We spent Labor Day weekend in Asheville, North Carolina this year. This was actually plan C; plan’s A & B were cancelled due to Covid. However, we are so happy we went to Asheville and can’t wait to go back again. Plan A was going to see Independence Hall in Pennsylvania but it was closed for the pandemic. Plan B was to go back to Key West which we have done with kids but it’s tricky because not everyone can swim. Then I thought I wonder if any of our kids would be big enough to go white water rafting. Thus our weekend in Asheville got planned. We went white water rafting and also planned to visit the Biltmore Estate. I went when I was in elementary school but Matt has never been.
The Biltmore Estate is huge. It’s hard to grasp how big the property is because it’s 8,000 acres. Aside from a skyscraper of a house in India it is the largest house in the world. The Biltmore Estate was built by George W. Vanderbilt in 1895. It became a tourist destination in 1930. I called a few times prior to our visit and the staff was very helpful in answering my questions.
Do you Buy Ticket’s ahead of time?
We purchased our home ticket tour ahead of time. We had to pick a specific time to do the home tour. I think because of the coronavirus you have to have time slots. There were lines to enter the winery. The Downtown Abbey exhibit was also showing and there were lines to enter. My brother and his family went to the winery and exhibit; they had to wait in long lines. I think this is also partly why you want to allow enough time at the Biltmore Estate.
How Much Time to Spend at the Biltmore Estate?
The staff recommends at least 6-8 hours at the Estate. I would agree. We arrived about 1:30pm on a Saturday afternoon and left at 8pm. We could have stayed longer but it was getting dark. I would definitely plan to be there all day. The self-guided house tour was about 90 minutes.
Aside from the house, we also walked the gardens, some trails, the conservatory, the grounds by winery and stables. You have drive from the house to do the winery area so that takes time as well. There is a playground and animals to see. My city kids were also very interested in seeing the corn fields and actual corn stalks. For the price tag you want to spend all day at the Biltmore Estate. Children 9 and under are free. This helped a ton for us so we only had to pay for Matt and I to go on the grounds. The house tour includes the grounds visit. We didn’t do any of the extra tours but have heard they are fantastic.
Were There Flowers During Labor Day Weekend in Asheville?
I wasn’t sure if there would be flowers labor day weekend in Asheville. There were beautiful flower gardens at the Biltmore Estate and I’m sure there are different flowers at different times of the year. I don’t think there is a bad to time to go to the Biltmore Estate. I went closer to Christmas time when I was younger so I remember the giant Christmas tree and the decorations.
How did the Children do at the Estate? Would you Recommend a Stroller?
Since the tour of the house is self-guided. They kids did fine walking through the house. We had to hold the two year old for parts of the house tour. The kids thought it was really interesting to see all of the different rooms. There is no AC in the house. So we all concluded even though it would be awesome to live in such a large house since there was no air conditioning we would much rather live in our smaller but “cool” home.
We were not allowed to bring food or drinks into the house. But we had snacks and drinks in the car. Before and after the house tour we refueled with snacks and drink at our car. Full bellies always make happier people. We were only allowed to bring a clear ziplock bag into the house (no purses or backpacks). I had my camera around my neck and a clear bag with our keys and wallets in it. I am not sure if this was because of the Covid-19 pandemic or if this is a rule all of the time. We wore masks the entire time of the house tour.
We initially brought our stroller but then put it back in the car (after a painful walk with it up and down stairs and on a dirt trail). I think there were ways down to the garden that didn’t have stairs but they were out of the way. I would just say it’s easiest not to bring one. The stroller would not be helpful in the house. The garden’s and trails are spectacular so we are so glad we had to time to walk around. As we were leaving we were able to see the start of a wedding.
We were so happy to spend a beautiful Labor Day weekend in Asheville. The next time we go to Asheville I want to go to the Botanical Garden’s and the ginger bread houses at the Omni Grove Park Inn. Have you been to Asheville? What did you do there?
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