Brook here, and I’m going to make a bold claim: there may be no better time to visit America’s largest private residence than spring, when the grounds + gardens are brimming with bold + brilliant blooms as far as the eye can see. Biltmore’s on-site exhibits (more on those later) only add to the thrill of being able to get outdoors, soak up some Vitamin D, and see some fabulous sights while maintaining social distancing protocols.
While there, I also got to learn about the benefits of being an annual passholder, like unlimited daytime visits to Biltmore year-round (and #ProTip: these are currently on sale through April 30). Here’s how my visit went, what I learned + how you can #TryThis.
Experience:
Springtime at Biltmore as an annual passholder
What we tried (with pricing):
I arrived at 11:30 a.m. on a picture perfect spring morning (think: sunshine, Cumulus clouds and temps in the high ’60s) and made my way to my favorite spots: the Conservatory, gardens, and trails. A major perk of being an annual passholder is that you can access the estate grounds for free all year long. Otherwise, daytime admission starts at $68.
Biltmore’s 6 formal gardens feature hundreds of thousands of flowers — including tulips, azaleas, daffodils, roses + more — and its exquisite Art in Bloom exhibition, which runs through May 27, is a gorgeous way to experience it all. (Another benefit of being an annual passholder? Watching the gardens + blooms change continuously throughout the year.)
What not to miss:
Biltmore’s trails — all 22 miles of them, where you can enjoy everything from leisurely walks to vigorous hikes. Got a bike? Feel free to ride it. Can’t leave home without your pooch? On these pet-friendly trails, you don’t have to. Oh, and another perk of being a passholder? Access to the Estate’s gardens and grounds 30 minutes before and one hour after regular opening hours.
Wandering around the gardens admiring the sea of blossoms helped me shrug off my stress and feel deep gratitude for the natural beauty around me. DYK Biltmore’s gardens were designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted?
The Conservatory — Biltmore’s lush greenhouse completed in 1895 — is not only chock full of all kinds of exotic plants, it is currently home to the Biltmore Gardens Railway, which runs through Sept. 26. The exhibit features botanical model train displays handcrafted from materials like twigs and leaves + left smiles on all the faces watching, kids and adults alike.
What we’re still talking about:
Stickwork by Patrick Dougherty, a unique-to-Biltmore outdoor installation, runs through Sept. 30. Entitled Free as a Bird, the large-scale sculpture situated at Antler Hill Village is crafted from sticks + branches and resembles a huge bird’s nest, inviting guests to wander inside, under, and through it.
After you’ve admired it, be sure to hit up the winery + shops dotted throughout Antler Hill Village, where annual passholders can enjoy perks like retail + dining discounts, plus being able to bring guests in their vehicles after 5 p.m. at no cost.
How you can experience this:
With 8,000 acres, it’s impossible to explore everything in one visit, so you may want to make the most of your time with an annual pass — on sale for $199 ($50 off) through Apr. 30.
Things to know if you go:
- Experience: Springtime at Biltmore as an annual passholder
- Price: $249 regularly; $199 through April 30
- Website: https://www.biltmore.com/visit/tickets-pricing/annual-pass/
- Address: One Lodge St., Asheville, NC 28803
- Hours: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Social: Facebook I Instagram I Twitter Ⓟ
