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When visitors plan a trip to Biltmore Estate, the first thing they often think of is Biltmore House with its 250-rooms of art and antiques, but there�s much more to George W. Vanderbilt�s historic property in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Whether your interests lie in fine food and wine, gardening, history, family activities, or just getting away from the everyday, Biltmore Estate has an event or activity to suit. �Guests used to come to Biltmore Estate, see the property, maybe have lunch and then head home,� said Senior Vice President Randy Fluharty. �Today, the property offers so much to see and do, it�s easily become a multiple-day destination. With special events throughout the year, outdoor adventures, food and wine offerings, specialty seminars, and its accessibility to other activities in the Asheville area, the estate can keep guests occupied and interested for days on end.� Whatever the time of year, Biltmore Estate offers ever-changing ways to enjoy George W. Vanderbilt�s historic property. Each spring, the estate celebrates with a month-long Festival of Flowers, and Easter weekend wouldn�t be complete without the egg hunt on the Front Lawn of Biltmore House. Summer is packed with activities, including Summer Holiday Weekends at the Winery, that offer great jazz and blues, and Summer Evening Concerts, which bring nationally known acts to the South Terrace of Biltmore House for fabulous music under the stars. In the fall, Biltmore welcomes the harvest with Michaelmas: A Celebration of the Harvest featuring area crafters, music, dancing, and an interactive children�s play starring a 15-foot puppet dragon. Also, there are Christmas at Biltmore Estate and Candlelight Christmas Evenings, when the 250-room ch�teau is transformed into a fairytale castle with miles of evergreen garland, hundreds of poinsettias, dozens of Christmas trees, and a magnificent 35-foot tall live Fraser Fir decked with lights, ornaments, and gifts.
Guests at Biltmore Estate Winery year-round should ask about complimentary behind-the-scenes tours, seminars, and wine tastings. Other culinary activities have included a Wine 101 class and Biltmore Cooks! day-long cooking classes featuring the estate�s own chefs. For those interested in learning about the estate�s agricultural heritage, there is the Historic Horse Barn, which opened in April 2004. The barn, built in 1902, has been restored to communicate the rich farm life that the estate has supported for more than a century. In addition to displays of historic farm equipment, guests can explore the Kitchen Garden and meet draft horses, calves, lambs, and chickens at the Farmyard. On select dates throughout the year, visitors can also enjoy mountain music and see artisans, including a blacksmith and woodworkers, practice their craft.
Biltmore�s walking trails are a testament to Landscape Architect Frederick Law Olmsted�s belief that the landscape should be enjoyed and admired by guests. Each path provides a new opportunity to discover nature and the estate�s wildlife and bird community. Visitors are invited to walk along what was once the main carriage drive on the Glen Road, or explore the estate�s rustic side with the Bass Pond and Creekside Trails. In spring and summer, the Meadow Trail features wildflowers and grasses, while the Woodland Trail is ablaze with colorful azalea blooms in spring. Even in winter, the Conservatory offers changing displays that allow guests to get an injection of summer while staying warm and dry. History buffs can spend hours exploring Biltmore House and enjoying the glimpse it provides into life during the Gilded Age. Add to the pleasure of a visit by chatting with Biltmore House Hosts, knowledgeable in all aspects of the property. For an even more in-depth look at George W. Vanderbilt�s legacy, specialty tours are offered at additional cost. � The Rooftop Tour guides guests into attic spaces and onto the rooftop for an hour-long exploration. Enjoy a panoramic look at Biltmore Estate�s grounds, gardens, and the Blue Ridge Mountains while examining architectural, structural, and technological details. � The 60-minute Behind-the-Scenes Tour takes guests into a variety of areas of Biltmore House that have not been restored including bedrooms, fourth floor servants� quarters and the butler�s pantry. Guests can even explore the sub-basement, which houses the technology that made Biltmore House a 19th-century model of creature comfort. � The Legacy of the Land Tour is a 90-minute guided motor coach tour that delves into the land�s rich past and offers information about the people and places that existed before Vanderbilt�s arrival. See remnants of a community church, a railroad trestle, and important archeological and historical locations as you tour the estate�s pastoral landscape. And then there are four restaurants, nearly a dozen shopping venues, self-guided tours of Biltmore Estate Winery, afternoon tea at the Inn on Biltmore Estate, and more surprises awaiting visitors to Vanderbilt�s 8,000-acre property any time of year. For more information, please contact The Biltmore Company, One North Pack Square, Asheville, NC, 28801, phone 828-225-1333 or 800-543-2961, or visit Biltmore Estate�s web site, www.biltmore.com.
(Photos provided by Biltmore House, Asheville, NC)
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In addition to special events, the estate capitalizes on its culinary heritage with food and wine programming throughout the year. A Taste of the Blue Ridge, held monthly from April-October, brings some of the Asheville area�s best chefs to Biltmore Estate Winery to share their culinary knowledge. Evening sessions include cooking demonstrations, samples of featured dishes paired with Biltmore Estate wines, recipes, and a bag filled with culinary giveaways. The Guest Chef Series, held monthly June-August, searches further afield to bring regionally and nationally known chefs to the estate. In the past, the series has included stars such as Food TV�s Alton Brown and Tyler Florence, making special summer appearances in the winery�s demonstration kitchen for a weekend filled with incredible recipes and fun demonstrations. 
Gardeners and nature lovers can also find plenty to keep them occupied at the estate. Seminars are offered periodically on the property at A Gardener�s Place along with garden craft workshops such as wreath making and holiday decorating. Guided garden walks are often offered during special events, and when guides aren�t available, guests can explore extensive trails on their own.