The Biltmore is a Real-Life Castle

Have you ever dreamed of visiting a real-life castle? Of touring the halls and stately rooms? Of being transported to a different time and place and experiencing the luxurious lifestyle? How about touring the castle’s vineyard, visiting the stables, and exploring the renowned gardens? Well, you don’t have to hop on a plane for Europe to set your eyes upon gargoyles and ball gowns. Just head to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, a picturesque castle with over 8,000 acres, 250 rooms, and a hundred years of history.

Regardless of whether you are a Passholder or visiting for the day, if you want to tour the house, you need to reserve a time online. Be sure to print out your confirmation email, because you’ll need it to get in. And arrive at least 45 minutes before your scheduled tour to allow for parking and to either take a shuttle to the house or walk over via the trails.

Is the Biltmore Worth It?

Many parents ask if taking the kids through the house is worth it, which is a valid question. Even though the house is stunning and the grandeur of the rooms is amazing, some kids will be bored. And if you have little kids, you need to keep them with you and not let them run behind the roped-off sections.

I first took my kids to the house when they were seven and three, and we didn’t make it through the whole tour because one of them needed to use the restroom. You must do it before you enter the house as there are no bathrooms inside for guests. The public restrooms are outdoors, near the Stable Cafe to the right of the house.

The second time we went was a couple of years later, and we got through most of the house. It was Christmastime, and the decorations were mesmerizing. Now my kids are 11 and 15, and we go every Christmas. They truly enjoy it. Keep reading for a review of the Rooftop Tour, which we all loved!

A Biltmore House tour comes with audio tours for both kids and adults. The Vanderbilts’ dog, Cedric, narrates the kids’ tour, which they may find entertaining.

Either way, be prepared to bail if you need to. There’s a lot to do on the estate besides the house, no matter how gorgeous it is. The Biltmore ticket system requires you to choose a House ticket or a Grounds & Gardens ticket. The House ticket includes the Grounds but a Grounds & Gardens ticket does not include the House tour.

Biltmore Rooftop Tour

The Rooftop Tour at the Biltmore has been something I’ve wanted to do for years. I first visited the Biltmore in 2018 and it wasn’t until now, 2026, that I finally did the tour. It did not disappoint.

I’ve been through the house many times because I have an annual pass and see the stairways and rooms and roped-off sections and have always wondered what are behind those doors. Well, I finally found out what was behind a few of them: access to the roof over the winter garden and a private balcony off George Vanderbilt’s bathroom.

The tour is an hour long and you must make reservations in advance. You also must be able to climb around 250 stairs without assistance and keep up with the tour. My daughters, ages 11 and 15, didn’t have any problems, but there are a lot of stairs. If you have mobility issues, you may want to choose another excursion on the property.

The tour takes you up the grand staircase and then into a really cool room with an enormous replica of the Biltmore House. Richard Morris Hunt designed it, and to solidify George Vanderbilt’s vision, the two of them went on a massive road trip across Europe to see palaces, castles, and cathedrals before building the Biltmore. Some of the places they visited are in framed shots in this room.

From there, you get to walk out on a very small walkway rooftop and get up close with the gargoyles. You can see the Mt. Mitchell in the distance, and the glass ceiling of the winter garden is below. It’s absolutely stunning.

You can see straight out to the statue of the Roman goddess, Diana, which sits above the long field in front of the house. We learned that it was where George Vanderbilt and his guests began their hunts. If you know anything about mythology, this makes sense as Diana is the Roman goddess of the hunt.

The tour continues to an attic where you can see how the builders put together the slate roofs. You then head to a gorgeous balcony off George Vanderbilt’s room where vast views of the Blue Ridge Mountains await.

I was so happy to have finally done this tour after years of wanting to see the views from the roof and learn more about what makes this place so special. Tickets are $45/person (Passholders get a discounted rate), and kids need to be at least nine.

Biltmore Gardens

I’ve taken so many walks through the Biltmore Gardens and just can’t get enough. The father of modern-day landscaping, Frederick Law Olmstead, designed the gardens, and they are breathtaking.

I thought spring was my favorite season to vist as the tulips and daffodils light up the pathways. Then I thought early summer was my favorite because of the beautiful rose and azalea gardens. Then I decided fall was my favorite because of the colorful mums planted in mesmerizing patterns.

But after I took walks and bike rides along the sunflower fields near Antler Hill Village in the late summer and early fall, I just figured I’d get a season pass so I could visit whenever I wanted. I can’t decide when the flowers are the most gorgeous, so you’ll just have to go see for yourself.

House and Grounds & Gardens tickets both include access to the gardens, the walking trails, and the Conservatory. You don’t need a reserved time to walk through the gardens. You just go when you want.

Antler Hill Village: Biltmore with Kids

Antler Hill Village is my favorite place at the Biltmore Estate because it’s filled with lots of kid-friendly activitites, and it’s all included with admission.

The Farmyard is a small farm area where kids are welcome to pet the animals. They have goats (baby goats come March of every year!), chickens, horses, and pigs. On some occasions, they have Border Collie sheep-herding demonstrations, which are fun to watch.

Next to the farm, is the Pisgah Playground, a big play area with swings, slides, and climbing structures. It’s a great place to let the kids enjoy a beautiful day outside.

And up the hill a little ways from the playground, is the Antler Hill Barn with craft demonstrations every Thursday-Sunday. I love this area as the staff members are so kind and engage with the kids. There’s also a little cafe with beer and wine, so I’ve had a beer while watching my kids play or do crafts. It’s a perfect place to relax. There are restrooms at the barn.

You can also pick up several hiking trails at Antler Hill Village right behind the barn and wander past the cow fields and goat pens. Grab a map at the Outdoor Center near the barn.

The Winery is also in Antler Hill Village. Adults are welcome to do a complimentary wine tasting, and kids can tag along and have grape juice. The servers are generous with the wine samples so take that into consideration when figuring out the best time to go!

Get Your Adventure On

If horseback riding is on your to-do list, the Biltmore also offers guided tours of 1-10 people with two-day advance registration. Ages eight and up are welcome, and it costs $135/person for an hour ride around the estate.

You probably won’t be surprised to learn the Biltmore also offers carriage rides. The 60-minute ride is available Friday through Sunday and takes guests around the beautiful estate and house. It costs $95/person, and one child five years old or younger is free per paying adult.

There are more than 20 miles of biking trails at the Biltmore Estate, which run all throughout Antler Village and up to the house. You can either rent bikes ($25/bike for two hours) at the Bike Barn, which is open daily depending on weather, or bring your own bikes and ride at your leisure. I’ve brought my kids’ scooters and bikes, and we rode the trails from Antler Hill up to the house, to the Gardens, and to the pond. It was so much fun. We also love to go biking on the trails at the Estate. The paths run along the French Broad River and up to the Gardens.

The falconry class is at the top of my to-do list at the Biltmore Estate. I really want to learn how to do this thanks to My Side of the Mountain. It’s pricey at $135/person, but hey, I have dreams.

Dining with Kids at the Biltmore Estate

There are several dining options at the Biltmore. The Stable Cafe near the main house has a selection of comfort food that’s easy to grab and eat. Families also love Cedric’s Tavern in Antler Hill Village, which has typical pub fare. Consider making reservations at the sit-down places to get your preferred time.

Most of the restaurants near the house and garden are open daily, but the Smokehouse at the Farmhouse in Antler Hill Village is only open on weekends. During our visits with kids in tow, we pack a light lunch and treat them to ice cream at the Creamery.

Have a picnic

If you’d rather take a picnic basket, the Azalea Garden path, Bass Pond, and Boat House are wonderful options. You can also eat at the covered tables in Antler Hill Village or at any of the beautiful open spaces around the estate. Guest Services can recommend picnic spots in their many beautiful lawns and gardens. Guests aren’t allowed to have picnics around the mansion or near any of the dining establishments. Tents, grills, multiple camping chairs/tables, and large coolers are not permitted in Biltmore parking lots or on the grounds.

Seasonal Fun and Exhibits

I’ve gotten to see some pretty neat exhibits at the Biltmore. These included the Titanic exhibit featuring many of Kate Winslet’s dresses [insert completely excited face here], a fantastic train exhibit, Christmas at the Biltmore, and Chihuly at Biltmore. These special events are incredibly well done and worth a visit.

Christmas at the Biltmore

Every year, I take my daughters to tour the house during Christmastime because it is so beautiful. We really love checking out the 50+ Christmas trees and seeing the elaborate decorations.

The trees are decorated with delicate glass ornaments that are almost certainly not shatter-proof. We admired the gorgeous velvet ribbons carefully wrinkled at the right places, seemingly mimicking the damask finery in the guest rooms.

My personal favorite was a tree on the second floor, close to the Louis XV suite. A carefully assembled vignette of vintage toys beneath the tree would stir any child’s imagination of toy soldiers and sugar plum fairies. Perhaps they chose this location for the child-friendly tree because it’s close to the room where Cornelia Vanderbilt was born. It was a good reminder that a family once lived in this beautiful home.

Spots for the Christmas House tours usually go fast, so you’ll need to reserve your preferred time and date online. They also have wildly popular candlelight tours, which I have yet to do, but I’d love to take in that experience sometime. Christmas at the Biltmore runs from November through early January.

Where to Stay Near Biltmore Estate

Find a place to stay near the Biltmore. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.

For the Grownups: The Biltmore Winery

Begin by taking a stroll underground through the historic cellars of the former Biltmore Dairy. My kids enjoyed the cool temperature of the cellar and wandering through the exhibit. Your stroll will lead to an impressive tasting room where gracious wine hosts guide you through a complimentary wine tasting. For a nominal fee, you can sample their finest reserve. Kids get grape juice and complimentary snacks while adults enjoy their wine. The tasting room opens up to a shop offering wine, cookware, and gourmet tastings of spreads and honeys produced in the estate.

Tip: Combine your visit with a private tour, such as the Red Wine & Chocolate Tasting. Book your free tasting at the Visitors Center when you first arrive at the Biltmore as slots fill up fast.

If you want to extend your visit, the Biltmore offers several tours to capture every imagination. Last year, we took the Upstairs-Downstairs tour and were able to see how the 438 employees kept the mansion in tip-top shape. This included the use of synchronized clocks and a state-of-the-art in-house communication system combined with other technological marvels. Staff not unlike those in Downtown Abbey mostly lived upstairs in the upper floors with hidden passageways to the master bedroom and guest floor.

Need-to-Know Tips for Visiting the Biltmore Estate

Plan to spend the whole day

There is plenty to see (or cut short if need be), but it would be awful to feel rushed. Many of the kid attractions close at 5 pm.

Getting around can take some time

You can drive to the Biltmore House and park in one of several lots. Lot A is about an eight-minute walk to the house, while the other lots are further away. There are shuttles to the house and Antler Hill Village. You can also take shuttles – which come about every 20 minutes – from the house to Antler Hill Village.

The Deerpark Trail from Antler Hill to the house is around three miles. You can also drive to Antler Hill and walk to the house or take the shuttle. There is a parking lot near the lagoon and trail if you want to park there and walk the 1.5 miles to Antler Hill or up the hill to the house. You’ll come out on the side near the gardens.

Free things to do at Biltmore

While you need a ticket to get onto the Biltmore Estate, there are lots of free things to do once you’re there. Bring your bikes and ride the trails, take a walk amongst the gardens and sunflowers, visit the Conservatory and Farmyard, play on the Pisgah Playground, do a wine tasting, or make a craft at the Antler Hill Barn.

Buy Biltmore tickets online

Less lines mean happy kids, so buy your Biltmore tickets online. Kids 16 and under are free during the summer. The rest of the year, kids 9 and under are free. Ticket prices start at $85 and vary depending on season. Read on to learn how to save money with the annual pass.

Bring your stroller/backpack carrier

Strollers and backpack carriers are welcome on the grounds. You’ll want to stick with a carrier in the house as some of the areas are difficult to navigate with a stroller.

As part of the Biltmore bag policy, no backpacks are allowed on any guided tour.

Wear comfortable walking shoes

Put everyone in comfy walking shoes, and apply sunscreen as exploring the grounds is one of the best parts of the trip.

Consider an annual pass

An Biltmore annual pass is usually $249/person, and kids ages 16 and younger get in free with a Passholder. They usually offer discounts on their annual pass in November (that’s when I got mine for a lot less than $249). Watch their social media and website to score a deal.

The Passholder benefits are awesome. They include discounts on tickets for guests, discounts on tours, shopping, dining, and lodging, and discounts at other attractions like Chimney Rock State Park, Dollywood, Tweetsie Railroad, Mast General Store, and Grandfather Mountain.

Have you taken your kids to visit the Biltmore Estate yet?

One Lodge Street
Asheville, NC 28803
800-411-3812
The Biltmore Website