Orders of Magnitude: Biltmore Estate
There are big houses, and there are really big houses. Then there are houses beyond comprehension. Then there's the Biltmore Estate.
Completed in 1895, this 175,000-square-foot behemoth of a mansion is the largest private home in the country and was once the winter estate of George Vanderbilt, heir to the Vanderbilt railroad fortune.
Impeccably preserved along with its original furnishings as a museum, the house is a fascinating look at what a nearly limitless supply of cash could buy at the turn of the 20th century. Your tour of the house and grounds can include a visit to the estate winery, the nursery and gardens, and a restaurant located in what used to be the family's horse stables.
The views of the rolling estate from the top floors of the house are indescribably beautiful. There's something to be said for delicate spring greens and stark winter branches, but if you must choose one season only, go for autumn at the height of its color (at the Biltmore, that's usually October). There will be crowds, but let's face it—the place is big enough for everyone.
There's plenty of interest beyond the house, too. Nestled at the Biltmore's entrance is a planned community known as Biltmore Village, designed along with the house to serve all the needs of the people who worked on the estate. Today, the village is home to a variety of charming shops and restaurants.
The Biltmore Estate is located off U.S. Highway 25; signs are everywhere. Adult admission prices vary from $25 to $44 with the season and the day of the week; children nine and under are admitted free. The estate's busiest months are April, July, October, November and December.
