biltmore estate travel guide

Biltmore Estate Insider's Guide

Plan your summer festival fun in the nc mountains.

We visit Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina, many times each year and always get as excited as our first visit. You can find tons of insider advice on our many Biltmore pages for things to do. Feel like royalty for a day at this 1895 French Renaissance castle built by George Washington Vanderbilt, an American Renaissance man. Explore the 8,000-acre estate, including the 250-room Biltmore House where the Vanderbilt family resided, 75 acres of beautiful gardens, the nation's most-visited winery, shopping, dining, four-star accommodations, hiking trails, and more for a bucket list vacation to remember for a lifetime.

Plan your trip to America’s largest home in the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains with our 20-page Biltmore guide (see links to all the pages below).

Biltmore Updates & Ticket Specials / Promos ​ ​ ​

• Enjoy $5 savings with online ticket purchases. No promo code is needed.

Save $90 on Biltmore's annual pass now through April 30, 2024. Read more . 

The Biltmore Estate Top 10 Things to Do

1. Biltmore House: Experience the wonder of Biltmore House , the largest privately owned mansion in America, with a priceless collection of art and antiques original to the Vanderbilt home, as well as immaculate fireplaces, a bowling alley, and more within the Gilded Age mansion. Since the house is a self-guided tour, we recommend getting the audio companion tour as soon as you enter the Biltmore mansion. After exploring the house, stop at the Stable Courtyard for refreshments or browse the shops. The Stable Café is great for sandwiches, burgers, and salads. Allow at least two hours for the self-guided house tour. See our photos of Biltmore House decorated for Christmas and Christmas Eve.

2. Gardens: Spectacular gardens and woodlands are perfect for leisurely strolls. From the house, walk through gardens and the estate grounds designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, a man who was instrumental in shaping the look of late-19th-century New York, as well as the green space of Central Park. The lush and beautiful reflecting ponds of the Italian Gardens are a fitting entry into a stunning world of garden paths. A short walk takes you to the four-acre Walled Garden, Azalea Garden, and the Spring Garden. See our Photo Tour of the Biltmore Gardens and Biltmore Blooms Spring Flowers Guide .

3. Conservatory: Adjacent to the Walled Garden is a tropical wonderland open year-round, complete with a big orchid collection. Inside, you’ll feel like you’re on a getaway from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the estate grounds.

4. Bass Pond:  For a longer walk, follow signs to the Bass Pond to find a more secluded (and romantic) area, especially at the Boat House (above). In spring and summer, the Meadow Trail features wildflowers and grasses, while the Woodland Trail is ablaze with azaleas in spring. Get some exercise with your dog in Biltmore’s pet-friendly backyard of many thousand acres.

5. Photo Spot:  Our favorite view of Biltmore House is along the drive from the house to the winery. Look for the small lake (Lagoon) on your left. There is a narrow unpaved road at the far end that crosses a small bridge for a stunning view of the back of the House. It's a great picnic spot and a place to take a hike .

6. Antler Hill Village: This village provides a relaxing place for dining, shopping, and learning more about Biltmore history—a great stop after your house tour. It’s a quick walk from the mansion to Antler Hill village along the beautiful French Broad River. There, you’ll find The Winery and Farm (see below). Enjoy live entertainment on the Village Green. See the special exhibits that rotate at the Legacy, and tour the historic barn. It's a base camp for all outdoor activities, including the Land Rover Experience Driving School . Stay in two hotels, the Inn at Biltmore Estate and the  Village Hotel . Read more about Antler Hill Village.

7. Winery: Enjoy a self-guided winery tour and sample Estate wines in the Tasting Room (both included with your ticket). Browse the Wine Shop or dine at The Bistro. Check out cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, and special wine tours and classes. For the VIP experience, take the Vine to Wine Guided Tour. Relax at the Wine Bar beneath the clock tower. The Winery is open until 8 PM, so it's a great way to unwind after your busy day of touring. Read more about the Biltmore Winery.

8. The Farm: Learn about Biltmore's agricultural heritage at Antler Hill Farm, adjacent to the Village. In addition to displays of historic farm equipment in the impressive 1902 barn, meet draft horses, calves, lambs, and chickens at the Farmyard. Watch the blacksmiths or woodworkers.

9. Outdoor Activities:  There is much to explore outdoors, including several great hiking trails and a greenway. Read more about hiking and Biltmore outdoors . At the Outdoor Adventure Center, sign up for an array of outdoor fun, including biking, carriage rides, horseback riding, falconry, sporting clays, river trips, and more. Go to the Biltmore website for more details.

10. Biltmore Restaurants There are many on-site options for dining during your visit. Since all of these are located inside the Estate, you'll need a ticket to reach them. All are open every day of the week. Read more on the Biltmore website .

Tips for Visiting Biltmore

Accessibility Biltmore offers reduced-price admission to guests with disabilities. Parking assistance is available. They have some wheelchairs inside the house for guests at no charge for touring the first and second floors. At the gardens, park by the Conservatory for wheelchair access to the Walled Garden. Antler Hill Village and Winery are wheelchair accessible. Guests with hearing difficulties can request a Neckloop Telecoil Coupler, a printed transcript, or a sign language interpreter. Call them for your specific needs at 1-800-411-3812.

Just for Children At the Antler Hill Farm, explore farm life with chickens, roosters, goats, horses and sheep. For the house tour, ask for the special kid's audio tour. There is no admission charge for children ages 9 and under. For family-friendly ideas on the estate, see our  Biltmore for Kids  page. 

Hours & Tickets Checking Biltmore's current  hours of operation .

Travel Distances Inside the Estate

Note: Biltmore Village is located outside the Estate across from the entrance. Read more .

Biltmore Outdoors : Explore thousands of acres on the estate, including hiking, biking, horses, and more.

Buy tickets on  Biltmore's website  at least seven days in advance and save $5. No promo code is needed.

Seniors age 65+ save $8 on regular adult daytime admission on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The U.S. military saves $8 on regular adult daytime admission with a Military ID.

Check out what's new at  The Winery .

Stable Café: Appalachian comfort food for lunch, including burgers and barbecue. Phone: 828-225-6370

The Courtyard Market offers quick sandwiches, and the Ice Cream Parlor has picnics to go.

Cedric’s Tavern: Pub with craft beers, full bar, and outdoor seating. Lunch and dinner every day. 828-225-1320

Bistro: Features estate-raised and regionally sourced ingredients, including wood-oven pizzas and hand-made pasta. Lunch and dinner every day. 828-225-6230

Village Social: Tucked away in the new Village Hotel, its menu focuses on sustainable seafood with local farm products. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. 828-257-5968

Library Lounge: Elegant setting inside the Inn on Biltmore Estate with a full-service afternoon tea. Reservations recommended. 828-225-1699

The Dining Room at the Inn at Biltmore: The most elegant dining on the estate with Forbes Four-Star service and food. Breakfast buffet and dinner. Reservations recommended. 828-225-1699

The Creamery: Enjoy ice cream and Winky Bar sundaes.

The Smokehouse Food Truck: Located in the Barn with Carolina barbecue and Southern favorites.

Take your time exploring. Plan to spend the day, or perhaps two.

Wear very comfortable walking shoes.

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.

Many dates (especially during the Christmas season) sell out in advance.

Be sure to have an automobile since the drive to the House from the entrance gate is three miles. It's another five miles to the Winery

You can bring a picnic or stop by the Ice Cream Shop outside the House to purchase a picnic to go. There are many great picnic spots on the Estate.

If you arrive on the estate after 4:30 pm, your ticket may be validated for the next day at the Reception & Ticket Center. And you can usually add a day for a great rate.

The grounds are perfect for walking your pets, but please make sure to keep them securely leashed at all times. Pets are not allowed inside the castle or other Estate buildings such as the winery, restaurants, and shops.

If you plan to visit in November and December, see our Christmas at Biltmore special guide.

Their general information phone number is 1-800-411-3812.

Find current deals and specials on Biltmore's website .

For GPS, use the address: 1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC 28803.

From Interstate 40: Biltmore Estate is located just north of Exit 50 on U.S. Highway 25.

From Interstate 26: take Interstate 40 East, then take Exit 50.

From the Blue Ridge Parkway: take the U.S. Highway 25-North exit; it is approximately four miles from the Parkway.

Your daytime admission includes a self-guided tour of the House, Gardens, Antler Hill, and Winery.

Tickets:  See details on their website  

Enjoy additional savings with online ticket purchases.  See current deals and specials on Biltmore's website .

Save by purchasing a 12-month Biltmore Annual Pass.

The Estate is open seven days a week, 365 days a year. Hours vary at places throughout the Estate.  

Main Entrance/Ticket Center to House: 3 miles

House to Antler Hill Village/Winery: 5 miles

Antler Hill Village/Winery to Main Entrance: 2 miles

• Biltmore Winery Tours & Wine Tasting
• Grand Gardens of Biltmore House
• Antler Hill Village & Farm, Biltmore
• Vacation Packages & Specials, WNC, Asheville & Biltmore
• Fall at Biltmore
• Chihuly Glass Sculptures at Biltmore

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Guide to Visiting Biltmore Estate, Asheville NC: Things To Do & Tips!

One of our favorite getaways from Raleigh is to the opulent Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, also known as America’s largest home!

We love a stately home – they are a great way to gain an insight into the lifestyles of the wealthy and extravagant, as well as showcase some of the finest, classical architecture in the country.

The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC is the castle of all castles. This French-chateaux-inspired mansion has 250 rooms and four floors and sits on a property that spans 8,000 acres (that’s 13 square miles – pretty big!)

If you’re thinking about taking a trip to Biltmore Estate from Raleigh, then this guide is for you! We’ve shared some of the best things to do at Biltmore Estate, as well as shared some tips for visiting and where to stay nearby, so you can make the most of your visit.

About Biltmore Estate

The Biltmore Estate is nestled in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains region, fairly close to Smoky Mountains National Park and only a 5-minute drive outside of downtown Asheville .

This sprawling estate is the vision of George Washington Vanderbilt , a former railroad tycoon who famously turned $100 into $1,000 million. His construction business made him one of the wealthiest men in the world in his prime, and of course, he built a home to showcase this.

Construction of the estate started in 1889 and was completed in 1895, taking six years to build. It was and still is regarded as America’s largest home.

Shortly after the completion of this French Renaissance château, he met his wife, Edith, who moved into the home and they had one child, Cornelia. 

When George died in 1914, the ownership of the house went to his wife, and then his child. The lineage of the estate has stayed in the Vanderbilt family and is today owned by his great-grandson, Bill Cecil Jr.

What makes the Vanderbilt family unique is that although they were wealthy, they wanted to share what they had with the world, and from the moment the house was built they opened their doors to the community, hosting events throughout the year.

They also provided employment opportunities and gave their workers New York salaries, which uplifted the local community and contributed to the growth of nearby towns.

Biltmore Estate is more than an architectural marvel, but a work of art. It has been a registered National Historic Landmark since 1963.

How many days to see Biltmore Estate?

We recommend you allow at least 2 full days to explore the entire Biltmore Estate. When you purchase an entrance ticket for Biltmore House, you receive free access to the grounds for the following day.

Most people take two days to explore the grounds and house, but nothing is stopping you from staying longer. Ideally, three days would be better, as there are a lot of activities you can do there from clay shooting to craft workshops to Land Rover tours. 

Any more than three days would be pushing it (and weighing heavily on your wallet).

Several people I’ve met have told me they’ll visit Biltmore on a day trip from Raleigh and have a great time. At a minimum three and a half hours drive from Raleigh one way, I personally would not visit on a day trip from Raleigh!

But, I have visited Biltmore in just one day before coming in from Asheville or Lake Lure. On those one-day visits, we tend to only fit in the house, gardens and wine tasting.

Things To Do At Biltmore Estate

1. tour the house.

Of course, the most important thing to do at Biltmore Estate is to explore Biltmore house and gardens. After all, this is what you come to see, right?

You can take a self-guided audio tour , which is included in your ticket price , or you can opt for a guided tour. It’s up to you how you do it, but make sure you book your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment, as it often sells out (and you make a saving by booking in advance).

The audio tour takes about 90-minutes and takes you through the most important rooms in the house (not all 250 are open to the public). 

You’ll see the elegant and spacious banquet hall, entrance hall, winter garden, and breakfast room. You also get to visit George and Edith’s bedroom, which has been decorated in period furnishings and hosts displays of vintage clothing, art, and more.

As you wander through these grand rooms, the audio guide will narrate stories that illustrate the lives of the Vanderbilt family and the people around them.

The basement level is one of the most inspiring sections of the house. Here you can see the kitchen, staff quarters, laundry room, and other areas used by the workers of the house. It’s amazing to think what it would have looked like in the beginning.

After the tour, be sure to stop by the shops in the former Carriage Homes to pick up souvenirs or refreshments before exploring the grounds.

Always check the Biltmore schedule as they often have special exhibitions inside the house. We’ve visited before when they had a special Titanic the movie exhibition with costumes throughout the house and interesting pieces of information and connections between the settings of the movie and Biltmore.

2. Explore the Biltmore Estate Gardens

If you think the house is impressive, wait until you see the backyard! Standing on the verandah at the back of the house, you’ll be met with sprawling scenes of the Pisgah National Forest, which Vanderbilt strived to protect.

As well as wandering through the nature trails of the woodlands, take a couple of hours to wander through the former and informal gardens.

As with the house, Vanderbilt left no expense when it came to designing the gardens . They were designed by America’s foremost landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted, and have been divided into several sections.

Be sure to visit the Italian garden, azalea garden, and shrub garden, and see the orchids in the spring garden conservatory. The rose garden is beautiful in the spring and has over 250 varieties of plants.

NOTE: I have just finished the Devil in the White City book which is all about Chicago’s World Fair in 1893. Olmsted was the landscape architect for the fair and they mention Biltmore House several times in the book, as he was working on Biltmore’s garden project at the same time.

3. Enjoy Complimentary Wine-Tasting

Did you know that Biltmore Winery is one of the most visited wineries in the USA? Well, now you do! And the good news is, with your entrance ticket, you get free wine tasting of around 20 handcrafted wines from their vineyard, some of which have won awards.

For the kids, they can have a complimentary grape juice, so they don’t miss out.

While I really enjoyed the wine tasting experience at Biltmore, and highly recommend you do it, Biltmore wine is not something I’d choose to drink outside of the estate. It’s really not too bad, but not my typical style. I would drink it again on my next visit though for sure!

4. Visit Antler Hill Village

Antler Hill Village is a tiny village set up on the estate where all the action is. It’s where you will find places to eat, The Creamery ice cream shop, stores, an Outdoor Adventure Center, and the winery.

When we last visited, there was even live music playing in the grassy area in the village.

Be sure to dine at one of Biltmore’s restaurants, which continue the legacy of Vanderbilt’s farm-to-table ethos and use herbs grown from the estate’s garden.

We ate at Village Social, which was more casual, but we heard good things about Cedric’s Tavern, which is a traditional, English-looking pub. And don’t miss a chance to take the kids to the farmyard at Antler Hill Village to see the chickens and goats.

5. Go For a Hike Around The Deer Park Area

There are nearly 22 miles of hiking trails in the entire Biltmore Estate, so if you want to get out into nature and explore, you have a lot of areas to explore. 

Head into the Deer Park Area and walk along the French Broad River, or traverse through the forests and open meadows. Be sure to visit the Outdoor Adventure Center in Antler Hill Village for a detailed trail map.

6. Go Horseback Riding

If hiking 22 miles of trails sounds too daunting for you, then consider exploring the nature sites on horseback instead. You can take a 1-hour, western-style guided ride through the woodlands and meadows of the estate, accompanied by an experienced guide.

There is a maximum of 10 people per horseback riding tour, so you can enjoy the quietness and ambiance of the forest without a huge tour group to spoil the atmosphere.

7. See the Chihuly Exhibit (April Only)

When we visited the Biltmore Estate back in 2014, we were lucky to see the work of American artist, David Chihuly.

Due to its popularity, it will be welcomed back this April 2024 for a limited time only and can also be observed intimately at a few formal dinner events.

David Chihuly is famous for his colorful glass sculptures, which will be displayed in front of the mansion as well as in the gardens.

We loved the bright colors and unique shapes of his sculptures, and highly recommend you go to check them out. It really made an already beautiful garden bloom with even more splendor. It made our list of spring break destinations from Raleigh.

8. Have Afternoon Tea at The Dining Room

What better way to experience the elegance and grandeur of this estate than by enjoying a traditional Afternoon Tea? 

Vanderbilt often had a tradition of having afternoon tea with his guests, and the tradition lives on at the Inn on Biltmore Estate Dining Room, where tea is served with fresh-baked scones with clotted cream, honey, and jam.

You will also get a selection of sweet and savory canapés as well as a selection of sandwiches. And you can also have a tea-infused cocktail if you prefer to make it boozy.

NOTE: this is an “elegant attire” activity, and you won’t be allowed in if you rock up in shorts and sandals. Come wearing your best dress shirts and dresses.

9. Stay at The Inn at Biltmore Estate

The Inn at Biltmore Estate is a four-star luxury hotel on the property that continues that exuberant charm from the main mansion.

From the grandeur of the hotel foyer to the magnificent mountain views to the complimentary glasses of champagne on arrival – it’s luxury through and through.

All rooms are decorated in a period style close to Biltmore Mansion’s style, but still feel comfortable and elegant. It’s expensive, but it’s well worth it for a special occasion. You can read more about our stay at The Inn at Biltmore Estate here .

Opening Hours & Entrance Fees

The Biltmore Estate is open all year round, though hours of operation vary by season and differ for each shop and restaurant, so it’s best to check the website before visiting . The house is open from 8.30am until around 5.00pm.

As for admission, ticket prices vary depending on the time of year. The price of visiting in the winter starts at $75, and prices in Spring and Summer start at $80. All tickets allow access to explore the magnificent Biltmore House and its sprawling grounds. 

If you are visiting during the Christmas period (Nov 2-Jan 5), prices start at $110. Visiting Biltmore Estate at Christmas to see the lights is a Christmas experience not to miss in NC .

Additional activities such as clay shooting, horseback riding, and other workshops and classes are additional to the ticket price.

Where To Stay When Visiting Biltmore Estate

Of course, there are places to stay on the Biltmore Estate which make a visit much easier. The Inn at Biltmore Estate is the most luxurious hotel on the grounds, as we mentioned earlier, but if you’re looking for something more modern, consider the following:

The Village Hotel

The Village Hotel is a newer hotel on the grounds and is of 3* quality. It has spacious and comfortable rooms, decorated in a more modern flare but still offers the warm hospitality that Biltmore is famous for.

The Cottages

There are also a couple of self-contained cottages on the estate that you can rent if you prefer a little more privacy and more amenities. You will need to book in advance for these though, as there is only a handful.

Hotel Indigo in Asheville

If you don’t want to stay on the grounds, we enjoyed our stay at Hotel Indigo in downtown Asheville . It’s a great location and has comfortable rooms.

Another option is to stay in Lake Lure, which is about an hour’s drive from Biltmore Estate. We love it there and if you’re planning to visit Asheville for 2+ days , consider making a stop by. We have a guide on our ytravelblog.com site on why we love Lake Lure and what to do there.

Tips for Visiting Biltmore Estate

To make the most of your trip, here are some words of advice:

• Get there early to avoid the crowds. Even if you have booked your ticket in advance, you’ll want to enjoy the house and gardens with fewer people. If possible, visit on weekdays to avoid weekend crowds.
• Purchase your tickets in advance. Reservations are required for the self-guided visit to Biltmore House and are timed entry, so you do need to book in advance to make sure that tickets are available.
• Get to the house at least 45 minutes before your Biltmore House entry time . It takes time to find a parking space and catch the shuttle bus to the house.
• Note that children under 16 are allowed to enter free for all summer (through Labor Day)! The rest of the year, children under 9 and admitted free.
• If you want to see the Christmas Lights or other special events throughout the year, book way in advance as they are very popular, and tickets sell out quickly. Biltmore Bloom in Spring is another popular event that boasts incredible floral displays.
• You need to drive from location to location in the estate, it’s that big!

About The Author

Caroline Makepeace

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Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C.

George Vanderbilt's 250-room castle is America's Largest Home and a top attraction in Asheville. Plan a visit to Biltmore House, explore 8,000 acres of grounds, or book a behind-the-scenes tour.

Elegance and grandeur abound at Biltmore , America’s largest home. This French Renaissance castle in the heart of Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains is an architectural jewel. The home features 250 rooms, including 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms and 65 fireplaces.

In addition to the house, the 8,000-acre estate is home to forested trails and beautiful gardens, which include one of the country’s most complete collections of azaleas. Biltmore is also where you’ll find the nation’s most-visited winery . As you explore the estate, enjoy shopping, dining and luxury accommodations.

The Top 9 Things to See and Do at Biltmore

1. Biltmore House:  Discover the elegance and charm of Biltmore house on a self-guided tour that weaves through four floors. On your way, marvel at the original furnishings, art and artifacts collected by George Vanderbilt. Favorite rooms of the mansion include the Library with 10,000 books and the grand Banquet Hall with its 70-foot high ceiling! An in-depth audio guide and guided behind-the-scenes tours are available at an additional cost.   

Guided tours of Biltmore House are also available, including the Biltmore Exclusive Experience, a custom, two-hour tour for small groups. The tour is led by an expert guide who specializes in Vanderbilt history and estate stories. You’ll visit areas off the main tour that are based on your interests. The Biltmore Exclusive Experience is one of three House tours now offered.

2. Gardens:  Take a stroll through meticulously manicured gardens designed by America’s foremost landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted . Begin in the Italian Garden, which features a series of reflection ponds, before heading down to the patterned Walled Garden. The Walled Garden features a rose garden with more than 250 varieties. In the spring as part of the Biltmore Blooms celebration, see the bright blooms in the Azalea Garden, one of the largest azalea collections in the country. Don't forget to head inside the Conservatory greenhouse, which showcases a wide variety of exotic plants and stunning orchids.

3. Bass Pond and Trails: From the gardens, the Bass Pond is just a short walk away. Sit a spell at the historic boathouse. Or choose a bench along the shore of the pond that offers a view of the beautiful red brick bridge that was featured in the movie, Last of the Mohicans . At the far end of the pond, you’ll find a man-made waterfall – a perfect place to sit and relax. The trail to the Bass Pond is part of a 22-mile network of walking and hiking trails on the Estate . All trails are pet-friendly (leashed dogs welcome). Trail maps are available at the main ticketing center when you arrive on the Estate, or from information kiosks located in front of the house and at Antler Hill Village.      

4. Biltmore Winery:  From the house and gardens, follow a beautiful drive with pastoral and mountain views to Antler Hill Village, the location of Biltmore Winery. With your admission to Biltmore, you receive a complimentary wine tasting. At the winery, you'll find more than 20 handcrafted vintages including reds whites and rosés. The true wine enthusiast will love the opportunity to take a guided tour of Biltmore Winery’s production facility or a guided tour of the breathtaking vineyards .  

5. Antler Hill Village: In addition to the winery, Antler Hill Village is home to the farm, where you can get a taste of what life was like for those who lived on the estate raising livestock and tending crops. Children will delight at the opportunity to meet the farm animals and play on the playground. In the heart of the Village, stop in at The Biltmore Legacy museum to see special historical exhibits, grab an ice cream at The Creamery, shop at the stores and or dine at Cedric’s Tavern . The Village is also where you may find artist demonstrations or live music.

6. Guided Outdoor Adventures: Play in Biltmore’s 8,000-acre backyard! Choose from Biltmore Estate tours and adventures such as fly fishing, river rafting/kayaking, biking, Land Rover tours and falconry. All these experiences (and more) are available to daytime guests, overnight guests and annual passholders for an additional charge. Many of the experiences do require making a reservation in advance.

7. Biltmore by Horse : Biltmore has been named one of the top places in the world to go horseback riding . Biltmore offers a variety of guided horseback rides and tours for a truly memorable adventure. Or, enjoy a relaxing journey on a horse-drawn carriage led by Belgian draft horses.

8. Dining: Choose from six restaurants that range from fine to casual dining. Biltmore Estate’s working farm provides the fresh herbs, salad greens, meats and eggs for many of the dishes served. Biltmore sources prime cuts of hormone-and-antibiotic-free beef and lamb from estate-raised Angus cattle and White Dorper sheep. Other ingredients such as mountain trout and farmstead cheese are sourced from local farmers.

9. Shopping: Discover treasures and purchase unique gifts at the estate’s charming shops. Shop arts and crafts, fashion, home accents, wines, books, toys and Christmas wares. There’s even a confectionery where you can choose from a tempting array of sweet treats.

Biltmore Estate Events:

• Chihuly at Biltmore -- March 25, 2024 - Jan. 5, 2025

Featured in museums and gardens around the world, including the spectacular 2018  Chihuly at Biltmore  exhibition,  Dale Chihuly’s  awe-inspiring works have captivated millions. Specially curated for Biltmore, a new experience of the world-renowned artist’s iconic creations awaits your discovery within the intimate gallery setting of Amherst at Deerpark®.

• Biltmore Blooms -- March 25, 2024 - May 23, 2024

Welcome spring in style with more than 130,000 flowers blooming across Biltmore Estate.

• Easter Egg Hunt – March 30-31, 2024 

Discover giant Easter eggs in the gardens, inside Biltmore House, and in Antler Hill Village! This estate tradition invites you and your kids to learn fun facts about the estate and experience its beauty as you search for 25 giant beautifully decorated eggs. A limited number of Easter Scavenger Hunt treat bags will be distributed from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. each day of the event. Treat bags are for kids nine and younger.

• Candlelight Christmas Evenings  – November 2, 2024 - January 4, 2025

At night during the holidays, Biltmore lights the dozens of fireplaces and candles in Biltmore House, and live music adds to the special ambiance.

• Christmas at Biltmore  – November 2, 2024 - January 5, 2025

Biltmore shines with holiday grandeur with stunning decorations. In Biltmore house, see more than 65 hand-decorated trees, including the 35-foot tree in the Banquet Hall. Fresh poinsettias brighten the rooms. And, Antler Hill Village lights up with light displays outside and beautiful decorations inside Biltmore Winery.

Plan Your Visit to Biltmore Estate

• Purchase Biltmore Estate tickets online in advance, or purchase them at the Asheville Visitor Center for a $5 discount. Reservations are required to access the estate.
• Kids 9 and under get in free  Children 9 & under receive free admission to Biltmore House (add Audio to their tour for $12-15), but every child requires an admission ticket to enter the estate with a parent or guardian.
• Parking and Estate Transportation:  Free parking on the Estate. More parking & Estate information is available here .
• A visit to Biltmore is spectacular in any season, with special celebrations offered in the springtime ( Biltmore Blooms ) and around the holidays ( Christmas at Biltmore ).

Where to Stay Near Biltmore Estate:

There are three places to stay on Biltmore Estate. For a more casual experience, choose the Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate , located next to Biltmore Winery. The Inn on Biltmore Estate offers four-star elegance. And, the Cottage on Biltmore Estate is a historic accommodation offering a unique, private experience.

Just outside the entrance gate of Biltmore Estate is historic  Biltmore Village . Biltmore Village is a historic district that is home to fine art galleries, top notch restaurants and a mix of boutique and nationally recognized shops. There are several places to stay in Biltmore Village , from luxury accommodations to family-friendly hotels.

See our places to stay page for more great accommodations in and around Asheville.

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ULTIMATE Biltmore Estate Travel Guide

Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina is a historic property and the largest home in the United States. This enormous estate, which is 178,926 square feet, was built for George Washington Vanderbilt II in the late 1800s. 

It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1963 and, since then, it has gone on to become one of the most visited tourist attractions in North Carolina. It has around 1.4 million visitors per year. Today, the house is worth around $37 million. If you include the entire estate and surrounding 2,194-acre property, it’s worth a whopping $64 million. 

The first thing you notice about the house is the beautiful French Renaissance, Chateau-style architecture and Victorian-style grounds that were custom-designed by famed architect Richard Morris Hunt. The adjoining Biltmore Village once included all the services and amenities of a small town including a church, post office, school, doctor’s office and shops. 

One thing’s for certain about the house; it’s a stately place with 250 rooms and 65 fireplaces. Its location, tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is just as impressive!

Today, the property is still owned by Mr Vanderbilt’s descendants, but it serves a much different purpose than it did when it housed the family through the earlier part of the 1900s. 

It’s open to the public so you can spend a day exploring the iconic property. Visiting is one of the best things to do in Asheville! There’s so much to see and do at the Biltmore Estate that we’ve outlined everything you need to know about it so you can get the most out of your visit. 

History of the Biltmore Estate

After repeated visits to his mother who lived in the Asheville area, George Washington Vanderbilt fell in love with the city and its scenery and peaceful atmosphere. This fondness of the region made him decide to build a summer home there and in 1889, construction began on what became known as the Biltmore Estate. 

The name mainly comes from De Bilt, which is the name of the place his ancestors came from in the Netherlands. The project was so grand that it required more than 1,000 workers and a factory producing over 30,00 bricks per day had to be built on the construction site. It was officially completed in 1895. 

Upon his death, parts of the property were sold and his widow lived there part-time in an on-site apartment. It wasn’t until 1930 that their daughter Cornelia opened the estate to the public. It was closed during the war and used as a private residence until 1956 when its days as a private residence ended.  

From that point on, it functioned as a museum. On the 100th anniversary of the estate, ownership was passed down to Vanderbilt’s great-grandson, Bill Cecil Jr. 

Besides being a top tourist attraction in Asheville, Biltmore Estate also captured the attention of movie producers. Over a dozen movies were partly filmed on-site including Patch Adams and The Last of the Mohicans. 

What to See at Biltmore Estate

When you visit Biltmore Estate, you’re not just visiting an old home and admiring the period furniture and expensive artwork. Many historic houses allow visitors to walk through and see how the former owners lived but at the Biltmore Estate, you get to do this and so much more!

To get an initial understanding of just how much there is to see and do, consider this; the entire estate is 8,000 acres and the property is home to the main house, gardens, walking trails and Antler Hill Village where you’ll find shops, restaurants and even overnight accommodations. 

The best way to experience the estate is to start with a self-guided or guided tour of the main Biltmore House . As you make your way around, you’ll see original furniture and decor, priceless art and artifacts and a banquet hall with 70-foot ceilings. 

The on-site gardens are a lovely place to spend some time outdoors and it’s in these gardens that you’ll find one of the biggest Azalea collections in the country. There’s also an expansive rose garden and exotic plants that are housed in the Conservatory Greenhouse. 

The Bass Pond Trails are another great place to enjoy some fresh air. See an old boathouse, relax on one of the benches near the pond or admire the pretty waterfall (one of the best Asheville waterfalls) . There are 22 miles of trails out there, so while you might not be able to cover them all during your visit, you can explore a few before heading to Antler Hill Village.

There’s so much to see and do at Antler Hill Village. One of the top attractions is the Biltmore Winery where your admission ticket gets you a free wine tasting. Like what you taste? There are over 20 handcrafted vintages to choose from so you can purchase some to take home with you. You can also take a guided tour of the beautiful vineyards. 

Antler Hill Village also features six restaurants and there’s something for every budget and taste.  Whether you’re a family with young children seeking a casual, affordable meal or a couple looking to sit down to a romantic fine dining experience, you’ll find it here! The best thing about the food is many of the ingredients are fresh and local – right from the property’s working farm. You can visit that farm and meet some of the friendly farm animals too.

Searching for a gift for a special someone or a nice home addition? The delightful little shops at Antler Hill Village have everything including handcrafted ornaments, clothing, art, books and Christmas items. Many of the items are unique and can’t be found anywhere else. 

Other attractions at Antler Hill Village include The Biltmore Legacy Museum and an ice cream shop. Throughout the year, a variety of events take place including art shows, concerts and the much-anticipated Biltmore Blooms that take place every spring.  

While exploring Biltmore Estate, there are many exciting outdoor pursuits to enjoy as well.  Fishing, kayaking, river rafting and cycling are popular on-site. You can also embark on a Segway tour, horseback riding tour, or Land Rover Adventure. 

Biltmore Estate Admission Price and Hours

The Biltmore Estate is open every day of the week, but the hours vary so it’s best to check the website ahead to make sure they are open when you plan to go. 

To be admitted to the property, you need to present a Biltmore Admission Ticket and it’s best to purchase this ticket online or at the Asheville Visitor Center in advance because some days, particularly around Thanksgiving and Christmas, they do sell out. Purchasing in advance also gets you a discount so that’s a nice bonus!

The price of admission starts at $89 depending on the time of year and day of the week you wish to visit and where you would like to go. Children under the age of 9 can enter the property at no cost.  Children between 10 and 16 can enter for free during the summer months and at half-price during all other times. 

Your admission ticket allows you access to all of the property’s attractions including the winery, village, grounds and trails. Guided tours of the main house are not included in the admission ticket price. The ticket options for Biltmore are as follows:

• Biltmore House Admission Audio Guided Tour
• Audio Guided Tour Plus
• Expert Guided Visit Plus

You may also just purchase a Gardens & Grounds admission , which does  NOT  include Biltmore House entry, but is good value as you have access to 75+ Acres of formal and informal gardens, 20+ Miles of hiking, biking, and walking trails, Antler Hill Village & Winery, Complimentary Wine Tastings and parking.

Tips for Visiting Biltmore estate

How Long Do You Need at Biltmore Estate

When it comes to how long you should spend exploring the Biltmore Estate, that’s completely up to you. There are no restrictions on how long you can stay onsite between opening and closing hours but generally, it takes a minimum of two hours just to go through the main Biltmore House itself.  

Most people plan on spending one full day at Biltmore as there is so much to see and do on the 8000 acre estate. The house, gardens, farm, and winery are enough to keep entertained for the day.

If you wish to shop, grab a bite to eat, go on a tour, visit the museum or hang out in the gardens, you’ll need to put more time aside. You want to get your money’s worth and see everything that the admission ticket allows you to see.

What to Wear/Bring at Biltmore Estate

Although a dress code isn’t enforced, it’s recommended that business casual attire be worn at The Dining Room at The Inn. Resort casual attire is suitable for the other on-site restaurants. 

If you want to take pictures of your visit, that’s fine, but they can only be taken without a flash and are not to be used for commercial purposes.

If you want to have a picnic outdoors during your visit, be aware that any kind of tents, large coolers, grills and camping furniture are not allowed on the estate grounds. Inside the Biltmore House, you’re only permitted to have beverages in clear plastic bottles. 

Parking at Biltmore Estates

You won’t be able to drive your car directly to the estate. You’ll need to park at the Central Parking area and take a free shuttle to the Biltmore House. Alternatively, you can park in one of the Central Parking lots that are closest to the property and walk to the house. Parking is free with admission ticket.

Pets at Biltmore

Pets are allowed on Biltmore Grounds, but only service animals are allowed in Biltmore House.

Accommodation Near the Biltmore

If one day isn’t enough at Biltmore Estate, or you just need a place to stay the night in Asheville, there’s a variety of accommodation options available on-site.  

The Village Hotel , situated next to the winery, is a laid-back option popular with families and budget-conscious visitors. During your stay, you’ll have access to a fitness center, a cafe, a heated outdoor swimming pool and a spa. Rooms have televisions, Keurig coffee makers, refrigerators and free Wi-Fi.

The Inn on Biltmore Estate is a chic four-star property featuring mountain views, 24-hour concierge service, a cocktail lounge, a spa, a fitness center, a heated outdoor pool and laundry service. Each room has complimentary Wi-Fi service, a Nespresso coffee machine, bathrobes, slippers and a television. Nightly turn-down service is available. 

The historic Cottages at Biltmore Estate offer a more exclusive and luxurious experience. At one of these lovely cottages, you’ll enjoy many amenities including a 24-hour concierge, floral service, laundry service and access to the gym, pool and spa at the nearby inn. In your room, you’ll find free Wi-Fi, a Nespresso coffee machine and custom bathrobes and slippers. 

Other Nearby Asheville Attractions

While you’re in Asheville, there are many other great attractions to check out in the city and surrounding region. The North Carolina Arboretum features 434 acres of lovely gardens and nature trails while the Pisgah National Forest makes for a great escape into the natural side of the area. 

At the Western North Carolina Nature Center, you’ll observe over 60 animal species and Southern Appalachian crafts are showcased at the Southern Highland Craft Guild and Folk Art Center. The Thomas Wolfe Memorial highlights the life and times of the acclaimed writer and the Ashville Art Museum is where you’ll see many works of modern American art. 

Learn about a well-known local poet at the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site and spend a rainy afternoon playing nostalgic pinball games and learning about the history of pinball at the Asheville Pinball Museum.

If you are driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, Biltmore Estates makes for a lovely day stop nearby!

About Natasha

Natasha moved to North Carolina for college years ago (but she's not trying to age herself here). Her days were spent reading a book on the beach and enjoying a cold glass of sweet tea in between classes at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Upon graduation, she met her partner, Cameron, and they traveled the world together crossing 85 countries and seven continents. After, many years of international travel they settled down a bit and launched Lost in the Carolinas to share their experiences about and travel tips on South Carolina and North Carolina.

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Visiting the Biltmore Estate: Tips and Things To Do

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If you are traveling to Asheville, North Carolina, visiting the Biltmore Estate is an absolute must-do. You can easily spend a whole day here touring the house and the grounds (so be sure to include it in your Asheville itinerary !). And there are definitely some tips you will want to know for making the most of your visit.

Gerrit and I first visited The Biltmore on our honeymoon in 2010, and we loved touring the palatial rooms and beautiful gardens. In 2021, we went back on our anniversary trip and found even more to do at the estate (including a special tour that we LOVED! More below.) Even with two trips under our belts, I can see us going back for years to come. It always seems like there is more to explore, plus I’d love to see it at Christmas!

So if you are planning a trip to Asheville and want to visit the Biltmore Estate, here is everything you should know to make the most of your visit!

History of the Biltmore Estate

The Biltmore Estate was the country home of George and Edith Vanderbilt completed in 1895. It is built in a French chateau style, and is perhaps the closest thing we have to a castle to visit in the United States.

George Vanderbilt (grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt who built the family fortune) first visited Asheville, North Carolina in 1888 and feel in love with the Blue Ridge Mountains. Construction on his estate there began in 1889. When George Vanderbilt married in 1898, the Biltmore is where he and his wife, Edith, lived.

The Biltmore opened to the public for tours in 1930, and has been enjoyed by Asheville residents and visitors since then. Even now, the company the runs the Biltmore Estate is still owned by descendants of George Vanderbilt.

But the Biltmore Estate is more than just a house; there are also gardens, a winery, shopping areas, hotels and more. It’s also still a working estate, with farms and livestock.

All this means that if you wanted to, you could spend an entire vacation at The Biltmore. Don’t panic though: if you are visiting Asheville, you really only need one day to visit the estate. And we’ve got the perfect itinerary at the end of this post!

Where is the Biltmore?

The Biltmore Estate is located in Asheville, North Carolina. It sits on 8,000 acres just south of downtown Asheville.

From downtown Asheville it takes just under 10 minutes to get to The Biltmore Estate. But when you are visiting you will still want to give yourself plenty of time to get there; the Approach Road once you go through the gates seems to take about another 10 minutes and parking (and possibly needing to ride a bus to the house) can take time.

Best Time to Visit the Biltmore

I’m pretty sure if you ask just about anyone, they will tell you the best time to visit the Biltmore is when the house is decorated for Christmas. I haven’t been able to go at Christmas yet, but the photos look gorgeous. Know that Christmas definitely draws the crowds though, so be prepared for a busy estate!

We’ve only been in the summer before, and while it has been crowded and hot, we’ve still had a good time. Spring and Fall are great times to visit, because the weather is milder. Plus in Spring you get the flowers, and in Fall you get the beautiful colors of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Arguably though, there is no bad time to visit the Biltmore!

Top Things To Do at The Biltmore Estate

There is so much to do when visiting the Biltmore Estate beyond just the house! Here are some of the most popular options.

Tour the Biltmore House

Your ticket to the Biltmore includes a self-guided tour through the house. You’ll see everything from the Banquet Hall and Library to the bedrooms and kitchens.

If you want to, you can choose to do an audio tour. It used to be that the audio guide was an additional price, but not it is included with the base ticket. So you might as well get it!

Our favorite thing we’ve ever done though is the Backstairs Tour . This is a separate ticket for a small group tour. (For us in July 2021, it was about $40 per person.) This tour is so interesting! You get to go into some of the back hallways and servant areas and hear about what life was like for both the Vanderbilts and the staff of the house, plus you hear a lot of stories about their connections to each other. I highly recommend this tour or one of the other small tours offered!

Walk Through the Biltmore Gardens

Surrounding the house there are several gardens you can visit!

• Italian Garden: This garden is full of lily ponds and statues and is located right next to the house.
• Shrub Garden: You’ll walk through this spacious garden on your way to the Conservatory. Think of it more like a walking path through a park.
• Walled Garden: This is the garden that sits in front of the Conservatory, featuring seasonal flowers and a long archway you can walk through.
• Rose Garden: Directly in front of the Conservatory is the Rose Garden, featuring well…roses.
• Conservatory: This is an iconic garden building, and inside you’ll find plants like ferns, orchids, and plams.
• Azalea Garden: Directly behind the Conservatory is the Azalea Garden. This is one that will require a bit more walking.
• Spring Garden: This garden is east of the walled garden but is a bit out of way. It features spring-blooming shrubs.

Spend Time in Antler Hill Village

Antler Hill Village is an area on the Biltmore Estate that features shopping, dining, and activities. There is lots here for families to enjoy! It’s a great place to spend an afternoon or evening after touring the house during the day.

Here’s what you can find at Antler Hill Village:

• Biltmore Winery: Your Biltmore House ticket will include a complementary wine tasting, and this is where you’ll do that!
• Shopping: There are several different shops to browse that feature items like home goods, local crafts, and the Biltmore wine.
• Dining: There are several restaurants to choose from in Antler Hill Village. Many of them serve local and regional dishes.
• Barn and Farmyard: See farmyard animals, see live demonstrations, and find children’s activities.
• Village Green & Bandstand: Relax on the lawn and enjoy live music.

Visit the Winery

The Biltmore produces its own wine, and you can taste the wine at the Winery at Antler Hill Village. A complimentary wine tasting comes with your estate ticket (you just need to schedule your tasting with guest services). But you can also schedule tours of the winery and purchase wine (of course).

The Biltmore Estate has a variety of restaurants on property. If you are touring the house, you can eat at the nearby Stable Cafe or The Courtyard Market. Antler Hill also has a variety of restaurants to choose from. You can see a full list of restaurants here .

Outdoor Activities

The Biltmore Estate offers a huge variety of guided activities, which makes sense when you are nestled in such beautiful mountains. You can find guided hikes, mountain biking, falconry experiences, horseback riding, and more .

Stay on Property

You can actually stay overnight at Biltmore Estate. No, you can’t stay in the house. But the estate has three different options: the Village Hotel, The Inn, and the Cottages. The Village Hotel is the most moderately priced, while The Inn is more luxurious. The Cottages are the most expensive, but are also different as they are entire homes rather than hotel rooms.

All three options have access to The Spa, outdoor pool, and fitness center. You can compare options here .

Tips for Visiting the Biltmore Estate

Buy tickets ahead of time.

You should definitely purchase your tickets to the Biltmore Estate in advance. You can buy tickets online or you can call. When you buy your tickets, you will also reserve your house entrance time (and we recommend the earliest time!).

If you want to buy tickets for a specialty tour, your will need to call. On our last visit, I called and bought our house tickets and tour tickets at the same time, and they were extremely helpful when I was trying to figure out the best times for each one.

Eat Breakfast Beforehand

While there are some breakfast restaurant options in Antler Hill Village and a small bake shop with pastries near the house, it’s best to eat a big breakfast before you arrive. That way you can get straight to touring the Biltmore House and Estate in the morning and have plenty of time to do everything.

Get There Early

While the Biltmore Estate is close to downtown Asheville, we still recommend showing up at least an hour before your reserved house entrance time. Once you go through the gates of the estate, you still have to drive to the parking lots, park, and walk or take a bus to the house. If it’s particularly crowded and/or you don’t arrive until later in the day, this can take a good amount of time.

Make Wine Tasting + Dining Reservations

Make sure you have reservations for all the things you want to do. If you want to dine at a restaurant (as opposed to grabbing a to-go bite to eat at a restaurant like The Courtyard Market), you will want to make a dining reservation. The Stable Cafe is especially popular, so make reservations in advance.

You’ll also want to make sure you have your wine tasting booked. The wine tasting is complementary with your estate ticket, but you still have to reserve a time. Wine tastings can only be booked day-of. So visit a customer service kiosk when you arrive to book your preferred time.

Schedule Plenty of Time to Tour the House

Make sure you have plenty of time to see the house! It is commonly said that it takes two hours to see the house, but honestly I would allocate a bit more time, especially if you are doing the self-guided audio tour. (You DON’T want to be like us on our last trip, where we were rushing through the end to make it to our lunch reservation.)

Book a Specialty Tour

The special tours at the Biltmore are FANTASTIC. As I’ve already said maybe like five times in this post, we did the Backstairs Tour on our last trip and it was hands down my favorite thing we’ve ever done at the Biltmore. You learn so much and get to see areas of the house that aren’t part of the general tour.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

You will be doing A LOT of walking at the Biltmore, so make sure you have comfortable shoes. Not only is the house huge, but the gardens are also extensive and you don’t want to miss out on seeing something because your feet hurt!

One Day Biltmore Itinerary

Most people visiting Asheville will schedule a day to visit the Biltmore, and here’s how we think you should plan your day!

First, tour the house. Schedule your house entrance time as early as possible. If you arrive before your scheduled entrance time, spend some time exploring the nearby gardens and the terrace. Also, stop by guest services first thing and reserve a late afternoon/early evening wine tasting!

After your house tour, have lunch. If you can make reservations at The Stable Cafe, they have great food! If not, you can grab something at The Courtyard Market. Both restaurants are located just left of the house exit in the stable area.

In the early afternoon, tour the gardens. My favorite is the Italian Garden and the Walled Garden! If you get too hot, head back to the stable area to cool off in the shops.

If you are there during one of the hotter months, consider visiting some of the gardens in the morning before house tour.

Mid-afternoon go on a specialty tour. We did the 2:00 p.m. Backstairs Tour when we visited, and the timing worked out great. Most tours last about an hour.

Next, hop in the car and head to Antler Hill Village. Enjoy your complementary wine tasting (which you scheduled earlier, right?) and check out the shops. Then think about grabbing some dinner for a great end to a day of visiting The Biltmore Estate!

FAQs About Visiting the Biltmore Estate

Here are answers to some of the most common questions about visiting the Biltmore Estate

Can you leave and return in the same day?

Yes! Your admission to the Biltmore Estate is good for the full day, so you can leave and return during the day with the same ticket.

How long does it take to tour the Biltmore?

Touring the house takes about two hours, sometimes a little longer. But plan to spend a whole day at the Biltmore so you can also spend time in the Biltmore Gardens, explore Antler Hill Village, and dine at one of the Biltmore’s restaurants.

What time does the Biltmore open?

Hours vary. But generally, admission to the Estate begins at 8:30 a.m. Your time to enter the Biltmore House will depend on the ticket you purchased.

What time should I choose for my Biltmore House entrance ticket?

I like to schedule my entrance time as early in the morning as I can. It tends to be less crowded, and then I also get the rest of the day to explore the Estate or go on specialty tours. However, if it’s a super hot day when you visit, you might choose to do the Gardens in the morning and then the House in the afternoon.

What is the best time to visit the Biltmore Gardens?

If you are visiting the Biltmore during the summer, choose to do the Gardens first thing in the morning when it is hot! Otherwise, visit them mid-morning or afternoon after you tour the house.

Who owns the Biltmore Estate?

The Biltmore Estate is owned by the Biltmore Company, which is still operated by the Vanderbilt family. However, you will see the surname Cecil most often now, as Cornelia Vanderbilt, George’s daughter and only child, married John Cecil.

Can you stay at the Biltmore Estate?

You cannot stay in the Biltmore House. But, the Biltmore Estate has three accommodation options on property: Village Hotel, The Inn, and the Cottages.

Is the Biltmore pet friendly?

Pets are not allowed inside any buildings at the Biltmore Estate. However, the outdoor areas are pet-friendly. Pets must be leashed.

Some restaurants in Antler Hill Village allow pets on their patios, but be sure to request patio seating.

Is visiting The Biltmore worth the price?

Visiting The Biltmore can definitely be a little pricey. But it is definitely worth visiting at least once! When you consider that your ticket gets you not only into the House, but also gives you access to the Gardens, Antler Hill Village, and a complementary wine tasting, it definitely feels worth it.

Where To Stay Near the Biltmore

If you want to stay near the Biltmore Estate, you can either stay in one of their on-property accommodations or in nearby Biltmore Village.

Biltmore Estate Accommodations

• The Inn: This is the original hotel on the Biltmore Estate. It is a 4-star hotel and has a luxury feel.
• Village Hotel: This is more budget friendly option (but can still be somewhat pricey).
• Cottages The priciest option gives you a full cottage on the Biltmore Estate.

Biltmore Village Accommodations

Biltmore Village is located right across the road from the entrance to the Biltmore Estate, so it’s a super convenient location. Here are a few hotel options in the Biltmore Village area:

• The Grand Bohemian is located centrally in Biltmore Village and offers luxurious rooms within walking distance of all the shopping and dining in Biltmore Village.
• Home2 Suites near Biltmore Village is a more budget-friendly option that is great for families.
• Courtyard by Marriott is a bit further down the road, but is still a super convenient location just a couple blocks from Biltmore Village.

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Visiting the Biltmore Estate: Tips, Things to Do + FAQ!

Immediately striking and visually enchanting from all angles, visiting the Biltmore Estate gives visitors an opportunity to explore one of the most iconic Gilded Age mansions, visit one of the nation’s most popular wineries, wander stunning gardens, and enjoy a wide variety of additional sights–all without leaving the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding Asheville, North Carolina.

As one of the most prominent (not to mention pricey) tourist attractions in North Carolina, scoping out the best things to do at Biltmore Estate and (roughly) sketching out your Biltmore itinerary in advance are key to planning an enjoyable trip versus a potentially overwhelming one.

Here’s everything you need to know before visiting Biltmore Estate, including on-the-ground tips!

Table of Contents

A (Very) Brief History of the Biltmore in Asheville, NC

Top things to do at the biltmore estate, practical travel tips for the biltmore estate, faq about visiting the biltmore.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

Take a brief glance at the front facade of the stunning Biltmore House, and you may temporarily assume you’ve been transported to the Loire Valley–and that’s not by mistake.

Biltmore House was commissioned by George Washington Vanderbilt ll, the grandson of the incredibly famous railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt and the youngest son of Cornelius’ primary heir.

The home was built between 1889 and 1895, though it’s worth noting that when the house first opened to family and friends during Christmas 1895, several pieces were still unfinished.

Biltmore House was designed by famed architect Richard Morris Hunt (see: the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty, the Great Hall of the Met, and many mansions in NYC and Newport).

The grounds were intricately designed by Frederick Law Olmstead (see: Central Park, Prospect Park, many university layouts).

Only 35 short years after Biltmore House was first opened, Cornelia Vanderbilt (the sole child of George Vanderbilt ll and his wife, Edith Vanderbilt) and her husband opened the house to tourism, in part to help the city of Asheville weather the Great Depression.

One of the most important Biltmore tips to keep in mind?

The Biltmore Estate is so much more than just the largest home in America.

Covering roughly 8,000 acres, there are days worth of interesting things to do at the Biltmore!

Here’s how to enjoy one (very busy) day trip to the Biltmore Estate.

Tour Biltmore House.

Without a doubt the most popular attraction at the Biltmore Estate is the Biltmore House itself!

The self-guided tour of Biltmore House takes visitors through several of the home’s roughly 250 rooms, including public and private living areas, guest quarters, the famous banquet hall, and George Vanderbilt’s magnificent library.

The basement is my personal favorite part of the tour: not only does this section of the Biltmore tour cover more of the backend details like the kitchens and a sample of the servant quarters, it’s also where you’ll find whimsical details like the indoor swimming pool, Halloween room, and the famous bowling alley.

Explore the Biltmore Gardens.

Biltmore’s formal and informal gardens are incredibly impressive, and well worth lingering over.

There’s something peaceful and enchanting about meandering slowly through this intricately-arranged wonderland, designed with great care by Frederick Law Olmstead and his team.

While Biltmore House is extraordinarily impressive, the gardens and grounds are a clear reminder that the setting is what drew George Vanderbilt ll to build the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC in the first place!

… and the Conservatory.

When exploring the Biltmore Gardens, absolutely do not miss the Conservatory!

Completed in 1895, the combination of beautiful plants, natural light, and delicate architecture make the Conservatory one of my favorite places at Biltmore Estate.

If you happen to be visiting when the intricate model train system is running, all the better.

Soak in the views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Be sure not to miss the loggia (accessed from inside Biltmore House) or the terraces located next door to the house!

Savor the drive up Approach Road.

As you drive the winding 3-mile road from Biltmore Village to Biltmore House, you’ll no doubt feel a bit lost in the woods–but far from being a product of nature, that feeling was carefully cultivated by Frederick Law Olmstead when designing the estate’s landscape.

Enjoy a wine tasting.

Your Biltmore admission ticket includes a complimentary wine tasting–be sure to take advantage of it (more details on how in the next section).

Meander through Antler Hill Village.

Part farming village, part polished park, and part winery, Antler Hill Village boasts some of the best things to do at the Biltmore, including a historic barn to explore, farmyard visits to take part in, crafting demonstrations, and plenty of places to eat–including the popular Cedric’s Tavern and The Creamery (you’ll find ice cream and coffee on the menu here).

Antler Hill Village also boasts a playground, as well as access to nearby trails.

This is also where you’ll take part in your complimentary wine tasting–and you’ll find plenty to entertain yourself with before and after!

Grab lunch on-site.

With 15 dining options to choose from, you’ll be spoiled for choice when deciding where to eat lunch at Biltmore Estate.

Two of the most popular lunch spots are Stable Cafe right next door to Biltmore House, which serves up Carolina barbecue and Appalachian comfort food in the Biltmore’s historic stable, and Cedric’s Tavern, which serves delicious pub-style food in Antler Hill Village.

Check out additional tours.

If you want to get beyond the standard rooms on your tour of Biltmore House, consider signing up for an additional tour!

Rooftop tours, Backstairs tours (focused on the lives of Biltmore’s employees), behind-the-scenes winery tours, and more are available at certain times throughout the year.

Browse the shops.

Biltmore has several shops on-site, selling everything from souvenirs to books about Biltmore to food items produced on-site (including Biltmore’s wine, of course!).

Think of the Biltmore Estate as a day trip, not a one-off attraction.

Not only does it take a full day to put a solid dent into covering the best things to do at Biltmore Estate, but it’s a great way to make the most of your entrance fee.

Book your ticket in advance.

It is essential to book your visit to the Biltmore in advance in order to secure a chance to tour the house (which is, without a doubt, the star of the show).

Ticket prices vary based on the package that you buy, how far in advance you purchase, and what time of year you’re visiting, but currently start at $76 per person.

For context, we visited on a weekday in June and were able to schedule our visit 48 hours in advance, but only had a couple of house tour times to choose from, as most were already sold out.

Get an audio guide for the house tour.

The tour is not signposted, so you’ll miss the vast majority of the context of the tour without a guide!

In-person tours are also available but are far more expensive (around $200 per person, give or take).

Make winery reservations as soon as you arrive.

Reservations are required in order to take advantage of the complimentary wine tasting that is included with your Biltmore ticket–but you can’t make a reservation until you arrive on-site.

Signs posted with QR codes are scattered around the property, and you can use these to make reservations through your phone.

Alternatively, you can visit a guest services location to make reservations.

Plan to drive around the property (and possibly take a shuttle).

Antler Hill Village (where you’ll complete your wine tasting) and the Biltmore House and Gardens are located a decent drive apart–the Biltmore website recommends setting aside 45 minutes to make the journey from Antler Hill Village to your Biltmore House tour during peak hours–so keep that in mind when planning your Biltmore itinerary.

This estate map is excellent for visualizing the property.

Once you reach Biltmore House and park, you may need to take a shuttle to the house itself–or alternatively, if you get fairly close parking, walk 8-10 minutes to the house.

Consider reading up on the home’s history before you go.

I picked up Denise Kiernan’s The Last Castle after visiting Biltmore Estate and absolutely loved learning more about the house and the family that made it a home–and I wish I had read it before visiting!

If you’re interested in the Vanderbilts beyond Biltmore, you may also enjoy The Last Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt , a dense but incredibly interesting biography of Cornelius Vanderbilt, the grandfather of George Vanderbilt ll and the man responsible for starting the Vanderbilt dynasty.

Can you leave the Biltmore and then return the same day?

Yes, you can!

If you’re staying nearby or would rather eat off-site for lunch, you can easily break up your day into two parts, visiting Antler Hill Village and the winery as one block and then visiting the house and gardens at another time.

How long does it take to see the Biltmore?

Self-guided tours of the Biltmore House last about 90 minutes, give or take, but a full visit to the Biltmore Estate can easily take a full day!

If you’re short on time and want to put together a condensed half-day Biltmore itinerary (and don’t mind skipping the wine tasting), you can see the house, enjoy views of the front facade from the lawn, explore the gardens, have lunch, and browse some of the Biltmore’s shops within 4 hours or so, all without moving your car.

Who owns the Biltmore today?

The Biltmore Company, which is owned by the direct descendents of George and Edith Vanderbilt, owns and operates the Biltmore today.

The family is still involved in day-to-day operations, and the Biltmore Estate is regarded as the largest privately-owned home in the USA.

Can you stay at the Biltmore Estate?

Yes and no.

Biltmore House itself is not open for overnight stays, but the estate does have a few properties on-site, including the Inn, the Village Hotel, and the Cottages.

Is the Biltmore pet-friendly?

More than you would expect!

While Biltmore House and other buildings on the property are not pet-friendly, leashed dogs are welcome on the grounds, including in the gardens.

We took Ranger to Antler Hill Village during our day trip to Biltmore.

Is visiting the Biltmore Estate worth the price?

With an average day at the Biltmore costing $70-90 (not including food, souvenirs, or additional tours), it’s definitely not the most budget-friendly tourism experience in Asheville–but for the right traveler, it’s definitely worth it!

If you enjoy house museums, history, and exploring beautiful grounds, you’ll find plenty of fun things to do at the Biltmore and it’s well worth the visit if it fits into your budget.

We had an absolute blast visiting the Biltmore Estate and would happly go again in the future–especially if we could schedule it so we had a chance to experience Christmas at the Biltmore.

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About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

6 thoughts on “Visiting the Biltmore Estate: Tips, Things to Do + FAQ!”

Thank you so much for this information!

So glad it was helpful, Susan! Have a great visit to the Biltmore. 🙂

Christmas at the Biltmore is breathtaking!!!!

That’s what we’ve always heard! One of these days we’ll make the timing work to visit then.

Planning a family trip this Christmas there. Your article helped relieve some stress. Thanks! -Lucy

(Enjoy your travels. Sounds amazing)

So glad it was helpful, Lucy! Enjoy your travels as well. 🙂

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9 Helpful Tips for Visiting the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC

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When I traveled to the Southeast USA, I was thrilled for a chance to tour the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC — a stunning 250-room French Renaissance château nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Biltmore Estate is a refreshing taste of European architecture in the middle of the American South. After my husband and I canceled our fall trip to Europe due to Covid, visiting the Biltmore felt like an exciting way to relive what would have been our European vacation!

We discovered many helpful tips for visiting the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, during our visit that I am excited to share with you! But first, here’s a little history lesson on the Biltmore!

Disclosure: Some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links, meaning that I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. This helps me keep the content on my website free for you to enjoy!

History of the Biltmore Estate

George Vanderbilt opened Biltmore House on Christmas Eve in 1895 after six years of construction. George lived on the property with his wife, Edith, and daughter, Cornelia. The house was not opened to the public until the 1930s to generate income to preserve the estate. 

Today, the Biltmore Estate in Asheville is the largest private home in America and attracts over one million visitors per year. The Biltmore offers visitors an impressive history, remarkable architecture, vintage art, and breathtaking gardens. No matter what your interest is, you’ll find something to love about the Biltmore. 

Tips for Visiting the Biltmore Estate—Is it Worth the Cost?  

I’ll be honest—I was skeptical about visiting the Biltmore because of the cost. Depending on the time of year you visit, Biltmore Experience tickets can cost anywhere from $94 to $114 per person. 

Although the Biltmore is expensive to visit, I can assure you that it is definitely worth the cost. We spent the entire day at the Biltmore House & Gardens and Antler Hill Village and felt that we definitely got our money’s worth. We couldn’t imagine a better way to spend a day in Asheville! 

Tips for Visiting the Biltmore Estate— Where to Stay in Asheville, NC

Unfortunately, you can’t stay in the Biltmore when visiting, but you can stay at several excellent locations close by! There are excellent hotels near the Biltmore that offer a range of prices to accommodate those looking to relax in luxury or find a budget-friendly stay.  

Here are a few of my recommendations: 

• The Inn on Biltmore Estate ($$$$)  – Pamper yourself with a luxury stay on the Biltmore Estate to enjoy the on-site spa, heated pool, and fine-dining restaurants.
• Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate ($$$)  – One of the best tips for visiting the Biltmore Estate? Stay as close to the winery as you can! The Village Hotel is located in the heart of Antler Hill Village with close access to phenomenal restaurants, shopping, and the world-famous Biltmore Winery.
• Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville ($$$$)  – Enjoy a unique, luxury stay in the Biltmore Village, just three miles from Downtown Asheville.
• Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites – Asheville – Biltmore Village Area ($$)  – Clean, budget-friendly stay just under a mile away from the Biltmore Estate.
• Courtyard Asheville Biltmore Village ($$)  – Modern, comfortable, and clean stay located about a mile from the Biltmore Estate.

Tips for Visiting the Biltmore Estate in Asheville  

Before visiting the Biltmore, I had a lot of questions about what the experience would be like. As it turns out, I learned a lot during my visit to the Biltmore that I want to share with you to help your visit go seamlessly! 

Here are nine tips for visiting the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, that will make your experience unforgettable! 

1. Buy Your Tickets in Advance  

As I mentioned earlier, The Biltmore has over one million visitors per year—which, if you do the math, is over 2,500 visitors per day! Even though there are many spots available to tour the Biltmore house each day, you might be surprised to know that tickets sell out quickly—especially during the weekends, holidays, and Christmas season. 

One of the most important tips for visiting the Biltmore Estate is to buy your tickets ahead of time to ensure that you reserve a ticket for the day that you want to visit. 

2. Your Ticket Time is for the Biltmore House Tour  

One of the most critical tips for visiting the Biltmore Estate is that the time on your ticket is for your  self-guided house tour , NOT your entry to the estate.  

My husband and I made the mistake of assuming that our ticket time was when we were supposed to arrive at the estate. Because of this mistake, we were nearly an hour late for our tour. Thankfully, the attendant allowed us to tour the Biltmore home; however, I would advise you against making the same mistake we did!  

My suggestion would be to  book an early afternoon tour  and  arrive at the estate mid-morning  to ensure that you aren’t rushed or late for your tour time. When you arrive at the estate, you can enjoy the light crowds, take photos, walk around the gardens, and explore the shops before your afternoon tour time.   

I wish someone would have told me these tips for visiting the Biltmore Estate before we went. It would have been a lifesaver!

3. Eat a Big Breakfast  

The Biltmore is a full-day experience, and if you’re like me, you’ll be so busy exploring that you’ll forget to eat! 

One of my best tips for visiting the Biltmore Estate is to eat a big breakfast before arriving because most of the dining options near the Biltmore House and Gardens are expensive. 

Here are some of the most popular local breakfast spots in Asheville to stop at before you arrive at the Biltmore: 

• Vortex Doughnuts —Homemade, unique flavored doughnuts with gourmet coffee (they make their caramel sauce in-house, and it’s fantastic!) 
• Double D’s Coffee & Desserts —Double-decker bus serving coffee & sweet treats (cash only!) 
• Biscuit Head —Massive biscuits with a variety of toppings and pairings (this is a local favorite) 

4. Pay for the Audio Guide  

I wish I would have purchased the audio guide during our tour of the Biltmore—I had no clue that the tour would take us through three stories and nearly 30 rooms in the Biltmore home! 

Although the Biltmore home’s architecture and design are gorgeous on their own, the home’s history is remarkable, too. For just $12, your audio guide can become your tour guide, telling you all about George Vanderbilt’s family, the lifestyle of the people who lived there, interesting facts about the home, and so much more.  

I tend to skip audio guides to save money—but unfortunately, that was the wrong choice for the Biltmore. The tour is much more extensive than you would expect, and it is an excellent value for what you pay.

5. Plan to Spend the Whole Day Exploring  

As I mentioned earlier, the Biltmore is a full-day experience, so one of the most critical tips for visiting the Biltmore Estate is to plan to spend your entire day there!

Here’s how much time you can expect to spend at each location at the Biltmore Estate: 

• The Biltmore Estate —1-2 hours 
• The Gardens —2 hours 
• Shopping —1 hour 
• Winery —1 hour 
• Antler Hill Village —1-2 hours 

It’s very likely you’ll spend 6-8 hours exploring the Biltmore Estate. You won’t want to miss anything! 

6. Don’t Skip the Biltmore Gardens  

I had no idea how stunning and extensive the Biltmore Gardens were! The Biltmore House is impressive, but in my opinion, the gardens are the real showstopper.  

The Biltmore Gardens and Trails are divided into nine sections:  

• Library and South Terraces —Spectacular views of the surrounding trees and mountains with a relaxing place to sit. This garden is one of the best spots to take photos! One of my personal favorite tips for visiting the Biltmore Estate is to grab a drink or snack and munch on while admiring the view in the South Terraces!
• Italian Garden —Watch koi and goldfish swim in the three formal Italian water gardens.  
• Shrub Garden —Walking path that features golden rain trees, river birch trees, and maple trees.  
• Spring Garden —Walking path that features white pines, hemlocks, and blooming shrubs.  
• Conservatory —The Conservatory is a HUGE glass-roofed building home to hundreds of unique warm-weather plants, including orchids, ferns, and palm trees.  
• Azalea Garden —Walkway that leads from the Conservatory to the Bass Pond and contains gorgeous azaleas and evergreen trees.  

• Walled Garden —Two lovely arbors that feature seasonal plants, like tulips in the spring and mums in the fall. There were also squash plants growing here when we visited!  
• Rose Garden —The name says it all! Gorgeous roses that bloom year-round.  
• Bass Pond & Boat House —The most peaceful retreat at the Biltmore, this bass pond is the perfect spot to rest your feet from walking and relax. One of the most secretive tips for visiting the Biltmore Estate is to carve out 30 minutes to an hour simply relaxing by the bass pond.

I loved the Biltmore Gardens! My favorite places to explore were the Conservatory, Azalea Gardens, and Bass Pond, but I would suggest visiting them all to determine your own favorites! 

7. Wear Comfortable Shoes  

I clocked in over 12,000 steps during our visit to the Biltmore. By the end of the day, my feet were killing me, even though I was wearing supportive shoes. That being said, one of my best tips for visiting the Biltmore Estate is to wear comfortable shoes, like these Clarks Women’s Ankle Boots , especially if you plan to tour the house and visit the gardens. Your feet will thank you later! 

8. Visit Antler Hill Village  

After spending a day at the Biltmore House and Gardens, one of the best tips for visiting the Biltmore Estate is to visit Antler Hill Village! Antler Hill Village is where the Biltmore Winery is located and is also home to restaurants like Bistro, Cedric’s Tavern, and Village Social. 

If you are planning to enjoy dinner at Antler Hill Village, I would suggest making a reservation ahead of time—the waitlist can get long, especially in the evenings.

9. Enjoy Your Free Wine Tasting  

Your Biltmore ticket includes a complimentary wine tasting at the Winery in Antler Village if you are over the age of 21. The Biltmore Winery was opened by George Vanderbilt’s grandson in 1985, and since then, has been serving wines made from the estate’s vineyards. 

During your wine tasting, you’ll have the opportunity to sample five wines. After your time in the Tasting Room, you can browse the Wine Shop to find a bottle to bring home or walk across to the Wine Bar to savor a glass of your favorite wine. 

Your complimentary wine tasting is by reservation only, so I suggest visiting the Biltmore Winery to secure your reservation when you arrive at The Antler Hill Village. 

Use These Tips for Visiting the Biltmore Estate in Asheville to Have an Unforgettable Visit

Overall, the Biltmore Estate is a can’t-miss attraction when visiting Asheville. The Biltmore is also an excellent location for a weekend trip, romantic getaway, bachelorette party, and so much more! These tips for visiting the Biltmore Estate will help your visit go smoothly and ensure that you have an incredible time.

Personally, my husband and I visited The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, during a 10-day road trip through Charleston, Savannah, and Asheville. We had a phenomenal time exploring these three Southeastern U.S. cities. I would highly recommend pairing these three cities together for an epic road trip!

Save These Tips for Visiting the Biltmore Estate

Did you enjoy these tips for visiting the Biltmore Estate? If so, you might enjoy these posts, too!

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Brittany Sawyer

Hi, I'm Brit! I'm a writer from Phoenix, AZ who loves coffee, golden retriever puppies, and obviously, travel! I help ordinary women (like me!) dream, plan, and do extraordinary travel experiences.

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Biltmore Itinerary: One Perfect Day at the Estate

My husband and I love spending time at Biltmore Estate. I don’t think there’s any better place in the Carolinas to spend a romantic weekend getaway .

But what if you only have one day or even just half a day to see the estate? No worries!

A Biltmore day trip is a great way to get to know the estate. Just follow this Biltmore itinerary , and you’ll have a perfect day (or half day) at the estate.

This post includes affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  See disclaimer.  

A visit to Biltmore is not a budget day trip. If you live in the general Asheville, North Carolina, area we strongly recommend that you consider purchasing a Biltmore Estate annual pass .

A Biltmore annual pass will give you admission to the entire estate for a full year, plus you’ll get great passholder benefits like discounts on estate dining, shopping, and lodging.

Read More → Top Tips for Visiting Biltmore Estate From an Annual Passholder

Biltmore itinerary first stop: Lunch at Deerpark Restaurant

Note: Deerpark has been closed for some time, and there don’t seem to be any plans to re-open this wonderful restaurant at this time. I also recommend Stable Café or Cedric’s Tavern for your Biltmore lunch.

Our perfect day at Biltmore starts with an early lunch at Deerpark Restaurant .

Their Taste of the South buffet features seasonal dishes frequently including local and estate-grown food, and it is hands down one of the best Biltmore restaurants .

Deerpark’s popularity has grown quite a bit over the last several years. We recommend making a reservation even for an earlier lunch. Our preferred time is 11:30 a.m.

This allows us plenty of time to relax with coffee and dessert after our meal and still make it to our appointment to tour the house.

Estate dining venues offer vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Though not always marked on the menu, your server will be happy to help with whatever dietary accommodations you may need. Gluten-free and vegetarian/vegan options are clearly marked on Deerpark menus.

Next Stop: The House

Please note that you will be prompted to select the time you would like to enter the house when you purchase your tickets online.

We typically choose 2:00 or 2:30 p.m. as our house entry time. This gives us plenty of time to enjoy a relaxing lunch before making our way to the house.

Depending on how busy it is at the estate, it can take a little time to get from Deerpark to the house (including time to park and then walk or take the shuttle to the house).

We like to allow an hour between lunch and our house entry time just to be on the safe side.

Since we’re annual passholders, we don’t go through the house itself on every visit to Biltmore, but we do when they have a new exhibition. If this is your first time at the house, I highly recommend picking up an audio guide. Allow up to two hours in your Biltmore itinerary to tour the house.

Featured tours near Biltmore Estate

If you’re planning to be in Asheville, North Carolina, for more than a day, you’ll find a ton of great things to do.

You could take a guided walking tour of Asheville.

Or explore Asheville on a Segway .

Or even on an electric bike tour with scenic views .

PRO TIP: If you have flexible travel dates you need to check out Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights). You get amazing flight deals sent straight to your inbox with instructions on how to book directly with the airlines. Check out Going here. Going is my favorite way to find great travel deals. 

Next Stop: Stable Area

After you exit the house, turn left to check out the stable area right next to the House.

The Bake Shop, The Courtyard Market, and an ice cream shop are in the stable area. Inside the stable area, there are several shops, the Stable Café, restrooms, and a guest services desk. The courtyard is a great place to rest your feet for a bit if you’d like a break before exploring the Biltmore gardens and grounds.

Next Stop: The Gardens

Spring and early summer are great times to visit Biltmore if you want to see the gardens at their best. Keep an eye on the Bloom Report page on the Biltmore website to stay up to date on what’s blooming.

If you’re up for a long walk after going through the house and visiting the stable area, then I’d recommend a stroll through the estate’s azalea garden.

Expect peak blooms for the native azaleas to be the first week of May. For a shorter walk, my favorite stop on the Biltmore grounds for flowers is the Walled Garden. It’s near the house and includes the estate’s beautiful rose garden.

Next Stop: Antler Hill Village & Winery

After you’ve enjoyed the gardens, make your way back to your car and drive to Antler Hill Village & Winery. The Village is home to The Village Hotel, shops, restaurants, and even a farm with special demonstrations and activities.

The Village also includes The Biltmore Legacy exhibition space that offers more information about the Vanderbilt family.

The current exhibition is “The Vanderbilts at Home and Abroad.” Entry to The Biltmore Legacy is included with your ticket. We recommend a stop at The Creamery in Antler Hill Village if you’re looking for an afternoon snack or cup of coffee.

More things to do around Asheville

Biltmore is surrounded by amazing nature and scenery. You can get out and explore the Blue Ridge Parkway waterfalls .

You can also get out on the French Broad River on a kayak tour .

Or perhaps try a guided horseback ride .

Dinner: The Bistro

End your perfect day at Biltmore Estate with dinner at The Bistro just a few steps from Antler Hill Village near the Winery. The Bistro offers a casual but elegant atmosphere with excellent service. The Bistro is a Certified Green Restaurant.

Alternative: Cedric’s Tavern is also an excellent choice for dinner.

And that’s our perfect day at Biltmore.

To make your time at Biltmore even more perfect, why not extend your visit with a stay at either The Inn on Biltmore Estate or the Village Hotel ?

Get more details about The Inn on Biltmore Estate in my full review.

If you only have half a day to spend at Biltmore (less than 6 hours) I recommend doing lunch at Deerpark (or one of the other great Biltmore restaurants followed by a visit to the house and a walk through the walled garden.

To save even more time you could lunch at the Stable Café just off the main house instead of Deerpark.

Where to stay in Asheville, North Carolina

There are many  great options for places to stay  in Asheville during a visit to Biltmore.

Our top pick is the  Inn on Biltmore Estate . The inn is beautiful, the service is outstanding and there are excellent dining options right there. You don’t even need to leave the Inn!   Check availability today .

Also on the Estate is the lovely  Village Hotel . It’s located right next to the shops and amazing dining available at Antler Hill Village.  Check rates and availability here .

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, the  Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites – Asheville-Biltmore Village Area  is popular. It’s located just about half a mile from the Estate, and they offer free parking and a free shuttle.  You can check availability here .

Final thoughts on how to spend one day at Biltmore Estate

Even though I always wish I could spend more time there, you can see quite a lot of Biltmore Estate in one day. No matter what you do on your day trip at Biltmore, you can expect to have a wonderful day exploring a beautiful piece of North Carolina’s history.

More articles about Biltmore Estate

• The best places to eat at Biltmore
• Review of The Inn on Biltmore Estate
• Tips for visiting Biltmore Estate from an annual passholder
• You’ll love these Biltmore passholder benefits

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Darcy Vierow is a busy professional and travel planning expert with years of experience maximizing travel with limited time and on a less-than-average salary. Her tips have been published by Forbes, MSN.com, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Finance, Aol, Newsbreak and GOBankingRates. Read more about Darcy Vierow .

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12 Insider Tips for Visiting the Biltmore Estate in Asheville in 2024

By: Author Leah Shoup

Posted on Published: November 30, 2023

The Biltmore Estate is a top-rated historic house museum in Asheville, North Carolina. As someone who’s grown up visiting annually, it’s easy to see why! After all, this National Historic Landmark features a massive 250 rooms, including 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces.

In fact, George Vanderbilt’s vision of a French Renaissance-style chateau draws over 1.4 million visitors to the Blue Ridge Mountains each year. With this in mind, I’ve put together this guide to help plan a seamless visit to the Biltmore Estate.

This article covers the history of the Biltmore, the best time to visit, and my special insider tips that will elevate your trip from ordinary to extraordinary. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned Biltmore buff, my mission is to make sure your visit is absolutely epic.

I’ll also reveal my favorite places to stay in Asheville for a convenient drive to the Biltmore! So, keep reading so that we can make the most out of your journey to “America’s Largest Home.”

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission when you purchase a product or book a stay through these links at no extra cost to you.

Biltmore Estate history

The front façade of the Biltmore House.

George Washington Vanderbilt II first visited the Asheville area in 1887 and quickly fell in love with the idea of building a country home here. To bring his original vision to life, George hired prominent New York architect Richard Morris Hunt.

Although construction on the Biltmore House began in 1889, it took six years to complete this large home: a 250-room French Renaissance chateau with over four acres of floor space. Finally, George opened the doors to family and close friends on Christmas Eve of 1895.

In the late 19th century, the Biltmore Mansion showcased the era’s latest technology , including electricity from the time it was built . It boasts one of the oldest operating elevators in the U.S. and incorporated innovative features like forced-air heating, a call-bell system, and fire alarms.

The Vanderbilts hosted notable figures like Edith Wharton, Henry James, and Theodore Roosevelt at their North Carolina mansion. However, it remained closed to the public until 1930. Additionally, George and Edith sold over 86,000 acres to establish the Pisgah National Forest.

Nowadays, the Biltmore Estate is the largest privately-owned house in the United States and a significant tourist attraction in western North Carolina. Its grounds cover 8,000 acres! Plus, it’s a popular stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Who owns the Biltmore Estate?

Here’s a fun fact about the Biltmore: it’s still family-owned! Bill Cecil Jr., George Washington Vanderbilt II’s great-grandson, is the President and CEO of The Biltmore Company. Other fourth and fifth-generation descendants are actively engaged in the estate’s daily operations, too.

Best time to visit Biltmore

One of the best tips for the Biltmore Estate is to plan your visit for a weekday. Especially during the high season, the Biltmore House can get quite busy on weekends. Plus, this location is also a wedding venue! So, sometimes, these events will limit which outdoor areas you can explore.

Another advantage of visiting during the week is that ticket prices are actually lower! Biltmore tickets have three price categories: regular, peak, and value. Weekends, especially in the summertime, will usually fall into the peak category.

However, you can often save up to $10-25 per person by visiting Monday to Thursday! You’ll also notice that holiday weekends tend to be more expensive.

Traveling with family? Biltmore House tickets are around half the adult price for kids aged 10-16. Or, children 9 and younger get in free with a parent or guardian–there’s just a small fee for an audio guide if your little one wants one.

Click here to purchase tickets!

What time does Biltmore open?

The Biltmore Admission Gate opens at 8:30 a.m. each morning. However, the Biltmore House’s hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last entry at 4:30 p.m. You can view the hours of operation for the whole estate here .

However, the Biltmore holds special operating hours during its Candlelight Christmas Evenings event. From early November to early January, evening visitors will have access to the house after 4:30 p.m until late into the night.

What time slot should you choose for your Biltmore House tickets?

When purchasing your Biltmore Estate tickets , the best time is early morning or after lunchtime. When you select an available time, you can view how many spots are left for each ticketed timeslot.

For reference, the Biltmore typically sees the most significant crowds between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. If you can go in the morning, the Biltmore House gardens open at 9 a.m. So, you could even walk through the gardens before your ticketed time slot.

If morning tickets are already sold out for the date of your visit, we suggest choosing an entrance time between 2–3:30 p.m.  For those with an afternoon entrance time, you can stop by Antler Hill Village or the Biltmore Winery while you wait!

Plus, if you’re visiting during the summer months, consider grabbing a sweet treat at The Creamery . You can click here to view the full Biltmore Estate map. 

The best time to visit Biltmore Gardens

The Italian Garden at the Biltmore Estate features three symmetrical pools, grassy panels, and Italian sculptures.

The Biltmore Gardens feature six formal and informal gardens: the Walled Garden, the Italian Garden, the Azalea Garden, the Shrub Garden, the Rose Garden, and the Spring Garden. You’ll also find the Conservatory and the Bass Pond, all of which open daily at 9 a.m.

The best time of year to see the gardens is during the spring when the flowers are in bloom. Usually early April until the end of May is the ideal time for colorful tulips, daffodils, and azaleas. You can even follow a live bloom report here , published by Biltmore’s Director of Horticulture!

The other best time to visit Biltmore Gardens is during the autumn. If you love fall foliage, you’ll want to plan your trip for mid to late October. Seasonal colors, ranging from green to gold and russet, blanket the Biltmore Estate during this time of year.

Christmas at the Biltmore Estate

Pro tip: if you’d like to see the Biltmore decorated for Christmas but want to beat the crowds, plan your trip for November during a weekday!

During the Biltmore Christmas season, the estate offers two experiences: the daytime celebration and candlelight Christmas evenings . You’ll see America’s largest home in all its holiday splendor with both options. Plus, each ticket comes with complimentary access to the grounds the following day!

Wondering why Biltmore is a popular winter spot? With 100 decorated trees, 10,000 ornaments, 100,000 lights, live music, and a 35-foot Fraser fir in the Banquet Hall, it’s a festive wonder. Antler Village is also beautifully lit for the season!

Since Christmas is Biltmore’s busiest time of the year, you can expect tickets to go quickly. I recommend booking around 3-4 months in advance to ensure your spots.

Pro tips for visiting the Biltmore House

The Vanderbilt Family used the Breakfast Room in the Biltmore House for less formal dining.

Buy your tickets online and ahead of time.

As mentioned above, Biltmore can get pretty busy–in fact, 1.4 million people visit the house each year. Therefore, if you’re hoping to see it on a specific day and time, you’ll want to buy your tickets beforehand.

Additionally, purchasing in advance means you can skip the trip to the sales and visitor information kiosk. Biltmore also has special offers on tickets throughout the year, including a $5 discount for booking online and a U.S. military discount to save $8 on admission.

Moreover, seniors (65+) receive a discount on daytime admission on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Reception & Ticketing Sales Center. For a complete list of special promotions, click here .

The estate offers annual passes at $299 per person plus tax, providing benefits like discounted tickets for accompanying friends and family, 10% off on-site restaurant dining, and a 10% discount at estate shops and online. Check out the full list of annual pass holder benefits here !

Pick an off-peak day for your visit.

One of my best tips is to plan your Biltmore House tour for a Monday-Thursday. Of course, to save money, you could buy tickets for the lowest season: January or February. However, we highly suggest a month with better weather, like April, May, or October.

Pick a weekday during one of these months, and you can enjoy a sunny day at the Biltmore, see the Garden in full bloom, and avoid the crowds. November and December, when Biltmore is decked out for Christmas, will always be pricier than other months.

Nonetheless, the same rule applies for a Christmas trip: reserve a weekday ticket to skip the crowds. Especially if you plan your visit before Thanksgiving, you’ll be treated to a less-busy Biltmore during the holiday season. 

Arrive early.

For first-timers, getting to the Biltmore House entrance can be a bit tricky. So, make sure to allocate sufficient time to travel from the admission gate to the house for your ticketed time. If driving, leave your hotel at least 45 minutes before your ticketed time slot.

Essentially, we want you to avoid being in a rush! Leaving 45 minutes before your entrance time allows ample time to drive through the Biltmore grounds, park, and make the short walk to the home. If you arrive early for house entry, take the time to stroll through the gardens.

Use the restroom before you enter the house.

George Vanderbilt may have included 43 bathrooms in his plans for the Biltmore House. However, unfortunately for visitors, none of these are for public use! So, make sure to use the restroom before you begin your tour of the Biltmore House.

After all, you’ll likely spend around two hours in the home. The only public bathrooms are outside the home in the stable area. So, you might regret not stopping by the toilet before entering.

Pick up an audio guide.

Previously, you had to pay extra for the audio-guided visit to the Biltmore House. However, the audio tour is now actually included in your regular admission! If you listen to the full explanation of each room on tour, the experience should take around 50 minutes.

Some of our favorite rooms include the Banquet Hall, George Vanderbilt’s library, and the indoor swimming pool. We also love the Grand Staircase that leads to the second floor!

You’ll learn about the Vanderbilt family, the construction of the Biltmore Estate, and the servants who lived on the grounds. Remember that you can move from room to room at your own pace. So, if you’d like to stay longer in one room and skip another, you can do so.

Additionally, if you’re traveling with kids, your little ones may enjoy the children’s version of the audio-guided visit. This 90-minute tour is narrated by the Vanderbilts’ beloved Saint Bernard, Cedric.

Book a guided house tour to see more.

For a deeper dive into the history, we suggest booking one of the Biltmore Estate tours . Note that to join any guided tour, you need a daytime Biltmore ticket, annual pass, or a package stay with Biltmore House admission. The tour ticket is separate from the guided tour price.

The Rooftop Tour

On the rooftop tour, you’ll learn more about the design and construction of Biltmore House while exploring restricted areas. Of course, you’ll also see the stunning view from the rooftop and check out some of the balconies.

This experience lasts one hour, and advance reservation is required. The Rooftop Tour is available daily at from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Price: $45 plus tax per person.

The Biltmore House Backstairs Tour

If you enjoyed Downton Abbey , this is the best Biltmore tour for you! Learn about the people who lived and worked on the estate when the Vanderbilts lived here.

You’ll explore domestic staff areas you won’t see on the self-guided tour. This guided event occurs hourly each day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Price: $45 plus tax per person.

Guests of the Vanderbilts Tour

Unlike the other guided tours mentioned above, the exclusive 90-minute tour is only available if you purchase the Exclusive Tour ticket option for the Biltmore Estate. Explore the house as the Vanderbilts’ initial guests did, with captivating tales and access to seldom-visited areas.

You may also enjoy the winery tours for special occasions, where you can participate in wine and chocolate tastings! 

Head to the gardens first in the summer.

Speaking from experience, you’ll want plenty of time to explore the acres of gardens designed by renowned landscape architect  Frederick Law Olmsted . However, sometimes, the sweltering heat will cause you to cut your self-guided tour through the gardens short!

If you plan to visit the Biltmore Estate in the summer, we suggest booking your entrance time between 10 and 10:45 a.m. Therefore, you’ll have time for the gardens in the morning before they’re too hot. Plus, you’ll beat the afternoon crowds for your house visit.

Dress appropriately.

Given the extensive walking involved, comfortable shoes are a must for navigating the house and the sprawling gardens. Since much of your time may be spent outdoors, consider packing a hat and sunscreen, ensuring a pleasant experience under the sun.

Make meal reservations to save time.

Although the estate offers various dining options , most are a short drive from the actual Biltmore House. For example, you’ll find Cedric’s Tavern and Village Social at Antler Hill Village and The Dining Room and Library Lounge at the Inn on Biltmore Estate.

Nonetheless, one restaurant has a prime location next to the Biltmore House: the Stable Café . As you can imagine, this Appalachian comfort food restaurant gets pretty busy at lunchtime!

With this in mind, you’ll want to make lunch reservations via OpenTable if you’d like the simple option of eating lunch here. If you have a particular dining spot in mind for the evening, go ahead and make a reservation there, too, just to be safe!

Don’t forget about Antler Hill Village.

Just five miles from the Biltmore House, Antler Hill Village offers restaurants, stores, and seasonal exhibits. Instead of just touring the home and leaving, consider a visit to Antler Hill Village—especially if you’re traveling with kids, as the Farmyard is a must-see.

Additionally, if you’d like to have dinner on the estate, Antler Hill Village is one of your best options for a delicious meal. If you need more convincing to check out this spot, know this: the Biltmore Winery is located there!

Your ticket includes a complimentary wine tasting.

I don’t think everyone realizes this, but yes! Your daytime admission to Biltmore also consists of a free wine sampling . You don’t need to make a reservation; however, be aware that this experience is first-come, first-served.

The Biltmore Estate Winery is open daily from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  During your tasting, hosts will present you with some of the Winery’s top-rated and prize-winning vintages, along with a short history of Biltmore’s vineyards and wine operations.

Fun fact: did you know that the Biltmore Winery is the most visited winery in America?

Need more time? Visit a second day!

Concerned about time? Extend your stay at Biltmore! The estate offers a discounted second-day visit for $25, which includes access to the gardens, grounds, and Antler Hill Village, though not the house. Sometimes during the winter, they offer a promotion for free second-day access.

Spend day one touring the Biltmore House, and return for a second day to explore the exhibition, grounds, and hiking trails along the French Broad River. Or, check out other Biltmore Estate activities here .

Other quick tips for visiting Biltmore Estate 

Parking tips

If you’re parking your car to visit the house, you’ll want to follow the signs and use parking lots A and B. It’ll take you approximately 8-10 minutes walking to reach the Biltmore House and gardens from this point. 

Photography policies

Estate policies indicate that flash photography is not allowed inside the home. If you’d like to take pictures on your self-guided tour, turn off the flash on your phone or camera. Furthermore, no photos are allowed on the specialty tours of the Biltmore House.

Pet policies

The Biltmore’s outdoor spaces are pet-friendly. For example, many people bring their dogs and take them for walks on the ground. Furthermore, your pets can also join you on the outdoor patios at Bistro and Cedric’s Tavern while you eat lunch.

Pets must be kept on a leash at all times and are not allowed in any buildings. You can read more on Biltmore’s pet policies here .

Where to stay when visiting the Biltmore Estate

The Inn on Biltmore Estate  

Although it’s not possible to stay in the guest rooms at the actual Biltmore House, you can spend the night nearby at The Inn on Biltmore Estate. This four-star luxury hotel is an excellent place for a romantic getaway with your partner.

It features a spa, a heated outdoor pool, and casual and fine-dining restaurants. If you’re looking for an even more luxurious option, check out the Cottages on Biltmore Estate .

Click here to book your stay!

Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate

The Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate is a more moderately priced option for those wanting to stay on the property. Additionally, it is located near Antler Hill Village and the Biltmore Winery. This hotel is the place to stay, especially if you’d like to make the most of your time at Biltmore!

Cedar Crest Inn

The Cedar Crest Inn is an adorable (and pink!) bed and breakfast that has been operating in Asheville for over 30 years. If you’re searching for a unique place to stay while visiting Biltmore Estate, you’ll love this 1891 Victorian home.

The Cedar Crest Inn’s central location makes it an ideal base for exploring everything Asheville has to offer, including Biltmore Village and the River Arts District.

The Omni Grove Park Inn

Although the Omni Grove Park Inn isn’t as close to Biltmore as the other properties we’ve mentioned, there’s no way we could leave it off this list! This hotel is a must-visit in Asheville, especially if you’re going to be in town during the holidays.

Plus, it offers stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains that you won’t find anywhere else. The Omni Grove Park Inn is so popular that many celebrities and presidents have even chosen to stay here!

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This article was first published in March 2021 and has since been updated.

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Rates can vary widely by room type and season. "We Paid" is intended to give a general sense of price, but you might find considerably different rates for your trip.

When we book, we aim for the optimum season for the destination, but we avoid holidays and major public events, when prices are highest. We generally book a room at one category up from the most basic.

We take advantage of promotional rates, when possible. That means the rate you see above might have included other benefits, such as spa or meal credits.

The Inn on Biltmore Estate

• While the Inn may be housed in a veritable chateau, the property offers a relaxed mountain resort ambiance combined with a casual elegance that never feels overly formal.
• The knowledgeable staff at this luxury hotel exudes a warm and gracious authentic hospitality that comes across as genuine rather than stiff.
• There are a wide variety of activities to round out your stay, including carriage tours and horseback riding throughout the estate. Yoga, guided hikes and the summer film series at Antler Hill village are all gratis with a stay at the Inn.
• Biltmore’s working farm provides many estate-grown ingredients, including vegetables, berries, eggs, lamb and even hybrid wagyu beef, to the property’s restaurants. The Inn’s chefs also partner with farmers and ranchers in Western North Carolina for locally sourced trout, cheese, Angus beef and pork.
• The Inn’s dining room serves an impressive spread at the breakfast buffet each morning with a wide assortment of prepared foods and baked goods as well as made-to-order eggs and gluten-free options.
• Peruse the resort’s extensive calendar before planning your visit to take advantage of the many events happening throughout the year. Be sure to attend one of the Inn’s culinary experiences, like the Field-to-Table dinners with alfresco dining at a beautiful venue on the estate.
• The property is busy year-round. In the summer, you’ll find active families vacationing in the mountains. Winter (after the hectic holiday season) is a little quieter for those who enjoy snowy scenes with lower rates. Spring brings the grounds to life with spectacular flowers and greenery in the garden.
• One of the highlights during the summer holidays is a concert series in the historic Antler Hill barn, which features custom dining experiences, live music and fireworks.
• Guests have access to round-trip shuttle service from The Inn to Biltmore House to Amherst at Deerpark, the event center.
• The Inn on Biltmore Estate has two shops on the second floor. The Marble Lion and the Cottage Door offer sophisticated apparel, fine jewelry, gourmet snacks, chocolates and much more.
• The rooms and suites are spacious and luxuriously appointed with formal yet stylish furnishings and elegant fabrics. 
• Bathrooms are nicely stocked with toiletries from the onsite spa, complimentary robes and slippers.
• Request a room with a view when making a reservation — accommodations on the back of the property (and on higher floors) offer the best vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the expansive estate.
• The funky, free-spirited vibe of Asheville, with its eclectic mix of acclaimed restaurants and lively cocktail bars, is just a short drive from the estate.
• Many of the Biltmore wines are made from grapes and juice directly sourced from California. Sample these vintages at the newly renovated tasting room in Antler Hill Village.
• Asheville has one of the largest craft brewery scenes in the country. From local small establishments like Wedge in the River Arts District to major players like New Belgium and Sierra Nevada, there’s a pilsner, ale or sour for every taste.
• The Blue Ridge Mountains feature some of the best outdoor adventure activities in the country, including fly-fishing in the Davidson and French Broad rivers as well as hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and whitewater rafting in Pisgah National Forest. The Asheville hotel can help arrange local guides.
• The region is also known as a mecca in the southeast for folk handicrafts with artisans making everything from pottery and jewelry to musical instruments.

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The Ultimate Blue Ridge Parkway Travel Guide (2024)

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.  The Parkway travels for 469 Miles from The Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Cherokee Indian Reservation in NC.  

The Parkway weaves its way along some of the highest ridges and mountains in North Carolina and is known for its incredible scenic views.  The highest point is located near Waynesville, NC at Milepost 431 where the elevation is 6,053 feet.

Traveling along the parkway, you'll venture through many tunnels, have the opportunity to stop at many overlooks and see wildflowers, wildlife, and waterfalls . There are also numerous hiking trails along the parkway to explore, as well as historic structures. 

As you venture along the Blue Ridge Parkway, you'll also pass nearby to many wonderful small mountain towns that we highly recommend visiting and exploring as well.

This Blue Ridge Parkway Guide will give you a full tour of this beautiful, historic and magnificent scenic drive .

Updated: 3/13/2024

Blue Ridge Parkway History

The Blue Ridge Parkway was part of  The New Deal instituted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Congress.  The New Deal was designed to provide work for those unemployed and poor as a result of The Great Depression.

 Construction on the Parkway began on September 11, 1935, near Cumberland Knob in North Carolina.  The Parkway was completed 52 years later near Linn Cove Viaduct , which runs around Grandfather Mountain .

The Parkway itself, especially Linn Cove Viaduct, is an American engineering marvel.  The parkway winds its way along the mountain ridges, through mountain valleys (often called Gaps along the Parkway) and over and around many of the tallest peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains .

Engineers also designed the Parkway to have a minimal impact the mountains and to be barely visible from lower elevations.   Tunnels were often used to avoid damaging mountains and causing large "scars".   North Carolina contains 25 tunnels and there is 1 in Virginia.

Blue Ridge Parkway Map

A Blue Ridge Parkway map is an essential tool for planning a trip along the Parkway. The map shows the Parkway's entire route, as well as all of the attractions, facilities, and services that are located along the way.  

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a beautiful and scenic road that offers a variety of things to see and do. With the help of the Blue Ridge Parkway map, you can plan your perfect trip along the Parkway.

Where does the Blue Ridge Parkway start and end you wonder?  Milepost 469 is in Cherokee NC, near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park .  The Parkway begins at Milepost 0 in Rockfish Gap, Virginia, where it intersects Interstate 64 and Skyline Drive, which winds 105 miles through Shenandoah National Park

How long is the Blue Ridge Parkway?   The Blue Ridge Parkway is 469 miles long and travels through North Carolina and Virginia.

Access Points and Blue Ridge Parkway Entrances

There are many Blue Ridge Parkway access points and entrances, but no direct interchanges to interstate highways on the Parkway.

Engineers developed small side roads that serve as access points to various NC highways. The Parkway has many access points along many large and smaller roads in Virginia and North Carolina. Most would probably consider some of these to be trails and not roads.

There are a number of different "major entrances" where the Parkway crosses larger roads in larger towns and cities. Their entrances are where most people enter.  

These main Blue Ridge Parkway entrances are:

Rockfish Gap (Northern End of the Parkway)

Rockfish Gap is accessible via Virginia Interstate 64 from Staunton, Charlottesville, and Richmond VA. Rockfish Gap is Exit 99. Rockfish Gap is also the southernmost access point for Skyline Drive.

Roanoke, VA - Highway 220

From Roanoke, VA, take Interstate 581/220 to Milepost 121 on the Parkway. The Parkway is about 5 miles from Roanoke.

Fancy Gap, VA - Interstate 77

There is no direct interchange between the Parkway and Interstate 77, although the Parkway crosses I77. To access the Parkway from I77, take Exit 8 to Highway 52 and follow the signs to the Parkway. You'll enter the parkway at Milepost 199.

Deep Gap, NC - Highway 421 - Near Boone and Blowing Rock

The Blue Ridge Parkway Boone NC is accessible to both Boone and Blowing Rock at MP 291.8 off US 321/221. From Boone, take highway 321 South about 5 miles. From Blowing Rock, take highway 321 North about 1 mile.

Linville, NC - Interstate 40 and Highway 221

Traveling west on Interstate 40, towards Asheville NC, the easiest Parkway access is via Highway 221 towards Linville NC.   Take exit 86 off I-40 (Large Love's Travel Stop is there). Take 226, then 221 towards Marion, NC. Distance to MP317.5 on the Parkway is about 26 miles.

You can also take 226 off 221 and catch the Parkway at MP330.9 in Spruce Pine. Highway 226 in this area is pretty narrow and a very winding road.

Asheville, NC - Interstate 40

Photo by: Mandy Janney Gallimore, Making Memories Photography

Asheville NC has several Blue Ridge Parkway Access points:

• Alt-74 to MP384.7  - From I40, take exit 52 to Bat Cave.  Less than half a mile after exiting you'll go under the Parkway and the Parkway access road will be on your right.
• US25 (Hendersonville Rd) - US25 is the road to the Biltmore Estate entrance. From I40, take exit 50A, and go south on US25. The Parkway access road is about 3 miles south of I-40.
• I-26 - From I-26, take exit 33 to US 191 (Brevard Rd). Take US191 South. The Parkway access is about 3 miles down US191. Just watch for the signs.

Access points for Asheville to the Blue Ridge Parkway are always close by, as the Parkway runs right through Asheville.

Waynesville, NC - Highway 74/23

From Waynesville NC , head towards Sylva on Highway 74/23/441. The Parkway access road will be on the right about 4.5 miles after leaving Waynesville. This will bring you onto the Parkway at MP 443.1.

Maggie Valley, NC - Highway 19

From Maggie Valley NC , head west on Highway 19 towards Cherokee NC. The Parkway entrance is about 4 miles past Ghost Town in the Sky . This access point will bring you onto the Parkway at MP 455.7.

See our Maggie Valley NC Guide for more information!

Cherokee, NC (Southern end of the Parkway)

Cherokee, NC is the southern end of The Blue Ridge Parkway where the Parkway connects with Highway 441 for access to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. From Cherokee, take US 441 towards the Great Smoky Mountains National Park . Just prior to reaching the Oconoluftee Visitors Center , you'll see the Parkway entrance on your right. Just watch for the signs. Milepost 469.1.

Blue Ridge Parkway Closures

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a popular tourist destination and a very busy road. This can lead to closures, either due to weather or construction.

Weather-related closures

The Blue Ridge Parkway is located in a mountainous region, so it is susceptible to weather-related closures. Snowstorms, ice storms, and flooding can all lead to closures. In the winter, the Parkway is often closed due to snow and ice. In the spring, the Parkway can be closed due to flooding.

Construction-related closures

The Blue Ridge Parkway is also a work in progress. There are always projects underway to improve the Parkway, and these projects can lead to closures. Construction-related closures are typically short-term, but they can be disruptive.

How to check for closures

The best way to check for closures is to visit the National Park Service website or call the Parkway's traffic hotline at 828-298-0398. You can also check the Parkway's Twitter account for updates.

What should you do if the Parkway is closed?

If the Parkway is closed, there are a few things you can do. First, you can check the website of the Parkway or call the traffic hotline to see if they expect the closure to last for a long time. If you expect the closure to last for a long time, you might reroute your trip. If the closure is expected to last for a short time, you might choose to wait until it reopens.

If you decide to wait out the closure, you can visit one of the Parkway's many visitor centers. You can also hike or bike one of the Parkway's many trails. If you are looking for a place to stay, there are many hotels and motels located near the Parkway.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a beautiful and scenic road, but it is important to be aware of the possibility of closures. By checking for closures before you go, you can avoid disappointment and have a safe and enjoyable trip.

Our Parkway Travel Tips

We've traveled various sections of The Blue Ridge Parkway more times than we can count over the past 16 years. We've traveled with family members, in groups of multiple cars, with young kids, and with no kids.  

We've also driven during all four seasons. As a result, we have lots of helpful tips to help you on your Blue Ridge Parkway road trip :

• Plan your trip - The Blue Ridge Parkway is a long drive, so it's important to plan your trip ahead of time. Decide how long you want to spend on the Parkway, and what you want to see and do.
• Drive slowly - The speed limit on the Parkway is 45 mph, and for good reason. The Parkway is a winding road with stunning views, and it's important to take your time and enjoy the scenery.
• Be prepared for wildlife - The Parkway is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, bears, Elk, and coyotes. Be sure to be on the lookout for animals when driving, and never feed or approach wildlife.
• Stop often - There are many overlooks and scenic areas along the Parkway, so be sure to stop often and enjoy the views.
• Get out and explore - The Blue Ridge Parkway is more than just a scenic drive. There are plenty of opportunities to get out and explore, including hiking, biking, fishing, and camping.
• Plan for all types of weather - The weather can change quickly in the mountains, so be sure to pack for all types of weather conditions.
• Show respect  - The Parkway is a national park , so be sure to be respectful of the park and its resources. Pack out what you pack in, and leave no trace .

For more tips, visit our Blue Ridge Parkway tips page!

Blue Ridge Parkway Guides

As locals living in the Waynesville and Maggie Valley NC area, we have easy access to some of the most beautiful sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We love going out after work and on the weekends, and just driving on the Parkway and enjoying all of the great things to see and do.   

To help you get more out of your Blue Ridge Parkway road trip, here are all of our Blue Ridge Parkway Guides:

14+ Best Waterfalls on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Top 18 Blue Ridge Parkway Hiking Trails

Blue Ridge Parkway – Top 22 Best Stops for Fall Color

Blue Ridge Parkway Travel Tips

Is it better to go north or south on the Blue Ridge Parkway?

A common question we get asked about the Blue Ridge Parkway is: Is it better to go north or south on the Blue Ridge Parkway?

Honestly, it doesn't matter. It's better to start your Blue Ridge Parkway road trip at whichever end or access point is closest for you to get to. Milepost 469 is on the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. Milepost 0 is on the north end of the blue ridge parkway in Virginia.

The scenery is beautiful regardless of which way you travel, and the overlooks, sights, and attractions are all identical regardless of which way you travel.

Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Centers

The Blue Ridge Parkway has several visitor centers along its complete route that provide information, exhibits, resources for visitors, and restroom facilities.

Here are a few popular visitor centers on the Blue Ridge Parkway:

• Humpback Rocks Visitor Center (Virginia) -  Located near milepost 5.8 in Virginia, the Humpback Rocks Visitor Center offers information on the parkway's history, culture, and natural features. It also serves as a gateway to the Humpback Rocks Recreation Area, which includes a historic farm exhibit and hiking trails.
• Peaks of Otter Visitor Center (Virginia) -  Situated near milepost 86 in Virginia, the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center is nestled amidst the picturesque Peaks of Otter. It provides information about the area's wildlife, flora, and recreational opportunities. The visitor center serves as a starting point for hikes and offers access to the nearby Abbott Lake and Sharp Top Mountain.
• Linville Falls Visitor Center (North Carolina) -  near milepost 317 in North Carolina, the Linville Falls Visitor Center is a hub for exploring the popular Linville Falls area. It offers exhibits on the geology and natural history of the region and provides guidance for hiking trails that lead to stunning waterfalls.
• Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center at Asheville (North Carolina) -  Found near milepost 384 in North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center at Asheville serves as a comprehensive resource for visitors. It offers exhibits, information on parkway attractions, maps, and a gift shop. The visitor center is conveniently located near Asheville, a vibrant city with its own range of amenities and attractions.

Important to note is that Visitor Centers are only open during peak season and closed during the winter months.

Things to do on the Blue Ridge Parkway, by Milepost

Rhododendron on the Blue Ridge Parkway

When many people think of the parkway, they think of a beautiful, serene and quiet drive through the upper elevations of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Well, they're right, as traveling the parkway is all of this and more.  

The Parkway is more than just a beautiful road you can drive on.   

Throughout its 469 miles, there are tons of hiking trails, overlooks, places of interest, visitors centers, waterfalls and more.

In fact, there is so much to do, it would be near impossible for us to cover it all, but we'll definitely hit on some highlights. Mileposts, which are small stones to the side of the road with mile marker numbers on them, mark locations on the Parkway.

One highlight of traveling on the Blue Ridge Parkway is exploring the many overlooks. These overlooks allow you to see incredible scenic views and other areas of interest and also provide a great place to stop and rest. You can even have a picnic!   

Below we highlight many things to do on the Blue Ridge Parkway, including many of the most popular Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks. Here is a detailed listing, by milepost:

MP 469.1 - Cherokee and The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Lots to do in both of these areas: attractions, hiking, scenic drives , Elk, fishing ... you name it.  Cherokee is also the location for Harrah's Casino, a very popular attraction and travel destination for people all around the world. Be sure to visit Mingo Falls while you're there.

MP 458.2 - Heintooga/Balsam Mountain Rd

The Blue Ridge Parkway has a number of side or spur roads.   Balsam Mountain Road takes you past mile high campground, a few gorgeous overlooks, and into the Great Smoky Mountain National Park .  

You'll pass the Masonic Marker as well.  At the end of the road, you can find the trailhead for Flat Creek Trail and the entrance to Heintooge Round Bottom Road .

MP 455.7 - Soco Gap/Maggie Valley, NC

The Parkway crosses over Highway 19 at Soco Gap, providing access to Cherokee NC and Maggie Valley , NC. Drive south on Highway 19 towards Cherokee on Highway 19 to Soco Falls , a real hidden gem and one of our favorite NC waterfalls . 

MP451.2 - Waterrock Knob

Waterrock Knob, Blue Ridge Parkway

Nearly 6,000 feet in elevation, the area provides beautiful sunset and sunrise views, and throughout the day, under clear conditions, provides fantastic views of the surrounding mountains. There is also a small visitors' center, parking lot and a fairly steep trail to the top of "the knob". A gorgeous place to see both sunsets and sunrises.

MP422.4  Devil's Courthouse

This is a popular overlook and hiking location.  The overlook provides great views of the surrounding mountains, and in particular of Devil's Courthouse and its rocky face.   You can also hike the trail up the top.

MP 443.1: US 74/23 Waynesville NC

The parkway crosses over US 74/23 here, and offers access to Waynesville NC , Sylva, and Dillsboro, NC.  Western Carolina University is in nearby Cullowhee. Waynesville is a great little town and offers a more rural location than larger Asheville, NC.  

Downtown Waynesville is a popular tourist location because of its "old-fashioned feel" and many unique stores and restaurants.  Waynesville is also home to Barber Orchard , a fantastic apple orchard. Stop in Waynesville NC , visit downtown Winchester Creek Farm and have dinner at The Sweet Onion restaurant .

MP 431.4 Richland Balsam Overlook

The Highest point on the Parkway at 6, 047 feet. There is also a 1.5-mile loop trail leading to the summit of Richland Balsam.

MP 430  Cowee Mountains Overlook

Cowee Mountain Overlook

This overlook provides beautiful mountain views at an elevation of 5,950 feet. It is one of the most popular places for photographers to take sunset photos.

MP 420.2 Black Balsam

Hiking over two bald mountains at elevations over 6,000 feet. Offers stunning and unique views of The Blue Ridge Mountains. See our guide to Black Balsam for more information!

Black Balsam

MP 418.8 - Graveyard Fields

One of our favorite places on the Parkway. Graveyard fields offers unique vegetation, hiking trails and waterfalls and absolutely gorgeous colors in fall. Graveyard Fields is one of the first areas on the parkway to turn.

Fall colors at Graveyard Fields

MP 417 - Looking Glass Rock Overlook

Fall Colors at Looking Glass Rock Overlook

One of the best places to see the beautiful, and unique Looking Glass Rock. But that's not why we're mentioning this overlook. The Looking Glass Rock Overlook is also the location of the trailhead to what was one of our favorite waterfall areas and swimming holes .  

Unfortunately,  Skinny Dip Falls was the victim of severe flooding in 2021, and the Falls, as most knew them, are now gone. The area was significantly affected and not the same as it was.

MP 412 - US 276 crossing

US276 through Pisgah National Forest , and between Waynesville NC and Brevard, NC crosses the parkway here. Nearby on US276 are Looking Glass Falls , Sliding Rock and Dupont State Forest .

MP 409.6 Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower

A 1.5-mile round-trip hike offers access to Fryingpan tower, a fire watchtower built in the 40s by the National Park Service.   The tower offers gorgeous, high elevation scenic views. The tower is locked, but you can climb the stairs for a better view.

MP 408 - Mount Pisgah and the Pisgah Inn

Scenic views, hiking trails, Pisgah Inn , and camping make this location along the parkway very popular. The location contains two main trails, one to the top of Mount Pisgah and another called "Shut-in" trail. Shut-in trail is a 16-mile trail that is part of a much larger trail created by George Vanderbilt for hunting parties.

MP 388.8: US 25 crossing -  Biltmore Estate

Located just a short drive north along US25 is the entrance to Biltmore Estate.  This is also a really nice and historic area of Asheville.

MP 384  - Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center

The Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center in Asheville is at Milepost 384 on the Parkway. It is open year-round and offers a variety of exhibits, programs, and services for visitors.

The visitor center has a large main exhibit hall that tells the story of the Blue Ridge Parkway, from its creation to its present day. There are also several smaller exhibits on topics such as the Parkway's natural history, its cultural history, and its recreational opportunities.

The visitor center offers a variety of programs throughout the year, including ranger-led talks, films, and guided walks. There is also a Junior Ranger program for children.

The visitor center has a gift shop that sells books, maps, souvenirs, and other Parkway-related items. There is also a restaurant that serves lunch and snacks.

The Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center is a great place to learn about the Parkway and to plan your trip. It is also a great place to relax and enjoy the view of the mountains.

MP 364.4 Craggy Gardens Visitor Center

Craggy Gardens

One of our favorite locations, with beautiful views and hiking trails. Craggy Gardens is one of our favorite family hiking destinations . There is a nice visitor center here with a gift shop, information and a restroom. There is also a very nice picnic area here as well, along with several nice hiking trails.

MP 362.1 Glassmine Falls

The 200-foot tall waterfall, Glassmine falls is visible from this overlook. Make sure you visit after a rain when it's flowing the strongest.

MP 355.4 Mount Mitchell

Take a drive up the tallest mountain in North Carolina and east of the Mississippi River at 6,684 feet.

MP 339.5  Crabtree Falls

Take the 3-mile hike out to this beautiful 70-foot tall waterfall.  See photos and learn more in our Crabtree Falls Guide .

Crabtree Falls is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful waterfalls on the Parkway, and in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

MP 344 - Little Switzerland

A neat, small little town with a little shopping, food, and gas. Located nearby are Grassy Creek Falls, and Emerald Village , neat historical mining areas just 3 miles off the parkway.

MP 328.3 - The Orchard at Altapass

A 100+ year old Apple Orchard , that has been turned into a cultural center. There is always something going on here, spring, summer and fall. Music, dancing, crafts and there are lots to eat!

MP 324.8 - Bear Den Campground

A private campground located off the parkway a bit. We have some very fond memories of camping here with our kids. Large campground, with plenty of room for big RVs. They have a camp store, fishing pond, playground equipment for the kids, and a few hiking trails. One leads out to a really pretty waterfall.

Visit their website for more information.

MP 317.4 US 221 Crossing

Just south of here is Linville Caverns, one of the few underground caverns in NC. We've been there many times and always enjoy it.

Warning: it's often crowded in the summer months and on weekends.

MP 316.3 - Linville Falls

Linville Falls

Beautiful waterfalls, and two hiking trails (one that's really easy) make for a great place to stop.  

Linville Falls is one of our favorite NC waterfalls and is a great family-friendly location for hiking. See our Linville Falls guide for lots of photos, trail information, and more.

MP 302.8 - Rough Ridge

Rough Ridge, Photo by: Making Memories Photography

Hike out Tanawha trail along a 1/3 mile long boardwalk that runs across the top of Rocky Ridge. This hike offers outstanding views of the Blue Ridge and of The Parkway and Linn Cove Viaduct.

MP 304.4 - Linn Cove Viaduct

Be sure and drive across this iconic section and engineering marvel of The Blue Ridge Parkway. When people think of the parkway, the Linn Cove Viaduct comes to mind. Linn Cove Viaduct was the last portion of the Parkway. 

See our complete guide to Linn Cove Viaduct .

MP 305 -  Grandfather Mountain

Take 221 to reach this famous NC Mountain and be sure and drive to the top and walk across the "mile high bridge" for stunning views. Lots of camping and hiking trails in the area as well.

Grandfather Mountain is one of our favorite places to visit in the high country!

MP 295 - 298 Julian Price Memorial Park

Hiking, picnicking, camping and trails all around this beautiful mountain lake. Excellent photo spot. This park was the retreat for a former insurance executive.

MP 292 - to 295 -  Moses Cone Memorial Park

Return to the Gilded Age. This park was the home and estate of the famous "Denim King" Moses H. Cone and his wife Bertha. Today, it is a park where you can go hiking, ride on horse trails, and visit their home, Flat Top Manor.  

MP 291.9 - US 321 Crossing

Head north on 321 for 7 miles to Boone, NC and south on 321 for 2 miles to Blowing Rock, NC . You'll find Tweetsie Railroad here.

MP 271.9 - Cascade Falls

Take the .8 mile loop trail out to Cascade Falls and back. Cascade falls is over 250 feet.

MP 258.6 - Northwest Trading Post

Gift shop and resting stop. Offers various crafts from North Carolina's northwestern counties. Closed from November to April.

MP 238.5 to 244.7 - Doughton Park

This 7,000-acre park offers hiking, picnic spots , and camping. The park also features a few historic buildings and locations. The park is a popular location to see wildlife, especially deer. During the winter, it's a great location to cross-country ski.

MP 238.5 - Brinegar Cabin

The northern gateway to Doughton Park, this historic cabin, was built in 1880 by Martin Brinegar. The cabin contains a loom that is over 100 years old and used for craft demonstrations during the summer. Two trails for Doughton Park, Cedar Ridge Trail (4.3 miles) and Bluff Mountain Trail (7.5 miles) both begin here.

MP 217.5 - Cumberland Knob Visitor Center

Here is where it all began. Cumberland Knob was where the construction of the parkway began in 1935. Restrooms, picnic area, and water. There are two trails here, one a short hike to Cumberland Knob, the other a longer hike to Gully Creek Gorge.

MP 216.9 NC/Virginia State Line

Mp 213 - blue ridge music center, galax va.

Learn about the history of Blue Ridge Mountain music and see performances. Learn more on their website .

MP 189.9 - Puckett Cabin

Visit the last home of Orlean Hawks Puckett (1844-1939). Ms. Puckett was a midwife who delivered more than 1,000 babies between 1890 - 1939.

MP 188.8 - Groundhog Mountain

Observation tower, picnic area, restrooms, and scenic views.

MP 176.1 - Mabry Mill

By Gary Boyd - https://www.flickr.com/photos/garyboyd/4881901781

Another iconic Parkway location. E.B. Mabry ran Mabry Mill between 1910 and 1935. A short trail leads youth to this historic and beautiful gristmill, sawmill, and blacksmith shop. During the summer months, old crafting skills are demonstrated in the summer and fall. This mill is a feature of many very famous photos.  

A definite "must stop" location along the parkway.

MP167 - Rocky Knob

Considered by many to be one of the roughest areas of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Rocky Knob offers: camping, hiking, mountain ridges, and spring wildflowers and rhododendrons.

Rocky Knob has a visitor's center and a 72-site picnic area.

MP 154 - The Trail Cabin/Smart View

Nice 3-mile loop hiking trail, 1890s historic cabin, and scenic views.

MP120.4 - Roanoke Mountain

Take a scenic 4-mile one-way loop road over Roanoke Mountain. You'll be rewarded with stunning views of Roanoke, Roanoke Valley, and Mill Mountain.  

There are picnic areas, hiking and hiking trails in this area. The huge neon star, often associated with Roanoke, sits on top of Mill Mountain.

MP 85.9 - Peaks of Otter

Named for 3 peaks, Sharp Top, Flat Top, and Harkening Hill, this location has hiking trails, scenic vistas, camping, picnic areas, cultural displays, and a restaurant and lodge. A nice location to watch the sunrise.

MP 63.6 - James River Visitor Center

Location of a water canal along the James river completed in 1851. Visitors can see on the restored lift locks, of the original 90. There is a visitor center, campground, picnic area, restaurant, gift shop and fishing dock.

MP 34.4 - The Yankee Horse Ridge

Features old narrow-gauge railroad track that was once part of the Irish Creek Railway, a logging railroad. Old logging exhibits are also here for visitors to see.

MP 5 - Humpback Rocks

Features old farm buildings from the 1800s. During the summer, visitors can see many history demonstrations and crafting activities.

MP 0 - Rockfish Gap

Marks the Northern Entrance to The Parkway and the connector to Virginia's Skyline Drive .

Blue Ridge Parkway FAQ

We get lots of questions about the Blue Ridge Parkway both via our inbox and on Facebook. Here are some answers to the most common questions asked about the Blue Ridge Parkway

Where does the Blue Ridge Parkway start and stop?

The north end of the Blue Ridge Parkway starts at the southern portion of the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia at Milepost 0 and runs southward for approximately 469 miles to the southern end of the parkway at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina at Milepost 469. 

How long does it take to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway?

How long it takes to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway can vary depending on a number of factors such as time of year (read this as traffic), weather conditions, and the number of stops you make along the way.

On average, it takes about three days to drive the entire length of the parkway if you're traveling at a moderate pace and making occasional stops to admire the views and explore attractions.

However, many visitors choose to spend more time driving the Parkway, taking several days or even a week to fully enjoy the scenic beauty and all of the wonderful attractions along the route.

What is the prettiest section fo the Blue Ridge Parkway?

The entire Blue Ridge Parkway has many pretty sections, and picking just one is difficult, as the various sections and locations are all very unique.  However, based on our numerous travels on the Blue Ridge Parkway over the years, we feel the section from Asheville NC to Maggie Valley NC is the prettiest section of the Blue Ridge Parkway due to the long distance and high elevation views it offers.

With that being said, we also really enjoy the section from Asheville NC to Boone NC , which contains the famous Linn Cove Viaduct along with some rocky terrain and incredible views around Grandfather Mountain .

Where do you enter the Blue Ridge Parkway?

The Blue Ridge Parkway doesn't have any one single entry point, but many access points all along it's 469 mile total length.

Here are some popular entry points for the Blue Ridge Parkway:

• Shenandoah National Park Entrance - The northernmost access point to the Blue Ridge Parkway is located in Virginia at the southern end of Shenandoah National Park. You can enter the parkway from Skyline Drive, which runs through Shenandoah National Park.
• Rockfish Gap Entrance - Another entry point in Virginia is at Rockfish Gap, near Afton VA. This is where the southern terminus of Skyline Drive intersects with the Blue Ridge Parkway.
• Boone, North Carolina - Boone NC is a popular destination, that provides access to the Blue Ridge Parkway from Highway 321 south of Boone.   From Boone, you can go north or south on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
• Asheville, North Carolina -  If you're approaching from the south, you can enter the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville, North Carolina. This is a common starting point for many visitors.
• Other Access Points - The parkway has numerous access points throughout its course, including intersections with major highways, state roads, and scenic overlooks. These entry points allow you to join the parkway at various locations depending on your preferences and travel plans.

It's worth noting that the Blue Ridge Parkway is a continuous road, so once you enter at any of these access points, you can drive along its entire length without needing to exit until you reach the other end at either the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina or Rockfish Gap in Virginia.

What is the Blue Ridge Parkway known for?

The Blue Ridge Parkway is known for many different things, but mostly for its stunning long range views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Here are just a few of the key reasons the Parkway is popular and well known:

• Breathtaking Scenery -  The parkway offers unparalleled views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, showcasing rolling hills, lush forests, and panoramic views. Visitors can enjoy a range of scenic landscapes throughout their journey.
• Fall Foliage - The Blue Ridge Parkway is especially famous for its vibrant fall colors. During the fall season, the mountainsides come alive with a brilliant display of red, orange, and gold foliage, attracting tourists from around the world.
• Outdoor Recreation - The parkway provides numerous opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, picnicking, birdwatching, and wildlife viewing. There are numerous hiking trails , campgrounds , and recreational areas to explore along the route.
• Cultural Heritage - The Blue Ridge Parkway celebrates the cultural heritage of the region. It features historic sites, museums, and interpretive centers that highlight the traditions, history, and craftsmanship of the Appalachian people.
• Scenic Drives - The parkway itself is renowned for being a scenic drive. Its winding road and well-designed overlooks allow visitors to experience the beauty of the mountains and valleys from the comfort of their vehicles.
• Wildlife - The Blue RidgeParkway is home to a diverse range of wildlife species. Visitors may spot white-tailed deer, black bears , elk , wild turkeys, and various bird species while exploring the parkway.

Is the Blue Ridge Parkway worth it?

Answer yes would be an understatement.  The Blue Ridge Parkway is literally one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the world.   Travelers will see things they never though possible.  

The Blue Ridge Parkway is definitely worth visiting and for many reasons:

• Stunning Scenery - The parkway provides awe-inspiring views of mountains, valleys, forests, and meadows. The changing landscapes, especially during the fall foliage season, are a visual delight.
• Outdoor Activities - The parkway offers a wide range of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, cycling, and wildlife spotting. There are numerous trails and recreational areas to explore, allowing you to connect with nature and enjoy the fresh mountain air.
• Cultural and Historical Sites - Along the parkway, you'll find historic sites, museums, and interpretive centers that provide insight into the region's rich cultural heritage. You can learn about the traditions, crafts, and history of the Appalachian people.
• Scenic Drives and Picnic Spots - The parkway itself is designed to maximize the scenic experience. Driving along its winding road is a pleasure, and there are plenty of well-placed overlooks and picnic spots where you can take a break, enjoy the views, and have a picnic.
• Wildlife and Birdwatching - The parkway is home to diverse wildlife species, including deer, bears, birds, and more. It presents opportunities for wildlife observation and birdwatching, allowing you to appreciate the natural biodiversity of the area.
• Relaxation and Recreation - The Blue Ridge Parkway provides a peaceful and serene environment away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It offers a chance to unwind, rejuvenate, and enjoy the beauty of nature at your own pace.

What is the most photographed place on the Blue Ridge Parkway?

While there are numerous places along the Blue Ridge Parkway that are commonly photographed, one location stands out the most, as the most photographed place on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  This location is on the bucket list of nearly every photographer.   That location is Linn Cove Viaduct around Grandfather Mountain.

Linn Cove Viaduct is the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway location, and captures all that is wonderful about the parkway, including long distance views, towering mountains, and incredible engineering.

Are there bathrooms along the Blue Ridge Parkway?

Yes, there are bathroom facilities available along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Throughout the entire length of the parkway, you'll find restrooms located at various visitor centers, campgrounds, picnic areas, and some of the larger overlooks. These facilities provide restroom facilities for park visitors and are typically well-maintained.

It's important to note though that restroom availability may vary at different times of the year or due to maintenance activities. It's advisable to plan your stops and utilize restroom facilities whenever they are available along the parkway.   

Also, distances between restrooms may be long, depending on where you are traveling the parkway.

Visitor centers and facilities tend to have more comprehensive amenities, including restrooms, information services, and sometimes even food options.

What is the best entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway?

There is not single best entrance to the Blue Ridge Park for everyone.  The "best" entrance will vary depending on your needs and factors such as your starting location, personal preferences, and the specific Blue Ridge Parkway attractions you wish to visit and see. 

Where is the best view of the Blue Ridge Mountains?

The Blue Ridge Mountains offer numerous breathtaking and incredible views throughout their entire range. The "best" iew is a bit subjective, BUT here are a few of our personal favorite locations along the Blue Ridge Parkway that are renowned by many for their stunning long distance view of the mountains:

• Waterrock Knob (North Carolina) - Located near milepost 451.2, Waterrock Knob is one of the highest points on the parkway in North Carolina. It features a visitor center and a short trail that leads to the summit, where you can enjoy panoramic vistas of the mountain range. The sweeping views from Waterrock Knob make it a popular spot for photographers and nature enthusiasts alike.  It is very popular for both sunsets and sunrises.
• Black Balsam Knob (North Carolina) -  Located near milepost 420 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Black Balsam Knob provides panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. It's a popular spot for hikers and photographers, offering unobstructed vistas and the opportunity to witness stunning sunrises and sunsets.
• Craggy Gardens (North Carolina): Situated near milepost 364, Craggy Gardens offers captivating views, particularly during the blooming season of the rhododendrons in late spring. The rugged peaks and vibrant wildflowers create a picturesque setting that's cherished by visitors.
• Rough Ridge (North Carolina): Found near milepost 302, Rough Ridge features a short hike that rewards you with breathtaking views of the mountains. The elevated boardwalk takes you to a rocky outcrop, allowing you to soak in the stunning vistas of the surrounding peaks.
• Grandfather Mountain (North Carolina): While not directly on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Grandfather Mountain is a nearby attraction worth visiting for its awe-inspiring views. It features an iconic mile-high swinging bridge and various overlooks that provide stunning vistas of the rugged peaks and deep valleys.
• The Pinnacles (Virginia): Located near milepost 35, The Pinnacles is known for its dramatic rock formations and captivating views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It offers a unique perspective of the mountains and the surrounding landscape.

These are just a few examples, and there are numerous other viewpoints along the Blue Ridge Parkway that offer incredible vistas. 

What is the famous curve on the Blue Ridge Parkway?

The famous curve on the Blue Ridge Parkway is called Linn Cove Viaduct . 

Linn Cove Viaduct is an engineering marvel that wraps around the slopes of Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. It is located near milepost 304 on the parkway. 

The viaduct is a unique, elevated roadway that was designed to minimize environmental impact by hugging the mountain contours rather than disrupting the natural landscape. The viaduct offers stunning views of the surrounding scenery and is often celebrated for its architectural beauty and seamless integration with the mountainous terrain.

The Linn Cove Viaduct has become an iconic symbol of the Blue Ridge Parkway and is a popular attraction for visitors and photographers.

Another popular curve is located in Grandfather Mountain not far from the Parkway, called Forrest Gump Curve.  This famous curve on the road leading up to the top of Grandfather Mountain was featured in the movie Forrest Gump, when he was running across the county.

Larry Deane

About the author

Larry Deane is co-owner of Blue Ridge Mountain Life. He has spent more than 20 years exploring the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and has a deep passion for nature, history, storytelling, and adventure. Along with his wife Jenn, they combined these passions to create Blue Ridge Mountain Life, a travel guide to these stunning mountains they are fortunate to call home. Larry has more than 20 years of experience as a writer and journalist, and has established himself as a leading voice and expert for Blue Ridge Mountains. He is also an avid hiker, photographer, and videographer. He loves sharing his mountain adventures and knowledge with more than 500,000 people per month on Blue Ridge Mountain Life.

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Asheville ranks high on list of best flower festivals in the world

ASHEVILLE - One of the best places to stop and smell the flowers is in Asheville, according to international travel agency, Planet Cruise.

Biltmore Blooms, a flower festival at Biltmore Estate, ranked No. 8 worldwide, based on search volume, social media mentions and sentiment, number of observed flower species at peak month, and the average daily sun hours and monthly rainfall.

The No. 1 ranked flower festival is the Tulip Festival in Amsterdam in The Netherlands, which has 85 locations of colorful tulips across the city including in public gardens and museums.

Biltmore Blooms received the most positive social media sentiment score at 91%. in Planet Cruise's research study. There were 590 searches and 6,840 social mentions reported for the flower festival.

In May, the peak month for blooms, 908 flower species were observed, and an average of 9.3 sun hours daily and 93 millimeters of rainfall monthly was measured, according to Planet Cruise.

This season, Biltmore Estate’s “Spring at Biltmore” features thousands of flowers including daffodils and tulips, and orange, purple, yellow, red and white bulbs are in the Walled Garden.

According to the estate, its founder George Vanderbilt was “fond of tulips as they paid tribute to his Dutch heritage.”

Biltmore’s gardens shift and change daily but guests may check Biltmore Director of Horticulture Bill Quade's weekly bloom report , updated on the estate's website.

Inside Biltmore House, the estate’s floral team has created floral décor in the theme of “Spring Romance” and recreated a large wedding bell and floral bouquet display in the Tapestry Gallery as a tribute to the 100th anniversary of the springtime wedding of Cornelia Vanderbilt ― daughter of Biltmore’s founders George and Edith Vanderbilt ― and John F.A. Cecil in April 1924. According to Biltmore, the design is based on the room’s 1924 decor for the couple’s wedding breakfast.

On April 15, Biltmore House tours will offer a new self-guided audio tour with new stories about the Vanderbilt family, recorded in English with versions in Spanish, French, German and Mandarin Chinese available later this spring.

Guests may request an American Sign Language and descriptive audio tour for the visually impaired.

In March, Biltmore premiered its new special art exhibition, “Chihuly at Biltmore,” featuring artworks by globally renowned artist Dale Chihuly, open through Jan. 5 at Amherst at Deerpark on the estate.

For details about admission tickets, events, and overnight stays, visit Biltmore.com or call 877-BILTMORE.

Planet Cruise’s Best Places in the World to See the Flowers Bloom in 2024:

• Tulip Festival, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
• Calla Lily Festival, Yangmingshan National Park, Taipei, Taiwan.
• National Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington, D.C.
• Girona Flower Festival, Girona, Spain.
• Canadian Tulip Festival, Ottawa, Canada.
• Floralia Brussels, Brussels, Belgium.
• The Gardens of Versailles, Versailles, France.
• Biltmore Blooms, Asheville.
• Springhill, Derry, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
• Infiorata Flower Carpet Festival, Noto, Italy.

See the full list at planetcruise.com .

Stories you may have missed:

• 'Chihuly at Biltmore' art exhibit opens with glass chandeliers, more at historic estate
• Handle with care: Dale Chihuly artist team moves new exhibit onto Biltmore Estate
• Asheville Orchid Festival will feature thousands of blooms at NC Arboretum
• Asheville restaurant named one of the most romantic places to dine in the U.S.

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The Vanderbilt Family Homes: Here’s Your Guide

By Jordi Lippe-Mcgraw and Charlotte Collins

While the US doesn’t designate noble titles, several American families certainly seem to occupy the same social stratum as royals. Dynasties like the Vanderbilt clan inhabit a similar tier and are often thought of as unofficial American royals, with the power and prestige of their names and the public fixation on the happenings and tragedies of their lives, stoked by tabloids and editorial spreads.

Their illustrious list of accomplishments across industries, from transportation to the arts, has earned the family a decades-long position among society’s upper crust. Tracing the family tree back to the genesis of their prominence brings one all the way to the business dealings of rail and shipping magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, who laid the foundation for their generational wealth beginning with his work as a ferry and steamboat operator in the early 19th century. Though the enterprising industrialist secured the family fortune, he was known for living more or less modestly, considering his immense wealth; the Vanderbilt homes that would come to define America’s Gilded Age style were erected by his descendants. Over the years, members of the family built and reimagined a multitude of stunning residences , many of which have been registered as National Historic Landmarks. Read on for a selection of Vanderbilt family homes, including several you can visit today.

Petit Château, Midtown Manhattan

Stereoscopic photo of the exterior of the Vanderbilt residence on Fifth Avenue and 52nd Street in midtown Manhattan, circa 1895.

The Vanderbilts’ French Renaissance–style home at 660 Fifth Avenue was built in 1882. While not “petit” at all by most standards, the residence was located just across the street from another Vanderbilt dwelling that occupied the entire city block on which it stood. Petit Château was also known as William K. Vanderbilt House, named for Cornelius’s grandson, for whom it was built. William’s wife, Alva, was deeply involved in the design of the home and opted for a balance of French Gothic architecture with Beaux Arts–style elegance. It was sold in 1926 to developers and subsequently demolished the following year.

Idle Hour in Long Island, New York

Idle Hour was formerly part of the campus of Dowling College, which operated from 1968 to 2016.

Construction on the first iteration of this country estate began in 1878. The Richard Hunt–designed abode was built in the Beaux Arts style for William and Alva and completed in 1882, but it was destroyed in a massive fire in 1899. It was rebuilt with haste and finished in 1901, with a limestone and red brick façade, and was designed by Hunt’s son, Richard Howland Hunt.

Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park, New York

The Vanderbilt summer estate in Hyde Park is one of America’s premier examples of the country palaces built by wealthy industrialists during the Gilded Age.

Frederick W. Vanderbilt lived in this Beaux Arts–style home from 1895 to 1938. Today it’s a National Historic Site, with 200 acres of National Park Service land. The building was constructed between 1896 and 1899. American Renaissance design and European antiques fill out the interior space. The estate is surrounded by Italian—style gardens, with a rose garden added by Frederick himself, complete with nearly 2,000 rose bushes.

The Breakers in Newport, Rhode Island

The Breakers is located along the historic Cliff Walk in Newport.

By Alia Akkam

By Nicolas Milon

By Mona Basharat

It’s hard to believe the 70-room, 125,339-square-foot home was just a summer house for Cornelius Vanderbilt II, yet the Italian Renaissance–style abode was considered a “cottage.” Now visitors can tour the impressive space.

Marble House in Newport, Rhode Island

Dining room with pink Numidian marble

Why have just one summer cottage when you can have two? William Kissam Vanderbilt owned a grand home just down the road, which John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy visited in the 1950s. The elegant Gilded Age manor on Bellevue Avenue was completed in 1892 as a summer house for Alva and William, also designed by Richard Hunt. It earned National Historic Landmark status in 2006 and now operates as a museum open to the public.

Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina

Today the Biltmore Estate is a popular travel destination, with two hotels on the property.

George Vanderbilt loved Blue Ridge Mountain, so he built a summer home for himself in Asheville, North Carolina. It has since been visited by several US presidents, including William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt. Accommodating the notable guests was fairly easy, considering the space’s 35 bedrooms and 43 bathrooms.

Eagle’s Nest in Centerport, New York

The home’s planetarium opened in 1971.

Before it became the popular Vanderbilt Museum (complete with a planetarium), this Spanish Revival house in Suffolk County was home to William K. Vanderbilt II until his death in 1944. It was built by the architecture firm of Warren & Wetmore, which also constructed Grand Central Terminal.

Southampton Residence in Long Island, New York

Wyatt Emory Cooper and Gloria Vanderbilt with sons Anderson and Carter Cooper.

The eclectic, pattern-heavy interior design of Gloria’s home in Southampton was captured in a 1972 Vogue shoot by the photographer Jack Robinson, featuring author and actor Wyatt Emory Cooper and the couple’s two sons, Anderson and Carter. Gloria spent her entire life in the spotlight as a Vanderbilt heiress and the subject of a bitter custody battle in her childhood. As an adult, she became known as a socialite, model, designer, and author. Her trademark design philosophy : “Decorating is autobiography.” Her Beekman Place apartment was similarly filled with a variety of bright colors and whimsical patterns.

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US widens sanctions on Russia to discourage…

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Us widens sanctions on russia to discourage countries such as china from doing business with moscow.

The United States widened its sanctions against Russia Wednesday as G7 leaders prepared to gather in Italy for a summit where the top priorities will be boosting support for Ukraine and grinding down Russia’s war machine.

Wednesday’s package targeted Chinese companies which help Russia pursue its war in Ukraine and raised the stakes for foreign financial institutions which work with sanctioned Russian entities.

It also targeted Russia’s financial infrastructure, in an attempt to limit the amount of money flowing in and out of Russia. Shortly after the sanctions were made public, the Moscow Exchange announced it would suspend transactions in dollars and euros.

The U.S. has sanctioned more than 4,000 Russian businesses and individuals since the war began, in an effort to choke off the flow of money and armaments to Moscow, whose superior firepower has given it an advantage on the battlefield in recent months. Nonetheless, new companies continually pop up as Russia attempts to rework supply chains.

“We have to be very honest with ourselves that Putin is a very capable adversary who is willing to adapt and find those willing collaborators,” Aaron Forsberg, the State Department’s Director for Economic Sanctions Policy and Implementation, told The Associated Press.

Sanctions against Russia, he said, are therefore a “dynamic affair.”

That includes listing addresses for the first time in a bid to crack down on companies reopening at the same address under a different name.

While sanctions have not stopped the flow of illicit goods, the aim is to make it harder for Russia to source crucial technology as well as drive up the markup on the goods. Wednesday’s package targets more than $100 million in trade between Russia and suppliers for its war.

More than 300 new sanctions are largely aimed at deterring individuals and companies in countries including China, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey from helping Moscow circumvent Western blocks on obtaining key technology. They also threaten foreign financial institutions with sanctions if they do business with almost any sanctioned Russian entity, underscoring the U.S. view that the Kremlin has pivoted the Russian economy to a war footing .

Russia’s military is “desperate for access to the outside world,” said Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

The announcement came shortly before President Joe Biden arrived in Italy where he and other G7 leaders are urgently looking at aiding Ukraine, including turning frozen Russian assets into billions of dollars of support for Kyiv.

Seven Chinese and Hong-Kong-based companies were targeted Wednesday for shipping millions of dollars of material to Russia, including items which could be used in Russian weapons systems.

U.S. officials say China is the leading supplier of critical components to Russia, supplying both Chinese and Western technology.

On Wednesday the U.S. sanctioned a Chinese state-owned defense company which officials said had shipped military equipment for use in the Russian defense sector.

The move sends the message that the U.S. is “willing to wade into more treacherous territory” by increasing the pressure on the Chinese government, said Benjamin Hilgenstock, senior economist at the Kyiv School of Economics.

“We will address (China’s) support for the Russian defense industrial base. And we will confront China’s non-market policies that are leading to harmful global spillovers,” White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters Tuesday.

China did not sanction Russia after President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine, and Putin ended a visit to China in May by emphasizing the two countries’ burgeoning strategic ties.

“The Chinese leadership is not interested in making these sanctions a success,” said Janis Kluge, a Russia sanctions specialist at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin (SWP.)

Beijing, Kluge said, is reluctant to stop a valuable trade that is worth large amounts of money and it does not want to “add to the pressure on Putin in this war.”

Imports from China are vital to Russia because Beijing is a major producer of critical components, including for Western companies. Chinese companies also act as intermediaries for the sale and shipment of Western components to Russia.

But while Chinese technology has been found on the battlefield in Ukraine, most of the components still come from Western nations including those which are “overwhelmingly” found in high-tech drones and ballistic missiles, said Hilgenstock.

As well as China, the U.S. targeted businesses in Turkey and the United Arab Emirates which officials said sent high-priority items to companies in Russia, including to businesses which were already sanctioned.

In December, the White House said foreign financial institutions could be sanctioned if they worked with entities in Russia’s defense sector. Wednesday’s expansion of sanctions now means that those institutions could face such measures if they work with almost any sanctioned Russian entity.

U.S. President Joe Biden’s top foreign policy adviser, Jake Sullivan, told reporters on the way to the G7 that the message to China and other countries was that they are “at serious risk of running afoul of the Treasury Department and falling under a sanctions regime.”

The fear of triggering secondary sanctions is an effective threat, analysts said.

While President Xi Jinping may not want to facilitate Western sanctions on Russia, “Chinese banks have always been very careful not to become a target of secondary sanctions because it would be very costly,” Kluge said, pointing to cases where Chinese banks have ended relationships with Russian customers.

The package also aims to hobble the development of Russia’s energy sector and future sources of cash , including Arctic liquified natural gas projects which have been shipped critical LNG technology by a Chinese company.

In addition, the package targeted people involved in the forced transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. Five people in Russia and Russian-occupied Ukraine were sanctioned after participating in the forced militarization and reeducation of the children and providing them with Russian passports.

AP White House Reporter Colleen Long aboard Air Force One contributed to this report

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9 killed in Russian aerial attacks on Ukraine ahead of G7 summit aimed at slowing Moscow's offensive

Germany ukraine.

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KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian forces launched new deadly attacks on Ukraine, killing at least nine people on Wednesday, a day before the leaders of countries that are some of Ukraine’s biggest backers were to discuss how to slow Moscow's offensive.

Ukrainian authorities said that along with the nine killed, 29 others, including five children, were wounded when Russian missiles hit an apartment block in Kryvyi Rih, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy 's hometown.

Zelenskyy said the strike has again proven that "Ukraine, together with its partners, must strengthen its air defenses” — something that he has repeatedly appealed for with Ukraine’s Western partners. The United States has agreed to send another Patriot missile system , two U.S. officials said late Tuesday.

“Modern air defense systems are capable of providing maximum protection of people, our cities, and our positions," Zelenskyy said. “And we need as many of them as possible.”

Earlier Wednesday, Ukraine’s air force said it shot down more than two dozen air targets, including cruise missiles, a Kinzhal ballistic missile and Shahed drones. Several people were wounded, authorities said.

Kyiv’s outgunned and outnumbered forces are battling to hold back the bigger Russian army, which is trying to exploit Ukrainian vulnerabilities. Ukraine has been short of troops, ammunition and air defenses in recent months as the Kremlin’s forces try to cripple the national power supply and punch through the front line in eastern parts of the country.

Ukraine will need to weather the Russian onslaught through the summer, military analysts say, and in the meantime train more soldiers, build fortifications and hope that the provision of Western military aid picks up speed so that in 2025 Kyiv may be able to mount its own offensive.

Several diplomatic events over the next few days are aimed at how to help Ukraine fend off the Russian invasion or how to bring about an end to the war.

On Thursday, President Joe Biden and the other Group of Seven leaders will gather in Italy for their annual summit to discuss ways to help Ukraine , including how to divert more frozen Russian assets to Kyiv's defense.

Separately, the Biden administration on Wednesday said it had broadened sanctions against Russia by targeting companies that help Moscow's war effort and raising the stakes for foreign financial institutions that work with sanctioned Russian entities.

The more than 300 new sanctions are largely aimed at deterring individuals and companies in countries such as China, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey from helping Moscow circumvent Western blocks on obtaining key technology. They also threaten foreign financial institutions with sanctions if they do business with almost any sanctioned Russian entity, underscoring the U.S. view that the Kremlin has pivoted the Russian economy on to a war footing .

Biden and Zelenskyy will also sign a bilateral security agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine on Thursday, when they meet on the G7 summit's sidelines, the White House said.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the agreement would not commit U.S. troops directly to Ukraine’s defense, but that it would demonstrate the U.S. supports the people of Ukraine and serve as a “bridge” to when Ukraine is invited to join the NATO alliance — a long-term priority of Zelenskyy’s that alliance members have said will first require an end to the war.

Separately, Sullivan noted that Russian authorities have deported hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian civilians to Russia, including children who have been forcibly separated from their families. He cited reports of Russia listing abducted Ukrainian children on Russia's adoption websites, denouncing it as “despicable and appalling.”

“These Ukrainian children belong with their families inside Ukraine,” Sullivan said. “Russia is waging a war not just against the Ukrainian military — but against the Ukrainian people.”

While the G7 meets in Italy, defense chiefs from the U.S., Europe and other nations will meet Thursday in Brussels for their monthly meeting on Ukraine’s security needs. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will host the event.

And this weekend, representatives of nearly 90 countries and organizations, half from Europe, are expected to attend a summit in Switzerland aimed at charting a path to peace between Russia and Ukraine, though Russia won't be attending.

Both sides in Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II have been reaching out to friendly nations to help keep their armed forces supplied. The war has cost tens of thousands of lives on both sides, including more than 11,000 Ukrainian civilians, according to the United Nations.

While Ukraine has looked to Western countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin has turned to nations such as Iran and North Korea for help. Unconfirmed reports suggested Putin may soon make a third visit to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un .

Moscow showed no signs of relenting in the war. The Kremlin said Wednesday that Putin met with Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, the chief of the military’s General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, and the commanders of Russia’s five military districts.

A readout of the Tuesday night meeting said the officials presented Putin with “plans to continue the hostilities.”

Fighting along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line has in recent months focused on the partly occupied Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces are trying to reach the key hilltop city of Chasiv Yar and other strategic hubs.

Last month, Russian forces also launched an offensive in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region, which borders Russia. Putin said he wanted to establish a buffer zone there to prevent Ukrainian cross-border attacks. The offensive drew some Ukrainian fighters away from Donetsk.

However, Russia’s gains have been incremental and costly.

In the Kharkiv region, Russian units have become bogged down in Vovchansk, Ukraine Commander in Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said Wednesday on the Telegram messaging app.

Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

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Fake News Reports and Videos Seek to Undermine the Paris Olympics

Russian propagandists are spoofing broadcasters and mimicking French and U.S. intelligence agencies to stoke fear about security at the Games.

By Julian E. Barnes and Steven Lee Myers

Julian E. Barnes, who covers U.S. intelligence agencies, and Steven Lee Myers, who covers misinformation, have been reporting on Russian efforts to influence the 2024 presidential election.

With its athletes barred from competing in the Summer Olympics under the country’s flag, Russia has turned its fury on the Games and this year’s host, Paris.

Russian propagandists have created an hourlong documentary, spoofed news reports and even mimicked French and American intelligence agencies to issue fake warnings urging people to avoid the Games, according to a report released on Sunday by Microsoft.

The report details the disinformation campaign created by a group the company calls Storm-1679. The campaign appears to have accelerated since March, flooding social media with short videos raising alarms about possible terrorist attacks and stoking fears about safety.

The operation, while aimed at the Games, is using various techniques to spread disinformation that could also be employed in European and U.S. elections.

American and French officials have tracked the campaign. One American official said that Russian disinformation, spread by the Kremlin via social media, continued to threaten the security of the United States and its allies.

The group has also tried to goad fact checkers into examining its claims, hoping to use the attention to spread the disinformation to new audiences as it is called out.

For months, French officials have focused on the ways Russia could seek to undermine the Games. Hackers affiliated with Russian intelligence disrupted the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, and French officials are preparing for more cyberattacks this year.

France raised its terrorism warning level after an Islamic State attack in Moscow in March and threats against high-profile soccer matches in Paris. France also has increased security for the Olympics. Neither French nor American officials are warning people to stay away from the Games, but the Russian disinformation campaign is designed to scare people into doing just that.

Researchers at Microsoft and U.S. government officials have identified a number of groups affiliated with the Kremlin that are spreading disinformation aimed at Europe and the United States.

Some are directed by aides to President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia. Others are affiliated with Russian intelligence. Some hide behind fake nonprofit groups. Others are veterans of the Internet Research Agency, a St. Petersburg troll farm that spread election propaganda in 2016. The agency was run by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of a mercenary group who led a rebellion against the Kremlin and then was killed in a plane crash last year.

Storm-1679 appears separate from those efforts, according to Microsoft. The group’s disinformation is aligned with Kremlin propaganda, but few specifics about it are known.

Bellingcat, a research group that uses publicly available data to conduct open source investigations, has been targeted by disinformation videos and has watched the campaign unfold. Eliot Higgins, the founder of Bellingcat, says his group has not established whether Storm-1679 is backed by the Russian government or is independent.

“It could be Prigozhin 2.0 doing work for the Kremlin, or an over-imaginative pro-Russian blogger doing it for kicks; we just don’t know at this point,” Mr. Higgins said.

The work began in earnest last summer with the release of a fake documentary about the International Olympic Committee, expropriating Netflix’s logo and using an A.I.-powered voice impersonating Tom Cruise. The committee succeeded in having the video — a spoof of the 2013 film “Olympus Has Fallen” — removed from YouTube. The attacks have continued , though, with persistent efforts to discredit its leadership, the committee said in March, citing a campaign that used fake recordings of what purported to be telephone calls by officials of the African Union on behalf of Russia.

The group known as Storm-1679 now appears to be making shorter videos that are easier to create. It used to focus on disparaging Ukrainian refugees in the West, but after President Emmanuel Macron of France began to publicly consider sending French troops to Ukraine, it shifted to the Olympics.

Microsoft estimates that Storm-1679 produces three to eight faked videos a week, in English and French, with many impersonating the BBC, Al Jazeera and other broadcasters. The group appears to respond quickly to news events, like protests in New Caledonia, a French territory in the Pacific. Others focus on the prospect of a terrorist attack in Paris.

Most of the videos pretending to be from the C.I.A. and French intelligence are relatively simple. They are unlike anything the C.I.A. has actually produced, but to unsuspecting readers online, they could appear legitimate, using the agency’s logo and stark white-on-black typography.

“They are trying to cultivate an anticipation of violence,” Clint Watts, the head of Microsoft’s Digital Threat Analysis Center, said of the group behind the fake posts. “They want people to be fearful of going to the Olympics.”

A C.I.A. spokesman said a video that circulated online in February purporting to be a warning from the agency warning of terrorist attacks during the Games was a fabrication.

In February, Viginum, the government agency in France that combats disinformation online, identified the fake C.I.A. video as part of a campaign it called Matryoshka, after the nesting dolls that are popular in Russia.

The campaign was also responsible for fake videos about the domestic French intelligence agency, the French government said. A person briefed on the French investigation, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence assessments, said that Viginum and the French Foreign Ministry were quickly identifying the Russian disinformation from the group aimed at undermining the Olympics.

French officials and Microsoft say one of the group’s tactics appears to be trying to get the attention of fact-checking organizations.

“Normally, when Storm-1679 posts content on Telegram, it circulates there for a day or two and then goes away,” Mr. Watts said. “The content doesn’t normally travel from one platform to another, but when their false content is fact-checked by accounts with a large following, the content gets far more views and in front of new and different audiences.”

Mr. Higgins said if baiting fact-checkers was part of the group’s strategy, it did not appear to be an effective one. Bellingcat, he said, is aware that reporting on disinformation can draw attention to the propaganda, and that is factored in when his organization fact-checks videos.

“It doesn’t appear that their messages are getting amplified,” Mr. Higgins said. “Even among the usual circles who lap up Russian disinformation, we don’t see them being shared at all.”

Julian E. Barnes covers the U.S. intelligence agencies and international security matters for The Times. He has written about security issues for more than two decades. More about Julian E. Barnes

Steven Lee Myers covers misinformation and disinformation from San Francisco. Since joining The Times in 1989, he has reported from around the world, including Moscow, Baghdad, Beijing and Seoul. More about Steven Lee Myers

Inside the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics

News and Analysis

Bill May, the 45-year-old artistic swimmer who was vying for a chance to be the first man to compete in the sport at the Olympics this summer, did not make the U.S. team’s final roster .

Seeking to undermine the Paris Olympics, Russian propagandists  are spoofing broadcasters and mimicking French and U.S. intelligence agencies to stoke fear about security at the Games.

Ahead of the Olympics, the global agency tasked with policing doping in sports is facing a growing crisis  as it fends off allegations it helped cover up the positive tests of elite Chinese swimmers .

A Guide to the Games

More ‘Open’ Signs: With millions of visitors expected in Paris, many shopkeepers, bakers and restaurateurs are forgoing their annual summer vacations .

A New Gastronomic Course: In the Olympic dining hall near Paris, carbon imprint will outweigh cassoulet as chefs consider the environmental impact of French cuisine. There won’t even be French fries .

Escaping the Games: Even if you’re visiting France for the Games, you may want to take a cultural break like a local. Here are some suggestions .

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Russian sub deployment off Florida worries Pentagon that Moscow will stalk U.S. coasts

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Russia’s deployment of a naval flotilla to Cuba on Wednesday was generally consistent with routine military posturing by Moscow — with one exceptional detail, Jake Sullivan , the U.S. national security advisor, told reporters aboard Air Force One on Wednesday.

“There are elements of this one that are different, that are distinct,” he said. “They have a submarine associated with this port visit that they have not had before.”

The first deployment of a nuclear submarine to Cuba since the end of the Cold War has served not only as a message to the Biden administration of Moscow’s displeasure with continued U.S. support for Ukraine, but also of its increasing ability to stalk U.S. coastlines with stealth submersibles — a growing concern for the U.S. military, multiple officials familiar with the matter told McClatchy and the Miami Herald.

Just last month, the head of the U.S. Northern Command warned Congress that Moscow could soon deploy 12 similarly advanced nuclear submarines split evenly between the Pacific and Atlantic, creating a “persistent conventional threat” to the United States.

“The threat will only become more acute later in the decade,” Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot said, once the Yasen-class submarines are regularly armed with hypersonic missiles capable of traveling many times the speed of sound.

U.S. officials are now assessing whether the current Russian deployment, which will culminate in military exercises in the Caribbean, could be the beginning of a pattern of Russian submarine activity that will require a more sustained change in U.S. force posture.

The Kazan, a Yasen-class sub, joined three other Russian combat vessels that U.S. officials characterized as routine visitors to Cuba’s shores.

The deployment is “something we watch closely, carefully,” Sullivan said.

‘THEY WILL DEFINITELY LOSE HER’

As the Kazan breached the waters of the port of Havana on Wednesday, Russian state media reported that the vessel had demonstrated it is “capable of quietly approaching U.S. shores” within 50 kilometers, or about 30 miles. U.S. officials acknowledged to McClatchy on Tuesday that the Russian fleet had skirted the coast of Florida by a similar distance on its approach to Cuba.

“If she wants to hide, they will definitely lose her, she will break away,” said Mikhail Budnichenko, director of the submarine program, as quoted by TASS, a Russian state-run media organization. “This is a very secretive ship, this is the latest achievement of Russian science and technology.”

The Kazan, a nuclear-powered vessel capable of carrying and firing nuclear cruise missiles, is a state-of-the-art submersible that is part of a newly designed fleet intended to replace Russia’s aging Soviet-era nuclear submarines.

A U.S. official told McClatchy and the Herald that U.S. military assets never lost track of the Kazan on its approach to Havana. McClatchy confirmed on Tuesday that the U.S. Northern Command had dispatched three guided-missile destroyers — the USS Truxtun, USS Donald Cook and USS Delbert D. Black — as well as a Coast Guard cutter and a Boeing P-8 maritime patrol aircraft to patrol the Russian military movements.

But Moscow’s advancements in submarine technology have accelerated in recent years. Last year, Guillot’s predecessor warned Congress that Yasen-class submarines like the Kazan could begin routinely patrolling U.S. coasts this year or next.

The threat “is absolutely increasing,” Gen. Glen VanHerck told lawmakers, referring to the Russian submarine deployments, “now not only the Atlantic, but we also have them in the Pacific.”

“It’s just a matter of time — probably a year or two — before that’s a persistent threat, 24 hours a day,” VanHerck added. “That impact has reduced decision space for a national senior leader in a time of crisis.”

Last month, Guillot told the Senate that Moscow’s intent to deploy a dozen submarines across the Pacific and Atlantic would enable the Russian Navy “to pose a persistent conventional threat to critical infrastructure throughout most of North America.”

“The threat will only become more acute later in the decade when [Russian submarines] are armed with the Tsirkon hypersonic missile,” Guillot said.

U.S. officials told McClatchy and the Herald that the Kazan is not known to be carrying hypersonic missiles on its current deployment.

But TASS quoted another unnamed Russian official on Wednesday stating the Kazan and its escorts could be equipped with such powerful weapons that a close approach to the U.S. coast would not even be necessary.

A sub wouldn’t need to come as close as 50 kilometers to the U.S. shore, TASS quoted the official as saying, “but in principle, it can.”

Miami Herald staff writer Nora Gamez Torres contributed to this story.

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