We were past Covid, yet the country wasn’t quite back to the “new normal.” Planning where to go for our Spring Break, I thought outside the box, and we decided to embark on an adventure to the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina and the Asheville area. While there, we discovered the wonders of The Biltmore Estates. They did have it open to the public in March of 2021, even though masks were still required. It was a thrilling place to explore in the springtime! Everything was in bloom: the azaleas, rhododendrons, and magnolia trees. The staff planted the gardens in beautiful patterns of bright pinks, yellows, purples, and whites. It is refreshing to breathe and inhale the aromas of fresh spring flowers whenever traveling somewhere a month ahead of Minnesota’s growing season—except for the allergies that kick in!
The grandeur of The Biltmore Estates is genuinely awe-inspiring. It took over four years to build, with the efforts of over 1,000 men! 'Biltmore' comes from the Dutch word 'Bildt,' a Dutch town in Vanderbilt’s history. George Vanderbilt, the heir to a vast fortune from his grandfather, Cornelius Vanderbilt, a railroad tycoon, and his father, William, who founded New York’s Metropolitan Opera and Vanderbilt University, chose a different lifestyle and path upon his father's death. He set out for a quieter life and 125,000 acres in the western North Carolina mountains.
When we visited, the mansion was still restricted due to the pandemic. We had to wear masks, and we had to follow routes throughout the different buildings.
There are multiple buildings to explore at Biltmore, but one of the most popular and my absolute favorite was the Botanical Gardens Building. Inside, it was hot and crowded as it was a very popular destination, but we didn’t care as we took our time looking at all the beautiful orchids and hydrangeas.
Above our heads, a bamboo railway track stretched throughout the building as long as my house. I soon saw the train that ran on the track. It was so cute and impressive!
Then I saw the replica buildings! There were the stables, the iconic bridge, and, of course, the most grand of them all: the estate, The Biltmore house itself.
They were all made in an Asian style with ponds and water fountains around them. They had a tropical and zen vibe, paying homage to the original life-size buildings!
As we finished the inside garden, we also explored the exterior gardens. (Due to COVID restrictions, we had a scheduled time in the house itself.)
They had all sorts of gardens: wild gardens and woods, organized English gardens, and manicured lawns. I imagined the Vanderbilt daughters walking through in their corsets and dresses, taking their daily walks down the slopes from the house. It was so romantic. With all the flowers in bloom, it was the perfect place to visit in the spring!
We toured the Mansion, and there were so many rooms—too many to share! Some of my favorites were the Billiards Room, which the young Biltmore sons often used, the dining room, which seats 64 people, the bowling alley, the swimming pool, the piano room, and the library!
As I walked in, there was an arched opening to a glass rotunda in the middle- a conservatory. You could walk all the way around to different rooms from this area. I could imagine this area lit up with a Christmas tree at Christmas time! I know the Biltmore has unique tours at Christmas, so if you are looking for a place to visit over the holidays, this is a place I recommend! George Vanderbilt loved traveling to Europe, Asia, and Africa, and it is depicted throughout the home in the collectibles he brought back with him.
Biltmore hosts a variety of activities and has many shops in what used to be the carriage area: coffee shops, bookstores, and candy shops. You can easily spend a full day at the Biltmore Estates!
