One more place to enjoy near Asheville in North Carolina
Dating back to 1889, the magnificent George Vanderbilt Estate holds a rich history. This French Renaissance-style mansion is renowned as America’s largest private residence, boasting an impressive 250 rooms, including 35 bedrooms and 43 bathrooms. It took six years to build this grand estate, which also boasts an astonishing 65 fireplaces. Surrounding the estate are 8,000 acres of meticulously designed gardens, crafted by Frederick Law Olmsted, the esteemed landscape architect behind New York City’s iconic Central Park. Within these enchanting grounds, visitors can enjoy over a mile of picturesque walking paths.
At its peak, the Biltmore Estate covered a vast expanse of 125,000 acres. However, after Vanderbilt’s passing in 1914, 87,000 acres were sold, and these lands eventually became known as the Pisgah National Forest. But the estate’s story didn’t end there. During World War II, it served as a storage location for pieces from the National Gallery of Art. In the 1970s, a winery was added to the property, and later on, inns, hotels, and on-site cottages were opened for visitors in the 2000s. Today, guests have the opportunity to experience the magnificent architecture, captivating artwork, and rich history of the estate and gardens through a variety of tours. Throughout the seasons, the estate hosts different events such as Biltmore Blooms in spring, a summer concert series, and grand Christmas displays featuring over 100 lavish trees.