One of my favorite places on earth is the Biltmore Estate.
I’m fascinated by the Vanderbilt story, the Biltmore House, and all the many details of the estate. The house was built by George Vanderbilt. He met his wife Edith after construction began. I can’t imagine her reaction when she first saw where she would be living as a newlywed! There are 250 rooms in Biltmore House: 34 family and guest bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, 65 fireplaces, three kitchens, a 70,000-gallon indoor swimming pool, and an indoor bowling alley. Construction on the house was completed in 1895 and the house opened to the public in the 1930’s. It is still owned by the family which makes the house all the more fascinating.
When you visit make sure to take the self-guided audio tour, otherwise you’ll miss out on all the interesting facts and stories. There is a kid’s version of the audio tour that is told from the perspective of the St. Bernard Cedric. My daughter has done it numerous times and loves it. She’s pretty much a Biltmore expert now.
Recommended Reading:
Lady on the Hill: How Biltmore Estate Became an American Icon by Howard E. Covington Jr.
Biltmore Estate (Images of America: North Carolina) by Ellen Erwin Rickman
Photos I’ve taken on visits to the Biltmore:
