I may be allergic to Christmas trees, but I love Christmas. So I decided to take a quick 24-hour trip to the Biltmore.
Last week, I packed an overnight bag, download a few podcasts and made the two-hour drive to Asheville.
Each year, the Biltmore transforms the 120 year old estate to celebrate Christmas from early November to early January. Tickets for the Biltmore House run $70-$85 and require a reservation at Christmas time.
The Village Hotel runs about $130 – $500 and the Inn at Biltmore (just up the hill) runs about $200 – $600 depending on the date.
Here are 6 quick takeaways from my first Christmas visit to the Biltmore.
(1) The Biltmore estate is huuuuge
Like an idiot, I thought the Biltmore was just the house — I didn’t realize it was a massive, 8,000-acre estate with two hotels, seven restaurants, a winery and a handful of other cafes.
Inn at Biltmore, the fancier of their two hotels. Here’s an estate map if you’re looking to dive deeper.
Cedric’s Tavern Turkey Cobbler
(2) The Biltmore isn’t messing around when it comes to Christmas trees
The 250-room Biltmore House is packed with Christmas decorations, artwork — and there are more than 100 hand-decorated Christmas trees throughout the estate.
It’ll get you into the Christmas spirit, fast.
You’re tree probably looks just like this too 🙂
(3) The Biltmore is not fast paced
The Biltmore isn’t a hotbed for party-going millennials.
It’s the place you go to chill and enjoy history. It really goes feel like a different world once you enter the huge stone gate.
Probably not going to bust out Tinder at The Biltmore
(4) The Biltmore has a winery on the estate
This is a must-visit and conveniently located next to The Village Hotel.
Expect complimentary tastings, an indoor/outdoor wine bar and tours.
The Biltmore’s beautiful wine bar, across from the massive tasting room and wine store
(5) The Biltmore House will make architecture nerds faint in joy
My wife and I just remodeled our home, so just thinking through this construction made me sweaty.
Construction on the home started in 1889 and took six years to finish. Inside, you’ll find about over four acres of floor space, including 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces.
It’s spectacular.
(6) The Biltmore House’s bedrooms will make you realize you should have been born a Vanderbilt
Louis XV’s room
Ready to hit the road?
Check out the rest of our Driving Distance destinations.
