Biltmore Estate

George Vanderbilt built Biltmore between 1889 and 1895 to Richard Morris Hunt's design, a chateau in the manner of the Loire with about two hundred and fifty rooms and around sixteen thousand square metres of floor - still the largest privately owned house in the United States, and still owned by his descendants. Frederick Law Olmsted laid out the grounds and, more consequentially, the managed forest: the estate's forestry work under Gifford Pinchot is generally taken as the start of scientific forest management in America, and much of that land became Pisgah National Forest. The house tour covers the banquet hall, library, indoor pool and the service floors. There is a winery and gardens.

What to look for

• About 250 rooms - the largest private house in the country.
• Olmsted's grounds and managed forest - the start of American forestry.
• Banquet hall, library and service floors - on the house tour.
• Gardens and a winery - the rest of the estate.

When to go

April to October, or December for the Christmas dressing. A full day.

Before you go

Tickets are expensive and extras add up quickly. The house tour is crowded and timed. Christmas and autumn foliage sell out weeks ahead. Distances inside the estate need a car.

Nearby

Asheville is north; the Blue Ridge Parkway runs above.

Key facts