The “Versailles of America” Has 250 Rooms, Priceless Art, and Its Very Own Village

The Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina

Ever wondered what it would be like to live in a real castle? The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, is about as close as it gets. And it’ll make you feel tiny, sure, but it’s also packed with fascinating stories, from secret art vaults to cutting-edge Victorian tech. Here’s why it deserves a spot on any North Carolina bucket list.

This House Is Bigger Than Four Football Fields

The Biltmore isn’t just big – it’s massive. Built by George Vanderbilt between 1889 and 1895, this French Renaissance-style château covers 178,926 square feet. It has 250 rooms, including 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces.

That’s about four acres of floor space under one roof. When built, it was so huge that locals couldn’t believe their eyes, and even today, it makes modern mansions look tiny in comparison.

The Central Park Connection

The guy who designed Central Park saved his best for last at Biltmore. Frederick Law Olmsted created the estate’s stunning gardens as his final project before retirement.

He transformed the acreage around Biltmore House from overworked woodland to the lush, natural landscaped experienced today. The gardens include 50,000 tulips in spring, 14,000 daffodils, 1,000 hyacinths, and about 2,000 roses.

Paintings Here Hide Secret Doors

George Vanderbilt wasn’t just rich – he loved art. During his European travels (he crossed the Atlantic 60 times), he carefully selected masterpieces that now fill the estate. The collection includes works by Renoir, whose painting ‘Child With an Orange’ hangs in the Breakfast Room, hiding a secret door to the Butler’s Pantry.

You’ll see Renaissance treasures and portraits by John Singer Sargent throughout the house. The Winter Garden is especially striking, with classical sculptures among tropical plants creating a unique indoor oasis.

The Land Here Once Covered 95,000 Football Fields

The Biltmore Estate today covers 8,000 acres, but it was once much bigger. It originally spanned about 125,000 acres (about 95,000 football fields). George Vanderbilt started buying land in Asheville in May 1888, eventually collecting this huge area in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

After George died in 1914, his widow Edith sold about 87,000 acres to the U.S. Forest Service. This land became part of Pisgah National Forest, keeping the mountains protected for all to enjoy.

The Library Has 10,000 Books and Hidden Passages

The two-story library holds about 22,000 books from George Vanderbilt’s book collection. The room itself is stunning, with oak paneling, a grand fireplace, and a ceiling painting called ‘The Chariot of Aurora’ showing the Roman goddess of dawn.

Look closely and you’ll find hidden doors on the second-story balcony leading to secret halls connecting to guest bedrooms. There’s even a tiny hidden room called ‘The Den,’ where Vanderbilt likely went for private reading time.

The Swimming Pool Had Electric Lights in the 1890s

Though built in the 1890s, the Biltmore was way ahead of its time. During construction, electricity was so new that architect Richard Morris Hunt wired the house with both AC and DC systems, since no one knew which would become standard.

The water-supply room features a Tabasco water heater, leading into the refrigeration room, which once housed an innovative ammonia-gas-and-brine system that produced ice cubes—an extraordinary treat when iced tea in summer was a rarity. You can then step outside and enjoy the porte cochere, a distinctive architectural feature of the property.

The Great Depression Turned This Private Home into a Tourist Spot

In March 1930, during the Great Depression, Cornelia Stuyvesant Vanderbilt, later Cecil, and her husband opened Biltmore to the public. They did this at the request of Asheville to help boost the struggling local economy with tourism.

This move changed the estate from a private home to a tourist attraction. By sharing their home, the Vanderbilts created jobs for locals who worked as guides and staff. Today, the Biltmore Company remains one of the largest employers in the area.

Famous Art Was Hidden Here During World War II

Biltmore closed to the public from 1941 to 1945 during World War II. In 1942, 62 paintings and 17 sculptures from the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. were secretly moved to the estate. This was done to protect America’s art treasures in case the capital was attacked.

The unfinished Music Room became a vault for works including Gilbert Stuart’s famous George Washington portrait and pieces by Rembrandt, Raphael, and van Dyck. This arrangement happened because the Gallery’s director was friends with Edith Vanderbilt.

The Basement Has a Bowling Alley and Huge Swimming Pool

The basement at Biltmore might be even more interesting than the fancy rooms upstairs. Down there you’ll find a 70,000-gallon heated swimming pool with underwater lights, a bowling alley, and a gym with what was once top-of-the-line exercise equipment.

This includes what was reportedly the first two-lane bowling alley ever built in a private home. Some people say they can still hear splashing sounds from the pool area, though it’s been empty for decades. All this was incredibly advanced for the 1890s.

Secret Doors Are Built Into Many Walls

Throughout Biltmore House, you’ll find doors designed to blend perfectly into the walls, leading to secret passageways. These weren’t just for show – they let guests move around privately and kept staff work hidden from view. In the Breakfast Room, look for a door hidden behind a Renoir painting.

The Billiard Room has a secret door to the Smoking Room where men enjoyed cigars. The library has hidden passages to guest bedrooms from its balcony. There’s even a trap door in the Winter Gardens floor that was meant to house an elevator for plants so that they can transport them without bothering the guests.

You Can Take Special Tours Most People Miss

When you visit Biltmore House today, you can do much more than just look at rooms. Take an audio tour to learn the stories behind each space and hear about the Vanderbilt family. If you want to see more, book a behind-the-scenes tour to access servants’ quarters and roof balconies with mountain views.

During the holidays, you’ll see the house decorated with dozens of Christmas trees and thousands of lights. Wine lovers can enjoy tastings from the estate’s own vineyard. Special exhibits change throughout the year, showing everything from period clothing to family artifacts. For a truly magical experience, visit during evening candlelight tours.

Asheville Has More to See Just Minutes Away

After exploring Biltmore, check out the surrounding Asheville area. Downtown is only a few miles away, with great restaurants, art galleries, and beautiful Art Deco buildings. The Blue Ridge Parkway runs nearby, offering stunning mountain views and hiking trails. Nature lovers should visit the North Carolina Arboretum with its 65 acres of gardens.

Craft enthusiasts will enjoy the Folk Art Center showcasing local artisans. Asheville is also known as ‘Beer City USA’ with dozens of craft breweries. The historic Grove Park Inn and Chimney Rock State Park make great day trips too.

Visiting the Biltmore in Asheville, NC

Biltmore offers a variety of admission options, starting with the House & Grounds ticket priced between $99 and $132, with free entry for children 16 and under.

This includes a daytime visit to the Biltmore House with an audio guide, access to 8,000 acres of gardens and grounds, and complimentary wine tasting at Antler Hill Village & Winery, along with free parking.