George W. Vanderbilt, youngest son of William H. Vanderbilt and grandson of “Commodore” Cornelius Vanderbilt, enjoyed visiting western North Carolina for its mild climate and spectacular scenery.
During a visit in the mid-1880s, Vanderbilt was inspired by a view from downtown Asheville so spectacular that he purchased 125,000 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains for his summer estate.
His legacy is the Biltmore Estate, embodying his vision as well as that of architect Richard Morris Hunt, supervising architect Richard Sharp Smith, and landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
It is the largest privately-owned home in the United States, at 135,000 square feet and featuring 250 rooms. Still owned by one of Vanderbilt’s descendants, it stands today as one of the most prominent remaining examples of the Gilded Age, and of significant gardens in the Garden à la française and English Landscape garden styles in the United States
A National Historic Landmark, the Biltmore Estate entrance is located on U.S. Hwy. 25, at exit 50 off I-40 or four miles north of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Estate is open to the public every day of the year. There is an admission charge to visit the estate.
For more information, visit the Biltmore website or call 800-624-1575.
Driving directions & map
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