Biltmore Fantasy Gardens

TIPS
1. Check the weather. Afternoon showers are possible.
2. Start your tour from the gardens for a change of pace.
3. Grounds workers and signs will direct you to the garden parking lot.
4. Prioritize your walk. Which gardens interest you? Butterfly, Shrubbery, Italian, Rose to name a few.
5. Plan to end your walk at the stables for a meal or a snack.

I was prepared for the palatial beauty of the Biltmore House and Gardens in Asheville, NC. I wasn’t prepared for the fantasy life created during my stroll through the gardens and around the grounds.

On our last visit to the Biltmore we planned specifically to visit the gardens. That decision led us directly to the parking lot behind the garden gift shop and the conservatory and to a private walking tour around the gardens. To add intimacy to the experience we went directly to the garden tour and skipped the shuttle bus.

Once on the grounds we were allowed to roam around independently. Oddly enough, after we settled into the experience it began to feel to me like my own secret garden. The feeling of ownership took me completely by surprise. My own little fantasy.

The exploration took us eventually to the rear of the house and up the back steps as one would imagine the Vanderbilts and their guests might have done. From there we briefly toured the first floor of the house. Then, it was off to the stables for coffee and dessert.

The employees at Biltmore are very gracious which adds to the illusion that you are guests of the Vanderbilts. In reality, you are! The descendants of George and Edith Vanderbilt are involved in the daily operations of the Biltmore House and Gardens. They truly are committed to providing a warm and welcoming experience to each of their guests.

Plan to stay with us at Mystic Mountain Cabin when planning your visit to Biltmore House and Gardens.