Visiting the Biltmore Estate

As magnificent today as it was more than a century ago, prepare to feel like royalty the moment you arrive at the Biltmore Estate.

This 1895 French Renaissance castle built by George W. Vanderbilt boasts 8,000 acres, including the 250-room Biltmore House, 75 acres of beautiful gardens, the nation's most-visited winery, shopping, dining, and hiking trails. You could explore America's largest home with some planning. 1. First ensure you plan ahead by reserving your tickets, they tend to sell out, especially around the Holiday season. Buy the tickets online ( //www.biltmore.com/landing/ticket-options/ ) and save $8.

2. Discover the elegance and charm of the Biltmore house on a self-guided tour. You'll enjoy preserved original furnishings, art, and artifacts collected by George Vanderbilt himself. You'll also learn about his family and vision for the home.

3. Visit the gardens, our favorite part of the whole Estate! Designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Take a stroll through the lush and beautiful reflecting ponds of the Italian Gardens, the four-acre Walled Garden, Azalea Garden, and the Spring Garden.

4. Take a romantic walk to the Bass Pond, in spring and summer, the Meadow Trail features wildflowers and grasses, while the Woodland Trail is ablaze with azaleas in spring.

5. Take the children to the Farm! They'll love to meet the horses, calves, lambs, goats, and chickens or simply play at the playground. 6. Go for guided horseback rides. Or, enjoy a relaxing journey on a horse-drawn carriage. Biltmore has been named one of the top places in the world to go horseback riding.

7. Savor a glass of wine in the most visited winery in America. With your admission to Biltmore, you receive a complimentary wine tasting.

8. Finish the day by dining at one of the six restaurants that range from fine to casual dining. Our favorite was the Dining Room and the Sable café. Other things to note:

• The Estate is open seven days a week, 365 days a year. Hours vary at places throughout the Estate. The House is usually open 9-5 for tours.

• Saturdays tend to be the busiest days. The most crowded days of the year are Saturdays in April, May, October, November, and December.

(Please plan your visit ahead)

• There are miles of walking trails, so it's best to wear comfortable walking shoes.

• Bring a picnic or you can buy a picnic to go by the Ice Cream Shop outside the House.

• There are many great picnic spots on the Estate, especially to watch the sunset.

• Don' forget to have fun and take many photographs.