhibition, now on view inside the galleries of Amherst at Deerpark®.

Featuring 33 curated artworks, including pedestal works, Drawings, Chandeliers, Towers, Mille Fiori, Neon, and two large-scale installations on estate grounds, this exhibition offers you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the captivating world of Chihuly’s iconic artworks.

Dale Chihuly, Iris Gold and Garnet Chandelier, 2022, 9-1/2 x 6 x 6′, Biltmore Winery, Asheville, North Carolina, installed 2023 © 2022 Chihuly Studio. All rights reserved.
Dale Chihuly, Iris Gold and Garnet Chandelier, 2022, 9-1/2 x 6 x 6′, Biltmore Winery, Asheville, North Carolina, installed 2023 © 2022 Chihuly Studio. All rights reserved.

Experience awe-inspiring artwork at Biltmore

Ready to immerse yourself in a world of wonder? Plan your visit and reserve your special admission-inclusive overnight package at one of our distinctive hotels for this must-see exhibition.

Featured Image

Dale Chihuly with Laguna Torcello II, Biltmore, Asheville, North Carolina, 2018 ©
2018 Chihuly Studio. All rights reserved.