Girls Weekend at Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina

Spend a day at a spa or discovering downtown Asheville then allow yourself a complete day to explore Biltmore Estate. There is plenty to see and do here. The House takes about an hour to an hour and half to tour. Count on a little longer if it is busy or if you are doing the audio tour. You can tack on additional tours like a Rooftop Tour or a Behind the Scenes Tour too.

You'll also want to make sure you leave time and room for enjoying ice cream in the Stable Courtyard or lunch at the Stable Café , Deerpark Restaurant (a buffet) or our favorite, the Bistro, located adjacent to the Winery. You can take a self-guided tour of the Winery and add about another 45 minutes to your day.

If you are visiting during any time except winter, make sure you take time to enjoy the extensive gardens. You can walk from the House down through the Walled Garden and down to the Bass Pond or you can drive through the Walled Garden and park near the Gardener's Cottage shop and walk to the Bass Pond or Azalea Garden from there.

TIP: A great way to visit the Estate is to arrive after 3:00, enjoy the grounds and stay for dinner at the Bistro then return the following day with the same ticket. If your return visit is on a time-entry day, make sure to get a pass so you can enjoy the House. If you need two full days to visit the Estate, you can upgrade your ticket to a two-day ticket for $10.00.

Summer Events at Biltmore

This summer, Biltmore is showcasing a new exhibition in the Second Floor Living Hall of Biltmore House - free with admission—If These Walls Could Talk (No, not that movie from 2000 with Sharon Stone and Ellen DeGeneres)

Long before the days of the e-announcement and iVillage, society's elite had their own way of announcing the birth of a child and showering her with gifts. In this exhibition, learn how George and Edith Vanderbilt announced the arrival of Cornelia Vanderbilt and view archival images of the new family. See original treasures like Cornelia's baby buggy and doll, Edith Vanderbilt's camera, and other items from Biltmore's private collection.

Get a sneak peak into a new suite of rooms scheduled to open in 2009.

Winery's Summer Holiday Weekends
July 4–6 and August 30–September 1, 2008

Enjoy soloist performances in the wine bar, and cool off with complimentary wine seminars and wine tasting. Pick up tips on how to incorporate fresh flavors into your summer cuisine during a cooking demonstration.

Sample Local Flavors at the Winery
July 5–6 and August 30–31

Enjoy a Barbeque and Fish Fry at the Winery. Sample the best pulled-pork and see if you can pick a favorite regional sauce—Western Carolina red, Eastern Carolina vinegar or South Carolina mustard—then dig into a plate of Southern-fried fish and hushpuppies. No need to be lady-like here but if you feel you must then just hold your pinkies in the air and try not to lick the sauce off your elbows. Dinner is served 1:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. with live local music starting at 2:00 p.m. Bibs optional.

Summer Evening Concerts
August 1–15, 2008

Stunning sunsets and the intimate setting of Biltmore House's South Terrace make Summer Evening Concerts unlike any other event. All concerts begin at 8p.m. Dinner and daytime tickets can be added to your order.

Summer Evening Concerts Lineup

• Steven Curtis Chapman - Friday, August 1
• KC & The Sunshine Band and Village People Saturday, August 2
• The Stepcrew - Wednesday, August 6
• Gladys Knight - Thursday, August 7
  
• B.B. King - Friday, August 8
  
• REO Speedwagon - Saturday, August 9
  
• The Beach Boys - Friday, August 15

Flower Carpet
August 29–September 14

Make plans to visit later this summer to see a one-of-a-kind flower carpet covering 14,400 square feet.

Biltmore's garden experts are weaving together 144,000 begonias, coleus, and marigolds into a vivid living carpet on the South Terrace of Biltmore House (where summer concerts are held). The intricate pattern of colorful plants is drawn from architectural elements in George Vanderbilt's magnificent home, and interpreted in a grand size and style befitting the unsurpassed location.

Floral carpets are popular in Europe, most notably in Belgium, few in America have had the opportunity to view this larger-than-life combination of natural beauty blended with creative inspiration. However, even this chance is limited as Biltmore's Flower Carpet will be in place for only 17 days. Grab the girls and get here soon!

Outdoor Activities at Biltmore Estate

Reservations are suggested for the following activities. Call 800-411-3812 for reservations. You must purchase a Biltmore admission ticket in addition to the passes below.

• Carriage Rides - $35.00 for 45 minutes.
• Horseback Riding - $60 per adult/ 1 hour. Western-style guided ride.
• River Float Trips - Enjoy a 3-hour self-guided kayak trip down the slow moving French Broad River ($20/person) or a guided trip for $30/person.
• Biking - $10.00 - 1 hour on single speed beach cruiser, $20.00 half-day up to 4-hours on hybrid or mountain bike, $40.00 - full day up to 8 hours on hybrid or mountain bike. Available daily 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Check in at the Explore Biltmore Outdoor Center near River Bend Farm. Cost:
• Hiking - Free with Estate admission. Stop by the Explore Biltmore Outdoor Center.
• Segway Tours - $65/ person for guided 2.5 hour tour on an All-terrain Segway.
• Sporting Clays - $175/person for 2-hour session learning to shoot clay targets
• Intro to Fly-Fishing - $125.00/person. Other classes offered. Follow link for details.
• Land Rover Driving School - Follow the link for details on all available options.

Photography Limitations in Biltmore House

No photography, videotaping, or sketching is allowed inside Biltmore House. Also, though you may take photos of the exterior of the House, the front facade is a trademarked image and cannot be published commercially. You may only use it for personal use.

Biltmore Timed Entry

Timed entry is exactly what the name implies. In addition to your tickets, you need to get a pass with a time on it. This is your time to enter Biltmore House. Instead of waiting in line, you are free to explore the grounds, gardens and shops until your entry time arrives. Sometimes, you may even be able to request a later time so that you can visit the Winery (a 3-mile drive from the House) or dine in a restaurant while you wait.

• If you are picking up tickets at the Welcome Center, you may get a pass there.
• If you already have tickets, arrive on the Estate as soon as it opens (8:30 a.m.) and go directly to the white tent near the House to pick up your pass.
• Please note: There are days (though usually only at Christmas) when all timed entry passes are given out and you won't be able to get into the House. Plan on arriving before 1:00 and you can usually avoid this.
• Timed entry days in summer - July 4, 5, 6; August 31