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If you live close enough, I'd get a year's pass and go several times. That's what DH and I are doing. We first went last July and toured the house; went back in September for a specialty tour; are going again this weekend for another specialty tour and to see the Christmas decorations and will go at least one more time in the Spring. We just couldn't pin it down to one visit!
We visted the Biltmore Estate last year during the first week of their Christmas/Holiday season. We toured the grounds (winery, stables, etc) during the day and took a tour of the Biltmore house in the evening. It was absolutely spectacular at night with all the lights and candles. Highly recommend!
Pay mind to the schedule of busiest days. Biltmore looks huge on the outside, but some of the corridors and rooms you are allowed to tour are narrow. You might find yourself being swept along with the tide of people if you go on a day where the crowds are bad.
I'd schedule a day to go in advance and buy tickets online accordingly (make sure your printer is working!). It's an awesome place to visit, especially during Christmas, but $64? Damn If you know someone who works at a large corporation in NC, you might check with them to see if you can get a bigger discount through their place of business. I only paid something like $33 for a ticket last year, using the discount code from my workplace.
The organization gets props for efficiency. If you have tickets in advance, you can drive straight to the gate, have your ticket scanned and proceed to parking.
Last edited by silverwing; 11-06-2010 at 05:34 AM..
I've been twice and loved it both times. The rooms looks beautiful all decorated at Christmas. It was extremely busy 2 yrs ago, bought tickets online and our time was 8:30 at night. We were bused over from the parking lot, after our tour people were still arriving by bus loads. Our tickets allowed us to go back the next day but alas it was pouring and miserable. Last year went during the day and also toured the winery.
Be sure to pay extra for the headsets as there is more information than the booklet provides and take your time, don't be rushed. You will absolutely enjoy.
You have to get a time to go into the house. Try to get the first time in the morning.(by ordering your tickets online and scheduling your time to enter the house) There aren't as many people and you can usually move through at your own pace. Biltmore is beautiful when decorated for the holidays. Have fun!
After talking to friends from Charlotte, they said the last time they were there during the holidays it was so crowded and tight, they left. Guess there's no option: Deal with the crowd at Christmas or miss it? And I really wanted the evening tour. I had no idea of how popular AND pricey!
Thanks for all the input!
It is pricey! We only visit Biltmore Estate when our cousins, who have a family pass and/or free tickets through their employer, come to visit from Cary, NC.
I've never been. What's the best time of year to go? it looks so beautiful at Christmas.
Now and for the next month is the time to go in my opinion
Oh, it's gorgeous in the sping and summer too - but I just LOVE when it's all decorated up for the Christmas holidays!!
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If you know someone who works at a large corporation in NC, you might check with them to see if you can get a bigger discount through their place of business. I only paid something like $33 for a ticket last year, using the discount code from my workplace. 
