Explore a Real-Life Castle
Biltmore House in Asheville, NC
Be inspired by the relaxed elegance of George and Edith Vanderbilt’s 250-room family home and country retreat in Asheville, NC. Discover original art from masters such as Renoir, magnificent 16th-century tapestries, Napoleon’s chess set, a library with 10,000 volumes, a Banquet Hall with a 70-foot ceiling, 65 fireplaces, an indoor pool, bowling alley, and priceless antiques. Opened to friends on Christmas Eve 1895, this French Renaissance chateáu remains America’s largest privately owned home.
A self-guided visit of Biltmore House is included in estate admission. Allow about two hours to explore the house. Find out how to make the most of your Biltmore visit.
Get a Closer Look with Specialty Tours
Learn the inside stories and view rarely seen areas with guided specialty tours. Most are offered year-round and may be reserved in advance or the day of your visit. To reserve, please call 800-411-3812.
The Biltmore House started construction in 1890 and was completed in 1895. George Vanderbilt had a railway line constructed onsite just to bring the building materials to the site before construction could begin. The one-ton granite stones that make up the major building blocks of the castle were quarried in a nearby quarry and carried to the location via the railway system. The castle itself sets on 5-acres of land and the entire estate once covered over 11,000 acres, about the size of the state of Delaware. At one point in time, George Vanderbilt owned more conservation forestry land than the Department of the Interior.
Come to Asheville, North Carolina this summer for a vacation of a lifetime. While here, visit America’s oldest family-owned castle nestled in the hills of Biltmore. The architecture, beauty, and vastness of this great modern castle is unparalleled.
The European trip was taken in conjunction with the LIFT@Brussels conference held in Brussels, Belgium, which Dan attended. 
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