Biltmore Help Center
Back to Main
What to Bring
- Are any items prohibited on the estate or in Biltmore House?
Please note that the following are prohibited in Biltmore House:
- Food and drink, except for clear, plastic water bottles
- Pets (except service animals)
- Weapons/Firearms*
- Personal bags larger than 19″ x 14″ x 9″
- Wheeled bags
- Video recording (including cell phone video recording) and sketching
- Gimbals, Steadicams, GoPro cameras
- Audio recording of special event performances such as live music during Candlelight Christmas Evenings
- Photography and cell phone use that interferes with the enjoyment of other guests—see full photo policy
*Biltmore is a privately owned estate with both Security Personnel and Law Enforcement Officers on the property. In the interest of public safety, and for the safety of Biltmore employees and officers, Biltmore does not permit weapons/firearms inside Biltmore House or in estate establishments that serve alcohol.
Overnight guests may safely secure their weapons/firearms in their hotel room while on the estate. Daytime guests may safely secure their weapons/firearms in their vehicle while on the estate.
Law enforcement officers are not exempt unless coordinated and approved in advance by Biltmore’s Director of Security & Police Operations.
We appreciate your understanding of, and cooperation with, this policy.
- What method(s) of payment does the estate accept?
Credit, debit, and Biltmore Gift Cards are accepted for ALL estate purchases, including Estate Admission, Dining, Overnight Stay, Outdoor Activity, Tour, Exhibition, and Estate Shop purchases.
Cash is ONLY accepted for Dining and Overnight Stay purchases.
Biltmore Gift Cards can be purchased (with credit or debit card ONLY) at any estate Guest Services location, at the Gate House Shop, and online.
- Can I bring food or drinks with me?
No outside food and beverage is permitted on estate grounds except for personal water bottles and while picnicking in certain estate locations; please visit Guest Services for recommended picnic spots.
Only clear, plastic water bottles are permitted inside Biltmore House. Outside alcohol and tailgating—including the use of tents, grills, multiple camping chairs/tables, and large coolers—are not permitted on estate grounds.
- Is special clothing or footwear required?
Dress comfortably. Wear walking shoes and layers for the changing mountain weather.
- Can I bring a bag/backpack?
For entry into Biltmore House, all bags, packages, and boxes will be inspected by security personnel.
Guests may carry small personal bags no larger than 19″ x 14″ x 9″ inside Biltmore House. If your bag does not meet these requirements, please leave it in your vehicle or ask about storage options. Exceptions will be made for medical items after inspection.
Backpacks are not permitted on any guided tour of Biltmore House. Guests are required to leave backpacks in a locker or in their vehicle.
We reserve the right to refuse admission for any bag, parcel, or other item. Weapons are prohibited.
Lodging Guests
- Where can I find property-specific details for my overnight stay?
Additional details can be found within Village Hotel, The Inn, and Cottages Information pages.
Annual Passholders
- I am a Passholder—can I bring guests with me?
Passholders can bring guests in the same car after 4 p.m. to Antler Hill Village.
Winery
- Are reservations required for my complimentary wine tasting? If so, how do I reserve?
Reservations are not required for your complimentary wine tasting; these tastings are available on a first come, first served basis.
- Can I reserve my wine tasting in advance?
Reservations are not required for your complimentary wine tasting; these tastings are available on a first come, first served basis.
- When will my next Wine Club shipment arrive?
Vanderbilt Wine Club ships seasonally in March, June, September, and December each year. Shipments usually send within the first two weeks of those months.
Check out which wines will be shipped this season.
- How do I cancel a Wine Club membership?
To cancel your Vanderbilt Wine Club membership, please email wineclub@biltmore.com.
- How do I become a Wine Club member?
You can join Vanderbilt Wine Club today, or in person at Biltmore Winery during your next estate visit.Wine Club membershipis FREE: you pay only for your shipments, which you receive four times each year, at a savings of up to 25% vs. non-member prices.
Chihuly at Biltmore
- How much time should I expect to spend in the exhibition at Amherst at Deerpark®?
The amount of time you spend is entirely up to you, as your visit is self-paced. We recommend allowing 1–2 hours to fully experience Chihuly at Biltmore.
- Is there seating available inside the exhibition?
Yes. Limited bench seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis inside Amherst. Sitting or lying on the floor is NOT permitted.
- Is Chihuly at Biltmore kid friendly?
Yes. Chihuly at Biltmore is an awe-inspiring experience for families and guests of all ages. That said, due to the nature of the exhibition, all guests under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. All guests are encouraged to enjoy with their eyes, and not with their hands.
- Do I have to see the exhibition on the same day as my Biltmore House visit?
Yes. Guests will have reserved entry times on the same day for both the exhibition and for Biltmore House.
- Can I take photos/videos of Chihuly at Biltmore?
Yes! Non-flash photography and cell phone video of the artwork is permitted for personal, non-commercial use. We invite you to share your memories on social media by tagging #ChihulyatBiltmore.
Here’s what is NOT permitted inside Amherst:
- Outside food, beverages, and alcohol
- Large backpacks or duffle bags
- Weapons of any kind
- Commercial photography, video cameras, tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, gimbals, Steadicams, GoPro cameras, or any other photography equipment
For the safety and convenience of all guests, group photos must be taken outside the venue.
Pets
- Is Biltmore pet friendly? Can I bring my dog to the estate?
You won’t have to leave anyone behind. The grounds are perfect for walking your pets, but please keep them securely leashed at all times. Animals (except service animals) are not allowed in any building.
Animals are allowed on the outdoor patios of Bistro and Cedric’s® Tavern, but patio seating should be requested from the host or hostess inside first. All animals must be leashed on estate grounds for their own safety as well as the comfort of our other guests. Please be courteous of others and pick up after your animal.
Pets are not permitted at any of the lodging accommodations on the estate. ADA-regulated service animals are allowed.
Photography
- Can I take photos outside Biltmore House?
Taking photographs of the exterior of Biltmore House (including the Loggia and Rooftop) and grounds or sketching images of the house or estate grounds is permitted for personal use only.Set up must be minimal, requiring no more than two pieces of equipment. The following are not permitted for personal photography or sketching: changing of clothing, hair or make-up styling, lighting set-up or disruption of guest areas.
All commercial uses are prohibited without express written consent. Recording, filming, photography, or taping of any concert is strictly prohibited.
- Can I take photos inside Biltmore House?
Taking photographs by cell phone or cameras, without flash, is permitted on the self-guided tour for personal use only. Video recording with cell phone or cameras is not permitted. No commercial photography is permitted. Photography is not permitted on specialty tours inside Biltmore House.
Video cameras, tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, gimbals, Steadicams, GoPro cameras, or any other photography equipment are not allowed inside Biltmore House. For the safety and convenience of all guests, group photos must be taken outside of Biltmore House.
- Do you allow drones or aerial photography?
Use of unmanned aerial vehicles or drones while on Biltmore property is prohibited. Aerial photography of Biltmore House is prohibited without written consent.
Other FAQs
- How much time should I allow for my self-guided Biltmore House visit with Audio Guide?
The time you spend in Biltmore House is up to you, as your visit is self-paced. The Biltmore House Audio Guide has an approximate run time of one hour, but we recommend you allow one and a half to two hours to fully experience the beauty and grandeur of America’s Largest Home®.
- What address do I use for arrival to Biltmore Estate using GPS?
The address for the entrance to Biltmore Estate is 1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC 28803.
If you don’t use this address with your GPS, your GPS could take you to an incorrect entrance.
- Do I need a Biltmore House reservation?
Yes. Please reserve your house entry time prior to your visit.
NOTE: Please arrive at Biltmore House at your reserved Biltmore House entry time. If you arrive late, we will do our best to accommodate you, but we may be unable to do so.
- What impact might Biltmore’s various preservation projects have on my visit?
Our mission is to preserve Biltmore for generations to come. The maintenance of a 250-room historic building, plus other historic structures, a Winery, 8,000 acres of gardens, managed farmland, and forest requires the thoughtful planning and execution of a multitude of preservation projects.
While our teams make every effort to minimize the impact of these projects on our guests, you may encounter any or all of the following during your visit:
- Light construction and restoration work
- Artwork or other historic objects temporarily taken off display
- Modified tour routes
- Unexpected road closures
We appreciate your support as we conduct the work required to preserve this beloved estate!
-
Biltmore House
A visit to Biltmore House includes multiple floorsand several flights of stairs, and may therefore present a challenge for guests with infants and small children. The full house tour is available to guests with strollers and baby carriers, but you will have to maneuver historic (sometimes narrow) staircases. You are welcome to visit our designated Second Floor rest area and watch a video of the Third Floor and Basem*nt rooms if you prefer to avoid maneuvering the staircases.
NOTE: Strollers and baby backpacks are prohibited for the following Biltmore House tours: Backstairs Tour and Rooftop Tour.
Gardens
To best access the Walled Garden and Conservatory, both of which accommodate strollers and baby carriers, we recommend parking behind the Conservatory.
NOTE: The Walled Garden’s paths are paved, but many of Biltmore’s other gardens feature inclines, descents, gravel paths, and stairs, all of which present a challenge to guests with strollers, and potentially to those with baby carriers as well.
- Can I arrive to the estate earlier than my reservation time on my ticket?
Yes! The reservation time on your admission ticket is your Biltmore House entry time. We encourage you to arrive on the estate early on the date of your admission to explore the gardens, grounds, shops, restaurants, and more. Alternatively, if you arrive after 4:30 p.m., you can return the next day to enjoy the rest of the estate.
We recommend checking current hours of operation for helpful information on planning a full day or longer at Biltmore.
NOTE: Please arrive at Biltmore House at your reserved Biltmore House entry time. If you arrive late, we will do our best to accommodate you, but we may be unable to do so.
- What can I do if you’re sold out on the date I wish to visit Biltmore House?
Please choose a different date. We encourage you to book your visit at least seven days in advance; this not only enables you to secure your preferred date and time, but also gives you the best ticket price.
