Biltmore Estate, North Carolina

In Ashville, a visit the Biltmore Estate is enjoyable to see how the rich and famous lived during the guilded age of the robber barons. This large house looks like a European estate buit for a king. This has nice gardens, and a spectacular azalia garden when it is in bloom. The estate is especially attractive in the spring and when the house is decorated for Christmas.

The Biltmore house and Biltmore Estate is very breathtaking. Once there, you will ask yourself "how can someone live in this much luxury?" The house was built by a railroad tycoon by the name of George Vanderbilt in the 1800's. If you may or may not know, the Vanderbilts were invited to set sail on the TITANIC, but decided not to go (Good thing too). The trees located at Biltmore Estate are from the Black Forest in Germany, and the gardens are full of many species of flowers. Biltmore is also famous for its winery, and many types of wine are for sale at the gift shops. The photo you see is from an old ticket stub in the 1980's. Don't worry, though...I've been there twice since then, most recent 1 year ago, and it still looks the same!

I lived less than two hours for this place for years before I finally visited for the first time a couple years ago. Wow, was I impressed. So much, that I've been three times since! If you're in western North Carolina, be sure to visit the Biltmore, which is the largest privately owned home in the United States. See my Asheville page for more information.

For 107 years, one family has preserved a place selected by "National Geographic Traveler" as one of its "must-see" destinations in America. Known as America's largest home, a 250-room chateau "The Biltmore Mansion" is filled with works of art and antiques, spectacular gardens and taste vintages crafted at an award-winning winery and a 4-star Inn located in Asheville, N.C.

George Vanderbilt created the Biltmore Estate just outside Asheville in 1895 as a retreat for his family and friends. Biltmore has 250 rooms with all kinds of priceless antiques and artwork. For me, the most impressive part of the tour was the kitchen with ultra-modern (for the era) equipment such as walk-in freezers which are common today. If you think the inside of the estate is something, wait until you see the gardens and conservatory.