Top 8 Spots for Fall Color at Biltmore Posted on September 11, 2024 at 8:37 pm.Written by Chris Biltmore’s 8,000-acres of Blue Ridge Mountain beauty is hands down one of the best places to view dramatic fall color. An autumnal palette begins just inside the Lodge Gate and continues around every turn. But where exactly are the best places on the estate to find views of spectacular fall color? The view from the top of the Esplanade is certainly worth the hike. 1. Top of the Esplanade Found at the top of the Esplanade near the statue of Diana is a “signature shot” of Biltmore House, framed by enormous hemlocks, pines, and rhododendron, with a majestic view of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the background. The South Terrace offers sprawling views of Biltmore’s Deer Park area and beyond. 2. South Terrace The wide open terrace on the south end of Biltmore House offers long-range views of the Blue Ridge Mountains with dramatic ever-changing fall color. Enjoy Biltmore House from a new perspective with our breathtaking Rooftop Tour. 3. Rooftop The Rooftop Tour of Biltmore House provides you with a bird’s-eye view after a climb up the Observatory’s spiral staircase and onto the balconies and rooftop of America’s Largest Home®. The dramatic mum display is different each year, but never disappoints. 4. Walled Garden The fall color continues as this formal garden is transformed with hundreds of vibrant mums in autumnal shades. Our landscaping crew does an incredible job with this display every year. The reflection off of the Bass Pond boasts fall’s glorious palette. 5. Bass Pond Follow the Azalea Garden path to the Bass Pond path and discover vivid leaves reflecting upon the water. The geese and other birds and wildlife around the water also add excitement to the season. The Lagoon is a guest favorite year-round, but the views during autumn are epic. 📷 by @bbansen. 6. Lagoon Any spot near the Lagoon offers dramatic fall color from the wide variety of hardwoods that surround it, but the Boat Ramp towards the middle provides particularly vibrant hues with a view of the west façade of Biltmore House in the distance. The Grand Terrace at The Inn offers a relaxing setting for leaf peeping. 7. The Inn on Biltmore Estate Set upon a hilltop near Antler Hill Village, grand panoramic views at The Inn on Biltmore Estate® are not to be missed. Relax on the Grand Terrace and enjoy a glass of Biltmore Wine as you take it all in. From easy walking paths to more intense hikes, each of our estate trails is a unique fall experience. 📷 by @mattvanswol. 8. Estate Trails Biltmore’s more than 22 miles of trails offer spectacular views throughout each season, but fall provides full immersion of color as you stroll through the beautiful woodlands of the estate. Antler Hill Village comes alive with the blazing colors of fall. BONUS: Antler Hill Village After a full day of exploration, unwind in Antler Hill Village with a complimentary wine tasting at the Winery. Our team has worked diligently to create the perfect fall landscape for your enjoyment! Plan your autumn escape today by checking out our Fall Report. The beauty of autumn is fleeting! Feature image by @selery_is_good
Plan your fall visit to Biltmore! Posted on August 15, 2023 at 6:11 pm.Written by Amy Dangelico If you’re considering a fall visit to Biltmore, the estate’s ever-changing autumnal color, plus its many seasonal activities and offerings, make it your perfect home base for a seasonal escape from the ordinary. While there are lots of great reasons to plan a fall visit to Biltmore, like the fact that the season is prime vacation time for those who love “leaf-peeping” in the Blue Ridge Mountains, we’ve compiled a few of our favorites for adding Biltmore to your travel plans this fall. Biltmore House surrounded by gorgeous fall color 1. Prime location in Asheville, NC Nestled in the mountains of Western North Carolina, Biltmore is located minutes from downtown Asheville—a vibrant city known for great dining, quaint shops, and its strong arts community—and just a few miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway. In addition to soaking in all that your fall visit to Biltmore offers, we recommend enjoying the natural beauty and history of the surrounding area, including Pisgah National Forest. TIP: Discover why Pisgah National Forest has such a strong connection to the estate. In addition to enjoying our Building Biltmore House exhibition, enhance your visit with a Rooftop Tour that includes spectacular views and stories. 2. Long-range views from the rooftop of Biltmore House Discover spectacular views boasting every shade of fall color as far as the eye can see from Biltmore’s rooftops! The guest-favorite Rooftop Tour offers wildly impressive photo ops—especially during autumn—and provides a closer look at the design and construction of Biltmore House in areas that many guests never visit. TIP: Learn more about design and construction with our Building Biltmore House exhibition located in the basement of Biltmore House and online. Each year, the Walled Garden boasts a new, vibrant display of mums! 3. Festive display of fall colors In addition to the ever-changing hues of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains, Biltmore’s gardens and grounds come alive with vibrant mums, colorful floral displays, and fall foliage that you will not want to miss! Even though we don’t officially kick off our annual Christmas at Biltmore celebration until early November, you’ll also have the chance to catch a sneak peek of what our team has in store for the upcoming festivities during your fall visit to Biltmore! TIP: Bookmark our Fall Color Report to help plan your visit this fall. Learn about Biltmore’s farming history at The Farmyard! 4. Afternoons in Antler Hill Village Discover family fun for everyone with our charming, European-inspired Antler Hill Village! What better time of year to learn about Biltmore’s farming legacy at Antler Hill Barn and The Farmyard than during harvest season? Savor the bounty of our fields at estate restaurants and award-winning Biltmore wines handcrafted at our Winery. Discover stories of the Vanderbilt family and their travels as you experience your own getaway with your loved ones. TIP: Enjoy dining options ranging from casual light bites and sweet treats to full-service restaurants in Antler Hill Village. Explore our 8,000-acre estate by carriage, horseback, and more. 5. Outdoor adventures for all A fall visit to Biltmore beckons you to enjoy the crisp air and glorious fall colors of our great outdoors! Go hiking or biking along our nearly 22 miles of paved and unpaved trails on our private, 8,000-acre estate. Admire the scenery along the French Broad River, through lush green forests, or in the open meadows of the estate. Stop by the Bike Barn in Antler Hill Village for a detailed trail map and orientation. Whether you prefer a relaxing journey in an elegant Carriage Ride or Horseback Trail Ride, few things are as majestic as traveling our woodland trails enveloped in fall color. TIP: Download our Trail Map ahead of time. Grapes are picked by hand in Biltmore’s vineyard on the west side of the estate. 6. Vineyard harvest season Biltmore’s bounty takes center stage at the Winery in Antler Hill Village as we celebrate the fall harvest season. Savor complimentary tastings of handcrafted wines and learn how science and nature intersect as you learn about the estate’s vineyards, discover the unique factors that affect grapes grown in North Carolina, and take an in-depth look at our winemaking process. TIP: Become a member of our Vanderbilt Wine Club to enjoy exclusive wines, seasonal shipments, and members-only discounts—ask about joining during your visit. Tutankhamun, or King Tut, was a young pharaoh in Egypt more than 3,300 years ago. 7. Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures Step into a world of discovery with Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures exhibition. Just as the landscape transforms outside, stunning visuals and captivating storytelling transport you 3,000 years back to the wonders of ancient Egypt, bringing the treasures and mysteries of King Tut vividly to life.TIP: Choose exhibition-inclusive tickets that give you a FREE second day of estate grounds access. We pair red Biltmore wines with stunning selection of decadent artisan chocolates from Timothy Maguire Chocolates. 8. Red Wine & Chocolate Tasting There’s a special kind of comfort in pairing red wine & chocolate. During this guided tasting, rich artisan chocolates meet bold Biltmore red wines in a way that will both surprise and delight you, creating an indulgent experience that lingers like the glow of a Blue Ridge Mountain sunset. TIP: Read more about the Red Wine & Chocolate Tasting experience on our blog. Did you know that Passholders can bring their kiddos to the estate for free, year-round? 9. Fall in love with the perks of an Annual Pass Embrace fall’s color-filled days on the estate with added perks of a Passholder membership, like discounts on tours and tastings to seasonal events like our Deerpark Dining Events. Every visit is special, whether you’re here for an afternoon or a long weekend, but if you’re planning to return more than once—or plan to enjoy the estate’s many wondrous seasons—a Biltmore Annual Pass is the best way to make the most of your experience. TIP: Admission for children 16 and under is FREE with your Annual Pass! Autumn’s beauty is right outside your door with an overnight stay on Biltmore Estate! 10. The ultimate fall visit getaway An overnight stay on Biltmore Estate offers the unique experience of waking up with sprawling autumnal beauty just outside your door. Enjoy warm hospitality in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere at the charming Village Hotel, experience world-class service with a luxurious four-star stay at The Inn, or truly get away this fall with a stay in one of our private, historic Cottages. TIP: Plan your getaway now and discover for yourself why Biltmore is the perfect home base for your fall visit.
Champion Trees: The Estate’s Finest Fall Foliage Posted on August 4, 2021 at 1:18 pm.Written by Amy Dangelico Today, Biltmore is home to a variety of Champion Trees—but when George Vanderbilt purchased the acreage that would become his estate, much of the land was overworked and actually vacant of trees due to activity from the previous settlers. Landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted made the following recommendation: “Make a small park into which to look from your house; make a small pleasure ground and garden, farm your river bottom chiefly to keep and fatten live stock with a view to manure; and make the rest a forest, improving the existing woods and planting the old fields.” Landscape architect Fredrick Law Olmsted (seated, center) and George Vanderbilt (standing, center-right) with other key Biltmore figures, 1892. NC Champion Tree Program Several of the trees handpicked by Olmsted are now recognized as North Carolina State Champion Trees. According to the NC Forest Service, the Champion Tree Program highlights native or naturalized species that have garnered attention because of their size, age, or historical significance. Naturally, these trees are some of the superstars of our historic gardens. Let’s take a look at a few and discover why there is no better time to seek out these estate beauties than leaf season. The golden rain tree (right) can be found in Biltmore’s Shrub Garden. Golden Rain Tree Perhaps one of the more unusual Champion Trees, the golden rain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata) in the Shrub Garden lends grace and charm to the landscape. Its showy fall color generally includes various shades of yellow and chartreuse. If you look closely, you’ll find inflated seed pods, reminiscent of Chinese lanterns, hanging elegantly amid the autumn foliage. The katsura tree–which has a scent like cotton candy–lives in the heart of Biltmore’s Azalea Garden. The katsura was one of the trees hand-picked by Biltmore landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. This katsura is on the NC Forest Service Registry of Champion Trees. Katsura Tree Among the larger Champion Trees is the katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum), found in the Azalea Garden. This tree has magnificent fall color with hues ranging from gold to apricot, accompanied by an unusual, sweet fragrance that permeates the area around the tree. Some describe the smell as cinnamon-like, while others think it is more similar to cotton candy—either way, it’s sure to satisfy the senses! The dawn redwood is located in Biltmore’s Azalea Garden. Additional Champion Trees Other Champion Trees of note on the estate are the dawn redwood with its lush bronze fall color (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) in the Azalea Garden and the Persian ironwood (Parrotia persica) boasting brilliant warm autumnal hues between the Conservatory and the Gardener’s Cottage. The Persian ironwood has a showy fall leaf color, and can be found next to Biltmore’s Conservatory. Landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted hand-picked tree species including the Persian ironwood as part of a plan to reforest overworked farmland purchased by George Vanderbilt for the construction of Biltmore House. Fall is a favorite season for strolling the gardens and grounds of the estate. During your next visit, we invite you to explore our Shrub Garden, Azalea Garden, and beyond to catch a glimpse of these Champion Trees at their finest: bursting with rich fall color. Feature image: Persian ironwood with peak fall color