Biltmore

Today we ventured to Asheville, North Carolina to visit the Biltmore Estate.  

We spent almost 6 hours touring the house, gardens, and Antler Village and still did not see it all.  In no particular order, here are the pictures from the day:  

The Winter Garden where guests can enjoy the outdoors no matter the weather.

At over 4 acres of living space, the Biltmore Estate is the largest private residence in America.  

Main Banquet Room

Construction started in 1889 and completed in 1895. 

Less informal Breakfast Room

 There are 250 rooms that include 34 family and guest bedrooms, 43 bathrooms (with indoor plumbing, a rarity in those days), 65 fireplaces, 3 kitchens, a library, indoor swimming pool, and bowling alley!

The view that made George Vanderbilt III build his house in this exact location.

The foundation walls of this massive house are 14 feet thick!

The Library

During World War 2, the Biltmore Estate was used as a safe house by the National Gallery of Art in order to protect historic artwork from Hitler or any other attack.  

George Vanderbuilt's Bedroom

You can find Napoleon Bonapart's chess set in the Library!!

The family's personal living room.  

The driveway from the road to the house is a whopping 3 miles!

Mrs. Vanderbuilt's bedroom since you would need to change clothes multiple times a day and doing so in the same room as your husband wasn't custom during that time period.

The 12,000 square foot horse stable has been converted into little shops and restaurants that feature the original brick flooring, windows, and beautiful gigantic barn doors. 

Above: Private staircase leading up to the third floor

Below: View down into the Banquet Hall from the private staircase

The main part of the house features a 4 story spiral staircase.

 In the center of that spiral staircase is a 4 story chandelier. 

All of which can be seen from the outside of the house.

The main floor of the house has a 90 foot "tapestry" room so its only fitting that directly below it you build a bowling alley. 

If bowling isn't your thing, just step into the next room where there is a hallway of changing rooms....

.... so you can get ready to go swimming!

 When people visited the Biltmore Estate, they would stay for weeks or months.  In order to provide more entertainment for his guests, an impressive 40+ acre garden was created.  

The Rose Garden is home to over 250 varieties of roses.  

There is a 20-acre Azalea Garden with over 1,000 azaleas and a bass pond that is more the size of a lake.  

There is so much to see and learn and do at the Biltmore Estate.  From seeing walk in refrigerators of the 1890's to segway tours of the property, I promise you will not regret your visit.  And if you go at the right time, you might even get to see a crane lifting the Rockefeller size Christmas tree into place!