Biltmore Estate, Asheville, N.C.

I’m going to go ahead and share what seems to be an unpopular opinion: I don’t see what all the fuss is about when it comes to Biltmore Estate.

In case you’re unfamiliar, Biltmore Estate is supposed to be the largest privately owned home in the United States. Built in 1895, the castle-like estate was home to George W. Vanderbilt. It contains 250 rooms and sits on 8,000 acres in Asheville, N.C.

There’s certainly no shortage of things to see and do here, but nothing you can’t find elsewhere in the country. Maybe I’m spoiled from having traveled so much, but nothing here stood out as extra special.

There are 75 acres of gardens to see and when flowers are in bloom, they’re stunningly beautiful, that’s for sure. During winter, not so much. The estate houses the country’s most visited winery, but nothing I tasted was exceptional and the fact that there are shops on the premises in the little “village” area takes a bit away from the overall atmosphere.

Some of the paintings in the house were definitely intriguing, but as someone who isn’t much of an art critic, I wasn’t too enthused.

The fact they charge you $50 to access the grounds was also off-putting, especially when you can visit more exceptional places around the country and world for free.

Biltmore Estate

1 Lodge St

Asheville, N.C. 28803

1 800 411 3812